When you arrive in San Jose, an Explornatura guide meets you at the airport and accompanies you to Turrialba, a beautiful, quaint mountain town nestled in the Central Mountain Range of Costa Rica, two hours southeast of San Jose. Your evening is highlighted by dinner with the tour group and meeting the Explornatura guide who will lead the rest of your trip.

• Dinner

Your first day in Costa Rica starts off right as we head to CATIE, one of the world's premiere tropical agriculture research stations, to enjoy an enlightening and exciting tour crossing their vast plantations and gardens on one of the many mountain bike trails. Your ride through the grounds of CATIE is punctuated by an incredible array of plant and animal life. Experience the flavors of authentic Costa Rican cuisine as you lunch in a local restaurant which is followed by a scenic drive to Guayabo National Monument, Costa Rica's most important archeological site. There you learn about the lives and importance of the indigenous people of Costa Rica.

• Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks

We start early as we head off to whitewater raft one of the top 5 rivers in the world, the Pacuare. This class III and IV rapid river is world renowned not only for its thrilling rapids but also for its breathtaking flora and fauna. Halfway through our river trip we stop at our secluded campsite to enjoy the beauty of the natural forest reserve but in the comfort of our homey, fully-equipped lodgings. After a delicious lunch you have the entire afternoon to swim, hike, or lay around the camp before your gourmet, candlelit dinner in the evening. The next morning we hike up to an indigenous village of the Cabecar Indians and then after lunch we raft the rest of the river and head for the beaches of the South Caribbean!

• Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks

On our first morning in Tortuguero, we embark in a ten-meter canal boat to explore the vast network of canals that surround Tortuguero and experience the jungle life of Costa Rica up close and personal. The afternoon finds us in the Sea Turtle Museum where you learn more about these amazing creatures. After a delicious dinner of typical Caribbean cuisine, we hit the remote beaches of Tortuguero to begin the Night Turtle Hike. Here is where you get the chance to see the sea turtles coming on to the beach, laying their eggs, returning to the water, and maybe even see the eggs hatching and the baby sea turtles finding their way to the ocean for the first time. All of this occurs in their natural habitat so we will be very careful throughout the hike not to disturb them. After a couple of hours of hiking the beach and searching for the sea turtles, it's back to the hotel to clean up and get some well-deserved rest.

• Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks

An early wake-up call prepares you to leave Tortuguero and travel down to the beautiful beaches of the South Caribbean. In Puerto Viejo, you enjoy a relaxing day soaking in the Calypso flavor, laidback atmosphere, and beautiful white sand beaches and aqua waters of the Caribbean.

• Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks

In the morning, we hike away from the coast and deep into the lush jungle that surrounds the South Caribbean. This hike takes us into an indigenous reserve where you will have a chance to learn more about the indigenous culture of this region. After lunch in a local restaurant, we head off to one of the many pristine beaches where you will be able to snorkel or kayak the afternoon away.

• Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks

Your last morning in Puerto Viejo is reserved for wandering through the quaint town and shopping for souvenirs or taking advantage of the Caribbean sun and just hanging out on the beach. In the afternoon, we leave for San Jose to stay in one of the hotels near the airport ensuring that your departure day will be as smooth as possible. In San Jose your vacation concludes with a farewell dinner with your guide and travel companions.

• Dinner

Airport transfer and departure.