Day 01 USA – San Jose

Upon your arrival to the San Jose’s International Airport, clear customs and immigrations and exit the Airport, a representative from our company will meet you and present you with land portion vouchers. He will provide a private overland transfer to your hotel in San Jose (driving time: 30 minutes approximately).

The capital of Costa Rica, San Jose is located in the heart of the Meseta Central or Central Valley. Sitting in the northern region of San Jose province, San Jose sits right in the center of Costa Rica. This central location therefore, allows the capital to have direct access routes to all parts of the country. With a pleasant climate and temperate weather, San Jose province enjoys mild to moderate temperatures throughout the year, hovering around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This near perfect weather thus makes the San Jose province one of the most populated in Costa Rica. Today thousands of visitors seek out the Central Highlands, where coffee-covered mountains lead into a lush green valley.

Day 01-02 San Jose

1 night´s accommodations in San Jose at the Costa Rica Marriott Hotel (double executive floor) or similar. (B included).

Welcome to Costa Rica! Voted by Conde Nast as one of the best hotels in Central America and Mexico, this Marriott Costa Rica Hotel is a beautiful colonial hacienda set on a 30 acre coffee plantation. With its unique architecture and elegant antiques, this luxury hotel in San Jose Costa Rica features captivating grounds, exceptional service and a relaxing ambiance. Whether you are here for business or an adventurous Costa Rica vacation, enjoy magnificent natural attractions such as volcanoes, rainforest trails, and canopy tours. Experience fine dining, exquisite tapas and wines at La Isabela, known as one of the best restaurants in San Jose Costa Rica. Swim in our two outdoor pools or pamper yourself at our coffee inspired Kuö Spa. For Costa Rica meetings or incentive groups, the hotel offers 11350 sq-ft of versatile function space, professional meeting planners and superb catering. Enjoy the splendor of this country and be assured that Costa Rica Marriott has everything for the perfect Costa Rica.

Day 02 San Jose – Arenal

Morning overland transfer to the north slopes of the country (driving time: 3 hours approximately).

Acknowledged for its amazing natural beauty, the Arenal region of Costa Rica is a tourist hotspot with millions of visitors coming here every year. Located near the base of the Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica’s most active volcano, the tiny town of Nuevo Arenal is a must visit when exploring this region. A picturesque and quaint town with close proximity to the beautiful Lake Arenal, this town is known for its breathtaking vistas and superb mountain and volcano views. Lying some 30 minutes from the town of Tilaran on the north east side of Lake Arenal, Nuevo Arenal can also be easily accessed from the town of La Fortuna de San Carlos as well. Located at an altitude of 620 meters above sea level, the weather here is great as the climate remains cool and fresh all year long. Created in 1973 when a dam was built in the region, Nuevo Arenal or New Arenal came into existence when the waters of the lake rose and the former town of Arenal disappeared underwater. Built on higher safer ground, Nuevo Arenal is a small town with all the basic necessities that one needs. Found in town are a number of banking services, a health clinic, grocery stores, mini-markets, a gas station, restaurants, hotels, resorts, bars and plenty of souvenir shops. The nightlife in Nuevo Arenal is quite active as well. When in town, do remember to stop at the German bakery for some delicious local delicacies and snacks. For those who enjoy the outdoors, the fishing in Lake Arenal is very good, as there are plenty of Rainbow Bass and other fresh water fish found here. For the more daring, windsurfing in the lake is a great way to spend the day. With strong winds lasting from November to April, Lake Arenal attracts world class windsurfers from all over the globe. If you like, you can also take some lovely nature hikes around the lake area where you will get the chance to see various birds and animals, such as the Howler Monkeys, toucans, White Hawks and Chachalacas.

Day 02-04 Arenal

2 nights´ accommodations in Arenal at The Springs Resort & Spa Hotel (double alta vista suite) or similar. (Breakfast included).

With a spectacular view of the Arenal Volcano, natural hot and cold springs, four unique dining experiences, and an impressive full service Spa, The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal promises to overwhelm you in every aspect of quality, service and design. The resort perches one thousand feet above the Arenal Valley on a mountain ridge just six kilometers north of the active volcano but safely outside the government declared danger zone. Our higher altitude relative to other hotels in the area allows for not only incomparable views of the volcano, the lush valley, and the surrounding towns that sparkle at night, but also access to the area’s famous prevailing breezes. In fact, the name Arenal is an indigenous word meaning “Window of the Wind”. With an average daytime high temperature of 80˚F in the shade and nighttime lows averaging 70˚F you are sure to enjoy countless comfortable hours in your balcony hammock, al fresco dining, or sipping a frothy tropical cocktail in one of our spring pools.

Day 03 Arenal

Enjoy the Arenal Hanging Bridges, this amazing project is located in a wonderful rain forest preserve with 250 hectares protected land. You can go into the natural paradise along walking trail of three kilometers passing 15 bridges, six of them are hanging bridges with an spectacular design as a secure – enjoyable adventure to see the forest from the ground (like a Jaguar) from the middle (like as Monkey) and from the treetops (like an Eagle)…One of our hanging bridges is called The Waterfall Bridge and is over 60 meters high off the ground.

Another one is called The Tyra Bridge and is 98 meters long, just to give you an idea. In this heaven of nature live over 250 species of birds, including the White Hawk, Great Curassow, Rufous Motmot, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Black-throated Trogon, reptiles like the: Fer-de-lance Snake, Boa Constrictor, Basilisks Lizard, Glass Frog, Poison Dart Frog… and amazing mammals like: Howler Monkeys, Spider Monkeys, Tyras, Coatimundis, Three-toed Sloths, White-collared Peccary…Some of our clients have the fortune of seeing some of them. Thousands of beautiful insects like: Butterflies, colorful Beatles, amazing Leaf-cutter Ants, or the artistic Web-making Spiders… That’s just the animals, but the diversity of trees plants like, Orquids or Elephant Ears is tremendous and incredible.

