The “It's a Wonderful Life” Experience

Day 1: San Jose
You’ll arrive at Juan Santamaria Airport in San Jose (SJO). Our guide will meet you outside the airport terminal and escort you during the transfer to the majestic and historical Grano de Oro Hotel.
Overnight at Grano de Oro

Day 2: San Jose – Pacuare Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
It’s an early wake-up on your first morning in Costa Rica. A Pacuare Lodge representative will pick you up at Grano de Oro at 6:00am and you’ll embark together on the 2.5 hour drive through the green countryside to the Pacuare River. You’ll stop en route for your first official meal in the country- a traditional Costa Rican breakfast.
Once at the river, you’ll start the real adventure as you board rafts and start down the river on a 1-1.5 hour rafting trip of class II-III rapids. Before you know it, you’ll round the bend and arrive at the Pacuare Lodge. After a delicious lunch made even better after the thrill of the white water, you’ll have the option to hike around the retreat’s protected forest to an idyllic waterfall, go ziplining through the canopy, take the canyoning tour, or simply relax in the hammocks at your private bungalow or suite. They’ll treat you at night to an exquisite candlelit dinner under the stars.
Overnight at Pacuare Lodge

Day 3 and 4: Pacuare Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Wake up to birdsong, revel in an open-air shower, and head to the main lodge for breakfast. The rest of the day is up to you! You can enjoy the luxurious privacy of your private bungalow, relax in the ministrations of the Juu Spa (not included) or enjoy the outdoor experiences included in your Adventure Package. Options include:

• Daybreak Birdwatching Tour: Wake up bright and early as your guide helps you find some of the many local and migratory birds that enjoy the secluded rainforest.
• Cabécar Indigenous Hike: Visit this nearby village to get a glimpse of local indigenous culture.
• Rural Experience: Hike to a nearby farming community to experience a little bit of rural Costa Rican life.
• Canopy Adventure Tour: If you didn’t experience this zipline the first day, then you’ll want to give it a go today. Your trained guide will take you gliding from treetop to treetop on the lodge’s own zipline course.
• Canyoning: Combine hiking, rock climbing, and rappelling on this adventurous experience.
• Hidden Waterfall Hike: Trek through the rainforest to this exclusive waterfall where you can even take a dip in the pool.

Overnight at Pacuare Lodge

Day 5: Pacuare Lodge – Arenal
Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, you’ll depart once again for the river between 9:00-10:00am. The rest of the morning will be spent on the Pacuare River, where you’ll get approximately 3.5 hours of class III-IV rapids as you fly through canyons and past waterfalls, always surrounded on all sides by untouched rainforest. Your guides will serve up a deli-style lunch on the riverbank en route. Once you reach the end of the rafting, you’ll be able to change into dry clothes at the lodge facility at the river take-out, before getting back on a more traditional private transfer to the Arenal Volcano region.
We’ll take you to your next destination at Tabacon Thermal Resort, a fashionable resort that offers awe-inspiring views of the Arenal Volcano, exclusive hot springs straight from a river heated directly by the volcano, and unparalleled comfort.
Overnight at Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa

Day 6: Arenal
Breakfast
Enjoy a leisurely morning and breakfast. In the afternoon, you’ll return to the adventure with a guided visit to the middle of the rainforest where you’ll find charming hanging bridges spaced throughout a well-maintained walking path. Your guide will tell you about the natural history of the surrounding jungle and point out any monkeys, birds, or sloths that might cross your path.
The adventure ends with rejuvenating hot springs at the resort’s own private retreat. The mineral waters flow from the river through tropical gardens, forming a variety of pools and cascades, each with its own temperature. Find your ideal balance between hot, warm, and cool and relish the quiet peace of the evening.
Overnight at Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa

Day 7: Arenal – San Jose
Breakfast
You can choose between relaxing at the resort or joining one of the many optional tours and activities in the area during the morning.
In the early afternoon, a private transfer will take you back towards San Jose to Xandari Resort. This unique hotel has a peculiar style and offers pristine mountain luxury. It sits on a private forest reserve where guests can explore trails to waterfalls and appreciate fantastic views of Costa Rica’s Central Valley.
Overnight at Xandari Resort & Spa

