Looking for the perfect balance of activity and leisure? Choose Costa Rica for your next adventure vacation! We’ve used our years of experience to create an amazing itinerary for optimal fun in the best places. Based in the dramatic setting of Arenal Volcano and the surrounding pastoral countryside, you’ll have opportunities to hike, bike, swim, bird watch, and soak in thermal hot springs—a virtual hotspot for varied activities! A morning or afternoon canopy walkway, zipline, horseback riding, fishing on Lake Arenal, or a full day river rafting on the Sarapaqui River can easily be added on. Then, wind up at the “jewel” of Costa Rica’s national parks and our favorite area in the country—Corcovado on the Osa Peninsula. You’ll stay at one of Corcovado’s prime lodges where rainforests edge long pristine beaches, scarlet macaws and howler monkeys skirt the edge of the forest, and humpback whales and pods of dolphins may leap from the Pacific. You’ll never want to leave!

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Exclusive itinerary to Corcovado and Arenal—two of Costa Rica’s best national parks
• Daily nature walks, canopy walkway, thermal hot springs, swim under a waterfall and in the Pacific Ocean
• Wildlife galore—monkeys, sloths, caiman, iguanas, basilisk lizards, and a bevy of tropical beauties (hummers, toucans, motmots, quetzals, and more!)

DAY 1 ~ Arrive in San José

Arrive in San José, Costa Rica. Your transfer guide will meet you outside the customs and immigration area at the airport. He or she will answer questions, brief you on the immediate arrangements, and escort you to the Melia Cariari Hotel, a deluxe tropical resort with many amenities, including open air restaurants, swimming pool and Jacuzzi, golf course, and full concierge desk. It is located near the airport in the central valley. Meals on your own.

Melia Cariari Hotel or similar

DAY 2 ~ Arenal National Park

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up and transferred by private vehicle to Arenal National Park (about 2½ hours north of San Jose on the eastern slope of the continental divide). Your driver-guide will help you check into your lodge and help you arrange activities for the Arenal area with the front desk. Volcano Lodge is a simple and pleasant lodge with outstanding views of Arenal Volcano. Its tropical gardens, swimming pool, al fresco restaurant serving up tasty, fresh cuisine, and quick accessibility for the many activities of the area make it an ideal place to stay (it has one of the best ratings for customer satisfaction in the area). Lunch on your own at your lodge or in town in La Fortuna. The early afternoon is at your leisure for exploring, hiking, biking, bird watching, swimming in the pool at the lodge, shopping in town, or participating in one of the short optional activities of the area, such as zip lining or the canopy walkway—we'll give you a full checklist of activities in the area. In the late afternoon, you'll have a private transfer to the Hidalgo Family Hot Springs for a soak in the natural hot springs and a special Costa Rican–style family barbecue dinner and then a private transfer back to your lodge. If the night is clear, look for the duo night show of fireflies and Arenal's famous flaming fountain of boulders showering down the slopes at night, as Arenal is one of the most active volcanoes in the world—a sight you will never forget!

Breakfast, Dinner...Volcano Lodge or similar

DAY 3 ~ Arenal National Park

You'll have a full day at leisure to enjoy the Arenal area: wildlife viewing, hiking, biking, visiting La Fortuna waterfalls for a swim, bird watching, relaxing at the lodge and pool—or choose from the wide array of additional activities available through the front desk. We recommend a full day river rafting trip on the Sarapaqui; a full day wildlife boat trip on the Río Frio and Cano Negro where caiman, emerald basiliscus lizards, and water birds such as spoonbills abound; horseback riding in the countryside; or fishing on Lake Arenal. Lunch and dinner on your own (full day tours include lunch).

Breakfast...Volcano Lodge or similar

DAY 4 ~ Arenal – San José

The morning is free in Arenal for leisure or optional activities of your choice. We recommend visiting the canopy walkway, zipping through the forest on the zip line, or hiking near the Arenal dam. In the afternoon after lunch, you'll have a private transfer back to San José and your hotel. Lunch and dinner on your own.

Breakfast...Melia Cariari Hotel

DAY 5 ~ Corcovado National Park

Private transfer to the airport after breakfast and take an early morning commercial flight from San José to the Osa Peninsula, flying over the central plateau with volcanoes and waterfalls and down to the beautiful tropical rainforest and picture-postcard perfect beaches of Corcovado National Park, located in the extreme southwestern corner of the country (45-minute flight). Corcovado sustains eight unique habitats ranging from mountain forests to surf-pounded beaches and is a major birding and wildlife refuge. Transfer to your lodge situated on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean and enjoy fresh cuisine with tropical fruit. The afternoon is to enjoy at leisure. Trails from your lodge will take you to the beach or into the rainforest. Look for hummingbirds feeding on flowers in the gardens and scarlet macaws and howler monkeys feeding along the edges of the forest. Enjoy sundowners at the lodge and dine al fresco under the stars to the sounds of tree frogs, owls, and the unusual hoots and calls of nocturnal creatures. Howler monkeys herald the dusk and dawn with a roar that sounds like a giant teakettle coming to boil!

