Arenal, Puerto Viejo & Bocas del Toro

Arrive at your Canadian departure airport to board a flight* to San José. Arrive in the capital of Costa Rica and transfer to your hotel. If time allows, get out and explore the vibrant neighbourhoods and colonial architecture of this charming, historic city. Overnight stay in San José. * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, take a shared transfer to Arenal, passing by the lush landscapes of Costa Rica's interior. Arrive at the hotel and check-in. In the afternoon, meet your guide and embark on a guided hike to the Arenal Volcano. Enjoy a hiking experience through trails marked with the remains of previous lava flows of the impressive and majestic Arenal Volcano. The main attraction of La Fortuna is the Arenal Volcano, with its nearly perfect cone shape and a height of 1633 meters. Along the hike, you can discover the abundant flora and fauna which inhabits the rainforest, which is being regenerated. Learn all about the Arenal Volcano and its history and activity from your guide. After the hike, you may choose to visit one of the popular hot springs in the area to relax and enjoy the thermal waters, which are naturally heated by the volcano (optional extras).* Overnight stay in Arenal. * Paradise Hot Springs Pass: Enjoy an evening of indulgence with a pass to the Paradise Natural Hot Springs, heated by the Arenal Volcano. Enjoy access to three different hot pools and two hydromassage hot tubs, perfect for relaxing in the beautiful tropical surroundings.

Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hotel and enjoy a day at your leisure to relax or explore. We recommend an optional excursion to La Fortuna Waterfall or, alternatively, explore the hanging-bridges of Arenal's cloud forest.* Whatever you choose to do, the beauty of the natural surroundings is sure to make for a memorable day! Overnight stay in Arenal. * Optional Hanging Bridges Cloud Forest Excursion: Admire the beauty of the forest and the backdrop of the Arenal Volcano and gain valuable insight into the native plant and animal species from your expert guide. Journey across a series of hanging bridges for a birds-eye view of the rainforest. *Optional Excursion to La Fortuna Waterfall: Explore the delights of the exotic rainforest as you take a guided hike to the impressive La Fortuna Waterfall. The well-kept walkways make this an accessible nature walk for most people, who will be rewarded with excellent views of the waterfall and the chance to take a dip in its crystalline waters.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day to enjoy the tranquillity of this beautiful natural environment. Overnight stay in Arenal.

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a laid-back morning at your leisure to relax or explore the local area. In the afternoon, set off towards the Atlantic Coast and to Puerto Viejo in the province of Limon. Know for its laid-back atmosphere, nightlife and great food and drinks scene, a stay in sunny Puerto Viejo is the perfect antidote to our busy lives. Arrive, transfer to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Puerto Viejo.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, set off to the Cahuita National Park for an unforgettable nature hike where you can observe the local wildlife ranging from snakes to monkeys, racoons, butterflies and anteaters. Explore the 3.5 kilometres of natural trails between Punta Cahuita and Cahuita town with an expert guide, learning lots about the local animal and plant life along the way. Enjoy a traditional tropical fruit-based snack before returning to Puerto Viejo. The remainder of the day is free at your leisure. Overnight stay in Puerto Viejo.

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off early this morning to catch a shared transfer to the Sixaolo border between Panama and Costa Rica and across to the idyllic paradise of Bocas del Toro, taking the boat from Almirante to Isla Colon and continuing by road to your hotel. This gorgeous island chain, which stretches out into the Caribbean Sea, is a tropical wonderland of turquoise waters, lush rainforests and sandy atolls. Once settled at the hotel, enjoy the remainder of the day relaxing at your own pace. We also recommend joining our optional bioluminescence experience*. Overnight stay in Bocas del Toro.*Bioluminescence experience: When night falls, the magic begins! In the Caribbean waters of Bocas del Toro, thousands of microorganisms literally glow in the dark, creating a unique visual experience. Every movement in the water produces light—from the swirl of a paddle to the motion of your body. Enjoy a short boat ride to witness this amazing natural phenomenon.

Breakfast at the hotel. Begin the day by walking to the pier where the adventure begins as you set off on a boat tour to observe the dolphin pods that inhabit the waters around Bahia Honda. Continue to Cayo Coral where you'll have the chance the snorkel in the warm waters to explore the colorful underwater world and 'coral gardens'. Discover the gorgeous beaches of Cayo Zapatilla and stop at Sloth Island, where you can observe these notoriously lazy animals in their natural habitat. As the day draws to a close, return to Bocas del Toro and your hotel. Overnight stay in Bocas del Toro. Please note: The order of the tour may differ depending on the weather. Snorkelling equipment included. The total duration of the tour will be between approximately 6 and 7 hours.

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day at your leisure in Bocas del Toro. This is the perfect opportunity to kick-back on the beach and enjoy the tropical climate at your own pace. Tuck into the Caribbean cuisine that this region is famed for and soak up the laid-back atmosphere. We also recommend joining one of our optional activities, such as chocolate making in a traditional Indigenous community* or the excursion to Bird Island, Boca del Drago, and Starfish Beach**. Overnight stay in Bocas del Toro.*Chocolate making and visit to an indigenous community: Visit a Ngäbe village to discover how cacao is grown and transformed into chocolate. Experience life in an Indigenous community and learn about the entire process—from planting and harvesting to fermenting, drying, roasting, and traditional chocolate making. Walk among beautiful trees, taste the cacao seeds and chocolate as they’re prepared, and enjoy a typical local lunch.**Excursion to Bird Island, Boca del Drago, and Starfish Beach: Discover the northern part of Colón Island. The first stop is the beautiful and untouched Bird Island, a year-round haven for numerous bird species. Continue to Boca del Drago for a short walk, then head to Starfish Beach, where you’ll have free time to relax and swim. Before heading back, you’ll have the option to enjoy lunch at one of the local beachfront restaurants (not included). Please note that the order of visits may vary depending on weather conditions.

Breakfast at the hotel. It's time to return to Costa Rica this morning as you take a shared boat transfer back to Almirante and a shared road transfer to Puerto Viejo, crossing the border at Sixaola. Get settled at the hotel in Puerto Viejo and enjoy the remainder of the evening at your leisure, taking in the beautiful sea views. Overnight stay in Puerto Viejo.

Breakfast at the hotel. Take a shared transfer back to the capital, to spend your last night in San José. We suggest taking a stroll through this beautiful city or enjoying a delicious dinner at a local restaurant. Alternatively, enjoy an optional VIP City Bus Tour for a good overview of the city sights and a memorable end to your Costa Rican adventure.* Overnight stay in San José. * Optional San José VIP City Tour Bus: Visit the most prominent sights of the city such as the National Theater, the Art Museum, the Metropolitan Cathedral and the charming Central Market, among other places. Traditional dinner included.

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport to board your flight back to Canada.* Arrive in the US and end your trip. * If your return flight departs in the evening, your arrival in Canada will be the following day and the total duration of your trip will be 13 days.