Claire Poe Costa Rica Adventure 2015

Day 1 ---  Arrival and drive to La Condesa (La Condesa)

Your Transportation will be slightly more modern

Today your bilingual private guide and driver will meet you outside of the San Jose Airport. You will have the same guide and driver the entire trip and we promise you will fall in love with our knowledgable, energetic, fun expert naturalist and adventure guides. 

After a long day of travel you'll take the short drive to the La Condesa Hotel which is a beautiful hotel in the mountains and a good place to relax and get some rest for the adventure that's about to begin. (Meals: None)

Day 2 -- Poás Volcano and Waterfall Gardens (La Condesa)

Today we will visit two very unique sites. The first is the Poas Volcano crater. This is one of the most jaw-dropping sites you will find anywhere and a chance to look down into an active volcano crater. After the volcano we will take a hike to see some of Costa Rica's most majestic waterfalls measuring over 200ft each.

For lunch we'll go to "Freddy Fresas", one of our favorite places to eat. Then we'll drive back to the La Condesa where you can relax during the evening. You can either dine at the lovely restaurant at La Condesa or we will take you to another nearby restaurant that we love eating at. (Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 3 --- Travel to Turrialba & Visit Local Village (Turrialtico)

120ft Tree Rappels

After another La Condesa breakfast we'll drive 2.5 hr. to Turrialba. We'll make stops along the way including Sitio de Mata.  This is a small village where we bring many of our families and student groups. It is a very welcoming place and is filled with the most amazing people on this planet. It is also a very scenic spot with awesome views of the smoking Turrialba Volcano and surrounding mountains and lakes.

Here the kids will get to meet and play with local kids and we'll all enjoy a meal in the home of Fressy, mom of one of our guides. Our little feast will include a humble and very authentic cultural presentation of song and dance.

Lodging tonight is at Turrialtico Hotel. Here you can get a good night's rest before heading to our unique Pacuare Ecolodge! (Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 4 --- Enter Pacuare River Rafting (Pacuare Ecolodge)

Volcano Turrialba

Today after breakfast at Turrialtico, which also has amazing views (have you caught on that we like views) then you will enter the Pacuare, what National Geographic has listed as one of the top five most scenic rivers on the planet.

Pacuare Ecolodge

You will enjoy a private day on the river and your CRR river guides will stop along the way and prepare lunch for you and give you plenty of time to swim and relax in the midst of the tropical rainforest. You'll arrive to the Ecolodge after lunch where you will have yet more breath-taking views of the Pacuare Canyon and river.

This is a jungle experience like non other and your CRR guides will treat you like royalty during your stay out our Pacuare Ecolodge. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 5 --- Tree Rappels & Adventure Tarzan Swing (Pacuare Ecolodge)

Let the adventure continue as you enjoy a full day of zipping through the rainforest to arrive in canopy trees that are 120ft high in the rainforest. Here we rappel the different canopy trees down onto platforms. We then hook you up and send you on one of the most spectacular tarzan swings you will every encounter.

This is a full day of adventure and also some time to relax down by the river bank and have more great meals at the Pacuare Ecolodge. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 6 --- Rafting Pacuare Canyon (Casa Luna Lodge)

Raft Pacuare

Today you'll be rafting the most scenic part of the river. We will be paddling down the Pacuare Canyon and passing by canyon walls that measure 300 ft high and 200 ft waterfalls that fall into the river bank. The day is also filled with some adventurous rapids keeping us wet from start to finish.

After taking out of the river, we will make the drive to Costa Rica's Arenal Volcano which is the perfectly cone-shaped volcano that one everyone loves to stare at. Here you'll be staying at the Casa Luna Lodge where you will have (wait for it....) MORE GREAT VIEWS! from your rooms. (Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch)

Day 7 --- Zipline & La Fortuna Falls (Casa Luna Lodge)

With over 70 different ziplines in the country this one is still our favorite. We will travel to the other side of the volcano and zip on cables that rise 700ft high above the rainforest floor and offer breath-taking views of the Arenal Lake and Volcano.

