Day 1 - Arrive Costa Rica. After going through customs and immigration, have a private driver waiting for you outside of the airport. Make sure they speak English, and the drive can be a little long from the airport. Our guide was so knowledgeable - we learned so much about this beautiful country just listening to all his information. The beauty of having a private driver is if you want to make a quick photo stop along the way, this can be arranged since you're the only people in the vehicle. About 3 hours later you'll arrive your hotel in the Arenal area.

This is your first day at your resort - explore the beauty of the resort, soak in the hot springs or maybe take a dip in the pool. Yesterday was a busy day so take this time to relax and pamper yourself.

Ever wonder how the process is done to create two of life's delicacies? Take a local tour to see how chocolate starts out in the pod and becomes the treat we all enjoy, and how the coffee process takes place from tree to roaster to cup.

Take a guided tour of the hanging bridges. You could do this hike on your own but I highly recommend a guide. Why? Some of the beautiful creatures that live in the rain forest are so tiny and hidden, without the knowledge of a trained guide you would miss out on so much. Why just walk at the tree top levels to see trees - instead really dig into nature and the whole ambiance of Costa Rica.

Catch a cab to explore La Fortuna Waterfalls. This is an excursion you don't need to guide for, and if you're a slower walker you might appreciate being able to walk the 500 steps down to the waterfall and back up on your own time frame. Once you arrive the waterfall you can swim in the cold water. Be aware - the rocks can be slippery. I did see someone with mobility issues able to get into the water with help, but you do need to practice caution while swimming here. After your swim, and hiking back up the 500 steps, wander around their orchid garden and appreciate the beauty of the area.

This is a longer drive (about 5 hours) but the time goes quickly. Have an English speaking driver explain about the various areas you will be passing through, and how these are significant to this beautiful country. Make photo stops along the way - and why not? You have a private driver who is focused on you and what you'd like to experience. See beautiful mountains? Stop and take a photo. See macaws hanging out in the trees? Stop and take a photo. Today is your day.

This park is amazing. You can visit this park on your own (which I don't recommend), with a group of others, or a private tour with a guide for just your party (which is personally my favorite). Use the guide's telescope to get a close up picture of a 3-toed sloth, see the squirrel monkeys only found in this park, capuchin monkeys, helmet chameleons, birds, iguanas, etc. You never know what you're going to see here. It's nature at its best. With a trained guide you'll have your best chance to at see all that makes Costa Rica special. Without a guide, you might miss a lot - and isn't that why you came to the park to begin with? A word of warning - to keep all the animals healthy no food is allowed in the park. This includes gum, hard candy or cough drops, and the like. This is a law that is strictly enforced by all park employees.

Have a motor-coach pick you up at your hotel and bring you to the pier. Board your catamaran and set sail for a wonderful cruise in the Pacific Ocean where you'll be able to see Costa Rica from a different view. Enjoy complimentary soft drinks and music while letting the wind blow on your face. After arriving the snorkeling area (where life vests and snorkel gear are included) make your way over to the coral reef to see beautiful fish. When ready, make your way back to the boat where a wonderful dinner buffet is waiting for you serving fresh fish and fresh fruit. After enjoying a beautiful sunset you'll be dropped off at the pier where your driver awaits to take you back to your hotel.

Creatures of the night are totally different than creatures of the daytime. Enjoy the nighttime creatures on a private hike with a trained guide who will also supply you with a flashlight to see and hear the night experiences of Costa Rica. These guides, like all Costa Rican guides, are fully trained to see and hear the things you might just walk past since they also have telescopes to get a closer look at all the wonders of nature.

One last day to relax and soak in the beauty of this amazing country.

Time to say good-bye to this amazing country and it's wonderful people. While waiting for your flight at the airport, file all your photos into a Costa Rica folder for easier access to show off to all your friends, and start thinking about what areas of Costa Rica you would like to come back to visit in the future.