GoPhilanthropic

Rainforest, Rafting and Real Life - 9 nights/10 days

Day 1

Welcome to Costa Rica! As soon as you step off the aircraft you will be met by one of our representatives, where your itinerary will be explained and any questions you have will be answered. The representative will provide you with a pouch that contains vouchers and information about your trip. From the airport you will be privately transported to your San José Hotel. After your arrival, check in and overnight at your hotel.

Day 2

Today you will venture to Sarapiquí in the province of Heredia. The lush vegetation and abundant wildlife in this lowland rainforest make it the ideal destination for adventure seekers and conservationists alike. In the afternoon you will join the Class II – III white water rafting tour on the Sarapiquí River. Once at the river, you'll raft deep into the heart of densely vegetated gorges, past gushing waterfalls, serene pools and pounding rapids, in one of Costa Rica's most impressive primary rainforests. In the afternoon you will be spending some time at Sarapiquí Conservation & Learning Center. SCLC is a non-profit organization working to link communities and conservation through education and ecotourism. Here, you will have the opportunity to see first hand how support for local projects contributes to the health of the community. Overnight in Sarapiquí.

Day 3

After an early breakfast, private transfer up into the mountains and through the rainforest until the famous cone shape of one of the world's most active volcanoes appears in front of you - the majestic Arenal volcano. The Arenal area, surrounded by farmlands and forests, is one of the most visited areas in Costa Rica. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a Kayaking tour on the Arenal Lake, the largest lake in Costa Rica. This tour is perfect for sport enthusiasts and for those who love outdoor adventures. On your trip you may observe many different species of birds like the Flycatcher, Kingfisher, Great Blue Heron and Aninga plus many more. Overnight in Arenal.

Day 4

This morning you will be doing a private guided tour to the Arenal Hanging Bridges Project, known as one of the greatest eco-touristic projects of Costa Rica. The trail itself is 1.9 miles in length, crossing nine fixed bridges and 6 suspension bridges and is laid out at a maximum grade of 7 degrees so that anyone can walk it. Here you will immerse yourself within the canopy of the rainforest in a responsible and sustainable way, and the experience is incomparable. After the tour return to the hotel to relax and/or enjoy the hotel facilities. Later in the afternoon, private transfer from the hotel to the beautifully landscaped hot springs on the Ecotermales private farm, where you will spend a few hours relaxing and swimming in the thermal waters and enjoy a delicious local dinner. Overnight in Arenal.

Day 5

Following breakfast, a combined transfer from La Fortuna to Monteverde awaits you. You will be transferred by ground to the dam of Lake Arenal, where you will meet your motorboat and be whisked away across the beautiful waters, all the while enjoying breathtaking views of the Arenal Volcano and the Costa Rica countryside. On the other side of the lake you will meet your driver and continue on the back roads to Santa Elena, passing farms and small villages, while crossing the mountains to Monteverde. In the afternoon, you will tantalize your senses by participating in an interesting coffee tour of the region. During the tour, you will learn about the history, cultivation and operation of a functioning, sustainable coffee “beneficio”. This tour is a chance to experience first hand the tradition that is the growing of coffee in Costa Rica. Overnight in Monteverde.

Day 6

Early today your private guide will take you through the Monteverde Biological Reserve. World famous, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve offers a great diversity of flora and fauna, boasting over 400 species of birds including the Resplendent Quetzal, one of the most beautiful birds in Latin America. In the New World Tropics, Monteverde has been hailed as one of the most beautiful and diverse wildlife refuges. In the afternoon you will have some free time to relax and to visit the Frog Pond. Great fun for children and adults alike, the Monteverde Frog Pond is a series of terrariums where the natural habitat of each frog species is recreated, permitting the animals to live in security and to be able to reproduce. Overnight in Monteverde.

Day 7

Savor breakfast and be prepared for a different kind of excursion today, the Monteverde Agrotour. In this tour, you will have the chance to interact with typical Costa Rican families that have a healthy and simple way of life in the rural community of Las Cruces, located in the high mountains of Monteverde. First, you will visit a dairy farm and learn about the manual milking process and cheese preparation. Later you will have the chance to visit an organic agriculture farm where you can get “your hands dirty” if you want to, participating in activities such as preparation of organic fertilizer, seed time and harvests of diverse vegetables and other crops such as coffee and bananas; inclusively you can also learn how to create elaborate recycled paper. After lunch, return to the hotel to ready for your departure to Manuel Antonio, Quepos, on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific coast. Quepos is a tropical inlet enveloped by primary rainforest, and one of the lushest destinations in Costa Rica with its white-gray sand beaches fringed by thickly forested green hills. The town of Quepos is an inviting combination of hotels, art galleries, bars and restaurants. Manuel Antonio is one of Costa Rica’s most celebrated nature reserves, brimming with monkeys, parrots, three-toed sloths and rare plant and animal species. Overnight near Manuel Antonio.

Day 8

Today, you will be awakened by the sounds of the tropical jungle. Enjoy a delicious breakfast, followed by a private guided walk thru one of the most important Vanilla Farms in the country. This farm is a tropical laboratory for sustainable agriculture and includes 27 acres of agriculture production and 125 acres of primary and secondary rainforest. Cash crops include Costa Rica’s major spice, vanilla - plus cinnamon, black pepper, allspice and a variety of exotic fruits, essential oil and medicinal plants. Free afternoon to enjoy optional activities (at additional cost) or just relax at the hotel. Overnight near Manuel Antonio.

Day 9

Morning at leisure. Early afternoon private ground transportation back to San Jose. You will have the afternoon free to explore some of the city or simply relax in the hotel.

Day 10

Private ground transportation to Juan Santamaría International Airport on time for the international flight departure. End of services.

• We have carefully selected a choice of Hotels supporting Sustainable Tourism Practices from simple lodges to luxurious hotels
• GP donates 10% of its profit to efficiently run projects making a difference in the areas of Conservation, Environmental Protection, Health, and Education, each with goals of self-sustainability.