Tamarindo

From Tamarindo why not take a trip to another Costa Rica vacation highlight and visit Arenal Volcano? As you make your way towards the magnificent Arenal lake gorgeous landscapes will unfold in front of you and the Coter rainforest will captivate you with its dense, lush plant life, concealing a wealth of biodiversity. Coter rainforest is a private biological reserve that protects 250 hectares of primary and secondary rain forest and is ideal for trekking and bird watching.

After lunch, we will continue to the Arenal Volcano area where you can take a dip in the natural mineral hot springs that descend from the volcano. You’ll find different pools filled with mineral water, surrounded by impressive well-manicured tropical gardens and a hot-water river that crosses the entire property. While you enjoy the hot springs, take a look of the impressive view of the Arenal Volcano, considered one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Read our newsletter article about the Arenal volcano.

As if the excitement of exploring a tropical dry forest was not enough, now you can fly through the treetops on a hair-raising zip-line canopy tour. Feel the wind rushing through your hair while you soar from tree to tree on this adrenaline-packed adventure that gives you an entirely new perspective on the forest around you.

The Corobici River is a wide river that flows from the Arenal Lake, at the base of the highly active Arenal Volcano, and continues westward into the Pacific lowlands and towards the ocean itself. This is an ideal opportunity for keen birdwatchers as it passes near the Palo Verde National Park, home to the greatest concentration of waterfowl and shorebirds in Central America.

This river tour will gently float you down the river with minimal paddling required, giving you time to observe the wildlife along the shore. There are sections where the river gradually reaches the mangrove forests along the coast where sometimes the boat-billed heron is found, despite being a nocturnal bird.

With its world famous natural diversity, it’s no surprise that Costa Rica is the pre-eminent destination for keen bird spotters. With over 850 different species of birds crammed into this tiny country, flocks of birders come each year to spy on the flocks of birds, but who is watching who?! On this trip and with an experienced naturalist guide, you will be able to view some of the following eye-catching species; The Cattle Egret, Crested Caracara, Laughing Flacon and the Squirrel Cuckoo just to mention a few. Our experienced guides carry binoculars and field handbooks to help you understand and learn about these magnificent birds. Witnessing these spectacular birds is most likely in the early morning or as the day cools into the evening when they are most active.

Explore deep into the forest with a combination of horseback riding and hiking. Horses will take you through pastures, forests and high into the hills towards a beautiful set of waterfalls. The views of the Valley of San Carlos and its forest carpet are truly spectacular. At the end of the track you will leave the horses and descend on foot via a natural trail that leads towards the waterfalls. This paradisiacal area is profoundly peaceful, giving you a unique place to relax and enjoy the crystal clear waters.

Tenorio Volcano in northern Costa Rica lies at the start of the vast Tilaran mountain range and is carpeted in dense rainforest harboring a vast number of native plant and animal species. You can experience this slice of the wild from a private nature reserve where you will walk along paths and across huge hanging bridges, running through the heart of the forest. You will see ancient species of ferns, imposing trees and exotic plants, as well as the animals who call the forest home. This is a memorable encounter with nature and, if the weather permits, you will be rewarded with a spectacular view of the giant Lake Nicaragua, spread across the northern landscape.

The Miravalles Volcano, although technically dormant, is home to the largest geothermal field in Costa Rica, offering visitors an impressive display of a cauldron-like crater bubbling with water and fumaroles spouting steam and gasses from deep within the earth’s bowels. This tour also takes you to a Macadamia plantation for a fascinating insight into the production and importance of the most exotic and expensive nut in the world, as well as your own piece of macadamia nougat to take home. At last, you will stop at a local art gallery to appreciate the work of Costa Rica’s local artists.

