Adventure Meets Romance

Smoking Volcano behind Casa Turire

Day 1 ----------- Arrive & Drive to Turrialba (Casa Turire Hotel)

Today your private guide and driver will meet you outside of the airport where you will make the drive through the capital city of San Jose out to the rural area of Turrialba. Your final destination will be the beautiful Casa Turire Hotel which is a small 16 room boutique hotel with amazing views of the Turrialba smoking volcano. (Meals: None)

Day 2 ----------- Raft in Duckies down the Pejibaye River (Casa Turire Hotel)

Duckie Adventure

Today you will get the chance to raft in small rafts called duckies. You will have the option to guide your own duckie down class I & II rapids or we can assign you a guide. This is a great adventure on a beautiful  river. In the afternoon we will have lunch in a nearby rural village giving you a chance to meet some of the locals and enjoy the local cuisine. After lunch the afternoon is for you to relax at the Casa Turire Hotel and enjoy the pool and hot-tub. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

Day 3 ----------- Raft the Pacuare River and Travel to Arenal Volcano (Nayara Resort)

Table for 2

Today is one of our favorite days and no questions the best tour in all of Costa Rica. The Pacuare river is listed by National Geographic as one of their top 5 scenic rivers on the planet. It also has some adventurous class III & IV rapids. This is a 3 hour rafting trip and your CRR guides will prepare a lunch on the river for you. After the rafting we will be making the drive north to the Arenal Volcano. Here you will be staying in the Nayara Resort which tripadvisor voted one of the most romantic hotels in all of the America's. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

Day 4 ----------- Zipline & Relax at Nayara (Nayara Resort)

Relaxing at Nayara

After sleeping in and relaxing we will be on our way to the next adventure. This adventure is the zipline and with over 70 different ziplines in the country this is by far the best. Not only does it have great views of the lake and Arenal Volcano but it happens to have some of the highest and fastest cables in the country. The zipping adventure will take us around 3 hours and then it is back to the Nayara Resort so you can enjoy the grounds of this beautiful place. There is time in the afternoon if you wanted to squeeze in another adventure such as canyoneering, hotsprings, or horseback riding these would be an option. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 5 ----------- Travel to Manuel Antonio Beach (Arenas del Mar Resort)

View from Nayara

After four days of being surrounded by beautiful mountains, jungles, and volcanos we are ready to head to the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Our final destination will be the most beautiful beach in Costa Rica which is Manuel Antonio. Your lodging will be the Arenas del Mar Resort which is perfectly situated looking out over the Pacific and surrounded by the rainforest. Some of the best things about this hotel is not the luxurious amenities but the fact that you always have monkeys around to keep things interesting. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 6 ----------- Relax at Beach (Arenas del Mar Resort)

Today is your day to relax at the beach. There is much to do in the area so optional tours of visiting the National Park, surf lessons, or a rainforest spice tour. There are also many places to go out and eat in the area of Manuel Antonio. The Arenas del Mar Resort as of May 2012 put hammocks down on the beach which are pretty nice for filling in some down time. (Meals: Breakfast)

Manuel Antonio Beach

Day 7 ----------- Relax at Beach (Arenas del Mar Resort)


This is another day to relax at the beach. When you see how nice the beach is you will realize why she might want two days just to relax and enjoy it. Again there are many optional tours in the area if you are looking to fill in some down time. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 8 ----------- Travel to San Jose & Fly Home!

You will be leaving on a Jet-Plane you don't know if you'll be back again.... Well lets hope so and maybe for your 5 year anniversary we can plan another great Costa Rica Adventure for you! Congrats and all the best in your Adventures Together Forever!

