Costa Rica

After a safety briefing, we will each get our own personal round raft and begin our tour. Paddle the White Water Rapids on an adventure through the lower Sarapiquí and its tributaries from the Braulio Carrillo National Park, while admiring the stunning scenery and wildlife at the river's edge.

Immerse yourself in the world of organic farming: Learn everything you want to know about growing pineapples in a sustainable way: from the indigenous roots to modern sustainable crops. At the end of the tour, relax in a lush tropical setting with a refreshing fruit smoothie or a slice of sweet, fresh pineapple.

Hike down through the lush rainforest alongside the La Fortuna waterfalls, which cascade down a stunning 240 feet. Finish the day with a swim in the still pool at the bottom of the falls.

Arenal Volcano National Park is located in the northern region of the country and is home to one of the world’s most active and impressive volcanoes. Besides the volcano, this national park has various hiking trails that wind through the tropical highland forest as well as the lowland wet forest. Also within the park is a magnificent man-made lake, Lake Arenal (the largest lake in Costa Rica), which provides over 40% of the country’s energy production.

Glide along the still waters reflecting the perfect cone of Arenal Volcano and the surrounding rolling hills. Lake Arenal, the country's largest, is also among its most scenic, and the area has become popular area to kayak, windsurf, sail, fish, and hike. For safety reasons, weight restrictions apply to this activity.

Let the volcanoes take you away. At Arenal’s hot springs, bubbling lava fields heat the waters to make nature’s own jacuzzi.

Because of its humidity and latitude, the entire city of Monteverde can disappear in a second under a massive cloud cover. Founded by Quakers in 1951, the city boasts the best in Costa Rican creatures. Observe a proud display of howler monkeys, revered quetzals and native frogs in the dense cover of the cloud forest.

Head to a coffee plantation in Monteverde to learn about the importance of coffee in Costa Rican culture and economy. See where the beans are grown, how they are harvested and roasted and then enjoy your own steaming cup at the end of the tour.

World-renowned Costa Rican coffee has grown to be an emblem of local culture. Learn how the country's elevation, eco-system and volcanic history have all contributed to its unique taste as you explore the coffee production process, the culture around coffee, and try a cup. The farm visit also includes a chocolate and sugar cane tour, including a chocolate tasting.

Get your spider monkey fix as you climb into the clouds. The Santa Elena Reserve reaches high into the atmosphere, bringing the cloudy mists into its lush forests and letting you see all the way to the Arenal Volcano.

Soar through the treetops for the unmatched close-up of the New World’s best wildlife refuge. Harness yourself to cables that run between platforms high in the trees, then step into thin air and zip from tree to tree. Experience a true bird-eye view from your new aerial perspective.

Explore the Carara National Park with your certified local guide. Located two hours away from San Jose between the dry forests of the Pacific north and the very humid ones of the south coast, this "ecotone" gives Carara its biodiversity. You will share the park with American crocodiles, the rare scarlet macaws, great anteaters, ocelots, spider monkeys and yellow-naped parrots. The bridge over the Tárcoles river offers a good vantage point to bird watch or observe the crocodiles below.

Contribute your green thumb efforts to local conservation work by planting a tree in a deforested part of Costa Rica.

Combining white sandy beaches with lush tropical forest, Manuel Antonio is the perfect place to see a variety of Costa Rican wildlife, from white-faced monkeys and sleepy-faced sloths, to green turtles and orange-and-black-shelled land crabs.

On the way to San José, travel to Sarchí, a highly artistic city known for its painted designs and brilliantly colored wheels of local ox carts.

Costa Rica's premiere crafts village provides the perfect opportunity for souvenir shopping. Sarchí became famous in the mid-1800s for its elaborate hand-painted oxcarts, and now its artisans create clothing, shoes, chess sets, and other items all decorated in the traditional manner.

Costa Rica’s culture draws on African, Caribbean, and Spanish roots to create a unique and lively blend. Sit back and surround yourself with this colorful culture during an evening of fine food and fiesta. Brightly costumed locals serve up a typical Costa Rican meal of beans, rice, white cheese, fruit, and a main dish of fish, chicken, or beef, and a performance of traditional music follows.