Costa Rica Coast to Coast

Those on group flights will arrive in the evening and be transferred from the
airport to the hotel. Land Only clients should aim to arrive at the hotel
this afternoon/evening. This evening is the perfect opportunity to meet your
guide and get to know your fellow travellers. Accommodation: Park Inn Hotel
or similarComfortable Hotel

Our adventure begins early this morning, leaving San Jose behind as we travel
to the north-east of Costa Rica to Tortuguero National Park. Accessible only
by boat or light aircraft, Tortuguero's vast network of waterways, canals and
swamps is remarkably tranquil, unspoilt and devoid of noise pollution. On
reaching the pier we board a small motorboat for the one hour fifteen minute
journey to our lodge. This afternoon we visit Tortuguero village (which lies
on a thin strip of land between the sea and the main canal) and take a short
walk following a pathway parallel to the coastline. Tortuguero is probably
most famous as a nesting site for the endangered Green turtle, which can be
seen arriving onto the beach to lay eggs from late July to October (as part
of an optional excursion). Hawksbill, Loggerhead and Giant Leatherback
turtles also nest in this region, and during November to January baby turtles
start to hatch and make their way towards the ocean. Today's travel time will
be in the region of six hours including a break for breakfast. Total
walking distance: 6km. Time: approx. 3 hours. Accommodation: Laguna Lodge
(or similar)Comfortable Hotel

An early morning boat trip enables us to discover the extraordinary flora and
fauna of Tortuguero, passing serenely along the waterways. At this time of
day wildlife is usually at its most active and with the help of our expert
guide we are likely to encounter monkeys, caiman, iguanas, butterflies and
many of the 300+ bird species recorded here. We return to the lodge for a
hearty breakfast by the river. Then we take a kayaking tour through the
jungle lagoons to have a different perspective on the forest, navigating the
streams, canals and rivers. Alternatively the lodge is a tranquil spot to
relax if you want to take some time out to enjoy the facilities this
afternoon, or there is an nice walk available within Tortuguero National
Park.   Accommodation: Laguna Lodge (or similar)Comfortable Hotel

We leave Tortuguero this morning, taking a short internal flight back to San
Jose to reduce today's travel time. Our bus will be waiting to drive us to
the region of La Fortuna, passing huge banana, pineapple and sugar cane
plantations. On the way we stop for a short walk in the area of Bajos del
Toro, where the highest and most impressive waterfall of the country is
located. Our walking trail takes us all the way to the bottom of the
waterfall, which empties at a height of 90 metres into an old extinct
volcanic crater. There are several fantastic viewpoints on the first 500
metres of the trail, which is generally flat and surrounded by forest. Over
27 species of hummingbird have been recorded here! The second part of the
trail is steep, following concrete steps with hand railings which lead all
the way to the base of the waterfall, where the striking rock formations and
colours will leave you in awe. We continue our journey to Arenal, reaching
the Arenal Volcano National Park. Following a massive eruption in 1968,
Arenal was Costa Rica's most active volcano until recently when it entered a
resting phase. As well as the volcano, this region has much to offer,
including thermal waters, waterfalls and dense vegetation. Total walking
distance: 2km. Time: approx. 1.5 hours. Accommodation: Arenal Montechiari or
Arenal Manoa (or similar)Comfortable Hotel

Today we travel to the province of Alajuela in the central valley where the
Juan Castro Blanco National Park is located. Known as the "Parque del Agua"
(the park of the water), this national park protects mid-elevation wet forest
and high altitude cloud forest on the slopes of three extinct volcano peaks -
these are Porvenir (2,267 metres), Platanar (2,183 metres) and Viejo (2,060
metres). Our hike focuses on reaching the summit of Platanar Volcano, a
spectacular hike through the varying forest climates as well as panoramic
views (weather permitting) at some of the highest points. This is a full day
hike along a one-way trail, so after reaching the highest lookout point we'll
re-trace our steps. On our return it's possible to detour to a small
waterfall where swimming is permitted if you feel like a refreshing dip! Many
of the streams born here feed the San Carlos River whose waters are used in
the plains. Lunch today will be taken with a local family. After today's
hike we return to Arenal and there is the option to visit Ecotermales Hot
Springs to relax any aching muscles. Total walking distance: 9.5 km. Time:
approx. 6 hours. Accommodation: Arenal Montechiari or Arenal Manoa (or
similar)Comfortable Hotel

There is a short guided hike this morning through Arenal Volcano National
Park. The park has a great system of trails passing through secondary forest
and near lava fields created by previous eruptions. The high vantage points
on this walk allow great views overlooking Lake Arenal, and the birdlife is
plentiful. Waterfalls are abundant in the region of Arenal and we also visit
La Fortuna Waterfall, a 65 metre cascade of water plunging into an emerald
pool below. A short trail through the rainforest brings us to a relatively
steep set of steps that we must descend to reach the waterfall and then
ascend to the exit - the hike/climb takes around 20-30 minutes. Reward your
efforts with a dip into one of the natural pools punctuating the foliage to
cool off! After our lunch stop, we have a short transfer to the region of
Tenorio, where we stay for the next two nights.Total walking distance: 6km.
Time: approx. 3 hours. Accommodation: Celeste Mountain Lodge (or
similar)Comfortable Hotel

