Enjoy a well-deserved lunch before continuing on to Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica’s most spectacular geological attraction. The very active Arenal Volcano frequently emits sounds of violent explosions, attended by clouds of gray, brown, and orange gases. The day ends at Tabacón Resort, where you can sooth your muscles in the clear, relaxing thermal springs.
You will either be spending the night at Tabacón Resort, or the very comfortable Montaña de Fuego Inn. Either hotel (weather permitting) offers spectacular views of the nightly showers of lava and glowing rocks discharged from the volcano.

Day 4 – Half-day in Arenal, continuing with selected optional itinerary
After breakfast, you will begin a guided bike tour along a scenic trail to the area where the forest, the Arenal Volcano, and Arenal Lake converge. Starting at Arenal Lake Dam, you will head for Arenal Volcano National Park, biking along a well-worn trail through the forest. From here we will visit the Arenal Observatory before returning to the main road.

This ride will allow you to enjoy both the excitement of discovery, as well as the exquisite beauty of the Arenal area. A bird watcher’s paradise, you will have the chance to observe a large variety of colorful bird species, such as toucans and trogons. At the end of this enlightening journey you will be taken back to your hotel where you may enjoy a delicious lunch and prepare yourself for the remaining three days of your exciting adventure!

Above itinerary includes: One night stay at Hotel Don Carlos or similar with breakfast; one-night stay at Hotel Sapo Dorado or similar with breakfast, Monteverde Skywalk tour. Entrance into Tabacón hot springs, 1-night stay at Tabacón Lodge or similar with breakfast; guided mountain biking tour with snacks in Arenal area.

Spend the afternoon on horseback, traversing the nine square kilometer Sueño Azul farm. Alternatively you might take a guided hike through trails brimming with riparian life or head off for a refreshing waterfall tour. Stay the night at the Sueño Azul, where after the day’s adventure is over you might elect to watch the magnificent river panorama or have a drink while relaxing in the hot tub.

Day 5 – Pacuare River Two-Day Adventure
Get up and soak in the exuberant natural surroundings in preparation for an exciting day of river rafting. You will be transported to the village of Tres Equis, where you will begin two days of adventure rafting on the wild Pacuare River. Your stay at our Pacuare eco-lodge will be a truly magical nature experience, complete with gourmet dining and top-flight service.

On your arrival at the Pacuare River, our professional river guides will brief you on all safety precautions. Enjoy your last moments on terra firme as you prepare to take on a river of immense beauty and great power. Once on the river, you will ride the rapids through a dense jungle wilderness teeming with exotic sights and sounds. You will experience the exhilaration of riding a mighty river through steep gorges while troupes of monkeys and colorful birds watch from on high.

Today’s five miles of rafting adventure conclude when you reach the Pacuare Lodge. Nestled in the midst of an enchanting rainforest, and surrounded by ancient towering trees, the rustic style two-story main lodge provides comfortable dining facilities on the first floor, and plenty of relaxing hammocks in the charming second floor open-air lounge.

The dwellings are intimate thatch-roof bungalows carefully constructed to blend in to the surrounding forest. The bungalows are nestled beneath enormous trees that have watched over this forest for centuries. Enjoy a delightful early evening at our upstairs bar and game area, followed by an exquisite dinner of superb gourmet cuisine. As the evening draws to a close, grab a lantern and head off to your comfortable bungalow for a deep relaxing sleep.

