Through Water and Fire
Important notice: Our self-driven programs
may be combined according to your preferences.
Day 1: Arrival in San José
Arrival at Juan Santamaría International
Airport and private transfer to your hotel.
Lodging: Hotel Fleur de Lys or similar
Lodging: Hotel Fleur de Lys or similar
Day 2: Poás Volcano - Doka Coffee Estate - La Paz Waterfalls - Tárcoles
Driving through rural and urban areas, enjoy the
beautiful landscape. The Poás Volcano is the largest geyser in the world. Walk
to Lake Botos, an old crater, admiring the exuberant volcanic vegetation. Visit
Doka Estate, a highland coffee plantation, to learn about the industrialization
of the Gold Bean. Continuation to visit La Paz Waterfalls and Gardens.
After the visit, continue passing by Palmares and Atenas and then across the Aguacate Mountains to arrive in Tárcoles.
Lodging: Hotel Villa Lapas or similar
After the visit, continue passing by Palmares and Atenas and then across the Aguacate Mountains to arrive in Tárcoles.
Lodging: Hotel Villa Lapas or similar
Day 3: Carara National Park - Monteverde
Early morning visit to the Carara National Park. With an
extension of 4.700 hectares (11.615 acres), the park is located on hilly lands
and offers a great diversity due to its location in a climatic transitional
zone between the dry North Pacific and the humid South Coast Probable sightings
of macaws, parrots, partridges, toucans, flycatchers, hummingbirds, howler
monkeys, coatis, sloths and armadillos. Early afternoon, departure passing by
the port of Caldera and continue through a sinuous mountainous road to arrive
at Monteverde.
Lodging: Cloud Forest Lodge or similar
Lodging: Cloud Forest Lodge or similar
Day 4: Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve - Skywalk Night Tour
Monteverde was founded by a group of Quaker farmers in the 1950’s and today it is a charming little
town. This well-known 10.000ha (24.710 acres) private reserve protects over 100
species of mammals, 400 bird species and 1500 plant species. Weather is always
cold and humid thanks to the rain clouds coming from the Caribbean. Trees
covered with moss and ferns are home to many exotic frogs, the resplendent
Quetzal and other birds. Some mammals, such as howler monkeys, agoutis and
coatis, can also be observed.
The Skywalk Night Tour is a great opportunity to enjoy the forest from a very different perspective as you cross these bridges over canyons and rivers. There are five bridges in total, the longest of which is approximately 300m (984 feet). The trails extend for slightly over 2,5km (1.5miles). It is a different introduction to the flora and fauna in the cloud forest canopy.
Lodging: Cloud Forest Lodge or similar
The Skywalk Night Tour is a great opportunity to enjoy the forest from a very different perspective as you cross these bridges over canyons and rivers. There are five bridges in total, the longest of which is approximately 300m (984 feet). The trails extend for slightly over 2,5km (1.5miles). It is a different introduction to the flora and fauna in the cloud forest canopy.
Lodging: Cloud Forest Lodge or similar
Day 5: Monteverde - Corobicí River Floating Tour - Tenorio Volcano Area
Departure from Monteverde to the Pan American Highway and then North passing by the city of Cañas to arrive at the put-in point on the Tenorio River. Soft rafting float trip along this birdwatchers’ paradise river, the ideal tour for families and nature lovers. Drifting downstream you can expect to see boat-billed herons, bitterns, toucans, northern jacanas, laughing falcons, iguanas and howler monkeys. Observe many of the 300 species of migratory birds. The trip ends at the confluence with the Corocibí River, in the middle of the tropical dry forest. Class II rapids. Continuation to the Tenorio Volcano National Park area.
Lodging: Tenorio Lodge or similar
Lodging: Tenorio Lodge or similar
Day 6: Tenorio National Park and Río Celeste Hiking Tour - Rincón de la Vieja
Visit the primary rain and cloud forests neighboring the 12.550ha
(31.000acres) Tenorio Volcano National Park. The micro-climate and habitat
diversity in the area between the Tenorio and Miravalles volcanoes has derived in a very distinctive fauna. Hike
in the forest to reach the famous falls of the Celeste River. The stream crosses
high green hills and falls approximately 20m (65 feet) into a basin of an incredible
sky-blue color. The trail takes you to “Teñideros” where the river becomes blue
after merging with a small creek. Continuation across the Guanacaste Pampa to
begin the ascension to the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park area.
Lodging: Hacienda Guachipelín or similar
Lodging: Hacienda Guachipelín or similar
Day 7: Rincón de la Vieja National Park - San José OR Selected Beach
This 14.084ha (34.800 acres) National Park encompasses an active strata volcano. Nature is diverse here: giant trees and more than 257 bird species. At the foot of the southern flank of the volcano enjoy Las Pailas, an area of approximately
50ha of hot springs, solfataric lakes, and soffioni or holes that expel clouds of steam. Or relax in “Azufrales”, swimming in small hot natural pools and enjoying refreshing waterfalls. After the visit, return to San José or continue to your selected beach on the Pacific Coast of Guanacaste.
50ha of hot springs, solfataric lakes, and soffioni or holes that expel clouds of steam. Or relax in “Azufrales”, swimming in small hot natural pools and enjoying refreshing waterfalls. After the visit, return to San José or continue to your selected beach on the Pacific Coast of Guanacaste.