Printer friendly

Independent Tropical Forest Adventure – Tamarindo
Arenal Volcano / Monteverde Cloud Forest / Tamarindo Beach
9 Days / 8 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 an overland transfer (driver is not a guide and may or may not speak English) from San Jose to your hotel in Arenal   

Day 2-3
1 nights accommodation in Arenal at the Arenal Observatory Lodge (Smithsonian volcano view room) (B) or similar
The Arenal Observatory Lodge is located only 1.6 miles south of the volcano across a gorge from the volcano and surrounded by lush rainforest.  Visitors have an impressive view of this "giant which rumbles" and erupts with spectacular displays of vapor and lava.   The Observatory is the only lodge situated within the Arenal National Park, which encompasses thousands of acres of pristine rainforest and teems with tropical birds and wildlife, and offers comfortable rooms (most with volcano views) a good restaurant, pool, Jacuzzi, and a guided hike each morning

Day 3
Check-in with the Lodge front desk for the times to join with the local guide for the hike in the Arenal Volcano National Park, entrance fees are included.  This hike takes you for a close-up exploration of recent lava flows which left a 50 ft. deep path of lava through the rainforest.  Mid-morning pick up at the lodge for a transfer to the Lake for the 20-minute boat ride across Lake Arenal to Rio Chiquito. From Rio Chiquito you will be met and overland transfer by 4WD to your Monteverde hotel.  Please be aware that strong winds or heavy rains can make for a rough, bumpy, & wet 20-minute boat ride.  The lake crossing takes 2-3 hours less than driving all the way around Lake Arenal 

Day 3-5 
2 nights accommodations in Monteverde at Hotel Fonda Vela (junior suite) (2B) 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 4
Afternoon pick up at your hotel for a guided walk through the Monteverde Reserve, transportation, entrance fees & local guide included.  Monteverde Reserve is best known as home to the Resplendent Quetzal but has hundreds of other birds, mammals and plant species.  

Day 5
After breakfast pick-up at your hotel for a semi private transfer to your hotel in Tamarindo (approx a 5 hour drive)

Day 5-8
3 nights accommodations in Tamarindo at Hotel Capitan Suizo (standard room) (3B) or similar
Capitan Suizo a small hotel located right on the beach in Tamarindo surrounded by lush tropical gardens. It offers a restaurant, pool, Jacuzzi, massages, table tennis and beach volleyball.

Tamarindo Beach is a beautiful swimming and surfing beach. Local activities include horseback riding, tours to national parks, boat estuary tours, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, sport fishing. Three 18-hole golf courses are located nearby

Day 8
Morning pick-up at your hotel for a transfer to the airport in Tamarindo.  Domestic flight from Tamarindo to San José.  Upon your arrival in San José, you will be transferred to your hotel. 

You have the option of an overland transfer to San José, if you do not want to fly (Tamarindo to San José is approx a 5 hour drive)

Day 8-9
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   
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   (CB) = Continental Breakfast   (L) = Lunch          (D) = Dinner