Visiting the northern flanks of Rincon de la Vieja Volcano is perfect for enjoying numerous activities all in one place; canopy tours, water slides, hot springs, mud baths and horseback riding. The canopy tour is a system of 10 cables connected to platforms that are built within the treetops in the tropical forest. A 400-meter (1,300-foot) water slide is also located inside the forest; a fountain of youth for grownups and great fun for children. After these two activities, you will enjoy a deliciously typical Costa Rican lunch. In the afternoon, either by horse of by a horse-drawn carriage, you will visit the thermal hot springs located in the heart of the forest; here you can take a volcanic mud treatment or relax in the hot springs surrounded by the tropical forest and the many creatures within.

Palo Verde National Park is located on the Pacific slopes of the northwestern Costa Rica. It is an 18.5 hectare plain covered by rivers, limestone hills and extensive wetland vegetation and borders the Tempisque River that flows into the Gulf of Nicoya. Our visit will consist of a boat ride through the river to appreciate the great ecological diversity of this park. There are 13 different habitats, including mangrove and swamp forests, salt and freshwater marshes, evergreen, lowland, limestone and secondary forests in a wide range of continuous stages.

However, birds are the biggest attraction at Palo Verde National Park; in the wet season the floodwaters of the Tempisque River spread to form extensive marshes that welcome migrant birds from North and Latin America. Large numbers of aquatic birds can be seen: Grebes, Cormorants, Anhinga, Herons, Jabirus Storks, Ibises, Spoonbills, Falcons, Caracaras and Jacanas. The mammal fauna is equally rich and visible, particularly during the dry season when peccaries, armadillos, jaguarondis, coatis, agoutis, deers, and monkeys are attracted to the water holes.

Join the howler monkeys swinging through the tree tops at this thrilling canopy tour built deep within the tropical dry forest at Artola or Cartagena. The network of suspended cables will have you flying through the air, wind in your hair, giving you an unforgettable experience packed full of extreme excitement.

Rincon de la Vieja is an active volcano located 16 miles north from Liberia in Guanacaste. The volcano boasts a large number of fumaroles and hot springs on its slopes and its most recently eruption was in February 1998.

The name, Rincon de la Vieja, means the old woman's corner; according to locals, the indigenous people named the volcano after an old witch on top of the mountain who sent columns of smoke into the air when she was angry. Another version says it was a kind old woman on the same spot and the smoke was from her cooking fire as she prepared meals for weary travelers.

The rigorous but spectacular hike starts in the tropical moist forest and as you climb, continues into low wet forest where the trees are covered with epiphytic vegetation. There are 257 species of birds that have been recorded and a great number of insect species; the park protects the largest population of wild purple orchid, Costa Rica’s national flower.

Palo Verde National Park is located on the Pacific slopes of the northwestern Costa Rica. It is an 18.5 hectare plain covered by rivers, limestone hills and extensive wetland vegetation and borders the Tempisque River that flows into the Gulf of Nicoya. Our visit will consist of a boat ride through the river to appreciate the great ecological diversity of this park. There are 13 different habitats, including mangrove and swamp forests, salt and freshwater marshes, evergreen, lowland, limestone and secondary forests in a wide range of continuous stages.

However, birds are the biggest attraction at Palo Verde National Park; in the wet season the floodwaters of the Tempisque River spread to form extensive marshes that welcome migrant birds from North and Latin America. Large numbers of aquatic birds can be seen: Grebes, Cormorants, Anhinga, Herons, Jabirus Storks, Ibises, Spoonbills, Falcons, Caracaras and Jacanas. The mammal fauna is equally rich and visible, particularly during the dry season when peccaries, armadillos, jaguarondis, coatis, agoutis, deers, and monkeys are attracted to the water holes.

After touring the park, you will take an interesting trip through the Matambu Coffee Plantation's facilities, where you'll learn about the different steps to make coffee: cultivating, processing and recycling wastes. You will also learn about the production in this area, which is unique in Guanacaste, as well as the indigenous and rural cultural values of the region.

This tour is designed for people who love challenging themselves in a natural environment: canopy tours with zip lines over a river canyon, rappelling, wall climbing, Tarzan swinging (from side to side), horseback riding and a refreshing bath in very clean and clear river water. A beautiful transition, tropical forest will surround you during this adventure.

