Get ready for Costa Rica, the Switzerland of the Americas, home to a diverse natural environment that boasts a higher bio-diversity than both the USA and Europe combined. Join us on this exciting adventure as we get close encounters with its fabulous wildlife and mystical eco systems. Follow the trails along the Arenal Volcano and explore the cloud forests of Monteverde. End your trip with a few days of relaxation along the Pacific coast of its famous Guanacaste beaches.
Highlights: | Monteverde Cloud Forest, Arenal Volcano and the tropical shores of Guanacaste. |
Major Cities/Towns/Islands: | La Fortuna, Monteverde, Tamarindo (along the Pacific) |
Cultural/Natural Impact: | Great opportunities to learn about unique nature and eco systems, geology, history, culture and much more. Get up close and personal with the rich diversity of Costa Rica. |
Variety of Transport: | Private Bus/Van, walk, hike, boats and/or rafts |
Activity: | Easy: Walking along trails and bridges. Optional Trail hikes include night walks to see the lava flows and fireflies and day walks through the diverse flora and fauna. Options are available for a thrilling whitewater rafting adventure, horseback riding, volcano hikes and zip lining. End the trip with a relaxing stay at the famous Guanacaste beach. |
Unique Local Experiences: | The tour provides you with the opportunity to stay close to some of the most bio- diverse areas of our planet. You may sight species that are not found anywhere else. Walk through the cloud forests of Costa Rica and explore its wonders. |
| # | Tour | Meals | Overnight |
|---|
| Day 01 | Toronto – Liberia Liberia – La Fortuna | | Lodge/Hotel |
| Day 02 | La Fortuna | B | Lodge/Hotel |
| Day 03 | La Fortuna – Monteverde | B | Lodge/Hotel |
| Day 04 | Establo Mountain Hotel | B+L+D | Beach Resort |
| Day 05 | Guanacaste | B+L+D | Beach Resort |
| Day 06 | Guanacaste | B+L+D | Beach Resort |
| Day 07 | Guanacaste – Liberia Liberia – Toronto | B | |
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
Day – 01 TORONTO – LIBERIA Drive: LIBERIA – LA FORTUNA
Arrive at Costa Rica’s Liberia Airport. Once you pass through immigration and security, you will be greeted by our guide with a warm “Pura Vida”- the traditional Tico (Costa Rican) expression meaning “full of life”. You will be transferred to your hotel in La Fortuna the gateway to the Arenal Volcano National Park. This will be your home for the next few days.
Some examples of our most recommended tours are as follows:
Optional Adventure: DON JUAN FARM– Duration 6.5 hrs, start 8:00 am – US$ 70 per person
In an area of 8,000 square meters this farm hosts over thirty different crops exclusively farmed with organic farming techniques. Bio gas production, bio fermenting and manufacture of organic compounds through traditional and natural processes gives the visitor an opportunity to learn about these environmentally friendly ways of farming. You can take part in harvesting Cassavas, picking fresh fruits and vegetables which are later used for fresh homemade refreshments for lunch or dinner. You will learn to make fresh tortillas.
Optional Adventure: Whitewater Rafting Class II-III – Duration 6 hrs. starts 10:00 am – US$ 70 per person, includes Lunch
10:00 AM (approx) Whitewater rafting class 2 – 3:Experience the excitement and the adrenalin rush of white water rafting with rapids graded 2/3. After meeting with your river guide at your hotel we will drive 30 minutes to the river where the fun begins. Enjoy 2-3 hours of exhilarating whitewater action on this beautiful tropical river. Enjoy a swim and some fresh tropical fruits. The river is a great option for families and beginners. Today bring along comfortable, dry clothes, shorts and t-shirt, bathing suit, secure shoes (sports sandals and/or water shoes), sunscreen etc. Tour departs at 10:00 am and returns at about 4 pm. A nice warm lunch will be served in a typical village setting.
Optional: Horseback riding to La Fortuna waterfall: Duration: 3.5 hrs. Starts 8:30 am or 1:30 pm – US$ 65 per person
Our Naturalist Vaqueros (Spanish for cowboy), will take you to ride through the green pasture lands, crossing the clear waters of four streams. Explore your surrounding while mounted on an easy-going steed. You will visit a Private Wildlife Reserve called Cataratas. Here in the vicinity of the Pino Blanco Waterfall, we will stop at a lookout point for some breathtaking views. You also have the option to walk through the Rain Forest. Choosing between 45 minutes to 3 hours of Horseback riding, for both the experienced and the inexperienced alike, this is a great option – see this part of the world in a unique local style. This activity also includes a visit to the traditional native Maluku’s Village. Malaku are an indigenous Costa Rican tribe who speak their native language to this day. After our visit we return back to our hotel. Return and relax for the afternoon.
Optional Adventure: Arenal Volcano & Baldí Hot Springs with dinner: Duration 6.5 hrs. Starts 3 pm – US$ 95 per person
3:00 PM (aprox)
The tour begins with a hike and depending upon which side of the volcano the lava is flowing. It’s possible to observe a great variety of plants, wildlife, magnificent lava rock formations and the Arenal Lake! During the tour, our guides will provide interesting and educational information regarding the history of the majestic mountain and the Arenal Volcano National Park. The tour concludes with a relaxing stop at the mineral Baldí Hot springs. If you take this tour, your dinner is also included.
