Costa Rica Highlands to Coast Multi Adventure (Hike, Bike & Rafting) 6D5N, Fully Guided

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 3 km (2 miles),  Elevation gain: 91 m (300 ft)
Level 2, Approx. 5 km (3 miles),  Elevation gain: 213 m (700 ft)

On the first day of the trip, meet your tour leaders at 8:30 a.m. at the Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen, located several miles outside the city of San José, Costa Rica. Please ensure you arrive dressed in your hiking clothes and bring your luggage and a daypack containing additional layers, rain gear, and anything else you may want for today's hikes (your luggage will be transported to our first night's accommodations).

¡Bienvenidos! After meeting, we‘ll take a shuttle to the outskirts of the Central Valley, where rich volcanic soil and steep slopes produce some of the world's best coffee. En route, soak in stunning views of the Poás, Irazú, and Barva volcanoes if the weather permits.

This morning, we’ll go on an energising hike on the Espíritu Santo Coffee Estate grounds. Observe the entire coffee-making process, from planting, selecting, processing, storing, and roasting the beans to finally tasting the brew! Your introduction to Costa Rica continues with a delectable lunch spread of regional fare.

Enjoy a scenic ride through the mountains as we journey to our home for the next two nights, the luxurious eco-retreat El Silencio Lodge & Spa. This magnificent place is located in a 500-acre cloud forest reserve, like a castle in the clouds! We’ll tour the hotel's organic garden before setting out deep into the cloud forest to visit three stunning waterfalls (with equally beautiful names): La Melodía (Melody), El Silencio (Silence), and La Promesa (Promise).

Once you're back at the hotel, get comfortable in your private villa before reconvening for a welcome reception, followed by dinner at the lodge. Savour a fresh take on traditional Costa Rican cuisine from the lodge's wellness-inspired menu—many ingredients are grown in El Silencio's organic garden.

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 2 km (1 mile),  Elevation gain: 122 m (400 ft)
Level 2, Approx. 3 km (2 miles),  Elevation gain: 244 m (800 ft)

Following a healthy and wholesome breakfast, set your sights on the town of Bajos del Toro. This small village occupies the shadow of Poás Volcano, encircled by Poás Volcano National Park, Juan Castro Blanco National Park, and Bosque de Paz Rain/Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. Take a deep breath and draw in the crisp mountain air. Take some time to chat with the locals and learn about their way of life in this part of the Amarillo Valley.

We take a brief shuttle to Ctataratas del Toro, which is famed as the largest waterfall in Costa Rica. Stop by the hummingbird gallery before hiking down to the base of the falls, where water crashes into an ancient volcanic crater. Descending, catch sight of plants that are often referred to as sombrillas or umbrella plants. You may notice that these plants look torched—a direct result of the acidity in the water flowing straight from Poás Volcano.

If you wish to cover more distance after our waterfall exploration, take a longer trek through the gardens. Afterward, we'll return to Bajos del Toro for lunch with Olga, one of our favourite locals in town. She invites us into her cosy home for a delicious dinner featuring traditional Costa Rican dishes cooked over wood-burning stoves. If lucky, she may let us in on the secrets to making the perfect tortilla!

Following lunch, trek back or join a shuttle to the hotel, where you can participate in a traditional ox-cart painting class. If you choose not to, the afternoon is yours to indulge in one of the many activities or amenities available, including a spa appointment, yoga class, horseback riding, or zip-lining at the hotel's Adventure Park. (These additional activities are not included in the trip price. Booking is recommended, particularly during the busy holiday season.) This evening, we‘ll sit down for a tasty dinner featuring seasonal delights at the lodge.

Put on a life jacket, water shoes, sports sandals, and a sense of duty for today's white-water rafting excursion on the lush Sarapiquí River. The rapids are typically moderate, allowing us to take in our surroundings from a unique vantage point. There's no telling what you might see in this tropical wonderland—monkeys, sloths, iguanas, crocodiles, and several bird species make their homes here, so keep your eyes and ears open!

Back on terra firma, we dig into a nourishing lunch on a gorgeous property before beginning our journey to Arenal Volcano. Arenal, a stratovolcano, first erupted in 1968 and was once one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Despite currently being in a resting phase, it has a fascinating history containing countless stories of eruptions that have forged the surrounding landscape and developed a thriving tourism industry in the area. Our destination is Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa, where you're welcomed with breathtaking views and inviting geothermal pools. Your home for tonight is a luxury hotel that effortlessly blends in with the verdant, serene natural environment surrounding the resort. Take in majestic views of Arenal Volcano while soaking in your suite's private whirlpool.

Tonight's dinner is a culinary delight. One of our close friends from the area introduces us to dinner at the chef's table experience in his home. Learn how to prepare a modern twist of some of the most delicious local delicacies with great company. Remember to try a guaro mojito to start!

