Stunning Costa Rica

We start our trip in San Jose and immediately head to Alajuela - more precisely to ZooAve Park. The 14-hectare ZooAve Park is located in La Garita, a district of Alajuela, and is divided into four areas: the Center of visitation Animal Rescue ZooAve, Animal Rescue Clinic , Wildlife Neotropical Rescue Center (CRVST) and the Animal endangered Reproduction Center (CRAVE). We will have the opportunity to look behind the scenes of the animal caretakers and get a first glimpse of Costa Rica's diverse wildlife. In the afternoon we will visit the town of Alajuela and end the day at the pool.

After breakfast we will head towards the tropical rainforest. On our way towards Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui we visit the 2.708m high and active volcano Poás and its national park. During a short tour we enjoy a breathtaking panorama of the volcanic lake, which still emits sulfurous vapors and is considered the second largest geyser in the world. (depending on the volcanic activity) On our way to Sarapiqui we pass numerous plantations where coffee, sugar cane, yuca, hearts of palm, papaya, oranges and much more are grown. We will learn more about the cultivation and use of palm hearts during an afternoon visit to a palm heart plantation. Together with the owner we will prepare a delicious lunch from palm hearts and experience the hospitality of Costa Rica first hand. We visit a private botanical garden whose goal is to breed butterflies in a natural environment. During an exciting and educational tour through the garden, we can marvel at the diversity of the animal-rich country with a little luck. In the afternoon, an exciting boat trip on the Sarapiqui River through a unique animal and plant world in the rainforest awaits us. Keep your camera ready for numerous howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys and iguanas whose habitat we are now crossing.

Today we leave the evergreen jungle and drive to the small town of La Fortuna at the foot of the Arenal volcano, which is considered one of the most active volcanoes in the world, on the way we stop at pineapple and banana plantations. In La Fortuna we have the option of a guided city tour or we can explore the lively town on our own. Today we will experience one of the most impressive and unique natural spectacles of Costa Rica. We drive to the Tenorio National Park and go on a 3-hour hike (level:easy) through the tropical rainforest along the blue shimmering Río Celeste to a breathtaking turquoise waterfall. A unique spectacle is the confluence of two rivers, with a chemical reaction creating the intense turquoise blue color. A spectacular hike that will surely remain in our memories. In the late afternoon, well-deserved relaxation awaits us after an active day in Tenorio National Park - in the hot springs of Arenal Volcano. We enjoy the soothing waters of the seven different hot springs of Eco Termales in La Fortuna - embedded in the tropical rainforest.

Today we will drive over gravel roads past Lake Arenal to Monteverde. Another highlight of Costa Rica and our round trip awaits us here. The small town is especially known for its species-rich cloud forest. Clouds of fog drift through the air of this unique region, we find ourselves in a paradise of diverse orchids, colorful bromeliads and gigantic jungle giants. On the way we visit a coffee, chocolate & sugar cane plantation and learn more about their production and processing. Of course we have enough time to taste these delicacies directly on site. We taste the coffee and cocoa directly from the producer and get an idea of the ecological cultivation methods in Costa Rica. This day takes us high up into the treetops of the cloud forest. On a 2-hour hike over sturdy suspension bridges we will get to know the diverse flora and fauna of the cloud forest. The special climate of the cloud forest provides an excellent habitat for various plant and animal species to develop to their full potential. In the hummingbird garden and butterfly house we also get very close to the smaller animal species. The brave can also opt for "ziplining" and float through the treetops.

Today, after breakfast, we will drive directly along the Pacific Ocean in a westerly direction to Carrillo. With a little luck you will see crocodiles, iguanas, howler monkeys and various bird species during an exciting rubber dinghy trip on the Corobicí River. We will spend the afternoon at the pool or beach and have enough time to enjoy the breathtaking sunset. If we want to end the days at the Pacific Ocean at the pool or beach or if we want to be active again - everybody as he likes. Different possibilities (dolphin tours, boat tours, kayaking etc.) are free to choose from and we can arrange this individually on site. On the 3rd day we still decide whether we stay at the Pacific and go in search of whales, or go back inland (options are plenty).

Slowly we make our way back to San Jose - with a stopover in Turrialba - where we visit the Irazu (volcano) National Park, the Orosi Valley and Cartago. Again, there is the diverse nature to marvel at. Standing at the crater of this mighty volcano is insanely impressive.

The last day remains for a short sightseeing excursion in San Jose and the transfer to the airport. Pura Vida!!!!