Day 1 Touch-down in San Jose 

Once you've touched down in San Jose, you'll be warmly welcomed by your driver and taken to your accommodation. Having settled in, you'll be able to spend some time with one of our local specialists who are always happy and excited to hear about your travel plans in Costa Rica and beyond - now's the time to make the most of their many years of local know-how and ask questions until your heart's content! 

San José, located at about 3,770ft. (1,253 m.) above sea level, is a metropolitan city and sits in a high valley between green volcanic mountains. Depending on the time of your arrival in Costa Rica's capital of San Jose, you will have the rest of the day free to explore, either meandering at will or doing the self-guided San Jose Like a Local' walking tour. Don't let capital intimidate you San Jose is small enough to navigate by foot and grand enough to keep you entertained all day. With some beautiful 19th-century architecture buildings to admire, independently owned coffee shops brewing local beans to visit, and several parks and museums to explore, there's no chance you'll miss an opportunity to enjoy authentic Costa Rican culture. If you want to save seeing the highlights of Costa Rica's charming capital city until a later moment, you can use the rest of today to walk through the colourful Mercado Central. Make sure to stop for a casado' (traditional plate of rice and beans, beef or fish, plantain and salad) or, a freshly brewed coffee and soak up the atmosphere of the Central Market. 

Salsa music is something Ticos (Costa Ricans) are serious about! Tonight, go out to one of the local salsa bars where there are classes to practice the steps, or where you can just get up and learn in the field. It's a great way to meet the locals and is an important part of Costa Rican culture. If you rather leave your feet to rest, may we suggest you indulge yourself in yet another typical Costa Rican entertainment of visiting a local bar for beers & bocas' (traditional platters of smaller portion-sized local meals to accompany a drink). 

Day 2 Journey to the Arenal Volcano 

Leaving San Jose, you will continue your journey to Arenal, the drive is approximately 4 hours long. As you approach the town of La Fortuna, one of the first things you'll see is the Arenal Volcano. Although it is no longer spewing out hot lava your first sighting of the sleeping giant will always be the most memorable as it rises up high above the surrounding landscape. Depending on the time of your arrival to the town of La Fortuna, situated at the foot of the Arenal Volcano and having settled into your accommodation, the rest of the day is free to explore or relax.

If you're ready to start your Costa Rica adventure in La Fortuna, one of our favourite optional activities is the frog & cultural exchange night tour (not included). You will spend the evening at the home of Don Oscar and his family who own an amazing property with beautiful gardens and rainforest. An expert nature guide will take you out along the property trails as the sun goes down to help you spot nocturnal wildlife at this magical time of night. Here you will get eye to eye with Costa Rica's famous frogs and is a great introduction to the wildlife of this region.

Afterwards, you will sit down for a typical home-cooked meal prepared on a wood-burning stove. 

Day 3 Arenal Hanging Bridges Hike 

This morning you will be picked up from your hotel to embark on an unforgettable Sky Hike. As the name suggests, the hike will take you high up into the verdant forest surrounding the Arenal Volcano at the Arenal Reserve. As you climb higher and higher, going deeper and deeper into the rainforest, you'll have great views of the rainforest canopy, the huge Arenal Volcano, the glistening Arenal Lake as well as Arenal's surrounding mountain range. Accompanied by a nature guide you'll gain a unique insight into the native flora and fauna that you'll hopefully be seeing today. If you're not afraid of heights, during the Sky Walk make sure to look down as you walk across the hanging metal bridges as you'll get incredible views down into the rainforest below. One of the most unique features of the hanging bridges is that many take you right alongside the canopy of tall rainforest trees. Some of the bridges have even been colonized by the neighbouring trees that drape their woody lianas over the ramparts. Today is the perfect day to bring your binoculars, for here's your chance to spot birds and howler monkeys which will be at your eye level! 

Arriving back in the town of La Fortuna, the rest of the afternoon is free for you to relax or take an optional excursion. After a morning hike, we recommend taking a soak at the hot springs warmed by the heart of the Arenal Volcano. Many of the area's best hot springs are situated just at the foot of the Arenal Volcano which means that you can enjoy looking up at the mighty volcano while soaking in the warm waters rich in minerals while listening to the calls of the rainforest around you, this is truly a heavenly experience! 

