Taste of Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a great destination to get in touch with its culture, natural wonders and of course its beaches. This program offers all of it and much more!

Enjoy amazing views of the Central Valley, surrounded by coffee plantations at the brand-new hotel Chayote Lodge. Then, travel to northern lowlands and relax at the hot springs, just at the foot of the imposing Arenal Volcano and for the end of the program, enjoy some days sunbathing at the pacific coast with its extensive white-sand beaches backed by evergreen forest, it’s the ideal place to conclude your vacation, with days full of rest, relaxation and sun!

Program summary:

Day 1:  Naranjo

Day 2:  Naranjo // Coffee Plantations

Day 3: Arenal Volcano // Hot Springs

Day 4: Arenal Volcano

Day 5: Selected Beach Manuel Antonio or Guanacaste (Hotel is Not Included)

Day 6:  Selected Beach Manuel Antonio or Guanacaste (Hotel is Not Included)

Day 7:  Selected Beach Manuel Antonio or Guanacaste (Hotel is Not Included)

Day 8:  Departure via SJO

Day 1:  SJO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – NARANJO

Welcome to Costa Rica! Make sure to book a flight arriving early afternoon. After arriving at Juan Santamaria Int’l Airport (SJO), a Swiss Travel representative will meet and greet you upon arrival and will provide some information and eventually traveling tips as per your visit. Your drive through the Central Mountain Range will take approximately 1 hour; it will offer you a first look of the diversity that the country has to offer including the beautiful Naranjo Coffee Plantations After check in at Chayote hotel, enjoy the rest of the day and evening at leisure. Chayote Lodge can be sits amidst the growing coffee region of Llano Bonito de Naranjo. The intimate lodge boasts itself on a unique experience combining nature, culture, and of course, coffee.

Day 2:  NARANJO                                                                                                                Breakfast

Extensive coffee plantations and a beautiful view of the central valley of Costa Rica will wake you up this morning, and then you will be pleased with a delicious Costa Rican breakfast without missing of course, the aroma of fresh coffee, the perfect ingredients to start a day and go deep into the history and culture of this ancient beverage. You will visit the Don Carlos Coffee plantations, where you will learn the traditional methods that transform small reddish fruits in a fine coffee export worldwide. In the afternoon, an ecological walk along the paths of the hotel, will allow you to appreciate the flora and fauna of this region. Various species of colorful birds and mammals and plants thousand greens show us a new and different ecosystem.

Day 3:  NARANJO – ARENAL VOLCANO                                                           Breakfast & Dinner

At mid-morning, continue with a land transfer towards the northern lowlands. This route offers the experience to pass through different towns such as Zarcero, San Carlos and Florencia. In addition, along the way you will enjoy the beautiful scenery, which includes amazing views of the mountains and one of the major sources of revenue in the area: the agriculture, so you will have the opportunity according with the season to observe the crops of pineapple, bananas and sugar cane.

Arrive to La Fortuna Village late afternoon where the mighty Arenal Volcano will welcome you with its impressive perfect conic shape.

Check In at the Arenal Manoa hotel, where you will find a unique blend between the hospitality of the local culture and the warm tropical climate, making your escape an unparalleled experience for the next two nights.

During the evening, you will visit the Hot Springs. These natural hot springs features a hot river that flows through a series of pools. From cascading falls to tropical gardens, the hot springs are the result of rainwater heated by magma in the Earth’s interior. Once heated, the waters rise to surface, taking with them minerals found in the earth’s rocky crust; this way, waters become very benefic to your body because of its temperature that helps to relax muscles, clean pores and rejuvenate the skin.

Day 4:  ARENAL VOLCANO                                                                                                Breakfast

Day at your leisure to explore the area. We highly recommend the visit to Arenal Volcano National Park (extra cost) that protects an active perfect cone volcano with constant moderate explosions accompanied by roar, gases and ash emissions that raise high in the air. The attraction of this volcano has helped to develop the area as a prime destination in the country; from being a small town of cattle and agricultural farms, it has become one of the most tourist-developed areas with hotels, tour attractions, adventure activities, hot springs and water sports.

Day 5:  ARENAL VOLCANO – SELECTED BEACH (Hotel NO Included)                             Breakfast

Today you will continue your journey to the beautiful and paradisiacal beaches of the Costa Rican Pacific, which are known throughout the world especially for their impressive combination of tropical forests and multicolored beaches.

You will have the option to stay either in the Guanacaste area or in the Manuel Antonio area. (Cost of the hotel beach is not included in this program) No doubt, you will have some unforgettable days where you can relax and enjoy your 3-night stay (suggestion) at the selected hotel.

Day 5 & 6: SELECTED BEACH (Hotel NO Included)

These days are at leisure to rest, enjoy the sun and the beach, and eventually explore on your own some of the optional excursions (extra cost) offered in the area.  Some of these activities are hiking in National Parks, Canopy, boat tours and many other activities.

Day 8:  SELECTED BEACH (Hotel NO Included) – INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

After enjoying some unforgettable days in Costa Rica, for this day is scheduled to return to the International Airport.

On the way, you will be able to admire various landscapes along the way.

Please consider that the Costa Rican immigration authorities recommend passengers to be at the International Airport 3 hours earlier in order to proceed with the registration procedures with the airline and with the immigration authorities, in addition to the transfer time, so it is suggested to book your flight departing in the afternoon.

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