Costa Rica Nature Adventure with Guanacaste

Your Costa Rica journey begins in Ciudad Colón, where you’ll discover the joyful spirit of Pura Vida. Join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for dinner at the home of the Aguilar Solís Family, hosted by Vin, Cecilia and their children Melissa and Tony. Step into their backyard for a mascaradas workshop, where you’ll learn about the colorful traditional masks that celebrate Costa Rica’s cultural heritage. A lively cimarrona brass band will fill the air with music and dance, bringing this much-loved folk tradition to life. Enjoy exploring the family home and garden, bright with orchids and tropical color, before gathering near the rustic wooden stove for a delicious dinner of local specialties and raising a glass to the adventure ahead.

Journey to San Isidro de Heredia where you’ll Dive into Culture with master chocolatiers Julio Fernandez and George Soriano to learn about the history of chocolate and its production at this artisanal workshop. Then, continue towards the coast where you'll embark on a river journey through protected wetlands and on to secluded Tortuguero, gliding through canals, lagoons and lowland rainforest. Arrive at your Stays with Stories at Laguna Lodge, where you’ll learn the story of how the lodge was built with materials that protect this biodiverse environment and natural habitat. Later, enjoy dinner at your hotel accompanied by the enchanting sounds of resident cicadas and tree frogs.

Take a morning cruise with small group through the waterways of Tortuguero National Park with a Local Specialist, keeping an eye out for monkeys, toucans and other wildlife unique to this region. Visit the village of Tortuguero before returning to your lodge for lunch. After your morning introduction on the waterways, explore deeper as you drift on an afternoon cruise in one of Costa Rica’s most biodiverse corners. Later, Dive into Culture as you join Cloied, a well-known figure from one of Tortuguero’s pioneer families, to prepare a traditional coconut dessert together before dinner at the lodge.

Bid adiós to Tortuguero as you travel through the Sarapiqui region, where you’ll meet the Tico family for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at their palm plantation. Here, you'll learn about and sample the delicate heart of palm. Later, at Hacienda Pozo Azul, you’ll meet the Quintana family to experience how their eco-friendly hacienda, originally built as a retirement project, has blossomed into an eco-adventure hub. During this Be My Guest experience, you’ll learn firsthand how they’re reducing their carbon footprint while supporting the local community.

Head to the Arenal Hanging Bridges to walk eye-level with the rainforest canopy. Look out for monkeys swinging through the trees, sloths tucked into the foliage and birds calling overhead, with views out to the majestic Arenal Volcano. The rest of this afternoon is yours to explore or unwind at your own pace, immersed in Arenal's beauty. Whether you're craving adventure or relaxation, a variety of Optional Experiences await. Choose to take a guided walk through La Fortuna to learn about native wildlife, paddle across Lake Arenal by kayak or soak in natural thermal pools followed by dinner surrounded by rainforest.

Enjoy a leisurely morning, with time to relax and take in your surroundings before you set off for the stunning Monteverde Cloud Forest. As you arrive in this mist-covered paradise, you’ll be immersed in the wonder of one of Costa Rica’s most unique ecosystems. This evening, you'll enjoy an engaging Pioneer Quaker Presentation. You’ll meet a descendant of Monteverde’s Quaker pioneers, whose families made the courageous journey from Alabama in the early 1950s. They’ll share their personal stories of settling in this remote area and reflect on the changes they’ve witnessed in the community over the years. It’s an evening where history, culture, and connection come to life in the heart of Monteverde.

This morning, join your Travel Director for an excursion through the lush rainforests of a Monteverde Cloud Forest. Later, you can opt to climb high above the jungle floor on the Sky Walk suspension bridges, treading lightly among the wildlife in the surrounding canopy. As your eco-adventure nears its end, you’ll gather for dinner with your fellow adventurers at the home of the Santamaría Family, nestled in the heart of the cloud forest. Hosts Maricela and her mother Edith will share the art of making traditional Costa Rican tortillas. With their expert guidance, you’ll learn how to shape and cook your own tortillas, enjoying them with a feast of local flavors, all surrounded by the beauty of the cloud forest.

Leave the cloud forests of Monteverde behind and travel with your small group towards Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Arrive in Guanacaste and continue to Tamarindo Beach, a surf town known for its wide sands, beachside cafes and easy coastal pace. After check-in at your beachfront retreat, the rest of the day is free. Walk along the palm-lined shore, browse local shops, watch the surfers or settle in with a cool drink as the beach shifts from afternoon sun to evening color.

Spend today your way in Tamarindo. Swim in the Pacific, explore the town’s surf shops and galleries or take it slow at a beachfront cafe. If you’re after more adventure, choose an Optional Experience sailing Tamarindo’s Gold Coast by catamaran, with time to swim and a barbecue served on board as the sun sets.

Bid farewell to your fellow small group travelers as your Costa Rican journey ends. Enjoy a complimentary transfer to Guanacaste Airport, taking pura vida memories with you.