Scott: 2 Week Sample Itin

Day 1 ---------------------- Arrive drive to Grano de Oro (Grano de Oro)

Quetzal

Today we will meet you at the airport and take you to your first hotel. This is a beautiful place only around 20 minutes from the airport which will give you a chance to rest up after your day of traveling. (Meals: None)

Day 2 -------------------------------- Cerro de La Muerte (Dantica Lodge)


We will leave San Jose after breakfast at your hotel and drive to Cerro de La Muerte. This is an area where we will be spending one night and going for one reason only. The reason is to give you the chance to see one of the most beautiful species of birds in all the America's. In the past Monteverde has been the usual spotting area for the Quetzal but now it is overcrowded with tourists.is a Here at Cerro de La Muerte there are a few small lodges that will give us a 99% chance of seeing this bird and it is well worth it. We even take non-birders to these lodges when it fits in the itin and they never regret seeing the Quetzal. (Meals: Breakfast)


Day 3 --------- Bird in Morning & Drive to Turrialba (Casa Turire)

Today we will drive to the Turrialba area with pictures of the beautiful Quetzal in our cameras and memories of course.  We will arrive at the Casa Turire Hotel which will give you great views of the smoking cone of Turrialba. This is a very nice hotel, small, and pretty good for birding if you want to get up early in the morning. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 4 --------- Raft Pejibaye River (Casa Turire)

Pejibaye River

Today you can sleep in and then we will take the short ride to the Pejibaye river. The Casa Turire Hotel is located on a lake and the Pejibaye runs into this lake so we finish the trip at the hotel. It is a small rapid but very scenic and has some little rapids but it is the kind of river we use for all families with young kids. We will plan on taking our time in the river. All of this is run privately. You will be in your own raft with your own guide throughout all the trip. In the evening you can have time to relax at the hotel or we can take you to a local village and introduce you to some of the local customs or we can have the kids learn how to make tortillas with some other kids if they are up for it. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

Day 5 --------------------------------------------------- Drive to Sarapiqui & Chocolate Tour (La Selva)

Today we will drive to Sarapiqui and get your bird book out because we will be staying here for one night and plan on checking off big list of birds. Today is around a two hour drive and you can sleep a little bit but we will get somewhat of an early start. Today we'll do the Chocolate Tour when we arrive. This is an amazing tour and the best part about it is that it is hands on. You get to eat and eat chocolate but "real" high quality chocolate. (Meals: Breakfast)

Hola Scott

Day 6 --------- Birding in the Morning & Drive to Arenal Volcano (Nayara Resort)


We will get up before breakfast today and get some birding in. This is a great spot and we can bird as long as your heart desires. When we are done we will drive to the famous Arenal Volcano where you stay in the beautiful Nayara Resort which will give you a perfect view of the perfectly cone-shaped volcano. (Meals: Breakfast)


Day 7 --------- Zipline & Visit Danaus Reserve (Nayara Resort)

Arenal Volcano

Let a little of the adventure begin as we take you on a zipline. This is in our opinion one of the best in the country because it has the best views of the Arenal Lake and of course the volcano. Also you see nothing but primary forest under you as you fly over the canopy. After we do the zipline we will go over to the Danaus Reserve. This is a small reserve but one of the best to take a short hike around with your guide. The birding is great here and you'll see many different species of poisonous frogs, three-toed sloths, boat-billed heron, and butterflies. Also the reserve is a great educational stop, proving the importance of reforestation. Just eleven years ago balsa trees were planted here that now look hundreds of years old. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 8 ----------------------------- Hike to La Fortuna Waterfall & HotSprings (Nayara Resort)

Manuel Antonio

Today we will take a hike to one of Costa Rica's most picturesque waterfalls. La Fortuna Falls is absolutely beautiful and a great place for the kids to swim down in the pools at the bottom. After the nice hike we will then make our way to the HotSprings where you have the chance to relax and enjoy a great meal and views of the volcano. (Meals: Breakfast & Dinner)

Day 9 ----------- San Lorenzo Cloud-Forest & Night Hike (Villa Blanca)

