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 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.

Gather for breakfast, and then walking in the lovely gardens of the hotel grounds. Afterward, 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 Pix Bay for lunch and to learn about the heart of palm. Continue to the lodge; after settling in, receive an orientation to the lodge's 500-acre private reserve and facilities. Enjoy time to relax in your room or stroll around the grounds before a buffet-style dinner in the upstairs dining room.

This morning set out on a hike in the reserve's primary rainforest 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. After dessert, take a short night hike in search of nocturnal amphibians, mammals, owls, and insects. Have lunch and then this 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.

Rise early for optional morning birding on the lodge grounds. After breakfast, check out and depart for Arenal. En route, 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. Later, stop at La Fortuna for lunch. This picturesque town is a great place to take photos and shop for souvenirs. Upon arrival at Arenal Paraíso, check in and have the rest of the afternoon at leisure to relax in the pools' thermo-mineral waters. When the weather allows, the hotel also affords excellent views of Arenal Volcano from every room. After dinner this evening, learn about bats from a local researcher.

Today's adventure starts with a visit to 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. 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.

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 through the tropical dry forest on rubber rafts guided by gentle Class I and II rapids. 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 dry forest of Rincon de al Vieja. This evening dinner and geothermal lecture.

This morning after breakfast explore Rincon de la Vieja National Park. Return to the hotel for lunch and this afternoon optional hike along one of the properties three waterfall or book an optional activity at the hotel like horseback riding, tubing or just enjoy the hotels mud baths and hot springs.

Head to nearby Playas del Coco 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.

Enjoy one last breakfast before traveling 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.