In through SJO and Out through LIR
Enjoy a wonderful adventure in Costa Rica, driving into the country and visiting the beautiful Naranjo Coffee Plantations. The northern plains of the country with its beautiful scenery accompanied by picturesque rural towns and where the main attraction is the Arenal Volcano. Continuing through routes adorned by panoramic views of Arenal Lake. Rancho Humo, a natural reserve of 1068 hectares, an important ecological wetland that is part of the International Ramsar Convention, will impress you. This is located close to Palo Verde National Park and Tempisque River, with a wide range of flora and fauna such as herons, martinets, hawks, ducks, roseate spoonbills, wood storks and the jabiru, the largest waterfowl in Latin America. You will continue the trip to the beautiful coast of Guanacaste, in the North Pacific of Costa Rica, where beaches are known for their great combination with jungle, perfect to enjoy the natural surroundings and the warm waters site.
Program Summary:
Day 1: Naranjo
Day 2: Arenal Volcano
Day 3: Arenal Volcano
Day 4: Rancho Humo
Day 5: Rancho Humo
Day 6: Tamarindo Beach
Day 7: Tamarindo Beach
Day 8: Tamarindo Beach
Day 9: Departure LIR
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: SJO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – NARANJO
Upon your arrival at Juan Santamaria SJO International Airport and after completing immigration formalities you will be receiving a rented car (SUV Intermediate 4×4, Hyundai Tucson or similar) to start this wonderful adventure in Costa Rica, moving towards Naranjo. Your drive through the Central Mountain Range will offer you a first look of the diversity that the country has including the beautiful Naranjo Coffee Plantations.
Registration at Chayote Lodge, rest of the day and evening at leisure.
Chayote Lodge can be sits amidst the growing coffee region of Llano Bonito de Naranjo. The intimate lodge boasts itself on a unique experience combining nature, culture, and of course, coffee. Guests will have the option to stay in one of the 12 suites that have been designed to resemble a classic Recibidores or coffee receiving station.
Estimated driving time: 1 hour
Estimated driving time with visits: 1 ¾ hours
Places of interest to visit on route: Sarchí, known internationally for its hardworking artisans who give fame to this village as “The Cradle of Costarican Crafts”. Espiritu Santo Coffe Tour (entrance fee not included).
Day 2: NARANJO – ARENAL VOLCANO
Breakfast
By midmorning, it begins the journey to the northern plains of the country where the main attraction is the Arenal Volcano. This route offers beautiful scenery accompanied by picturesque rural towns like Rio Cuarto, Aguas Zarcas and La Fortuna de San Carlos. If weather conditions are favorable, you will be able to see one of the greatest natural attractions of the country: the impressive Arenal Volcano that will welcome you to the area with its majestic volcanic cone. Then, the registration and lodging process will be done for the next two nights at Arenal Springs hotel.
Estimated driving time: 2 ¼ hours
Estimated driving time with visits: 5 hours
Places of interest to visit on route: Zarcero church and gardens of the park & Del Toro Waterfall.
Day 3: ARENAL VOLCANO
Breakfast
This day is at your leisure to enjoy the tourist attractions (extra cost) around the Arenal Volcano. If you want to explore the area in a more exciting way, we recommend you the Sky Tram & Sky Trek. This tour combines the climbing to the top of the mountain by Sky Tram enjoying beautiful scenery of Arenal Lake, while pulleys subject to transverse cables make the descent from one mountain to another, to feel the adventure all over your body! If you prefer a quieter excursion and admire the natural beauty of the northern plains, we recommend a visit to Arenal Hanging Bridges, a system of trails immersed in the rainforest where you will be able to walk along 16 hanging bridges. Bridges and trails were built considering all type of visitors and their security. This tour is adorned with magnificent views of the impressive Arenal Volcano and you will regularly find a huge variety of species such as mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and insects making it one of the most advantageous visits in the area.
Day 4: ARENAL VOLCANO – PUERTO HUMO
Breakfast & Dinner
Today, after enjoying breakfast, you will continue the tour close to Palo Verde National Park. During the first stage of the route, you will enjoy the panoramic views of Arenal Lake, continuing through the village of Cañas across La Amistad Bridge. There, we will reach the vicinity of Tempisque River where Rancho Humo is located. Rancho Humo has a natural reserve of 1068 hectares, an important ecological wetland that is part of the International Ramsar Convention. Registration and lodging for the next two nights at the Rancho Humo hotel will take place.
Estimated driving time: 3 ½ hours
Estimated driving time with visits: 4 ½ hours
Places of interest to visit on route: Arenal Lake & La Amistad Bridge
Day 5: PUERTO HUMO
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This day is at your disposal to relax in this wonderful natural environment or enjoy the different ecosystems in tropical dry environment such as wetlands and mangroves, along with a wide range of flora and fauna such as herons, martinets, hawks, ducks, roseate spoonbills, wood storks and the jabiru, the largest waterfowl in Latin America.
Day 6: PUERTO HUMO – TAMARINDO BEACH, GUANACASTE
Breakfast & Lunch
After lunch, you will continue the trip to the beautiful coast of Guanacaste, in the North Pacific of Costa Rica, where beaches are known for their great combination with jungle, perfect to enjoy the natural surroundings and the warm waters site. All scenic and picturesque rural villages along the Panamerican Highway accompany this route, where you can notice the change between the rain forest and the tropical dry forest that characterizes the province of Guanacaste. Finally, upon reaching to the coast, you will enjoy three nights’ accommodation at Wyndham Tamarindo hotel.
Estimated driving time: 1 ¾ hours
Estimated driving time with visits: 2 ½ hours
Places of interest to visit on route: Hacienda El Viejo (cultural experience, entrance fee is not included) & Santa Cruz, declared the National City of costarican folklore.
Days 7 & 8: TAMARINDO BEACH, GUANACASTE
Breakfast
These days are available to relax and enjoy the hotel facilities; you could also consider making some of the optional excursions, (extra cost) offered in the area. Guanacaste is known for its natural reserves, which are home to an incredible concentration of flora, fauna and natural beauties. Some of the suggested sites are Rincon de la Vieja National Park or adventure activities like canopy, horseback riding and hiking. If you prefer, you could also visit Liberia downtown, adorned with its colonial buildings of great historical value.
Day 9: TAMARINDO BEACH, GUANACASTE – LIR INT. AIRPORT
Breakfast
After enjoying unforgettable days in Costa Rica, today you will return to Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR) in Liberia where you will return the vehicle and then board your flight back home.
Estimated driving time: 1 ½ hours.
Please take into consideration that for International Departure Flights, passengers are highly requested to be 3 hours before Flight Departure Time at the Airport for check in procedures, this according to Airport and Airline Authorities.
END OF SERVICES
Details of Hotels
| Location | Hotel Name | Category | Type of Room | CST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naranjo | Chayote Lodge | Boutique | Recibidor Suite | N/A |
| Arenal Volcano | Arenal Springs | 4 Stars | Junior Suite | 5 |
| Puerto Humo | Rancho Humo | Boutique | Standard Suite | N/A |
| Tamarindo | Wyndham Tamarindo | 4 Stars | Ocean View | N/A |