After a morning of ziplining we'll head to La Fortuna Falls, another waterfall that is worth taking 100 pictures of but also offers one of the best swim holes of any waterfall in Costa Rica.

In the afternoon we can take you out to eat in the town of La Fortuna or you can relax at the pool at the hotel. (Meals Included: Breakfast)

Day 8 --- Drive to Manuel Antonio. (Hotel Espadilla)

La Fortuna Falls

Today is a travel day to Costa Rica's most scenic coastal national park. There are still more monkeys than people at Manuel Antonio and you will be staying in a small hotel in easy walking distance to the National Park and public beach both of which are incredible.

Here there are many places to go out and eat and we can take you out for a bite after your day in the sun. This is a travel day of 4 1/2 hours but a beautiful drive so we will plan on leaving after breakfast from the Arenal area. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 9 --- Manuel Antonio National Park (Hotel Espadilla)

Manuel Antonio National Park

Today your naturalist guide will take you through the National Park of Manuel Antonio where you will see sloths, monkeys, more monkeys, birds, butterflies, and more monkeys!

The afternoon can be your day to relax on the sand or we can sign you up for some surf classes if you think its something the kids would enjoy. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 10 --- Drive to Airport

It's back to San Jose today (2.5 hr. drive) to catch your flight home, taking with you a lot of great memories & Pura Vida! (Meals: Breakfast)

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Ridgefield Costa Rica 2015

June 25th --- Arrive and Travel to the Arenal Volcano (Manoa Hotel)

Today the Ridgefield kids will be welcomed by CRR staff as they exit the San Jose Airport in Costa Rica. The staff includes your naturalist, bilingual guides and drivers, all doing their part to make this Costa Rican Adventure an unforgettable experience.

We'll drive to the Arenal Volcano where we will arrive at the Manoa Hotel. Here we will have orientation and get the kids ready for the week.

Our focus will be learning about the culture and biodiversity of Costa Rica. We will also be taking a broader look at the topic of sustainability from a local level and onto a global scale. It's a week filled with learning, adventure, service, and fun. The students will return home enlightened by and exposed to the amazing wonders of the natural world. They will also participate in worthwhile, meaningful, fun service projects.

There is a Costa Rican expression--PURA VIDA! (pure life). It has many meanings. On a CRR trip we try to emphasize to the students the Pura Vida way of life and the four areas that we feel exemplify it.

1. Love of nature

2. Healthy living

3. Protection of the environment

4. Service to others to promote community

June 26th ----- Zipline & Organic Farm Tour (Manoa Hotel)

What better way to spend our first day in Costa Rica than flying through the rainforest canopy on a zipline. We

Arenal Volcano

will be zipping from mountain top to mountain top with views of the Arenal Volcano and Arenal Lake. 

After the zipline the kids will have the chance to buy some souvenirs in the town of La Fortuna and then we will spend our last activity having a hands-on experience with one of Costa Rica's best organic farmers, Don Juan! Here the kids will do everything on a farm you can imagine and have the best tasting meal of the trip after they harvest the crops themselves.

In the evening we will have some time to journal and reflect on our first full day in Costa Rica. 

June 27th ------------- Hike to Cavern (Sleep Behind Waterfall)

Welcome to Costa Rica!

We'll begin the day by driving four hours to the Southern Pacific where we will begin hiking to the cavern. This is one of the more unique experiences you will find anywhere with the opportunity to sleep behind three beautiful waterfalls. During the hike we will have our first immersion into the primary rainforest where the kids will learn from their naturalist guides about the different layers of the rainforest and its function as working as the planet's "lungs" giving nations far and near an opportunity to have clean air. Along with the rainforest we will stop at an organic garden where the kids will have the chance to learn about the many different fruits of the tropics along with the important topic of global warming and how small organic farming can help reverse the effect 

by making our soils healthy and trapping CO2. We call this "regenerative agriculture".

