Costa Rica: Volcanoes, Natural Beauty & Wonder

DAY 1 – Depart USA/Rincòn

Our “aventura” begins today with our flight to Liberia, Costa Rica. We arrive, meet our driver and guide, and travel a short distance to Rincòn de la Vieja, our home for three exciting nights.

DAY 2 – Rincón, Costa Rica

Rincón de la Vieja Volcano stands 1,916 meters above sea level and expands over 400 square kilometers.   The simultaneous explosion of several volcanic cones that grew and merged formed the volcano into a single mountain.  Nine areas of volcanic activity have been identified on the summit, with one that is active and the others slowly eroding.  Rincón de la Vieja means “the old woman’s corner”, which comes from an indigenous legend. (B,D)

DAY 3 – Rincón, Costa Rica

This morning we visit the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park. Our guide takes us on an easy to moderate walk through this incredible natural landscape, where we see mud pots and bubble springs, as well as an abundance of birds and other wildlife. In the afternoon we visit the Las Chorreras waterfalls and even have time for wading or swimming in a setting taken right out of the movies. (B,D)

DAY 4 – La Fortuna, Costa Rica

We travel south through Costa Rica today. Our destination is La Fortuna, in the shadows of Costa Rica’s most famous, majestic, and active volcano – Arenal. Today we explore the rainforest surrounding Arenal from a different perspective, on a hike on hanging bridges that take us through the forest canopy. For the next two nights, we stay at a resort outside La Fortuna, with a spectacular view of the volcano. (B,D)

DAY 5 – La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Today we explore the rainforest canopy again, but in a different manner, and at a faster pace. Sky Trek is a series of zip lines that will take you above, below and through the canopy. In the afternoon we go on another easy hike in the Arenal Volcano National Park, where our guide explains even more to us about the ecology of the rainforest. (B,D)

DAY 6 – Tortuguero, Costa Rica

Today we depart early and travel to Costa Rica’s North Caribbean Coast. The Tortuguero Canals National Park is one of the most bio-diverse areas in Costa Rica, and thus the world. To get there we have to leave our bus, and travel by river and along the coast in a boat. On the way, we see hearts of palm, ornamental plants, Papaya and banana plantations among other crops of Costa Rica´s economic diversity. In the afternoon we visit the picturesque village of Tortuguero. (B,D)

DAY 7 – Tortuguero, Costa Rica

Early this morning we go on a boat safari in one of Tortuguero’s canals, looking for wildlife such as monkeys, sloths, toucans, lizards, crocodiles and many other kinds of fauna and flora. We also hike through a lowland rainforest. We return to our hotel for a little relaxation time, and then take another boat safari this afternoon to explore a different canal. (B,D)

DAY 8 – San Jose, Costa Rica

We can sleep a little later this morning, before we travel out of Tortuguero, and make the final leg of our journey to San Jose, Costa Rica’s bustling capital city. Our guide shows us the highlights of the city, as we travel to our hotel, where we spend our final night. (B,D)

DAY 9 – Return to the USA

Sadly, today we bid our driver and guide “adios.” We drive to the San Jose airport and board our return flight to the USA. (B)