Day 1
San Jose
Upon arrival to the airport, private transfer to your hotel. We will be staying at Le Bergerac Hotel.
Day 2
Rios Tropicales Lodge
Early morning we depart, traveling east towards the Caribbean and crossing the amazing Braulio Carrillo National Park. You will arrive at our Rios Tropicales Operations Center for a hearty “Tico” traditional Costa Rica breakfast, and with time to change into clothing for rafting, and shop for any last minute needs in our handy outfitter’s store. You’ll then depart for our private rafting put-in on the Pacuare River in San Martin. There your professional guides will load your gear into dry bags, prepare all the rafting equipment, give you complete safety and paddle instruction. The first day's Class III rapids welcome you to the Pacuare gorge's charm as you raft deep in the heart of primary rainforest. While your guides prepare a hearty picnic lunch on the riverbank, you'll enjoy a walk through the jungle to an enchanting waterfall and pool to swim. Before you know it, you'll arrive at the unique Rios Tropicales Lodge where you can spend the afternoon relaxing, hiking or soaking in our waterfall and pools. You’ll get the chance to settle into your rooms, than come on down to our open air dining area, where our guides prepare fresh appetizers and our guest-acclaimed “famous jungle punch”. As the sun dips behind the hills and the twilight fades, you will be treated to a delicious freshly prepared dinner with candlelight and wine. Overnight stay at Rios Tropicales Lodge.
Day 3
Rios Tropicales Lodge
This day is designed to enjoy the lodge and its natural surroundings. You will have the opportunity to experience the wonders of the rainforest canopy on the zip line course at no additional cost. It’s free as part of your vacation package. The four distinctive platforms blend in seamlessly with the natural surroundings, giving you an amazing perspective of life in the roof of the jungle, the perfect opportunity to try the zip-line adventure for the first time. In addition to the canopy tour, your adventure includes any of the following hikes: a) 4-5 hour hike high into the Pacuare Reserve; b) a 2-3 hour hike to nearby waterfalls and pools, or c) a short walks near the lodge. There is also a sheltered hammock area that makes for the perfect spot to catch up on your reading, sip a cocktail, or just relax and take in the stunning beauty of this amazing retreat. The noises of the hustle and bustle of city life will soon be a distant memory, replaced with the soothing sounds of the tropical rainforest that surrounds you. Alternatively, you may choose to support the local community and take the hiking tour to the nearby Bajo Tigre village, with a chance to learn from local community members about their sustainable farming and environmental responsibility. Your bilingual river guide will accompany you and interpret along the tour. This tour is completely managed by the Bajo Tigre Community and the tour fee you will pay goes 100% to fund their community needs.
Day 4
Rios Tropicales Lodge
After enjoying Costa Rica's tastiest coffee and a hearty breakfast, you will pack up and load the rafts in preparation for paddling down the Pacuare gorge past gushing waterfalls, serene pools and Class III-IV pounding rapids. A snack stop by the riverside lets you explore more waterfalls and natural water slides. An adrenaline-packed afternoon running rapids like Upper and Lower Huacas, Cimarron, Dos Montanas and many more, will have you cheering ecstatically. A vehicle will transfer you from the take-out in the town of Siquirres and whisk you away to Rios Tropicales Operations Center just a few miles up the road. A hearty hot lunch will be waiting on you upon arrival. Showers, changing rooms, cold and hot drinks, snacks and a bar, and souvenirs are available. Then continue overland to La Fortuna area. We will be staying at Arenal Manoa Hotel.
Day 5
Arenal
Today you will have true tree-top adventure on the Skytram & SkyTrek (Zipline) tour. You will be transferred to the nearby Arenal Rainforest Reserve, where you will be able to appreciate a natural environment. You also enjoy the adrenaline and security offer by rivers and trails trough the Rainforest, and enjoy an Aerial Tram with the best technology available. There is also an exhibition area housing photographs and video of the forest. The tour includes the ascent by cable car to the top of the Arenal Reserve, where you can see beautiful landscapes of the forest, lake and the volcano. On the way back you can choose to return on the tram or take the Sky Trek which is a secure system of trails and zip lines that offer visitors the opportunity to observe and appreciate the nature from different vantage points. The Sky Trek is similar to other canopy tours in Costa Rica, but incorporates some significant differences, such as being of larger scale, metal platforms covered with mesh-covered and steel rails which prevent falling or sliding. All the platforms are designed for observation of life rather than damage of it. We will be able to observe trees like Cocora (billia hippocastanum); Peine de Mico (apeiba membranacea), and Capulín (mortoniodendron apetala) just to name a few. The shortest cable is 195 ft (60 mts) and the longest is 650 ft (200 mts). All the equipment we use is very safe and simple, and will be handled by the guides so you can sit back and enjoy the day. The construction (rigging) of the tour meets the safety regulations specified by the ACCT (Association for Challenge Course Technology), considering our tour one of the safest in Costa Rica. Rest of the day is left at leisure you to relax and enjoy the hotel's swimming pool!
Day 6
Arenal
This morning will be free for you to relax or take any optional excursions. This afternoon you will be transferred for about 20 minutes to the far west side of Arenal Volcano, where you’ll spend about one hour exploring the Silencio Trail. Your expert bilingual naturalist guide will find the animals, point-out indigenous rain forest plants and educate you about their medicinal properties. Frequent sightings include: monkeys, wild boars, two types of toucans, White-Nosed Coatis, Oro Pendula birds, Golden Eyelash Vipers, Boa Constrictors, White-tailed Deer, Great Curassows. Before dark, you’ll continue to the observation point, which offers the closest, most direct lava flow vista. Relax, enjoy a drink and listen to the incredible sounds of the volcano. If cloud cover is high enough, expect to see a dazzling. Your guide will explain the history of this magnificent volcano as you listen to a variety of frogs, toucans, and insects, watch thousands of lightning bugs. You will then end the day at Ecotermales Fortuna which consists of a series of pools fed with volcanic hot-water that springs from the Hidalgo Family Farm sitting at the foot of the impressive Arenal Volcano. There are five pools of thermal hot water between 37º and 42º C. (98º - 107° F) plus one pool of cool water. The first pool has water that propitiates the natural massage and if you go behind it, the water steam turns it into a natural sauna. There is also a small waterfall and a natural Jacuzzi. This unique oasis is surrounded by lush gardens and forest and cemented trails. For your enjoyment and comfort there are two bar areas, a restaurant serving typical food, secure private parking lot, and dressing rooms with private lockers. The property is also suitable for children and disabled visitors. You will enjoy a hearty typical dinner and then be transferred back to your hotel.
Day 7
San Jose
After breakfast, you will be taking a 3 1/2 hour overland private transfer back to the Central Valley for your return flight home or overlap with an add-on of your choice.
River Rafting
Arenal Volcano
Rios Tropicales Lodge
