Costa Rica: Cloudforest & Coastal Escape

DAY 1

After meeting in San Jose, you set out for the small town of La Fortuna and a visit to the Catarata La Fortuna (La Fortuna Waterfall), the first stop en route to Arenal. In the town of La Fortuna you stop for lunch at a local house belonging to our friend, Rosa, who graciously opens her doors and offers homemade tortillas, lemonade, and fresh Costa Rican coffee. She introduces you to regional foods and how they are cultivated, pulling cassava out of the ground, harvesting fresh beans, and plucking ripe mangoes and plantains off her stand of fruit trees. La Fortuna is a wonderful introduction to rural Costa Rica with a landscape of pristine forest, rushing mountain streams, rolling farmland, and rich tropical fruit plantations.

Following lunch, you head out on the trail to La Fortuna Waterfall. This moderate walks leads you through a forested canyon—a favorite among birders and butterfly enthusiasts alike. The trail can be rocky and steep at times with a sturdy handrail to assist. Your reward lies at the end of the trail with a natural pool at the base of the 200-foot high waterfall. A refreshing dip is encouraged!

Your accommodation is a mountain lodge, the only one situated next to the Arenal National Volcano Park, at the base of the Arenal volcano amidst a primary rainforest. Arenal Volcano suddenly awoke in 1968 when it erupted after 400 years of dormancy. The small country of Costa Rica is home to an incredible 300 volcanic centers—only five of which are currently active. From this cozy home base, exclusive views unfold of the volcano and Lake Arenal and, on a clear day, of the volcano’s impressive cone. After a welcome drink and dinner at the lodge, you have time to enjoy the beautiful grounds.
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal

DAY 2

This morning begins with an optional pre-breakfast walk to the Rio Danta. This enchanting narrow trail weaves through dense forest to a hidden, unspoiled waterfall. After a short, steep descent to the base of the falls, you are enveloped in a cooling mist produced by the pounding water. Refreshed, you climb back to the main trail and return to the lodge.

Today’s walk is a tranquil journey through lush secondary rainforest. Here on the north side of Arenal, at Silencio Farm, you are exposed to the unique ecosystem of the Caribbean rainforest. Once in the forest if you listen carefully, you may hear the raucous howler monkeys. This easy to moderate path introduces you to the diversity of the rainforest and the habitats it creates. Your guides provide you insight of creatures big and small from slow-moving sloths to leaf-cutter ants.

This afternoon you visit hot springs, heated by the Arenal Volcano. This authentic retreat provides the opportunity to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. If you choose to forego this activity, you will have time to enjoy the pool, jacuzzi, and grounds of your superbly situated lodge.

This evening another satisfying dinner is served at your hotel, featuring local favorites such as tilapia fish and sea bass.
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal

DAY 3

The day begins with an early morning bird watch over delicious Costa Rican coffee. Several species, including the blue-gray and scarlet-rumped tanagers, clay-colored robins (the national bird of Costa Rica), and the flashy Montezuma oropendula, are among the birds that may be sighted this morning. The morning walk follows the path of an old lava flow providing sweeping views of Lake Arenal and the volcano while your guide explains the geology, thus heightening your appreciation of this ruggedly beautiful area.

En route you may spot coatimundis, monkeys, and a wide diversity of birds, including keel-billed and chestnut-mandibled toucans and crested guan. From here you embark on a scenic boat ride across the lake. After disembarking the boat, you travel through the countryside and gain another glimpse into rural Costa Rican life. En route to Monteverde, you stop at a favorite local restaurant for a lunch of fresh regional specialties—tasty tortilla appetizers are accompanied by a cold Costa Rican beer. The afternoon is spent walking the extensive networks of trails at Santuario Ecologico de Monteverde. At the sanctuary, the route follows a series of loop trails past waterfalls and banana and coffee plantations, providing excellent opportunities for viewing some of the larger mammals of the area, including white-faced monkeys and agoutis.

Late in the day, you arrive at the village of Monteverde, which was originally settled by Quakers in the 1950s. Settlers migrated from Alabama to Monteverde for philosophical reasons, choosing Costa Rica for its tradition of peace. Since the 1950s, approximately 250 people have settled in Monteverde; not all are Quakers, but most share the Quakers’ pacifist values.

