Arrive at San Jose Costa Rica's Juan Santamaria International Airport. After passing through Immigration one of our representatives will greet you at the airport. Look for a sign that has your unique identifier along with your name. After you submit your booking request you will receive a full itinerary along with in-country descriptions, including all airport and hotel transfer instructions included in your proposal. He or she will take you to your hotel. Overnight at Xandari Plantation (Ultra room).

This morning you will meet your private naturalist guide and driver, both of whom will accompany you during the next two days in Arenal. With them, depart for the 3 -hour drive to Arenal. En route stop at La Paz Waterfall Gardens for lunch, a hike and visit to the butterfly farm. The Butterfly Observatory in La Paz Gardens is one of the largest in the world. The enclosed structure allows butterflies to soar freely while guests walk amid the natural habitat. An on-site laboratory is a breeding ground for the countless fluttering species. It offers an interesting perspective into the stages of development of the most colorful species in Costa Rica.The Trail of Falls provides great views of all five waterfalls. Templo Waterfall offers a unique canyon-like experience as it flows into a tight rock gorge. Accessible from the Trail of Falls, it is the furthest up river and well worth the hike. From the viewing platform you can feel the power of the fall as the spray blasts against the rock face next to you. At the next viewing platform you will see not one but two waterfalls; the Encantada and Escondida Falls. The two unite in a rock gorge pool and create the powerful rushing water that becomes the spectacular and famous La Paz Waterfall.

In the evening you will visit the Hidalgo Family Hot Springs, the ideal alternative to the mass tourism hot springs in Arenal. 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 The Lost Iguana Resort.

After breakfast, drive 20 mins. to the Peas Blancas River for a “Safari Tour” led by your Naturalist Guide. The first part of the tour begins with a two-hour trip on an inflatable boat (no motor). While you enjoy sounds from nature your guide will describe the flora and fauna around you. It is easy to spot Howler monkeys, crocodiles, toucans, two species of sloths and different types of local birds. At the end of the safari, it is time to put on your long pants and get ready to hike into the Primary Tropical Rainforest where you will find trees 100 or more years old and look for the "Blue Jean Frog " (Dendrobates pumilio). Here you may also spot one of the smallest flying mammals in Costa Rica. Continue floating and admiring the flora and fauna for about forty minutes towards Boca Arenal. Return to your hotel.
In the afternoon visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges Trails, 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 The Lost Iguana Resort. (End of Naturalist Guide services.)

Your guide and driver will accompany you on the approximately 30-minute land transfer to the La Fortuna Airstrip. Here you will board a Costa Rica Adventure Vacation chartered flight** to Punta Islita (40 mins). Upon arrival, a representative from the hotel will be waiting to drive you to the resort (15 mins). Overnight at Hotel Punta Islita (suite w/private Jacuzzi).

Zipline canopy tour. Overnight at Hotel Punta Islita (suite w/private Jacuzzi).

Two free days in Islita. Overnight at Hotel Punta Islita (suite w/private Jacuzzi).

You will be taken back to the Islita Airstrip to board another chartered flight back to San Jose (40 mins). A transfer guide will be waiting for you at the hangar to help you with your luggage and accompany you back to your hotel. Overnight at Xandari Plantation (Ultra room).

Transfer to the International Airport, arriving two hours before your flight's scheduled departure time.