Arenal Volcano, Monteverde Cloudforest, Tamarindo Beach
9 days / 8 nights
From $1,593 per person, double occupancy for 2009

Day 1: San Jose
Airport reception and transfer to your San Jose hotel. Overnight accommodations at the Hotel Don Carlos (or similar), breakfast included.

Day 2 (Mondays/Thursdays): San Jose - Arenal
This morning you'll be picked up at your San Jose hotel by your English speaking guide for a scenic drive with a small group* to Arenal Volcano. En route you will drive through Braulio Carillo National Park and across the Rio Sucio bridge to the 1000-acre private nature reserve where the Aerial Tram is located. An open-sided vehicle will shuttle you 1.5 km. to the Aerial Tram Visitor's Center. You will first be introduced to the rainforest on a walk prior to boarding the tram cars for the 1.3 km long aerial excursion. The round-trip takes approximately 2 hours as the cars glide on a breathtaking journey below, through and above the rainforest canopy. The ride will stop several times along the way. Before continuing to Arenal you will have lunch at a local restaurant serving typical Costa Rican fare. *You will be with the small group and guide until returning to San Jose (or arriving at the beach). After lunch continue to Arenal. At the volcano, stop to explore the west flank prior to continuing on up to the Arenal Observatory Lodge. The Arenal Volcano (elevation over 5350 feet and still growing) erupted for the first time this century on July 29, 1968 with a tremendous explosion. Having released pressure that had built up for more than 450 years, Arenal today continues to erupt but on a smaller and much safer scale. Due to its continuous activity Arenal is considered one of the world's most active volcanoes - there are only 5 or 6 volcanoes worldwide that are perpetually active. Arenal is the only volcano in Costa Rica producing continuous lava flows. The eruptions are variable and range in frequency from several times daily to a few times per month. When these eruptions occur on a cloudless night, visitors are awed by the natural fireworks display of the ejected red-hot rocks and thunderous booms that accompany them which can be heard over 10 miles away. Seismologists from the Smithsonian Institute and the National University of Costa Rica have been intensely monitoring Arenal for over 25 years. The Arenal Observatory Lodge was established in 1987 to study the volcano on a site chosen by these scientists for its proximity and safety. The Observatory is 1.6 miles south of the volcano and faces it on a ridge crest at an elevation of 2428 feet. From this mid-level vantage you'll have an impressive view of the volcano as well as a spectacular view of nearby Lake Arenal. Surrounding the Observatory is the Arenal Forest Preserve encompassing thousands of acres of pristine rainforest and teems with tropical birds and wildlife. A visit to Arenal is truly a spectacular natural history experience. Overnight at the Arenal Observatory Lodge in a Smithsonian Room. From the Observatory, which is situated only 1.6 miles south of the volcano, 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 Volcano National Park, which encompasses thousands of acres containing pristine rainforest, teeming with tropical birds and wildlife. Time permitting; you will visit the Kioro or El Silencio lookouts. Dinner included at the lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 3: Arenal – Monteverde Cloud Forest
This morning enjoy a hike with your guide inside the Arenal National Park through rainforest where monkeys, toucans and parrots are frequently seen. Continue over a cold blocky lava flow from Arenal Volcano that formed in 1992 and provides panoramic vistas of the volcano, forests, mountains and Arenal Lake. Return to the lodge before being picked up and transferred around Arenal Lake to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, one of the most diverse and richest tropical cloud forests in the New World. It is best known as home to the Resplendent Quetzal but has hundreds of other birds, mammals and plant species. Lunch will be included at a local restaurant. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is the richest and most complex tropical cloud forest in the New World, and home to the beautiful Resplendent Quetzal. There are at least 400 other bird species, including the three-wattled bellbird, not easily seen but frequently heard, over 100 species of mammals and an estimated 2500 species of plants. For the most part you will experience a misty forest with dense vegetation and majestic trees. Here you will find many wild relatives of familiar tropical houseplants including philodendrons, ficus trees, bromeliads and ferns. Orchids abound with over 300 species occurring here, however many are tiny and inconspicuous while others thrive among the lush vegetation of the canopy 125 feet above the forest floor. This diversity of flora and fauna throughout the eight distinct ecological communities at Monteverde makes it a paradise for the nature lover. The reserve encompasses approximately 10,200 hectares and one can enjoy an extremely rich variety of species with relatively little walking on well-maintained trails. The Monteverde Cloud Forest is one of the most beautiful forests in Costa Rica and is a naturalist's dream come true. In addition to the Reserve itself, the nearby communities host visitors in the true Tico style with the famous Monteverde Cheese Factory, the women's cooperative where local women hand paint and embroider clothing with ecological themes, the Hummingbird Gallery where outside hummingbirds fearlessly feed at feeders within inches of visitors and their cameras, and inside beautiful photographs of nature by world famous photographers Michael and Patricia Fogden are displayed and sold, and the Butterfly Garden which features many species of tropical butterflies native to Costa Rica. Overnight accommodations are at a typical lodge located close to the entrance to the reserve. Hotel Fonda Vela (or similar), daily breakfast and dinner included. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Monteverde Cloud Forest
In the morning visit Selvatura's Treetop Walkways, a 1.9 mile (approx. 3 kms.) trail that crosses through the cloud forest, visitors walk through eight bridges of various lengths ranging from 150 feet (50 meters) up to 510 feet (170 meters) and elevations ranging between 36 feet (12 meters) up to 180 feet (60 meters). Each of the bridges features a five foot width and capacity of up to 80 people per bridge. The treetop walkways are suitable for people of all ages and physical condition the duration of the tour is usually between 1.5 and 2 hours. After lunch this afternoon, hike with your guide through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve viewing the misty forest with its dense vegetation and majestic trees. Overnight in Monteverde at the Hotel Fonda Vela (or similar), dinner and breakfast included. (B,L,D) Optional Canopy tour (at additional cost): Selvatura's Canopy zip line tour, considered one of the longest of its kind it is located inside the actual virgin cloud forest of Monteverde. The tour starts with a safety talk by the guides and getting fitted with the appropriate equipment, then the adventure begins through each of the 15 cables and 18 platforms, at the end you may choose to take the optional Tarzan Swing. Tour usually takes between 2.5 and 3 hours