Day 4 Lake Crossing to Monteverde & Don Juan Coffee Tour and Twilight Walk 

Leaving Arenal and La Fortuna behind, you will continue your journey across the lovely Lake Arenal before heading up into the lush, green cloud forest high of Monteverde. The total duration of this adventure connection is approximately 4 hours and this is the fastest way to get from Arenal up into the Cloud Forest of Monteverde. The first leg of the connection takes you by transfer to Lake Arenal where you will board a boat that will take you across to the other side of the lake, during which you may have the opportunity to see the Arenal Volcano as well as some beautiful tropical birds. After the lake crossing, you will continue the journey by land in shared transportation for the last 38-kilometre drive of scenic dirt roads into the mountains, to the cloud forests of Monteverde. Upon arrival, you will be taken to your hotel. 

Located on the Pacific highlands, the small town of Santa Elena sits as the gateway to the beautiful Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve. The area is known as one of the most outstanding wildlife refuges in the New World Tropics. Santa Elena is slightly reminiscent of tropical Switzerland, with its charming wooden houses and alpine climate. This environment creates a constant game of drizzle and warm sunshine; a combination that makes Monteverde the most famous cloud forest in the world. It is called a cloud forest rather than a rain forest because of its altitude: as the high-altitude forest juts up through the clouds. 

Depending on the time of your arrival in Santa Elena and having settled into your accommodation, the rest of the day is free to explore or relax. If you're feeling a little hungry or like cheese, then the Monteverde Cheese Factory is where you should head to. Opened in 1953 by the area's original Quaker settlers, you can taste some nice cheese and ice cream here, especially the Monte Rico which is famous throughout Costa Rica. 

As the sun begins to go down and the light mystically disappears from the sky, you'll be picked up from your accommodation to start your Coffee Tour with a Twilight Nature Walk. With around 90% of its 26,000 acres completely untouched by man, more than 100 species of mammals live in the Monteverde Reserve but, you better watch your step as 1,200 species of amphibians and reptiles can also be found here, both venomous and non-venomous!

Experiencing the peaceful darkness of the Cloud Forest is an eerie yet thrilling experience as more than 60% of the Cloud Forest life awakens at this time. You'll also see the change of guard as the daytime wildlife rushes through the forest to find a final snack before going off to bed. Guided by an expert nature guide, they'll take you to the best places on the property to spot the different types of mammals, insects, amphibians and reptiles. One of the highlights of tonight's nature walk will be seeing the dart frogs waking up and observing them as they go about their nightly business with their bright colours and night chants. As you'll be in relative darkness your senses will become attuned to the sounds and scents of the jungle, giving you a true encounter with nature while allowing you to see different endemic species of Monteverde. 

After your evening nature hike, you will be guided to the on-site coffee farm of Don Juan to learn about the secrets of planting, harvesting, washing and drying the world-renowned coffee beans of Monteverde into a delicate cup of coffee. Sown in every Costa Rican, coffee is a very important product for both the economy and culture of Costa Rica. The owners of the Don Juan Coffee Farm were one of the first families to settle in Monteverde and the tour will give you a great understanding of the unique bond between the age-old authentic coffee production process and how it turned Costa Rica into a country known for its peace, stability and progress. At the end of the tour, you will be able to enjoy the freshly roasted coffee accompanied by some traditional snacks before being transferred back to your accommodation. 

Day 5 Explore the Canopy by Zip-line in Monteverde 

Today you will explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest from on high via its famous canopy zip lines which will give you an unforgettable perspective of the Cloud Forest and the wildlife that live in the treetops. You'll begin your treetop excursion by riding in an open-air gondola to an observation point high above the forest floor. With around 90% of its 26,000 acres completely untouched by man, more than 100 species of mammals live in the Monteverde Reserve. There are also 2,500 species of plants, including 420 kinds of orchid, and more than 400 species of birds, including hummingbirds and the famous Quetzal bird, that will have you glued to your binoculars! From the platform, which is one of the highest points in the whole area, you will have some time to admire the view of the Nicoya gulf, the mountain range and the Cloud Forest. 

Then it's time to start the adrenaline-pumping part of your Cloud Forest adventure back down to ground level as you whizz along 1.7 miles of cables slung between towering trees, stretching across canyons and between treetops on what is one of the longest zip lines in Costa Rica. You'll go from lofty platform to platform via horizontal traverse cables, ultimately returning you to where you started today's adventure. Although you'll be moving too fast to see much of the wildlife on this part of the tour, it's a thrill worth experiencing! With your feet firmly on the floor, you'll be transferred back to your accommodation where the rest of the day is free for you to spend at your leisure. 

