OVERVIEW

Follow a naturalist through the cloud forest at San Luis Park and across suspended bridges high above the forest floor while enjoying the spectacular views. As an introduction to this jungle-like venue, you will browse a garden that dozens of hummingbirds call home. You will then begin a more adventurous walk into the higher reaches of the cloud forest along a trail that crosses rivers and suspended bridges that tower more than 10 stories above the ground. The foliage will be wildly exotic and often punctuated with bursts of bright color from orchids, bromeliads and heliconias. Be sure to look for tropical birds such as resplendent quetzals, scarlet macaws and keel-billed toucans. Also, you may spot monkeys swinging from tree to tree and sloths, which move so slowly they almost blend into the surroundings. Following the walk, you will dine on traditional buffet dishes accompanied by “agua dulce,” a hot drink sweetened with raw cane sugar.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk through a cloud forest with a naturalist that will describe the flora and fauna.
• Cross suspended bridges as high as 10 stories that offers sweeping views of the jungle.
• Meander through a garden that attracts large numbers of hummingbirds.
• Enjoy a buffet lunch of traditional Costa Rican dishes.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Watch an entertaining folkloric dance performance and observe crocodiles and other wildlife on a riverboat cruise. In both cases, all you have to do is sit back and enjoy. The dance show will be held in Esparza, which the Spaniards founded in 1575, making it the second-oldest city in Costa Rica. Cultural traditions flourish there and none is so celebrated as dance, as you will see firsthand. To the south, the Tárcoles River meanders through the jungle-like countryside on its way to the Gulf of Nicoya. The scenery will be extraordinarily picturesque as you cruise onboard a covered boat that offers uninterrupted views of the flora and fauna along the mangrove-lined riverbanks. You can expect to see plenty of colorful tropical birds and American crocodiles, as one of the country’s largest colonies of these primeval-looking reptiles lives there. Afterwards, you can listen to marimba music while enjoying local fruits and coffee.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Watch brightly costumed dancers put on a folkloric show in the city of Esparza.
• Cruise the Tárcoles River, home to countless birds and a huge colony of crocodiles.
• Shop for handmade crafts that reflect the creativity of the local artists.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Become immersed in the wonderful world of butterflies at an enclosed tropical garden that provides a multitude of habitats that butterflies find appealing. As you meander about the observatory, you will view a remarkable variety of butterflies that are indigenous to Costa Rica, including the brilliantly colored Blue Morpho. The guide, an avid lepidopterist, will describe the life cycles of the butterflies, their importance in the ecosystem and their symbiotic relationship with flowering plants. It will be an eye-opening look at butterflies that goes far beyond their natural beauty and elegance. You may see butterflies in their larval stages, emerging from their chrysalises and depositing eggs on host plants. You will also discover much about those plants and why they attract certain butterflies. Just for fun, be sure to snap your photo standing between the giant sculpted butterfly wings that will make you appear to be Blue Morpho. Juice and fresh fruits will be served afterwards.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Stroll through a tropical garden with different species of plants that attract butterflies.
• See butterflies of various species in different stages of development.
• Learn about the remarkable life cycles of the butterflies.
• Enjoy a refreshing snack of fresh juice and fruits.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Join a hands-on cooking class at a restaurant in Costa Rica’s largest botanical garden and enjoy the dishes for lunch. The chef at The Ark botanical garden will show you how the ingredients are sustainably grown and harvested in mineral-rich volcanic soil. Many of the ingredients will come directly from the Culinary Garden, where plants such as daikon, fennel and finger limes are grown. Other farm-to-table ingredients may be harvested from the fruit orchards, medicinal garden, Chinese garden and greenhouses throughout the property. It all depends on the menu, which in turn depends on the season. The chef will also demonstrate how to best prepare the dishes for your lunch. The benefits of each ingredient will be explained as well as how the flavors complement each other. While dining, feel free to ask about other aspects of The Ark such as its brewery and meadery.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Participate in a hands-on cooking class at a botanical garden on the fertile slopes of Barva Volcano.
• See how the ingredients are grown, harvested and prepared to make farm-to-table dishes.
• Dine on your freshly made dishes, which will be determined based on the season.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Your sightseeing drive through rolling hills, high mountains, plains, valleys, and riverbeds is just part of the gorgeous landscape that will make you think of paradise. Costa Rica’s topography is one of the world’s most diverse. You’ll start by heading east to Esparza, a town that has become one of the most picturesque in Costa Rica’s Central Pacific region. The central park and its church are emblematic of Costa Rica’s hardworking rural towns.

