Costa Rica | Sport, volcanos and culture

Your local guide will meet you at the Juan Santamaria airport and transfer you to the hotel.

San José is located in the heart of a vast fertile valley, the Meseta Central (Central Valley). Born in the 18th century, it keeps few testimonies of the colonial period. The capital of Costa Rica has a million inhabitants and is today one of the largest and most cosmopolitan cities in Central America.

Check-in at the hotel.

Free dinner ($)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Discovery of the Irazu Volcano National Park

Departure from the Central Valley to the Cartago Valley, the former capital of Costa Rica. An itinerary that leads you through the misty countryside to the imposing Irazu Volcano (3432 meters above sea level) and its lunar landscape park (easy access on foot). On a clear day, it is possible to see both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts from its summit. The Irazu Volcano is an active volcano whose impressive main crater shelters a boiling emerald colored lake (NB: beware sometimes the lake can dry up). Its name comes from an indigenous people who live at the base of the volcano “Istazu” (mountain of thunder and earthquakes). Its last major eruption was in 1963.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Discovery of the most important crop of the country: coffee

On the fertile slopes of the Turrialba Volcano is the village of Aquiares. The community of about 1800 people has formed around coffee. The people work in the coffee plantations, transforming the beans into powder or transporting them.

It is a unique agricultural model that integrates in a symbiotic way a village and a coffee farm that surrounds the village. Aquiares has a centuries-old tradition of growing high quality Arabica coffee, protecting its beautiful natural surroundings and supporting the local population.

With this coffee tour, you will learn more than just about coffee. In addition to the particular history of this village, you will discover a very important part of the Costa Rican culture in general.

Arrival and installation at the hotel.

Dinner.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Guayabo Lodge or similar

Breakfast at the hotel.

Canoeing.

Each canyoning route changes according to the morphology of the terrain. That’s why, without a doubt, we can assure you that this tour is unique.

The activity begins with an introduction to learn the proper techniques that are necessary throughout the course, as well as to become familiar with the equipment and its use.

Then you will enjoy rappelling down waterfalls, a zip line, a suspension bridge and a small climbing wall.

The waterfalls are between 10 and 15 meters high. There are 5 zip line cables.

Crossing the suspension bridge is an Indiana Jones experience. It is about 40 meters long and is one more adventure that can be enjoyed with a beautiful view of one of the waterfalls on the circuit.

Lunch after the activity.

Afternoon at leisure to stroll through the hotel gardens or take a walk in the surrounding area.

Dinner.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Guayabo Lodge

Breakfast at the hotel.

Discovery of the Guayabo monument.

It is the most important archaeological site, open to the public, of the country. Its origins date back to 500 B.C., and the stone structures found there date from 800 to 1400 A.D. Archaeologists claim that this pre-Columbian city was inhabited by indigenous people specialized in different branches, led by a cacique, who exercised the politico-religious power over a large part of the region. The causes of the abandonment of the city or the extermination of this indigenous group, before the Spanish conquest, are unknown. Among the hypotheses put forward are diseases and war.

Route towards the region of Sarapiqui. We are in the ecosystem of the Caribbean, wet jungles, wild rivers and crops of tropical plants and fruits. This region is a true paradise for nature lovers and also an agricultural region: two facets of rural Costa Rica, between forests, palm groves and citrus plantations. The river of the same name that crosses it allows you to get an excellent idea of it, either during a rafting trip or during a boat tour, which moves between forest and plantations in the company of monkeys, crocodiles and birds.

Dinner on the way.

Arrival and installation at the hotel.

Dinner.

Breakfast, lunch (1 natural juice) and dinner (1 natural juice) included

Sarapiquis Rainforest Lodge or similar

Breakfast at the hotel.

Rafting on the Sarapiqui River (level II-III).

Arrival at the embarkation site, about 15 minutes from Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, where the supervision team (specialized guides) and the equipment are waiting. Explanation of the different techniques and navigation instructions. From 6 to 8 participants per raft, and the adventure begins… We will quickly judge the most disciplined teams, a test of obstacle passage without the help of the guide will allow to determine the champions of the river.

Its white and bubbling waters allow an exploration rafting with a descent of an incredible beauty strewn with numerous rapids. All along the descent, fabulous landscapes with the chance to see the fauna that hides there: many birds, butterflies and monkeys.

