- Day 1: San Jose
Arrive at San Jose Juan Santamaria International Airport and transfer to the charming Hotel Grano de Oro, a renovated stately mansion built at the turn of the century and updated with the comforts and amenities of a modern hotel. Hotel Grano de Oro is located on a quiet street near many fine restaurants, theaters and shops. Enjoy a tropical beverage in their open-air jacuzzi and be sure to try the chocolate cake!
Accommodations : Hotel Grano de Oro
- Lodging
- Hotel Grano de Oro
- Description
Hotel Grano de Oro is a renovated stately Victorian mansion built at the turn of the century and updated with the warmth and comfort of a private home. The thirty-two individually styled rooms, common areas and corridors are elegantly decorated with watercolors, tapestries, and locally handcrafted furniture creating charm and character in traditional Latin American style and heritage. Hotel Grano de Oro is one of the finest boutique hotels in Costa Rica for its home-away-from-home charm and one we always recommend for the best tours of Costa Rica. It is located on a quiet street near many fine restaurants, theaters and shops. Meals are served in an intimate dining area and garden courtyard. The open-air Jacuzzi on the rooftop garden terrace is a perfect spot to begin your travel in Costa Rica, especially a Costa Rica honeymoon! Services offered by the hotel include currency exchange, fax and mail service, in-room safes, wireless internet, room service, laundry service, cable TV and international calls.
- Day 2: Pacuare River Rafting - Class III Rapids
- Today you’ll float one of the most scenic tropical rivers in the world and venture into the primeval rainforest to your home for the next two days: the Pacuare Lodge. After an early morning pick-up stop for an authentic Costa Rican-style breakfast at a family run restaurant overlooking the lovely Orosi Valley.
Designated “Wild and Scenic,” the Pacuare River flows deep into an ancient and protected rainforest, winding its way through scenic canyons full of dense green vegetation and home to jaguars, ocelots, monkeys, sloths, and numerous other species of mammals and birds. After a review of safety precautions embark on your rafting adventure (approx. 1.5 hours). The river alternates between the thrill and exhilaration of Class II-III white water rapids and the peace and serenity of placid green water as you pass tumbling waterfalls and listen to the calls of exotic rainforest wildlife.
Perched on the banks of the turquoise river and enveloped by the rainforest, the palm-thatched, open-air bungalows of Pacuare Lodge are designed to blend into its natural surroundings with minimal impact while providing touches of luxurious natural comforts. The open-air restaurant features delicious gourmet cuisine and guests can relax in the cozy open-air lounge on wicker sofas and hammocks while recounting the adventures of the day. Completely off the grid, the charm and romance of the lodge is enhanced by its thatched bungalows tucked into the tropical foliage featuring plush couches, arm chairs and a king-sized canopy bed, bathrooms with solar- heated indoor and outdoor showers, and a large private deck with hammocks complete with a dipping pool fed by spring water. Total driving time approx. 3 hours. Overnight at Pacuare Lodge. [BLD]
Accommodations : Pacuare Lodge
Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Lodging
- Pacuare Lodge
- Description
Tucked away deep in the heart of Costa Rica’s most pristine rainforest environment, on the banks of the Pacuare River, lies the Pacuare Jungle Lodge. Surrounded by nature in its purest and most primitive state, here you will experience that most coveted of travelers’ rewards, an opportunity to savor the spirit of a place. The Pacuare Lodge nineteen bungalows and main lodge were designed and constructed to blend with the surrounding environment, affecting minimal impact, and has been recognized by the World Tourism Organization as one of only sixty-five examples throughout the world of good practice in sustainability and ecotourism. The Pacuare Lodge’s philosophy of simplistic luxury and oneness with nature is enhanced by the romance of operating without electricity. Each features a canopy king size bed, hardwood flooring, private veranda, and a spacious private bathroom adorned with brass fixtures, private alfresco shower with solar heated water, and a nearly 360o rainforest view—all within an area seemingly removed from time and the worries of the outside world.
