
Best of Costa Rica
 Immerse yourself in a rainforest
 Unwind on the beaches of the stunning Pacific Coast
 Enjoy a thrilling rafting adventure on the Pacuare River
 Go off the beaten path in Costa Rica's unspoiled southern region
 Visit the majestic Arenal Volcano
Day 1 San Jose
Upon arrival at San Jose, you are met by Maxim Tours representative and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2 Pacuare River Rafting
An early start for an exciting rafting adventure! This river has been declared a Wild and Scenic River, and offers some of the finest white water in Latin America, providing the adventurous rafter with a ride of unbelievable natural beauty as it winds deep inside one of Costa Rica's most impressive primordial rainforests. You will traverse 20 miles of remote and scenic waters that course through a wilderness of dense vegetation covering the sides of steep gorges that rise above the river banks. The thick undergrowth provides shelter for jaguars, ocelots, monkeys, sloths, and numerous other species of animals and birds. You'll break for a delicious lunch served along the river's edge by your guides. While lunch is being prepared, you'll have plenty of time to relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery as you marvel at the raw, pounding power of the untamed Pacuare River that for millions of years has coursed through this virgin tropical rainforest. (includes breakfast and lunch)
Overnight at Alta Hotel (B)
Day 3 San Jose/Corcovado
After breakfast, you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Palmar Sur and a 3-day stay at Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge. The lodge is the closest to Corcovado National Park, the last remaining Pacific lowland rainforest of sustainable size in Central America. This unique lodge offers artfully appointed individual bungalows offering tiled floors, hot showers and ceiling fans - the ideal base for your in-depth rainforest experience.
Overnight at Casa Corcovado (Full-board)
Day 4 Corcovado
Today you will spend a full day hiking in beautiful and unspoiled Corcovado National Park. Overnight at Casa Corcovado (Full-board)
Day 5 Corcovado
Spend the day snorkeling and swimming at Caño Island.
Overnight at Casa Corcovado (Full-board)
Day 6 Corcovado/Manuel Antonio
After breakfast, you are transferred to Palmar Sur airstrip for your flight to Quepos. Upon arrival you are met and transferred to your hotel for the balance of the day at leisure. You stay at El Parador. This hotel is a completely self-contained luxury resort, enthroned atop a majestic bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by 400 acres of lush tropical rainforest, it provides a private and serene ambiance and a true sense of European refinement and commodity in a tropical paradise. The resort is located in Manuel Antonio, Quepos, near the Manuel Antonio National Park.
Overnight at El Parador (B)
Day 7 Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park is deservedly the most popular park in Costa Rica with beautiful white sand beaches surrounded by emerald waters and jungle. Your naturalist guides will explain the history and geography of the area as well as help you get the most of your visit, pointing out sloths, monkeys, iguanas, and a multitude of insects and birds during this very informative three hour walk.
Overnight at El Parador (B)
Day 8 Manuel Antonio Damas Estuary
Today you enjoy a guided boat tour to the Damas Estuary. This tour offers great birding and wonderful vistas as you explore the mangrove canals. You will also stop at the island for an enjoyable walk on the beach followed by a meal at a restaurant. This tour provides an excellent chance to see animals and birds such as Caimans, Sloths, Crocodiles, Boas, White face monkeys, egrets, and much more.
Overnight at El Parador (B)
Day 9 Manuel Antonio/Arenal
After breakfast, you are met and transferred to Arenal by private vehicle. The Arenal Region, with its splendid and famous volcano, its National Park and the Arenal Lake, has become a unique and exciting destination for nature lovers and explorers.
Overnight at Arenal Kioro (B)
Day 10 Arenal Hanging Bridges
Explore 15 bridges ranging in length from 15 to 1500 feet along a 2 mile rain forest circuit of interpretive trails. The bridges are built of aluminum, galvanized steel, paving block and concrete, to ensure maximum security and to prevent slipping. Guided by a naturalist, who opens doors of the fascinating and colorful Tropical Rain Forest world. The imposing vistas of the Volcano from the hanging bridges over the forest make a perfect combination for an unforgettable experience.
Overnight at Arenal Kioro (B)
Day 11 Depart
Today you are transferred to San Jose airport for your international flight home.
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Essential Costa Rica
 Experience the majestic beauty of the Arenal Volcano
 Explore the rainforest in the mountains of Monteverde
 Relax on Tamarindo's white sand beaches
Day 1 San Jose
Upon arrival at San Jose airport, you are met by a representative of Maxim Tours and transferred to your hotel. Overnight at Alta Hotel (B)
Day 2 San Jose/Arenal
After breakfast, you are taken by private transfer to Arenal where you overnight at Arenal Kioro hotel. Arenal Kioro, a deluxe hotel complete with spa and walking trails, boasts a spectacular view of the volcano. Its spacious and comfortable rooms offer you all the facilities needed to relax in comfort. You will also have the opportunity to choose among a variety of optional tours ideal for the nature-lover.
Overnight at Arenal Kioro (B)
Day 3 Arenal
Explore 15 bridges ranging in length from 15 to 1500 feet along a 2 mile rain forest circuit of interpretive trails. The bridges are built of aluminum, galvanized steel, paving block and concrete, to ensure maximum security and to prevent slipping. Guided by a naturalist, who opens doors of the fascinating and colorful Tropical Rain Forest world. The imposing vistas of the Volcano from the hanging bridges over the forest make a perfect combination for an unforgettable experience.
