You will be met at Juan Santa Maria Airport and transferred to your hotel with a brief introduction en route followed by a free evening.

After a lie in and breakfast we have an introductory meeting before our sightseeing and shopping excursion into bustling San Jose. In the evening we visit a downtown restaurant for our welcome meal featuring typical local dishes to get you in the Costa Rican spirit.

You will be driven through beautiful mountains and plantations to the Tortuguero Canals where a two hour rainforest boat trip takes you to Mawamba Lodge. This afternoon, you visit Tortuguero Village, explore the beach and learn about turtle conservation

An early morning boat trip gives you the best possible chance of spotting howler monkeys, caiman, otters, toucans and iguanas in their natural habitat. After breakfast we hike into the rainforest to explore the flora and fauna. This afternoon you take to the water again for a kayak trip exploring the colourful Tortuguero canals and hopefully viewing some amazing wildlife.

We head inland to beautiful Sarapiqui. En route we stop at the Museum of Indigenous Cultures and will arrive at the hotel with time to relax and explore.

Prepare to live, breathe and even sleep rainforest. It’s a full day of pure fun and adrenaline including a three hour rafting trip on the Sarapiqui River, horse riding and most remarkable of all, an awesome zip wire course high up in the rainforest canopy. Exhilarated and amazed you then head to your forest camp for a night under canvas. It might not be the best night’s sleep you ever get but listening to the forest at night is an experience you will never forget.

After your night under canvas you deserve a bit of luxury so we transfer to the fabulous Arenal Kiora Hotel where the living is somewhat easier. In fact, it doesn’t get much easier than watching an active volcano from the comfort of your own hot tub! However, before you start relaxing there is the little matter of a trek towards the volcano and an awe-inspiring view point to watch the sun go down and the lava glow. You can then head for a dip in the hot springs at the foot of the volcano before dinner and hitting the hot tub. Enjoy!

As part of our Responsible Travel Policy we try to include an interesting and worthwhile project on all our long haul holidays. Today you visit Eco-Centre Danaus where you will be helping on a reforestation project. You will spend time planting trees and generally getting a bit mucky while witnessing local lifestyles at close quarters.

After a free morning you will be taken for lunch at the canyoning base camp. From there, a short descent on foot takes you to the top of your first abseil, a stunning 50m waterfall. Four more descents await us in this tropical paradise before you reach the foot of the canyon.

From Central Costa Rica we head to the Pacific Coast for a few days of rest and relaxation. After all, this is supposed to be a holiday. Unsurprisingly, Manuel Antonio is probably Costa Rica’s best known national park. This is where lush tropical rainforest meets golden sandy beaches and the water is always 82 degrees. It’s not a bad place to unwind. Our hotel boasts one of the best hilltop positions in Manuel Antonio and is quite simply a wonderful place to enjoy some genuine “downtime”.

In this surfer’s paradise it is almost compulsory to have a go at riding the Pacific waves. The hotel can arrange lessons. Alternatively, you can try out one of the many other activities available locally or simply relax by the pool.

In the afternoon we set sail for a truly memorable and specatcular afternoon. We sail around the islands lying just off this stretch of the Pacific Coast and take time out for swimming and relaxing before dining as the sun sets.

It’s time to start heading home but not before one last visit to San Jose where you’ll have time to pack before heading to the famous El Rodeo steak house (vegetarians catered for!) for your farewell meal.

After breakfast we transfer back to the airport in good time for your homeward flights.