Outrigger canoe
SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA
Arenal Volcano , La Fortuna Home-Hosted Lunch , La Fortuna
ITINERARY
DAY 1 • Depart U . S . • Arrive in San José , Costa Rica
Fly to San José , where you ’ ll meet your fellow travelers , including those arriving from the pre-trip extension to Antigua & Tikal : Guatemala ’ s Colonial Capital and Mayan Ruins .
Hotel Palma Real or similar
DAY 2 • Discover Escazú • Explore San José Head to the nearby suburb of Escazú for a walking tour of this quiet rural neighborhood . While here , we ’ ll learn about the role that mascaras — traditional Costa Rican masks — play in local culture during a visit to a maskmaking workshop . Return to San José for a Welcome Lunch followed by a panoramic city tour .
Meals : B , L | Hotel Palma Real or similar
DAY 3 • Explore Poás • Visit coffee finca
• Sarapiquí
Begin the day exploring the town of Poás . Then , enjoy a tour of a family-owned coffee finca , or farm , located on the fertile slopes of Poás Volcano . Later , we ’ ll depart for Sarapiquí .
Meals : B , L , D | La Quinta Sarapiquí Lodge or similar
DAY 4 • River rafting • Optional pineapple farm tour
We ’ ll drive to the nearby Río Sarapiquí for elective white-water rafting along Class I-III rapids — challenging enough to be fun , but mild enough to be enjoyed by first-timers . Later , you ’ ll have the option to learn more in-depth about this issue during an optional tour to a pineapple farm .
Meals : B , L , D | La Quinta Sarapiquí Lodge or similar
DAY 5 • Tirimbina nature walk • Aguas Zarcas Enjoy a nature walk along the woodland trails of the Tirimbina Biological Reserve . Then , depart for Aguas Zarcas , stopping en route at a local market .
Meals : B , L , D | El Tucano Resort and Thermal Spa or similar
DAY 6 • A Day in the Life of Las Brisas de Aguas Zarcas • GCF visit : Las Brisas school • Home- Hosted Lunch
Today , we ’ ll drive out to San Juan de Peñas Blancas to spend A Day in the Life of a Costa Rican village . We ’ ll visit a local elementary school , supported in part by Grand Circle Foundation , followed by a Home-Hosted Lunch with a local family .
Meals : B , L , D | El Tucano Resort and Thermal Spa or similar
DAY 7 • La Fortuna • Arenal Volcano National Park
• Optional Forest Canopy Ride
Today , we travel to La Fortuna , stopping at Arenal Volcano National Park for a nature walk along the Peninsula Trail . Then , we depart for our hotel in La Fortuna , the “ front yard of the Arenal Volcano ,” a town of thermal spas and verdant hills . This afternoon is free for your own discoveries , or you can fly above the rain forest on an optional Forest Canopy Ride .
Meals : B , L | Magic Mountain Hotel or similar
DAY 8 • Cruise the Río Frío Travel to the Río Frío , where we board a small boat to explore this inland waterway . Keep an eye out for birds , sloths , caimans , turtles , and butterflies during our cruise . Later , we ’ ll learn to make a typical Costa Rican bocas ( appetizer ).
Meals : B , L | Magic Mountain Hotel or similar
ADVENTURE HIGHLIGHT
On Day 3 , visit a family-owned coffee finca , or farm , and learn about how this local delicacy is harvested , grown , and processed .
Information & Reservations 1-800-955-1925 www . oattravel . com / rac 233