Day – 03 LA FORTUNA – MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST
After breakfast at the hotel you will be transferred to Monteverde.9:00 AM (approx.): board your boat, 1/2 hour by car from La Fortuna to the dam, then a beautiful 30 minutes’ cruise on the lake of Arenal, and finally a 1.5 hour scenic ride by 4×4 or mini bus to Monteverde. (The boat transfer depends on the
size of the group and weather conditions. If the conditions do not permit, we will drive you to Monteverde). After you arrive relax for the rest of the day or walk down to the little town of Santa Elena and try out a local burrito shop or a variety of other local restaurants. Overnight at El Establo Mountain Hotel or
Day – 04 MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST
After breakast, join our educational hike to the cloud forest:
After breakast, join our educational hike to the cloud forest:AM: we begin our canopy tour. The tour usually takes between two to three hours.
The Tree Top walkways consist of a 1.9 mile (3.5 km) long trail that crosses through the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Here visitors can walk across different hanging bridges with various lengths ranging between 150 feet up to 510 feet and altitudes ranging between 36 feet up to 180 feet. Each bridge has a width of five feet, the widest bridges in Costa Rica, and also a capacity of up to 80 people per bridge making them both the longest and strongest bridge systems in the Monteverde Cloud Forest.
Optional: Zip lining Adventure Tour: Duration: 3 Hours. Starts: 7:30, 10:30 am & 2:30 pm – US$ 55 per personFor those who dare, there is a thrill-seeking adventure – Zip Lining. With breathtaking views of the forest, your adrenaline pumping ride takes you from treetop to treetop, literally zooming over the canopy. You will be zipping along many cables and platforms with an optional Tarzan Swing at the end of the adventure.
Optional Adventure: Humming Bird Garden Tour – Duration: 2 Hours. Starts: 7:30, 10:30 am & 2:30 pm – US$ 47 After a warm welcome start the tour of the magical hummingbird garden. The garden is surrounded by the enchanted cloud forest. Here we are surrounded by trees covered in epiphytes, moss, vines and lichens. This is the perfect setting for the Hummingbirds. To facilitate the visitor the garden has many benches where we can sit and enjoy this spot which is visited by a variety of species of hummingbirds. The birds are attracted by water fountains, multicolor flowers and the feeders placed in the garden. There are more than 14 species of hummingbirds here, which will amuse us with their aerial maneuvers, sometimes coming so close that we can feel the hum of their wings. We can witness the feathers with many shades that change colors depending of the angle of the light.
Day – 05 MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST – GUANACASTE COAST (All inclusive)
After Breakfast, we will drive you to the famous Guanacaste Coast where you can bask and bathe at your beach resort for the next few days. Once you check-in, all your meals including, breakfast, lunch and dinner included at the resort. Overnight at Occidental Beach Resort Tamarindo.
Day – 06 GUANACASTE (FREE DAY)
Breakfast included. Day at leisure or try out some surfing. Take a surf lesson! How about a turtle hatching tour? So much to do!
Day – 07 GUANACASTE (FREE DAY)
Day – 08 Drive: TAMARINDO – LIBERIA
After an early breakfast, we will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Toronto.
Services Included:
- Airport pickup and drop with assistance upon arrival and departure from Liberia International Airport
- All Transfers included: from airport to hotel in La Fortuna, transfer to Monteverde Cloud Forest and to the hotel in Tamarindo on Guanacaste Coast and back to the airport.
- Two nights at hotel in La Fortuna – Kokoro Arenal or similar
- Two nights at hotel in Monteverde – El Establo or similar
- Three nights at beach resort in Tamarindo – Occidental Tamarindo Beach Resort or similar
- Meals: Daily buffet breakfast throughout the tour. During your stay in Tamarindo, all meals are included.
- All-inclusive stay at the beach resort in Tamarindo: including lunch, dinner, drinks and other facilities. (please see the attached included services at the beach resort).
Services NOT included:
- International departure tax out of Costa Rica US$ 29 to be paid directly at the Liberia Airport.
- Meals not included in the program.
- Any expenses of personal nature, such as laundry, drinks not included, phone calls, minibar, tips and gratuities.
- International trip cancellation and medical insurance. Clients are advised to arrange their own or ask Off TheMap Adventures team to help you obtain it.
- Changes in program due to events of natural disasters, local political unrest and events beyond the control of the company.
Note on Meals that are not included:
- In La Fortuna, it depends on the activity you are doing. If you doing white water rafting or doing another excursion like volcano hikes, some tours have meals included. If you are staying back at the resort you can always go to the hotel restaurant, order A-la-Carte or join the buffet. Average cost of meal is 12-17 US Dollars per person.
- In Monteverde, your hotel is only 1 kilometer from the town centre, which has a variety of restaurants. Average meal cost is 5-10 Dollars.
- In Tamarindo, all meals are included at designated restaurants.