Local dancers in colorful dresses will greet you at the park and you’ll enjoy masquerades and handmade souvenir exhibitions while you learn about their traditions. Your scenic drive includes some stretches along the Pacific Ocean passing by mango and cashew plantations, farming areas and most certainly seeing some birds along the way, all examples of sustainable living. Take the opportunity to capture unique pictures, while traveling down to sea level, admiring the most breathtaking views.

Visit the must-see attractions in the capital of San Jose, including the ornate National Theater and museums dedicated to Pre-Columbian gold, numismatic, and archeology. After departing from the pier, you will settle in for an immensely scenic drive through lush inland valleys to the sprawling city of San Jose. Besides being Costa Rica’s capital, San Jose is the country’s cultural hub and the National Theater is among its most revered institutions.

Constructed in the late 19th century, the neo-Classical theater emulates the Paris Opera House. As you tour the interior, you can’t help but notice the lavish furnishings and beautiful murals. The massive mural on the main ceiling, entitled “Allegory of Coffee and Bananas,” is the most famous and was once depicted on Costa Rica’s five colón currency.

You will next visit the Gold Museum, which holds one of the most extensive collections of Pre-Columbian gold in the Americas with the earliest pieces dating to 500 BC. The treasures include a human-sized gold figure clad in gold ornaments, the first coin minted in Costa Rica, and a variety of amulets and jewelry.

The tour continues to a private luncheon venue named Valle del Sol where you will enjoy a delicious lunch surrounded by a natural and fresh environment.

The Natuwa Sanctuary at El Manantial is a Costa Rican wildlife conservation charity working to save and protect endangered species from extinction, headquartered in Aranjuez de Puntarenas.

Natuwa works with some of the most endangered native birds of Costa Rica, focusing on the rarest species and the most fragile habitats. The main focus of the project is the Scarlet Macaw (Ara Macao) and the Great Green Macaw (Ara Ambigua), who once flew freely in many areas of Costa Rica.

At the Sanctuary, Great Green macaws and Scarlet macaws are not bred for the pet trade. They are strictly bred in order to release their young into the wild to be set free forever. In the sanctuary the birds fly unrestricted, enjoying the trees and the fruits they can find around this habitat. The local people from the village of Aranjuez care for and watch over the wild macaws.

In November 2014 three jaguar cubs were brought to the NATUWA Sanctuary, just a few days old. The Costa Rican government rescued them and brought them to NATUWA to be taken care of because they were orphaned. The three jaguar cubs Onka, Baguira, and Dinamú were able to survive thanks to the care they received at NATUWA. They did not have the opportunity to learn survival skills from their mother such as how to hunt and how to mark territory. They have been raised surrounded by humans and this leaves them vulnerable and unable to survive in the wild. They have no other option and must stay in captivity.

These felines will be Ambassadors for an environmental education program that involves schools and the general public. The main objective is to generate information so that visitors understand the vital role that animals play in the forest ecosystem.

A comfortable air conditioned bus ride passing a variety of landscapes including mango and watermelon farmlands, lush forests and mountain views will take you to the highlands of Alajuela Province where the hacienda is located.

Rancho San Miguel is a school of high equestrian arts as they have been exhibiting horse fiestas for over 30 years and is famous throughout the Americas for their pure breed of Andalusian horses. Upon arrival to the ranch you will be greeted by a local expert who will introduce you to the equine world of mares and stallions.