Day 6 – Rafting down the Pacuare River – Return to San José
Dawn breaks the silence that hovers over the Pacuare Lodge with the singing melodies of exotic tropical birds and the pleasant sound of the river’s rushing rapids a few hundred feet away. A hearty breakfast of freshly brewed Costa Rican coffee, pancakes, eggs, cereal, fresh fruit and melt-in-your-mouth home made bread awaits you before the start of your final day of rafting.
The second day of your journey will be even more challenging than the first, as you face thirteen miles of adrenaline numbing excitement! The river charges through exquisite virgin rain forest filled with a myriad of dazzling colors and exotic sounds. Your expert guides will stop the rafts along the way and lead you up paths and side streams that open onto plummeting waterfalls and natural water slides. At about midday a tasty picnic lunch of sandwiches and fruit will be served along the river’s edge. At our river take-out you may change into dry clothes in our private restroom facilities before boarding a comfortable minivan that will return you to San José in time for dinner. Enjoy a well deserved rest as you say “adios” to a gratifying adventure, overnight accommodations at the Hotel Don Carlos or similar.

Day 7 – Departure from San José
After a morning meal we will transport you to the airport for your flight.
Itinerary above includes: One night at the Sueño Azul Resort or similar accommodation, breakfast and nature hike, one night at the Pacuare Lodge, two days river rafting with all meals included.

Situated on a sandbar between the Caribbean Sea and the Tortuguero Lagoon is the Mawamba Lodge. Walk along stunning beaches of exquisite beauty, or hike inland along well-marked trails that lead to lush jungle enclaves full of plant and animal life. Along these trails you have an excellent chance of spotting toucans, sloths, howler monkeys and other exotic jungle dwellers. You may even snap a photo of the vividly colored poison dart frog.

After you check into the Mawamba Lodge you will be served a filling lunch, followed by a guided hike through the jungle and an afternoon boat trip through the canals. Exploring the 47,000 acres of pristine rainforest is a genuine adventure, allowing you to truly experience an exotic jungle habitat. The shoreline of Tortuguero National Park runs 14 miles and is a vital nesting ground for several species of sea turtles, including the giant Leatherback and the green turtle, which can be as large as 400 pounds and are an evolutionary holdover from the age of dinosaurs. Because there are no roads here, the natural waterways and canals comprise the only transportation network. Your trip through the canal system to Tortuguero National Park offers a unique chance to watch monkeys, birds, and lazy yet fierce crocodiles and caimans.

After a full day of fun and adventure, you will likely welcome the chance to return to your room at the Mawamba Lodge. As the sun recedes under the horizon you may elect to relax in the hot tub or enjoy the large swimming pool that is ringed by giant palm trees. For dinner you will savor a tasty family-style meal of local and international cuisine at a restaurant staffed by friendly locals. A visit to the lodge during turtle nesting season, from July to October, will allow you to view these massive green turtles as they lumber onto the beach to lay their eggs. The lodge offers night tours on the beach to observe this unforgettable phenomenon. Few countries protect their turtle nesting sites, thus Cost Rica is one of very few places on earth where you can observe this awesome spectacle.

Day 6 - Tortuguero to San José
Before you bid farewell to this remarkable region of Costa Rica, you may prefer to spend your final morning in Tortuguero enjoying the breeze in a swaying hammock or in friendly competition on the volleyball court with your fellow travelers. After a good breakfast we will return you to San José, stopping at the Río Danta Restaurant for lunch. Stay the night in San José at the Hotel Don Carlos.

Day 7 - After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight back home
Above itinerary includes: One night at Sueño Azul Lodge or similar, breakfast and horseback riding tour; one night lodging at Mawamba Lodge, all meals and jungle canal boat tour.

This scenic one-hour trip takes you to the fabulous Jinetes de Osa Hotel, where from December to May you may watch the migration of humpback whales from the comfort of your own balcony. If you enjoy diving, then you will be pleased to know that Jinetes de Osa offers superb diving and snorkeling.
After settling in, you might choose to journey down one of the several trails that lead into the surrounding rainforest and check out the unique flora and fauna. A few hours’ hike from the lodge will lead you to deserted beaches and hidden waterfalls.

Day 6 – Drake Bay, Peninsula de Osa
The sun rises early and so do the guests. Mornings are crisp and refreshing; perfect for being active outdoors. Enjoy hiking, horseback riding, fishing, swimming, beach combing, and scuba diving.