Day 04 Arenal - Monteverde

Morning transfer back to the lake shore to board a speed boat that will cross the lake in about 45 minutes, at the other end a private car will be waiting for you to transfer you to the Monteverde Cloud Forest.

Most famous for being associated with the Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde or the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, the tiny community of Monteverde is a small village located near the entrance of the cloud forest. Monteverde which means ‘green mountain’ in
Spanish was founded by the Quaker community that migrated from North America to Costa Rica in the 1950’s. Though not an actual village as many of the homes spread out over a large area, this village has now developed itself to cater to the huge number of tourists that pass through here. Upon your arrival in Monteverde you will find that much of this village remains untouched by modernity, and most of the people here still lead rural lives. In town, which is actually Santa Elena, there is a bank, where you can exchange your money and travelers checks, as well as withdraw cash. There is also a pharmacy, local hospital, book store, gas station, ATM machine, police station, and post office in the area as well. A number of supermarkets, internet cafes, restaurants, and bars have also opened up; mostly to serve tourists who pass through town. As the weather here is quite chilly and misty, due to the village being high up in the Tilaran Mountain Range, do bring some thick clothes and a light jacket to stay warm. A lovely and peaceful place perfect for those who enjoy nature, the village of Monteverde is actually a dairy farming community that makes some of the best cheeses in Costa Rica. When here, do remember to try out the delicious local cheeses, which are a treat to eat. If you are a bird watcher, this village offers some lovely bird watching opportunities, even though you are not in the cloud forest itself. However, if you prefer to do the more touristy thing, visit the local craft centers, the women's co-op center, the butterfly garden and the Hummingbird Gallery in town. Nearby Monteverde is Santa Elena, another small village that also has its own cloud forest called Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, but which is much smaller than the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

Day 04-06 Monteverde

2 nights´ accommodations in Monteverde at El Establo Hotel (double suite) or similar. (Daily breakfast included).

Quaker hospitality awaits you in our hotel, set in a private 150 acres farm (50% protected primary forest) adjacent to the Monteverde Reserve. The property offers: 155 Rooms, Tennis, basketball and soccer courts, 2 indoor tempered swimming pools, 2 bars, Gym, Spa, Conference Center, 2 Restaurants, Canopy Tour

Day 05 Monteverde

Enjoy a four hour nature tour through the renowned Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve where a local professional naturalist guide will show and explain you of all the different macro/micro flora and fauna. Visit the Golden Toad's unique habitat; see birds like the Resplendent Quetzal (the most beautiful bird of the Americas), the Three-wattle Bell Bird, and the Black Faced Solitaire. Trees like Strangler Figs, Avocados and Cecropias. Epiphytes like Bromeliads, Orchids and Mosses. And a wide array of insects, mammals and reptiles. In the afternoon visit the Monteverde Sugar Mill, this unforgettable experience will allow you to meet and share with a peasant family and learn from our culture. You will be able to learn about the process of the sugar cane until you get the sugar on your table. You will also see banana, coffee process and other plantations.

Day 06 Monteverde - Guanacaste

Morning private overland transfer to the Guanacaste north beach area (driving time: 4 hours approx).

Long summer days and beautiful beaches are two phrases that best define what Guanacaste is all about. A province for the active soul, Guanacaste draws visitors with its stunning shoreline, incredible bird watching, amazing horseback riding, excellent surfing, superb snorkeling and wonderful mountain lake windsurfing. With so much to do, it’s easy to understand why so many people come to visit this amazing province. Forming the eastern borders of Guanacaste is a chain of volcanoes that stretch out to join the Cordillera de Guanacaste and Cordillera de Tilaran mountain ranges. Offering some truly terrific hiking facilities, tourists can trek their way to the summit of a number of volcanoes, including Rincon de la Vieja Volcano Area, to enjoy some really breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. Passing through lovely lush dense forests, which play host to a fabulous array of exotic plant and wildlife, many rare and endangered animals and birds live here including jaguars and tapirs. From these mountains also flow various rivers that roll down to form an alluvial plain drained by the Rio Tempisque. This river in turns nurtures the province before emptying itself into the Golfo de Nicoya.

Day 06-08 Guanacaste

2 night´s accommodations in the Guanacaste Province at the Punta Islita Hotel (double ocean view) or similar (breakfast included).

Developed in full synergy with its neighboring communities, Hotel Punta Islita is a premium beachfront getaway featuring the charm, culture, and bewildering natural biodiversity of Costa Rica and its Guanacaste province. Perfect for family vacations, romantic getaways, honeymoons, and relaxation escapes. Hotel Punta Islita’s tiered layout grants spectacular ocean views and seclusion. This luxury Costa Rica resort offers world-class facilities for fine dining, relaxation, spa treatments, soft adventure, and beach activities. Hotel Punta Islita has been recognized by travel publications and responsible tourism organizations for its top-level service and commitment to sustainability. Its memberships and affiliations attest to the hotel’s quality and the success of its innovative Responsible Tourism program. Hotel Punta Islita has been featured in prime international media including the BBC, Condé Nast Traveler, the Daily Telegraph, National Geographic, Travel+Leisure, and Town & Country. Please read what they have said about its service and Responsible Tourism programs. You can also learn more about Hotel Punta Islita in our Press Release and Guest Review sections.

Day 07 Guanacaste

Free day to relax, explore the area on your own and enjoy the resort´s facilities.

Day 08 Guanacaste – USA

Departure transfer back to the International Airport on time to take your flight back home. Due to local regulations, international travelers need to check in around 3 hours before flight departure. End of services.