Spirit of the Rainforest
A luxurious way to discover the natural wonders of Costa Rica

Only the very best lodges and locations are good enough to be part of this exclusive itinerary through the rainforests of Costa Rica. Yes, it is possible to combine exciting nature experiences with fine lodging and exquisite dining. Whether you prefer a relaxing wellness day in nature, a fascinating jungle hike, or an adventurous kayak tour through narrow channels in the rainforest, “Spirit of the Rainforest” is a mélange of exciting activities, relaxing moments and above all a careful selection of outstanding jungle lodges and small luxury hotels in Costa Rica.

1st day
Your Arr ival

Your personal guide will meet you outside as you clear customs. You can enjoy a refreshing welcome drink aboard our comfortable transfer vehicle. It will only take us a few minutes to escape the rush of the city and within an hour we will arrive at our first hotel. El Silencio Lodge (www.elsilenciolodge.com), surrounded by the lush green of the cloud forest, is located in the central volcanic mountain range on the slopes of Poás volcano and offers 16 luxury mountain suites, a unique spa and a fine restaurant. The hotels “eco-concierges” are responsible for your well-being and personalized service. Please note that due to the remoteness of this area and unpredictable weather conditions, arrivals at the El Silencio Lodge after 6:00 p.m. will not be permitted.

Included meals: Lunch and/or dinner (depending on the arrival time)
Accommodation: El Silencio Lodge*****
Suite El Silencio Lodge Your lodge in the jungle Room at El Silencio Lodge

2nd day
Get in Touch With Mother Nature (El Silencio Lodge)

Nature sounds will wake you up rather early this morning, as they do. As they say, the early bird catches the worm. In this case you can opt to wake up early and join us for a 2-hour bird watching excursion before breakfast. The moderate trail leads through the cloud forest, home of over 350 species of birds and your professional guide will certainly spot some of them. Getting up early has its rewards, such as the morning freshness. But we don’t want to obligate anyone of course. If you wish to sleep longer, we can certainly see you at breakfast. Your personal guide has also planned another 90-minute walk called “Melodic Senses”. It begins at the Senses Garden, a rich playground where stimulating sights, sounds, aromas, textures and flavours which enhances your attunement with nature. You then follow the Mystical Trail through the cloud forest reaching La Melodía Waterfall, named for the harmonic convergence of bird calls. The return hike will challenge your keen senses as you seek the tracks of forest critters including coatis, raccoons and tepezcuintles (lowland pacas). The afternoon is reserved for a relaxing “Poás Healing Stone Massage” of 90 minutes at the Spa. You will enjoy dinner at the lodge.

Included meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Activities included: Early bird walk, Melodic Senses Walk & Poás Healing Stone Massage.
Accommodation: El Silencio Lodge*****

3rd day
Volcanic Miracles (El Silencio Lodge – Laguna Hule – Arenal Volcano)

Costa Rica is part of the volcanic mountain range along the Pacific coast of the Americas. Even if volcanoes have a certain potential to be destructive, the positive and enjoyable attractions prevail by far. This is the case for example when visiting Laguna Hule. Nowadays, this former crater is a beautiful small lake surrounded by deep green vegetation full of wildlife, especially birds. Today you will enjoy a silent ride on a kayak over the still waters and enjoy nature at its best. After this marvellous experience we continue our journey driving down to the northern lowlands of Costa Rica. On the left and right of the road you will observe large plantations of pineapple, orange, coconut.

and other tropical fruits. Of course we will stop from time to time to taste the juicy fruits. By the afternoon, we will approach another volcanic attraction of Costa Rica; the active Arenal Volcano. Weather permitting; you might see this almost perfect cone from far away. Your rooms will be ready at Hotel Arenal Kioro, the very best hotel with an absolutely spectacular location at the foot of the volcano. Tonight we recommend a relaxing visit to the hotel’s hot springs and spa, while you observe the glowing lava rolling down the steep hills of the fire mountain (weather permitting).

