San José – Gran Hotel Costa Rica (1 night)

Day 1 (D)

Upon arrival at San José airport you will be met and transferred to the Gran Hotel – an architectural jewel conveniently located in San Jose’s downtown area. Get acquainted with your fellow travellers at a Welcome Dinner this evening.

Turrialba – Guayabo Lodge (2 nights)

Day 2 (B, D)

Today we leave the city for the agricultural area of Turrialba. We will pass through one of the most important agricultural regions where most of the potato, cabbage, carrots and dairy goods are produced before arriving at Irazú Volcano National Park. The Irazú Volcano is an active volcano situated in the Central Mountain Range, close to the city of Cartago. This volcano is the highest one in Costa Rica (11,259 feet/3.432 meters). Its last eruption was in 1965 and since then it has been dormant although frequent earthquakes indicate that there is still activity beneath the earth’s surface.

A walk along the crater will allow us to see four additional craters and, if the weather permits, a spectacular view of the Pacific and Caribbean plains.

At the Guayabo Lodge, where we will spend the next two nights, a “one class cooking program” has been arranged especially for our group! You will learn unique techniques and traditional recipes that have been passed on from mother to daughter for generations. You will also learn new Tico recipes and the secrets of using the tropical ingredients, fruits and vegetables that are part of the Costa Rican Tropical Cuisine!

Our intimate lodge is located 1500 meters above sea level in a lush cloud forest environment. Enjoy the gracious hospitality at what some describe as an “enchanted place”.

Day 3 (B, L, D)

Following breakfast we travel to the Guayabo National Monument where you will learn about indigenous settlements and social organization first hand by walking through a recently discovered indigenous city. The ancient ruins of Guayabo National Monument, hidden in a rainforest, showcase a mysterious "lost city" that was home to about 10,000 people from 1,000 B.C. until the arrival of Columbus off the Caribbean coast in 1502.

Our next stop is at the Hacienda Tayutic. The site features a colonial log house, a reconstructed 15th century church lit by stained-glass windows, gardens; an orchid greenhouse, an herb garden, and the unexplained mystery of pre-Colombian stone spheres.

We will learn about the agricultural aspects of growing coffee, macadamia nuts and sugar cane. And there is nothing better than ending the visit with a fresh cup of steamed coffee!

Tortuguero National Park – Pachira Lodge (2 nights)

Day 7 (B, D)
To the southwest, the Talamanca region protects the largest population of indigenous people that remain in the country, the Bribris and Cabecars. It is also where the highest point of Costa Rica is located, the Cerro Chirripó (3.819 meters) Today we will be welcomed at a Bribri community accompanied by a local specialist who is an expert in the Talamanca indigenous culture.

He will explain how the indigenous communities are divided, their dialects, and the daily struggle to preserve their culture and their farming methods. While there we will visit the school, share time with the children, and have the opportunity to learn about the teaching system in relation to their culture.

Day 8 (B)
Today is free to walk the beach, watch the surfers, relax at the hotel, or explore the small shops in Puerto Viejo.

Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui – Hotel Bambu (2 nights)

Day 9 (B, D)
Traveling north we reach the North Plains region which includes Sarapiqui and Arenal. Our hotel is located in the heart of yet another town called “Puerto Viejo”. This is a typical river community surrounded by forests, small farms and agricultural plantations.

Tonight’s dinner is at a local restaurant.