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner....Bosque del Cabo or similar

DAYS 6-7 ~ Corcovado National Park

Two full days in the Corcovado area to enjoy nature walks and wildlife viewing in the rainforest, and swimming and snorkeling in the ocean. Optional tours may be added on at your lodge, such as kayaking, horseback riding, deep sea fishing (should be arranged ahead of time), snorkeling at Isla Caño, surfing, nature boat trip and tour to the national park, and mangrove nature and wildlife boat trip.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner....Bosque del Cabo or similar

DAY 8 ~ Return to San José

Transfer to the airstrip and take a commercial flight to San José, arriving mid-day. Private transfer to your hotel with the afternoon to enjoy at the pool or visit downtown San José for shopping and sightseeing. Lunch and dinner on your own.

Breakfast...Melia Cariari Hotel or similar

DAY 9 ~ Fly home

Private transfer to the international airport for departure on homeward-bound flight.

Breakfast...

Prefer a Group Adventure?

Check out our Adventures in Costa Rica and Jewels of Costa Rica group adventures.

Stay a Little Longer

You may wish to combine this trip with one of our regular group departure adventures in Central America, our other Private Adventures in Central America, or other independent travel on your own.

Great for Families!

This is an ideal wildlife adventure for families! (We recommend a minimum age of 5, but you can tailor your activities at each lodge to cater to various family group ages.)

Arrival & Departure Information

You will be met at San José's International Airport on Day 1 and transferred to your hotel. On Day 9 you will be transferred back to the airport for departure on homeward-bound flight. You may wish to combine this trip with other individual travel on your own.

Air Travel

Airfare is not included in the land cost of our trips. For air reservations, we recommend you contact the airlines directly, either by phone or the Internet. In addition, many travelers elect to use their "frequent flyer" miles when traveling with us. But please check with our staff before purchasing or obtaining your tickets, so we may verify your arrival and departure schedule.

Activity Level

Mountain Travel Sobek trips are designed for flexible, energetic people who like to be active and have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. This trip involves optional easy to moderate walks and nature hikes in beautiful natural areas, with plenty of time to enjoy swimming and other water activities in Corcovado (depending upon the site). It's an adventure that will be enjoyed by anyone who has a deep interest in seeing Costa Rica's scenic beauty and wildlife, and can be as active or laid-back as you want it to be.

If you want to undertake a pre-trip fitness program, we suggest some moderate aerobic activities (hiking, jogging, bicycling) for at least 30 minutes a session at least three times a week for about a month before you go. Check with your doctor before undertaking any new fitness program.

Logistics & Accommodations

You can expect that the logistics will be well taken care of for your getaway to Costa Rica. You will have private transfers to and from airports and airstrips and friendly English-speaking driver-guides who will help you check into your lodge and get situated with activities in the area. You can expect excellent accommodations that are our favorites after years of visiting Costa Rica, and accurate pre-trip information that will help you plan your tropical vacation. The lodges we have chosen have friendly and service-oriented staff who look forward to welcoming you to their country. You can expect a local naturalist guide at your lodge in Corcovado who is knowledgeable about the wildlife and an array of activities to choose from at each lodge.

Seasonal Considerations

Costa Rica is blessed with a tropical climate throughout the year, varying between lowland tropical rainforests, cloud forests in the mid-zone and oak and pine forests in the highlands. There are two main seasons: the "dry" season from mid-November through April and the "second spring" from May to mid-November. Average daytime temperatures year-round range in the 70s and 80s; nighttime temperatures generally remain in the 70s in the lowland rainforest. In May, June, July, and August, birds start courting, flowers bloom, sea turtles come ashore to breed, and showers refresh the day; this is a favorite time for many travelers. The rainforest is generally not as hot as you might expect, but it is humid, and of course you can expect a tropical shower any day of the year (usually lasting from five minutes to an hour). We don't recommend travel in the height of the rainy season in September and October.

What's Included

• accommodations
• internal flights (roundtrip San José/Osa Peninsula, Days 5 & 8)
• airport transfers on Days 1, 5, 8, 9
• ground transportation
• local transfer guides
• local guide at your lodge in Corcovado
• entrance fees to Hidalgo Family Thermal Hot Springs
• basic medical and evacuation insurance

What's Not

International airfare to San José and return; optional activities at each lodge; entrance fees to reserves and parks; optional tips to local drivers and guides; insurance other than basic medical and evacuation insurance noted above (we strongly recommend you purchase the supplementary trip insurance offered by Mountain Travel Sobek, which includes trip cancellation insurance); excess baggage charges; airport taxes (if any); cost of medical immunizations; and items of a personal nature (sodas, alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.). Unused transportation to/during the tour will not be reimbursed.

Payment & Cancellation Policy

(This differs from regular Mountain Travel Sobek trips.)

I. Payment
At time of reservation: $800 or 25% of Land Cost, whichever is greater
120 days prior to departure: 25% of Land Cost
90 days prior to departure: Balance of Land Cost

II. Cancellation
If written notice of cancellation is received:
Cancellation Fee will be:
From time of reservation until
90 days prior to departure $800 or 25% of Land Cost, whichever is greater
89 to 60 days prior to departure 50% of Land Cost
59 days or fewer prior to departure 100% of Land Cost

Note on Itinerary

This itinerary has been carefully designed for optimal value. You may wish to combine this tour with another or add extensions at the beginning or end of your trip. However, if you wish to customize this tour, other terms and conditions apply (ask us about information on customized adventures). Travel Agent commissions or any type of other discounts do not apply to custom tours.

