Signature: Costa Rica's Monteverde, Arenal & Guanacaste

Welcome to Costa Rica. Your expedition begins upon arrival at San José Airport, where you will be met and whisked away from the city toward the cool, mist-shrouded peaks of the Bajos del Toro region. Check into your comfortable lodge, surrounded by the sounds of the cloud forest. In the evening, gather with your National Geographic Expedition Leader and fellow travellers. An engaging presentation from a National Geographic Expedition Expert sets the scene for the biodiversity you will encounter, followed by a welcome dinner.

Immerse yourself in the cloud forest silence on a morning walk to a dramatic waterfall. Guided by a naturalist, scan the moss-draped trees for birdlife while feeling the cool spray of the cascade. Later, connect with local traditions at a family home–feel the texture of the masa as you learn to shape corn tortillas by hand, then share a rustic lunch with your hosts. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore the lodge trails before an evening talk on the geology of the Arenal Volcano.

Travel to La Selva Biological Station for a behind-the-scenes moment with a resident anthropologist, go beyond the visitor trails to inspect insect traps and observe real-time biodiversity monitoring. Continue to Mi Cafecito Coffee Cooperative to witness the transformation of the coffee bean, understanding its vital role in the local economy. Arrive in La Fortuna and settle into your hotel, ending the day with a soak in natural hot springs heated by the earth’s volcanic core.

Trace the path of ancient eruptions on a guided hike through Arenal Volcano National Park. Walking over solidified lava flows, your guide reveals how the forest has reclaimed the rock, offering spectacular views of the volcano’s perfect cone. Spend the afternoon at leisure, perhaps returning to the thermal waters. As night falls, follow the scent of woodsmoke to a hands-on cooking class at a woman-owned restaurant, preparing a traditional dinner over an open flame.

Navigate the waters of Lake Arenal by private boat, watching the landscape shift from volcanic lowlands to the rolling green hills of the divide, before ascending into the cool air of the Monteverde cloud forest. Visit the Monteverde Institute, a research and educational organization supported by National Geographic. Learn how they balance community growth with conservation, including a fascinating look at the impact of artificial light on nocturnal wildlife.

Beat the crowds to the canopy on a private, early-morning tour along the hanging bridges before they open to the public. Suspended high above the forest floor, watch the mist clear and listen for the waking calls of howler monkeys. Continue the search for wildlife in the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, treading softly on fern-lined trails in hopes of spotting the brilliant emerald plumage of the resplendent quetzal. Enjoy a free afternoon before dinner at a local restaurant.

Leave the clouds behind and descend toward the dry tropical forests of Guanacaste. Stop in Rincón de la Vieja National Park to witness clean energy in action at a geothermal project, surrounded by the hissing steam of volcanic vents. Keep an eye out for wildlife adapting to this rugged and lush terrain. Pause at the Rio Negro Waterfalls for a gourmet picnic lunch in the shade of the canyon before completing the drive to your hotel on the Pacific coast.

Venture into the mangroves of Las Baulas National Marine Park on a guided boat excursion. Drift quietly through the Tamarindo Estuary, scanning the tangled roots for crocodiles and watching for iguanas and squirrel monkeys in the branches above. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool or walking the beach. In the evening, regroup for a final expert talk summarizing the week’s discoveries, followed by a celebratory farewell dinner with your travel companions.

Your expedition to Costa Rica concludes today. After a final breakfast overlooking the Pacific, transfers are provided to the Liberia airport at any time during the day.