Nature and wellness

Welcome to Costa Rica! Make sure to book a flight arriving early afternoon. After arriving at Juan Santamaria Int’l Airport (SJO), a Swiss Travel representative will meet and greet you upon arrival and will provide some information and eventually traveling tips as per your visit. Your drive through the Central Mountain Range will take approximately 1 hour; it will offer you a first look of the diversity that the country has to offer including the beautiful Naranjo Coffee Plantations. After check in at Chayote hotel, enjoy the rest of the day and evening at leisure. Chayote Lodge sits amidst the growing coffee region of Llano Bonito de Naranjo. The intimate lodge boasts itself on a unique experience combining nature, culture, and of course, coffee.

Extensive coffee plantations and a beautiful view of the central valley of Costa Rica will wake you up this morning, and then you will be pleased with a delicious Costa Rican breakfast without missing of course, the aroma of fresh coffee, the perfect ingredients to start a day.
After breakfast, the tourist transportation and the naturalist guide will be waiting for you at the lobby of Chayote Lodge to start the 1-hour scenic drive through the mountains, small villages with plantations of potatoes, cabbages and pasture fields until reach Catarata del Toro, nestled in a 250 acre private property of primary rainforest.
Once you arrive to visitors’ center, you will have a first look from the top, of the stunning waterfall, which flows into a dormant volcanic crater.
Along the 30 minutes challenging hike, you will enjoy the sounds of tropical birds and howler monkeys as you make your way down the steep jungle path where several species of trees, plants and colourful flowers can be seen. The guide will be always attentive to show some wildlife, like armadillos, blue morpho butterfly and many birds including the hummingbirds!

At mid-morning, continue with a land transfer towards the northern lowlands. This route offers the experience to pass through different towns such as Zarcero, San Carlos and Florencia. In addition, along the way you will enjoy the beautiful scenery, which includes amazing views of the mountains and one of the major sources of revenue in the area: the agriculture, so you will have the opportunity according with the season to observe the crops of pineapple, bananas and sugar cane. Arrive to La Fortuna Village late afternoon where the mighty Arenal Volcano will welcome you with its impressive perfect conic shape. During the evening, you will visit the Hot Springs. These natural hot springs features a hot river that flows through a series of pools. From cascading falls to tropical gardens, the hot springs are the result of rainwater heated by magma in the Earth’s interior. Once heated, the waters rise to surface, taking with them minerals found in the earth’s rocky crust; this way, waters become very benefic to your body because of its temperature that helps to relax muscles, clean pores and rejuvenate the skin.

Today, you will explore the secondary canals of this paradisiacal place and get closer to nature. A natural network of channels and navigable lagoons that crosses the park from southeast to northwest provides the chance for you to take close look of the biological diversity of this region and be able to observe the impressive green macaw, the oriole Montezuma, numerous species of waterfowl and freshwater turtles.
From July until October, you can take the optional (extra cost) turtle-watching tour during the evening to admire one of the most impressive miracles of life: massive sea turtles arriving every night to lay their eggs on the beach.

Morning at leisure, you can enjoy a yoga class. Today is program the visit The Mistico Hanging Bridges tour, this is an eco-tourism attraction within a 618-acre reserve of primary forest. Located at only 25 minutes from most of the hotels in Arenal, this is a perfect place to discover the wonderful secrets of the forest; the density of its biodiversity makes this wildlife sanctuary a special place to admire the species among the vibrant primary rainforest canopy on trails and hanging bridges varying in length and height. On this two-mile walk, an expert naturalist guide will be by your side, sharing important information regarding the natural history of this place, which will open the door to a fascinating and colorful tropical rainforest world.

Today you will continue your journey to the beautiful and paradisiacal beaches of the Costa Rican Pacific, which are known throughout the world especially for their impressive combination of tropical forests and multicolored beaches. You will stay either in Nosara area. No doubt, you will have some unforgettable days where you can relax and enjoy your 3-night stay.

These days is at leisure to rest, enjoy the sun and the beach, and eventually explore on your own some of the optional excursions (extra cost) offered in the area.

After enjoying some unforgettable days is time to return to San José. On the way, you will be able to admire various landscapes along the way.

Transfer to San José International airport to take your flight back home.