Discover, Plan & Go!

"DAY 1 : ARRIVE IN SAN JOSE Welcome at San Jose's Juan Santamara International Airport and transfer to your hotel to enjoy the pool and relax for the evening. Hotel Bougainvillea or similar. [Meals on own] The Butterfly Garden, touted as the largest enclosure of its kind. DAY 2 : LA PAZ WATERFALL GARDENS TO CLOUD FOREST Your Costa Rican adventure begins after breakfast as you head out with your driver and naturalist guide for the trip to the La Paz Waterfall Gardens. The gardens consist of paved trails connecting four spectacular waterfalls, each with its own viewing platform, a hummingbird gallery and the largest enclosed butterfly garden in the world. Kids love the trails through the rainforest, the spray from the waterfalls, and hummingbirds hovering at small feeders you hold in your hand. Leave the Waterfall Gardens and travel through wonderful mountain scenery to the Continental Divide, stopping on the way for a typical Costa Rican lunch. Search for the Resplendent quetzal in the rich cloud forest ecosystem on an afternoon hike in the privately owned Biological Reserve surrounding your lodge. Overnight Bosque de Paz or similar. [BLD] DAY 3 : TICO CULTURE AND SELVA VERDE HIKING An hour and half drive brings you to the Sarapiqui area arriving in time to share a picnic lunch with the local school children. Enjoy meeting the engaging children and getting a glimpse into Costa Rican life. Keep your eyes out for neon-colored poison arrow frogs, huge bullet ants, butterflies, spectacular tropical birds, monkeys and sloth as you hike in the rainforest. Kids relish eating the tortillas and patacones they learn to make. Any extra time and energy can be spent enjoying the pool. Overnight Selva Verde Lodge or similar. [BLD] Get an up close view of nocturnal creatures discovered on a night hike with a naturalist. DAY 4 : SARAPIQUI RIVER FLOAT Spirits are high as you head out for a day of wet fun rafting the rolling Sarapiqui River. This is a wonderful first time experience with both gentle water and rolling rapids winding along the border of the protected La Selva Biological Reserve.The guides insure a safe and exciting time for all as you experience the rainforest from the river traveling through towering trees, spotting iguanas, turtles and beautiful kingfishers. Help guide the raft, cool off with a swim and inner tubing and enjoy a delicious picnic by the side of the river. After dinner grab the flashlights for a night hike in the rainforest to see the insects, birds, bats, and other noctural creatures who sleep all day. Overnight Selva Verde Lodge or similar. [BLD] DAY 5 : OFF TO THE BEACH! Wake up early for the two hour drive to San Jose, say goodbye to your naturalist guide and driver and catch your short flight to the Pacific Coast. Costa Rican beaches don't come any more beautiful than Guiones seemingly endless curve of white sand and the best surf in Nosara. A few steps away is Pelada beach, by contrast to Guiones, has a protective bay and a gentle surf that is great for small kids to swim. The beaches and dry tropical forest are wonderful spots for exploring tide pools, bird watching, fishing, surfing and snorkeling. The water, like the air, is an inviting 80-ish degrees all year round. Pizotes, monkeys, ospreys and armadillos thrive in the rich protected green zone that buffers Guiones and Pelada beaches from anything manmade. You can plan meals on your own at your hotel or any of the numerous restaurants and cafes close by that offer International and Costa Rican fare. Overnight at Harmony Hotel or similar. [B] Relax, cool off and frolic on the beach or in the pool. DAYS 6-7 : ENJOY NOSARA BEACH On your own; free to sleep late, dig in the sand, boogie board in the surf or swim in the pool. Keep as busy as you wish with the many activities you can arrange through the hotel (not included). Always wanted to learn to surf? This is your chance! Grab a paddle and glide through the water in a kayak. Charter a boat, throw in a line and try to catch your dinner. Plan a full day guided excursion, your hotel offers plenty of choices and opportunities to relax, have fun and try new things. Two nights lodging at Harmony Hotel or similar. [B] DAY 8 : CENTRAL VALLEY Take one last swim before transferring to the local airstrip for a scheduled 40 minute small airplane flight to San Jose. Arrive late morning and head to your wonderful accomodations to enjoy the grounds, the pool, views of the Central Valleyand one more day of Costa Rican sun. If you choose, a city tour, a museum visit or shopping for souvenirs can be arranged (not included). Overnight in the secluded hills of Alajuela, located close to the airport. Xandari Plantation or similar. [B] DAY 9 : TRAVEL HOME Savor one last cup of Costa Rican coffee and depart for the airport approximately two hours before your scheduled international flight. Plenty of time to talk about your memories on the way home. [B] "