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Costa Rica Day Tours
Arenal
Arenal Volcano National Park
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 The
12,016-hectare park lies within the 204,000-hectare Arenal Conservation
Area, protecting eight of Costa Rica's 12 life zones as well as 16
reserves. The park has two volcanoes, the inactive Chato and the active
Arenal Volcano.
The Arenal Volcano erupted for the
first time this century on July 29, 1968 with a tremendous explosion.
Having released pressure that had built up for more than 450 years,
Arenal today continues to erupt but on a smaller and safer scale.Due to its continuous activity it
is considered one of the world's most active volcanoes.
Thunderous eruptions of gas, ash
and lava fill visitors with awe! The volcano with its perfect imposing
cone is surrounded with exuberant vegetation and sits at the side of the
engineering masterpiece of Arenal Lake. Hiking is available on several
maintained trails.The Coladas Trail leads to the
1990-93 lava flow which has left a 50ft deep semi-hardened flow through
the rainforest.
Ecotermales Fortuna
 Ecotermales
Fortuna is a project that was built with the purpose of satisfying the
needs of those looking to visit a natural spa with a family environment
and personalized service that works in harmony with nature. Located in
what use to be a cattle farm, it is a small oasis of natural forest,
where you find the hot springs.
It offers a private environment
with controlled access to avoid crowds. The spa has 4 different pools
with different temperatures the coolest one is 91 degrees Fahrenheit. The hottest one is 105 Fahrenheit,
one of the pools has a cascading waterfall for a natural soothing back
massage.
The facilities at Ecotermales
include separated changing rooms for men and women, individual lockers,
toilets and showers. The restaurant offers family styled Costa Rican
meals for lunch and dinner. Next to the restaurant there is a shaded
area with hammocks where guests can relax.
Tabacon Hot Springs
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At
the base of the Arenal Volcano, where the steaming waters of the River
Tabacon tumble from the lava fields and cascade along the roadside, sits
Tabacon Hot Springs.
This bathing resort features five
natural mineral pools and natural hot springs set in exotic gardens. The
grounds include a full restaurant, several bars, locker rooms and
towels, and spa center where massages and mud pack treatments can be
enjoyed.
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Rio
Frio / Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge
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A
two-hour drive through farms and citrus groves takes you to the town of
Los Chilies where you board a riverboat for an exciting trip down the
Rio Frio. You may see caiman crocodiles, iguanas, monkeys, countless
birds and the farms of the local people who live along the river.
Trip includes transportation, boat
trip down the Rio Frio, local guide & lunch.
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Venado Caves Tour
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These
caves were formed of limestone rocks, stalactites, stalagmites and
corals 15-20 million years ago! Within the caves you will see marine
fossils, bats, spiders and crickets.
This two hour tour includes a
bilingual guide, transportation from La Fortuna, water and refreshments,
flashlights and helmets. The hike includes trekking through a river and
by waterfalls.
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La
Fortuna Waterfall
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The
Catarata La Fortuna is a beautiful waterfall about 5 ½ kilometers from
the town of La Fortuna. One can walk or horseback ride the 2-3
kilometers to the falls, which is 70 meters high. At the base of the
waterfall there is a "natural pool" where one can swim. Bi-lingual
guides are available for hire.
This hike is recommended for people
in good physical condition. Take a bathing suit, towel, long pants and
hiking shoes.
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The
Canopy Tour
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One of the vogue attractions
in Costa Rica for many tourists is to take a real Canopy Tour. This
canopy is at the foot of the mountain range where Arenal volcano is
located. The view of the volcano from within this rain and very humid
forest is spectacular. The tree top canopy has twelve platforms and ten
zip lines. The platforms are at an elevation of 150 feet. The shortest
cable is 195 ft. and the longest is 1200 ft.
The adventure begins when you arrive at the stables and the guides give
you a safety briefing. You then get fitted up with your equipment, mount
up, and ride 45 minutes through a pasture and wooded area that is host
to monkeys, sloths, toucans, and other birds. When you arrive at the
canopy, you are given the balance of the necessary equipment. Then we
continue with a short hike through the forest where a guide gives an
informative narration about the forests, plants, and trees that prevail
in this kind of tropical area.
This activity can also be done with no horses. If one does not wish to
horseback ride and would prefer just doing the Canopy Tour, please
advice the agent at the time the reservation is made. The total time
required for horseback riding and the canopy tour is approximately 4
hours 30 minutes. The Canopy Tour without the horseback riding takes 3.5
hours.
The tree top canopy tour not only offers a great adventure but also an
opportunity to observe wildlife in its natural habitat. On each platform
the adventurers also have a chance to observe the forest from different
angles and to photograph the beautiful landscapes. Maybe this Canopy
Tour is one of the last that you could see into a real primary forest.
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Arenal Hanging Bridges
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Today
with your guide visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges. The Hanging Bridges
are a complex of suspended bridges, platforms and paths, built within
the Rain Forest.
These allow the observation of
flora and fauna from the ground level to the top of the trees. This is
one of the best methods of learning about the complexity and beauty of
the Rain Forest.
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White
Water Rafting - Rio Sarapiqui
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Floating down the river and spotting animals along the way. It does not
get any better then this. Raft
more than 20 rapids, Class II-III, in a spectacular setting in the Costa
Rica
tropical rain forest. Sarapiqui is the rafters dream: natural
whitewater, challenging rapids and crystal clear pools.
Enjoy the natural splendor and
abundant wildlife. Can be used as part of your transportation to/from
San Jose and Arenal.
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For information &
Reservations:
Call: 1-800-493-8426
or
use our
Arenal Day Tours Reservation Form
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Tico Travel™
- All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Tico Travel™ is prohibited.
Prices and information are subject to change without notice.
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