All rooms have a large front window, allowing you to observe the volcano from everywhere in your room, including your bed, your personal hot tub and the bathroom. Your tour guide will present different options for tomorrow’s activities. The choice will be yours.

Included meals: Breakfast & lunch.
Included activities: Kayaking at Laguna Hule or a nature walk along the lava trails of the Arenal Volcano National Park.
**Very important: The Laguna Hule activity is currently suspended due to a gas emission from the volcano. In this case we will continue to Arenal Volcano and have an afternoon nature walk along the lava trails of the Arenal Volcano National Park.
Accommodation: Hotel Arenal Kioro*****
Pool at Arenal Kioro Hotel Room at Hotel Arenal Kioro Arenal Volcano

4th day
Adventures you’ve always dreamed of – the choice is yours

Depending on what you have decided, another exciting day awaits for you. Whether you have chosen a kayak tour, a river float, a white-water rafting, a canopy tour or a hike over suspension bridges in the rain forest, we guarantee an unforgettable day outdoors in the tropical nature. If you want to spice up your tour even more, there is a hot-air balloon excursion available in this area, where you silently glide over the jungle and enjoy a fantastic panorama. This tour must be booked in advance and its operation depends on weather conditions. The tour starts very early in the morning. If you wish to take it a bit easier, you can enjoy a hike at Arenal National Park or just relax at the hotel pool, spa and hot springs.

Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities: Your choice of the following: Peñas Blancas River Safari float by Kayak, Sarapiquí River White Water Rafting Class III, Canopy Tour, Hanging bridges or Hiking to the old lava trails of the Arenal Volcano National Park.
Accommodation: Hotel Arenal Kioro*****
Arenal Volcano by night Arenal Hanging Bridges Orchids

5th day
Charter Flight to Tortuguero

After breakfast we will drive to the airstrip near La Fortuna, where your private charter plane (7 pax capacity) is already waiting. The panoramic flight to Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast takes only about half an hour and we will land at Tortuguero airstrip, located right on the beach and surrounded by rainforest. A boat will bring us to Hotel Manatus, where your room will be ready. Tortuguero is one of Costa Rica’s most famous national parks which protects a large area of rainforest, nerved by hundreds of small water-channels. The park also protects the coast line, known to be one of the most important nesting beaches for green turtles. They arrive at night between June and October to lay their eggs in the sand and you can assist this emotional process with your guide. We also recommend a visit to the small village of Tortuguero, where you can visit a museum and exhibition about the sea turtles. The afternoon is at your leisure. You can relax in the hotel or enjoy an optional activity.

Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Included activities: Afternoon visit to the small town of Tortuguero.
Accommodation: Hotel Manatus****
Room at Hotel Manatus Arriving at Hotel Manatus Lunch above the channel

6th day
Tortuguero National Park

Again it’s all about the early bird catching the worm. If you so wish, your guide will take you on an early boat ride through the jungle channels of Tortuguero where you will be able to observe wildlife. It is common to see crocodiles, alligators, lizards, monkeys, sloth, turtles, and certainly a lot of different birds. We can return to the lodge for breakfast but if you are highly nature oriented you can visit the park and discover the channels. With a local biologist, you can paddle your canoe quietly to observe the local wildlife. For those of you who aren’t as adventurous, it would be our pleasure to schedule a regular boat ride to the channels during the day.

An afternoon nature hike is on today’s schedule.
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Included activities: Your choice of an early bird watching boat excursion, the specialized morning canoe tour with a biologist, or a regular boat ride after breakfast. Afternoon walking tour.
Accommodation: Hotel Manatus****
Jungle channels Tortuguero National Park view from the air Sea turtle

7th day
Tortuguero – Casa Turire

A boat will take us along channels and rivers to a small port called Caño Blanco, where we will dock and continue by road again. This is where Costa Rica’s main banana plantations are located and your guide will stop at one of the factories to observe and explain the process of cutting, washing, packing and shipping of this important export.
We continue our journey toward the verdant, agricultural region of Turrialba where the Casa Turire boutique hotel is located, surrounded by sugar cane, macadamia and coffee plantations.
We will recharge our spirit amidst these tropical surroundings.

Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Casa Turire**** / Jr. Suite
Casa Turire main entrance Casa Turire’s looby Casa Turire’s pool

8th day
The Lost City of Guayabo

Following breakfast we will depart to the Guayabo Monument: Costa Rica’s most extensive ruins of prehistoric culture and one of the treasures in Turrialba.
By the afternoon we will be back at the hotel for lunch and we will dedicate the rest of the day to the relaxing at the pool and in the gardens.

Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Activities Included: Excursion to Guayabo Monument
Accommodation: Hotel Casa Turire**** / Suite

Guayabo Monument By the pool Casa Turire’s room

9th day
Turrialba - Pacuare Lodge

We continue our journey towards Siquirres but turn right just before Tres Equis to reach Pacuare Jungle Lodge. If you thought you were far away from civilization, we guarantee that this will leave you in awe. Pacuare Lodge is located on the banks of the Pacuare River, one of the best rivers for white-water rafting in the world. The lodge is surrounded by acres of pure rainforest and you will be surprised to find a lodge of this calibre in such a remote location. The sounds of the jungle and the rushing river will accompany you during your stay. Enjoy a delicious dinner in an unforgettable ambiance.

Included meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Accommodation: Pacuare Lodge****
Pacuare Lodge from the air Suites in the jungle Honeymoon Suite

10th day
Spirit of the Rainforest

Today you can decide on what you would like to experience. The rainforest is undoubtedly the main focus here and we recommend, by and large, a hike through the jungle where you can visit a remote indigenous village. Learn about Costa Rica’s natives while spending some time with these lovely people. If you prefer an adrenaline rush you might consider enjoying the lodge’s own canopy tour. On the other hand you might want to simply relax in a hammock while listening to the sounds of nature.

Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Included Activities: Hiking to Cabecar indigenous village or the Canopy Tour.
Accommodation: Pacuare Lodge****
Jungle Restaurant What about a romantic dinner? Suite by night

11th day
Pacuare Lodge – San José

Today we will enjoy a 3 to 4 hours white-water rafting down one of the most beautiful rivers in the world. For the entire journey you will be in the untouched rainforest, observing birds and defeating exciting rapids of class III and IV. A delicious picnic lunch will be served riverside. The rafting adventure ends at Siquirres, where we wait for you with dry clothes and a refreshing drink and then off to San José. The return drive takes approximately 2 ½ hours.

Included meals: Breakfast and riverside.
Included activities: White Water Rafting
Accommodation: Hotel Costa Rica Marriott*****
White Water Rafting Pacuare River Room at Hotel Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Costa Rica Marriott

12th day
Transfer to the airport or extension program

It’s time to say goodbye today and we will take you to the airport for your return flight. If you have booked an extension program, this will start right after breakfast.

Included meals today: breakfast

Included services

• Transfers and transportation as per description in comfortable vehicle. Vehicle size depends on the number of travellers.
• Accommodation at the hotels mentioned in the program. (Depending on your preferred option).
• Meals as per description, including 1 non alcoholic beverage.
• Private tour-guide fluent in English, French, German or Spanish. Other languages available upon request. The private tour-guide is included upon arrival & departure transfers and from day 01 to day 11. Day 01 – day 03 include English-speaking Eco-concierge services from El Silencio Lodge.
• Entrance fees and costs for all fixed activities mentioned in the program.
• Refreshments during the day (water, soft drinks, fruits).
• Travel documentation in English, French, German or Spanish. Other languages available upon request.
• Airport departure tax 26.-USD per person.

Not included

• Optional activities