Costa Rican Culture & Traditions

Highlights

San Jose | Arenal | Sarapiqui Rainforest | Puerto Viejo
 Highlights:

  • Doka Estate Coffee Tour – learn about the production and the history of coffee
  • Poas Volcano guided tour
  • La Paz Waterfalls Garden tour – some of the country’s most impressive waterfalls
  • Guided exploration of Sarapiqui rainforest and culture
  • Kekoldy and Bri-Bri indigenous areas – learn how indigenous tribes live in harmony with nature

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Accommodations

At IWorld of Travel, we understand that where you stay is as important as the destination itself. Rest assured, we are in the process of hand-selecting accommodations that align with our high standards of luxury and comfort. Our portfolio exclusively features 4 and 5-star properties, as well as boutique hotels that are not just places to stay, but integral parts of your travel experience. These establishments are chosen for their exceptional service, prime locations, and the unique charm that they bring to your journey. We are committed to ensuring that your accommodations will enhance your trip and we look forward to sharing the details with you soon.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in San Jose
Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax and unwind.

Day 2: San Jose
Morning walking tour of San Jose and its surroundings, including the beautiful Parque España, the National Museum and the Central Market. Then head to one of the oldest cities in Costa Rica with a quick stop on the way to visit La Sabana Metropolitan Park, the country’s largest urban park. For lunch, you can try up to 20 different Costa Rican tapas at an 80-year-old restaurant. Visit a family that, for three generations, has been making some of the country’s most beautiful masks for celebrations and special holidays. Continue to a traditional bakery for an afternoon coffee with homemade bread. You can also learn how to make your own tortillas. (B,L)

Day 3: San Jose | Arenal
In the morning, learn the entire process of coffee production, why its important to the country’s economy and taste one of the most delicious coffees in the world on the Doka Estate Coffee tour. Continue to the Arenal Volcano National Park and climb up mountains into the cloud forest as well as observe the impressive main crater of the volcano. Then hike to the beautiful Botos Lagoon to learn about the different ecosystems in the park. Continue to La Paz Waterfall Gardens, where you will walk trails surrounded by forest and the most impressive waterfalls of the entire country. You can visit the largest butterfly observatory in the country, the impressive hummingbird gallery and other exhibits. Continue to Arenal where the rest of the day is yours to rest or enjoy the hotel facilities. (B,L)

Day 4: Arenal
Tour a cacao plantation where you will see how chocolate is processed from bean to bar. You will have the opportunity to pick some beans and turn them into edible chocolate that you will taste when it is ready. You will continue to a local family farm where you can learn about farming first hand as you help with their daily tasks. In addition, you can learn about the trapiche, a traditional and beautiful method of making sugar cane juice without electrical energy. Finish your tour at the main restaurant where you will be greeted by a lovely buffet of food right from the farm complete with delicious handmade tortillas. After lunch, you will also have a chance to plant a tree on the farm and visit the animal rescue center. Later, you will enjoy a unique cooking lesson with a Costa Rican family. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Arenal | Sarapiqui Rainforest
Travel towards the Caribbean lowlands of Sarapiqui where you will stay in a unique Jungle Lodge. Many years ago, there was a small port in Sarapiqui where locals used to export goods down the Sarapiqui River. Now, the river is very important for tourism as locals have developed several activity attractions, but also because it keeps the forests green all year long. (B)

Day 6: Sarapiqui Rainforest
Visit a palmito plantation where you will see and participate in the harvest and production process of palm heart. Continues with a boat tour around the Sarapiqui River, the perfect chance to relax and appreciate the flora and fauna of this area while sitting on a comfortable boat. Then visit an eco-friendly organic farm and see how Costa Rican farmers are changing their practices in order to conserve nature around their plantations. There are many possibilities to see the wildlife that is attracted by the fresh fruits of the farms. The rest of the day is yours to explore the Lodge’s private reserve or enjoy the swimming pool surrounded by the jungle. (B)

Day 7: Sarapiqui Rainforest | Puerto Viejo
Morning drive along South Caribbean coast to Puerto Viejo. Along the way admire a marvelous black sand coastline on one side and the endless rainforest on the other. From the moment you arrive, you will notice there is a strong Afro-Caribbean influence in the area. You can hear the reggae music everywhere in the colorful town and enjoy delicious “rice n’ beans” at any of the many local restaurants all while experiencing the laid-back vibe of the locals. In the area, you can also find the most important concentration of Costa Rican indigenous peoples. You can see them in town, but they prefer to live in higher elevations, deep in the rainforest where they have their lands and total independence. (B)

Day 8: Puerto Viejo
Your excursion today is to indigenous territories to learn how they live in absolute harmony with nature. After a short drive, you will board a traditional boat and navigate about an hour to higher elevations where you can find the indigenous villages. Upon arrival, you will visit the Iguana Farm and medicinal plant garden of the Kekoldy Indigenous Reserve. One of these families found that they could live off of the reproduction of the Green Iguana. This species was in danger because people like to keep them as pets and they are hunted in the wild. The family breeds iguanas and set them free into the wild. Afterwards you will visit another family of the Bri-Bri tribe. They will show you the most traditional way to make chocolate from the cacao tree seeds. Finally, you will visit a beautiful waterfall where you can take a refreshing swim, followed by a delicious Caribbean lunch. The rest of the day is yours. (B,L)

Day 9: Puerto Viejo | San Jose
The morning will be free to enjoy the hotel facilities and the beautiful white sand beach. Your hotel is just steps away from the beach. The coral reef makes natural pools where you can swim and see many different fish species. In the afternoon, transfer back to San Jose for your last night in the country. (B)

Day 10: Depart San Jose
Transfer to the airport for your return flight. (B)

Program Code

F-1031

Tour Length

10 Days / 9 Nights

Tour Countries

Tour Regions

Tour Specialties

IWorld Regions
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