Costa Rica Eco-Adventure & Beach Vacation Itinerary

Day 1 - Friday: San Jose
Our singles trip begins as you arrive in San Jose and are met at the Juan Santamaria airport and transferred to our hotel.

Our Welcome Dinner is at El Patio del Balmoral, just a few blocks from your hotel.

Day 2 - Saturday: San Jose - Tortuguero

Today we depart to Tortuguero National Park on the Atlantic Coast, crossing Costa Rica from west to east, descending into the lowlands of the Caribbean coast. In Caño Blanco we board a river boat where our exciting tour really begins. During the two hour trip, we will observe various animals and vegetation. We arrive in time for lunch.

Spend the afternoon at the pool, kayaking or exploring the hotel.

Day 3 - Sunday: Tortuguero

After breakfast our group will explore by boat the National Park of Tortuguero which shelters a fabulous array of wildlife. There are unusually large populations of monkeys, amphibians, birds, including the great green macaw, fish and three species of marine turtles. Resident fauna include the tapir, ocelot, jaguars, collared peccaries, river otters, sloth, grisons, frogs, toucans, and the fascinating bulldog bats which feed on fish. 

The wide-open canals make viewing easy for spotting crocodiles, giant iguanas, and basilisk lizards basking atop the branches, swallow-tailed hawks and vultures swooping over the treetops, and caimans on the fallen raffia palm branches at the side of the river.

After lunch back at the lodge we head into Tortuguero town and the Caribbean Conservation Center. The town of Tortuguero has a fairly basic life style. There are no cars in the island town of Tortuguero but there are a few shops and restaurants. Be sure to walk the little foot paths to Tortuguero beach, the most important nesting site of the endangered green turtle in the Western Hemisphere.

At night we can take a taxi boat in to town and dance or karaoke with the locals

Day 4 - Monday: Tortuguero - Arenal

Eat an early breakfast before we board the boats back to Caño Blanco port where our private transfer takes us to the Arenal Area.

After lunch at the Selva Tropical restaurant, we continue to La Fortuna and get our first full view of the majestic Arenal Volcano. It is the only volcano in Costa Rica constantly active since it woke up after 400 years with the big 1968 eruption producing huge ash columns, explosions & glowing red lava almost every day. It is considered one of the ten most active volcanoes in the world.

After a long day soak in the hot mineral springs at Tabacón, hot springs waters. Take time out to relax in the thermal Hot Springs and naturally heated Jacuzzis, so close that you well feel the rumblings of the volcano.

Day 5 - Tuesday: Arenal

Learn to cook typical Costa Rican dishes using fresh ingredients that are picked right there in the orchard. Visit a site full of history, culture, and traditions: La Finca de Don Juan, where you will be told about its 100 years of history, the surroundings, and its inhabitants. Here, surrounded by a natural ambiance and the majestic view of La Fortuna River and the Arenal Volcano, we’ll be delighted with a traditional lunch prepared at the house.

After lunch it's time to explore the town, walk or horseback ride (extra $) to La Fortuna Waterfalls. It is a short walk into the forest to the 230' high waterfall. The steps down to the base are steep but there's a “natural pool” for swimming so bring your suits and a hearty sense of adventure the water is chilly.

Day 6 - Wednesday: Arenal - Monteverde

After breakfast we board our pontoon boat for a 40 minute ride to Río Chiquito, a little town on the other side of the lake from Arenal. Once there we have a short break before a 1.5 hour ride to our hotel in Monteverde.

The Monteverde Cloud Rain Forest is known for its conservation efforts and lifestyle centered on nature. There are more than 100 species of mammals including 5 species of cats, over 400 species of birds, tens of thousands of insect species and 2,500 species of plants.

This afternoon it is time for ziplining through a canopy of trees. - Sky Trek is a system of trails, suspension bridges, and zip lines that offer visitors the opportunity to observe, view and appreciate tropical vegetation from different vantage points above the canopy. Two suspended bridges in, and above the canopy, one 265 feet long, and one 60 meters. There are three platforms above the canopy, connected by zip lines, a canopy observation tower 72' high and 10 cables system with  the longest 1,400 feet.

Day 7 - Thursday:  Monteverde - Manuel Antonio

Before we depart Monteverde we will hike in the reserve for a few hours. Elevation ranges from 600 meters above sea level to 1800 meters on isolated peaks. Trails are in excellent condition with railings on the steps and in some cases slices of tree trunks creating a lily pond like path to keep people from walking through mud.

Then we transfer from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio where we check into our full-service hotel, The Parador Resort and Spa. It's time for swimming or pool side sunning and we have three options, all overlooking the gleaming turquoise Pacific: choose from the beautiful centrally-located infinity pool with swim-up bar and terrace restaurant, our secluded adult-only pool, or the infinity pool with waterfall and Jacuzzi.

Day 8 - Friday: Manuel Antonio

Sleep late or see how many different kinds of flora and fauna you can spot in a 2 ½ hour morning nature walk.  Learn about the history of the Quepoa Indians and Costa Rica’s past in regard to the Manuel Antonio area, and come back with ideas as to how to help preserve this priceless. At the end of the walk savour some local fresh fruits and refreshments.

Enjoy the remainder of the day on the white sand beaches that stretch for miles along the coastline from Manuel Antonio Park, providing numerous options for surfing, sunning, kayaking and parasailing. The free shuttle service will transport you to the stunning beaches of Manuel Antonio, a quick ten minute ride away.

Tonight the group will get check out the local night life.

Day 9 - Saturday: Manuel Antonio - San Jose

After breakfast, free time to enjoy the hotel and the beach before we transfer to San José.

Our farewell dinner is at a local restaurant featuring mamba music and folklore show.

Day 10 - Sunday - San Jose

After Breakfast we say goodbye to our new single friends as we are transferred to the airport.

Hotels

Optional Tours

Horseback Riding to La Fortuna Falls- $50
The ride is 1½ hours on horseback, along the way see the Costa Rican country side, cattle farms and have the chance to see birds like oropendolas and tucans.