The hanging bridges.
An early start today. You will be leaving La Fortuna.
The first stop at the Hanging Bridges, and then to Guanacaste, for a two night stay at incredible J.W. Marriot Hotel.
An early start today. You will be leaving La Fortuna.
The first stop at the Hanging Bridges, and then to Guanacaste, for a two night stay at incredible J.W. Marriot Hotel.
Starting early really makes a difference, specially if you want to have an enjoyable cooler walk through the rainforest . There are a few things that are a must to have handy with you today, cameras, binoculars, a good pair of closed shoes (sneakers or hiking boots), rain gear, and mosquito repellent. You can always carry a pair of sandals in a hand bag for after the walk.
This 1.9 mile of trails with 6 hanging bridges is quite spectacular. The forest here is home to a wide variety of wildlife including Eye-lash Pit-Vipers, Howler Monkeys, Spider Monkeys, White-faced Monkeys, eye lash vipers, and birds like the Spotted Woodcreeper, Scarlet-rumped Caciques, Keel-billed Motmots, toucans and the Rufous Motmot.
Your Tour Director will give more detail information about the different options that you will have for the hike. If you are in pretty good shape, you will definitely have the opportunity for a longer trail. Those that prefer a shorter adventure, or who are not used to walk long distances in difficult terrain, then please, choose the shorter option. The picture below gives you an idea of this captivating trails and the dense vegetation. Check the terrain, it is not paved, so no flip flops recommended.
There will be a ranger walking the trail with you. They are not naturalist tour guides, since todays idea is mainly to hike through the forest, but they have good eyes and they are willing to show you what they see on the way.
Another thing you can do is to walk the first bridge and come back! The picture below shows you part of that bridge. Out of the 6, this is one of the longest and as you can notice, they are made of steel so even though they shake a little, they feel pretty stable as you walk.
Give it a try! Just imagine what it is to walk on top of the trees! The experience of being up there, right there, overlooking the canopy of the trees, where you can admire that hidden magic world, the hidden part of the jungle. It is just fascinating!
The most scenic drive. After the walk, you will continue your travel on one of the most scenic routes in the country. This road borders the Arenal Lake, the largest lake in the country located in the northern region of Costa Rica. For approximately an hour, you will be driving through the mountain range of Tilarán to go across from the Caribbean slope to the Pacific. The views are just stunning.
The Arenal-Tilarán Conservation Area contains a number of National Parks, wildlife refuges and protected areas, among them Arenal Volcano NAtional Park, Tenorio Volcano National Park and Miravalles protected zone. This conservation area consists of 88000 acres of rain and cloud forests covering areas from both caribbean and pacific slopes at elevations between 1800ft. to 5900ft. above sea level.
After you pass the Continental divide the scenery will change drastically as you enter the driest region of Costa Rica in the province of Guanacaste. This province is the cradle of the costa rican folklore.
Just before the city of Tilarán, you will make a stop for lunch at La Troja Restaurant. If you like costa rican style food, this is the place! Delicious! A nice, tasty buffet awaits! This restaurant is located at the outskirts of the city, it is a typical style place with wooden floors and completely open balconies to enjoy the view and the breeze!
Shopping stop at Liberia. After lunch your next stop will be at the city of Liberia. Today is a day of contrasts. Right after you leave the restaurant you will notice how the climate changes and how the terrain looks completely different as you start descending to the pacific low lands.
When you arrive to Liberia, there will be a brief stop for restrooms and for shopping. In this commercial center you will find ATM´s, a pharmacy, a supermarket and a Monteverde Ice Cream shop. If you are planning to purchase costa rican coffee, or why not, a bottle of wine to enjoy at your room terrace tonight, this is the right moment to do it!
No need to say that you will find good prices at the grocery store. Ask you Tour Director for recommendations on brands of coffee. About wine, in Costa Rica the popular wines come from Chile, Argentina and California. Other things that you might want to check are Cacique (Costarican liqueur), typical salsas, plantain chips, and local rum!
The Arenal-Tilarán Conservation Area contains a number of National Parks, wildlife refuges and protected areas, among them Arenal Volcano NAtional Park, Tenorio Volcano National Park and Miravalles protected zone. This conservation area consists of 88000 acres of rain and cloud forests covering areas from both caribbean and pacific slopes at elevations between 1800ft. to 5900ft. above sea level.
After you pass the Continental divide the scenery will change drastically as you enter the driest region of Costa Rica in the province of Guanacaste. This province is the cradle of the costa rican folklore.
Just before the city of Tilarán, you will make a stop for lunch at La Troja Restaurant. If you like costa rican style food, this is the place! Delicious! A nice, tasty buffet awaits! This restaurant is located at the outskirts of the city, it is a typical style place with wooden floors and completely open balconies to enjoy the view and the breeze!
When you arrive to Liberia, there will be a brief stop for restrooms and for shopping. In this commercial center you will find ATM´s, a pharmacy, a supermarket and a Monteverde Ice Cream shop. If you are planning to purchase costa rican coffee, or why not, a bottle of wine to enjoy at your room terrace tonight, this is the right moment to do it!
No need to say that you will find good prices at the grocery store. Ask you Tour Director for recommendations on brands of coffee. About wine, in Costa Rica the popular wines come from Chile, Argentina and California. Other things that you might want to check are Cacique (Costarican liqueur), typical salsas, plantain chips, and local rum!
You Beach Hotel in Guanacaste. From Liberia you will continue your road trip. Non stop from here to the J.W. Marriot. This luxurious hotel is located in Hacienda Pinilla, on a very exclusive beach front property right on the Pacific ocean. It is a surrounded by a very peaceful environment, with the beach on one side and the dry forest on the other.
The hotel features one of the largest pools in Central America and a world class Spa and it has been recognized as on the the best resorts in the region. The 18-hole golf course was designed by Mike Young.
The Hotel is built in Spanish colonial architectural style with light stucco colors, tiled roof, coffered ceilings, natural stone walls, terraces and lots of open areas. It is located in Hacienda Pinilla a 4,500 acres along the Pacific Coast, on Costa Rica's beautiful Guanacaste Peninsula. The Hacienda is destined to become the country’s most attractive resort community.
The hotel features one of the largest pools in Central America and a world class Spa and it has been recognized as on the the best resorts in the region. The 18-hole golf course was designed by Mike Young.
The Hotel is built in Spanish colonial architectural style with light stucco colors, tiled roof, coffered ceilings, natural stone walls, terraces and lots of open areas. It is located in Hacienda Pinilla a 4,500 acres along the Pacific Coast, on Costa Rica's beautiful Guanacaste Peninsula. The Hacienda is destined to become the country’s most attractive resort community.
Your meals will be at the Mansita Buffet restaurant, at the pool level. Your Tour Director will confirm or let you know if there is any changes.
