Rio Celeste, Malekus Indigenous Reservation,
La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano

Three days tour visiting villages, reserves and parks.

The Rio Celeste is one of the most beautiful and scenic rivers in the country due to the unique and intense turquoise color of its' waters. The Malekus Reservation is particularly notable for their efforts to rescue and keep alive the values and traditions of their ancestors through dance, crafts, socio-political organization and sacred relationship with nature.  The area around La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano National Park offers a variety of attractions and activities.  Predominant among these is the impressive Arenal Volcano, famous for its spectacular eruptions, views of the colossus, and the trails that run through past lava flows.  Lake Arena is home to the country's largest dam! Beautiful natural landscapes, rainforest aerial trams, Canopy Tours, spas and hot springs are some of the others not to be missed attractions and offer and ideal way to relax and forget the stresses of everyday life.

Itinerary

DAY 1 - RIO CELESTE

Early morning pick up at your San Jose area hotel to begin hour trip enroute to Upala Bijagua-Cañas.  At a designated point we will detour to a gravel road for the last 7 1-2 miles to the Tenorio Volcano National Park reception area to start a 1 mile walk to the Rio Celeste waterfall, and the thermal Teñideros, the site where the water becomes turquoise by a chemical phenomenon. The place is ideal to enjoy the unique scenery of the river, the waterfall and the rain forests of the Tenorio Volcano Volcán Protected Zone.  Overnight at Sueño Celeste B&B offering scenic views of the Tenorio and Miravalles Volcanoes.

DAY 2 - MALEKUS INDIGENOUS RESERVATION, LA FORTUNA, ARENAL

Morning visit to the Indian Reservation in Malekus Guatuso (600 inhabitants, 2900 hectares), where community leaders will guide us on the trails to learn about their use of medicinal plants, graves, native farms, crafts and recovery of their language-Malekus Jaica, ending the visit with a presentation of an ancient ceremony of the Holy God, Nature, and Man.  In the afternoon, travel to La Fortuna to visit the Arenal Volcano National Park and the views of the lake and dam. Evening visit for a relaxing soak and dinner at the Tabacon Spa.  Overnite at Hotel Gran Arenal.  (B,D)

DAY 3 - ARENAL, SAN JOSE

Morning aerial Tram Tour with impressive views of the countryside, Arenal Volcano and Lake, the ancient and extinct Cerro Chato volcano, the cloud forests and the plains around. After lunch, drive back to San Jose and dropoff at the hotel of your choice. (B,L)