Itinerary:

Day 1:  Arrive San Jose
Overnight.

Day 2:  Pacuare River Rafting (L, D)
This morning you head east towards the Caribbean and the Class III-IV whitewater of the Pacuare River.  One of Costa Rica’s most exciting whitewater trips, the Pacuare plunges through spectacular mountain gorges and passes through virgin rainforest filled with howler monkeys, toucans, sloths, ocelots and more.  After the river trip, the adventure isn’t over.  At river’s end, you’re picked up and transferred to Selva Bananito Reserve for a few days of jungle discovery and adventure. 

Day 3-4: Rainforest Adventure (B, L, D)
While exploring one of Costa Rica’s most pristine rainforests, you’ll have the chance to climb a giant kapok tree and enter the fascinating world of the rainforest canopy.  There’s also horseback riding through the adjacent family farm to learn about organic tropical farming techniques.  For the adventurous you can spend a day hiking deep into the jungle to a 70 foot waterfall and then take a dip in it’s cool waters.  For those who prefer a more relaxed day, Selva Bananito offers plenty of smaller excursions too.  At the end of each day, locally grown food is served by candlelight before you retire to the tranquil retreat of your jungle cabana. 

Day 5: Arenal Observatory Lodge (B)
After breakfast, it's off to Arenal Observatory Lodge. Dormant for centuries, Arenal Volcano exploded in a massive eruption of molten lava and ash in 1968. Since that time, it has continued to belch great clouds of ash and occasional lava. It is now one of the world's most active volcanoes and volcanologists from all over the world come here to study this tropical volcano. You'll spend two nights at the Arenal Observatory Lodge where the Smithsonian Institute has set up it's research facilities. The dining hall offers spectacular views of the conical volcano, and the lodge's 870 acres, bordered by Monteverde Cloudforest Reserve and Arenal National Park, provide miles of trails through pristine forest. Spend the afternoon enjoying the lodge and forest.

Day 6: Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
Wake early for an all day trip to the remote Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge near the Nicaraguan border. This 24,623 acre everglade is filled with migratory birds who call this vast wetland home from December though March. Expect to see great flocks of ducks, egrets, herons, and nearly 200 other species from North American during this time. In addition to the migrant species, Caño Negro is remarkable for healthy populations of endangered mammals. Although very difficult to see on a short visit, this is home to tapirs, ocelots and even jaguars. You're more likely to see noisy monkeys, lazy sloths, plentiful cayman, and prehistoric crocodiles. You'll return to the lodge in the late afternoon for volcano views during dinner.

Day 7: Return San Jose
Wander the trails around the lodge before heading back to San Jose after lunch. Take some time when you return to explore this city or just relax in your colonial style hotel.

Day 8:  Return Home