Costa Rica | Exploring the Riches of the Rainforest, Arenal Volcano, and 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 pm before enjoying a welcome dinner at the hotel restaurant. In order to make it 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 about the rainforest structure and biodiversity of the region. This information is designed to provide a foundation for understanding the complexities of Costa Rica's ecosystems and enhance the experiences throughout the trip. Depart San José, heading north to the Sarapiquí region. En route, stop at La Paz Waterfall Gardens to explore its many trails and stunning waterfalls, as well as a 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 Sarapiquis Rainforest Lodge, located in the lush lowlands of north-central Costa Rica. Enjoy time to relax in your room or stroll around the grounds before dinner. After dessert, take a short night hike in search of nocturnal amphibians, mammals, owls, and insects.

This morning after breakfast, depart for the Organization for Tropical Studies La Selva Biological Station, one of the world's leading institutions in tropical education and research. La Selva was originally established in 1954 by Dr. Leslie Holdridge as a farm dedicated to experimentation on mixed plantations for the improvement of natural resources management. It was purchased in 1968 by the Organization for Tropical Studies and declared a private biological reserve and station. Since then, it has become one of the most important sites in the world for research on tropical rainforest. Over 240 scientific papers are published yearly from research conducted at the site. Be on the lookout for the Coati, Collared peccary, Mantled howler monkey, agouti, three-toed sloth, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Crested Guan, Great Tinamou, Pied Puffbird and Spectacled Owl. Return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the plantation and reserve at Best Chocolate to learn all about the cacao plant, how it's processed from fruit to final product, and the natural and cultural history of chocolate in Costa Rica. After witnessing all stages of the process, enjoy a taste of freshly made chocolate with a new appreciation for its origins.

Rise early for optional morning birding on the lodge grounds. After breakfast, check out and depart for Arenal. En route, stop at La Fortuna, a picturesque town that is a great place to take photos and shop for souvenirs. Have lunch at a local restaurant in La Fortuna, and then head to Místico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park, a reserve that abounds with wonderful trails, suspension bridges, and outstanding natural areas. Its trail system straddles different types of ecosystems, forming a transitional vegetation strip of high biodiversity where both highland and lowland species reside. Observe the rainforest canopy from up amid the treetops to spot epiphytic plants, butterflies, birds, arboreal mammals, and more. Upon arrival at Arenal Observatory Lodge, check in and relax for a while before dinner. When the weather allows, the hotel affords excellent views of Arenal Volcano. After dinner this evening, learn about bats from a local researcher.

After breakfast, visit Arenal Volcano National Park to learn about geological activity in Costa Rica. Hike along the base of the active but currently resting Arenal Volcano, through the forest, over lava flows, and to the damaged areas now in the process of regeneration. Return to the lodge for lunch, and have some time to explore the trails and gardens of the resort. In the evening, visit Ecotermales Hot Springs in La Fortuna to have a soak in the thermally heated hot springs warmed by Arenal Volcano and have dinner on site.

Check out after having breakfast at the lodge and begin the journey to the Pacific Coast. En route, stop for a boat ride on Río Corobicí. Float down the river on rubber rafts guided by gentle Class I and II rapids through the tropical dry forest. Keep an eye out for wildlife on the river banks and in the trees, including howler and white-faced monkeys, iguanas, crocodiles, river otters, and turtles, as well as a variety of birds like kingfishers, ospreys, trogons, herons, and much more. Head back to the dock and board the bus to go for lunch at a local restaurant before continuing toward the Pacific Coast. Check in upon arrival and enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure to explore the hotel facilities.

Today after breakfast, travel to Diamante Eco Adventure Park. Start the full day at this oceanfront park by putting on ziplining gear and attending a safety briefing by park staff before going on a thrilling zipline adventure with views of the Pacific Ocean. Next, explore the park's wildlife sanctuary to see rescued jaguars, toucans, sloths, and many more species. Have lunch on site, and then enjoy the park's access to the beach, which features hammocks, 10 kayaks, and four paddle boards.

After breakfast, head to nearby Playa Flamingo for a scenic catamaran journey along the beautiful Pacific coast. From the dock, take a quick ride on a motorized tender to arrive at the catamaran and set sail. Enjoy a picnic-style meal on board before swimming and snorkeling off 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. Spend the afternoon 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 the flights home. Flights should be scheduled to depart after 2 pm. The latest hotel check-out time is noon.