Costa Rica World Nature

Pura vida. In English, it translates to “the simple life.” But pura vida is so much more: it’s an attitude; a celebration of life in the moment. It’s time to experience what pura vida means to you. You’re on your way to explore a place that’s unlike anywhere else in the world, where pura vida is an unofficial motto and a way of life. Welcome to the emerald of Central America: Costa Rica.
Hotel Name: Doubletree by Hilton Cariari Hotel

Seemingly endless mountain horizons. Complex evergreen forests. These are the wonders of Tortuguero National Park. Travel by boat* to your hotel before heading further down the rivers and canals to the world’s first sea turtle research station. Later, have time to explore Tortuguero town with your Tour Manager. Get away from it all and relax at your lodge set in the middle of the jungle, your home for the next two nights. From the morning calls of the monkeys to the gentle chatter of the birds, listen to the active sounds of the rainforest around you.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: Evergreen Lodge

Visit Area: Tortuguero National Park
This park is located in northeastern Costa Rica on the Caribbean coast, and it can only be reached by airplane or boat, but is the 3rd most visited park in the country. The coastal part of the park has many different animal species, including land turtles, manatees and crocodiles, and several types of sea turtles come here to lay their eggs, such as Loggerheads and Leatherbacks. The inland forests are home to jaguars, three-toed sloths and several kinds of monkeys. There are also many poisonous frogs and 375 species of birds. The park was established in 1975.

Begin the day on an excursion to search for the elusive green macaw and other unique winged creatures that flock to Tortuguero. Embark on a nature cruise, getting a glimpse into the life of jaguars, manatees, ocelots, and more. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy your Tortuguero resort. Tonight, a local will teach you all about his village and its previous history as a coconut plantation. Watch as he demonstrates how they use coconuts before trying your hand at making a local favorite: coconut candy.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: Cooking Demonstration

Take a boat back to the mainland and make your way towards Sarapiquí and Tirimbina Rainforest Center. Today will be an Impact Moment as you visit a cacao plantation at the Tirimbina Rainforest Center — an ecotourism destination that is vigilant of environmental, social, and economic impact. Learn the process of sustainably converting seed from bean to bar and taste for yourself why it’s called “the food of the gods.” Later, arrive at your secluded nature resort, nestled on the edge of the San Carlos River. Stroll the botanical garden lined with fruit trees, including lemon, soursop, guava, mango and tangerine.

Breakfast Included
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Dinner Included
Hotel Name: Tilajari Hotel Resort

Visit Area: Sarapiquí
This is located in the province of Heredia in north central Costa Rica, lying between the coastal wetlands region and the central highlands, and is Costa Rica’s largest area of tropical rainforest. The main products that come from Sarapiquí are coffee, bananas and cacao beans. It is always rainy season here which helps feed the rivers and streams that are popular with white-water rafters and kayakers. The Estacion Biologica La Selva, a research preserve, is located here.

Explore the beauty of your surroundings on a Peñas Blancas River Safari. Paddle and float down the river on a peaceful adventure, taking in the sights and sounds of the rainforest as your naturalist guide describes the intricacies of the wildlife around you. Visit the finca of a local family and try specialty snacks such as banana bread, gourmet Costa Rican coffee and more. End your day with a guided walk through a private, primary forest reserve for a look at the various flora and fauna.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: Tirimbina Rainforest Center
Tirimbina Rainforest Center is a non-profit organization working to conserve the biodiversity of the rainforest through research, education, and eco-tourism.

Today, suspended over the rainforest floor, relish a bird's-eye view of the jungle on a guided tour of Arenal’s famous hanging bridges. High above the jungle canopies, marvel at a cloud forest taking shape around you. Settle into your resort where you’ll be surrounded by striking views of Arenal’s famous volcano for the next 3 nights.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: Hotel Lomas del Volcán

Admittance: Chocolate-Making Demostration & Tasting
On your journey to the Sarapiquí region, an experience for the senses awaits you during a stop at a cacao plantation. A delicious endeavor into the origins of modern-day chocolate-making, you’ll learn the history of cocoa agriculture, and a fascinating demonstration illustrates the high art of converting this magical seed, bean to bar. Afterward, taste for yourself why cacao is coined “food of the Gods.”