Day 5: Monteverde – Tamarindo
Drive to Tamarindo on the Pacific Coast. Overnight Capitan Suizo (or similar), breakfast included. Evening of leisure at the beach. (B)

Days 6 – 7: Tamarindo
Days at leisure on the beach. (B) TAMARINDO DAY EXCURSIONS: CANOPY TOUR/RINCON DE LA VIEJA Today you will explore the volcano and surrounding cloudforest on a full-day guided excursion. Included is a tour of the cloudforest canopy. Transfer from your Tamarindo hotel to Rincon de la Vieja, located 12 miles northeast of Liberia Your guide will assist you into your harness and up approximately 70 feet into an 800-year old Kapok tree. From there, you will zip from tree-top to tree-top. A box lunch will be included today. In addition to the canopy tour, horseback riding and hiking. COROBICI RIVER FLOAT TRIP In the morning, you will be picked up at your hotel and taken to the Corobici River for a half day of easy floating on the river. The Corobici River flows from the Tenorio volcano and meanders 25 miles toward the Gulf of Nicoya in the Guanacaste region. The class I-II river is bordered by a tropical forest that is a bird watcher's paradise. Look for Parrots, Mot-mots, Cuckoos, Kingfishers, Egrets, Ospreys, Herons and Storks among the trees like Ceiba, Palm, Mahogany and Guanacaste that tower over the river. Sit back and relax as your guide paddles, keeping an eye out for igunanas, monkeys, otters, coatis and small crocodiles along the banks. Be sure to bring a camera, binoculars, sunscreen and bathing suit, as there are several places to swim. SAILBOAT CRUISES On full day and half day cruises you'll stop at isolated islands, beaches and coral reefs, where you can snorkel in pristine waters and observe the abundant marine life. See stingrays, various coral fishes, moray eels, manta rays, starfish, and many other species. Fish for dorado, mackerel and more. PALO VERDE NATIONAL PARK A visit to the Palo Verde National Park, which is part of the Tempisque River basin. The lowlands and marshes provide ideal conditions for the largest concentration of waterfowl and wading birds in all of Central America. This is a birdwatcher's paradise as well as a perfect spot to see lots of big crocodiles. There are three different species of monkeys. The tour starts with a drive through the beautiful countryside of Guanacaste. From a local port you take a boat trip to the National Park of Palo Verde. After exploring the park you will have a delicious Costa Rican lunch. On the return, you will stop at the famous artisan village of Guatil and learn how the Chorotega Indians make their pottery using the same techniques that were used by their Pre-Columbian ancestors. In the late afternoon you will visit the folkloric Capital of Santa Cruz and have coffee at the famous tortilla factory. The tour includes a bi-lingual guide, an air conditioned bus, lunch, river tour, park fees and refreshments. SANTA ROSA NATIONAL PARK A full day tour to the dry tropical forest of Guanacaste, one of last remaining ecosystems of grasslands and savannah woodlands. You will visit Santa Rosa National Park, one of the country's most historical parks, known for the Battle of Santa Rosa. There is a wide variety of wildlife in Santa Rosa: 115 species of mammals, 253 of birds, and 100 species of amphibians and reptiles. After touring the park you will continue to a local hacienda for a typical ranch-style lunch. If you wish, after lunch you may relax at the pool or take a 2-hour horseback riding trip into a unique tropical temperate ecosystem full of monkeys, butterflies, and birds. The tour includes a bilingual guide, air conditioned bus, horseback ride, park entrance fees, lunch and refreshments. SPORTFISHING Full-day fishing charters for sailfish, blue, black and striped marlin, tuna, dorado, roosterfish, snapper and a variety of other species. SCUBA DIVING/SNORKELING Dive spots include the Catalina Islands and Bat Islands. A stunning variety of sea life can be found, such as giant manta rays, cow-nosed rays, spotted eagle rays, moray eels, whitetip reef sharks, red snapper, roosterfish, parrotfish, pufferfish, sergeant majors, grunts, starfish, sea fans and live corals.

Day 8: Tamarindo - San Jose
Transfer to the Tamarindo Airport for your flight to San Jose. Overnight at the Hotel Don Carlos, breakfast included. (B) *Alternately, you may depart from Liberia International Airport. You spend your final night in Tamarindo and transfer directly to Liberia on your final morning.

Day 9: Int'l departure
Hotel pickup and transfer to the airport. (B)

Single supplement - $645