Smart Costa Rica

Description

This unique trip experience will allow you to explore three of Costa Rica’s most popular areas: the capital city, the Arenal Volcano, and Monteverde’s cloud forest accompanied by a naturalist, and local guide all along the trip. Arriving in San Jose, you will get the chance to discover this typical Latin American capital. Located in the heart of the country, you will visit the city of La Fortuna and the impressive Arenal volcano. Take a calm ride boat to arrive in Monteverde, a very interesting town founded by a group of Quaker families from the United States. Monteverde is a great place to discover the impressive cloud forest biodiversity of the country.

Programme

Day 1:
Private Arrival Transfer to San Jose Hotel.
Upon arrival in Costa Rica, once you clear immigration, baggage claim and customs, you will arrive at the exit where our representative will be waiting for you (holding a sign with his name on it). Our guide will welcome you and review your trip details and then transfer you to your hotel. The journey from the airport to the hotel takes approximately 30 minutes (depends on traffic).

Day 2:
Breakfast. Shared transfer Interbus San José - Arenal
Distance and travel time: 163 km. 3.5 hours approximately.

Day 3:
Breakfast. Ecoterra Costa Rica: Combo Tour - Arenal Volcano Hike and visit to La Fortuna Waterfall
You will first visit the national park for a 3.5 km walk along trails of solidified volcanic lava and primary forest at Mirador El Silencio, until you reach the closest and safest point possible. From there, you will be able to observe impressive views of the Arenal Lagoon, the secondary forest and areas devastated in ancient eruptions. You will then visit La Fortuna Waterfall, famous for its 230 foot (70 meter) high waterfall. There you can take a light bath in its cool waters or take pictures of its splendid and imposing fall.
Duration: Approximately 5.5 hours.
What to wear? Walking shoes, bathing suit and towel, comfortable clothes, repellent, sunscreen, camera.

Day 4:
Breakfast. Day at leisure in La Fortuna.

Day 5:
Breakfast. Shared lake crossing transfer Arenal - Monteverde
From Hotel Arenal Paraiso Resort & Spa to Hotel Monteverde Country Lodge.
This service, half transfer and half excursion, is a fast and scenic way to go from La Fortuna (Arenal area) to Monteverde.
You will leave your hotel in La Fortuna, to start a minibus trip for approximately 30 minutes to the Arenal Lake dam.
Once at the dam, you will board a comfortable and safe pontoon-type boat, after a 30 to 40-minute journey you will arrive in Río Chiquito, a small community on the other side of the lake.
Arenal Lake is the largest and most important in Costa Rica, it is of artificial origin built in 1974 in order to obtain hydroelectric power for the country. It is also a place where you can find a variety of resident and migratory birds, on some occasions it is possible to observe mammals such as monkeys and sloths in the surroundings of the place, in addition, excellent views of the Arenal Volcano when it clears up.
Already in Río Chiquito, you will leave the boat and continue another journey of approximately 1.5 hours to the hotels in the Monteverde area. (During the rainy season, this transfer may take a little longer).
It is recommended to bring long pants, a coat, comfortable shoes, a camera, binoculars, sunscreen, and a rain jacket.

Day 6:
Breakfast. Ocotea Tours: Regular half day tour in the Monteverde Reserve.
The tour begins when the naturalist guide picks you up at your hotel in Monteverde. Then you will start to discover the trails, there are several that you can choose from. An alternative is to hike to La Ventana panoramic viewpoint, where you can witness the natural contrast made by the Continental Divide, a geographic feature that traces the main mountain ranges of Costa Rica. Here, you can experience the force of the moisture-laden trade winds blowing in from the Atlantic coast, as they descend at high speed toward the Central Pacific and the northern coastal plains of Costa Rica. There are more than 500 species of birds, including the majestic Quetzal, 120 species of reptiles and amphibians, more than 3,000 plants, and the largest variety of orchids in the world.
Duration: approximately 3-4 hours.
What to wear? Warm clothes, walking shoes, cape, camera and binoculars. What includes? Entrance, tour with bilingual naturalist guide and
transport.

Day 7:
Breakfast. Shared transfer Interbus Monteverde - San José
Distance and transfer time: 133 km. 3.5 hours approximately.

Le prix comprend

- Private arrival transfer with bilingual driver (ES/EN)
- Daily breakfasts
- Shared transfers between areas with a bilingual driver (ES/EN)
- Activities in shared mode with a bilingual guide (ES/EN) as follows:
Arenal: Combo Tour Hike to the Volcano, El Silencio Viewpoint and visit to La Fortuna Waterfalls. Includes: Transportation, guide, bottled water, entrance to the park, and snacks.
Monteverde: Regular half-day tour in the Monteverde Reserve. Includes: transfers, naturalist guide and entrance
- Departure shared shuttle transfer to the International Airport with bilingual driver (ES/EN)
- Accommodation taxes

Le prix ne comprend pas

- Departure taxes (US$ 29.00 per person)
- Tips
- Optional Tours
- Alcoholic beverages
- Personal expenses
- Air tickets to/from Costa Rica