COSTA RICA VOLCANOES

Day 1 – Arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica

Welcome to Costa Rica!  Your tour starts in San Jose by being picked up at the airport by your Natural Expeditions expert guide and transferred to your hotel. Your private guide will explain the different aspects of the rest of your trip and provide you with general information for your early departure to the Irazu Volcano area the following morning.

Meals are not included today.

Day 2 – San Jose to Irazu Volcano

After breakfast, your guide will lead you toward the Irazu Volcano area, the first of four visits and the most active volcano in the country. During the journey, you will have the chance to enjoy a spectacular view of the Talamanca mountain range, one of the tallest in Costa Rica. After enjoying the beauty of the Paramo forest, you will descend back to San Jose, passing through the most productive agricultural region of the country.

Breakfast included.

Day 3 – Poas Volcano, Transfer to La Fortuna

Say goodbye to the city as you travel to the northern part of the country. Along the way, stop for a visit to the Poas Volcano, the most visited volcano in the country. Observe coffee plantations and beautiful trails as you walk through the national park and look into the crater. The cloud forest around the volcano will enamor you with its authentic and unique vegetation.

The adventure will continue on the way to Fortuna, one of the most popular regions in Costa Rica due to its active Arenal Volcano. The hotel’s location will allow you to enjoy a fantastic view of the eastern flank of the neighboring volcano.

Breakfast included.

Day 4 – Arenal Volcano Hike, Hanging Bridges

Put on your hiking boots and get ready for your hike at the base of the Arenal Volcano. The trail will lead you to the lava flow of one of the most recent eruptions. Make your way up on the hardened lava rocks and stand on the path where the lava flow came down to the Arenal Lake. In the afternoon, explore the rainforest from above as you walk through the hanging bridges. Not only will you have the chance for a breathtaking view of the volcano, but you might also see some of the plentiful wildlife in this area of the country.

Breakfast included.

Day 5 – Cultural Tour, Hot Springs

Today’s tour program provides an excellent opportunity to interact with the locals. Begin your day by visiting a Costa Rican landmark resembling the best of old times in the countryside. Share some traditions and make discoveries with this old-fashioned house’s hosts. Continue your day by visiting a small school to learn about the educational system of Costa Rica, as well as a local family to learn about their traditions, customs, and daily way of living. Finally, return to the country home for a delicious traditional dish prepared on a firewood stove. Enjoy your food as well as the view of the Arenal volcano. In the evening, relax at the base of the Arenal Volcano while you enjoy the warmth of the natural hot springs.

Breakfast included.

Day 6 – Transfer to Rincon de la Vieja Volcano

Drive around Arenal Lake and pass through small villages, such as Tilaran, Canas, and Liberia, as you make your way up to the mountains of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. While driving from Fortuna to the northwestern region of the country, you will experience the exceptionally irregular topography of Costa Rica. Beginning your journey in the rainforest and passing through the dry forest will allow you to compare the differences in the beautiful scenery in a short drive. Spend the rest of the day at your hotel, enjoying the panorama of the pasture lands of Guanacaste. In the evening, make yourself comfortable and experience the beauty of a Costa Rican sunset.

Breakfast included.

Day 7 – Rincon de la Vieja National Park

Enjoy a day trip to a trail inside the national park where several small active fumaroles will show some differences among Costa Rican active volcanoes. Rincon is the third most visited volcano in the country and will be another natural classroom to learn about the positive and negative aspects of the science known as volcanology. During the afternoon, you will have the chance to enjoy time on your own or take one of the different optional tours offered by local providers (not included in the price of this tour program).

Breakfast included.

Day 8 – Zip-lining and Rappelling, Transfer to San Jose

Finish your exciting adventure in the Rincon de la Vieja area by repelling and zip-lining through the canyons and canopy of the forest. Feel like Tarzan as you swing across the canyon and see the river far below. Then, drive back to the capital city of San Jose via the Pan-American Highway. Finally, arrive at your hotel and enjoy the evening on your own.

Breakfast included.

Day 9 – Depart from San Jose, Costa Rica

It’s time to say goodbye to beautiful Costa Rica!  After breakfast, catch the shuttle to the airport, where you will await your flight back home.

Breakfast is included (after 7:00 am).

Activities:

• Hike to the crater of the Irazu Volcano
• Hike to the crater of the Poas Volcano
• Arenal Volcano National Park Hike
• Hanging bridges in the canopy of the rainforest
• Cultural Tour in La Fortuna
• Hot Springs at the base of Arenal Volcano
• Hike through Rincon de la Vieja National Park
• Canopy adventure through the canyons and dry forest (zip-lining and rappelling)

Meals:

• 8 Breakfasts

Transportation:

• A shuttle from the airport to the hotel
• Air-conditioned ground transportation throughout the country
• A shuttle from the hotel to the airport