Costa Rica Fixed Departures

EASTERN COSTA RICA 8 days / 7 nights

Costa Rica is about nature. Our fixed departures are intended to bring you close to nature and the culture developed in it. Our expert naturalist guides will unveil the marvels of the tropics as well as the cultural and historical background of Costa Rica. At the end of your trip you will have seen Costa Rica through the eyes of Costa Ricans.

(Click on photos to enlarge.)

ROUTE: San Jose, Irazu Volcano, Pacuare Rafting, Sarapiqui, La Selva OTS Station, Arenal Volcano

Included Services:
Transportation: to/from airport transfers, all land private transport in comfortable a/c vehicle.
Lodging: 7 night lodging based on double occupancy
Meals: as indicated in itinerary: B, breakfast; L, lunch; D, dinner
Activities:
--Irazu Volcano national park
--Pacuare River rafting class III -IV
--Guided hike in La Selva OTS station
--Boat tour in Puerto Viejo River
--Arenal Volcano hike
--unlimited use of hot springs with dinner
--horse back riding
--San Jose city tour
Services of Naturalist Bilingual Guide
Taxes and fees for all included features.

From USD$1395 per person based on double occupancy, includes taxes for all specified services. Children 12 and over only, except on family departures.

Your expert naturalist guide will be an enriching source of information as well as taking care of your comfort. Inquire for trip extensions available. We recommend spend 2 - 3 nights at the beach.

Arrival in San Jose
Day 1. Arrive in Costa Rica Meet and greet at Juan Santamaria International airport. Upon your arrival a Travel in Paradise CR representative will be meeting you. Welcome to Costa Rica. Overnight in Hotel Parque del Lago.

Turrialba Valley, 1 night
Day 2. San Jose / Irazu Volcano / Turrialba Valley (B, L, D)
This morning your guide will meet you and your travel companions for a trip briefing prior to departing. Start out going east towards the summit of our tallest volcano, Irazu. Along the way enjoy scenic views of crop land and dairy pastures. Irazu´s summit at 3432meters (aprox. 10500ft) above sea level, presents an impressively barren landscape and two deep craters, one of which contains active fumaroles. After lunch continue further until Turrialba Valley, which is located halfway between San Jose and the Caribbean Port of Limon. The charming town of Turrialba shows an authentic Costa Rican lifestyle, off the touristy paths of other regions. Explore the grounds for some birdwatching with your guide. Overnight in Casa Turire or similar.

Sarapiqui, 2 nights
Day 3. Pacuare River rafting / Sarapiqui (B, L, D)
Rising early gives you the chance for more and exciting birdwatching and to admire spectacular views of Turrialba Volcano. Move on today after breakfast to enjoy the exhilarating Class III-IV rapids of the Pacuare River, considered one of the best whitewater rafting rivers due to the scenic beauty. Nature is present throughout the route. Time for lunch and get into a dry change of clothes to continue in the afternoon towards Sarapiqui. Overnight in Centro Neotropico Sarapiquis.
Day 4. La Selva OTS Station / wildlife boat tour / Sarapiqui (B, L, D)
Sarapiqui´s lowland rainforest is home to half the population of bird species of the country. Enjoy a fantastic natural history walk in one of the protected areas of Sarapiqui. Back in the 1950s the Organization of Tropical Studies established La Selva Biological Station as an effort to preserve as much possible amount of land in this privileged environment. Along, other private efforts have joined and more of this lowland rainforest isn't at stake anymore. This morning walk will bring you the closest to the way all this area looked before being inhabited by humans. For the afternoon go for a guided boat tour in the Puerto Viejo River. Also, optional tours on site, or just relax. Overnight in Sarapiqui .

Arenal Volcano area, 2 nights
Day 5. horse back riding tour / Arenal (B)
Continue after breakfast towards Arenal area. Along the way, sights of pineapple, ornamental, cassava, orange and papaya farms. Spend some time in the picturesque town of Fortuna. For the afternoon a nice horse will be picked especially for you to go for a nice ride at the base of the volcano. Overnight in Montaña de Fuego .
Day 6. volcano hike & hot springs / Arenal (B)
Today your guide will bring you for a nice hike into the Arenal Volcano National Park.  Since 1969 Arenal Volcano´s activity can be described from a destructive spewing action to an attractive reliable flow of incandescent material.  Today´s hike will bring you to regenerated forest over old lava flows, and big boulders of material spewed in past years. After this, enjoy the relaxing hot springs of the area for the remaining part of the evening. Dinner is today at the hot springs. There will be plenty time for you to engage in an optional half day tour here such as:  the canopy tour, the aerial tram or the hanging bridges. Overnight in Montaña de Fuego .

Last day in San Jose
Day 7. to San Jose (B, D)
Leisure breakfast, leave Arenal area to go to San Jose. There will be time to enjoy a nice city tour. Farewell dinner. Hotel Parque del Lago .

Day 8. Departure day. Airport shuttle service. Or extend your stay with optional two and three night packages.

You can customize this trip in several ways: use local guides´ services instead of a private guide, use of shuttle transport services, add extra nights at the end, ask for a pre trip and post trip extensions in your comments as you fill the Request Form.

Fixed Departure Dates & Prices  / EASTERN COSTA RICA

Info Request Form EASTERN COSTA RICA