Day 1: Arrive to Liberia/ Bagaces, Costa Rica

Welcome to Costa Rica. Upon your arrival, collect your luggage and proceed to the arrivals hall, where you are met by a representative from Big Five Tours & Expeditions holding a sign with your last name. You are greeted, assisted with your luggage, and escorted to the waiting vehicle for a 1 hour and 15 minutes drive to your Lodge,  Rio Perdido. Although the town of Bagaces is quite small, it is near some striking natural attractions, making it well worth a visit. These attractions are off the beaten path, so it’s unlikely you’ll have to compete with crowds. Cooled by an ever-present breeze and framed by a unique dwarf forest, Rio Perdido Hotel & Thermal River is a sanctuary of well-being, and the true embodiment of Costa Rica’s legendary PURA VIDA. You’ll find Rio Perdido in the Guanacaste province, on the western side of the country. Rio Perdido was designed to be in perfect harmony with its surroundings. Great care has been taken to preserve this one-of-a-kind setting and its precious resources while simultaneously providing a very comfortable experience

At night, meet your guide, together you will walk to observe the nightlife. You will also cross the canyon in two zip lines until reaching the perfect spot to observe the stars. *Rio Perdido Hotel – 1 Center Bungalow – *Depends on weather conditions

Day 2: Bagaces                                                                                                                          Tubbing Tour Rio Blanco & Canyon Adventure

In the morning, enjoy a tubing tour. The hotel uses modern equipment to help you safely traverse the river and get a real sense of the canyon and its magic. There are parts of the canyon where the rock walls narrow and daylight is scarce. Echoes grow louder, and if you remain quiet for a bit, you will find that you are not alone; birds, monkeys, and, occasionally, some larger mammals will announce their presence. Look for the hot water spouts along the eastern rock walls.

After it, free time for your leisure. You can make an appointment at the spa or just relax by the pools. Rio Perdido Hotel – 1 Center Bungalow (B)

Day 3: Bagaces                                                                                                                    Resort’s Trails

After breakfast, enjoy a guided hike on the resort’s trails. The total distance of this hike is 3.5 kilometers out and back. The walk begins with a soft ascent through the woods, leading to an uncovered trail and then to a steeper climb for the last 250 meters before arriving at a small, flat mesa. From the top, you can see all of the Guanacaste volcanoes, including the Miravalles, the Rincon de la Vieja, and the Tenorio. Because of the complete absence of artificial illumination, this is an amazing place to stargaze, see the lit domes that mark the distant urban centers, and appreciate 360 degrees of undisturbed nature under the moonlight. Private tour.

Back in the lodge, enjoy free time to visit the thermal river.

Rio Perdido, which means “lost river,” is the centerpiece of the 600-acre private reserve. This mile-long thermo-mineral gorge has dozens of hot pools which draw their energy from deep magma flows and is a completely natural and inspiring setting, unlike any other place on the planet. Along the riverbed, there are 8 registered springs, which emanate over 4000 gallons of hot water every minute.  At these points, the water is a bit too hot for more than a dip of the foot, but as a result of the spring water mixing into the river’s flow, there are dozens of soothing pools of varying temperatures, which are absolutely perfect for prolonged bathing; and just upstream from the spring, you can actually swim in cool water. Rio Perdido Hotel – 1 Center Bungalow (B)

Day 4: Bagaces/ Paquera

This morning, you will be transferred from Bagaces to Paquera in a 3 ½ hour drive you will enjoy the scenery with Mountains, Volcanos, and lakes. Upon your arrival, you will be welcome by your lodge staff and take a ride for 10 minutes to the Glamping Lodge.

Rejuvenate mind, body, and spirit while forging a special connection with nature at Isla Chiquita Glamping Hotel. Located on tiny Isla Jesusita in the picturesque Gulf of Nicoya, it is the first and only island glamping hotel destination in Costa Rica. Celebrate the island’s artisanal fishing legacy with an exquisite seafood dish at Donde Tía Nora restaurant, or enjoy a refreshing drink at Harry’s Bar while admiring the surrounding beauty. Live a great adventure, land or sea! Bioluminescence expeditions, bird watching, forest walks, snorkeling excursions, and tours of other islands are among our menu of activities. Upon returning to the hotel, relax in our tropical gardens or enjoy a relaxing massage at our Nimbú Spa.