Day 8: San Jose – Lapa Rios on Osa Peninsula
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
You’ll go on an early morning transfer to the airport in San Jose for a domestic flight to Puerto Jimenez on the Osa Peninsula, where you’ll find the exclusive Lapa Rios Rainforest Lodge. Here, you’ll experience complete immersion in the tranquil rainforest, far from any cities or crowds. Hiking enthusiasts and peace-seekers alike will delight in the opportunities to explore primary forest and see how each tree, rock, and land teems with undisturbed life.
You can spend your afternoon relaxing at the pool, listening to bird song and enjoying refreshing drinks, or swaying in hammocks, under the trees. Dinner will treat you to an al-la-carte, multi-course gastronomic experience, heightened by the serenity of the still forest.
Overnight at Lapa Rios Rainforest Lodge

Days 9 and 10: Lapa Rios on Osa Peninsula
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
You may be on a remote peninsula in Costa Rica, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything to do. There are many different tours and activities included in your stay, giving you the ability to customize your experience to the kinds of things you love most. Some of the options include:

• Wild Waterfalls Hike: This hike takes you through the rainforest to waterfalls only few in the world have seen. The way bake takes you splashing through the river itself.
• Birdwatching: Both experienced birders and curious guests will enjoy the birdwatching tour, since there are over 320 bird species that inhabit or migrate to the Osa Peninsula.
• Matapalo Tour: Walk through the forest and along the beaches in the area, enjoying the sound of  the ocean and looking for animals in the trees.
• Local Medicine Tour: Discover the medicinal plants that grow naturally in the area and learn how they’ve been used by indigenous peoples for centuries.
• The Osa Trail: Hike through palm forests as well as primary and secondary rainforests on this walking adventure.

Overnight at Lapa Rios Rainforest Lodge

Day 11: Lapa Rios – San Jose
Breakfast
After breakfast, you’ll bid farewell to Lapa Rios Lodge and transfer to the Puerto Jimenez airstrip, where you’ll take a domestic flight back to San Jose.

• Private arrival transfer from San Jose Airport (SJO) to hotel
• 1 night at Hotel Grano de Oro
• 4-day / 3-night Pacuare Lodge Adventure Package:
  • Transportation from San Jose to Pacuare Lodge (6am departure – shared)
  • Choose arrival via white-water rafting trip or 4×4 vehicle
  • Typical Costa Rican breakfast in route
  • Accommodation in one suite at the lodge
  • Daily a la carte breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Afternoon coffee with homemade pastry
  • Onsite experiences, as described in the itinerary
  • Complimentary WiFi in common areas and rooms
  • Rafting out of the lodge (ground transfer is also available)
• Private transfer to Arenal Volcano (approx. 3 hrs)
• 2 nights at Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa
• Meals as specified
• Guided tour to Arenal Mistico Hanging Bridges
• Private transfer from Arenal to San Jose (approx. 3 hrs)
• 1 night at Xandari Resort & Spa
• Private transfer to local airport in San Jose
• Roundtrip scheduled flight San Jose – Puerto Jimenez – San Jose
• 3-night package at Lapa Rios Rainforest Lodge
  • Round trip transfer between Puerto Jimenez airstrip and Lapa Rios
  • Three a-la-carte multi-course meals daily
  • Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages
  • All on-property guided tours, as described in the itinerary
  • Wi-Fi in designated area
• Current taxes
• Dedicated 24/7 in country support and emergency assistance
• Flexible change/cancellation policies
• Not included: Alcoholic beverages and non-alcoholic mixed drinks, Spa treatments, optional tours, incidentals.

Pacuare Lodge: A luxury, eco-resort on the banks of one of the world’s most scenic, white-water wonders, the Pacuare River. This unique retreat is accessible by river, providing guests with an exhilarating introduction and conclusion to their stay.

Arenal Volcano: This perfectly shaped conical volcano hovers in the background of everything in this area, from the verdant rainforests to the naturally occurring hot springs sprinkled around the land.

Lapa Rios: Enjoy some of the purest nature in this immersive destination. Located on the remote Osa Peninsula, where the forests stretch tall and luxury is found in the sound of undisturbed bird song and complete peace