After the energizing hike ,we're all happy to arrive to the cavern and waterfalls and have lunch. After lunch we will gear up and get ready for a 120ft waterfall rappel down one of Costa Rica's most majestic waterfalls.

In the evening we will have dinner and a bonfire and enjoy a night of telling stories and playing games behind the waterfall. 

Cavern Adventure

June 28th ------------ Visit Upper Pools & Travel to Turrialba (Casa Turire Hotel)

Casa Turire Hotel (Hot Water!)

Today we will wake up behind the waterfall and enjoy a healthy breakfast before making another hike to some smaller nearby waterfalls and pools. This is a chance for the kids to have a wake-up swim and get a free massage from the waterfall as they play in the pools and jump off some rocks into the beautiful pristine pools of the nearby falls.

After that hike we will leave the cavern and meet up with the bus. The bus will drive us over one of Costa Rica's highest mountains at 10,000ft offering our guides the opportunity to tell the kids about tectonic plates and the change of different life zones as we make the climb and descent from Pacific to Caribbean. CRR makes learning fun and come to life.

Our final destination will be the beautiful Casa Turire Hotel located in the valley of Turrialba with views of the Turrialba Volcano.  The volcano is a nice touch to the topic of tectonic plates. We will have this small boutique hotel to ourselves. The hot shower and comfy bed will feel great after sleeping behind the waterfall last night. 

June 29th ---------- Travel to Homestays (Sitio de Mata Homestays)

Homestay Sitio de Mata

One of the finest parts of the trip is our Sitio de Mata Homestay Project. After a relaxing morning we'll drive to the village of Sitio de Mata. The kids will have their crash course of Spanish and we will arrive to the homestays where all the moms will be waiting for us.

There is so much to be learned from this two day visit but the most important will be just how happy and pleasant the homestay families are. They might not have all the modern luxuries of life but they are surrounded by beautiful nature, have a healthy diet,  very strong community and family ties, and a solid recipe for being very happy.

Each student will be meet their homestay family and the fun will begin as we have many different activities planned for the two days.

July 30th ----- Community Service Projects & Homestay Activities (Sitio de MataHomestays)

Today is a full day of activities in and around the village. Everything is in walking distance and each house is literally only 20ft away making for a very tight knit community and easy access for the kids to visit other homes.

We'll be doing many activities such as cooking classes, dance classes, community service project and an unforgettable evening fiesta. 

July 31st --------- Rafting Pacuare River  (Pacuare Ecolodge)

Today we will say good-bye to our new friends and it usually takes a few hours and some tears before we get the Ridgefield kids on to the river rafting adventure.

Pacuare Ecolodge

Next stop, the Pacuare River, voted by National Geographic as one of the top five most scenic rivers on the planet. This is an amazing two day adventure, spending  the night at the beautiful PacuareEcolodge which happens to be the private river lodge of CRR. Here we will have games, amazing food, and a chance to spend another night in the jungle. 

Pacuare Ecolodge Campfir

Thursday, July 2nd --- Raft Pacuare Canyone and Travel to El Studio Hotel (El Studio)

Hola Ridgefield Welcome to Costa Rica

The day will start by rafting through the tropical rainforest and one of the most scenic areas of Costa Rica. We will pass by canyon walls that rise 300ft and pristine 200ft waterfalls that fall into the river.

After we take out of the river we will drive to San Jose for our final night. In route we'll stop by the Hogar Sembra Orphanage. This is an orphanage that the Roth Family and Ridgefield have developed a working relationship over the years. The visit is a chance for the Ridgefield kids to interact with the local kids, exchange gifts, play games and make unforgettable memories for all.

We will then make the short drive to the final hotel, El Studio, where the kids will have time to play in the pool and swim off the long day of travel. We will then have dinner and a farewell fiesta. 

Friday, July 3 --------------- Drive to San Jose Airport & Fly Home!

