Arrive, and Escape to Pure Peace

Your Serendipity guide and 4x4 will pick you up at the airport then ascend to a cloud forest on the side of Poás Volcano.

This private cloud forest retreat has been don Federico's cloud forest ecology and orchid research center long before tourism began in Costa Rica, without the crowds of popular Monteverde National Park.

Cloud forests require tropical climate (so they do not freeze in winter) and moisture. Some species can only survive in cloud forests, like gorillas in Africa.

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. The hiking opportunity near Peace Lodge is not private and is run by the hotel, not Serendipity.

Hiking in Cloud Forest

Areas of don Frederico's private nature sanctuary are open for Serendipity and our guests. The solitude of these areas assures excellent opportunity to find hidden creatures.

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. Serendipity is privileged to have access to areas normally closed, which means unimproved trails and an abundance of nature.

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. The hiking opportunity near Peace Lodge is not private and is run by the hotel, not Serendipity.

This morning we leave the cloud forest and descend into the San Carlos plains, the bread basket of Costa Rica, with huge farms of sugar cane, rice, oranges, and pineapple.

A Simple Man, a Rain Forest Restoration

How wonderful Serendipity has discovered a few private, pristine nature areas to share with our guests.

Claudio grows nature's bounty. He started with abandoned cattle pasture, and has reconstructed a vibrant, healthy rain forest, with hundreds of species and trees now 40 years old. He has proven it's possible to regrow a diverse forest, if that is your passion.

The stars of the farm are frogs, thousands of frogs, red or turquoise, a few bright yellow. And birds, some brilliant and obvious, most well camouflaged. Claudio now grows tropical fish, to sell in pet stores in the cities. It's a small, personal business, made out of recycled plastic containers, and it is a good demonstration of the heart of conservation.

Accommodation Options: near the private nature areas of this itinerary

• 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 times) Nayara, La Fortuna, 4 star boutique hotel and spa
• Super Premium: (Greatly increases driving times) The Springs Resort and Spa, La Fortuna, 5 star hotel and spa

Nature platform in a our Primary Forest

Abraham towers above this ancient primary forest. The forest is all ours today - and the animals that live here undisturbed.

After hiking in the forest and ascending the platform it will be time to watch sunset at the volcano. What better place than from Eco Termales hot springs.

Dinner options -- here in the hot springs there's simple cuisine, or you have the selection of Fortuna, from good pizza to fish you catch to cook to a great variety of Costa Rican and ethnic foods. Let your guide know what type food you'd like, and your guide will take you there.

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 times) Nayara, La Fortuna, 4 star boutique hotel and spa
• Super Premium: (Greatly increases driving times) The Springs Resort and Spa, La Fortuna, 5 star hotel and spa

Float and Motor the Caño Negro Nature Sanctuary

The little boats can maneuver under the overhanging branches to get close to nests, under the monkeys, spy on iguanas and turtles. The boats are silent - not even the noise of paddles breaking the surface. But the sounds yu hear are full-throated and natural, from howlers to bird calls, from the swooping sound of egret wings to the splash of a garfish jumping.

When it is too sunny, open an umbrella. If it starts to rain, put on a paddle jacket to keep you warm. Binoculars work well, but not required for just pure pleasure. And bring your camera, long lense or pocket style - you will have a lot to photograph as we move silently back towards population. Most trips never encounter anlother boat or person on the river until we are about to dock.

There's the ice chest with lunch, and fresh fruits and your favorite beverage. It's a lazy day, but no one is complaining.

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 times) Nayara, La Fortuna, 4 star boutique hotel and spa
• Super Premium: (Greatly increases driving times) The Springs Resort and Spa, La Fortuna, 5 star hotel and spa

Moving to the Gentle Caribbean Coast

For access to nature, the south Caribbean coastline has plenty of options, from sloth to porpoise to leatherback turtle to hundreds of new bird species.

En route we pass through the Sarapiqui River area where bird watching is famous. We have time to stop at La Selva or another nature area for guided tours, or simply find a place near the river to use our binoculars

We also pass through Limón, where all of the cruise ships anchor and where virtually all imported goods, from petroleum products to Dutch chocolates, come into Costa Rica.

South of Limón are the quiet beaches "at the end of the country", with soft surf and gentle air. The Caribbean coast is tropical and soft year round, with high temperatures rarely exceeding 88°F. For the most part hotels in this area are not air conditioned but rely on sea breezes for comfort.

Accommodation Options: near Puerto Viejo

• Included: Shawanda Lodge, small, personal beach hotel
• Premium: (Our favorite) Cariblue, Less isolated hotel on surfing beach
• Premium: La Cameleon, 4 star chic hotel

Sea Kayaking: up the Ernesto River, or Punta Mona and Gandoca National Park

The riverbanks teem with birds, lizards, monkeys and occasional reptiles. You paddle at your own speed, or your Serendipity guide does all the work while you concentrate on the hidden flora.

A favorite afternoon hike is with local Afro Caribe guide Tino. Tino knows which plants are edible, which are medicinal, and which just aren't safe even to touch. He can see caterpillars and spiders and ladybugs too small to notice. You can walk a hundred yards or walk a few miles, and there's an endless parade of animals to greet you.

Accommodation Options: on Caribbean Coast

• Included: Shawanda Lodge, small, personal beach hotel
• Premium: (Our favorite) Cariblue, Less isolated hotel on surfing beach
• Premium: La Cameleon, 4 star chic hotel

The Jaguar Rescue Center

This remarkable animal rescue center has not suffered from its fame or success. We at Serendipity support their efforts, and encourage our guests to spend as much time here as they can, then come back to Costa Rica as a volunteer here.

Alas, returning to the world of here and now means driving back to San José for your final night.

Accommodation Options: near San José airport

• Included: La Riviera Hotel -or- Holiday Inn at Airport, convenient to the San José airport for early departure
• Included: Del Conde, a private home 35 minutes from San José airport for mid to late morning departure
• Premium: Great if you have a late morning departure Kivu, Private Residence 25 minutes from Airport
• Premium: Finca Rosa Blanca, Boutique hotel that's family friendly

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 / superb set of eyes, and knows creatures like he could speak their language / knows how to convince you to ascend to the nature platform -- and enjoy the process of getting there / snake charmer (where was that in the itinerary?) / can drive a nature boat right to nesting bird nests / and all around walking encyclopedia about Costa Rica.

Your 4x4. Serendipity's 4x4 vehicles really do give you a huge advantage for getting close to nature

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. Seeing an orchid so small you need a microscope. Spot a sloth outside your bedroom. Most of all, the Costa Ricans you'll meet -- because you're out of the tourist centers, away from the Tourist Freeway.