Your day out on horseback will take you across the beautiful plains and streams surrounded by the tropical dry forest full of exuberant flora and fauna. From the top of one of the hill in the property, you can enjoy an impressive view of the savanna and when you return to the ranch, a delicious typical snack will be waiting for you.

Test your courage and challenge your skills in the heart of Guanacaste on the Tenorio River. The journey will start where the dry and rain forest blend their beauties creating a magic place surrounded by lust vegetation and the home of an enormous variety of animals including migratory birds, butterfly, monkeys and reptiles. For those experienced rafters, this trip is a must with its turns and drops down 15 miles of intense and continuous challenging rapids.

The Colorado River is a narrow river where you will pass through canyon walls as you experience water rapids, lush vegetation, wildlife and pristine isolation. Upon your arrival you will receive safety instructions and then board your 2-person raft. Here you will have the option of being accompanied by a guide or have them follow you closely in another raft. This is sure to be an exciting tour for the beginner or the experienced rafter. Get ready to observe herons and iguanas basking on the riverside as howler monkeys play on the tree branches above you.

If you’re looking for adventure – look no further! There is no better way to discover Costa Rican wildlife in its natural environment than whitewater rafting. Enjoy a leisurely raft down the Corobici River before you hit the class II rapids! You're sure to spot monkeys, colorful birds and lizards before your day ends.

Upon boarding the rubber raft, your certified river guide will instruct you on safety procedures. Guanacaste's Corobici River is perfect for those who have dreamt about the joys of whitewater rafting. The waters are not rough, but you have to work out how to manage them!

This is a fabulous tour for those who do not mind doing a bit of paddling. During the journey, some of the animals you may see are exotic birds, Jesus Christ lizards and chattering monkeys hanging upside-down by their tails.

Liberia City is known as the White City, an appropriate name due to its whitewashed colonial houses, built of bahareque (a type of clay that gives houses a particularly white color). Calle Real is one of the most popular streets of the city; it is considered an architectural gem for its colonial houses that line both sides of the narrow street, adorned with Spanish-tile roofs.

At the Central Park, you will have the opportunity to shop at the different stores around the park or just relax at one of the benches in front of the city’s Catholic Church while you observe the daily life in this picturesque city.

Take an exhilarating drive in a robust all terrain vehicle up to the mountains of Tamarindo for one of the most jaw dropping sunsets on the Pacific coast from a lookout point with views across Playa Langosta, Tamarindo and all the way to Playa Grande. After witnessing the awesome beauty of the fiery sun disappearing behind the horizon, hop back into the ATV and head down the impressive mountain range back to your excellent hotel.

Take one of the most exciting journeys across the dry forest and mountainous landscapes of the Guanacaste region on this all terrain vehicle trip that will stun you with incredible views at each twist and turn in the road. The trip is ideal for the whole family and offers a perfect opportunity to explore the region’s dramatic landscapes in comfort and style.

This highly popular tour takes you on a thrilling journey in an all terrain vehicle through a track in the forest to the golden beaches to the south of Tamarindo where you will be able to spot animals such as howler monkeys, eagles, tropical birds and iguanas.

This tour is only for intermediate and experienced drivers.

Departure between 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Guaranteed 100 % adrenaline!!! We get to the canopy tour through the mountains on an ATV. The canopy tour is formed of cables, some as long as 500 meters, You will also be able to appreciate the forest from the canopy of the trees. To end this tour we will return with our ATVs to the departure point.

Departure times: 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m

This trip is specially designed for nature lovers; two and a half hours kayaking on the estuary between Tamarindo and Playa Grande will give you a chance to spot marine birdlife, crocodiles, iguanas and other animals that occupy this natural paradise on the northern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula.

This amazing kayak and snorkeling tour is a must for those who want to take a peek beneath the waves.  On the white beach “Capitan” you will be able to enjoy the beautiful under water colors emanated by corals and exotic fish.  The tour is perfect for the whole family.

Departure according to tide
Snorkeling equipment and drinking water included.

Duration: 2.5 hours