Today, it’s your choice! Since Costa Rica is the birthplace of zip lining, glide over the canopies on a mind-blowing rip through the jungle -OR- make your way across lava fields for an up-close-and-personal look at the volcano on a moderate hike along the trails formed by lava during the 1968 eruption. The afternoon is yours to spend as you please. Perhaps you’ll discover the town of La Fortuna or relax in the hotel’s naturally heated pools. Also consider an optional excursion to a family-owned finca with an included farm to table lunch.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: River Safari
Explore your surroundings on a Penas Blancas River Safair. As you paddle down the river, take in the sights and sounds of the rainforest as your naturalist guide explains the rich wildlife all around you.

In the shadow of Arenal Volcano, the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. Perhaps, if you’re feeling adventurous, you’ll opt for an exhilarating white water rafting experience.** Or simply hang back at the resort, explore the grounds, and soak in the views.

Breakfast Included

Admittance: Forest Reserve Guided Walk

This morning, wake up and smell the coffee at a local farm that produces some of Costa Rica’s well-known beans. Take a tour with local plantation workers and have a chance to discuss what life is like for these coffee farmers. In the afternoon, head to Playa Herradura and settle into your resort for the next 2 nights. As the day draws to a close, watch the sun set over the Pacific alongside birds in every color of the rainbow.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: Marriott Los Suenos

Admittance: Hanging Bridges
These are walkways suspended near the tops of the trees in the cloud forest, so people can walk at treetop level, in the clouds. They are anchored, but not fixed, so there is some movement, but they have handrails and are quite safe. The longest one in Monteverde is 984 feet. About 90% of the organisms in the forest live near treetop level, so the bridges give access to much more than is visible from the ground. The bridges are linked by well-marked trails, and most of the way it is relatively flat.

Welcome to Manuel Antonio National Park, home to verdant rainforests and white sand beaches. In this natural wonderland, traverse the trails where the wild things are, or go for a swim in the turquoise waters as wildlife rummages in the canopies.

Breakfast Included

Visit Area: Arenal Volcano
What an impressive sight – the imposing Arenal Volcano – 7,000 years in the making and reaching over 5,000 feet! This live volcano is currently dormant but was active as recent as 2010. Its most active period began in 1968 and it stayed active until July 2010. Smoke plumes and lava flows were common occurrences for decades. Now, although quiet, it is still just as breathtaking. Rising high over the shores of the peaceful Lake Arenal and surrounded by lush forests, it is simply majestic. The volcano’s underground geothermal activity creates nature’s gift - hot springs. Spend time soaking in the soothing waters while gazing at this extraordinary sight.

See wild crocodiles among the mangroves of Tárcoles’ Rio Grande. On this exhilarating jungle crocodile safari, you’ll boat beneath the towering jungle, looking along the river banks for a glimpse of these incredible creatures. Then say goodbye to the coast and hello to San Jose. Toast to the pura vida of Costa Rica tonight over a farewell dinner.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: Doubletree by Hilton Cariari Hotel

Admittance: Choice of Zip Lining or Volcano Lava Field Hike
Costa Rica is the birthplace of zip lining. In the shadow of the Arenal Volcano, discover a new perspective of the rainforest as you glide over the canopies on an exhilarating ride through the jungle. If you’d prefer a perspective that’s a little closer to the ground but just as epic, head out with your guide on a moderate hike across the lava fields for an up-close-and-personal look at the Arenal Volcano.

Bid Costa Rica farewell as your tour comes to an end today.

Breakfast Included

Visit Area: Manuel Antonio National Park
This is a small (about 4,500 acres) national park on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, known for its beaches and hiking trails through the tropical forests. It was created in 1972 and is the smallest national park in the country. Forbes Magazine listed it as one of the world’s 12 most beautiful parks. There are beaches suitable for swimming and also tidal pools for snorkeling. Animals found there include three- and two-toed sloths, monkeys, iguanas, coatis and 184 species of birds.