Today we will leave the area of the Arenal Volcano and make our way into the cloud-forest. One option would be to go to the Monte-Verde Cloudforest which is a very nice area but if you wanted just a little bit less crowded there is nothing like the Villa Blanca Hotel in the San Lorenzo cloud-forest. This was the property of the former President of Costa Rica and now it is a beautiful hotel where the clouds might literally be joining you for breakfast or dinner. It opens up for a whole new level of flora & fauna. When you arrive we will check you in and it will be time for your night hike. Hiking through the cloud-forest at night is a great experience. With the knowledge of your guide you will be amazed at how much wildlife is out in the cloud-forest at night and just how interesting some insects can be. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 10 --------- Birding at Villa Blanca in the morning and Drive to the Pacific (Arenas del Mar)

Passerini Tanager

Today we will do some birding in the morning and then when you are ready we will make our way to the Pacific Ocean. Our destination will be the Arenas del Mar which is a perfect hotel looking over the waves of the Pacific. It has private beach, unusual in this Manuel Antonio.
(Meals: Breakfast)

Day 11 --------------------  Rainforest Spice Tour (Arenas del Mar)


If you want to learn some interesting stuff and eat some great tasting samples of spices from the rainforest then this is the place. This is a new, very well run educational tour and demonstration of where, how, and what needs to be done to get the spices from the jungles to your spoon. After the tour you can relax at the hotel or on the beach. (Meals: Breakfast)



Day 12 ---------------------------------- Visit Manuel Antonio National Park (Arenas del Mar)

Our Naturalist Guide Eric in Manuel Antoino Park

Today we will make the hike to the Manuel Antonio National Park. If you have not seen all the monkeys you need to see then this is the spot. I still think there are more monkeys than tourists in this park. It is a great spot for the kids to see some mammals upclose such as coatis, white-face capuchin monkeys, and even the endemic squirrel monky. I was in the park last week and saw the Three-Wattled Bellbird which made that trip all worth it for me. (Meals: Breakfast)



Day 13 ------- Visit Poas Volcano Crater Drive back to Airport Hotel Grano de Oro (Grano de Oro)

"Poor Man's Umbrella"

Today we will leave the beach and drive back to the airport hotel which will be the same Grano de Oro you stayed at when you arrived. We will make a day out of the drive back as we visit the Poas Volcano Crater where you will see some of the largest leaves ever and an amazing crater. This is a beautiful crater and a chance to drive through some very scenic countryside towns of Costa Rica. After we visit the crater we will have lunch at the best place in the country which is Freddy Fressas. He makes a strawberry drink that is well worth making a toast to the end of an amazing adventure. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

Day 14 -------- Fly Home!

We will get you the airport a good few hours before you flight and send you on your way. (Meals: Breakfast)

Honeymoon Costa Rica

Day 1 ----------- Arrive & Drive to Arenal Volcano (Nayara Resort)

Arenal Volcano

Today we will meet you at the airport and drive you to the Arenal volcano where you will be staying in the Nayara Resort. This is one of our favorite hotels and a must for those on their honeymoon. It is a beautiful drive to the volcano and you will have great views of the active cone-shaped Arenal. (Meals: None)

Day 2 ----------- Zipline & Visit La Fortuna Falls (Nayara Resort)

Today we will take you on the best zipline in all of Costa Rica. With over 100 different ziplines now this is the highest, fastes, best views, and also the safest. It is only about 20 minutes from the hotel and you will enjoy great views as you make your way through the rainforest. After the zipline we will take you to visit the La Fortuna Falls which is a beautiful waterfall with an amazing area to swim. In the evening you can relax at the hotel or we can take you to some suggested places to eat in the area. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 3 ----------- Canyoneering & HotSprings (Nayara Resort)

Canyoneering

Today you will do the adventure of Canyoneering which is an amazing adventure and easy for everyone. You will make your way down the canyon filled with waterfalls. When you get to a large waterfall it is time to hook up and then make you way down using a harnass doing a rappel. After making our way through the canyon we will visit the hotsprings which includes a great meal and just time to relax. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 4 ----------- Drive to Manuel Antonio & Relax at Beach (Arenas del Mar)

