Visit Sarchí, cradle of Costa Rican craftsmanship, and step into family workshops where painters adorn the iconic hand-painted oxcarts with sunbursts, flowers and filigree. Watch wooden wheels turn on lathes, pigments mixed by hand, and artisans perfecting fine details passed down through generations.

Hear how the oxcart became the national symbol of Costa Rica, once hauling coffee over mountain passes, and how the tradition—recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage—thrives today. Meet makers, browse finely crafted furniture and keepsakes, and appreciate the pride behind every brushstroke.

Explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve on a guided walk, hiking into the cloud forest where mist beads on bromeliads and mosses cloak every branch. Tune your ears for hummingbirds, howler calls and, with luck, a glimpse of the Resplendent Quetzal moving through the mid-canopy.

Traverse shaded trails beneath a misty canopy draped with orchids and ferns while your Travel Director explains this rare ecosystem’s biodiversity. Learn how cool, moisture-laden trade winds create habitats for epiphytes, glasswing butterflies and shy mammals that flourish in Monteverde’s protected highlands.

Join a Local Specialist for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience at Místico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park, where you’ll cross suspension bridges high among the treetops. Peer into the rainforest canopy for toucans, howler monkeys and flashes of blue morpho wings as the trail weaves through lush slopes.

As the path rises and dips through primary and secondary forest, learn about the layered structure of the jungle and conservation efforts that protect it. On clear days, viewpoints frame Arenal’s perfect cone and the shimmering expanse of Lake Arenal below.

Walk the crunchy, black paths of Mirador 1968, a private reserve beside Arenal Volcano National Park, and hike lava trails molded by the dramatic 1968 eruption. Feel terrain shift from open lava fields to regenerating forest with broad views toward Arenal Volcano when clouds lift.

Hear how the eruption reshaped nearby communities and ecology on the volcano’s western flank. Scan edges for coatis, tanagers and hummingbirds, and pause at lookouts where breezes carry the scent of wet stone and distant rain over Lake Arenal.

Settle into a sturdy raft and glide along the Peñas Blancas River as a Local Specialist quietly paddles between forested banks. Keep watch for capuchins, sloths, iguanas and kingfishers while the water mirrors overhanging vines and the lowland forest breathes around you.

This gentle, motor-free float favors wildlife encounters and serene photography. Hear stories of riparian habitats and rural life, and learn to spot camouflaged caimans near eddies. The calm pace turns the river into a moving hide for nature lovers.

Unwind in Arenal’s geothermal landscape and soak in blissful hot springs where mineral-rich waters cascade through rock-rimmed pools. As steam rises through the rainforest, let muscles loosen and senses settle after a day exploring trails and canopy viewpoints.

Ambient lighting and lush foliage create a soothing atmosphere to unwind beneath starlit skies while tree frogs trill and night insects hum. Pools of varying temperatures invite you to linger, a restorative close during your time in Arenal.

Answer the call of adventure and zip through the rainforest canopy on a professionally guided course at Ecoglide Park. Double cables and well-spaced platforms deliver sweeping views and an adrenaline rush high above the forest floor. This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Between runs, hear about fauna inhabiting the upper strata and learn techniques for a smooth, controlled ride. It’s ideal for thrill-seekers eager to pair Arenal’s scenery with speed and a bird’s-eye perspective.

Join a Local Specialist to explore La Fortuna’s trails, identifying tropical plants and birdlife, before you make your own tortilla by hand on a hot comal. Enjoy it fresh with simple toppings—an authentic taste of rural life. This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Along the way, learn about smallholder agriculture, seasonal crops and culinary traditions centered on corn. The relaxed pace connects outdoor discovery with comforting flavors and local stories.

Enhance your evening with a soothing soak in natural thermal pools followed by a relaxed rainforest dinner. Slip between warm and hotter pools as lanterns glow in lush gardens. This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

After your unhurried soak, savor Costa Rican flavors while nocturnal wildlife provides the soundtrack—tree frogs trilling, leaves rustling, water coursing over stone. It’s an atmospheric pairing of wellness and cuisine amid Arenal’s geothermal landscape.

Discover Costa Rica’s capital on a guided panoramic tour taking in the elegant Teatro Nacional, lively Plaza de la Cultura and markets along Avenida Central, and the serene Metropolitan Cathedral. Trace tree-lined boulevards and the historic mansions of Barrio Amón as your Travel Director shares local insight and city lore.

Gain context for the country’s modern story from coffee barons to contemporary San José, noting neoclassical facades, public art and leafy parks that anchor daily life. This orientation maps the neighborhoods and landmarks that define the city’s character and help you navigate with confidence.