Day 01 San Jose / Arenal
Welcome to Costa Rica! Arrive today any time before 12:00 Noon to the San Jose International Airport. upon arrival at the San Jose International Airport and after passing through immigrations and customs, you’ll need to proceed to the airport exit to locate the Best Western Irazu shuttle bus. This short 15 minute shuttle will bring you to the Best Western Irazu Hotel where your will enjoy lunch before our group departure transfer to the San Carlos-Arenal Region
Transfer time approximately 2 ½ hour’s drive to Chachagua Rainforest. A favorite stop along the way to Arenal is the roadside “Pulperias”. Look for signs saying “Queso Palmito” which is sold at these little establishments. This is a fresh cheese braided into a ball, some have a creamy consistency much like fresh mozzarella and other varieties have a saltier taste and firmer texture. Upon arrival at Chachagua we will check in, enjoy a welcome cocktail, an authentic Costa Rican dinner and overnight in the lush tropical rainforest.
The weather in the area is generally hot and humid. A sweater at night is important as well as a flashlight, good insect repellant and sturdy closed shoes. Meals: D
Day 02 Rainforest at Chachagua & The Arenal Volcano
Optional Visit to Tabacon Hot Mineral Springs (must preregister)
When you waken this morning you will quickly realize why Pat Schultz included Chachagua Rainforest Hotel in her bestselling book, 1,000 Places You Must Visit before You Die. Chachagua is like no other hotel in the San Carlos -Arenal region, with over 160 acres of just nature! It’s the only hotel around the Arenal area which is immersed in a primary forest, where the visitor will enjoy the most vivid contact with nature. Chachagua is Built on a 90 Hectares farm and primary rainforest 20 minutes away from the active Arenal Volcano and is truly is a dream place; it captures nature in the most principle fashion. Embraced between the forces of nature; rushing rivers cool mountain spring waters and primary rainforest teeming with wildlife coupled with the active Arenal Volcano and its surrounding hot springs, Canopy tours, aerial tram, trek and zip line adventures, white water rafting, kayaking, canoeing trips and horseback riding.
After your hike this morning, meet Costa Rican legend, Don Carlos Salazar. Carlos is renowned throughout Costa Rica as the grand daddy pioneer of tourism to the country. A horse lover and amazing chef, Carlos brings travelers closer to the real roots of Costa Rican culture history and tradition through his food, folklore and laughter. Those lucky enough to meet him will walk away knowing why the Ticos are amongst the world’s friendliest and humble people.
The hotel has an excellent location to be used as operations center to visit all the neighboring attractions of the area, satisfying the taste of adventurers, explorers, naturalists and sportsmen who like to enjoy live experiences and can return to enjoy the amenities and attractions of the hotel with its particular ambiance of peace and relaxation.
Meet the Rain Forest chefs in the wonderful Restaurant, a rustic place with exuberant views of the forest and the pool, offering international cuisine with that special homely touch and that unique Costa Rican flavor. We guarantee you will be delighted. Here we offer our clients the most special rainforest experience with an outstanding level of service and fresh delicious home cooked meals. Real life "cowboys" will help you explore the Trails and sustainability project which has made its home here thanks to ecologists and volunteers.
After breakfast and our morning hike, our workshop will include destination training as well as Sunny Land's product information followed by lunch and some free time. Get ready because at 3:00 PM we depart to the Arenal Volcano National Park for a 45 minute hike on the El Silencio Trail. The Arenal Volcano is the only volcano in Costa Rica constantly active since it woke up after 400 years with the big 1968 eruption. The volcano today produces ash and smoke columns, small explosions & glowing red lava. On our hike this afternoon smoke from Volcano can easily be seen and on a clear night we will see the glowing beauty of this majestic Volcano... After our hike return to Chachagua for dinner and overnight.
Tabacon Hot Mineral Springs preregistered participants instead will be taken to the famous Tabacon hot Springs. Participants will enjoy the maze of thermal waters flowing through cascades, pools, waterfalls followed by a sumptuous buffet dinner and return transfer to Chachagua for overnight. You must preregister for this option; make sure you ask for it at time of reservation. This is the region’s # 1 attraction! Meals: BLD
Day 03 Arenal / Guanacaste Costa Rica's Gold Coast
Enjoy Chachagua's organic breakfast before your check out from the hotel for departure to Costa Rica's north pacific coast. We will drive by Arenal's most popular area attractions like: Balsa River, Canopy Tour, Hanging Bridges, Rio Fortuna waterfall, Sky Tram, Trek & Butterfly Garden center as these attractions are the most frequently requested by travelers.
Sit back and relax on the 4 hour drive to the beautiful beach located at JW Marriott Guanacaste and the elegance of this fine 5 star hotel. Interest permitting we will stop at a local eatery for those who wish to break up the ride and grab a bite to eat (not included).
Upon arrival enjoy a welcome cocktail and check in to your well appointed guest room. After the check in you will have a walk around site inspection with resident manager before we enjoy our welcome dinner.
With 310 luxuriously appointed guest rooms, the resort is located on a pristine secluded beach, unspoiled and peacefully surrounded by the splendors of Costa Rican nature boasting a choice of 3 beaches, Championship Golf, Equestrian Center and World Class Spa. Guest rooms provide a private haven of luxurious comfort with rich woods and fine linens. Large and handsomely furnished balconies, many offer magnificent views over the Resort pool and Ocean. The 18-hole championship course is a masterpiece of golf architect Mike Young. Be sure to pause at the 15th hole overlooking the serene and blue Pacific Meals BD
Day 04 JW Marriott Guanacaste
Most of the day is yours to completely relax. Latter this afternoon, we will visit Hacienda Pinilla. Here we’ll have a chance to horseback ride and then enjoy a sunset cocktail. Return to the comforts of your JW Marriott Guanacaste guest room for a good night’s rest. Meals B
Day 05 Palo Verde National Park and the Rancho Humo Experience
After breakfast we head out early for our one day tour in Guanacaste. After a 45 minute drive we starts our exploration at the mighty Tempisque River, here we board a boat that takes us to the heart of Palo Verde National Park, which has the most valuable wetland in Costa Rica.
Palo Verde National Park, located in the low riverbank of the Tempisque River, is made up of an ecosystem of flooded plains, bordered by rivers and by a chain of limestone fiords. Palo Verde is one of the places with the highest biodiversity in the country; there are approximately 15 different habitats, as a result of the varied topography that includes flooded areas, drainages, and the influence of tides.
Among the habitats, wetlands can be found: lagoons and swamps of salty and fresh water. These ecosystems are declared of world priority. In addition, you can see mangroves, pastures, small forests across the plains, tropical dry forests, flooded forests, and evergreen forests.
Lunch compliments the experience in the Rancho Humo’s fine visitor facilities.
We’ll return to JW and get ready for tonight’s exciting venue. Join us at JW’s White Beach Party. Tonight, we will all be dressed in white as JW Marriott exudes the perfection in the art of entertaining and dinning! A wonderful way to complete our visit to Costa Rica’s Gold Coast!
Meals BLD
Day 06 Guanacaste/San Jose
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast. We depart back to San Jose arriving mid afternoon. We love the Real Intercontinental Hotel and we are sure you will too! Check in and explore this very fine hotel and the largest most modern shopping center of Costa Rica which sits directly facing the hotel’s entrance with easy pedestrian access.
Tonight, please join us and the General Manager of Real Intercontinental Hotel for our farewell dinner.
