Between beaches and volcanoes

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Costa Rica

  

  You are welcomed at Liberia airport by Caroline and Sylvain in the early afternoon and transferred to the Los Nancites villa. After settling into your new base camp, you set off to discover the surrounding beaches and connect with the local "Pura Vida" atmosphere. On the agenda: beaches, sun, cocktails… At the end of the day, Caroline and Sylvain will present the week's program to you over a well-deserved aperitif. Your cook has prepared a first dinner for you by the pool, a convivial moment that allows you to gently get into the rhythm! Travel time: 1h30. Meals included: dinner.

• day 2

  Surf lessons and Pura Vida

  

  In the morning, you leave for a surf lesson (1h30)! Whether you are a complete beginner or already used to the waves, you will quickly see that here, in the warm waters of Costa Rica, catching a wave is GUARANTEED! The surf instructors take care of you from A to Z and you will come out of the water with a smile... And maybe the desire to settle into a hammock to keep enjoying this tropical atmosphere. Chill and relax on the beach for the rest of the afternoon. Travel time: 5 min. Meals included: breakfast + dinner.

• day 3

  Boat exploration in Palo Verde Park

  

  You leave in the late morning to visit the typical town of Santa Cruz and its painted wooden houses, and take the opportunity to eat in a traditional soda. You then get back on the road in the early afternoon towards Palo Verde Park, where Georges, a Costa Rican passionate about biodiversity, awaits you with his boat for a cruise on the Tempisque estuary. Tropical birds, crocodiles, and white-faced monkeys can be observed in the shade from the boat, on one of the largest rivers in Central America and a hotspot of Costa Rican biodiversity. This adventure in a little-visited site will give you the impression of a journey to the ends of the earth, with the late afternoon light perfect for beautiful photos. Let your host Sylvain guide you, who will help you take magnificent shots! Travel time: 1h30 Included meals: breakfast + dinner

• day 4

  Get your paddles ready!

  

  You leave just after breakfast to discover the picturesque Pirates' Beach: relaxation, paddle boarding or snorkeling near the famous rocks protecting the pirates' hidden treasures, the choice is yours! Your hosts know another secret beach on the way, which will be a great option depending on the weather conditions... In any case, you will be in adventurer mode and almost alone in the world in this little corner of paradise! It is also the ideal place to learn paddling techniques, as the water is always calm. There is even a hidden mangrove at the end of the beach. But you can also simply lay down your towels and let yourself admire the scenery. A great opportunity to put into practice the photo techniques learned the day before! On the way back, you stop at Villa Real, where you will take a lunch break in a very popular little soda, where the meal is plentiful and really inexpensive. Travel time: 1h Meals included: breakfast + dinner

• day 5

  Relaxation day

  

  When you wake up, your hosts offer you a short stretching and core workout session for the most motivated. Then, a relaxing day awaits you on one of the beautiful beaches in the region! Several optional activities will be offered to you that day, but it's also an opportunity to experience the Pura Vida spirit by simply enjoying life and savoring a delicious seasonal fruit smoothie in a hammock under a palm tree (optional activities, at extra cost, to be booked and paid for on site). Cocktails and sunset on the beach before returning to the Villa for dinner. Travel time: 10 min Meals included: breakfast, dinner

• day 6

  Rincón de la Vieja Volcano

  

  This morning, you leave early (5:45 am) towards the volcano area for the next two nights. You will have breakfast on the road, road trip style. You start with the Rincon de la Vieja volcano and its natural park with a lovely hike on the park's trails: 1h30 to 2h to reach a magnificent waterfall where you can swim, then 1h30 to 2h to return. On the way, you can admire varied landscapes of ridges and forests, with beautiful trees, and sometimes even monkeys, blue morphos, or tropical birds... only if you know how to be discreet! You will have lunch in a nearby soda, because the walk will have made you hungry :) You get back on the road in the afternoon for Tenorio park, where you will be welcomed in a superb hotel with a pool and jacuzzi. In the evening, enjoy dinner in a nearby soda after having an aperitif around a pool table or a game of darts! Note: bring your poncho, as the volcano area is sometimes rainy. Travel time: 2h in the morning, 1h45 in the afternoon Meals included: breakfast

• day 7

  The incredibly blue water of the Rio Celeste.

  

  In the morning, a hearty breakfast on the terrace with the spectacle of toucans and countless birds that inhabit the lodge. You then continue with a hike in the National Park, in the tropical forest, along a river with incredibly blue waters... it's almost unreal! You return to take a good shower at the hotel before packing your bags and hitting the road again, heading towards the Arenal Volcano. After having lunch freely on the road, a little surprise awaits you... Caroline and Sylvain are spoiling you! You will end this day with dinner in a lively restaurant in the picturesque and touristic town of La Fortuna. Travel time: 20 min in the morning, 1h45 in the afternoon Meals included: breakfast

• day 8

  Arenal Volcano and hanging bridges

  

  In the morning, you visit the hanging bridges with a naturalist guide: a beautiful walk above the giant trees with breathtaking views of the volcano. This walk is an opportunity to discover the characteristic species of the humid forest area. It is also a chance to feel a bit like adventurers on the bridges in the middle of the lush jungle! For lunch, Caroline and Sylvain offer you a timeless experience at a Costa Rican grandmother's home, who runs a typical family restaurant where you can taste her traditional cuisine. If it rains heavily, you can visit a frog and reptile farm (extra charge to be paid on site, about $23). The guides at this center are passionate and will teach you a lot about frogs, snakes, and the wildlife of the tropical forest. (NB: this activity is only included in the program in case of heavy rain.) On your way back to the Guanacaste sun, you will take a tour around the lake to admire the different viewpoints of the volcano and observe birds and mischievous coatis. Travel time: 45 min in the morning, 4 h at the end of the day Meals included: breakfast, dinner

• day 9

  Well-being, discovery and shopping

  

  In the morning, for the most motivated, you will have the choice between a yoga session or a running session with Caroline. It’s also an opportunity to schedule a new surf lesson if you wish (at an extra cost, to be booked and paid for on site). With Caroline, shopping session in Tamarindo where you will find all the souvenir shops, surf shops, jewelry, clothing, as well as banks and supermarkets if you wish. Caroline knows all the best places to hunt for clothes and souvenirs :) Travel time: 30 min Meals included: breakfast, dinner

• day 10

  Nicoya Peninsula

  

  In the morning, if you are motivated, you can join Caroline for a short running session and have breakfast under the Villa's rancho. You will then head south on the Nicoya Peninsula, discovering the turtle nesting areas. You will alternate between postcard-worthy landscapes with white sand (local curiosities like this beach bordered by the sea on both sides) and tropical beaches with black sand lined with palm trees, as well as typical villages where you will taste the famous Costa Rican "Gallo Pinto." You will have the opportunity to visit Brenda Bompard's "Refuge For Wildlife," which has become a reference for the rehabilitation of wild animals in the region (not included, $50 contribution for the association). Reservation in advance: please specify your wish to visit the refuge when confirming your stay. The visit is only possible if the whole group participates. Travel time: 1h30 Meals included: breakfast, dinner

• day 11

  Back home

  

  After breakfast and a few exchanges of souvenir photos, Caroline and Sylvain will drive you to Liberia airport. Plan for return flights from 12pm onwards. Bye bye Costa Rica… Travel time: 1h30 Meals included: breakfast