Activites:
San Jose, La Paz Waterfall Gardens, La Fortuna/ Arenal Volcano, Sugar Beach /Guanacaste
Itinerary Summary:
Day 1
Fly to the San Jose international airport. Upon arrival you will be met by one of our representatives, where your itinerary will be explained and questions answered. You will also be provided with a packet of vouchers and information about your trip. Transfer to your hotel, Hotel Bougainvillea. The views across the valley from this hillside location are wonderful and the gardens are beautifully designed and well tended. It is easy to forget that you are just 15 minutes from San Jose. There is also a great pool for your family to enjoy!
Day 2
Transfer to Arenal. Take your time and see a great attraction along the way! The La Paz Waterfall gardens is a unique site you may never see anywhere else. See 5 magnificent waterfalls (including Costa Rica's famous "La Paz"), the world's largest enclosed butterfly observatory, 4 kilometers of paved trails with viewing platforms, hummingbird gardens and a restaurant with breathtaking views. Your bilingual driver and guide will take you through the park and then speed you on to Arenal. Check into the Hotel Arenal Paraiso. You and your family can relax and enjoy the brand new pools & hot spring fed wetbar, and enjoy the great views of the volcano from your bungalow.
Day 3
Take an all day tour of the best spots to visit in Arenal. Start out at a butterfly observatory and then head back past town to the La Fortuna Waterfall, and take in the beautiful panoramic views of the San Carlos lowlands. A short hike down a steep trail (with steps and a handrail) leaves you only a few feet in front of this powerful waterfall. Sit on the huge rocks around the falls, admire the beauty of the surrounding flora, or take a refreshing swim in several pools Next, energize with a fantastic Costa Rican lunch. Take a guided walk along the trails of lava flows. Hear eruptions and lava tumbling down the face of this mighty volcano. Occasionally, you may see lava rocks on this side of the mountain. Now it's time to relax in the thermal hot springs. The tour starts early and ends late, so don't be worried if your kids sleep like never before!
Day 4
Did somebody say wildlife? Spend the day at the Caño Negro Nature Preserve, where you can expect to see 40 species of birds, caiman, sloth´s , bats, turtles, lizards, monkeys and iguanas on an average day. Located near the small town of Los Chiles, it's (3 miles) from the Nicaraguan border. The tour begins with a 90 minute drive through some of Costa Rica's richest farmland. Your expert bilingual naturalist guide will point out some of Costa Rica's agricultural bounty. Following a 15-minute break in Los Chiles, you'll board a comfortable covered motor launch on the Rio Frio. All seats offer excellent viewing.
Day 5
Transfer to Sugar Beach, but stop and float along the Corobici River on the way. You will surely want to have your binoculars and camera ready as you encounter monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and various species of tropical birds. As you sit back and enjoy the professional guide will educate you on the workings of the vast ecosystem that surrounds the river. Check into the Sugar Beach Hotel. This family-friendly hotel sits on 24 acres alone on the private beach of Playa Pan de Azucar, referred to as "the prettiest beach in Costa Rica." Nature is evident all around as the sounds of birds, monkeys and the sea create a sense of awareness and relaxation.
Day 6
Relax on the beach! Enjoy the calm waters!
Day 7
Time for a little adventure! Take Combination Canopy Tour. Expert guides assist you in this exciting journey through the different layers of the virgin rain forests and explain what's going on around you, from the time you leave the ground, until you rappel back down to the forest floor. Once your work-out has concluded, take a short horseback ride to the soothing natural hot springs in the area, where you can ease all of your cares away. This tour is appropriate for everyone above the age of 5.
Day 8
Enjoy your morning! In the early afternoon, we'll transfer you to nearby Tamarindo for a short domestic flight to San Jose. Our driver will be waiting for you to take you to Hotel Bougainvillea for your last night.
Day 9
Transfer to the international airport for your flight home.