Today we will drive you to the Manuel Antonio area and you will be staying at Arenas del Mar. This is another perfect place for honeymoons and absolutely spectacular views of the waves below. You will have your own private beach which is a huge plus to this area. Our guide and driver drop you off here as it makes more sense financially for you guys if you just walk to the beach or the hotel can arrange for you to leave the hotel. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 5 ----------- Fishing (Arenas del Mar)

Today we will have the fishing arranged for you and they will arrive to the hotel and drop you off at the hotel. This is a beautiful day just to look back on the coast line of the Pacific. Depending upon what you decide on the fishing runs between half and full days about $800 - $1200 depending on boat and length of day. (Meals: Breakfast)

Manuel Antonio

Day 6 ----------- Relax at Beach (Arenas del Mar)

Today is your day to relax at the beach and just enjoy the hotel. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 7 ----------- Relax at Beach (Arenas del Mar)

Today is another day to relax at the beach and enjoy the shops in the area. If you would like you can visit the National Park which will give you a chance to see a number of different species of monkeys. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 8 ----------- Fly Home!


With the new highway it is only 2 hours back to the hotel. Depending on your flight time will depend on when we pick you up from the hotel and take you to the airport. It is good to be at the airport 2 or 3 hours before international departures. (Meals: Breakfast)

Costa Rica Luxury Adventure Itin

 Day 1 ---------- Arrive and Drive to Casa Turire (Casa Turire)

Today we will meet you at the airport and drive you to the first hotel. This is a beautiful area of Turrialba which is in a valley and you will have a great view of the erupting volcano of Turrialba which has been smoking from the top for the last year. The hotel has a great place to eat and is one of my favorites in the country. (Meals: None)

Day 2 ---------- Raft Pacuare (Casa Turire)

Arenal Volcano

Today we will raft the famous Pacuare River. This is listed as one of the top 5 on the planet by National Geographic and we will have our own private raft and be going at our pace. This is a beautiful day and we will stay at the Casa Turire for a second night being back at the hotel for some time to relax. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

Day 3 ---------- Drive to Arenal (Nayara Resort)

Today we will drive to the Nayara Resort which is located with great views of the Arenal Volcano. This is without a doubt one of the nicest hotels in the area and might even be my favorite in the country. We will drive straight to the hotel as this is a day of travel but we will make some stops along the way to make it interesting. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 4 ---------- Zipline &/or Gandola Ride (Nayara Resort)

Pacuare River

Today we will zipline and for those that are not up for the zipline can go on the gandola ride. This is in my opinion the best zipline in the country and not only the fastest, highest, but also the safest. I take most to all of my groups on this one as it has the best views of the Arenal lake and the Arenal Volcano.  In the afternoon you could have time to relax at the Nayara resort or we could take you to the hotsprings. The hotsprings here in Costa Rica are often very luxurious pool areas just so you know. Many people expect natural hot springs but it often does not look like such. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 5 ---------- Fly to Quepos (Arenas del Mar)

Today we will fly to the beach area and you will be staying at the Manuel Antonio beach. This is quite the touristy area and if you are looking to get off the touristy path I could take you down 40 minutes south from this area to the Cuna del Angel hotel and less crowded beaches. But if you decide you might want to stay in the Manuel Antonio area the views do not get any better than Arenas del Mar. The in-country flights in Costa Rica are very reputable and are often used for cutting driving time way down.  (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 6 ---------- Spice Tour (Arenas del Mar) 

Virgin Rainforest

Today you can have some time at the beach but we will also take you to the Spice Tour. This spice tour is fairly new and the people just love it. It is a tour on the spices of the rainforest and the best part is that you get to snack on the spices. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 7 ---------- Tour Park (Arenas del Mar)

Today we will visit the National Park of Manuel Antonio. This is a great little area that I still think has more monkeys than tourist. It also is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the country.

Day 8 ---------- Fly Home!

Today we will make the drive on the new highway to the airport which is only around a 2 hour drive now.