Arenal Hanging Bridges- Eco Farm and Luxury Hot Springs from San Jose

Your private travel day begins with an early morning pick up in the lobby of your hotel. Travel by private vehicle through scenic mountains and rich agricultural land (3 hrs) to experience rural life in Costa Rica. Your first stop will be the hanging, bridges where you will discover the rainforest surrounding in the National Park area, offering views of Lake Arenal and Arenal Volcano. A total of 16 bridges, covering about 2 miles (3.2 km), allows you to enjoy the attractive forest from a great vantage point. You will have a chance to see the thousands of species that inhabit this eco-system including, trees, flowers, plants, insects, mammals, reptiles, frogs and many others.

We are continuing to visit Don Juan Eco Farm! This farm is environmentally important, because it utilizes methods that are environmentally friendly to raise animals, and grow crops. There are around 30 different plants and crops grown at the farm, including sugarcane, annatto, and pineapples. Unlike most farms, they use dairy cows, pigs, hens, and tilapia as sources of food, fertilizer, and methane gas production. They think about sustainability as they use these methods, making sure that nothing they ever do causes harm to the local ecosystem. The owner, Don Juan, conducts organic compound manufacturing such as worm farming and bio fermenting. The main purpose of his farm is to educate people on the importance of being environmentally friendly, and the ways one can grow food organically. Enjoy a healthy, organic and delicious lunch done by Don Juan’s wife, Yamileth.

Then, you will be driven closer to the volcano to relax and enjoy the luxury hot springs. This beautiful place offers hot springs, pools, multiple restaurants and bars, and a wildlife preserve called the Wildlife Sanctuary. Located at the base of the reception building this area encompasses two acres of lush landscaping and an assortment of multi-level sun and shade terraces surrounding twelve pools. Eight of the pools are fed directly by water pumped from the hot mineral springs and the others are chlorinated but heated to various temperatures ranging from 84˚F to 104˚F.

Also at the springs, is a connected system of trails and seven spring fed pools located within a forest canyon just a short 325 feet (100 m) walk from the resort. The trail to these hot and cold springs, called the Heliconia Walk, is lined with different species of flowering Heliconias along with beautiful rainforest trees, plants and vines. In the center of these pools is a small jungle bar called Los Perdidos (The Lost Ones) along with a water flume called the Monkey Slide. These pools range in temperature from 91˚F to 104˚F.

After, change your clothes and then enjoy a delicious dinner. When you are ready, you'll be driven back to your hotel in San Jose or Arenal area.