Level 1, Approx. 16 km (10 miles),  Elevation gain: 305 m (1,000 ft)

Eat breakfast at the hotel before choosing your adventure for the day. If you're excited to get behind the handlebars of a bike, get in a shuttle to Arenal Dam, where we board a private boat for a journey across Lake Arenal, Costa Rica's largest landlocked body of water. The cruise reveals the diversity of the neighbouring landscape, which quickly changes from tropical forest to winding pastureland, with the majestic Arenal Volcano always on the horizon. Come with your binoculars to spot the bird species, such as the flycatcher, kingfisher, great blue heron, and anhinga.

Upon our arrival at the lake, your tour leaders will fit you to your bikes and enlighten you briefly on biking techniques and safety. Then, we hop on our bikes to experience central Costa Rica on two wheels! There are many hills to tackle, but the vibrant landscape and awe-inspiring lake views fascinate you. The panoramic route, part of Costa Rica's annual Vuelta del Lago mountain bike race, takes you through paved roads along Lake Arenal's northeastern shore. Palms, ferns, fig trees, bromeliads, epiphytes, and other tropical plants make for a stunning and ever-changing backdrop. Bee on the lookout for raccoon-like creatures known as coatimundi along the roadside and listen for the song of the chestnut-mandibled toucan.

Biking in the rural tropics is challenging and may not be for everybody, so if you want to skip the saddle today, join us instead for an exhilarating hike through the rainforest on the flanks of Arenal. Head out on the trail for a firsthand look at the process of forest succession and observe the progress of "pioneer" plants in restoring the jungle wiped out by Arenal Volcano's 1968 eruption. This area is home to various bird species, including guans, toucans, and even curassows. En route, we check out an old lava flow from 1992—you may feel like you're walking on the moon! It's a clear day. Stunning views of the volcano's peak are the cherry on top.

Hikers and cyclists meet up at Ecotermales Hot Springs, an oasis in the forest where you relax your tired legs. A sumptuous lunch with plenty of local specialties follows our soak.

Refuelled and re-energized, we say goodbye to Arenal and board a scenic charter flight south to the Nicoya Peninsula. Encircled by the Pacific Ocean, this dry peninsula is relatively secluded and seems different from the rest of Costa Rica. Life for the largely mestizo population here, whose roots are a mix of Spanish and indigenous Chorotega, revolves around age-old traditions. Most Guanacastecos (people from Guanacaste province)are sabañeros (cowboys)—it is a normal sight to see them passing by on elegant Paso horses as they tend to their cattle and work the pastures.

After an epic day of adventure, prepare to be spoiled when we arrive at Hotel Punta Islita. Amenities include stylishly appointed bungalows, exceptional cuisine, private beach access, and a charming multi-tiered infinity swimming pool. Tonight, enjoy dinner featuring spectacular cuisine and unrivalled ocean views at your leisure at the hotel's gourmet restaurant.

Level 1, Approx. 2 km (1 mile),  Elevation gain: 30 m (100 ft)

Start the day with a hearty breakfast accompanied by some of the best coffee in the world—Costa Rican, of course! Take a leisurely walk into the forest, getting a chance to see or hear the elusive manakin. Male birds are known for their unique courtship ritual, performed in couples or groups—they attract females with loud, spirited duets and acrobatic mating dances. However, it may be easier for us to spot a scarlet macaw.

Punta Islita recently donated land for a project dedicated to reintroducing scarlet macaws to the area, and we have contributed to the project by helping fund the aviary and breeding centre. After spending some time with these magnificent birds, our route continues to take us through mango orchards and along the beach, ending at a mirador (viewpoint) high above the Pacific, with heart-stopping vistas up and down the striking coast. Along the way, be sure to listen to the eerie jaguar-like roar of the mono congo or mantled howler monkey resounding through the

When we return, we still have enough time to try out surfing this morning on one of Costa Rica's most isolated beaches. You can choose to enjoy the beach from terra firma with some R&R under the palms.

Savour lunch and consider joining us for a gentle yoga class by the beach to stretch your muscles after a busy week of activity. You have the rest of the afternoon to do as you please. Visit Punta Islita's top-notch spa, experience the jungle from a different angle on a zip-line canopy tour, take a "monkey hike," or engage in horseback riding. (Some of these activities are not included in the trip price. Booking is recommended, particularly during the holiday season).

Later this evening, we convene to celebrate our week-long adventure with traditional guaro sours and a cocktail-making class before a farewell feast down by the beach!

Level 1, Approx. 3 km (2 miles),  Elevation gain: 30 m (100 ft)

Begin our final morning together with a wholesome breakfast, after which we join our local friends for a demonstration of Costa Rican music and dance. We'll jump into the local tico culture by bursting into some dancing moves. Alternatively, you can opt for a leisurely morning, taking in the seascape with coffee in hand. Our trip ends later this morning with a shuttle to the Punta Islita airport and a flight back to San José.

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.