- Day 3: Pacuare Reserve
After being soothed to sleep by the sounds of the gurgling river and thousands of tree frogs, you awake to a symphony of bird song as the jungle comes to life in the morning. Enjoy a delicious breakfast of home-made bread, tropical fruits, yogurt, eggs, pancakes, cereal and juice and coffee. After breakfast, choose from a number of optional adventurous activities (at additional cost) including hiking to the Cabecar Indigenous Private Reserve, zip lining, horseback riding, canyoneering, river kayaking or, if you’d rather relax, a therapeutic massage. Overnight at Pacuare Lodge.[BLD]
Accommodations : Pacuare Lodge
Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Lodging
- Pacuare Lodge
- Description
Tucked away deep in the heart of Costa Rica’s most pristine rainforest environment, on the banks of the Pacuare River, lies the Pacuare Jungle Lodge. Surrounded by nature in its purest and most primitive state, here you will experience that most coveted of travelers’ rewards, an opportunity to savor the spirit of a place. The Pacuare Lodge nineteen bungalows and main lodge were designed and constructed to blend with the surrounding environment, affecting minimal impact, and has been recognized by the World Tourism Organization as one of only sixty-five examples throughout the world of good practice in sustainability and ecotourism. The Pacuare Lodge’s philosophy of simplistic luxury and oneness with nature is enhanced by the romance of operating without electricity. Each features a canopy king size bed, hardwood flooring, private veranda, and a spacious private bathroom adorned with brass fixtures, private alfresco shower with solar heated water, and a nearly 360o rainforest view—all within an area seemingly removed from time and the worries of the outside world.
- Day 4: Pacuare River Rafting Class IV Rapids
Today’s rafting adventure (approx. 3.5 hours) is interspersed with stops for a picnic lunch and to hike and explore side streams leading to spectacular waterfalls and crystalline pools for swimming. Take in the beauty of the densely vegetated, tropical river canyon while paddling the calm sections of the river. Feel the rush of adrenaline and sheer exhilaration as you face the challenge of each large wave and battle the surging Class III-IV rapids with names like Upper and Lower Huacas, Cimarrones, and Two Mountains! Your Pacuare rafting adventure ends with the triumph of having descended one of the most wild and scenic tropical rivers in the world. At the river take-out, you’ll be met by your naturalist guide and change into dry clothes for the scenic 3.5 hour drive to Arenal. Overnight at Arenal Nayara.[BLD]
Accommodations : Arenal Nayara
Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Lodging
- Arenal Nayara
- Description
A world of comfort and style surrounded by an untouched natural paradise. Located in the outskirts of one of the world's most amazing volcanoes, Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens is the experience of a lifetime. Each large, suite-sized bungalow provides ample space and privacy, including a backyard, outdoor shower and private front balcony. Bungalows include one king or two full sized beds (with deluxe bedding), a plasma 27” cable TV
and DVD/CD player, iPod stand, wireless internet, safety box (laptop capacity), air conditioning, private bathroom with hot water, backyard outdoor
- Day 5: Arenal Volcano - Hanging Bridges, Vida Campesina & Hotsprings
Grab your camera, binoculars and water bottle for a morning exploring the rainforest canopy led by your guide on a series of hanging bridges winding through the old growth forest surrounding the Arenal Volcano. Look for an abundance of wildlife, including up to 250 species of birds and animals including the white hawk, great curassow, rufous motmot as well as howler monkeys, coatimundis, sloth and white-collared peccary.
In the afternoon, visit the family-owned organic farm Arenal Vida Campesina for a typical Tico lunch and to experience the daily life of a Costa Rican farmer.
This day of adventure and cultural interaction concludes at La Fortuna Hotsprings, a piece of paradise owned by Dona Mireya and her family. There are five creek-fed pools which are always the perfect temperature for relaxing as the sun sets, after which we are treated to a delicious home-style meals served in a rustic wooden rancho. Overnight at Arenal Nayara.[BLD]
Accommodations : Arenal Nayara
Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Lodging
- Arenal Nayara
- Description
Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens is a five star luxury boutique hotel that is widely recognized for providing premium luxury amenities and ultra-personalized service at surprisingly affordable rates.
