DAY 1: ITALY - SAN JOSÉ
Depart on an intercontinental scheduled flight to San José. Arrival.
Transfer and accommodation at the hotel (Sleep Inn, 4*). Overnight stay.
DAY 2: SAN JOSÉ - POÁS VOLCANO - SAN JOSÉ
Breakfast at the hotel.
Depart to the Doka coffee plantation, which has been owned by the Vargas Ruiz family since 1931. During the visit, you have the opportunity to learn about the process of production, harvesting, processing and roasting of the so-called "golden bean." After a tasty breakfast, we continue to Poás Volcano. As you ascend you can notice the difference in temperature and the change in vegetation. Poás is one of the country's most impressive volcanoes, thanks to its huge main crater that measures one kilometer in diameter and 314 meters deep. In the park, it is possible to stop at the viewpoint to admire the imposing main crater (hike duration: 10 hours). Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
DAY 3: SAN JOSÉ - TORTUGUERO PARK
Depart early in the morning for the Caribbean coast to Tortuguero National Park. Arrive in Guápiles and have breakfast, then continue to Caño Blanco, and depart by boat to the lodge. After lunch, visit the small village of Tortuguero. Arrival and accommodation at the hotel (LLaguna Lodge, 3*).
Dinner and overnight stay.
It is possible to book the following excursions (optional and at extra charge): Night outing to observe turtles laying eggs.
DAY 4: TORTUGUERO PARK
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning walk along the park trails to discover the rich flora and fauna. Lunch. In the afternoon excursion by launch to Tortuguero National Park, created in 1975 to protect the most important turtle breeding area. Accessible only by boat, the waterways and lagoons are surrounded by lush tropical vegetation with a great biological diversity. The park is also a haven for an amazing wildlife including 300 species of birds; several species of monkeys, sloths, manatees, tapirs and many other species can also be encountered.
Dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 5: TORTUGUERO PARK - ARENAL
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer by boat, with regular service, to Caño Blanco and continue by land to Guapiles. Lunch at a typical restaurant. Afterwards continue to La Fortuna, located at the foot of the Arenal volcano. Arrive and settle in the hotel (Eco Arenal, 3*). Late afternoon opportunity to bathe in the waters of Baldi Spa. Its hot water pools, with therapeutic virtues, are situated in front of an impressive panorama of the park and volcano. Dinner in the restaurant near the pools. Overnight.
DAY 6: ARENAL
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning dedicated to hiking at Volcán Arenal National Park with a walk along trails in the vicinity of the volcano and through the forest above the solidified lava flows. In the afternoon, walk on the 15 suspension bridges (between 5 and 100 meters) to observe from above the lush vegetation and, with any luck, the many animals living in the forest. Afterwards, visit a "trapiche" a typical family business farm to learn about traditional crops and see sugarcane production processes. Typical dinner on the farm. Return to the hotel.
Overnight stay.
DAY 7: ARENAL - RINCON DE LA VIEJA
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Rincòn de la Vieja National Park, featuring the incredible volcano, bubbling mud pools, hot springs and fumaroles that have earned the park the nickname "Little Yellowstone." The name means "old woman's corner," as according to a local legend, it is an old witch who emits smoke to the sky when she is annoyed. Arrive and settle in the hotel (Blue River, 3*). In the afternoon you will learn about the Rio Negro hot springs, famous for its mud baths.
Overnight.
DAY 8: RINCON DE LA VIEJA NATIONAL PARK
Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit to Rincón de la Vieja National Park, located in the Guanacaste Conservation Area, recognized as a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site in 1999. Walk through the vast park, discovering hot springs, fumaroles, and boiling mud pools that testify to the intense activity of the volcano. The surrounding landscape is characterized by dense tropical forest, populated by howler monkeys, toucans, and hummingbirds. Return to the hotel. Overnight.
It is possible to book the following excursions (optional and at extra charge): Canopy (going from one platform to another by sliding along the wire cable) to enjoy magnificent scenery. (Without guidance).
DAY 9: RINCON DE LA VIEJA - SARCHI - SAN JOSÉ
Breakfast at the hotel.
Depart for San Jose with a stop in the typical village of Sarchi, famous for its handicrafts made from the region's prized wood. Lunch on the excursion (not included). Arrive in San Jose and tour the city with its architecture combining modern buildings and the old homes of early landowners where coffee was grown. Hotel accommodation (Sleep Inn, 3*) and overnight stay.
DAY 10: DEPARTURE FROM SAN JOSÉ
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning continuation of the city tour. San José, the capital of Costa Rica, has a North American city feel, with department stores and galleries with stores, but there is no shortage of typical features, which can be observed in the many museums, by sampling the excellent cuisine in a typical restaurant, and by visiting the picturesque markets, the most famous certainly being the Mercado Central, which is very lively and full of goods of all kinds.
Afterwards, transfer to the airport.
Departure by intercontinental flight to Italy. Meals and overnight stay on board.
DAY 11: ARRIVAL IN ITALY
Arrival in Italy.