Essential for today is a guided hike through the famous Corcovado National Park. Internationally recognized for its biological richness, Corcovado is the perfect place to search for countless animal and plant species while strolling through virgin rain forest. The sight of exotic orchids draping over sparkling crystal streams is almost surreal, like stepping into a parallel universe, a fairly tale come to life. The park’s 13 ecosystems offer a bonanza of thriving plant and animal species, many endemic to this area. A good guide is essential to help you understand this astounding area.

Upon your return from Corcovado you may opt to take it easy and relax by the lodge. Have a cocktail and absorb the beauty around you, before bidding adieu to your fantastic adventure.

Day 7 – Overnight in San José or Optional Extensions
You will have an early breakfast before leaving by speedboat for Palma Sur via Sierpe. There you will go aboard a small aircraft for the flight to San José. Choose your own accommodations and have an enjoyable final night in Costa Rica.

Day 8 – After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight back home or optional extension.
Above itinerary includes: Transport to and from the International Airport, two-nights lodging at Hotel Don Carlos or similar, breakfast, roundtrip flight from San José to Corcovado, two nights lodging at Jinetes de Osa Hotel or similar, including all meals, and your choice of Corcovado National Park guided tour or Isla del Caño excursion on Day 6.

Price per person: $80

Snorkeling / Scuba Diving at Caño Island
Located less then 20 kilometers west of Drake Bay is Cano Island, home of some of the world’s most thrilling diving. Divers frequently encounter porpoises, reef sharks, manta rays and giant schools of multi-hued fish. The intrepid whale shark and massive bull shark are often seen as well, though less frequently. Visibility in the water depends on the weather and varies between 45 and 90 feet. Diving is comfortable, as water temperatures are in the high 70s to the low 80s year round. During your trip to the island you can explore ancient burial grounds and trek through verdant tropical meadows.

Price per person:
Snorkeling: US $80 NET
Scuba Diving: US $110 NET (Two Tanks)

Whale & Dolphin Watching (Minimum 2 people)
The turquoise clear waters just off the Osa Peninsula are home to a fascinating variety of whale and dolphin species. Led by our marine naturalist guides, you will have the opportunity to interact with humpback, pilot and false killer whales, and/or swim with spotted, bottlenose and spinner dolphins. Your tour will initially head towards Caño Island but may change direction if sightings occur elsewhere. During certain times of the year, whales and dolphins can be seen surprisingly close to the hotel. Throughout your tour, whenever possible, you’ll be encouraged to snorkel with these gentle sea creatures. Watch them as they pass to your left, right or below, often just 30-50 ft. away. While whales and dolphins are most commonly seen independently of each other, it is not uncommon to see pods of whales accompanied by large schools of dolphin.

Price per person:
4-hour tour: US $50.00
Full Day: US $90.00

Sportfishing
This area is home to spectacular sportfishing. In all, over 40 world record fish have been caught inshore and offshore. Roosterfish, cobra snapper, tuna, and wahoo are commonly found inshore while fishing offshore offers the chance to haul in sailfish, black marlin, blue marlin, and sometimes striped marlin.

Price per boat: US $550 NET Half-day
US $800 NET Full day

Horseback Riding
For those interested in visiting the peninsula’s more remote regions, Aguila de Osa Inn offers full and half-day horseback riding tours. Departing just a few minutes walk from the hotel, our naturalist guides will lead you on well maintained paths and roads that visit all the desirable spots of this remote rainforest. Gallop along deserted beaches or ride through virgin rainforest en route to lush, green hilltops with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean or towering waterfalls hidden deep in the verdant forest.

Price per person: $55

River & Ocean Kayaking
Kayaking the Río Aguijuitas and Drake Bay is a fantastic way to spend the day. Paddle up river at high tide and watch the jungle come alive. You will hear nothing but the sounds of your own breathing, your paddles cutting through the water, and the living rainforest. Drake Bay’s tranquil waters also offer a pleasant kayaking experience as you explore the gorgeous coast or surf in on one of its gentle waves.

