Arrive-- and out of town -- FAST

Your Serendipity guide and beefy 4x4 will whisk you out of town into the volcanic mountain range between the Central Valley and the San Carlos plains (dominated by Arenal Volcano). This is the cloud forest.

Hiking here is chilly and mystic. This weird flora is only found in the tropics and only above 5,000 feet of altitude, a very unique combination on our planet. Crystal clear streams and waterfalls.

The word for today is evapotranspiration.

Accommodation Options: in the cloud forest regions between San José airport and the northern zone near Arenal Volcano

• Included also our favorite Moderate: Bosque de Paz, Bajos del Toro, 3+ star hotel with exceptional hiking, birding, nature
• Premium: Peace Lodge, Cinchona, 5 star

Climb a Tree - Inside!

Leaving the cloud forest we descend into the San Carlos plains.

Our destination is a primary forest. One of the oldest trees, here when Columbus discovered America, we named Joseph. Climbing Joseph is a challenge, physically and mentally, and the kids usually do better than their parents.

For dinner we can stay at your hotel, or drive to Fortuna, at the base of Arenal Volcano, with dozens of options from McDonald's to ethnic to 5 star... you decide (dinner not included).

Accommodation Options: near horses, ATV's, hot springs, Arenal volcano

• Included(Best for families) Moderate: Tilajari Resort, 3+ star country hotel
• Premium:(Our favorite) Finca, private villas on our horse farm
• Premium: (Greatly increases driving time) Nayara, La Fortuna, 4 star boutique hotel and spa
• Super Premium: (Greatly increases driving time) The Springs Resort and Spa, La Fortuna, 5 star hotel and spa

Day 3: ATV's to the Hot Springs

ATV's are essential work transport in this area. They reach places closed to even 4x4 cars. They beg to be muddied and cross rivers and chase cattle. We'll head off to our favorite small hot springs in the jungle.

Dinner options -- here in the hot springs there's simple cuisine, or head back to the hotel area for one of the local Ranchos for steak, seafood, or famous chicharones -- fried pork morsels. (dinner not included)

Accommodation Options: near horses, ATV's, hot springs, Arenal

• Included(Best for families) Moderate: Tilajari Resort, 3+ star country hotel
• Premium:(Our favorite) Finca, private villas on our horse farm
• Premium: (Greatly increases driving time) Nayara, La Fortuna, 4 star boutique hotel and spa
• Super Premium: (Greatly increases driving time) The Springs Resort and Spa, La Fortuna, 5 star hotel and spa

Well Trained Horses, Remarkable Places to Ride

For beginners it starts softly, and confidence builds up. For experts there's nothing better than a high speed run in open pasture.

No nose-to-tail, no indifferent guides. It's horseback as you decide... slow, fast, silent or noisy. No one else except your Serendipity guide (and a second person to handle the horses) -- tell us what you want to do, how long you want to go. Climb to the hot springs, or race through sugar cane. Stop for lunch, then start again, refreshed.

And when you get back to the stables, wash you horse, and feed him hay. Unite with your mount in a time-honored tradition -- man and horse, united.

Returning from horseback we have all the options for dinner... you decide. (Dinner not included).

Accommodation Options: near horses, ATV's, hot springs, Arenal volcano

• Included(Best for families) Moderate: Tilajari Resort, 3+ star country hotel
• Premium:(Our favorite) Finca, private villas on our horse farm
• Premium: (Greatly increases driving time) Nayara, La Fortuna, 4 star boutique hotel and spa
• Super Premium: (Greatly increases driving time) The Springs Resort and Spa, La Fortuna, 5 star hotel and spa

Zip lines-dangling above the forest and river on two lines (and a prayer!)

You can't come to Costa Rica without surviving the country's biggest tourist attraction - zip lines. From tree to tree, platform to platform, whiz along strapped below a cable (and in Serendipity's select few zip lines, a second cable for safety). You are airborne for only about 10 minutes total, but even just standing on the swaying platform, awaiting your turn, is "enlightening".

Serendipity make certain we're not rushed or in a group with strangers. Once again Serendipity delivers great adventure while avoiding lines and buses.

We're almost halfway to the whitewater area near Turrialba -- the 4x4 works really well, even on paved roads.

Accommodation Options: near Turrialba

• Included: Villa Florencia, 3 star country hotel
• Premium: (Our favorite) Volare, private home overlooking Turrialba Valley
• Premium: Casa Turire, 4 star boutique hotel

Ropes, Harnesses, Waterfalls, and Faith in your Serendipity Guide

You hear a waterfall as you clamber in a jungle-covered stream. You'll appreciate the paddle jackets keeping you comfortably warm.

You've reached the top of a pretty impressive drop-- the first waterfall. Now you start rappelling. The first descent you are nervous, rigid, timid. By the third you are bouncing from the smooth rock where your feet land, pushing you out of the spray of the crystalline water. It's like gravity on the moon, you are momentarily weightless.

This is real. This is Canyoning.

It's only you -- with your self-chosen group, your Serendipity guides (plus a thermos of hot chocolate for extra energy).

Accommodation Options: near Turrialba

• Included: Villa Florencia, 3 star country hotel
• Premium: (Our favorite) Volare, private home overlooking Turrialba Valley
• Premium: Casa Turire, 4 star boutique hotel

Whitewater on the Pacuare - Costa Rica's Biggest, Boldest, Most Glorious Rafting

National Geographic named the Pacuare one of the Top 10 Whitewater Rivers of the World. Tropical rain keeps it full, and the waters are so much warmer than snow melt. Jungle all around you is breathtakingly beautiful. With 20 miles and 23 rapids, from Class III to high Class IV, you are constantly paddling and dodging and swirling and splashing.

What a way to complete your adventures in Costa Rica. You, your own hand-picked team, and your Serendipity guides.

Accommodation Options: near Turrialba

• Included: Villa Florencia, 3 star country hotel
• Premium: (Our favorite) Volare, private home overlooking Turrialba Valley
• Premium: Casa Turire, 4 star boutique hotel

Departure today.

Your last real Costa Rican breakfast, then off to the airport in San José.

What Did We Forget to Tell You?

Your Guide. 24/7 translator / harness checker / rafting hero / snake charmer (where was that in the itinerary?) / horse whisperer and all around walking encyclopedia about Costa Rica.

Your 4x4. After you see our roads you'll understand Serendipity's decision to go for strong cars with 4x4 capabilities.

Food. Big breakfasts and lunches, snacks in the ice chest whenever we're on the road. We don't include dinners. With so many options, eat what you feel like -- a fine restaurant or a snack and then bed.

Surprises. What you will remember most are the surprises. A sloth outside your bedroom. Learning to use a machete. The feel of wind in your hair on an ATV or fine horse. Most of all, the Costa Ricans you'll meet -- because you're out of the tourist centers, away from the Tourist Freeway.