Highlights of Costa Rica + Beach Extension

After arriving in San Jose, we will check-in to our conveniently-located hotel. San Jose lies in a fertile valley at an altitude of 1150 metres. Coffee and sugar cane are big industries here and coffee is even planted between new buildings and along the roadside on the outskirts of the city.

Normally this day would be planned to visit the volcanic crater of Poas. However, due to recent activity at the Poas volcano, and the closure of the National Park, you’ll now visit Doka Coffee Estate – the largest coffee plantation in Costa Rica. Here you’ll be given a guided tour around the coffee plantation, which will include coffee tasting and a visit to the roasting room.

After your visit to the Doka Coffee Estate, you’ll continue onto the town of Sarchi, well known throughout Costa Rica for its beautiful and intricate arts and crafts. It’s famous for producing colourful and decorative oxcarts, which are a huge part of Costa Rican culture today, and even considered one of Costa Rica’s national symbols. You’ll have time to explore the artisan town, visit the largest and oldest oxcart factory, and see Sarchi’s church unusually painted pink and blue.

Following your visit to Sarchi, you’ll then visit the neighbour town of Grecia. A small farming town with beautiful mountain landscapes and rich sceneries. Grecia is an important agricultural hub of the country, producing sugar cane, organic coffee and pineapples. The town is home to Cathedral de le Mercedes, a gothic style church made of metal pieces. We will then continue onto Arenal for the next two nights in La Fortuna.

Should the Poas Volcano stabilize and the Poas National Park reopens, then we’ll revert back to our original plans on this day to visit Poas Volcano.

Today has been left free to explore the area as you choose. There are local treks to waterfalls and along lava trails, whilst those keen to relax can enjoy spa treatments with volcanic mud, for the more active you may wish to go White Water rafting. Your Tour Leader will be able to provide information on all the options.

This morning we will explore the Arenal Volcano National Park, home to one of the most majestic volcanoes in Costa Rica. We will take a walk on the flanks of the volcano where your leader will point out interesting flora and fauna and provide more information about the science and history of the volcano. We will walk to a viewpoint for a closer view of the volcano. Following this we will travel around Arenal Lake up into the cloud forest region of Monteverde - one of the most well-known places in Costa Rica to see wildlife. The last part of our journey is on bumpy roads, but we are rewarded with a two-night stay here to enjoy all that this area has to offer.

Perched on the Continental Divide between the Pacific and the Caribbean, it is thought that there has been indigenous habitation in Monteverde since 3000 BC. However, the turning point in its recent history came in 1950, when a group of pacifist Quakers from Alabama moved here to avoid subscription in the Korean War. They sought a lifestyle in a country in which they could embrace their peaceful beliefs and continue to cultivate their dairy farms. These families went on to establish the community of Monteverde and some of its famed cloudforest reserves.

Monteverde is regarded as offering some of the best canopy experiences in the world. This afternoon, you may choose to 'fly' through the dramatic scenery on a zip wire, or take a more sedate walk through the canopy on treetop walkways.

This evening, there is the opportunity to go on a guided night walk in search of nocturnal species, such as pacas and tarantulas.

The famous, but now very rare, resplendent quetzal is fairly commonly seen in this area, one of the last remaining places in Central America where its habitat has been preserved. Sacred to the ancient Maya and Aztec peoples, it is considered one of the most beautiful birds in the world and the best time to see it is during its breeding months of March and April.

This morning, we will have a guided tour of the Monteverde Cloudforest, walking the paths that wind their way through gigantic ferns, giant ferns and giant trees dripping with lichen and moss. The jungle floor is often littered with blossoms that fall from the high canopy providing a carpet of colour amidst the endless green.

The rest of the day has been left free to enjoy one or several of the many optional activities available in the area. You may choose to visit the local butterfly or orchid garden. Alternatively, you may choose to enjoy a trek in one of the other reserves. Your Tour Leader will be able to offer advice on the options available.

Leaving the cloudforest behind us this morning, we descend to the Pacific Coast, enjoying staggering views over the Gulf and Peninsula of Nicoya. Heading south, we cross the Rio Tarcoles Bridge from which huge crocodiles are regularly seen. We then pause at Carara Biological Reserve, famed for the scarlet macaws and abundant birdlife which populate this transitional forest. Finally, we continue along the Pacific Coast to Manuel Antonio National Park, where we will spend the next two nights.

This morning, we explore the Manuel Antonio National Park, famed for its beautiful beaches and rich wildlife. During our time in the park, we are likely to see white-faced capuchin monkeys, coatimundi (part of the racoon family) and the tiny squirrel monkeys. This is also one of the best places in Costa Rica to see sloths. The majority of a sloth's diet comes from buds and leaves. As leaves provide little energy, sloths move only when necessary and even then very slowly so they are easy to spot.

The remainder of the day can be spent relaxing on the white sandy beaches, enjoying a swim in the warm azure waters. The sunsets from this coast are spectacular and have to be seen to be believed.

This morning we journey down the coast to Dominical, which will take approximately 1 hour. Dominical is a laidback town and a fantastic place to relax and unwind. Dominical is surrounded by plantations, estuaries, mangroves and marshes. Dominical town is relatively small but offers a wide variety of nearby beaches to choose from including Playa Dominicalito and Punta Dominical. The hotel is 10-15 minute walk to the beach and several bars and restaurants.

Today is free to relax or enjoy some optional activities. It is possible to do a whale and dolphin watching boat tour from Ballena National Park. Alternatively, you may wish to snorkel around Cano Island.

Options today include a visit to Corcovado National Park or you may wish to simply relax on the beach.