Although we will do our best to adhere to the itinerary schedule as listed, it is subject to change. Please read the Limitation of Liability and Booking Conditions in the four-page Participant Information Form. You can find all this information on our website.

Limitation of Liability

“Mountain Travel Sobek” is defined to include its owners, agents, directors, officers, employees, representatives and affiliates (collectively “Mountain Travel”). Except for the Alaska Discovery Inn, some small craft and some vans in Alaska, Mountain Travel does not own or operate any entity that provides goods or services for your trip including, for example, ownership or control over hotels or other lodging facilities, airline, vessel, bus, van or other transportation companies, local ground operators, providers or organizers of optional excursions, food service or entertainment providers, etc. All such persons and entities are independent contractors. As a result, Mountain Travel is not liable for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such person or entity, or of any other third party. Without limitation, Mountain Travel Sobek is not responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to person or property, death, delay or inconvenience in connection with the provision of any goods or services occasioned by or resulting from, but not limited to, acts of God, force majeure, acts of war or civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, overbooking or downgrading of accommodations, structural or other defective conditions in hotels or other lodging facilities, mechanical or other failure of airplanes or other means of transportation or for any failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart timely, dangers associated with animals, marine life or vegetation of any sort, dangers incident to recreational activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, sailing, canoeing, rafting, hiking, bicycling, rock climbing, etc., sanitation problems, food poisoning, lack of, access to or quality of medical care, difficulty in evacuation in case of a medical or other emergency, or for any other cause beyond the direct control of Mountain Travel. In addition, participants release Mountain Travel from its own negligence and assume all risk thereof. On advancement of deposit to Mountain Travel, the depositor therefore agrees to be bound by the above recited terms and conditions. These are partial conditions. Your participation is contingent on your signature on the full list of terms specified in the four-page Participant Information Form, which you can find on our website (or call us at 1-888-687-6235 and request a copy).

Arbitration

Any dispute concerning, relating or referring to these Terms and Conditions, to any literature concerning this trip, or the trip itself, shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration in San Francisco, California, according to the then existing rules of the American Arbitration Association. Such proceedings will be governed by substantive California law without regard to the California Arbitration Act.

Conditions of Participation

Your participation on a Mountain Travel Sobek trip is subject to the conditions stated in the four-page Participant Information Form, which includes the Agreement and Release from Liability and the Booking Conditions. Specific information on payment and cancellation policies is also contained within this document, as well as in our current catalog and on our website. We urge you to read this information carefully, and to call us at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235) if you have any questions.

Why Mountain Travel Sobek is Your First Choice for Adventure

Mountain Travel Sobek is the pioneer in active adventure travel. No other adventure travel company can lay claim to that title. We were the first to take Americans trekking in Nepal, raft the wild rivers of Africa, and open up many previously inaccessible corners of the world to curious travelers. We set the standard for adventure travel and have a strong reputation for excellence that we do everything we can to maintain. Since we are the leading adventure company, we have a lot to live up to, so we make sure we provide safe, quality trips and the best customer service to our passengers.

References

Don't take our word for how great our trips are. We'll be happy to provide you with references of satisfied past travelers. Just give us a call at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235).

Questions?

Feel free to call us at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235) if you still have any questions or concerns. We're here to help you.

Note on Itinerary

Although we will do our very best to adhere to the itinerary schedule as listed, it is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control. Please read the Limitations of Liability and Booking Conditions in the four-page Participant Information Form.

This itinerary has been carefully designed for optimal value. You may wish to combine this tour with another or add extensions at the beginning or end of your trip. However, if you wish to customize this tour, other terms and conditions apply (ask us about information on customized adventures). Travel Agent commissions or any type of other discounts do not apply to this tour.

Conditions of Participation

Your participation on a Mountain Travel Sobek trip is subject to the conditions stated in the four-page Participant Information Form, which includes the Agreement and Release from Liability and the Booking Conditions. We urge you to read this information carefully, and to call us if you have any questions.

Note on Services

We often use local suppliers who provide services that may include transportation, equipment, logistic support, and other services (hotels, restaurants, etc.). We do not own or operate these independent suppliers. We work with service providers who share our commitment to safety and quality, and work closely with them to develop itineraries unique to Mountain Travel Sobek.

Ready to go? Signing up is easy!

Just call us at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235) or make a reservation request online. Immediately after we receive your deposit, we will request your preferred dates. Upon confirmation (usually within four business days), we will send you a packet with all the information you need to get ready for your trip, including clothing recommendations, suggested reading lists, and other details.

Approximately 30 days before your departure, we'll send you detailed, step-by-step instructions, with emergency contact numbers, a detailed map, and other important information. Upon arrival at your destination, you will be met by your in-country host who will help orient you and describe what to expect in the week to come.