Summary | Get your cameras ready! This custom vacation package takes you to some of the most beautiful places in the country. From Arenal to Rio Celeste and then Manuel Antonio, you won't believe how much beauty surrounds you. | | Duration: | 12 nights | | Focus: | | | Areas Visited: | | | | Picture Perfect Holiday | |
Lapa Rios is a small boutique rainforest jungle lodge.
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These Accommodations...
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Day 1 - Today you arrive into San Jose International Airport. One of our representatives will meet and greet you and then take you to your private shuttle. Within minutes you'll be at The Peace Lodge: located on the grounds of the La Paz Waterfall gardens, this hotel contains a luxury oasis in every room. Every room has its own jacuzzi and stone fireplace along with showers that transform into waterfalls. The rooms also feature views of the Poás Volcano. What could be better than relaxing in your own balcony complete with rocking chairs, hammocks and custom hot tubs?
Day 2 - Start the day with a cup of fresh coffee and then see how it got there. You will take a Coffee Plantation Tour in Poas. Your guide will transport you to Poas, one of the four active volcanoes in Costa Rica, where you will see crystal blue sulfur pools and incredible landscapes. Once you’ve had your fill of Poas' beauty, you will head to another of Costa Rica’s trademarks: an authentic coffee plantation. As one of the oldest hydro-powered wet mills in Costa Rica, this third generation coffee plantation has been voted the best coffee in the region. In fact, 90% of its high quality coffee is sent directly to Starbucks. You’ll learn how coffee is grown, picked, milled and ground. After this, a private transfer will take you from The Peace Lodge to the region of Arenal. Here you will stay at the Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens, this Hotel has 24 deluxe suites in separate private bungalows with their own tropical gardens. You can sit on your private porch and admire the beauty of the volcano, or at night see the volcano glow as lava flows down its sides.
Day 3 - Today you will go on a hike in the Arenal Volcano. The Arenal Volcano is active since 1968, it constantly ejects gases, water, fumaroles and explosions with pyroclastic material emissions, and sometimes the eruptions are accompanied with powerful thunders. The biggest and heaviest material falls close to the crater. As the lava flows down it slowly cools off. A short hike in one of the trails close to the volcano area will give you the chance to enjoy some forest and the activity around it. Then you will enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the hot springs. After this head back to the Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens for a night of sleep.
Day 4 - Head out to Caño Negro for a tour of the Wildlife Refuge and Rio Frío. Here you can find a great variety of resident and migratory birds plus three different species of monkeys, iguanas, sloths, turtles and caymans. The tour starts with a transfer from your hotel to Los Chiles, a culturally mixed village only 4-km from the Nicaraguan border. This floating safari begins through the tropical rain forest and pastures until we arrive at the marsh. This tour includes: transportation, bilingual guide, boat tour, typical lunch, natural juices, water and cookies. What to bring: Light clothes, comfortable shoes, camera, binoculars, sun lotion and repellent. Please be advised that you must take your original passport on this tour due to the fact you will be passing an immigration checkpoint on the way to the Refuge! After this head back to Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens for a sumptuous dinner at their fantastic restaurant.
Day 5 - A private transfer will take you to your next destination: the Rio Celeste Hideaway Boutique Hotel. This hotel provides a world of comfort and style surrounded by an untouched natural paradise. Rio Celeste Hideaway is a luxury hotel in an oasis of tranquility that provides a uniquely natural experience with stunning accommodations. Surrounded by lush tropical rainforest, each one of its 26 spacious casitas (bungalows) boasting gorgeous tropical architecture provides an exclusive retreat in which guests can relax amidst the breathtaking Rainforest. Its tropical grounds woven with rich gardens create the perfect setting to rest and enjoy nature.
Day 6 - Today you will go on a tour of Rio Celeste and Tenorio Park. You will start the hike through this Humid Forest ecosystem, with the chance to observe various animal species and exuberant flora. Along the walk you will discover the magnificent Rio Celeste waterfall and also the place where the river dyes itself into an amazing light blue coloration. Your tour will end at the hot springs where you can soak and relax away. After the tour you will return to the Rio Celeste Hideaway Boutique Hotel.
Day 7 - A private shuttle will take you from Rio Celeste to Manuel Antonio. Here you will stay at Buena Vista Villas: a resort set amid the peaceful 33-acre gated Tulemar Gardens property that slopes down to its own exclusive sandy beach. Tulemar Beach is located in a protected bay allowing you to take advantage of the various water activities without having to worry about undertows or riptides. As a guest at Buena Vista Luxury Villas or Tulemar Bungalows, kayaks and boogie boards are available for your exclusive use. The 'Hideaway' Beach Bar ensures that you don't have to go far to order your favorite cocktail or satisfy the rumbling in your stomach while you relax and unwind at the beach.
Day 8 - Go on a private tour of Manuel Antonio National Park. Have an experienced nature guide take you on a private informative hike through the park. The guides know where you are most likely to encounter sloths, monkeys etc. They will also provide a great deal of information on the history, flora and fauna during this relaxed 2.5 hour walk. Keep your camera ready in case you catch some elusive animal species! Head back to Buena Vista Luxury Villas for a nice meal and some rest.
Day 9 - Use this day to make the most out of your stay in Manuel Antonio. Head to the private beach at Buena Vista Villas or even better, treat yourself to a fabulous massage at their luxurious spa. There are tons of activities in the area, be sure to ask the staff for suggestions. Enjoy a nice walk around town, plan another tour and why not, head to the vibrant bars and pubs when night time arrives. Manuel Antonio offers a large array of dining options, featuring food from all over the world prepared with local twists.
Day 10 - A short transfer will take you to the Quepos air strip. There you will board a plane towards the Osa Peninsula where you will stay at the exclusive Lapa Rios. Built over 350 feet above the sea, Lapa Rios catches the cooling tropical breezes and beautiful views. The main lodge, housing the restaurant and bar, soars 50 feet and is built of local, natural materials. Palm thatched roofs meet a three-story hardwood circular stairway. Climb to overlook the forest canopy and breathtaking ocean vistas. Comfortable, locally made bamboo furniture adds to relaxation in this tranquil panorama of nature.
Day 11 - 12 - Use these days to make the most of your stay in Lapa Rios. Winner of Conde Nast's Award for hotels committed to the environment, Lapa Rios allows guests to hear nature's most beautiful songs first hand. Wildlife greets you at your door with the enchanting cry of exotic birds like the famous Scarlet Macaw, or the graceful canopy leap of the squirrel monkey. Here you will find spacious accommodations, international cuisine, and a kind, outgoing staff, combined with a wilderness adventure few will ever experience. The main lodge and bungalows line three ridges connected by walking paths and steps. Built over 350 feet above the sea, Lapa Rios catches the cooling tropical breezes. The main lodge, housing the restaurant and bar, soars at 50 feet and is built of local, natural materials. Palm thatched roofs meet a three-story hardwood circular stairway. Climb to overlook the forest canopy and breathtaking ocean vistas. Comfortable, locally made bamboo furniture adds to the relaxation in this tranquil panorama of nature.
Day 13 - A short transfer will take you from Lapa Rios to the Puerto Jimenez air strip. From here you'll catch a short flight back to the San Jose International Airport where you will wait for your flight back home.
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