Your home for the next two nights is a comfortable lodge surrounded by virgin rainforest, lush green fields, and a network of walking paths. There is time to relax or stroll the grounds before a welcome dinner.
Hotel Fonda Vela, Monteverde

DAY 4

Today you have the opportunity to view the Monteverde Cloud Forest from a different perspective—from the top down! On this tree top walk, you cross a series of eight suspension bridges, walking above the tree canopy and looking down on the enormous ferns and majestic trees that comprise the dense vegetation of this primary rainforest. A network of suspended bridges, platforms, and paths permit observation of flora and fauna from ground level all the way to the tree tops.

Today’s lunch includes a memorable visit to a traditional trapiche, or sugar cane mill. Locally-owned and family-run, this mill and plantation offers the opportunity to experience modern day rural life in Costa Rica while learning about the ways of the past. A fine example of community based tourism at its best, you are invited to participate in a very hands-on experience, even making your own candy! From a pair of oxen working the mill, to sampling a refreshment of the sugar cane juice, you enjoy an educational experience as you are introduced to an authentic way of life. In turn, you are supporting not only the local economy, but a most wonderful family in their endeavor to preserve a rich culture.

Later, there may be time to visit the Women’s Craft Cooperative, the Monteverde Cheese Factory, or the Monteverde Coffee Roasters—three local initiatives that contribute to the success of this thriving community.
Hotel Fonda Vela, Monteverde

DAY 5

This morning you encounter a wide range of fascinating bird life. Situated on the continental divide, Monteverde is home to over 60 different species of altitudinal migrating birds. Most sought after are the resplendent quetzal, the blue-crowned motmot, and the American swallow-tailed kite. You are also likely to spot several varieties of hummingbirds, woodpeckers, and raptors.

The Monteverde Reserve is one of the richest and most diverse tropical cloudforests in the world. You follow an intricate path along the Continental Divide, which guides you through rainforests on the Pacific side of the Tilaran Mountain Range. Approximately 400 species of birds, 100 species of mammals, and over 2,500 species of plants have been identified in this region. Your guide’s knowledge of the flora and fauna adds immensely to this cloudforest excursion. Afterward, for those interested, there is time to visit the Hummingbird Gallery.

Later, the journey continues to yet another ecological zone—the Pacific Coast. Perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean and surrounded by lush tropical forest, your hotel offers one of the most spectacular settings in Costa Rica. After settling into your room, you can take the short but steep path to the hotel’s secluded, private beach. Or you may prefer to stay at the hotel and take a dip in the pool or enjoy a cocktail while watching a spectacular sunset from the hotel’s veranda.
Hotel Villa Caletas, Puntarenas

DAY 6

The morning's walk takes you through the Carara National Park, a tropical forest. Located between the dry Guanacaste region and the humid climate of the southern coast, the transitional climate of the park has wildlife common to both. Owing to the size and remote location of the park, it houses a very diverse wildlife community. Over 100 pairs of scarlet macaws, perhaps the most beautiful birds on the Pacific side of Costa Rica, live and nest in this forest. Keep your eyes and ears alert for howler monkeys, collared peccaries, American crocodiles, great egrets, roseate spoonbills, and a wide variety of other exotic species.

Depending on the season, you may visit Manuel Antonio National park instead of Carara. Here you enjoy the beautiful rainforest and white sand beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park. Developed in 1972, this is Costa Rica’s smallest national park, yet the stunning beauty and diversity of wildlife is unequaled. The park provides shelter for a large diversity of wildlife including porcupine, guatusa, two- and three-toed sloths, white faced capuchin monkeys, congo monkeys, and Costa Rica’s nearly extinct mono titi monkey. Once in the park there are a wide variety of trails to choose from.

In the afternoon you may choose to walk to the private beach, enjoy the spa, or relax by the swimming pool with its stupendous views of the Pacific Ocean.
Hotel Villa Caletas, Puntarenas

DAY 7

Following a relaxing breakfast, you set out to enjoy your last day in Costa Rica. The rewarding walk leads you to spectacular waterfalls beneath a canopy of both primary and secondary forest and offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding area including the Pacific coast. This moderate out-and-back walk begins along a dirt road with a series of short and steep ascents and descents leading to a forest path including sections of steps down to the waterfall. The effort is certainly worth the reward!

The afternoon is yours to enjoy and realize what it is to experience “Pura Vida.” In the evening, a farewell dinner is served in the hotel’s acclaimed French restaurant.
Hotel Villa Caletas, Puntarenas

DAY 8

After breakfast you begin the scenic drive back to San Jose, arriving at the airport by 12:00 pm.