Glamping in Costa Rica

Day 1: San Jose, Costa Rica
Welcome to Costa Rica. Upon arrival, your local representative greets you and transfers you about three hours by road to your accommodation, La Fortuna at Arenal.  Nayara Tented Camp is set high on the hill and with spectacular views of the Arenal Volcano. The luxury air-conditioned tents feature our signature plunge pool fed with natural hot springs, an outdoor shower, wooden floors, a four-posted bed with a canopy, and a spacious bathroom with an oversized tub. The luxurious yet eco-friendly tents merge with the surrounding nature. Nayara Tented Camp

Day 2: Arenal
This morning, morning hike down to the beautiful La Fortuna Waterfall near the town of La Fortuna. Savor the natural beauty of the rainforest as well as the birds and wildlife. Once you arrive at the falls, you will be awed by the beauty of this impressive waterfall near Arenal Volcano! Relax and enjoy a swim in this stunning setting.

Enjoy lunch at local restaurant before getting ready to visit the volcano. A representative from Ecoterra will meet you at the lobby. This tour combines an attractive boat ride on the Arenal Lake with a hike through the national park.  The tour begins with a short 20-minute ride to the Arenal Lake Dam, where you board a boat for the ride along the edge of this lake allowing you to observe the rainforest, islands, aquatic birds and some of the animals that make this area their home. During the ride, the naturalist guide explains the importance of this hydroelectric dam to the economy of Costa Rica.

After 45 minutes on the boat, you arrive at the national park peninsula for a one-km hike. This is the best trail for spotting wildlife due to its privacy. At the end of the trail, you enjoy fresh tropical fruits and board a van that takes you to the park’s observation point to get a closer look at the volcano. Learn about the history, active cycles and geological formation of this colossal volcano. Nayara Tented Camp (B,L)

Day 3: Arenal
Today visit Sky Adventures Park, where you set out on a three-hour hiking tour that takes you across five suspension bridges high in the rainforest canopy. Take in the eye-level views of the rainforest and its winged creatures as well as monkeys that scramble from branch to branch. Some of these bridges also cross over canyons. A local wildlife expert leads the Sky Walk tour. Your hike takes you past two waterfalls that you can admire from viewing platforms.

Then, return to the base by riding thrilling ziplines. This is a perfect adventure activity as you ride seven cables that go up to 200 m/656 ft in height and 750 m/2460 ft in length. You will be amazed by the impressive heights and speeds up to 70km/h/43.5mph. Nayara Tented Camp  (B) 

Day 4: Arenal / Bagaces
Take a private transfer to Bagaces with a stop en route to enjoy a river ride. The Corobici River in the Guanacaste province offers a tranquil floating trip with Class I and II rapids that satisfy any nature lover and adventurer. The tropical dry forest is full of bird species and mammals. This trip is perfect for families with young children or folks who are just looking to relax on the river while taking in the forest and scenery.

Continue to Bagaces, a small town near some striking natural attractions that are off the beaten path and less visited locations. Cooled by an ever-present breeze and framed by a unique dwarf forest, your hotel is a sanctuary of well-being in the Guanacaste province on the western side of the country. Rio Perdido, “lost river”, is the centerpiece of the 600-acre private reserve. This mile-long thermo-mineral gorge has dozens of hot pools that draw their energy from deep magma flows. Along the riverbed, eight registered springs pour out more than 4,000 gallons of hot water every minute. At these points, the water is a bit too hot for more than a dip of the foot, but as a result of the spring water mixing into the river’s flow, there are dozens of soothing pools that are perfect for bathing and relaxing. Your hotel has been designed to be in perfect harmony with its surroundings. Great care has been taken to preserve this one-of-a-kind setting and its precious resources. Meander along more than 20 miles of hiking trails. Enjoy zip-lining, mountain biking and white-water tubing, or if you prefer to relax, lounge by the pool, savor authentic Costa Rican cuisine of local culinary artists, do yoga on a cliff-side pods or visit the spa. About 90% of the hotel’s team is from local communities and efforts continue to improve education, economic growth and the environment. Rio Perdido Hotel & Thermal River (B)

Day 5: Bagaces
After breakfast, set out on a guided hike about 3.5 kilometers/2.2 miles total. The walk begins with a soft ascent through the woods, leading to an uncovered trail and then to a steeper climb for the last 250 meters/820 feet before arriving at a small, flat mesa. From the top, you can see all the Guanacaste volcanoes, including Miravalles, Rincon de la Vieja and Tenorio. Return to the lodge enjoy free time to visit the thermal river. At night, meet your guide for a walk to observe the nightlife. You cross the canyon in two zip lines. This is a perfect location for star gazing, to see the lit domes that mark the distant urban centers and to appreciate 360 degrees of undisturbed nature in the moonlight. Rio Perdido Hotel & Thermal River (B)

Day 6: Bagaces / Papagayo
Today you have a private transfer to the Gulf of Papagayo. Experience the wild nature that is combined with luxury service. This beach resort brings you into untouched nature. Enjoy the charming beauty of the three nearby beaches and breathe in the calmness of ocean air. Luxurious tented suites settle into the landscape amid the calm and seclusion of spectacular natural surroundings. Wake up to the song of the magpie-jay or watch the sun sink on the horizon as you relax on your deck at the end of the day. Five tented suites are located across 123 acres of wilderness, offering unparalleled comfort, privacy and security. Far from shutting the world out, each Kasiiya tented suite is carefully designed to enhance your sense of place. From the natural, earthy color palettes to the layout that invites nature in, each Kasiiya tent is an experience in itself. Kasiiya Papagayo (B,L,D)

Days 7/9: Papagayo
These days are at leisure to use as you wish. Enjoy excellent snorkeling and diving right in front of the beach cabana and look for green sea turtles, spotted eagle ray, and a wide array of fish. Diving classes are available. Canoeing, kayaking, surfing, fishing, horse riding, hiking and biking are also on the menu. Or, you can simply opt to relax and unwind in this remarkable setting. Kasiiya Papagayo (B,L,D)

Day 10: Papagayo / Liberia, San Jose / Depart
Private transfers to Daniel Oduber International Airport, located in Liberia City, check in and take your flight back home. (B)