Price per person: $10

Canopy Tour
For those looking for treetop excitement, we highly recommend the area’s Canopy Tour. The tour is made up of five elevated wooden platforms, connected in a series by long thick cables. You’ll traverse across the rainforest canopy using a safety harness and roller system. The height of each platform varies, with the lowest situated at 75 ft. and the highest residing at 100 ft. The distance between each platform also varies. The longest span is that which connects the first two platforms, at 223 ft., and the shortest being 75 ft. The length of the tour depends to a great extent on the number of people participating. To ensure the highest level of safety and enjoyment, Canopy Tour sets limits on the number of people who can participate on any one tour. The tour is offered throughout the day and will depart whenever a sufficient number of people express interest in participating.

Price per person: $50

Birdwatching
As one of Costa Rica’s most diverse natural habitats, the area surrounding Aguila de Osa Inn offers birding enthusiasts a treasure trove of bird sighting opportunities. Several well maintained trails were designed specifically for birders. Our professional birding guides have extensive knowledge of the area and the numerous bird species that reside here.
Common sightings are tanagers, hummingbirds, macaws, toucans, manikins, hawks, robins, flycatchers, and woodpeckers. As well, a variety of migratory birds visit the area at designated times throughout the year, such as the osprey. The birding tour departs right from the hotel and lasts approximately 2 hours. It is offered twice a day, once in the morning before breakfast and again late in the afternoon just before dinner.

Price per person: $15

Mountain-biking
Aguila de Osa Inn owns Cannondale suspension mountain bikes for those looking for a more vigorous and adventurous tour of the local surroundings. Strong and lightweight, these bikes are ideal for people of all sizes and come complete with helmets to ensure proper safety. There are several nearby trails, ranging from 1.5 hours to nearly 3 hours in length. Some of the trails are off the beaten path while others run along the few dirt roads that connect Drake Bay with the rest of Costa Rica.

Please inquire about our different routes and we will find the appropriate one for your level of expertise!

Price per person: $40

Night Tour
Once the sun dips below the ocean and the verdant hues of the forest turn to shadowy grey and then black, you’ll head out into the darkness to discover the fascinating creatures that lurk above, behind and below every rock and tree. Equipped with lightweight, compact, state of the art ITT night vision optics, in conjunction with infrared laser beams, you’ll be able to see an examine life that is normally hidden to the human eye. Throughout this nighttime exploration tour our naturalist guide will reveal interesting and informative aspects of cultural entomology - the impact of insects on our lives, and of us on theirs. Moths, iguanas, frogs, and spiders are common sightings, with snakes, ocelots and other species of animal life present but less frequently seen.

The tour begins just after dinner and lasts approximately 2 - 2.5 hours. After a short boat ride just across the Aguitas River you'll begin a low-grade climb up into the thick surrounding jungle through a maze of well maintained trails. Flashlights are provided, and will serve as your primary light source when walking through the rainforest. Hiking boots are highly recommended.

Price per person: $40

TRANSPORTATION METHODS
Tourist minivan: You will be picked up at your hotel for transport to Monteverde on Day 2 at 8 am. From there we leave at 1 pm for Arenal, where we will arrive around 5 pm. On Day 4 we will pick you up at 2:30 pm and travel to San José. From there private transport will take you to the airport of departure and you will travel to by light plane for the remaining leg to Corcovado.

Car rental: We will drop off your rental car at your hotel on the morning of Day 2 of your adventure. From San Jose you will drive to Monteverde on your way to Arenal. On Day 4 you will head back to San José for the night. We will retrieve the car at your hotel and on Day 5 a private driver will bring you to the airport. From there you will take a small plane to Corcovado.

Private tour: You will have the services of your own tour guide and driver for the entire trip until Day 5. Then you will board a small plane for Corcovado.