Kayaking

Upon your arrival, you will enjoy the kayaking experience. The waters surrounding Isla Chiquita offer a fantastic setting for a unique kayaking adventure. Perfect for connecting with the ocean, watching birds in flight, and marveling at shellfish and other marine life. It perfectly combines ecological discovery, physical activity, and the serenity of the water.

Night Adventure: Bioluminescence, Landscape, And Fauna

This incomparable boat adventure will show you the charm of the night landscape and its fauna. It includes the search for bioluminescence*, a natural magic phenomenon where the waters shine with a starry sky effect.* Visibility depends on external factors such as light, wind, moon, and tides . Isla Chiquita – Tent Suite (B,L,D)

Day 5: Paquera                                                                                                                            Tour Of The Islands

The Gulf of Nicoya invites sun and sand enthusiasts to discover the unique beauty of exotic landscapes. An open boat will take you across the Gulf to find your favorite beach to enjoy activities such as swimming, snorkeling, or simply drifting in the coastal breeze. Beverages and a Picnic lunch are included.  Isla Chiquita – Tent Suite (B, Picnic Lunch,D)

Day 6: Paquera                                                                                                                       Curú Bio Private Reserve 

The first private biological reserve in Costa Rica extends an invitation to indulge in adventure. Trails lined with tropical wonders set the stage for discovery and surprise. Monkeys, birds, and other exotic species will give you a strong connection with nature. Difficulty walking varies from leisurely to intense. Simply speak to your guide to choose your preferred pace. Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch before getting back to the lodge. Isla Chiquita – Tent Suite (B, picnic lunch,D)

Day 7: Paquera/ Arenal

This morning, you will be transferred to Tambor airport to board your charter plane to Arenal, where you will check in at your Tent.  Nayara Tented Camp is set high on the hill and with spectacular views of the Arenal Volcano. The luxury air-conditioned tents feature our signature plunge pool fed with natural hot springs, an outdoor shower, wooden floors, a four-posted bed with a canopy, and a spacious bathroom with an oversized tub. The luxurious yet eco-friendly tents merge with the surrounding nature. Nayara Tented Camp (B)

 Day 8: Arenal                                                                                                                             La Fortuna Waterfall Hike  

This morning, morning hike down to the beautiful La Fortuna Waterfall near the town of La Fortuna. Savor the natural beauty of the rainforest as well as the birds and wildlife. Once you arrive at the falls, you will be awed by the beauty of this impressive waterfall near Arenal Volcano! Relax and enjoy a swim in this stunning setting.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before getting ready to visit the volcano. A representative from Big Five will meet you in the lobby. This tour combines an attractive boat ride on Arenal Lake with a hike through the national park.  The tour begins with a short 20-minute ride to the Arenal Lake Dam, where you board a boat for the ride along the edge of this lake, allowing you to observe the rainforest, islands, aquatic birds, and some of the animals that make this area their home. During the ride, the naturalist guide explains the importance of this hydroelectric dam to the economy of Costa Rica.

After 45 minutes on the boat, you arrive at the national park peninsula for a one-km hike. This is the best trail for spotting wildlife due to its privacy. At the end of the trail, you enjoy fresh tropical fruits and board a van that takes you to the park’s observation point to get a closer look at the volcano. Learn about the history, active cycles, and geological formation of this colossal volcano. Nayara Tented Camp (B,L)

Day 9: Arenal
Canopy

Today visit Sky Adventures Park, where you set out on a three-hour hiking tour that takes you across five suspension bridges high in the rainforest canopy. Take in the eye-level views of the rainforest and its winged creatures, as well as monkeys that scramble from branch to branch. Some of these bridges also cross over canyons. A local wildlife expert leads the Sky Walk tour. Your hike takes you past two waterfalls that you can admire from viewing platforms.

Then, return to the base by riding thrilling zip lines. This is a perfect adventure activity as you ride seven cables that go up to 200 m/656 ft in height and 750 m/2460 ft in length. You will be amazed by the impressive heights and speeds up to 70km/h/43.5mph.  Nayara Tented Camp  (B)

 Day 10: Arenal / San Jose, Depart

Take a private transfer to San Jose Airport, where you will take your flight back home. (B)

Land price, per person, double occupancy: From US$600.00 per person, per day