As close as possible to the nature of Costa Rica and the local inhabitants.

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 16

  Marino Ballena Park - Uvita

  

  Parc National Marino Ballena Created to protect the largest coral reef in the country, the national park owes its name to the humpback whales that roam its warm waters to reproduce. You will be surprised by the natural shape of the park's beach, which draws exactly the shape of a whale's tail! Approximate duration: 2 hours. Night at the Manoas hotel. Luxury Carpa tent, with private bathroom and terrace. Included: entrance(s) to site(s) mentioned in the program, room & breakfast.

• day 17

  Dominical - Uvita

  

  Discovery of the Nauyaca Waterfalls Departure for a walk to the Cataratas de Nauyaca, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the country. You will continue the walk through lush vegetation to a canyon about 80 meters wide. Arrival at the waterfalls, some of which reach 45 meters in height. You can then fully enjoy the natural pools to swim and relax while enjoying the surrounding nature. Approximate duration: 4 to 5 hours of walking; intermediate to difficult level. Note: waterfalls closed on Sundays, entrance fee to be paid on site. Night at the Manoas hotel. Luxury Carpa tent, with private bathroom and terrace. Included: room & breakfast.

• day 18

  Uvita - San José

  

  Route from Uvita to San José. Departure route to the Costa Rican capital. Approximate travel time: 4 hours.

• day 1

  Juan Santamaría Airport - Alajuela

  

  Welcome to Costa Rica! Your driver will be waiting for you at Juan Santamaria International Airport, near San José, at an altitude of 1,150 meters, in the heart of the Central Valley, to take you to your hotel. Night at Tacacori Ecolodge. Bungalow Casita. Included: private transport, room & breakfast.

• day 2

  Siquirres - Pacuare River

  

  The Pacuare Biological Reserve and its aquatic canals Early in the morning, departure from San José in a shared service to the Pacuare Biological Reserve and the jungle surrounding the Madre de Dios river, in the Tortuguero region on the Caribbean coast. On the way, you will first cross the lush Braulio Carrillo Park, covered with thick humid tropical forest watered by torrential rains, before passing by banana plantations, of which Costa Rica is one of the world's leading exporters. It is in Goshen that you will board a motorboat to navigate among the tropical flora and fauna to the lodge, where you will arrive for lunch. In the afternoon, you will learn about the particularities of local life during a visit to the hamlet of Barra Pacuare, where fewer than 10 families live, completely isolated from the rest of the country, and you will set off by boat for a first tour of the canals of the Pacuare Biological Reserve, which is home to incredible wildlife. In this large, lush aquatic park, with the help of your local guide, you will try to spot caimans, toucans, turtles, monkeys, parrots, sloths, and multicolored birds. Info: transfers and excursions in shared service. Overnight and full board at Lirio Lodge. Standard bungalow. Included: buffet breakfast, dinner (excluding drinks), excursion (shared service), English-speaking local guide, lunch (excluding drinks), room & breakfast, transport in shared service.

• day 3

  Pacuare River

  

  In the morning, you will hike in the Pacuare Biological Reserve accompanied by your local guide, discovering the local fauna and flora, which are particularly rich in this protected area. In the afternoon, departure by boat for a 2nd tour of the aquatic canals of the Pacuare Biological Reserve. It is through this unique and extraordinary network of canals, rivers, and swamps in the heart of the jungle that you will set off with your guide in search of caimans, toucans, turtles, howler monkeys, parrots, sloths, iguanas, and multicolored birds. During the rest of the day, you can relax at the lodge, explore the Madre de Dios lagoon using the canoes at your disposal, or enjoy the "extra" activities offered by the lodge (not included, to be booked on site). Info 1: excursions in shared service. Info 2: possibility to observe turtle nesting at night (from March to June for Baula turtles) - contact us. Overnight and full board at Lirio Lodge. Standard bungalow. Included: dinner (excluding drinks), excursion (shared service), English-speaking local guide, lunch (excluding drinks), room & breakfast.

• day 4

  Pacuare River - Siquirres - San José - Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí

  

  Transport from Lirio Lodge to Siquirres In the morning, after breakfast, you will sail to the Goshen dock, before taking the road again to Siquirres. Info 1: transfers in shared service. Info 2: lunch included. Pick-up of your rental vehicle Info: you will find in the "other services" section of your quote all the information concerning your vehicle. Route from San Jose to Sarapiqui. Departure to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí, whose forests are home to tapirs, sloths, coatis, and various monkeys. Approximate driving time: 2 hours. Night at Finca Sura. Dinner included. Included: excursion (shared service), English-speaking local guide, lunch (excluding drinks), transport in shared service, car rental, room & breakfast, dinner (excluding drinks).

• day 5

  Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí

  

  Half-day volunteering in Sarapiqui During this day, in total immersion in the Sarapiqui community, you will be able to, while sharing with its members, repaint the school, do some planting, build a vegetable garden, raise students' awareness about recycling, express your artistic talents, reforest local farms... among other things! Approximate duration: 4 hours. To the rhythm of Latin music Discover a fundamental element of Latin culture: dance! On the program: Salsa, Merengue, and Cumbia Criolla. These names and rhythms will (almost) no longer hold any secrets for you. Let the music rise within you and free your hips by following your teacher's advice. Approximate duration: 1 hour. Night at Finca Sura. Dinner included. Included: excursion (group service), local guide, room & breakfast, dinner (excluding drinks).

