Costa Rica with Luxury & Style (11 Days): Sample Itinerary Outline

ID #: DT-CR-11-3-28-11-RAIJ


 

Costa Rica with Luxury & Style (11 Days)DAY 1: Arrive San Jose, COSTA RICA
Welcome to Costa Rica. You are met on arrival in San Jose, and transferred to your resort hotel, located on a 30-acre coffee plantation.
►Suggested hotel:
Marriott Costa Rica Hotel, San Jose


DAY 2: San Jose to Turrialba & with River Rafting
This morning depart San Jose with your private driver and guide, and travel to the Turrialba Valley in central Costa Rica. Then the real fun begins when you join your experienced rafting guide for a day full of safe and exciting adventures on the Rio Pacuare. Travel on one of the top ten white water rafting rivers in the world for eighteen miles of class III and class IV rapids, and some of the most breathtaking scenery in all of Costa Rica. Enjoy the thrill of the rapids, as well as the natural beauty that surrounds the river - cascading waterfalls and a variety of tropical flora and fauna. Halfway through the journey, stop at a hillside camp for a tremendous view of the Rio Pacuare, the surrounding mountains, and to enjoy lunch. Continue your adventure down the river, braving more rapids and taking in the beautiful surroundings. (If you prefer, raft on the gentler Class I or II rapids of the Pjibaye River.)
►Suggested hotel:
Hacienda Tayutic, Turrialba 

DAY 3: Turrialba to Tortuguero, COSTA RICA
Today, drive east, towards the Caribbean Sea. At Cano Blanco, travel by private boat to Tortuguero National Park – home to over 350 species of birds and mammals, including 13 of Costa Rica’s 16 endangered species such as tapirs, ocelots, cougars, river otters and manatees. Your hotel offers remote, rustic luxury surrounded by the natural beauty of the Tortuguero Canals and its wildlife.
►Suggested hotel:  
Manatus Lodge, Tortuguero

DAY 4: Tortuguero & the Cano Palma Wildlife Reserve, COSTA RICA
This morning, explore the inland canals and wetlands as you take a private guided boat tour through Cano Palma Wildlife Reserve. Wildlife of all sorts show their able ways of camouflage throughout the canal. Venture on a few of the private trails to experience the dense jungle close-up. It is truly a fascinating experience to see anhinga, yellow crowned night heron, strawberry poison dart frogs, howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys and the giant webs of golden orb spiders as you trek along the spongy earth. This area is also one of the best places for bird watching. After a relaxing break for lunch at the hotel, enjoy another private guided boat tour through Tortuguero National Park. Watch the caimans and sea turtles float by, as well as the giant leatherback turtles.
►Suggested hotel:  
Manatus Lodge, Tortuguero


DAY 5: Tortuguero to Arenal, COSTA RICA
This morning it is a quick boat transfer to the Tortuguero Air strip, for your flight back to San Jose. Upon arrival, proceed with your guide on a scenic drive towards the famous Arenal Volcano. Enjoy a tour and tasty coffee break at the Espirtu Santo Coffee Plantation. Lunch at the popular Don Rufino Restaurant, and then enjoy a private visit to Danaus Eco Center. View this botanical garden with more than 600 species of plants, a large butterfly garden, wetlands filled with medicinal plants, and varieties of frogs, serpents, turtles, caimans, monkeys, sloth and birds. Tonight relax at the Tabacon Hot Springs with its natural thermal springs, water wells and in-river pools. Spend the next three nights at a luxury hotel located at the base of the Arenal Volcano. One of the world’s most active volcanoes, the 5,436-foot Arenal Volcano has continuously had eruptions of ash, rock, smoke and steam since 1968. Weather permitting, enjoy a spectacular nighttime show of mini- eruptions – stunning volcanic fireworks!
►Suggested hotel:
Tabacon Resort & Spa, Arenal

DAY 6: Arenal, COSTA RICA
This morning take a guided hike through Arenal Volcano National Park. Traverse the rainforest and cross over the large lava flow; above the lava bed take in the magnificent views of Lake Arenal and see the red-hot lava rolling down the side of the volcano. Next, hike along the Arenal Hanging Bridges, a series of fourteen fixed and suspension bridges crossing through a lush reserve of native plants, birds and animals. Relax over lunch at a local farm. In the afternoon, take a ride on the Sky Tram to the highest point of the Arenal Reserve. From there your trek takes you above the trees along a series of zip-lines. See the Arenal rain forest and its landscape from a different and adrenalin-pumping perspective.
►Suggested hotel:
Tabacon Resort & Spa, Arenal


DAY 7: Cano Negro, COSTA RICA
Today, take a full day guided excursion north to Cano Negro. Start with a scenic drive to Los Chiles, a rustic village just 2 miles from the Nicaraguan border. Here begin your boat tour through the wetlands of the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. Travel slowly up stream, spotting animals such as sloth, monkeys, caimans, lizards, bats, and a variety of native flora along the way. Stop along the river for a typical Costa Rican lunch before heading back to Los Chiles to drive back your hotel.
►Suggested hotel:
Tabacon Resort & Spa, Arenal

DAY 8: Arenal to Guanacaste, COSTA RICA
This morning, it’s a relaxing drive down the mountain, west towards the coast, arriving by lunchtime. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure at your Pacific Ocean Resort. Surrounded by nature, the resort offers three beaches, golf, horseback riding, a world-class spa and more.
►Some suggested Guanacaste hotels (in alphabetical order):
Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
  (V)
Hotel Punta Islita
  (V)
W Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa, Guanacaste
►Together, we will find the best choice for you!

DAY 9: Guanacaste, COSTA RICA
Today enjoy float trip down the tranquil Rio Corobici. As you leisurely raft along this river, watch for otters, howler monkeys, white-faced monkeys and iguanas. There are also more than 300 species of birds including ospreys, kingfishers, cormorants, and blue, tiger and boat-billed herons. Arrive back at your resort by mid afternoon.
►For Guanacaste hotel suggestions, see above.

DAY 10: Guanacaste, COSTA RICA
Enjoy a full day at leisure in this beautiful ocean front resort. Optional activities abound – ATV tours along the coast, beach treks, bird watching excursions, jungle trips, snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, fishing and more. Or, simply enjoy the sun and comfort of the resort. 
►For Guanacaste hotel suggestions, see above.

DAY 11: Depart Guanacaste & Liberia, COSTA RICA
Today you are taken to the airport in nearby Liberia for your departing flight home or on to your next destination.