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Nature Appreciation Package

7 nights / 8 days

Sarapiqui - Arenal - Monteverde

Costa Rica is renowned for its unmatched beauty. This natural wonder has something to offer everyone, which also means there are tons of choices to be made when planning your nature escape to Costa Rica. With this in mind, our Costa Rica travel experts have designed the Nature Appreciation vacation package. You’ll begin your Costa Rica nature immersion with a visit to the magnificent Sarapiqui. Then, it’s on to Arenal, Costa Rica’s adventure capital and home to not only Arenal Volcano but incredible natural hot springs. Your exploration of Costa Rica’s unique natural splendor ends with a visit to the unique Monteverde Cloud Forest.

Day 1: Arrive at the San Jose International Airport. Board the van and start the drive to the Caribbean region. Drive past the Rainforest Aerial Tram in Braulio Carillo National Park and the Organization for Tropical Studies La Selva Biological Field Station. You will travel north on principal route until you reach the town of Puerto Viejo in Sarapiqui. Continue west until you encounter the hotel. Arrive and check into a room at the Sarapiqui hotel.

Day 2: Free day to enjoy the Sarapiqui Region. Take note of the activities that provides the hotel.

Day 3: Our driver will pick you up for drive to Arenal Volcano Area. This beautiful drive will take you to the San Carlos region, an area rich in agriculture, forests and cattle. Arrive in the Arenal Region and check into a Room at your Hotel.

Day 4 – 5: Days at your leisure at the Arenal Volcano Area. While in Arenal (optional activities, not included):

Relax at the country’s top hot springs resorts featuring breath-taking volcano views and lush tropical gardens. Some of Costa Rica’s top spas and therapists make Arenal their home. (The hot springs are included for those staying at Arenal Kioro or Tabacón Grand Spa.)

Visit the Fortuna River Waterfalls, located a short three miles from town. Here, you can see magnificent waterfalls cascade into the rainforest and have the opportunity to hike and swim in the river.

Go rafting on the Sarapiqui River. The river has Class III and IV rafting for adventure aficionados and Floating Safari Class II rafting for slower paced, nature lovers. Both are excellent tours featuring amazing scenery, interesting wildlife and thrilling adventure.

Try canyoning, one of the country's top adventure activities. Rappel down five walls, including four waterfalls, inside the rainforest -- truly an unforgettable experience!

For nature and kayaking lovers, the Arenal Lake offers the opportunity to experience a memorable kayaking outing with the possibility to spot interesting wildlife in their natural habitat.

Tour the forest from the Hanging Bridges Tour. This is an impressive hike in the rainforest over a series of suspension bridges. View various types of flora and fauna at differing heights—from the ground to well above the canopy. What a way to see the jungle!

Experience the thrill of traveling through the canopy of the rainforest on the Sky Trek aerial Tram, one of Costa Rica’s most popular tours. Enjoy the rain forest from this unique vantage point and a get a real adrenaline rush!

On your way to El Castillo and the Sky Trek, stop at the Arenal National Park where you will learn all about the Arenal Volcano and its history.

Extreme adventure aficionados will thrive during a visit to the Venado Caves. Spend 1½ to 2 hours in a guided visit, climbing walls, sliding through mud-holes, hiking in underground rivers, and exploring these unique caves. Your clothes are likely to be ruined, but the adrenaline rush makes it worth it.

Overnight in Arenal.

Day 6: Check out of hotel and board the van for the land / boat / land transfer to Monteverde. After reaching the shores of Lake Arenal, board the boat for the short ride across the lake, followed by a 2 hour drive up the mountains to the Cloud Forest Region of Monteverde. Take in the magnificent change in climate and vegetation as you move from the rainforest region at an altitude of 900 meters above sea level to the Cloud Forest Region at 1,400 meters above sea level. Arrive and check into your Monteverde Hotel.

Day 7: Free day to enjoy the hotel and explore the Monteverde / Santa Elena Cloud Forest Region. While in Monteverde (optional activities, not included):

You must visit the Cloud Forest National Parks of Monteverde and Santa Elena. Both parks have short and long hiking trails, which take from two to six hours to climb. As two of only a few unspoiled cloud forests on earth, they are truly a unique experience.

Visit the famous Monteverde Cheese Factory. The Monteverde region was founded by Quakers, and early on, they established this factory as one of their only industrial activities. Tour the facility to learn the process of producing different cheeses. Taste the products and the superb hand-dipped ice cream at the end of the tour!

Experience the Sky Walk/Sky Trek or the Canopy Tour. Costa Rica boasts over 50 canopy tours, but two of the originals are in Monteverde. The mist of the cloud forest makes this the most magical canopy experience in Costa Rica.

Learn about the coffee growing and processing industry on the Monteverde Coffee Tour. Taste some of Costa Rica’s best coffee as you learn about one of the country’s most important and traditional agricultural products.

Tour the Cloud Forest private reserves on guided horseback or ATV -- a more adventurous way to enjoy this unique eco-system.

Overnight in Monteverde.

Day 8: After breakfast check out of the Hotel and the board van to San Jose, drive down the mountains, and veer East on the Interamerican Road. Drive past the entrance to Puntarenas en route to San Ramon. Continue on the road to San Jose International Airport. Arrive in time to check into the flight back home.

This 8 day / 7 night itinerary for 4 guests includes:

2 nights at Sarapiqui
3 nights at Arenal
2 nights at Monteverde
Private transfer San Jose International Airport - Sarapiqui Region
Private transfer Sarapiqui Region - Arenal Region
Lake Crossing land / boat / land transfer Arenal - Monteverde
Private transfer Monteverde Region - San José Int. Airport
Daily breakfast in all hotels

Hotel & sales taxes

Sueno Azul + Volcano Inn + Poco a Poco:
May 1 - Nov 15, 2010: from $ 1,295 per family in one room
May 1 - Nov 15, 2010: from $ 1,985 per family in two rooms

Selva Verde + Kioro + El Establo:
May 1 - Jul 31, 2010: from $ 2,225 per family in one room
May 1 - Jul 31, 2010: from $ 3,460 per family in two rooms

To price the second package for travel after August 1, or for travel during peak holiday season, including Christmas and Easter, please contact our Costa Rica vacations experts at (888) 928-3688.

Book your Nature Apreciation vacation or call us to modify the package to your needs. This itinerary is ideal for families that wish to stay at top Costa Rica hotels and resorts and want to experience a mix of volcanoes, hot springs, rain and cloud forest and waterfalls. Please email us at info@memorablecostarica.com or call us toll free at (888) 928-3688 to book your Costa Rica family vacation.