One of our favourite optional activities takes place just as the sun begins to go down and the light mystically disappears from the sky. Experiencing the peaceful darkness of the Cloud Forest is an eerie yet thrilling experience as more than 60% of the Cloud Forest wildlife awakens at this time. Guided by an expert nature guide, you'll explore the best places to spot the different types of nocturnal mammals, insects, amphibians and reptiles. One of the highlights of this optional nature walk is seeing the dart frogs waking up and observing them as they go about their nightly business with their bright colours and night chants. As you'll be in relative darkness your senses will become attuned to the sounds and scents of the jungle, giving you a true encounter with nature while allowing you to see different endemic species of Monteverde. The adventure then continues to the installations on the coffee farm of Don Juan to learn about the secrets of planting, harvesting, washing and drying the world-renowned coffee beans of Monteverde into a delicate cup of coffee. The owners of the Don Juan Coffee Farm were one of the first families to settle in Monteverde and the tour will give you a great understanding of the unique bond between the age-old authentic coffee production process and how it turned Costa Rica into a country known for its peace, stability and progress. At the end of this optional tour, you will be able to enjoy freshly roasted coffee accompanied by some traditional snacks before being transferred back to your accommodation. 

Day 6 Journey to Tamarindo beach and town 

Leaving Monteverde and the cloud forest behind, you will continue your journey to Tamarindo, the drive is approximately 5 hours long. Now's the time to unleash the Beach Boys playlist as you arrive in the vibrant beach town of Tamarindo on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast. Tamarindo has some of the best beaches on Costa Rica's Pacific coastline, especially so if you're into surfing, or are at least game for a go. Most people's instinctive reaction upon reaching Tamarindo is to run straight for the beach. All we ask is that you check into your hotel first, and from then on the rest of your day is free to spend at leisure and enjoy the pure beach life. 

The long, golden sands of Tamarindo are separated from the neighbouring beach of Playa Grande in the north, by the Matapalo River which is part of the Tamarindo Wildlife Reserve. This neighbouring beach is also a protected nesting ground for the endangered Leatherback turtle, and during the breeding season (Nov - Feb) you can take a guided moonlight walk to see the turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. 

Day 7 Boating the Mangroves 

Today, you will be picked up at your hotel and head towards the protected reserve of the Tamarindo Mangrove and Estuary. Here you will board a small boat to cruise through this natural paradise. Cruising slowly through the mangroves will give you the chance to observe the different species of animals and allow you to take photos and create memories. Keep your eye out for brown pelicans, magnificent frigate birds, ibis and ospreys, as well as two types of monkeys, iguanas and American crocodiles! 

Enjoy some fresh fruits that will give you all the natural energy and hydration you need, to continue enjoying this beautiful environment. Once the tour is over you will be transferred back to your accommodation in Tamarindo where the rest of the afternoon and evening is free to spend on the beach, enjoying a tropical cocktail while watching the sun go down. 

Day 8 Free day in Tamarindo 

Today is left free for you to relax at the beach, stroll through the beach town or explore more of the natural beauty around Tamarindo. One of our favorite options is to go on a gentle horseback ride through the dry tropical forest of the Guanacaste lowlands where you'll arrive at several beautiful viewpoints and secluded beaches. If you'd rather take to the water, you can try your hand or perfect your style at surfing with a professional teacher. Tamarindo is the perfect place to learn how to surf and is a safe, fun and easy-going experience. Another of our recommended activities is to set sail and enjoy a day snorkelling in the crystal clear waters off the coast of Tamarindo or simply relaxing on the boat. Sailing back to Tamarindo just in time to watch the sunset from the boat. 

After a day on the beach or a fun day out with one of the optional activities, head back to your accommodation to freshen up before going out to enjoy freshly caught seafood at one of the local restaurants in Tamarindo. 

Day 9 Homeward Bound 

Enjoy one last walk along Tamarindo's beach and then it's time to say goodbye to this tropical country with its wide diversity in ecosystems and natural beauty. You will continue your journey to the International Airport for your flight out. We wish you a pleasant flight and great memories of Costa Rica!