Today we will make the drive to the San Jose Airport where we will send your kids home with a better understanding of what Costa Rica and "Pura Vida" is all about! 

Ridgefield 2015

Thursday, June 25 --- Arrive & Travel to La Condesa Hotel (La Condesa)

Today the Ridgefield kids will be welcomed by CRR staff upon exiting the San Jose Airport in Costa Rica. The staff includes your drivers and expert guides all giving their part to make it an unforgettable experience.

We will travel to the first hotel of La Condesa where the kids will have some time to play in the pool and swim off the long day of travel. We will then have dinner planned and have a welcoming orientation where we will go over all safety instructions and a chance to get the kids excited about the themes of the trip and start dialing in on the educational components of the week long adventure.

We will be focusing on learning about the cultural and biodiversity of Costa Rica. We will also be taking a broader look at the topic of sustainability from a local level and onto a global scale. Its a week long of adventure, service, and fun while keeping our main focus on getting a message across and sending your kids home more educated and exposed to the amazing wonders of the natural world while a chance to partake in different service projects.

The pillars of the CRR tours are to offer kids a chance to experience happiness the way of the Costa Ricans (who were voted as having the lowest stress of any nation!) by offering 3 simple pillars:

1.) Educate on the benefits of nature, community and friends and family, and taking risk.

2.) A healthy community starting with your own body (foods you eat), moving onto friends and family, and ultimately the global community

2.) Protection of nature and exposure to the natural world. The kids will learned from their naturalist guide the many wonders of the rainforest while being exposed through nature hikes and thrilling adventures such as rafting, zipline, and waterfall rappels 

3.) Service through helping others, visiting an orphanage, and rural village service projects.

4.) Gratitude Gratitude Gratitude

Friday June 26th ------------- Visit Orphanage and Hike to Cavern (Sleep Behind Waterfall)

Today we will get an early start and travel to the Central Pacific of Costa Rica. In route we will be passing by the Hogar Sembra Orphanage. This is an orphanage that the Roth Family and Ridgefield have developed a working relationship with passing by every year. The visit is a chance for the Ridgefield kids to exchange gifts with the local kids and be the best part of their month. Games will be played smiles exchanged and memories made as the Ridgefield kids offer an unforgettable morning of the local kids.

After the visit to the orphanage we will make the two hour drive to the Southern Pacific where we will begin hiking to the cavern. This is one of the more unique experiences you will find anywhere with the opportunity to sleep behind three beautiful waterfalls. During the hike we will have our first immersion into the primary rainforest where the kids will begin to learn from their naturalist about the different layers of the rainforest and its function as working as the planets "lungs" giving nations far and near an opportunity to have clean air. Along with the rainforest we will be experiencing an organic garden where the kids will have the chance to learn about the many different fruits of the tropics along with the important topic of global warming and how small organic farming can help reverse the effect by making our soils healthy and trapping CO2.

After the educational hike we will arrive to the area of the waterfalls where we will have lunch. After lunch we will gear up and get ready for a 120ft waterfall rappel down one of Costa Rica's most majestic waterfalls.

In the evening we will have dinner and a bonfire and enjoy a night of telling stories and playing games behind the waterfall. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Saturday, June 27 ------------ Visit Upper Pools & Travel to Turrialba (Casa Turire Hotel)

Today we will wake up behind the waterfall and enjoy breakfast before making another hike to some smaller nearby waterfalls and pools. This is a chance for the kids to enjoy the morning swimming and getting a free massage from the waterfall as they play in the pools and jump off some rocks into the beautiful pristine pools of the nearby waterfalls.

After the hike to the waterfalls we will exit the cavern and meet up with the bus. The bus will drive us over one of Costa Rica's highest mountians at 10,000ft offering our naturalist guides a chance to talk to the kids about tectonic plates and the change of different life zones as we make the climb and descent from Pacific to Caribbean.

