Jennifer/Rob & Kids Costa Rica 2012

Day 1 ---------- Arrive and Drive to Pacific Coast (Necochea Inn)

Today you will be met outside the airport by your private bilingual guide and driver. We will drive three hours to your first lodging which will be the small, beautiful Necochea Inn. This is a place we have used for years and is off the tourist path and all our guests absolutely love the remoteness and hidden feeling of being in the jungle with views of the Pacific. You will have two very luxurious rooms.  The sounds of a rippling creek,  ocean, and jungle are all part of the ambiance at the Necochea. (Meals: Dinner)


Day 2 ---------- Rappel Nauyaca Falls (Necochea Inn)

Today we will get this adventure started off correctly. We will take you to Nauyaca Falls which is in our opinion, is the most beautiful waterfall in all of Costa Rica. Our mode of transportation will be driving off road in the SUV and then use ropes to make our way down this waterfall. After rappeling down we will be at one of the most picturesque and pristine swimming wholes you will ever see. We'll then hike up to the top where lunch will be waiting for us. The view from the top of the waterfall is incredible. In the afternoon we will have time to visit the beach and then back to the Inn to relax and enjoy the sunset. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

Day 3 ---------- Surf Classes (Necochea Inn)

Today you will get some lessons on how to surf. This is a great day and the kids will love it. We promise you will get up on the board before the end of the day and the beach is perfect with waves just right for learning how to surf. After the lessons you can fine tune your newly acquired surfing skills or just hang out at the beach.  On the way back to the Inn we'll stop at a neat swim hole with a Tarzan swing, I'm sure Rob will love. In the evening we'll take you to a restaurant for dinner.(Meals: Breakfast)

Day 4 ---------- Travel to Arenal Volcano (Tabacon Resort)

Today we will head north to the Arenal Volcano. We can make the nice scenic drive which is around five hours or you can take an in-country flight which will be much shorter.  You will be staying at the Tabacon Resort, a beautiful place that happens to have the best hotsprings in the area. The Arenal Volcano is a perfectly cone-shaped volcano and a must-see for your first visit to Costa Rica. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 5 ---------- Zipline (Tabacon Resort)

Today it is zipline time. I think there are almost 100 different companies of ziplines now, some of which seem to be just dental floss strung in a banana plantation while others are the real deal. The one we use in the Arenal area to this day is still our favorite and I can assure you that you will think the same. With cables that measure 1km long and go as high as 700ft it makes for quite the amazing adventure. After the zipping we will have time to visit the local town of La Fortuna. There are shops and other interesting places in the area and/or some time to relax and enjoy the Spa at Tabacon. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 6 ---------- Nature Reserve & Waterfall Hike (Tabacon Resort)

Although much of your trip will be surrounded by nature we will be visiting one very interesting nature reserve today. This is a reforested area and will give you and the kids some upclose looks at much of the wildlife including, birds, sloths, poisonous dart frogs, butterflies and much more in their natural habitat. After the reserve we thought we would visit another beautiful waterfall since it will be almost 3 days without seeing a jaw-dropping waterfall. In the evening it is back to the Tabacon to enjoy your last night of the hotsprings and see if the kids can break their record on the fastest down the slide! (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 7 ---------- Travel to Turrialba (Casa Turire Hotel)

Today is a travel day to Turrialba. The drive is only a little over three hours and it is a very scenic drive. We will be making an interesting stop along the way where the kids can meet some Tico kids and do a local crafts class. This will be our lunch stop and then we will continue on to the Casa Turire Hotel, another supurb place with perfect views of the nearby smoking Turrialba Volcano. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

Day 8 ---------- Raft Pacuare River & Travel to Your next Destination

You know how much we love this river and along with everyone else that has been on it, it just seems to be a chance to see the heart of Costa Rica and see it at it's finest. The Pacuare River will be a day rafting trip and a chance to get soaked. We will stop for a river lunch along the way as it is prepared privately just for you and the kids while you relax on the river bank surrounded by primary rainforest. In the evening it is off to where you will be spending you next night. If you plan on going to Los Suenos it might make sense to spend one more night in Casa Turire Hotel or spend a night in Grano de Oro Hotel in the San Jose area and then drive to Los Suenos on day nine. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)