Lunch.

Return to the hotel.

Dinner.

Breakfast, lunch (1 natural juice) and dinner (1 natural juice) included

Sarapiquis Rainforest Lodge or similar

Breakfast at the hotel.

Drive to the northern plain, rich in tropical fruit and citrus plantations with the perfect cone of the Arenal volcano rising in the background. Tropical and lush vegetation surrounding the colossus, the warm waters that escape from it and the magnificent lake that spreads out at its feet make it one of the most spectacular sites in the country.

Visit of a local farm.

Meeting with a family of farmers committed to the practice of organic farming.

During the walk through the farm, you will discover crops such as pepper, sugar cane, palm, pineapple, papaya, bananas, coffee and many others. The family will be happy to explain their method of creating their own bio-fertilizer and participate in the elaboration of sugar from the sugar cane. They also have chickens, geese, oxen, pigs, horses and more.

In short, a complete visit that will make you understand the essence of the Costa Ricans through the work of the land.

Dinner on the spot with products from the farm.

Arrival and installation at the hotel.

Dinner.

Breakfast, lunch (1 natural juice, tea or coffee) and dinner included

Arenal Paraiso or similar

Breakfast at the hotel.

Bike ride around the lake and at the foot of the Arenal volcano

This itinerary takes us along an old road that connects the Arenal Dam to the main entrance of Arenal National Park. From there, we continue to the small town of Castillo along a path surrounded by dense forest and some cattle farms. Howler monkeys, coatis and a wide variety of birds can often be seen. We will stop for a snack on the shores of Lake Arenal where anyone who wishes to can swim. During the visit, it is possible to admire the beauty of the imposing Arenal volcano.

Dinner in a local restaurant.

Walk and visit to the village of La Fortuna, an opportunity to learn more about this famous village and its volcano.

Free time to do some shopping or enjoy the hotel facilities.

Possibility to relax at the hotel’s thermal baths.

Dinner in the village.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner (1 natural juice) included

Arenal Paraiso or similar

Breakfast at the hotel.

Road to Tenorio

Hike to Tenorio Volcano National Park

Welcome to the magical world of Tenorio Volcano National Park! After leaving the last isolated farms of the Bijagua community, we enter a world of humid forest for a splendid walk along the Rio Celeste, the “blue river”. Its name comes from its milky blue color, linked to the chemical reactions that take place in these volcanic waters loaded with mineral elements. Along the way, we can observe many manifestations of the activity of the Tenorio volcano: fumaroles, gas emanations, hot springs, pools of sulphurous water, volcanic mud… The walk offers magnificent views such as the waterfall, the ultimate goal of the visit. Fauna and flora are also on the menu of observations.

Dinner.

Arrival and installation at the hotel.

Possibility of a walk in the gardens of the lodge to discover birds and other wonders of nature.

Breakfast, lunch (1 natural juice) and dinner (1 natural juice)

Celeste Mountain Lodge or similar

Breakfast at the lodge.

Road to Nicoya and Santa Cruz, lands of traditions and folklore.

Dinner along the way.

Arrival and installation at the hotel.

Dinner in town.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Hotel Diria or similar

Breakfast at the hotel.

The secrets of the Guanacasteca tortilla.

The tortilla is the “Tico bread” that accompanies every dish, it is found in all regions of the country, but the Guanacaste one is unique. Thanks to the experts who share their knowledge with you, you will learn the necessary ingredients and especially the local touch that makes its exceptional flavor. You can’t miss the chance to enjoy it with a chorreado coffee!

Introduction to Chorotega pottery.

Discover the techniques of ceramics during a pottery workshop; a foray into the past and learn the Amerindian traditions in the art of ceramics. Take home this true souvenir of the province of Guanacaste.

Typical lunch.

Musical workshop on the Marimba.

Immerse yourself in the Costa Rican culture and discover the emblematic instrument of the country. There is no doubt, you will know everything about the Marimba from its manufacture to the typical melodies.

Dinner in town.

Breakfast, lunch (1 natural juice) and dinner included

Hotel Diria or similar

Buffet breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Juan Santamaria airport for your return flight

Free dinner ($)

Breakfast included