Our final destination will be the beautiful Casa Turire Hotel located in the valley of Turrialba with views of the Turrialba volcano which will be a nice touch to the topic of tectonic plates. We will have to ourselves and a chance for a very nice hot shower and comfy bed after sleeping behind the waterfall from the night. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Sunday, June 28 ---------- Travel to Homestays (Sitio de Mata Homestays)

One of the finest parts of the trip is our Sitio de Mata Homestay Project. After a relaxing morning we will make the drive to the village of Sitio de Mata. The kids will have their crash course of Spanish and we will arrive to the homestays where all the moms will be waiting for us.

There is so much to be learned from this two day visit but the most important will be just how happy and pleasant the homestay families are. They might not have all the modern luxuries of life but they are surrounded by beautiful nature, have a healthy diet, a very strong community and family ties, and a solid recipe for being very happy.

Each kid will be assigned to their homestay family and the fun will begin as we have many different activities planned for the two days. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Monday, July 29 --------------------- Community Service Projects & Homestay Activities (Sitio de Mata Homestays)

Today is a full day of activites in and around the village. Everything is in walking distance and each house is literally only 20 ft away making for a very tight knit community and easy access for the kids to visit other homes.

We will have different activities such as cooking classes, dance classes, community service project and an unforgettable evening fiesta. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Tuesday, July 30 --------- Rafting Pacuare River  (Pacuare Ecolodge)

Today we will say good-bye to our new friends and it usually takes a few hours and some tears before we get the Ridgefield kids on our way to the river rafting adventure.

We will then head to the Pacuare River voted by National Geographic as one of the top 5 most scenic rivers on the planet. This is an amazing two day adventure with a chance to stay the night at the beautiful Pacuare Ecolodge which happens to be the private river lodge of CRR. Here we will have games, amazing food, and a chance to spend another night in the jungle. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Wednesday, July 1 ------------------ Raft Pacuare Canyon & Drive to Arenal (Montana de Fuego Hotel)

Today the kids will wake up to the sound of the river and the astonishing views of the Pacuare River canyon. After breakfast we will gear up and make our way down the famous Pacuare Canyon where they will stay wet from start to finish and past by 200ft waterfalls and 300 ft canyon walls of rock that rise straight up. This is a day the kids will love and make for more fabulous memories.

After we get done rafting we will make our way to the Arenal Volcano which happens to be one of Costa Rica's most active volcanos. We will be staying in a hotel that each room offers a remarkable view of the perfectly cone-shaped volcano. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Thursday, July 2 ----------------- Zipline & Organic Farm Tour (Montana de Fuego Hotel)

What better way to spend our last day in Costa Rica than flying through the rainfores on the famous zipline adventure. We will be zipping from mountain top to mountain top with views of the Arenal Volcano and Arenal Lake.

After the zipline the kids will have the chance to buy some souvenirs in the town of La Fortuna and then we will spend our last activity having a hands on experience with one of Costa Rica's best organic farmers Don Juan! Here the kids will have a chance to do everything on a farm you can imagine and have the best tasting meal of the trip after the harvest the crops themselves.

In the evening we will have the farewell party reflecting on all the great memories of this adventure. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Friday, July 3 --------------- Drive to San Jose Airport & Fly Home!

Today we will make the drive to the San Jose Airport where we will send your kids home with a better understanding of what Costa Rica and "Pura Vida" is all about! (Meals: Breakfast)

Gersh Academy Costa Rica Family Adventure - "We Change Lives"

Day 1 ---- Arrive & Drive to Caribbean Coast (Almonds & Corals)

Today you will be met by your Gersh Academy representative in Costa Rica. In your private modern luxurious motor coach you'll be transported to the white sandy beaches of the Caribbean Coast. The drive will be filled with views of the country-side of Costa Rica, a drive through the National Park of Braulio Carrillo, and plenty of history lessons and education from your personal naturalist bilingual guide you will have throughout the entire week.

