Costa Rica

San José – Arenal Volcano - Hot Springs of Tabacón - Monteverde Cloud forest Region – Guanacaste (North Pacific Coast)

10 Days & 9 Nights

Day 1: San José
Arrival in San José. Meeting and greeting at the airport by an English-speaking representative and transfer to your hotel.
ON Occidental Torremolinos Hotel *** - no meals

Day 2: Poás Volcano – La Paz Waterfalls - Arenal Volcano
After breakfast your guide and private vehicle will be waiting for you to begin the journey to the Poás Volcano National Park. It is one of the world's largest geysers with an awesome crater over 1.5km in diameter! The volcano is active, but completely safe for viewing. Then you will be delighted to see La Paz Waterfall Gardens, where five beautiful waterfalls line the trail. Accessible platforms above, below and in front of the falls provide opportunities for great photos. Here you will also enjoy the Butterfly Observatory and the Hummingbird Garden which attracts more than 24 different species of birds. After lunch, which will be served at La Paz Restaurant, you will continue to explore the Arenal Volcano region.
ON Arenal Springs *** - Meals: BF/L

Day 3: Arenal Volcano, Tabacón Hot Springs
Today, your guide will lead you through the trails of young secondary forests and territories covered with old lava from previous eruptions in the Arenal National Park. The Arenal Volcano is considered one of ten most active volcanoes in the world. With some luck, you will be able to feel trembling of the ground and see the natural activity of live volcano. In the early afternoon, you will go to the hot springs of Tabacón, where you will enjoy a bath in the sulfur water of a little river that forms natural pool within a beautiful tropical setting where - with some luck - you will be able to watch the fascinating volcano eruptions of red sparkling lava. After dinner return to your hotel.
ON Arenal Springs *** - Meals: BF/ D

Day 4: Monteverde Cloud Forest Region
After breakfast, your guide will take you for the Arenal Lake driving on the Interamericana south where after a while you will take a left turn on the adventurous gravel road to continue your 35km long and difficult ride to Santa Elena in the Monteverde Cloud forest Region. This afternoon is at your disposal to rest or explore with your guide the Santa Elena Village and other local attractions such as famous cheese factory and butterfly farm.
ON El Establo Hotel *** – BF

Day 5: Monteverde Cloud Forest Region
The early morning gives you the best chance to observe birds, therefore, you will start your walk through the Santa Elena Nature Reserve very early today. Already at the entrance, you will meet many different kinds of tiny hummingbirds that come very close to their feeding stations. At mid day we will have lunch at Selvatura Walkways and later will go for a "walk in the clouds". “Walkway” is a complex of suspended bridges, platforms and trails, built within the cloud forest, it allows observation from a different perspectives. It starts on the ground through the forest and takes you up to explore the tops of the trees, a world which is very close, yet unknown to the most of us - the canopy of the cloud forest. The bridge system is located along the 1.7-mile trail designed to walk by people of all ages and physical conditions. It consists of 8 suspension bridges, which add up a distance of 1200feet of total bridge length. 90% of trail goes through primary cloud forest.
ON El Establo Hotel *** - BF - L

Day 6: Tamarindo Beach (North Pacific Coast)
Today, after breakfast, your guide will take you to the North Pacific Coast up to Tamarindo Beach; on the route you will stop to visit Las Pumas, an exotic private zoo with many kinds of Costa Rican birds and jungle cats such as panther, puma and ocelot. They had been abandoned by private persons or had been confiscated by the custom authorities for violating the law for the protection of endangered species. Rest of the day (and next 2 nights in Tamarindo) at your complete disposal to relax or explore Tamarindo village. On this evening your guide will say good-bye to you.
ON Tamarindo Diria Hotel *** - BF

Day 7 - 8: Tamarindo Beach (North Pacific Coast)
Days are at leisure. Optional (not included) activities are available for you: Rincon de la Vieja National Park tour, Palo Verde National Park tour, Canopy Adventure, Tamarindo Estuary tour by boat, Snorkel adventure, Horse back riding and many more.
ON Tamarindo Diria Hotel *** - BF

Day 9: San Jose
Enjoy the last morning of stay on Tamarindo beach. At the mid-day departure from the Tamarindo beach (private ground transportation with bilingual escort) for your transfer back to San José.
ON Occidental Torremolinos Hotel *** - BF

Day 10: Homeward Bound
After the breakfast in the hotel transfer to the International Airport for your flight back home.

Included:
Overnight stays and meals:
· 2 overnight stays/breakfast Occidental Torremolinos*** (Standard)
· 2 overnight stays/breakfast Arenal Springs *** (Junior Suite)
· 2 overnight stays/breakfast El Establo *** (Deluxe room)
· 3 overnight stay/breakfast Tamarindo Diria Hotel *** (Sunset Ocean View)

Transfers:
· Airport transfers on arrival and departure day
· Private ground transfer (with bilingual escort) from Tamarindo Beach to San José (one way)

Guide services:
· Private, bilingual expert guide - from day 2 to day 6 (during this period the guide is also at your disposal for optional activities, only additional entrance fees will have to be paid on the spot)

Transportation:
· Private transportation (modern 4x4 vehicle or minivan) from day 2 to day 6

Tours & Entrances:
· Poás Volcano National Park
· La Paz Waterfall Gardens (Entrance and lunch)
· Arenal Volcano National Park (Entrance)
· Tabacón Hot Springs & dinner
· Santa Elena Cloud Forest Preserve
· Selvatura Walkways (Lunch included)

Not Included:
· Personal expenses
· Tips and gratuities
· Optional activities
· Additional national park entrance fees
· Airport tax

Rates per person:
(Prices are possible to change due to unstable Euro exchanging rate)