DAY 1 - Monday, September 7: Flight to Costa Rica

• Depart from Benedict's Terminal for the Airport.  ROUNDTRIP FLIGHT is included to COSTA RICA.  Upon arrival in San Jose, you will be transferred to the HOTEL RADISSON with a LIGHT DINNER included.

DAY 2 - Tuesday, September 8: Tortuguero via Sea Turtle Conservancy

• BOXED BREAKFAST is included this morning. Pass through BRAULIO CARRILLO NATIONAL PARK, home to many dormant volcanoes and placid crater lakes.  Then, hop aboard a BOAT, as you travel through JUNGLE-LINED CANALS to transport you to your eco-friendly rainforest LODGING in TORTUGUERO. Enjoy an included LUNCH of local cuisine.  Learn about endangered turtles at the SEA TURTLE CONSERVANCY.  Later, get to know your group at the WELCOME DINNER.

Day 3 - Wednesday, September 9: Walking and Boating Tour of Tortuguero National Park

•  BREAKFAST is included this morning.  Learn about TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK's diverse habitats, including mangrove forests, swamps, and beaches on a walk led by your NATURALIST GUIDE.  Board a BOAT and cruise through the park, seeking out monkeys, tapirs, caimans, and more.  View the freshwater creeks and lagoons, home to endangered turtles and over 50 species of fish.  Spot the local flora and fauna along the rainforest canals.  Enjoy a LUNCH and DINNER are included at the Lodge, featuring local cuisine.  You will have some FREE TIME to explore before dinner.

Day 4 - Thursday, September 10: Arenal Region via Pineapple Farm

• BREAKFAST is included this morning.  Then, journey by BOAT back to the pier, through the jungled canals of the National Park.  On arrival, our PRIVATE DRIVER will be waiting to escort you to your next destination: LA FORTUNA, VOLCANO ARENAL.  En route, we will visit an eco-friendly, organic PINEAPPLE FARM in the Sarapiqui Region.  LUNCH is included at the Pineapple Farm, as well as a TOUR OF THE FARM.  You will learn how pineapple is grown using compost fertilization, natural herbicides, and crop rotation.  Try some fresh-cut PINEAPPLE and PINEAPPLE JUICE, before learning how to MAKE A PINA COLADA and enjoy your homemade drink.  Depart from the farm to travel approximately 2 hours to your lodging - the HOTEL ARENAL SPRINGS RESORT & SPA.  DINNER is included at the Resort.

Day 5 - Friday, September 11: Hiking Tour

• BREAKFAST is included this morning.  Travelers should be able to hike around two miles over uneven terrain and hardened lava.  This afternoon, visit an ECO-FRIENDLY RANCH in LA FORTUNA.  Tour the sugar cane mill to learn how sugar processed more than 100 years ago.  Enjoy a LUNCH, including a traditional TORTILLA LESSON, featuring ingredients harvested on-site.  Explore the grounds with a LOCAL GUIDE.  Dinner will be on your own.

Day 6 - Saturday, September 12: Hiking Tour of Arenal National Park

• BREAKFAST is included this morning.  You will enjoy a SNACK at the 1968 Mirado y Senderos.  The day starts with a MINIBUS TRIP to ARENAL LAKE, and continues with a PONTOON BOAT RIDE on the Chiquito River.  You will arrive at your hotel around 5 pm.  DINNER is included at a local restaurant en route.

Day 7 - Sunday, September 13: Monteverde

• BREAKFAST is included this morning. Get another look at the spectacular LAKE ARENAL as you travel to MONTEVERDE by BOAT and BUS.  There, learn about Costa Rica's diverse ecology and vibrant culture.  Prepare yourself a traditional LUNCH during a COOKING CLASS in an open area with a forest view; with a wood oven and stove.  Dinner will be on your own in Monteverde.

Day 8 - Monday, September 14: Transfer to San Jose & Sightseeing Tour

• BREAKFAST is incuded this morning.  Travel to San Jose and get to know Costa Rica's capital city on a GUIDED SIGHTSEEING TOUR.  Stop at the PLAZA DE LA CULTURA, site of many performances and celebrations, and admire the National Theater of Costa Rica.  Later, sit down for a PRIVATE DINNER BUFFET, that includes 2 DRINKS and the show, "NOCHE TICA."

Day 9 - Tuesday, September 15: Flight back to PA

• BREAKFAST is included this morning.  Transfer to the airport for your FLIGHT HOME.  TRANSPORTATION will be provided back to Benedict's Terminal, with wonderful memories of your Costa Rican adventure!

HOTEL RADISSON:  Situated about three kilometers from San Jose's city center, Radisson San Jose - Costa Rica offers an ideal location for business trips, romantic getaways, and family vacations.  You can wander through San Jose's various markets, learn about regional history at the National Museum of Costa Rica, or take the kids for an exciting day of educational fun at The Children's Museum.  The hotel has 210 welcoming rooms and suites, each elegantly appointed and equipped  with air conditioning, hair dryer, in-room safe box and 32' flat screen TV.  Other facilities include: two swimming pools, jacuzzi, fitness center, sauna, and on-site casino.

ANINGA HOTEL & SPA: The Aninga Hotel is strategically located only 5 minutes away from the extraordinary Tortuguero National Park and right across the main canal, facing the town of Tortuguero.  Surrounded by a network of picturesque canals, it is considered one of the most exotic regions in the world with its richest flora and fauna.  Tortuguero is one of Costa Rica's treasures and is known as the Little Amazon and the most important place for the Green sea turtle nesting.

This lovely lodge has 33 comfortable spacious bungalows with comfortable beds, private bathrooms, hot water and ceiling fans, as well as a beautiful swimming pool.  Additionally. Aninga Lodge has an excellent restaurant and bar service.  While designing the resort, their priority was to respect the environment, which is why 80% of the hotel is constructed 1.5 meters above the ground.  Restaurant, bungalows, and walking trails are built on stilts.  It allows not only protection for the natural habitat of animals, but also lets you enjoy the panoramic view of the tropical rainforest.

HOTEL ARENAL SPRINGS RESORT & SPA: High ceilings, rustic textures and inviting earth tones are combined with woodwork, granite countertops.  The artwork is by local artists.  The exquisite toiletries are made in their own certified onsite lab and include hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, and hand cream.  The hot springs of Arenal Springs Hotel are 100% natural and rich in mineral salts and ions such as Calcium, Magnesium and Chloride as they come from underground sources of the Arenal Volcano.  Due to high mineral concentration, while soaking in these waters, your skin is moisturized and refreshed.  Rooms are designed to provide incredible direct views of the majestic Arenal Volcano.

EL ESTABLO MOUNTAIN HOTEL:  This contemporary hotel is in Monteverde.  Start relaxing your soul and enjoy your stay with the best view of the Gulf of Nicoya.  Guests enjoy a tennis court, indoor pool, and a spa.  Nearby, you'll find the Monteverde Butterfly Gardens, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and Arenal Volvano National Park.