Our final destination will be the Almonds and Corals Ecolodge which is the perfect blend of luxurious accommodations completely immersed in the rainforest. (Meals: Dinner)

Day 2 ---- Surf Classes & Beach Bar-B-Que (Almonds & Corals)

Surf Classes

Today we will wake up to the sound of howler monkeys. We'll have a hearty breakfast before making our way to the beach for surf classes. Here your guides will be teaching you the basics of surfing and have you an expert by lunch time. We will spend the entire morning catching waves and hopefully by afternoon we will be signing contracts with Quicksilver and Billabong.

In the afternoon parents can relax at a quaint spot by the beach, enjoy some food and drink while the kids continue to play in the sand and water with supervision from our certified lifeguards.

In the evening it is back to the hotel to enjoy an excellent meal and another night in the jungle. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 3 ---- Raft to Pacuare Ecolodge (Pacuare Ecolodge)

Pacuare Ecolodge

After breakfast today we will make our way to what National Geographic has listed as one of the top five most scenic rivers on the planet. This is the Pacuare River and it is completely surrounded by tropical rainforest, filled with enchanting views of waterfalls up to 200ft, and canyon walls over 300ft. We will raft for three hours before reaching the beautiful Pacuare Ecolodge where we will have the entire place reserved for yhe Gersh Academy group. Your guides will make tasty meals for you and have games for the kids.

At night we will have the bonfire going and make it another unforgettable night for everyone! (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner0

Day 4 ----  Tree Rappels, & Tarzan Swing (Pacuare Ecolodge)

Tree Rappel

This is one of our favorite days. We will spend the entire day at the Ecolodge with two different courses planned. Half the group will enjoy the adventurous Tarzan Swing where you will have the chance to swing out over the river and feel the adrenaline pumping. The second half of the group will take two small ziplines to the top of two different trees where we have platforms allowing you to rappel down from a platform in a tree that is over 120ft high in the rainforest canopy. We will then switch the groups after lunch and get back to having fun!

Bonfire

In the evening we will have more games planned and another bonfire setting the scene to spend another night under the amazing night sky filled with stars in this pristine part of the world. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 5 ---- Raft Pacuare Canyon and Drive to Arenal Volcano (Los Lagos Resort)

Today is a day to remember. This is the most scenic part of the Pacuare River and we will be making the three hour raft trip past some of our planet's most majestic spots filled with lush tropical rainforest and waterfalls from start to finish. We also plan to keep everyone wet as we will be enjoying some adventurous rapids making it one of the most fun days of the trip.

After the rafting we'll drive to the Arenal Volcano which is a perfectly cone-shaped volcano and one of

Family Rafting

the most picturesque you will find anywhere. Our final destination will be the Los Lagos Resort which offers an amazing pool and relaxing hotsprings for everyone to enjoy after your day of rafting. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 6 ---- Zipline & Visit to Waterfall (Los Lagos Resort)

Today we will take you ziplining through the rainforest on 10 different cables that measure hundreds of feet off the ground. You will also have up-close views of the Arenal Volcano as you zip across different canyons.

After the zipline we will make the drive to the La Fortuna Waterfall. This waterfall has a hike of 500 steps but is well worth it making it a great spot to take a swim and a perfect photo op (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 7 ---- Visit Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge Boat Float (Los Lagos Resort)

La Fortuna Falls

We plan to offer you this a day a chance to make sure you get to see all the wildlife your heart desires. This is an easy boat float for the last day filled with many different species of monkeys, sloths, toucans, and many other up-close encounters, keeping kids and adults engaged.

In the evening we will be having a farewell party to celebrate our amazing adventure and bid farewell to our new friends and campanions in adventure and fun!

Day 8 ---- Fly Home!

We will transfer you to the airport at San Jose where you will board the plan and see the world in an entire new light and Pura Vida. (Meals: Breakfast)

Randy Hillock Costa Rica Sample Itinerary

Aug 1 -- Arrive and drive to Casa Turire (Standard)

Welcome Randy to Costa Rica!