After breakfast we travel to the Tenorio Volcano National Park where we join
a hiking trail along the Rio Celeste towards 'Tenideros'. After merging with
a small creak this section of the river takes on a striking blue turquoise
colour, the result of components such as copper and sulphur reacting
together. There is a legend that says the colour was created when God washed
his paintbrushes in the river after painting the sky. It's a beautiful trail,
leading towards the magnificent Rio Celeste Waterfall. This afternoon we
return to our hotel and have the afternoon at leisure to rest and enjoy the
hotel facilities. Total walking distance: 4km. Time: approx. 3 hours.
Accommodation: Celeste Mountain Lodge (or similar)Comfortable Hotel

We depart early towards the area of Rincon de la Vieja, an area that combines
dry forest with enchanting waterfalls and is best known for its bubbling mud
pots, steaming vents in the earth, hot springs and a whole host of wildlife.
The starting point of our walk will be close to the Miravalles Volcano, from
which we walk towards Aguas Claras town along a gravel road. Taking in
pasturelands and patches of secondary forest, we have great views of the
tropical savannah and the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. At the end of today's
walk we continue by bus to our hotel, which we should arrive at later this
afternoon. Total walking distance: 14 km. Time: approx. 6.5 hours.
Accommodation: Buena Vista Hotel (or similar)Comfortable Hotel

Covering some 14,804 hectares, Rincon de la Vieja National Park is full of
geological features and has the active Rincon de la Vieja Volcano (1895m)
within its boundaries, as well as a series of other craters and volcanic
peaks. This region is still relatively undiscovered but is starting to
attract more visitors. This morning we walk inside the national park, widely
regarded as one of Costa Rica's hidden gems. We have a one and a half hour
hike through the park along a pre-defined trail, the highlight of which is
likely to be our visit to Las Pailas, the bubbling mud pools that flank the
volcanic crater. Steaming fumaroles and hot springs are also found in park,
attesting to how active the volcano is! This afternoon we take La Cangreja
Waterfall trail walking through tropical forest and Guanacaste savannah. If
we are lucky we may see Howler monkeys, White-faced Capuchin monkeys or any
of the 257 species of birds present here. The waterfall is spectacular,
plunging 40 metres and forming a clear blue pool at its base as a result of
the dissolved copper minerals from the volcano. Total walking distance: 13
km. Time: approx. 6.5 hours. Accommodation: Buena Vista Hotel (or
similar)Comfortable Hotel

Today's hike takes place on trails within the grounds of Hacienda
Guachipelin, located in the sunny Guanacaste province next to the Rincon de
la Vieja National Park. On this expansive 3,400 acre ranch there are
360° views of the Rincón de la Vieja and Santa Maria volcanoes, the
Guanacaste plains and the Pacific coastline. On our hike we'll discover
three waterfalls: Oropendula, the Choreras and Victoria Waterfall. The
Victoria Waterfall drops 35 metres into the Rio Negro and you can swim in the
crystal clear pool surrounding the waterfalls base. The pretty trails wind
through dry tropical forest where some 300 bird species reside, alongside
armadillos, collared peccaries, iguanas, snakes, coatis, and White-faced,
Howler and Spider monkeys, which we may see if we are lucky. After today's
hike we transfer around 2.5 hours to the Pacific coast and Carrillo beach,
our home for the next two nights. Total walking distance: 15km. Time:
approx. 4.5 hours. Accommodation: Naambu Hotel (or similar)Comfortable Hotel

Carrillo beach on the Pacific Coast is one of the best kept secrets in Costa
Rica! The broad, shady bay is backed by coconut palms and the water is calm
and safe for swimming thanks to a coral reef just out to sea on which the
normally large, Pacific waves break before reaching the beach. There are
plenty of facilities in this area but there's a noticeable absense of big
resort hotels, which makes for a nice atmosphere. Our hotel faces onto
Carrillo beach in the neighbouring bay to Samara, a small town. Today has
been left free for you to spend at your leisure. Spend time relaxing on the
beach or join one of the optional excursions available in the area such as a
boat tour to see dolphins, kayaking tour or SUP (stand-up paddle boarding).
Accommodation: Naambu (or similar)Comfortable Hotel

Spend a few hours this morning enjoying Carrillo beach before we check out of
the hotel aroudn 11am, and leave the Nicoya peninsula and transfer back to
San Jose, a journey of approximately 4.5 hours. Accommodation: Park Inn
Hotel or similarComfortable Hotel

The trip comes to an end today after breakfast and it's time to bid Costa
Rica and the rest of the group goodbye. Those on the group flights will be
transferred back to the airport, whilst land only clients are free to make
their own arrangements.