Program

Day 1: LARNACA - ZURICH - SAN JOSE
Meeting at Larnaca airport and departure for the capital of Costa Rica. Arrival in San Jose same day, pickup and transfer from Juan Santamaria International Airport to hotel. Upon arrival in Costa Rica after going through security, baggage claim and customs, you will arrive at the arrival gate where you will meet our representative. The journey from the airport to the hotel takes about 30 minutes. Free time to rest after long flights. Overnight.

Day 2: SAN JOSE (SIGHTSEEING)
After breakfast we will start for the tour of the coffee plantations. Discover the step-by-step process of seed germination in our first crop of plants. There you will observe and they will explain to you the growth process of the plant up to the point of remembering the ripe grain. You will also learn about the history of the estate, its owners, the production and varieties of plants, the geography of the area and the traditional ways of growing grains. Learn more about the production and the Vargas family, pioneers of the activity since 1940, fruit harvest times, who perform important tasks, the type of crop, its characteristics, natural methods of crop protection and how all these elements are combined get a cup of high quality coffee and a complete experience. The unique experience of visiting the oldest Wet Mill in Costa Rica (UNESCO 2014) as well as its machinery, more than 120 years old, will allow you to learn each of the stages of the process (separation of qualities, peeling, fermentation tanks and drying of the beans ). Capture your senses and discover the secrets behind our knowledge by feeling the aroma, texture and taste of each of the flavors of Tres Generaciones coffee. Once the tour is over, we invite you to Casa Doka, where in addition to tasting the Tres Generaciones coffee and the famous coffee chocolates. You will be able to purchase drinks, local souvenirs and artwork related to the experience. Bring comfortable clothing and shoes, camera, hat, sunscreen and insect repellent. Later you will visit Costa Rica's capital and largest city, located in the center of the country. Downtown San Jose is the busiest part of the city where you can find most of the city's museums, the National Theater and many squares. Enjoy half a day in the city learning about its history and culture. Visit the capital's main monuments, parks, the heart of San Jose and some of the government buildings. San Jose's central market is part of Costa Rica's cultural heritage. This jewel was built in 1880 and is the largest in the capital. During your visit you will learn important information about the history, culture and you will also have the opportunity to share with the locals. This is a perfect place to learn about the language, traditions, try authentic typical foods or buy fresh produce like vegetables or fruits.

Day 3: ARENAL VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK
Located 15 kilometers from Fortuna in the northwest of Costa Rica, between the foothills of the Cordillera de Tilaran mountain range and the plains of San Carlos, Arenal Volcano National Park is one of the most popular destinations in the North Zone. Several trails - Heliconias, Coladas, Tucanes and Los Miradores - allow observing much of the park's flora and fauna, as well as the remnants of the lava fields. The park covers an area of 12,124 hectares.

Day 4: LA FORTUNA
After a short ride from La Fortuna to the river dock, your guide will take you on a two-hour cruise to Pe?as Blancas, sharing his knowledge of the area's history. The trip is very scenic. You will pass family farms along the way. The Penas Blancas Nocturnal Safari Float is the perfect activity to listen and experience wildlife with family or friends. You will move slowly and quietly trying not to disturb the nocturnal atmosphere to improve your chance of seeing the abundant life that inhabits this river. Bats, monkeys, caimans, iguanas, birds, owls, among other animal species inhabit the banks of the Penas Blancas River. At the end of the tour, you will stop at a local family home where you will enjoy typical snacks.

Day 5: ARENAL
Breakfast. Today is dedicated to the Arenal area which is known for its diversity of fauna, however, one of the most popular species is the sloth. During this activity, you will have the opportunity to admire sloths, learn about their natural history and other important facts that you might not even imagine. Your guide will look for the best places to observe them in their natural habitat, taking you to beautiful open areas in La Fortuna and at the same time you can see some more species such as the colorful toucan, dart frog, iguanas and monkeys. Bring comfortable clothing, walking shoes, sunscreen, camera and binoculars.

Day 6: ARENAL - MONTEVERDE
Today we will have a private transfer across the lake (land and boat transfer) from Arenal to Monteverde. This is a quick and scenic way to get from La Fortuna (Arenal area) to Monteverde. You will depart from your hotel in La Fortuna to embark on a minibus journey to Lake Arenal. Once you reach the dam, you will board a comfortable and safe boat and after about 45 minutes of travel, you will reach the Chiquito River, a small community on the other side of the lake. Once you reach the Chiquito River, you will leave the boat and take another land transfer of about 1.5 hours to the hotels in the Monteverde area. At 5:45 p.m. this unforgettable night ride begins. At night, a new world awakens in the forest. Many wild species are more active during the night, showing us a different world, from the nocturnal frogs to the mysterious bats are part of the nocturnal landscape in the Monteverde Biological Park. Thanks to the company of a professional guide, your tour will be an educational experience, due to the extensive knowledge they present about the nature and history of Monteverde. In addition, while you are surrounded by nature, your guide will help you find and see the characteristic fauna and flora that this reserve has to offer. It is highly recommended to wear comfortable clothing, shoes suitable for walking and insect repellent.

Day 7: SELVATURA PARK
Treetop bridges provide the best way to safely admire the cloud forest. The Treetop Trail Tour consists of 1.9 miles of trails. You'll walk across eight bridges of varying lengths, ranging from 170 feet to 560 feet. Each bridge is 5 feet wide and can hold up to 80 people. This is the longest, safest and strongest bridge in Costa Rica. Treetop trails can be enjoyed by people of all ages and physical conditions, as most trails are flat and covered with special hiking blocks for better traction. 90% of the route leads through virgin rainforest and visitors will be able to appreciate a wide variety of flora and fauna. You will continue this amazing tour with one of the largest butterfly gardens in America, with an area that is 300 feet long, 90 feet wide, and 50 feet high. A wonderful canopy structure covered in a special photothermal Saran helps to control the temperature inside the garden. A perfect temperature is necessary for the garden to accommodate more than 50 different species of butterflies from different altitudes and climates found throughout Costa Rica. You will learn about the life cycle of butterflies and moths and you will also learn many interesting facts about butterflies in general. In addition, you will have very close contact with beautiful butterflies, including the blue Morpho Peleides. A visit to the butterfly garden is a great experience for people of all ages and fitness levels. It is strongly recommended that you bring long trousers, hiking boots and depending on the weather and some rain gear. Camera and binoculars are optional.

Day 8: MONTEVERDE - TAMARINDO
Breakfast. Transfer from Monteverde to the tourist resort of Tamarido located on the west coast of Costa Rica. The route is approximately 170 kilometers. Arrival at the beach hotel, settling in the rooms and free time at your disposal to enjoy the services of your hotel. Tamarido is the ideal destination for surfing, fishing, diving and sunbathing. From October to May leatherback turtles build their nests along the beaches. The shopping and dining options are endless and give you the chance to get a true taste of Costa Rica. Overnight.

Day 9-10: TAMARIND
Breakfast and free time to relax. You can swim at the hotel beach, one of Costa Rica's most iconic beach resorts, located right in the heart of Playa Tamarindo! This family-friendly beach resort is designed specifically for guests seeking a relaxed, family atmosphere while enjoying unparalleled service and amenities. It is located on one of the most famous beaches in Costa Rica.

Day 11 - 12: TAMARINDO - LIBERIA - ZURICH - LARNACA
Breakfast and free time to take your last walks and explore the city center. Late afternoon transfer to the airport to take the return flight to Larnaca with a stopover. Arrival the next day in Zurich (22/8) and then flight to Larnaca. We are back full of shocking images from a beautiful Latin American country.