After a brief tour of San Jose, we toured the Doka Estate coffee plantation, then continued on to the Sarapiquí Rainforest Lodge, complete with an infinity pool. From there we rafted on Río Sarapiquí, walked in the Tirimbina Biological Reserve, learned about bats, and watched a pottery-making demonstration. At Bosques de Chachagua, we helped Andres and Walter prepare appetizers after a delightful day learning about Costa Rican village life (more on Sonafluca page). Following a morning nature walk, we continued to Don Juan Bautista organic farm, then went on to La Fortuna, site of Arenal Volcano. Not having erupted in nearly a year, the view was not so spectacular as we might have hoped, but pleasant nonetheless. We spotted wildlife on our cruise on Río Frío; the highlight was a pigmy kingfisher adept at (yes!) catching fish (photos on bird page). While some OAT travelers opted for zip-lining, Dan, Sandy, Noemi, and Stefan wanted more exercise, so instead walked, led and aided by a guide, to the mud bath/hot spring spa on the Buena Vista property. Traveling westward, we swam in the Pacific at the Punta Leona Hotel beach and, the following day, at Manuel Antonio National Park, then cruised on the Río Tarcoles to see crocodiles and birds (photos on bird page and animals page). We completed our journey back to the San Jose region, with stops at a woodworking factory and a small leather workshop.

Watch a slide show on this page and, for more photos, click on the links at the top of the page.