This active and educational family adventure traverses Costa Rica by air and land from the pristine rain forests of the south Pacific coast into the heights of the mystical Monteverde Cloud Forest and the rumbling slopes of Arenal Volcano.
Your Itinerary
Day 1:
ARRIVE SAN JOSE
Arrive at San José's Juan Santamaría International Airport, where you will be met by a local representative after clearing customs and transferred to Hotel Bougainvillea, or similar [Meals on own].
Day 2-4:
TISKITA JUNGLE LODGE
Early morning pickup at your hotel for transfer to the airport. A 1-hour light charter flight (single engine plane) takes you to a private airstrip at the Tiskita Jungle Lodge by mid-morning. At Tiskita, enjoy guided walks with resident guides through the private rain forest and the exotic fruit farm. There are also self-guided pamphlets available for the rain forest and the marine life to be found in the tidal pools. The beach here is beautiful and isolated, please swim cautiously and only at low tide. There are also fresh water jungle pools and a swimming pool. Bird watching is excellent with over 270 species identified. Tiskita Jungle Lodge
(B) (L) (D)
Day 5:
ARENAL VOLCANO
Early morning flight from Tiskita to San Jose where your driver/guide meets you (with any of your excess baggage). Other travelers may join you at this point. Begin a scenic drive through mountains and rich agricultural lands to Arenal. Enroute stop at the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a paradise of 4 waterfalls connected by three kilometers of trails. Overnight at the Arenal Observatory Lodge where rooms have views of the volcano, towering up directly in front of the lodge. Arenal Observatory Lodge, or similar (B) (L) (D)
Day 6:
MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST
A nearby waterfall and close-up explorations of a recent lava flow are part of your guided morning hike. Then, depart with your driver in a private vehicle toward the Pacific Ocean along the Pan-American Highway. Upon reaching the turnoff to Monteverde, you start to climb up into the Tilaran Mountains. A bumpy, winding, gravel road takes you to the town. Stop enroute for lunch at a local restaurant (not included) as you explore the Costa Rican countryside. Hotel Fonda Vela, or similar
(B) (D)
Day 7:
MONTEVERDE
Join a guided excursion in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. The Reserve extends down both slopes of the Tilarn Mountains (elevation 2,300 to 5,600 feet), encompassing eight different ecological life zones and protecting over 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, and 1,500 species of plants. Depending on your luck and patience, you may observe the Resplendent Quetzal (from January to July), the Three-wattled Bellbird, the Emerald Toucanet, and White Faced and Howler monkeys. Return to the hotel for lunch. After lunch visit the Butterfly Garden which features many species of tropical butterflies native to Costa Rica. The rest of the afternoon and next morning are free to enjoy the optional activities of the area (not included). Some choices include: horseback riding (at your own risk), the Quaker cheese factory, browsing the Casem Artists' Co-op, visiting the Serpentario, or hiking the Santa Elena Reserve or the Finca Ecological Trail. In the evening, local conservationists often give a slide presentation and you will have an opportunity to join the Monteverde Conservation League. Hotel Fonda Vela.
(B) (D)
Day 8:
RETURN TO SAN JOSE OR BEGIN EXTENSION
Explore on your own this morning before driving back to San José (approximately 4 hours). Your hotel will be closer to the airport for your morning departures to the USA. Farewell dinner will be held in the early evening for those travelers returning to San José. Hotel Buena Vista or similar
(B) (D)
Day 9:
DEPART
Transfer to the international airport approximately 2 hours before your scheduled departure time.
(B)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price may vary according to season and group size.
Also see tour packages in:
Central America and Caribbean
Costa Rica
Birdwatching
Hiking & Trekking
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