After breakfast, you will meet a Costa Rica Adventure Vacation driver (Spanish-speaking) for the approximately 3 -hour drive to Arenal. This almost perfect cone, which soars 1,633 meters above sea level, has a crater 140 meters deep formed over an ancient caldera. From time to time loud explosions are heard and a mushroom cloud of gray, brown, orange or blue smoke billows out of the top. Although the volcano is capable of inspiring intense fright and awe in visitors, inhabitants of nearby Fortuna, San Carlos and the dairy farms at its base seem to live with relative peace of mind. If you ask, they will tell you with surprising tranquility about the time it erupted. See Arenal Safety Guidelines.

You will have an afternoon visit to Arenal Hanging Bridges, a project that consists of eight fixed bridges, ranging in length between 8 and 22 meters, and six hanging bridges, built with the latest techniques and designed with an eye for both beauty and safety. The bridges and trails, which cover a distance of 3 kms., were designed to blend with the natural environment, leaving the forest virtually intact. As you walk, you be able to appreciate the great diversity of flowers and wildlife that are typical of the rainforest, along with the imposing views (weather permitting) of Arenal Volcano. Overnight at Arenal Observatory Lodge.

After breakfast, join a local guide on the Peas Blancas River Safari Tour. From La Fortuna you will drive 20 minutes to the Peas Blancas river to start the Safari Adventure. The first part of the tour begins here with a two hour trip on a float boat (no motor). While you enjoy sounds from nature our guide will describe the flora and fauna of the place. It is easy to spot Howler monkeys, crocodiles, toucans, two species of sloths, and different types of local birds. At the end of the river trip, it is time to put on your long pants and get ready to hike into the Primary Tropical Rain Forest. There you are going to find trees about 100 or more years old, also you will have the opportunity of watching the "Blue Jean Frog" (Dendrobates pumilio). Here you can also spot one of the smallest flying mammals in Costa Rica. Continue floating and admiring the flora and fauna for about 40 minutes towards Boca Arenal. Return to your hotel.

Evening visit to the Hidalgo Family Hot Springs. The Hidalgo Family Hot springs are the ideal alternative to the mass tourism, overcrowded hot springs in the Arenal Area. When we first met the Hidalgo Family in 2000, they were reluctant to open up their family farm to visitors. Finally they agreed to try it by appointment only on a trial basis. They found, perhaps to their surprise, that they enjoyed having foreign guests on this basis and have now put in changing rooms and a restaurant. The springs consist of five free-flowing pools set in a natural river gorge. Water temperature ranges from 100F (38C) to 109F (43C) depending on the pool. A Costa Rican home-style meal in the restaurant, modeled after the first house that Don Manuel and Dona Hortemida Hidalgo built when they settled on the Farm in 1940, is included. Overnight at Arenal Observatory Lodge.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to a boat at Arenal Dam to cross the lake (15-30 mins depending on wind conditions). The boat will dock at Rio Chiquito, a small town on the shore of Arenal Lake, where you will board an air-conditioned van for a 2 -hour drive to your hotel in Monteverde. Total transfer time from Arenal to Monteverde via Arenal Lake is about 3 hours. Monteverde is a peaceful community made up of dairy farmers, naturalists and tourism service providers who have joined together to create a model for sustainable development and protection of the environment that is becoming known throughout the world. Founded in 1954 by a group of Quakers searching for a peaceful place to live, it is the home of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, the Children's Eternal Rainforest, and the Santa Elena Reserve.

Late in the afternoon, depart for the Sunset horseback riding tour, accompanied by a Spanish-speaking guide. Ride through coffee and banana plantations. You will end up with a view of the Gulf of Nicoya and the sunset. Overnight at Monteverde Lodge & Gardens.

After breakfast, guided excursion in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Founded in 1972, the Reserve extends down both slopes of the Tilaran Mountains (elevation 2,300 to 5,600 ft.), encompassing six different ecological life zones and protecting more than 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds and 1,500 species of plants. From January to July, depending upon your luck and patience, you may observe in its natural habitat the Resplendent Quetzal (occasionally a dozen or more individuals at once). Other species include the Three-wattled Bellbird, the Emerald Toucanet and White-faced and Howler Monkeys. Return to the hotel for lunch. Afternoon visit to the Butterfly Garden where butterflies and other insects are raised and displayed in shade cloth enclosures with tropical gardens. Overnight at Monteverde Lodge.

After breakfast, you will meet a Costa Rica Adventure Vacation driver (Spanish-speaking) for the 4 -hour drive to Manuel Antonio. Afternoon free. Overnight at Hotel Parador (premium room).

Morning walk in Manuel Antonio National Park. White-sand beaches, cliffs, promontories, ravines, rivers, rainforests, varied wildlife, beautiful seascapes and a hot climate all describe Manuel Antonio National Park. Located on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast 4.3 miles (7 kms) south of Quepos Harbor, some consider the Park to be overdeveloped and crowded. Indeed, Manual Antonio remains one of Costa Rica's most popular beach destinations and is sometimes compared to Key West. The area around the Park is part of an agricultural region based on a plantation economy, which has been extensively altered since the 19th century. The forest, which used to cover vast tracts, was cut down and the few remaining stands are conserved today in a protected wilderness area.

The predominant tree species are the Cotonron, Bully Tree, Nargusta, Black Locust, Cow Tree, Santa Maria, and Silk Cotton, with specimens as tall 30-40 meters. The wildlife in the forest habitat consists mainly of White-faced Capuchin, Howler and Squirrel Monkeys, pacas, Grey Squirrels, raccoons, White-nosed Coaties, and Two- and Three-toed Sloths. Some of the bird species that live in the park are the Brown Pelican, Laughing Falcon, Black-collared Hawk, White Ibis, White-bellied Chachalaca, Blue-crowned Manakin, Fiery-billed Aracari, Green Kingfisher and Jacana. Rest of the day free. Overnight at Hotel Parador.

In the afternoon a sunset catamaran sailing/snorkeling trip is planned. After enjoying a sail on these pristine waters, the catamaran glides into a beautiful, protected bay so you and your group can swim and snorkel the coral reefs just off shore. Your bilingual guides will help you to explore this underwater domain, a playground of tropical fish and exotic marine life. As you enjoy the secluded bay and scenery, your crew will prepare a savory dinner of fresh local produce, tropical fruits and a terrific selection of refreshments. Overnight at Hotel Parador.

You will be met by a Costa Rica Adventure Vacation guide and driver for the approximately 4 -hour drive back to San Jose. Stop in Jaco for an Outrigger Canoe Tour. Outrigger canoes have been plying the warm waters of the world for centuries, long before Columbus, the Vikings and the Polynesians were discovering new worlds. The craft remains basically unchanged from the original, and you will get a bit of that exploratory feel as you paddle near Jaco’s beautiful beaches. After lunch at a local restaurant, you will continue on to San Jose. Overnight at Hotel Bougainvillea.

Transfer to the international airport approximately three hours before your flight's scheduled departure.