Costa Rica Tour of
Arenal and the Monteverde Reserve
5 days/4 nights

Costa Rica Tour Details:

Tour Day 1: Your Costa Rica tour starts with a scenic drive with your driver/guide to Arenal Volcano, stop en route at La Paz Waterfall Gardens for an up close view at a system of 5 different waterfalls and also for lunch. After lunch continue to Arenal. Dinner and overnight at the Arenal Observatory Lodge or similar.

From the Observatory, which is situated only 1.6 miles south of the volcano, visitors have an impressive view of this "giant which rumbles" and erupts with spectacular displays of vapor and lava. The Observatory is the only lodge situated within the Arenal Volcano National Park, which encompasses thousands of acres of pristine rainforest and teems with tropical birds and wildlife. (LD)

Tour Day 2: Today visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges, entrance fees included. The Hanging bridges are a complex of 6 hanging suspension bridges rising above the jungle canopy, and almost 2 miles of brick & concrete trails through the lush Rain Forest. The bridges provide an excellent vantage point to observe the flora and fauna from the ground level to the top of the trees.

The chain link fence on either side of each bridge is about 50" high, so there is little chance of anyone slipping through. Walk the trails where you will see many varieties of heliconias, flowering ginger, hear howler monkeys, and see many varieties of butterflies, as you learn about the complexity and beauty of the Rain Forest. Afternoon visit Ecotermales (Hot Springs) it has about 5 different pools of Natural Hot Springs including a soothing waterfall for a natural massage. Overnight at Arenal Observatory Lodge. (BD)

Tour Day 3: Next morning enjoy a hike to a nearby waterfall and a close-up exploration of a lava flow. Mid-morning departure, driving around Lake Arenal continue on to visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, one of the most diverse and richest tropical cloud forests in the New World. It is best known as home to the Resplendent Quetzal but has hundreds of other birds, mammals and plant species. Overnight in Monteverde at Hotel Fonda Vela or similar. (BD)

Tour Day 4: In the morning, visit the Skywalk, it's an unforgettable experience, the excitement of looking to one side and seeing the tops of the trees and at the same time feel the sensation of walking among the clouds. SkyWalk is a complex of suspension bridges and platforms constructed within cloud forest. The principal objective is to offer a different observational perspective of tropical forest, as a new alternative in tourism for nature lovers.

 In the afternoon, hike through the reserve viewing the misty forest with its dense vegetation and majestic trees. Overnight in Monteverde at Hotel Fonda Vela or similar. (BD)

Tour Day 5: Depart for San Jose, late afternoon arrival back in San Jose. (B)

Note: If your planning permits you can continue to the beach without having to go back to San Jose.