Tropical Forest Adventure – Manuel Antonio
La Paz Waterfall Gardens - Arenal Volcano - Monteverde Cloud Forest - Manuel Antonio Beach
10 Days / 9 Nights

Day 1
Upon your arrival in San Jose, Costa Rica a representative of Costa Rica Sun Tours will meet you at the airport, present you with your land portion vouchers, and transfer you to your hotel in San José

Day 1-2
1 nights accommodations in San José at Hotel Grano de Oro (standard room) or similar
Hotel Grano de Oro is a converted Victorian mansion and maintains the warmth and comfort of a private home while offering the amenities of a fine hotel. The restaurant at the hotel is one of San José's finest.  It is located on a quiet street close to the city center, near restaurants, theaters and shops

Day 2
Morning pick-up at your hotel for a scenic drive with a group and driver/guide to the Arenal Volcano, stopping en route at the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, entrance fee & lunch included.  At La Paz you will have an opportunity to see magnificent waterfalls from viewing platforms, and a Butterfly Observatory.  Enjoy lunch on the terrace dinning room, before you continue on to your hotel in Arenal.  (L)

Day 2-4
2 nights accommodation in Arenal at the Arenal Observatory Lodge (Smithsonian volcano view room) (2B.2D) or similar
Arenal Observatory Lodge is located inside the Arenal National Park across a gorge from the volcano and surrounded by lush rainforest. The lodge offers comfortable rooms (most with volcano views) a good restaurant, pool, Jacuzzi, and a guided hike each morning

Day 3
This morning visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges with your group and driver/guide (entrance fees included).  The Hanging Bridges are a complex of 6 suspension bridges through the jungle canopy and almost 2 miles of brick & concrete trails through the lush rain forest. Late afternoon enjoy a visit to the Ecotermales Hot Springs, entrance fees included to relax in the warm waters heated by the volcano.

Day 4   
This morning hike in the Arenal Volcano National Park with your group and driver/guide, entrance fees included.  This hike takes you for a close-up exploration of recent lava flows that left a 50 ft deep path of lava through the rainforest.  Mid-morning departure with your group and driver/guide, driving around Lake Arenal to Monteverde, one of the most diverse and richest tropical cloud forests in the New World (approx a 5 hour drive).

Note: There is the option at an extra cost of taking a boat ride across Lake Arenal to Rio Chiquito, and from Rio Chiquito overland transfer to your Monteverde hotel.  Please be aware that strong winds or heavy rains can make for a rough, bumpy, & wet boat ride.  The lake crossing takes 2-3 hours less than driving all the way around Lake Arenal 

Day 4-6 
2 nights accommodations in Monteverde at Hotel Fonda Vela (junior suite) (2B.2D) or similar
Hotel Fonda Vela is an attractive eco-tourism lodge in a tranquil setting of 35 acres. All rooms were designed with natural lighting, privacy and warmth in mind.  The hotel also has an elegant restaurant

Day 5
This morning with your group and driver/guide visit the Selvatura Tree Top Walkways, entrance fees included. Located along a 1.7 mile trail, this bridge system is designed to be walked by people of all ages. The bridge system has 8 suspension bridges, totaling a distance of 1,200 feet, and 90% of the trail goes through primary cloud forest.  This is one of the best methods of learning about the complexity and beauty of the cloud forest.  This afternoon with your group and driver/guide enjoy a guided walk through the Monteverde Reserve, entrance fees included.  Monteverde Reserve is best known as home to the Resplendent Quetzal but has hundreds of other birds, mammals and plant species.  

Day 6
Morning pick-up at your hotel for an overland semi private transfer to your hotel in Manuel Antonio (approx a 6 hour drive)

Day 6-9
3 nights accommodation in Manuel Antonio at Hotel Costa Verde (double studio plus room) or similar
Hotel Costa Verde is located on a coastal rainforest bluff overlooking the Pacific beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park near Quepos.  The hotel features spacious rooms and balconies, as well as two cliffside pools with sundecks, all offering a bird's-eye view of the Park's coastline plus rainforest canopy vistas dotted with native birds and monkeys

Day 7 (Day of tour subject to change as the Park is closed on Mondays)
Pick-up at your hotel for a half-day guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park, including roundtrip transportation from your hotel, park entrance fees and local guide.  Manuel Antonio is one of the country’s most popular parks because of its unique mix of beaches and forest trails.  If you would like to stay in the park to snorkel or swim, you will need to return to your hotel by bus, hotel shuttle or taxi on your own

Day 8
Free day in Manuel Antonio. 
While staying in Manuel Antonio you can explore the many optional activities (at your own expense) including ocean kayaking, world class sport fishing, horseback riding, canopy tours, sunset sailing, Isla Damas Estuary tours, Rain Maker Reserve, white water rafting (subject to water levels) or simply relaxing on the beautiful beaches or at your hotel

Day 9
Morning pick-up at your hotel for a transfer to the airport in Quepos.  Domestic flight from Quepos to San José.  Upon your arrival in San José, you will be transferred to your hotel. 

Note: There is the option at the same price of an overland transfer from Manuel Antonio to San José if you do not want to fly (approx a 4 hour drive)

Day 9-10
1 nights accommodation in Santo Domingo at Hotel Bougainvillea (standard room) or similar
Hotel Bougainvillea is a family owned and operated inn with 80 tastefully decorated rooms set in 12 acres of beautiful gardens. The restaurant offers continental cuisine in a wonderful dining room.  Guests can stroll in the gardens, swim in the heated pool, enjoy a sauna or use the tennis courts

 
Day 9-10
Pick-up at your hotel for a departure transfer to the International Airport in San Jose to check-in 3 hours before your scheduled flight time 

Meal Codes  (B)=Breakfast  (L)=Lunch  (D)=Dinner