Arenal Volcano / Monteverde Cloud Forest
5 Day / 4 Nights

Day 1
Morning pick up at a San Jose Hotel for a scenic drive with a group and driver/guide to the Arenal Volcano.  En route visit La Paz Waterfall Gardens, entrance fees & lunch included, where you will have an opportunity to see magnificent waterfalls with viewing platforms. Enjoy lunch on the terrace dinning room, and then continue on to your hotel in Arenal. (L)

Day 1-3
2 nights accommodation in Arenal at the Arenal Observatory Lodge (Smithsonian volcano view room) (2B.2D)
The Arenal Observatory Lodge is located within the Arenal National Park, and offers spectacular views of the volcano's imposing profile and Lake Arenal. The property encompasses acres of untouched rainforest, and is home to hundreds of species of birds and wildlife.

Day 2
Visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges this morning with your group and driver/guide, entrance fees included.  The Hanging Bridges are a complex of 6 suspension bridges above the jungle canopy and almost 2 miles of brick & concrete trails through the lush rain forest.  Late afternoon enjoy the Eco-Termales Hot Springs, entrance fees included 

Day 3   
Hike in the Arenal Volcano National Park this morning with your group and driver/guide, entrance fees included. This is an opportunity for a close-up exploration of recent lava flows that left a 50 ft deep path of lava thru the rainforest.    After the hike depart with your group and driver/guide for Monteverde, driving around Lake Arenal (approx. a 5 hour drive). Note: There is an option of taking a boat across Lake Arenal to Rio Chiquito, then an overland transfer to your Monteverde hotel. Please be aware that strong winds or heavy rains may make for a rough, bumpy, and wet boat ride. The lake crossing takes 2-3 hours less than driving all the way around Lake Arenal.  There is an additional charge for this option.

Day 3-5 
2 nights accommodations in Monteverde at Hotel Fonda Vela (junior suite) (2B.2D) or similar
The 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 4
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 5
Depart Monteverde and return to your hotel near San Jose

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

Note: If your planning permits you can continue on to the Beach without having to go back to San Jose.