Costa Rica | Riches of the Rainforest, Arenal Volcano, and the Pacific Coast

Upon arrival, after clearing customs and immigration at the airport, meet your driver and transfer to Hotel Bougainvillea. This evening, join your guide for the program orientation at 6:00 pm preceding the welcome dinner at the hotel restaurant. In order to arrive in time for orientation, participants must book flights that arrive into San José no later than 4:30 pm. Check-in starts at 2 pm.

This morning, gather for breakfast, and then attend a lecture by a local naturalist on the biodiversity of the region and rainforest structure. This information will provide the foundation for understanding the complexities of Costa Rica's ecosystems and will enhance your experiences throughout the trip. Depart San José, heading north to the Arenal region. En route, stop at La Paz Waterfall Gardens to explore the many trails and picturesque waterfalls, as well as the hummingbird garden and lush botanicals. The gardens provide a wonderful introduction to Costa Rica's flora, fauna, and scenic landscapes. Enjoy lunch at La Paz before continuing to Arenal, check in and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure to relax in the thermo-mineral waters of the pools. After dinner this evening, learn about bats by a local researcher.

After breakfast, visit Arenal Volcano National Park. Have lunch in La Fortuna at a local restaurant, and then head to Mistico Park: Arenal Hanging Bridges, a reserve that abounds with wonderful trails, suspension bridges, and outstanding natural areas. Observe the rainforest canopy from up amid the treetops, where you may find epiphytic plants, butterflies, birds, and arboreal mammals. Return to the hotel for dinner and time to relax.

Rise early for optional morning birding on the grounds. After breakfast, check out and depart for Sarapiqui. En route, visit the plantation and reserve at Best Chocolate to learn all about the cacao plant and how it's processed from fruit to final product. After witnessing all stages of the process, try a taste of freshly made chocolate with a new appreciation for its origins. Arrive at Selva Verde Lodge in time for lunch. Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve, located in the lush lowlands of north-central Costa Rica on a private tract of primary and secondary tropical rainforest. After settling in, receive an orientation to the lodge's facilities and 500-acre private reserve. Enjoy time to relax in your room, or stroll about the grounds before a buffet-style dinner in the upstairs dining room. After dessert, take a short night hike in search of nocturnal amphibians, mammals, owls, and insects.

This morning after breakfast, set out on a hike in the primary rainforest reserve to observe this unique ecosystem up-close. A variety of wildlife can be seen along the reserve's forest trails, including sloths, monkeys, iguanas, parrots, toucans, hummingbirds, and other tropical fauna. After the hike, walk through Selva Verde's gardens and learn about the beautiful tropical flowers and plants. Return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, embark on an exciting whitewater rafting adventure! The river has a gentle current with several minor Class I, II, and III rapids. A professional river guide escorts all rafting trips, and all of the necessary safety equipment (helmet, life jackets, etc.) is provided, along with a lesson on rafting safety instructions and procedures. For those not interested in rafting, a more relaxing boat trip along the river can be arranged as an alternative. This evening, have dinner at the lodge.

Check out after breakfast at the lodge, and begin the transfer to the Pacific Coast. En route, stop for a boat ride on the Corobicí River. Float down the Rio Corobicí on rubber rafts as gentle Class I and II rapids guide you through the Tropical dry forest. Keep an eye out for wildlife on the river banks and in the trees such as howler and white-faced monkeys, iguanas, crocodiles, river otters, and turtles as well as a variety of birds like the kingfishers, ospreys, trogons, herons and much more. Head back to the dock then board your bus for lunch at a local restaurant then continue to the Pacific Coast. Check in upon arrival, and enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure to explore the hotel facilities. Dinner at the hotel.

Today after breakfast transfer to Diamante Eco Adventure Park. The full day starts with putting on ziplining gear, and then attending a safety briefing by park staff, and then a thrilling zipline adventure with views of the Pacific Ocean. Next, explore the park's animal sanctuary. Have lunch on site and then enjoy access to the beach, hammocks, 10 kayaks and 4 paddle boards.

After breakfast, head to a nearby beach for a scenic catamaran journey along the beautiful Pacific coast. From the dock, take a brief ride by motorized tender to arrive at the catamaran, and then board to set sail! Enjoy a picnic-style meal on board, then swim and snorkel from the catamaran in search of tropical fish, octopuses, starfish, and rays. At the end of the cruise, board the tender back to shore and return to the hotel. The afternoon is at leisure to explore the beach or relax. This evening, gather to share a farewell dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast, travel approximately 30 minutes to the international airport in Liberia for flights home. Flights should be scheduled to depart after 2 pm. Latest hotel check-out time is noon.