After breakfast we begin our Costa Rican adventure with a guided tour of San José's Pre-Columbian Gold Museum with its priceless collection of thousands of gold artifacts and artworks from the pre-Columbian period. We will then make our way to the Toucan Rescue Ranch to tour the facilities and meet some of the toucans, sloths, monkeys, and other wildlife the center cares for. Lunch will be enjoyed together before we head to the Arenal region for a two-night stay. 

(Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included)

Our adventure today takes us into the jungle to enjoy the sights and sounds of Costa Rica’s wildlife during a safari float on the Peñas Blancas River. This peaceful tour will allow us to enjoy the tranquility of Costa Rica’s tropical rainforest. Be on the lookout for small crocodiles that duck into the water as we pass and keep an eye on the trees for a glimpse of howler monkeys swinging from the branches. With monkeys, caimans, iguanas, Jesus Christ lizards, and a wide assortment of colorful bird species making their home here, there's sure to be something exciting at every turn! Our naturalist guide will share local history and interesting facts about the plants and animals we encounter. We'll spend around two hours exploring the river banks at a relaxing paddle pace before returning to the docks to head to a tortilla-making experience and visit with a local family. A tropical drink will welcome us to the home of Doña Mara and her family, where we will try our hand at making fresh tortillas and enjoy a delicious lunch prepared on Doña Mara´s rustic wood-fired stove. Our time at Doña Mara's home will truly give us a better understanding of the meaning of "Pura Vida" experienced by rural Costa Ricans! The afternoon is ours to enjoy the resort's hot springs and other amenities before a group dinner at a local restaurant.

(Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included)

Today's touring begins with an extraordinary bird's-eye view of the rainforest, Arenal volcano, and lake from the Sky Tram gondolas (perfect for all ages and abilities). Accompanied by a bilingual guide, the ride takes around twenty minutes with the possibility of short stops to take one-of-a-kind photographs or to spot a tropical bird. We'll then switch to the Sky Trek zip lines and slide along cables that extend through the trees and over canyons, offering views of the tropical forest that only a bird could experience! The canopy tour includes eight cross-sectional cables with a total length of 1.7 miles and a maximum height of 660 feet. Those who choose not to participate in the zip lining will walk through the gardens and the hanging bridges. After lunch we will travel to a family farm to learn about traditional Costa Rican crops such as sugarcane, coffee, bananas, oranges, macadamia nuts, and arracache. Our guide will share the history of sugarcane and explain the process of farming this important crop, including the milling of cane juice with the help of oxen! An ox cart will then take us from the sugarcane plantation to the area of the farm where the cocoa process is demonstrated. To end this interesting visit, we will have the opportunity to make our own candy, or sobado, and taste a delicious gallito de arracache hash with an exquisite cup of coffee. From here we’ll head to Monteverde for the next three nights.

(Breakfast and dinner included)

After breakfast we will venture along the Selvatura hanging bridges in the cloud forest canopy for a peaceful look at the flora and fauna of the treetops from a completely different perspective. A naturalist will entertain and educate us with narration throughout. Cloud forests are a rare occurrence around the world due to the particular atmospheric conditions required for consistent cloud cover. The clouds often hang as low as the tree canopy, making this walk an otherworldly experience! Time will be available for lunch back at our hotel before we make our way to the Monteverde Butterfly Gardens to learn about Costa Rica's insects and arachnids. With over thirty species of butterflies in four different habitats, over twenty species of live insects and arachnids, and an active leaf-cutter ant colony, there is plenty to explore. We will then make our way to Sofia, a local restaurant featuring eclectic Costa Rican and fusion cuisine in a lovely tropical setting.

(Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included)

We will rise early today and head to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve protecting a wide variety of endangered species. More than 2,500 plant species, 100 mammal species, 400 bird species, 120 amphibian and reptile species, and thousands of insect species draw scientists and tourists alike! Rare and unusual wildlife such as jaguars and pumas call this home, as does the world's largest population of quetzal birds. As a cloud forest with nearly 100% humidity year-round, it is almost always bathed in a soft mist, and it receives an incredible four meters of rain every year! We will also visit Don Juan for a tour of the coffee plantation that begins with the history of coffee around the world, its importance in Costa Rica's development, and the process of turning a seed into a delicious cup of coffee. The focus will then shift to chocolate with a look at how a cacao seed is turned into pure and ground cocoa. The afternoon is ours to relax back at our hotel. Dinner at the hotel will be followed by a night walk along natural trails through an incredible variety of habitats. These areas bordering the Monteverde Cloud Forest are inhabited by a great variety of bird and mammal species.

(Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included)

Today we will journey south to Jaco to settle into our the spectacular Hotel Punta Leona resort for three all-inclusive nights!

(Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included)

Hotel Punta Leona is nestled on a unique tropical rainforest with part of the property declared a Wildlife Reserve thanks to its incredible biodiversity. The resort boasts so much to see and do, whether you wish to simply relax or get out and explore. Soak in the sun on the beautiful white-sand beaches with a drink in hand or go kayaking or snorkeling in the emerald green waters of the Pacific. Get pampered at the spa or play a round on the mini-golf course. When you’ve worked up an appetite, three unique dining experiences await – along the beach, in the middle of the rainforest, or poolside. And when your thirst needs quenched, the resort’s two bars offer a wide range of beers, cocktails, and more.

(Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included)

Enjoy another day to do as little or much as you wish! Consider taking part in a dance or aerobics class, joining a boccia tournament, or stepping into the beautiful world of butterflies in the butterfly garden. Head out on a guided walk along the resort’s trails to discover the flora and fauna of the reserve, including capuchin and spider monkeys, kinkajous, and more than 300 species of birds. If you’re looking to be even for adventurous, a number of one-day tours are available to popular attractions such as Arenal volcano and hot springs, Manuel Antonio National Park, and Tortuga Island.

(Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included)