Bienvenidos a Costa Rica! Cute sloths, boat rides and ziplines are waiting in the Pura Vida playground of Costa Rica and we can't wait to show you them all. On arrival, a local host will greet you at the airport and arrange your transfer to the hotel. Relax or hit the pool for a swim before meeting your Travel Director and fellow adventurers for some fiesta fun at our Kickoff Party.
Rise this morning and head east through Braulio Carrillo National Park, where we’ll embark on a river journey through protected wetlands to secluded Tortuguero as we glide through canals, lagoons and lowland rainforest. Then continue to your Stays with Stories at Laguna Lodge, where you’ll learn the story of how the lodge was built with materials that protect this biodiverse environment and natural habitat. For dinner tonight enjoy a buffet at the resort's open-air restaurant.
There's nothing like the wake-up call of a troop of howler monkeys to start your day. Set off on a Family Fun cruise through the park's canals with your Local Specialist and guide to explore the lush waterways of Tortuguero National Park. You may want to start a tally of all the types of wildlife you'll see. Look out for sloths, green iguanas, caiman, crocodiles and colorful toucans. Of course, you'll spot tons of monkeys - agile howler and spider monkeys and white-faced capuchins swinging through the dense rainforest canopy. This afternoon, venture back out on the canals to add to your wildlife tally or relax back at the lodge, the choice is yours. A MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience awaits this evening as you enjoy dinner while the young musicians of Tortuguero Music School entertain you with the joyful sounds of the Caribbean.
Bid adiós to the monkeys for now as you boat back to the mainland and travel to Horquetas. Here you'll MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® and visit local Tico family's palm plantation to learn how they grow this exotic vegetable. This evening, enjoy a pizza party in an open-air kitchen where kids get to make their own pizza.
Head to the Arenal Hanging Bridges to walk eye-level with the rainforest canopy. Look out for monkeys swinging through the trees, sloths tucked into the foliage and birds calling overhead, with views out to the majestic Arenal Volcano. Later, join Eli Herrera as she welcomes you into her home for a Be My Guest experience. Make tortillas, taste homegrown dishes and hear Eli sing as she shares stories and shows you the crops she tends in her garden. Later, you could join an Optional Experience to visit nearby thermal pools, soaking in warm mineral waters before enjoying dinner surrounded by rainforest.
Imagine yourself soaring high above the jungle floor as you zipline (Waiver Required) through the treetops, eye-to-eye with the lush foliage and ocean views. Later, head south to Manuel Antonio, renowned for its warm blue waters, beautiful beaches and abundant exotic wildlife.
Walking deep into the national park with your Travel Director, you'll definitely check off a few more creatures on your wildlife list-at last count, there were 109 different animals and 184 species of birds living here. Listen to the whooping bark of howler monkeys and the chattering of mischievous squirrel and white-faced monkeys. This evening, join your fellow explorers to celebrate new friendships over a dinner at the hotel.
Travel back to San Jose's Juan Santamaria International Airport for your flight home or consider extending your stay at the Sheraton San Jose. Airport arrival will be at approximately 11:00 am, please be aware when booking your flights.
