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THINGS TO DO / Costa Rica

• Costa Rica: Butterflies, Bicycles & Beaches - 9 days

Tour Description:

Pluming volcanoes, lush tropical forests, and spectacular beaches are just some of the attractions Costa Rica offers for active travelers. Join us this winter and discover the true meaning of paradise. You will lodge in small inns and hidden tropical resorts, enjoy a scenic float trip on the Peñas Blancas River, visit a family farm, and explore Costa Rica's beautiful and diverse wildlife and plants with our team of local naturalist guides. We suggest a few days in San José at the beginning of this tour or a few days extra at the beach at the end, but beware - you may never want to go home!

Highlights: Tropical birds and animals, Rainforest lodges, Arenal Volcano, Tabacon hot springs, River float trip, Pacific Coast beaches

DAY 1

Meet today just outside of Alajuela, a suburb of San José and birthplace of Costa Rican hero Juan Santamaria. Swim in the pool before introductions with our tour leaders and the group this afternoon. Then enjoy a special dinner together in the veranda restaurant of our hotel.

DAY 2

After breakfast together, we'll take a quick shuttle out of San José and you'll enjoy a beautiful day of riding through Costa Rica's rich Central Valley. Sugar cane fields and coffee plantations line the way as you pedal toward and over the Continental Divide and its spectacular vistas. By mid-afternoon, you'll arrive at our hotel, which sits on the edge of a private nature preserve and cloud forest. Once you get there, you can opt for a canopy tour to get a real "up close" view of the cloudforest or simply relax with a good book. Dinner together. Distance: 38km (24miles).

DAY 3

Learn about Costa Rica's natural history this morning on a guided walk through a local nature reserve. Then it's back to the bikes. Today's ride features plenty of waterfalls and lush foliage, as we head back over the Continental Divide and then northeast toward tonight's destination. If you didn't have a chance to take a canopy tour yesterday, you can do so this afternoon, as our hotel overlooks a secluded valley on the edge of another private rainforest reserve. Walking trails and a beautiful pool provide plenty of other options for those who prefer to keep things closer to the ground. Dinner together. Distance: 35 km (22 miles).

DAY 4

Orchids and volcanoes await you today! Begin with a visit to an orchid farm, where a local expert introduces us to one of nature's prettiest and most delicate flowers. Then enjoy a scenic ride toward Arenal Volcano, the most spectacular of Costa Rica's active volcanoes. Our destination is La Fortuna, nestled on the eastern flank of Arenal. This evening, we'll shuttle around the volcano hoping to see "fire rocks" cascading down its side, before stopping at the local hot springs where you can enjoy a relaxing soak. Dinner together. Distance: 40 km (25 miles).

DAY 5

There is no need to pack this morning, but you will want to grab your camera and binoculars. The day starts with a ride to the Peñas Blancas River, where you'll find rafts waiting for a leisurely float trip and a great chance to see howler monkeys, caimans, iguanas, and a wide variety of tropical birds. During our trip, you'll visit a private family farm, where we'll enjoy coffee and snacks, before pedaling back to La Fortuna. Dinner is on your own tonight, but we'll help with suggestions. Distance: 58 km (36 miles).

DAY 6

Arenal Volcano dominates our ride this morning -- and what a sight! You may even see and hear it erupt as you ride around its base, from a safe distance of course. As you approach Lake Arenal, keep your eyes and ears open for the playful sounds of howler monkeys and the comic antics of coatimundi, as well as other wildlife that call the lake home. At our hotel this afternoon, you will enjoy views back to the lake and the volcano in the distance. Dinner together. Distance: 65 km (40 miles).

DAY 7

Ready for a change of pace? You will get your chance today as we pedal for the Pacific plains, Costa Rica's version of the Wild West. Birds, monkeys, and cowboys on horseback are a few of the things you are likely to see. After a traditional Costa Rican lunch we'll shuttle to the Nicoya Peninsula, before returning to our bikes for an afternoon ride to our hotel in the town of Nicoya. Take a dip in the pool before dinner together. Distance: 66 km (41 miles).

DAY 8

The beach awaits today, and what a beach it is -- nestled in a quiet cove along the Pacific Ocean. If you arrive at our hotel early, you have a choice of beach or pool for the afternoon. Or you can just relax with a cool drink and enjoy the views. We'll celebrate the end of our journey this evening with a final dinner of local fresh seafood. Distance: 43 km (26 miles).

DAY 9

After breakfast this morning, we offer a free shuttle back to Alajuela or you can catch a quick flight if you'd rather. You're on your own now, but if you have time to take a couple of extra days to explore Costa Rica, we can help you plan a day river rafting or extra days at the beach. Pura vida!

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