Today you and the five other adults will be met outside the San Jose (SJO) by your private guide and driver. You will travel to the area of Turrialba located around 2 hours from the capital city. Your final destination will be the Casa Turire Hotel. This is one of our favorite hotels in Costa Rica. It is a 16 bedroom old plantation mansion that sits on a lake. It hotel has excellent views of the smoking Turrialba Volcano and the food is some of the best you will find anywhere.

Here you can get a good nights rest after a full day of traveling and enjoy the hotel grounds. (Meals: None)

Aug 2 -- Raft Pacuare (Casa Turire Standard) 

Today we will depart from the hotel with your private guide and driver and make our way to the Pacuare River. This is listed by NatGeo as one of the top 5 most scenic rivers on the planet. We operate our own rafting so your trip is completely private from start to finish. Your guide will prepare for you a river lunch and get you through all the class IV rapids keeping you soaked from start to finish.

Pacuare River 

The river is filled with pristine rainforest from start to finish. The canyon walls rise 300ft on each side with over 5 different waterfalls you float by that measure over 150ft each. If you up for it we can also stop at our Lodge the Pacuare Ecolodge where we have one of Costa Rica's best Tarzan Swings and everyone can take a swing on it. Its not a release you are actually hooked up in a climbing harnass and swing around 400ft. Its quite the adventure!

In the afternoon we will head back to the Casa Turire Hotel where you can relax and enjoy the pool and hot-tub. In the evening we can take you out to visit our friends at a local village and give you a taste of home-cooking. (Meals: Breakfas, Lunch, & Dinner (Dinner is included if you decide to visit the village))

Aug 3 -- Travel to Arenal Volcano (Nayara (Suite)) 

Today we will make our way to the Nayara Hotel and Gardens. This hotel is listed year after year as one of the top not only in Central America but on the planet. Its still a small hotel with epic views of the Arenal Volcano and Gardens and rooms unmatched anywhere in Costa Rica. During the morning after breakfast we will travel to the hotel in around a 4 hour drive making some stops along they way and arrive shortly after lunch to check into the Nayara Hotel.

This place is really a no brainer and along with Casa Turire I feel both these options are perfect for a group of six adults like you will be traveling with. (Meals: Breakfast)

Turrialba Volcano

Aug 4 --  Zipline & La Fortuna Falls (Nayara Suite)

Today we will get started after breakfast and take you flying through the rainforest. With over 70 different ziplines in the country this is still by far our favorite. These ziplines offer the best views of any and also happen to be the highest and fastest cables you will find. You will be zipping 700ft above the rainforest with breath-taking views of the Arenal Lake and Volcano.

After the zipline we will take you to one of our favorite spots for lunch. After lunch we will hike to one of the most picturesque waterfalls found anywhere in Costa Rica at the La Fortuna Falls. Here you can swim in the pools below and enjoy a hike through the tropical rainforest. (Meals: Breakfast)

La Fortuna Falls

Aug 5 --- Canyoneering Adventure and Drive to Manuel Antonio (Si Como No Resort)

If you want to top off the adventure with one of our favorites then its time for the canyoneering adventure. Here you will make your way down a tropical canyon rappeling down 3 different waterfalls that each measure over 100ft. This is an unforgettable adventure and a chance to be completely immersed in the fun.

After the adventure we will make the drive to the Manuel Antonio area where you will spend your last days surrounded by monkeys and enjoying the jaw-dropping views from the Manuel Antonio area and Si Como No Resort.