Overnight at Kioro (B)
Day 4 Monteverde
After breakfast, a private transfer by road & boat takes you to Monteverde. Dedicated to the idea of eco tourism in harmony with the earth, your family-run hotel offers comfortable accommodation in a beautiful mountain setting.
Overnight at Fonda Vela Hotel (B)
Day 5 Monteverde
After an early breakfast, set off for a visit to the Monteverde Cloud Forest. This 26,000-acre wilderness is inhabited by more than 100 species of mammals, 120 species of reptiles and amphibians and 2,500 species of plants. Some spectacular wildlife lives in the Monteverde Cloud Forest, including jaguars and the Resplendent Quetzal, a beautiful and mystical native Costa Rican bird. Clouds drift in continually and settle among the slopes, providing a constant source of moisture that feeds the lush vegetation and gives the cloud forest its name. Visitors can hike through several swamp forests and along the trails that meander past crystal clear streams and waterfalls.
You are returned to your hotel where you can relax and enjoy lunch before this afternoon's activity - the Selvatura Canopy. This canopy tour is the only one built entirely inside the cloud forest. With a total of 18 zip lines, you travel between 20 platforms and over 2 miles of cables. At all times there will be guides that will assist you. This is a tour that will dazzle your senses. Each platform is designed at different levels, so you can see the forest at its various stages as you slide from tree to tree.
Overnight at Fonda Vela Hotel (B)
Day 6 Tamarindo
After breakfast, a private transfer takes you to the beach town of Tamarindo, located on the Northern Pacific coast, where relaxation is tradition. This area has some of the most beautiful beaches and best surfing Costa Rica has to offer. Surrounded by tropical forests and marine parks, your hotel has a peaceful setting designed to soothe the spirit.
Overnight at Cala Luna hotel (B)
Day 7 Tamarindo Palo Verde
Palo Verde is one of the most important and interesting National Parks in Costa Rica. It has at least 12 different habitats within the park including: mangroves, swamps, swamps forests, saltwater and freshwater lagoons and marshes. On this tour you will go through two old villages, Bolson and Ortega, before arriving at the Tempisque River, the most important river of the Guanacaste Province. On this river you will enjoy a 2 ½ hour boat ride from which you may see the fabulous array of wild birds and a myriad of creatures such as howler monkeys, green iguanas and coatis, anteaters and crocodiles. The park provides shelter for a great variety of birds such as the American Woodstock, the Roseate Spoonbill, the Boat-billed Heron, the Tiger Heron and the Tropical Kingbird. This is a great tour for those who love nature and bird watching.
Overnight at Cala Luna hotel (B)
Day 8 Tamarindo
Free day to relax or take optional tours.
Overnight at Cala Luna hotel (B)
Day 9 Depart
Today you are transferred to Liberia airport for your international flight home.
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Roads Less Traveled
 Discover the beauty of Costa Rica’s forgotten regions.
 Explore the picturesque natural canals of Tortuguero
Day 1 Arrive San Jose, Costa Rica
Upon arrival at San Jose airport, you are met and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight at Alta Hotel (B)
Day 2 San Jose / Tortuguero
After an early start, you are transferred to Limon province with breakfast enroute. Switch to a boat for the final leg to your lodge, strategically located only 5 minutes away from the extraordinary Tortuguero National Park, and right across the main "canal" facing the town of Tortuguero. Surrounded by a network of very scenic canals, this is considered one of the most exotic regions of the country, characterized by its rich flora and fauna. Tortuguero is the most important nesting site in the western half of the Caribbean for the endangered green turtle (Chelonia Midas). During your stay, you will be able to explore the natural network of scenic and navigable waterways. Tortuguero is rated as one of Costa Rica's most biologically diverse regions with eleven separate habitats as well as 2,000 species of plants and 400 species of trees.
Overnight at Anhinga Lodge (Full-board)
Day 3 Tortuguero
Today take a shared boat tour into Tortuguero National Park. Enjoy lunch at the lodge and the afternoon at leisure.
Overnight at Anhinga Lodge (Full-board)
Day 4 Tortuguero/Turrialba
After an early breakfast, you take a flight back to San Jose where your driver will be waiting. You are driven to deluxe Casa Turire, located in the Turrialba Valley.A beautiful lodge for discerning travelers with breathtaking views surrounding hills, Casa Turire is a great option for mountain lovers and tropical adventurers due to its accessibility to both environments. The beautiful scenery, complete peacefulness and coziness make it a favorite retreat for those wanting to get away from it all.
Overnight at Casa Turire (Full-board)
Day 5 Turrialba
After breakfast, enjoy a morning group tour of CATIE Botanical Garden, home to some 4,400 plants representing more than 400 species from all the corners of the globe. The balance of the day is yours to spend on your own or to enjoy an optional tour.
Overnihgt at Casa Turire (Full-board)
Day 6 Turrialba / San Gerardo de Dota
After breakfast you are transferred by private vehicle from Turrialba to San Gerardo de Dota. Here you stay at Trogon Lodge, locate on a family farm in the mountains. There is even a fresh water river running through the property. Guest accommodations include 10 rooms, each with private baths, hot water and heating. Delicious home-cooked meals are served in a family-style restaurant. The cozy and relaxing atmosphere of the Trogon Lodge makes every guest feel right at home. The beautiful surroundings provide a unique opportunity to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature, as well as discover the wonders of Costa Rica's ecology.
Overnight at Trogon Lodge (Full-board)
Day 7 San Gerardo de Dota
Depart this morning on a group walking tour in search of the elusive Quetzal Bird. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at Trogon Lodge (Full-board)
Day 8 Depart
Today you are transferred San Jose airport for your international flight home.
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