Leah Donehy 
Sample Itinerary
Day 1
BAJOS DEL TORO
Your friendly guide and driver will greet you at the airport, and take you directly to El Silencio Lodge and Spa, high in the Costa Rican mountains.
This peaceful Relaix & Chateau lodge is surrounded by lush green cloud forest and is flanked by two national parks. Accommodation is available in a selection of suites and villas delightfully nestled into this spectacular landscape – you can relax on your private porch and watch the hummingbirds stop by for a visit, or take a dip in your personal hot tub.
The lodge features the Las Ventanas Restaurant, which specializes in creative Costa Rican cuisine, and features farm fresh produce from the on-site organic farm.
Various activities are available onsite including wine tasting, vegetable picking, art lessons, and tree planting. Each day is unique and your eco-concierge will help you arrange everything!
Overnight El Silencio Lodge
Day 2
BAJOS DEL TORO
After breakfast, it’s time to zoom through the canopy! Zipline through the treetops and rappel down the face of roaring waterfalls.
This afternoon, embrace the living culture of Bajos del Toro with a visit to the home of Dona Olga, who invites you to learn how to palm fresh tortillas with her charming family.
Overnight El Silencio Lodge
Day 3
BAJOS DEL TORO
After breakfast, take time to plant a tree and become part of the living legacy of the cloud forest. Each tree planted helps offset carbon and enriches the biodiversity of the region.
Afterwards, embark on the “Mystic Hike” — an inspired walk through the Hummingbird Garden and cloud forest trails of the lodge.A magical knot garden, hidden paths that embrace nature’s elements, and friendly hummingbirds offer a playful hiking experience.
This is a perfect chance to see El Silencio Lodge and the cloud forest from a different perspective.
After lunch, join the Tasty Tico Traditions experience at the hotel. Learning about your destination’s homespun culinary favorites is one of the best ways to connect with its culture and traditions.
Costa Rica’s hearty home-style dishes hold little secrets that bring out the delicious flavors and nutrition of fresh ingredients. You will learn from local chefs so you can bring the flavors of Costa Rica home with you!
Overnight El Silencio Lodge
Day 4
BAJOS DEL TORO – ARENAL – WORK DAY WITH WILDLIFE RESCUE
After a delicious breakfast, bid farewell to Bajos del Toro, and continue your journey to the Arenal region. Your guide and driver will take you to Proyecto Asis, a wildlife rescue center, to enjoy a day of volunteering. Your duties today reflect the daily needs of the rescue center. Help prepare specially balanced diets for the many species of animals at the center, clean and maintain wildlife enclosures, and make environmental enrichment toys for them.
After a full day of excitement and learning, head to your hotel to relax and unwind.
Located in the middle of a tropical forest on beautifully lush grounds, Nayara Hotel offers luxurious accommodations perfectly situated to take in the draw-dropping views of nearby Arenal volcano and the surrounding jungle. Picture plush, four-poster beds, hardwood floors, secluded gardens with outdoor showers, and terraces boasting hot tubs or mineral spring-fed plunge pools. The on-premise spa, perched on a cliff overlooking a wild landscape, offers a comprehensive menu of massages, wraps, and more. Guests have an inspired mix of Costa Rican and international cuisines. A nice selection of wine is on offer as well.
Overnight Nayara Hotel Spa & Gardens
Day 5
PROJECT WORK DAY WITH WILDLIFE RESCUE OR ARENAL VOLCANO + WATERFALL HIKE
This morning, return to Proyecto Asis for another morning of volunteering, or embark on an exploration of Arenal Volcano National Park, a 30,000 acre stretch of land that comprises rainforest, savannah, and two volcanoes. You’ll explore the park on foot along a sandy trail and across a lava field as your guide offers insights on volcanism, Costa Rican geography, and the history of Arenal, which was once the most active volcano in the country. The hike culminates at a spot with excellent views.
In the afternoon, visit the magnificent La Fortuna Waterfall.
Nestled in the National Park, this 200 foot waterfall represents a groundbreaking precedent in Costa Rica’s community-driven tourism: several of the local community associations came together to improve access to this beautiful place, and our entrance feeds fund local education, environmental and cultural activities. From this example, other communities across Costa Rica are embracing similar models to preserve natural places and fund local investment.
Take a dip in the cool clear waters of the waterfall’s pool while gazing up at its majesty. You’ll earn these views as you take your time traversing the 530 steps back up!
In the early evening, return to the quiet sanctuary of Nayara for a relaxing dinner.
Overnight Nayara Hotel Spa & Gardens
Day 6
KAYAKING – TRANSFER TO GUANACASTE
This morning, enjoy breakfast on your private terrace before a kayaking adventure on nearby Arenal Lake. Let time slow down as you paddle peacefully across the clear waters under wide open skies.
After lunch in town, transfer overland to Guanacaste, where the pace of life is relaxed and the waves are perfect for surfing. Wander down to Guiones beach, or head straight to the surf club to pick out your board!
Sip the sweet juice of a freshly picked coconut as you check in at the Gilded Iguana, a luxurious and playful spot to dive into Nosara’s surf scene. Designed for surfers and perfect for families, each room at the Gilded Iguana echos the beauty of the beach, with indoor and outdoor showers, modern decor, and of course, surfboard storage for all. Meet locals and hear tales of epic waves at the open air restaurant.
Overnight The Gilded Iguana
Day 7
SURF AND BEACH
Wake up early to catch the morning waves, and meet your private instructor for a family surfing lesson.
Playa Guiones is ideal for surfers of all levels, and your expert instructor will help you learn to read the waves and pop up on your board – it is lots of fun to learn together! Experience peace as you watch the horizon, feeling the swell of each wave to catch the right one. Today, there’s nothing to distract – just you, the waves, and the gorgeous Pacific coastline of Costa Rica’s best surf spot.
Overnight The Gilded Iguana
Day 8
SURF AND VOLUNTEER BEACH CLEAN-UP
This morning, help make sure travel is a force for good! Join our friends at a local non-profit to learn about the decades long effort to keep Nosara wild and beautiful, and help ensure this ecosystem stays healthy by planting trees and cleaning up the beach.
In the afternoon, head back out to the waves, or join a yoga class on the beach (or on your board!)
Overnight The Gilded Iguana
Day 9
Departure
Enjoy the morning beachside, then your driver will meet you for your private transfer from Nosara to Daniel Odubur Quirós International Airport for your departure flight home.