Zipline Adventure

Your guide and driver will leave you here and meet back up with you on depature day. We do this to bring cost down as the hotel makes life easy at the beach. If you would like we can quote the guide and drive for the entire time if you request.  (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

Aug 6 -- Beach Day (Si Como No Superior) 

Today is a day to relax on the beach or at the hotel. There are a number of different activities you can enjoy in the area. One of the most popular is the visit to the Manuel Antonio National Park. Here you can take a hike and enjoy a lot of different wildlife and some of the most pristine beaches you will find in all of the the Americas. (Meals: Breakfast)

Suggested Lunch: El Avion

Suggested Dinner: Roni's Place for Sunset

Manuel Antonio

Aug 7 -- Beach Day (Si Como No Superior)

This is another beach day to finish the book on your kindle or just sit with your feet in the sand. (Meals: Breakfast)

Suggested Lunch: El Marlin

Suggested Dinner: Kapi Kapi

Aug 8 -- Transfer to San Jose Airport (SJO) 

Today you will be met at the Si Como No by your driver who will transport you back to the San Jose airport for your depature flight home. (Meals: Breakfast)

Julia Atwood Costa Rica Adventure

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

Nayara Hotel

Welcome to Costa Rica. You will be met outside the San Jose Airport (SJO) by your private driver/guide from Costa Rican Resource. Your mode of transportation will be one of our modern luxurious SUV's which will take you comfortably to your destinations. Your first stop will be the Arenal Volcano where you will be staying in the world famous Nayara Hotel and Gardens.

This is a two hour drive from the airport and we can make some interesting stops along the way. We often like stopping to give you a chance to experience the culture. (Meals: None)

Day 2 ----- Zipline Adventure and Visit La Fortuna Waterfall (Nayara Resort)

Arenal Volcano

With two teens we figure we better start the trip off with a little adventure. There are many different ziplines in Costa Rica and the one we plan on taking you to we still consider to be our favorite in the country. Not only does it offer the best expansive views of the Arenal Volcano and Lake but it also has some of the highest and fastest cables!

After flying through the rainforest we will take you to the La Fortuna waterfall where you can swim in the pools of the waterfall and take some pictures of this 200ft picturesque falls sitting in the midst of the primary rainforest. 

Hola Atwood's!

In the evening we can take you out to dinner at one of our favorite spots or you can hang back at the Nayara hotel and enjoy the grounds. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 3 ------- Hanging Bridges & Reserve & Hotsprings (Nayara Resort)

Today we will hike through the rainforest giving you a chance to see different wildlife on the hanging bridges. If you were looking for more fun and adventure we can take you canyoneering rappeling down different watefalls.

After the hike we'll make our way over to the hotsprings where you can soak in the thermal waters and enjoy a great meal at the hotsprings (Meals: Breakfast & Dinner)

Day 4 -------- Travel to Manuel Antonio Beach (Arenas del Mar)

Today we'll make the drive to the Manuel Antonio Beach area. This is one of the most beautiful beaches you will find anywhere in the Americas. It also offers a national park that is filled with wildlife. Our final destination will be the Arenas del Mar Resort which is home to some breath-taking views of the Pacific Ocean. (Meals: Breakfast)

La Fortuna Falls

Day 5 -------- Raft Savegre River (Arenas del Mar)

Today we will have you rafting whitewater rapids during the day and enjoying the beach and sunset in the afternoon. This is a great way to experience one of Costa Rica's most beautiful rivers. We will raft down some rapids keeping everyone wet, hike to some waterfalls, and enjoy a delicious river lunch prepared for you by your CRR river guides.

In the afternoon its back to relax at the Arenas del Mar Resort. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

Day 6 -------- Surf Lessons (Arenas del Mar)

Surf's Up andtoday is a full day of fun in the sand. We start the morning with some lessons on how to surf. You will learn the basics and by afternoon you and the kids will be signing contracts for Quicksilver.

In the evening we can take you out to any one of the great restaurants in the area and have a meal on the town. (Meals: Breakfast)

Arenas del Mar

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

Today is a day where you get to finish the book your reading and relax at the beach! (Meals: Breakfast)

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

Today we will make the transfer to the San Jose (SJO) Airport to catch your flight home, packing lots of great memories and Pura Vida! (Meals: Breakfast)