Active Volcano & "La Amistad": 13 days / 12 nights
DAY 1 Arrive from your country of origin to Costa Rica. Overnight at Hotel Milvia or similar (lovely small B&B located in the suburb of San Pedro, just ten minutes away from downtown San Jose).
DAY 2 Scheduled transfer to Hotel Montaña de Fuego Inn in the northern region of Costa Rica, facing the north slope of the Arenal Volcano. Come in close contact with earth’s most primordial power: magmatic volcanism has to great extend shaped the creation of Costa Rica. From the comfort of your veranda at “Montaña de Fuego Inn” and maybe enjoying a good wine, you will be witness to the most impressive incandescent lava eruptions in form of the most primordial creation power: eruptive volcanic activity! The younger mountain ranges of Costa Rica, with an estimated 3½ - 4 million years of age have been to great extend shaped by tectonic eruptive activity which is magnificently exemplified by the youngest and most active Arenal Volcano!
DAY 3 After breakfast you will leave towards Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge a wet-and flood- land river basin which is of world importance for many species of migratory birds, and is home to many reptiles, mammal and fish species! The Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge tour is a highlight for every nature lover that is interested in seeing a high concentration of wildlife in an unforgettable setting!
DAY 4 On the way to “La Amistad” Biosphere Preserve you will experience a thrilling white water tour rafting the Sarapiqui River, class III. After this “wet” challenge you will head south, towards the Caribbean ocean, passing through the Caribbean lowlands and finally heading to the foot hills of the great Talamanca Mountain Range and enjoying a wonderful dinner at Selva Bananito Lodge & Preserve.
DAY 5 At Selva Bananito you can choose from a number of exciting adventure activities such as hiking through the exuberant tropical rainforest of our preserve. At Selva Bananito Preserve you will find trees, over 200 feet tall, that you can climb using our special tree climbing gear and canopy exploration technique. From our canopy platform you will be overwhelmed by the wild and rich diversity in, and absolute serene beauty of our primary rain forest. Have fun, enjoy the lovely scenery, and learn about the region’s low impact agriculture during our tour through the farm on horseback.
DAY 6 Selva Bananito Lodge & Preserve. Enjoy the beautiful hike following the Bananito River upstream, deep into the Selva Bananito Preserve. Lunch and fruit juices by the last of a series of charming waterfalls. Highly recommended for adrenaline seekers is the Waterfall Rappel!!!
DAY 7 Selva Bananito Lodge & Preserve. Adventure horseback tour with Jungle tree climbing. Get to know the canopy in the most spectacular primary rain forest setting imaginable. Climb up a gigantic Kapok tree and become part of this unique natural cathedral at 120 feet above the ground. Optional adventure activities at Selva Bananito Lodge include canopy observation from our tree platform and / or 130 feet free rappel down a vertical rock wall.
DAY 8 After breakfast, it is time to change the scenery. A scenic ground transfer will take you to the most beautiful Caribbean islands and coral keys imaginable. After immigration procedures at Sixaola Costa Rica border and Panama, we will take a gorgeous boat transfer to “Punta Vieja” on Bastimentos Island. Your base for the exploration of Bastimentos Marine National Park and our beach activities will be “Al Natural” Resort. “Al Natural” is built in a very open and natural Caribbean style and offers a very personal atmosphere. “Al Natural” blends in harmoniously with the tropical forest of its own private preserve, and offers kilometers of golden beaches to walk on, and it also faces directly the two most beautiful Caribbean coral islands in the “Bastimentos Marine National Park”, which we have included in our program.
DAY 9 The “Zapatillas Keys” are located just a short boat ride away from “Al Natural”. You can snorkel, kayak, windsurf, sunbathe, swim and relax during your stay at “Al Natural” and your excursion to “Cayo Zapatillas” during our stay in this area. You can also take a hike through the jungle of “Old Point”. If you prefer to stay in a hammock or relax on the beach you are welcome to do so as well.
DAY 10 “Al Natural” enjoy the activities, swim in the calm waters, snorkel in crystal clear tides or try kayaking in a traditional dugout exploring the close by mangroves, a very diverse and important habitat to many marine, wildlife and bird species or visit to the Indigenous village of Salt Creek. Enjoy romantic and delicious dinners in the light of candles.
DAY 11 Another high light of your stay in Bocas delToro is a snorkel tour to Crawl Key, also knows as Coral Key. Immerse yourself in the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea and enjoy the diverse marine life and colorful coral formations. At last, after all the activity, all the adrenaline and all the magnificent experiences, you deserve to rest, relax, and to feel satisfied.
DAY 12 On your last day of adventure and conservation program you will return to the main island Bocas del Toro for lunch (not included), before taking your return flight to Costa Rica in a scheduled flight back to San Jose. Your last Overnight will be at the charming Hotel Milvia.
DAY 13 Return home.