- Day 6: North Pacific Beach – Nature Tour en Route
- Today head to the beach! A private land transfer takes you to the north Pacific coast, known for its abundant sunshine, wide sandy beaches, great surf and spectacular sunsets. En route a nature tour is included (depending on weather guide might choose a hike or boat tour). You have two beach and hotel options to choose from depending on your preferences and availability: Hotel Capitan Suizo at Tamarindo beach or Latitude 10 Resort Hotel at Santa Teresa beach. Total driving distance to the beach is approximately 4-5 hours with a stop to enjoy a nature tour. Overnight at Hotel Capitan Suizo or Latitude 10 Resort. [B]
Accommodations : Hotel Capitan Suizo, Latitude 10 Resort
Meals Included : Breakfast
- Lodging
- Hotel Capitan Suizo
- Description
On a regular basis the hotel conducts activities for the guests to become acquainted with Costa Rican culture. There are atmospheric evenings with Marimba music, folkloric dance performances by local students, as well as occasions where the manufacturing of local craft is shown which is also offered for sale. All rooms benefit from a balcony or terrace, overlook tropical gardens and face towards the ocean. With a freeform swimming pool, an internet corner, a gift shop and a fenced in parking lot Capitan Suizo has everything you need to comfortable relax and enjoy your beach holidays. But with comfort comes responsibility, out of respect and sympathy towards the culture, the traditions and the character of this country, (which succeeded to place 25% of its total area into conservation). At present the hotel work with conviction and commitment on the project for the certification for sustainable tourism (CST). As part of this project the hotel supports a nonprofit organization which works towards the improvement of national parks along with other projects like reforestation and the production or and use only of organic fertilizer.
- Days 7 & 8: North Pacific Beach
Feel free to sleep in late or rise early to catch the early morning surf as the next two days are yours to enjoy at your leisure. If you’re looking for more adventure, there are a plethora of active pursuits available including snorkeling and kayaking tours, surf lessons and hiking in several coastal national parks (optional activities at additional cost). Or you may prefer to simply relax, rejuvenate and spend the day lounging on the beach, swimming in the pool and soaking in the Costa Rican sun. (For family adventures, a 2 hour surfing lesson is included for each child). Overnight at Hotel Capitan Suizo or Latitude 10 Resort. [B]
Accomodations: Hotel Capitan Suizo, Latitude 10 Resort, Santa Teresa
Meals Included: Breakfast
- Lodging
- Hotel Capitan Suizo
- Description
On a regular basis the hotel conducts activities for the guests to become acquainted with Costa Rican culture. There are atmospheric evenings with Marimba music, folkloric dance performances by local students, as well as occasions where the manufacturing of local craft is shown which is also offered for sale. All rooms benefit from a balcony or terrace, overlook tropical gardens and face towards the ocean. With a freeform swimming pool, an internet corner, a gift shop and a fenced in parking lot Capitan Suizo has everything you need to comfortable relax and enjoy your beach holidays. But with comfort comes responsibility, out of respect and sympathy towards the culture, the traditions and the character of this country, (which succeeded to place 25% of its total area into conservation). At present the hotel work with conviction and commitment on the project for the certification for sustainable tourism (CST). As part of this project the hotel supports a nonprofit organization which works towards the improvement of national parks along with other projects like reforestation and the production or and use only of organic fertilizer.
- Day 9: Departure or Extend Your Trip
- Invigorated and relaxed after your Costa Rica adventure tour, gaze at the vast Pacific Ocean before boarding a short flight back to San Jose for your international departure or extend your Costa Rica vacation.
Note: Your international departure must be scheduled after 12 noon in order to allow time for your connect flight from the beach. Otherwise, we will make arrangements for an extra night in San Jose with optional walking exploration of the city.
The Pacuare Jungle Lodge river trip blew our minds. An upscale paradise in the middle of the jungle. I had one of the best nights sleep I've ever had in that amazing bed. And who would have thought that river guides served 5-star cuisine?! I came home refreshed and relaxed. This is truly the trip for someone who needs to get away from it all. No phones, no TV . . . just pure relaxation. - Debra & Rob Volk
Overall Rating
90%Guide Rating
80%Value Rating
90%Itinerary Rating
100%Accomodation Rating
90%