Nature and life
12 Days/11 Nights

A trip that will reconnect you with nature where you will observe tropical flora and fauna, swim in natural pools and visit magnificent and powerful waterfalls.

Lodging: 2 nights in San José, 2 nights in Arenal, 2 nights in Río Celeste, 1 night in Isla Venado, 2 nights in Reserva Karen Mogensen, 2 nights in Montezuma.

Activities: Parque Nacional Volcano Arenal, termal waters, forest trails, waterfalls, natural pools, observation of flora and fauna, Río Celeste, Isla Venado, mangrove, boat trip, sunsets on the Pacific coast and beach.

Complete itinerary

Day 1: TRC Viajes welcomes you!

You will be met at the airport by one of our representatives who will help you with your luggage once you finish in customs. At the exit one of our representatives will be waiting to take you to a charming hotel located in the city of San José. In the case you have free time you can take a walk on your own, Lodging in Hotel Villa Tournon or similar

Day 2: San José – Volcano Arenal

In the morning the guide/driver will accompany you for the next 10 days and will go with you to the hotel and take you north where Volcano Arenal is located. The trip to La Fortuna is very picturesque, with a view of dairy and local agricultural farms. In the afternoon you can relax in the thermal waters and enjoy dinner. Lodging in Catarata Eco Lodge o similar (D/C)

 Day 3: Enjoy Arenal                                                                                                                       

Enjoy free time and explore the area on your own. Lodging in Catarata Eco Lodge (D)

Optional activities: Parque Nacional Volcano Arenal, a hike to Arenal Hanging Bridges and for those of you that prefer challenging hikes you can visit Cerro Chato and  the Waterfall La Fortuna, where you will find an extinct volcano south of Arenal. 

Day 4: Arenal – Río Celeste

You will travel northeast around Lake Arenal and later north where you will find Parque Nacional Volcán Tenorio, home of the impressive turquoise waters of Río Celeste. Optional activity: Horseback riding. Lodging in Hotel Catarata Río Celeste or similar (D)

Day 5: Enter Río Celeste

Visit Parque Nacional Tenorio and take a hike to the majestic waterfall Río Celeste, one of the most beautiful monuments in all of Costa Rica. During the hike you will see beautiful species of flora and fauna and a great quantity of birds. Ahead you will also enjoy a swim in the waters naturally heated by the Volcano Tenorio. You will reach a place where two rivers join and produce a chemical reaction between calcium carbonate and sulfur emitted by the volcano which causes the surprising turquoise color of the Río Celeste. Lodging in Hotel Catarata Río Celeste (D)

 Day 6: Rio Celeste – Isla de Chira

Your adventure will begin very early in the morning to the Golfo de Nicoya, where in Penca you will take a boat (2:40 p.m.) passing the impressive mangrove swamp that shelters Isla. Learn about the techniques of local handcrafted fishing. Isla Venado is a good place to ride a bike, you can visit Playa Romántica to observe women fishing and who relate their stories about Isla. Lodging in Posada Rural La Casona (D/A/C)

*Your guide/driver will leave you on this day and will catch up with you the next day in Puerto Palito.

Day 7: Enter the rain forest of the Reserva Karen Mogensen

After breakfast you will leave by boat to observe the wonders of the mangrove, on the trip you will see a great variety of aquatic birds, crocodiles and some small mammals that roam around the mangrove swamp. Your guide/driver will be waiting for you to continue the trip to explore the hidden treasures of the Nicoya Peninsula, the Reserva Karen Mogensen with 2224 hectares of tropical forest and the Waterfall Velo de Novia 80 meters high, natural pools, and trails that cross the primary forest.

La Posada Rural Cerro Escondido is hidden in the Reserve. Here you will disconnect with everything and discover the sounds of the forest. Don Arnulfo will be your guide and help you find the essence of life in nature. Lodging in Posada Rural Cerro Escondido. (D/A/C)

*Your guide/driver will leave you for the following two days. You should ready your luggage to take the minimum, the rest you can leave with the guide.

Day 8: Explore with Don Arnulfo

Climb to the lookout to observe the sunrise from above to observe the forest. After a delicious typical breakfast take a hike or go to the waterfall. Don Arnulfo will accompany you with a picnic lunch you can enjoy on the banks of the river. Lodging in Posada Rural Cerro Escondido. (D/A/C)

Day 9: Discover the beaches of Peninsula de Nicoya

In the southern part of the Nicoya Peninsula you can find a remote area where you will find deserted beaches at the foot of cliffs that go directly to the ocean creating a magical scene. Relax at Montezuma beach or visit the waterfall Montezuma with its 3 natural pools. Lodging in Sano Banano or similar (D)

Day 10: Explore the coast between Montezuma and Cabo Blanco
Explore the beaches or drive to Parque Nacional Cabo Blanco where you will find the point of the peninsula. Lodging in Sano Banano or similar (D)

 Day 11: Take a ferry to cross the Golfo and return to San José

Take the Paquera ferry in the middle of the green islands of the Golfo de Nicoya. Once you reach the port of Puntarenas don’t forget to sample the traditionally famous Churchill (ice cone) while you walk along the Paseo de los Turistas or stop to eat a fresh ceviche. The return to San José will take one hour and a half on highway 27. You will spend the night downtown where your car rental will be returned. Lodging in Hotel Villa Tournon or similar (D)

*The Ferry ticket is not included in the program where the client drives, for those clients that use a driver the cost is covered.

Day 12: Return soon!

Breakfast and transfer from the hotel to Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaría to take return flights home. (D)

****End of our services****

Includes: 11 nights lodging, private minibus transport, and travel program, alimentation according to description, entrance tickets, and bilingual guide.

Does not include: alcoholic beverages, optional activities, transfers not mentioned nor public buses, tips, departure taxes (presently $29 per person)

Type of alimentation:

D: Breakfast / A: Lunch / C: Dinner