• day 6

  Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí - Arenal Volcano

  

  Route from Sarapiqui to Arenal. Resuming the route towards the region of La Fortuna and the majestic Arenal volcano (1,650 meters), perfectly conical in shape. Approximate travel time: 1 hour 30 minutes. Walk on the hanging bridges You will enjoy a route of about 3 kilometers crossing the primary forest and around fifteen hanging bridges above the canopy, from where you will have a breathtaking view of the tropical vegetation and the Arenal volcano! Approximate duration: 2 hours of walking. Night at the Finca Luna Nueva Lodge hotel. Casa Barro room. By staying at Finca Luna Nueva, a guided tour of the finca is included. Enjoy it! Included: entrance(s) to site(s) mentioned in the program, room & breakfast.

• day 7

  Arenal Volcano

  

  A bike ride in the great outdoors! Accompanied by certified naturalist guides, during your bike ride you will enjoy the beauty of nature with remarkable landscapes all along Lake Arenal and its volcano. Approximate duration: 2 hours 30 minutes. Overnight at the Finca Luna Nueva Lodge hotel. Casa Barro room. By staying at Finca Luna Nueva, a guided tour of the finca is included. Take advantage of it! Included: equipment rental, excursion (group service), local guide, room & breakfast.

• day 8

  Arenal Volcano

  

  Cacao tour: learn, salivate, taste! Discover the secrets and wonders of one of mankind's favorite foods: chocolate. You will learn everything about chocolate, from the planting of cacao fruits, its transformation process and its history, all the way to the making of chocolate bars! You will be able to taste the indigenous chocolate drink, as well as chocolate bars made from organic cacao. At the end of the tour, you will have the opportunity to make your own chocolate bar to take with you. Approximate duration: 2 hours. Overnight at Finca Luna Nueva Lodge. Casa Barro room. By staying at Finca Luna Nueva, a guided tour of the finca is included. Enjoy it! Included: chocolate tasting, excursion (group service), French-speaking local guide, room & breakfast.

• day 9

  Arenal Volcano - Tenorio Volcano

  

  Arenal to Tenorio route. Departure to the Miravalles volcanoes (2,028 meters in altitude) and Tenorio (1,916 meters in altitude). Approximate driving time: 2 hours. Overnight at Finca Mei Tai. Tortuga room. Included: room & breakfast.

• day 10

  Tenorio Volcano

  

  Tenorio National Park You will explore one of the most beautiful trails in the country, between jungle, waterfalls, and natural hot springs. You will have the opportunity to discover the Rio Celeste, renowned for its unreal turquoise blue color (which intensifies with the reflection of light rays), due to the minerals in its waters that contrast with the intense green of the tropical vegetation. 36 km long, the Rio Celeste originates at the meeting point of 2 rivers, crosses volcanic hot springs and sulfur springs, before forming a magnificent waterfall. Approximate duration: 2 hours 30 minutes. Night at Finca Mei Tai. Tortuga Room. Included: entrance(s) to site(s) mentioned in the program, room & breakfast.

• day 11

  Tenorio Volcano - Samara

  

  In the morning, departure for the Nicoya Peninsula. You will cross the Puente de la Amistad before reaching Nicoya, the administrative center of the peninsula, which lives to the rhythm of the comings and goings of campesinos (peasants) and cowboys. You will cross varied landscapes before reaching the small seaside resort of Samara. Then, check-in at the hotel near a beautiful white sand beach, an ideal site for relaxation or swimming in the turquoise waters of the Pacific. Note: about 3 to 4 hours of driving Overnight at the Samara Pacific Lodge hotel. Standard Room. Included: room & breakfast

• day 12

  Samara

  

  Free day to enjoy the beaches of the region. Please consult us for the various water activities not to be missed on site. Night at the Samara Pacific Lodge hotel. Standard Room. Included: room & breakfast.

• day 13

  Samara

  

  Free morning to discover the region. Please consult us for the various activities not to be missed on site. Saddle up! Set off for a horseback ride between farms and coastline, in the shade of the large Guanacaste trees that gave their name to the province. The HorseJungle ranch is run by a French couple and their volunteers who are passionate about horses. You will go as far as the wild gray sand beach of Buenavista, located 3 km north of Samara. You will cross many rivers and shaded paths in the heart of the jungle before returning to the starting farm. Then you will reach Barigona beach. Like in a dream: white sand beach lined with coconut trees, turquoise and clear water. The views are unforgettable. On the way back, you will pass through the village of Buenavista, local atmosphere... Approximate duration: 3 hours. Info: this tour is available in the morning or in the afternoon to enjoy the magnificent sunset. Night at the Samara Pacific Lodge hotel. Standard Room. Included: excursion (group service), local guide, room & breakfast.

• day 14

  Samara - Costa de Pajaros

  

  Route from Samara to Costa de Pajaros. Today, you leave the beautiful Nicoya Peninsula to reach Costa de Pajaros, a region renowned for birdwatching. Approximate driving time: 2 and a half hours. Overnight at La Ensenada Lodge hotel. Standard Room. Dinner included at the hotel. Included: room & breakfast, dinner (excluding drinks).

• day 15

  Costa de Pájaros - Uvita

  

  Discovery of the mangrove by boat Early in the morning, you will set out by boat to explore the mangrove of the Abangares River. You will discover the rich wildlife of this typical ecosystem of the Gulf of Nicoya. You will be able to observe the impressive diversity of birds and, with a bit of luck, crocodiles, crabs, and iguanas. Approximate duration: 2 and a half hours. Route from Costa de Pajaros to Uvita. Today, departure for the southern Costa Rican Pacific coast to reach the Uvita region and its many beaches. Approximate driving time: 3 and a half hours. Night at Manoas hotel. Luxury Carpa tent, with private bathroom and terrace. Included: local guide, transport in shared service, room & breakfast.