The show combines training of the magnificent Andalusian horses with the mastering ability of the riders, a group of talented young ladies in acts that require many months of hard team-work, training and discipline. You will see the mares and their offspring, the hacienda carriage, the stallion, the long pole and the “equestrian fantasy”, a synchronized choreography of the mares.

Every act will be presented and explained by the expert while you also enjoy the sounds of the Spanish flamenco music in a spectacular amphitheater.

Afterwards, time will be allotted for some shopping.

Emerge yourself and see first-hand how Costa Ricans have integrated their “Pura Vida” lifestyle into what has been considered one of the 100 best breweries in the world. See the process and learn how quality beer is developed. Above all enjoy a beer tasting session with these fine brews and complete your tour with a hearty lunch with food cooked and stewed in the beer itself. There is a short stop for shopping before you are returned to the ship.

Experience the thrill of a zipline canopy tour without missing out on the Tropical forest’s rich wildlife. This innovative ‘Tranopy’ tour combines the in-depth forest view of an aerial tram with the excitement of a canopy tour. Your naturalist guide will accompany you to point out some of the secrets of the primary and secondary Tropical forest that surrounds you. Your Tranopy tour starts with a ride on the famous tram where you’ll experience all the different layers of the Tropical rainforest, from the floor up to the treetops. Silently glide through the colorful, complex beauty of the Tropical forest canopy. The 30 minute tram ride will bring you through the forest, over tumbling cascades and to the beginning of your canopy adventure. You’ll experience canopying though eight cables – five of which are over 200 meters long. To your right, you’ll find the dense Tropical forest, and to your left is an extensive view of the valley all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Over 1.5 kilometers of cables will take you through everything from the rich Tropical forest ecosystems to sweeping views high above the forest floor.

OVERVIEW

Meander through the Costa Rica Animal Rescue Center and learn about this sanctuary for animals that have been orphaned, injured, abused or lost their habitats due to deforestation. You will enjoy a close-up look at sloths and other tropical creatures as they are rehabilitated in hopes of returning them to the wild. Sloths are the world’s slowest animals and spend nearly all day hanging upside down in trees, rarely traveling more than 125 feet. If their habitat is disturbed or destroyed, the sloths are at great risk. The guide will describe the habits of sloths in the wild and how they easily adapt to the sanctuary environment that replicates a tropical forest. You can also expect to see plenty of other rescued animals in various stages of rehabilitation. They include toucans, hawks, anteaters and lesser-known animals such as tamanduas, which like their anteater relatives are typically solitary.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Observe animals being rehabilitated in a sanctuary that replicates their native habitats.
• See sloths – the world’s slowest animal – and learn about their characteristics and habits.
• Observe other creatures such as toucans, hawks, monkeys and anteaters.
• Gain insight into how the sanctuary follows its motto – Rescue, Rehabilitate, Release.”

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Delve into the world of medicinal plants and herbs at a sprawling botanical garden, where you will dine on farm-to-table specialties made with ingredients grown on the premises. Being the largest botanical garden in Costa Rica, The Ark maintains an absolutely staggering variety of plants. They flourish in the fertile soil found on the slopes of the dormant Barva Volcano that overlooks the Central Valley. As you walk among the plants in this spectacularly lush setting, you will see everything from fruit trees to potted herbs to ornamentals such as champaca, which is related to the magnolia. There are more than 300 species of medicinal plants alone, and the guide will describe their benefits in detail. The Ark also brews its own beer in a sustainable manner as well as mead made with honey from the apiary. Everything is produced in the most natural, sustainable way possible and you will taste the difference while dining on a buffet lunch.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tour the largest botanical garden in Costa Rica, which grows more than 1,000 varieties of plants.
• See most every plant imaginable, including hundreds of medicinal plants.
• Savor a buffet lunch all made with fresh ingredients grown in the botanical garden.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.