Hiking Costa Rica

DAY 1: ARRIVAL TO COSTA RICA
Reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel in San José. Accommodation.

DAY 2: SAN JOSE – SAN GERARDO DE DOTA
Breakfast. Transfer departure to San Gerardo de Dota highlands. Accommodation.

Immersed in an exuberant habitat, with an area of 80 hectares of primary forest that protects an impressive flora and fauna. More than 140 species, many of them unique endemic, make our lodging place a paradise for birdwatchers. We will also have the opportunity to explore some of the self-guided trails and enjoy nature in its surroundings, the cloud forests. Its varied fauna, and specially the quetzal, make this place unique.

DAY 3: TALAMANCA TREKKING TOUR
We will walk in a path that wanders through a primary landscape along 14km in which we can enjoy two pristine crystalline waterfalls. Within this impressive jungle, it is possible to have the sensation of being followed by many animals throughout our journey. Finally, we will reach the beautiful town of Copey de Dota, nestled in a quite scenic valley filled with fruit trees where we may observe a variety of mammals. The trip ends at the historical church, declared as a cultural heritage site. Return to the lodge.

DAY 4: SAN GERARDO DE DOTA – PUERTO JIMENEZ
Breakfast. Departure to the South area in the town of Puerto Jiménez. Accommodation.

DAY 5: PUERTO JIMENEZ – CORCOVADO NATIONAL PARK
Early departure before breakfast to Los Patos Station in a 2-hour trip with picnic breakfast in route. Arrival at Los Patos and check in at the park ranger office. Then departure and start the 23 km route until we reach Sirena, where we will spend 2 nights.

DAY 6: CORCOVADO NATIONAL PARK
At 5:00 in the morning departure to the mouth of the Sirena River to live a different and unforgettable dawn between the sweet song of the birds and the relaxing sound of the sea. We can observe how the river ends in the sea. In this magical place there is also the possibility of observing bull sharks, crocodiles and many aquatic birds. After observing and enjoying the surroundings, we return to the Station to have breakfast. After breakfast departure to walk the Espaveles and Sirena trails. We return to the station for lunch. In the afternoon we will go to the Río Claro path and here we will go through a "natural pool" where we can take a refreshing dip. Then departure to the path Naranjos that takes us to the beach where there is the possibility of observing an unforgettable sunset. Return to the station and dinner.

DAY 7: CORCOVADO – PUERTO JIMENEZ
Breakfast. Departure to start the last part of our adventure in one of the best parks on the planet. Arrival to Carate and departure by transport to Puerto Jimenez.

Departure in the afternoon towards Manuel Antonio. Accommodation.

DAY 8: MANUEL ANTONIO
Enjoy a day of beach and nature within the Manuel Antonio National Park. It is one of the smallest and most popular national parks in Costa Rica. In Manuel Antonio you can enjoy a relaxing day on one of the four beaches or take a walk through the vibrant green tropical jungle. From natural pools of sea water with crustaceans to species of monkeys in danger of extinction and impressive panoramic views. In addition, you can enjoy other exciting activities such as rafting Tour, Sailboat Tour, boat ride or Kayak in the Isla Damas Estuary, Dolphin Tour, or take a paragliding tour on the beach. Accommodation.

DAY 9: MANUEL ANTONIO – MONTEVERDE
Breakfast. Departure to the Monteverde Cloud Forest area, one of the most diverse places in Costa Rica. Accommodation.

DAY 10: EL TRIGRE WATERFALLS HIKE
Located in El Monte de Los Olivos 20 minutes from Santa Elena de Monteverde, in a rural community of highlands, surrounded by tropical cloud forest, farms and agricultural production. For years, the natives have called this mystic forest "Los Bajos del Tigre" because the hunters constantly had encounters with the majestic Jaguar, the largest cat in all America and the third largest in the world and to whom they called "tiger". This is how the name "El Tigre Waterfalls" borned. Each waterfall has the name of a wild cat from Costa Rica. Wake up your senses. Feel the energy of a mystical forest to which very few people have ever entered. The difficult access to these waterfalls caused the place to be preserved virgin for hundreds of years. The trails are very natural to create the least possible impact in the jungle. Listen to rumble the earth with the force of the water falling from the top of the mountain in the form of an incredible waterfall, the first one, called “Jaguarundi”. Approach the shore and let the drops of water refresh your face. Walk in the beautiful hanging bridge and go to the side of the river, grab the safety rope and go to the other side. Observe how the immense green forest contrasts perfectly with the white of the waterfalls and the blue butterflies flying over us. We reached 2 of the highest and most impressive waterfalls: "Puma" and "Ocelote". Come closer, touch the water and admire these art pieces of nature. Pure air…  take a breath and continue into a steep path that surrounds ancient trees and crags of volcanic rock, we are about to reach the last waterfall, "El Jaguar Escondido". A jewel. Simply breathtaking. Back home. We go down the path of the “Jaguar Escondido” waterfall and past the river once again. Leaving the dense forest, we will begin to see a more open area where an expert rider with some beautiful horses will be waiting for us. It is not necessary to have experience with horses. The ride lasts approximately 35 minutes and goes through a different trail with open views and wider roads. Soon we will be back on the main road where the transport will be waiting to take you back to the hotel. Accommodation.

DAY 11: MONTEVERDE – ARENAL
Breakfast. Departure to Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna. Accommodation.

DAY 12: TWO VOLCANO EXTREME HIKE
Breakfast. Departure from La Fortuna on a 45-minute trip to visit the great valley that lies between Arenal and Chato Volcanoes. We passed the first hanging bridge which is only access to this almost unexplored valley. A challenging path takes us deeper into the dense jungle. In addition to large trees, we will see a variety of wildlife. Leaving from the bottom of the valley we reach the base of the Arenal volcano. Here we will visit the fields of black lava rocks that lie in the shadow of the Arenal cone. Continuing the trek, we stop at an impressive canyon where you can see the different layers of volcanic material. After this point the trail will follows an ascent that will take us to a viewpoint where we will have the most impressive views of the valley, the Arenal Volcano and the impressive lake. We continue to the most challenging part of the walk through the valley to reach a dry river of lava that we must go through "the comb of the Devil" which is an area of 7 canyons carved by volcanic activity. We will pass some of the canyons where the ground is very irregular and kind difficult, crossing over fallen logs of great size. Some have ropes that will help us climb. Once we reached the dry lava river, we went down to connect with the Cangrejos trail. This trail right at the foot of the Chato volcano will take us to the Caliente River. Here on the river side we will take some time to enjoy a nutritious lunch. After crossing the river, we arrive at the fields and trails of the Observatory Park. These trails are easily accessible so we will have a good opportunity to see monkeys, coatis, frogs and different birds. We cross another hanging bridge to reach the refreshing waterfall of Danta. Near the end of the walk we visited the tropical gardens and observed the Arenal Observatory and its information center. At the top of the roof of the Arenal Observatory shelter you will see the entire valley you just have walked and enjoy stunning sunset views over the volcano and Lake Arenal. Once the sun sets, we get on the bus that takes us to the hot water river. In this natural river we enjoy the thermal water while receiving a facial of volcanic mud. Transportation back to the hotel at night. Accommodation.

DAY 13: RETURN
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Juan Santamaria International Airport.