Grab your camera and swimsuit, and get ready for a wonderful vacation to Guatemala and Costa Rica! In Antigua, Guatemala, step back in history as you explore the ruins of churches and monasteries along with restored colonial buildings. Perhaps pick up a unique Guatemalan handicraft to bring back home from the open-air Indian market. Then travel to Costa Rica and witness bountiful wildlife in their natural habitat, enjoy relaxing dips in eco thermal hot springs, and learn about the Costa Rican culture on this thrilling adventure.

Among the many highlights of this tour is Tortuguero National Park, where you’ll take a boat ride along remote, unspoiled sections of the park to view wildlife. Your guide will look out for the wildlife—including freshwater turtles, egrets, toucans, and monkeys—so you can sit back, relax, and take plenty of pictures. Another tour highlight is the Arenal Volcano, considered one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Relax as you soak in the eco thermal hot springs and perhaps watch the lava flow down the volcano—a spectacular sight! In Monteverde, visit the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, home to forest fauna such as jaguars, resplendent quetzal, monkeys, ocelots, and many species of birds—not to mention the large diversity of plant species. Even more amazing scenery awaits you in Guanacaste, where you’ll have three nights to partake in the many activities, including rainforest canopy tours, river rafting, horseback riding, snorkeling, watching breathtaking sunsets, hiking, or just relaxing on the beach.

This tour to Costa Rica has it all—wildlife, scenic waterways, tropical rainforests, spectacular beaches, and knowledgeable guides to help you learn about Costa Rica. It’s a vacation like no other!

Day 1 ARRIVE IN GUATEMALA CITY, GUATEMALA–ANTIGUA. Upon arrival, meet your Local Host and transfer to Antigua, Guatemala’s capital from 1543 until a devastating earthquake in 1776, when it was moved to Guatemala City. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Antigua is one of the Americas’ oldest and most beautiful cities, with pastel-colored buildings, wide cobblestone streets, and a beautiful natural setting ringed by three volcanoes. (D)

Day 2 ANTIGUA. Our morning TOUR of this magnificent highlands city, known for its 16th-century Spanish Colonial architecture, includes lively Plaza Mayor, flanked by the impressive Catedral de San José and Palace of the Capitanes Generales. We also see the ruins of churches and monasteries, some with hidden underground passages destroyed by the earthquake of 1776. You’ll also tour a local JADE FACTORY. (B)

Day 3 ANTIGUA–CHICHICASTENANGO–LAKE ATITLÁN. Today, reach the whitewashed highland town of Chichicastenango to visit the colorful, open-air INDIAN MARKET and the Catholic CHURCH OF SANTO TOMÁS to witness ancient Mayan ceremonies that have long been practiced there. Continue to the shores of Lake Atitlán, surrounded by volcanoes and indigenous villages. (B, L)

Day 4 LAKE ATITLÁN–GUATEMALA CITY. This morning, CRUISE across Lake Atitlán. Visit the Indian village of SANTIAGO ATITLÁN and meet the Tzutuhil people, one of Guatemala’s indigenous tribes. This afternoon, head back to Guatemala City for an included dinner. (B, D)

Day 5 GUATEMALA CITY–SAN JOSÉ, COSTA RICA. Fly to San José where you will be met by your Tour Director, who will help you check into your hotel. (B)

Day 6 SAN JOSÉ–TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK. Journey east to the Caribbean shore and TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK. On the way, pass by several banana plantations and see one of Costa Rica’s main exports being harvested. Later, board a motor launch for your CRUISE along the Tortuguero Canals, waterways crisscrossing a national park dedicated to the protection of endangered turtles. The trained eyes of your guide and boatman help you spot freshwater turtles, caimans, herons, toucans, egrets, and monkeys. An afternoon at leisure lets you explore Evergreen Lodge until you meet for an informative slideshow presentation on the area. (B, L, D)

Day 7 TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK TOUR & CANAL CRUISE. A local Naturalist accompanies you on a leisurely BOAT RIDE along remote, unspoiled sections of the park’s waterways, explaining the bountiful flora and fauna. Enjoy a fascinating stroll through an accessible portion of the nearby RAINFOREST. During the peak nesting season (mid-July to mid-October) you may be lucky enough to observe an endangered green turtle laying her eggs under the starlight on an optional tour. Later this afternoon, meet a local Naturalist for an informative PRESENTATION on the ecology of the area. (B, L, D)

Day 8 TORTUGUERO–SARAPIQUI–ARENAL. A morning boat transfer begins your journey to the Sarapiqui area. Tour a PINEAPPLE FARM, owned by a local family, and learn about the history, cultivation, and industry of pineapples. Continue to your hotel in the lush town of Arenal, located in the shadow of Arenal Volcano. After settling in, experience the magic of the resort’s pool and hot spring-fed jacuzzi, or consider a walk in the nearby nature trail in search of 300- to 400-year-old trees, poisonous frogs, monkeys, birds, and possibly small animals native to the area. (B, L. D)

Day 9 ARENAL. EXCURSION TO LA FORTUNA & ARENAL VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK. During your morning at leisure, you may wish to go on an optional horseback ride or float trip. Or, you can take advantage of your resort’s amenities by walking along the shaded trails nearby. Later this afternoon, visit ARENAL VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK, where your guide takes you on a walk through lava trails of the volcano and shows you how nature has found a way to recover from past lava flows. Next, enjoy a walking tour of the town of La Fortuna de San Carlos, offering spectacular views of the active Arenal Volcano. This evening, drive to nearby famous TABACÓN HOT SPRINGS for a dip in the curative and relaxing pools. Later, enjoy a dinner at the hot springs. (B, D)

Day 10 ARENAL–MONTEVERDE. After breakfast, continue to MONTEVERDE, where you will enjoy two days in the cloud forest. This afternoon, take a guided tour on the SKY WALK hanging bridges, which combines trails and suspension bridges through the canopy of Monteverde Cloud Forest, to search for flora and fauna. (B)

Day 11 MONTEVERDE. This morning, visit CHILDREN’S ETERNAL RAINFOREST for a guided walking tour. Over 600 species of butterflies and 400 species of birds have been recorded inside this private reserve, along with 100 reptile and 120 mammal species that hide within the dense vegetation. Later, visit the family-owned ECOLOGICAL SANCTUARY, where you will explore the trails through coffee and banana plantations filled with endemic wildlife and beautiful scenery. After the walk, enjoy a COOKING CLASS to learn how to prepare authentic Costa Rican food like hand-made tortillas, picadillo, and Gallo pinto. Dine on your creations for a homemade lunch! Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner, toasting an unforgettable discovery of Costa Rica. (B, L, D)

Day 12 MONTEVERDE–GUANACASTE. Take a morning drive to Guanacaste. This part of Costa Rica’s North Pacific region offers hundreds of unspoiled beaches lining the shores, but Guanacaste is far from a traditional beach destination. Activities in the area include rainforest canopy tours, river rafting or floating down the Corobici River, horseback riding, fishing, snorkeling in the Pacific Ocean, or just relaxing on the beach. (B)

Day 13 GUANACASTE. Enjoy two days at leisure. (B)

Day 14 GUANACASTE. Enjoy two days at leisure. (B)

Day 15 GUANACASTE. Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. (B)