The Essence of Costa Rica

Day 1 - Friday - Fly from the USA to San Jose, Costa Rica - Orientation - Dinner
This morning you're off to your tropical paradise! For your reference, the flight is about 5 hours from New York. Upon arrival at Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), you will be met by a Perillo Tours representative and transferred to your hotel near San Jose City where you will stay on the first and last nights of your tour. In most cases, you will stay at the Doubletree Cariari Hotel by Hilton.
This evening there will be an orientation briefing by your tour manager. Be sure to ask for the definition of PURA VIDA! Welcome dinner and overnight in San Jose. D

Day 2 - Saturday - San Jose City Tour - Spanish Class - Scenic Drive to Arenal
After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll visit San Jose – the capital of Costa Rica. Enjoy a drive through the beautiful Sabana Park, passing by the upscale Rohrmoser residential area and Paseo Colón. You will visit the heart of the city to admire the National Theatre, designed as the opera house in 1897.

Afterwards, you will visit the National Museum, a faithful witness to Costa Rican history, passing by the Supreme Court of Justice, Central Park, the Cathedral and the Congress Building.
En route, you will enjoy a dynamic lesson on useful Spanish expressions but luckily, most local residents are far better at English than we are with Spanish!

Bidding farewell to the Central Valley, you’ll enjoy a scenic drive through the beautiful rolling farmlands of the Northern Plains. Arrive in Fortuna - home of the iconic Arenal Volcano, rising one mile above sea level and undoubtedly Costa Rica’s most classic destination. Dinner and overnight at the luxurious, all-suite Arenal Kioro Resort & Spa. B, D

Note: The National Museum is closed on Mondays. In case you're traveling on a departure which results in a Monday city tour, you will be visiting the Gold Museum which is also a fascinating experience.

Day 3 - Sunday - Enjoy the Thermal Springs - Visit Arenal Volcano Lookout Point
This morning is yours to relax and enjoy the hotel’s hot-water thermal springs with temperatures ranging between 98º - 107º F degrees. Nature’s own hot-tub!
Although currently in a ‘quiet cycle’, the Arenal Volcano’s main eruption was in 1968 and still remains one of the most active volcanoes in the world. The Kioro Resort was specifically built on one of the best lookouts toward Arenal . . . and every guest room faces the volcano as well!
Lunch and dinner are on your own. Choose casual poolside dining, the sports bar or the elegant Heliconias Restaurant. Overnight at the Kioro. B

Day 4 - Monday - Journey to Monteverde
This morning is your last chance to enjoy the Kioro’s beautiful gardens and private hotwater springs. This afternoon, we’re off to the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Yes, it’s a 4 to 5 hour drive, but filled with adventure as we ascend the Monteverde Mountain Range, crossing the Continental Divide, where the arid Pacific greets the humid Cloud Forests.
These vastly contrasting locations are easily observed through the differing types of vegetation visible on the ascent. Monteverde is situated where moist air blown in from the warm Pacific coast precipitates as a dramatic perpetual mist. Overnight at the beautiful El Establo Mountain Hotel. B

Day 5 - Tuesday - Visit to Monteverde Cloud Forest, Hanging Bridges- Cheese Making Experience with Sampling
This morning after breakfast, you will walk the amazing “hanging bridges” through the Cloud Forest of Monteverde. Yes, the bridges are up to 150 feet high, but quite wide, stable and easy for all ages. And you only live once!
After a hearty lunch at a local restaurant, you will visit the Monteverde Dairy and Cheese factory. For 58 years, Monteverde has been the master cheese-maker in Costa Rica distinguished by their great variety and quality. Established by a community of Quakers in 1951, they produced the first pasteurized cheese in Costa Rica - and over twenty different varieties.

You’ll enjoy a slide show presentation explaining the full cheese-making process. By the end of the visit to the Monteverde Cheese factory, you’ll be an expert! Overnight at El Establo Mountain Hotel. B, L
Note: The Monteverde Cloud Forest and hanging bridges visit is for all ages and the trail is in fine condition. But it’s a ‘hiking tour’ and visitors need to be capable of walking for about three hours and through slight elevation changes. If you feel this may be too challenging for you, you could stay at the main building area where there is a little restaurant and quaint souvenir shop.

Day 6 - Wednesday - Journey to the Pacific Coast & Traditional Cooking Class - Manuel Antonio
Bidding farewell to our home in the mountains, we descend toward the warm, drier air of the Pacific coastline, heading southeast toward the Manuel Antonio National Park.
En route, enjoy a unique experiential travel opportunity involving all your senses! At a private Ranch in La Trinidad, exclusive to Perillo Tours, you’ll start a hands-on culinary experience as you learn how to make the authentic Latin American treat - the “Tamale!” Traditionally, making tamales is an all-day affair. That’s why Costa Rican families reserve them for special occasions such as Christmas.
After your hard work, enjoy the fruits of your cooking before continuing to your hotel where you will stay the next 2 nights at the luxury El Parador Resort & Spa.

El Parador means “look-out point” and is indeed perched high above the sweeping Pacific coastline on Punta Quepos, boasting panoramic ocean views from 12 acres of wildlife-rich tropical rainforest. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy the swimming pool and gorgeous Pacific sunset. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. B, L, D

Day 7 - Thursday - Guided Visit to Manuel Antonio National Park - Afternoon at Leisure
After an early breakfast, we’ll visit Manuel Antonio National Park which was established in 1972 when the people of Costa Rica decided to preserve, for future generations, one of the most beautiful and bio-diverse areas of the country.
Although it’s the country’s smallest national park, the stunning beauty and diversity of wildlife in its 1700 acres is unequaled, featuring a charming combination of rain forest, beaches and coral reefs. The coastal forest is home for sloths, iguanas, the rare and adorable squirrel monkeys and colorful little crabs.

Lunch and dinner are on your own today. Overnight at El Parador Resort & Spa. B

Day 8 - Friday - Journey Back to San Jose - Farewell Dinner and Local Dancing Show
Morning at leisure to enjoy the hotel pool or take a last visit to the nearby Espadilla Beach. This afternoon we head back to San Jose. En route there will be a short stop at a local arts and crafts shop for some last minute souvenirs.
Costa Rica is a peaceful nation, living in harmony with lavish natural beauty. And now you should know why the national slogan is – PURA VIDA! This evening will be our farewell dinner! No tears . . . how about joining your new found friends to Italy, Hawaii or Greece with Perillo? Overnight in San Jose B, D

Day 9 - Saturday - Morning at Leisure - Flight Back to U.S.
Morning at leisure. Take a private transfer back to Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO) to catch your flight home. B