Costa Rica

Day 1 San Jose
Our first night will be spent in San Jose in a sweet little hotel only 20 mins from the airport. Here we will assemble and tend to our swollen ankles from the flight, before a delicious supper in one of the nearby local hang outs. Cerviche and pinto at the ready.

Day 2 - Arenal National Park
In the morning we'll be up early (because of the jet lag and very noisy birds), ready to head off for phase one where we will explore the volcanoes, waterfalls and hot springs found in the famous Arenal Volcano National Park, accessed from the main hub of La Fortuna where we will stay for our second night.

La Fortuna is a small town dominated by the volcano towering above, which creates the drama and setting for many hikes and adventures, starting with a swim in a crystal clear swimming hole at a jungle waterfall, before heading off to the volcano for a hearty hike to explore old lava beds and to find the best views of Lake Arenal below. FYI: hike - 2 hours on a gentle incline.

Accommodation

Here we will stay at in a medium range hostel/hotel in San Jose and La Fortuna.

Food

Includes: Supper in San Jose. Breakfast in San Jose and La Fortuna.

Day 3 - Hot Springs and transfer to Monteverde
In the morning we'll be up and at it, ready for a scenic drive around Lake Arenal to find the hot springs where we'll plunge into the mineral rich water to feel tip top before we head off to the cloud forest to explore, and fire up our adrenaline in Monteverde, at 4,662 ft (1,440 m) - famous for heart racing activities, coffee plantations, monkeys and mist.

Here we will stay in the small, traveller friendly town of Santa Elena which is filled with hip restaurants and folksy artisan shops, from which we will explore the cloud forest, home to more than 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, and over 2,500 varieties of plants, 420 of which are orchids alone – who knew there could be so many. Simply stunning, so get your binos ready. Late afternoon we'll head off on a gentle hike to watch the sun go down over the Pacific Ocean far below us.

Day 4 - Zip lining adventure
Day of adrenaline for us all as we sign ourselves up for the zip wire challenge - which let me tell you will get the heart pumping as we are encouraged to adopt the superman pose and try the Tarzan swing. (All optional BTW).

Day 5 - Hanging bridges and fiscus trees
One of my favourite things to do here is to venture out on the hanging bridges tour as it takes us right into the heart of the forest, and with a great guide we will see some extraordinary things – the highlight for me is being the hummingbirds. Later that day we will to nip into another forest to see the big fiscus trees which are awesome.

Accommodation

Here we will stay at the St Elena Hostel or similar.

Food

Breakfast only.

Day 6
In the morning we will leave Monteverde, and head down to the Nicoya Peninsula. We will stop for lunch before catching the ferry and driving out to find Hacienda Ario; a 4,700 acre family owned coastal ranch on the Pacific Coast - home to mountains, fertile river valleys, rolling hills and mangrove forests along a 3.5 km stretch of beautiful and desolate beaches. Truly stunning, and a result of the vision of Nathaniel Grew Parkinson who purchased the ranch in 1973 with the aim to preserve land through conscientious, responsible and sustainable land stewardship for future generations. Mr. Grew’s relentless desire to see the ranch become an “educational camp ground” for students, scientists, families and individuals inspired his daughter, Caroline and her husband, Tucker to start Cirenas (Center for Investigation of Social and Natural Resources) in 2008 which does just that.

The result is a stunning lodge, from which one can explore and contribute to their projects which incorporate turtle conservation, permaculture and reforestation depending on when one visits. In May we will be helping prepare the turtle hatchery for the next season of Olive Ridley, Black Turtle, Hawksbill and Leatherback species who return to this beach every year to nest, and contribute to their permaculture projects which aim to make the ranch self-sufficient.

On arrival we have a gentle hike around the ranch to find our bearings before a delicious supper.

Breakfast and supper, lunch is on the move.

Day 7
Full day of volunteering in the turtle sanctuary, and with permaculture projects. Interwoven into our time here will be gentle hikes around the ranch to explore the varied eco-systems.

Accommodation

Here we stay at the Cirenas volunteer house which is rustic but super stylish with amazing views over the jungle. Shared rooms, ensuite shower rooms. No private rooms available.

Food

All food included apart from lunch on the road.

Day 8 - Finish projects and move to Santa Teresa
We will spend the morning at Cirenas – where we can either complete our projects or head out on a hike to explore the ranch, before heading to our final phase in Santa Teresa which is one of those cool, hipster towns - where the beautiful people hangout to experience the yoga, healthy living and surfing - we will slot in perfectly.

To fully embrace the beach vibe, we are going to base ourselves at Jakera run by our host Chris and his family. We will arrive here for lunch and in the afternoon so we can explore the town, swim and relax before supper and a salsa dance class at Jakera.

Day 9 - Yoga and Sea Safari
Starting the day with a spot of yoga before we head off on a full day sea safari to Tortuga island where we will snorkel amongst amazing marine life before having lunch and relaxing on Spider Monkey Island.

Day 10 - Waterfall Hike
We will be up early for a 12 kms hike which takes us from the Tango Mar waterfall through the forest, and along deserted beaches to find Montezuma waterfalls hidden deep in the jungle. Along the way we will see amazing wildlife, remote beaches and plunge pools to cool off in. Simple stunning.

Day 11 - Rest Day
A free day to literally do what you would like - horse ride along the beach, surf, book a spa treatment or 2, shop or do absolutely nothing ...

Day 12 – Fly back to San Jose to catch our international flight home.

Accommodation

Jakera Hostel

Food

Day 8 Breakfast at Cirenas, lunch and supper at Jakera.
Day 9 and 10 Breakfast and lunch included. Supper extra.
Days 11 and 12 Breakfast only.

After an action packed 12 days it will be time to head home. The plan is to fly out on a little plane from an airstrip close to Santa Teresa straight to San Jose. It's a stunning flight, and a great way to end the journey.

Food

Breakfast only.