Explore the highlights of Costa Rica: Tortuguero, with its innumerous lagoons and canals and one of the most important nesting sites for the Green Sea Turtle, the Leatherback and the Hawksbill Turtle; active Arenal Volcano, the Hot Springs of Tabacón, the mystic cloud forest of Monteverde & the Tree Top Walkways of Selvatura, a walk over suspended bridges right through the canopy. Finish with 2 nights at Manuel Antonio National Park, hike the gorgeous rainforest trails and enjoy the fantastic beaches.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1 - San Jose:
Arrival in San José and transfer to your city hotel Grano de Oro. Hand out of the travel information. Overnight Grano de Oro ****.
Day 2 - Tortuguero National Park:
Early pickup at your hotel in San José and ride through the Braulio Carrillo National Park, passing along pastureland and banana plantations, stopping for a typical Costa Rican breakfast, on the way to the small village of Caño Blanco; here we take the boat that lead us through the main channel of Tortuguero to the comfortable rustic lodge that is located on a small land strip situated between the channels and the Caribbean sea. After lunch your naturalist guide takes you to the small village of Tortuguero for a short tour and visit of the turtle museum, you then walk back to the lodge along the beach. After dinner there is the possibility for an optional guided night hike along the beach to observe the nesting of the sea turtles. (Season March-April and July –October, approx. US $ 15 p.p.) Overnight Laguna Lodge***.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 3 - Tortuguero National Park:
This day is full of activities; in the early morning go for a tour to admire the awakening of the wildlife of Tortuguero. Return for breakfast. Then you will go on another boat tour through the small channels of the national park, where you will observe the flora and fauna of this unique area. Return for lunch and free time for a “siesta”, relax on the pool or go for a walk on the beach. In the afternoon you can either participate in another boat tour or stay in the Lodge to explore the jungle trails around the Lodge. You also may visit the open butterfly garden or enjoy your time on the pool. Dinner at the Lodge and the night off. Overnight Laguna Lodge***.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 4 - Arenal Volcano:
After breakfast, you will embark the boat around 9 a.m. leaving for Caño Blanco. From there, the bus takes you to a typical Costa Rican restaurant near Guapiles for a delicious home-cooked lunch. Right here, you will also pick up your rental car. Continue your journey to Arenal Volcano. In the evening at the hot springs of Tabacon, you will enjoy a bath in the sulfur water of a little river forming natural pools within a beautiful tropical setting, where - with some luck - you will be able to watch the fascinating volcano eruptions of red sparkling lava. After dinner, return to your hotel. Overnight Volcano Lodge *** or similar.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 5 – Monteverde:
Ride around Arenal Lake to Cañas where the boat for your scenic raft trip on Rio Corobicí is already waiting (optional, about US $ 37 p.p.). The river is quite gentle, and since the guide does all the paddling, all you have to do is to sit back, relax and enjoy looking at the tropical forest with all its wildlife, especially birds. Visit an exotic private zoo with many kinds of Costa Rican birds as well as jungle cats such as panther, puma and ocelot. They had been abandoned by private persons or had been confiscated by the customs authorities for violating the law for the protection of endangered species. Continue on the Interamericana south and then turn left on an adventurous gravel road that will take you on a 35 km long and difficult ride to Sta. Elena in the Monteverde Cloud forest Region. Overnight Fonda Vela ***.
(B)
Day 6 – Monteverde:
The early morning gives you the best chance to observe birds, and so you might start an optional walk through the Monteverde or Sta. Elena Nature Reserve very early. Right at the entrance, you will already meet many different kinds of hummingbirds that come very close to their feeding stations (transportation and entrance fees not included). In the afternoon, you will go for a "walk in the clouds". „Walkways" - a complex of suspended bridges, platforms and trails, built within the cloud forest, allows a vision from a different perspective which starts with a walk on the ground through the forest and takes you up to explore the tops of the trees, a world which is very close but yet unknown to most of us - the canopy of the cloud forest. The bridge system is located along a 1.7 mile trail designed to be walked by people of all ages and physical conditions so most of the way is level with occasional small slopes. It has 8 suspension bridges which add up a distance of 1200 feet of total bridge length, plus the trail goes 90% through primary cloud forest. If there is still time left for activities in the afternoon, there are a lot of other optional activities you might choose from: a visit of the „Frog Pond“, Snake Farm, Orchid Garden, among others. Overnight Fonda Vela ***.
(B)
Day 7 - Manuel Antonio (optional: Carara National Park):
After breakfast, drive on the Interamericana South and, following the coastline; continue towards the town of Jacó, stopping on the way at the bridge over Rio Tarcoles where we have the opportunity to observe large crocodiles. On the way you may visit the Carara National Park (optional, entrance fee US $ 6 - 8 p.p.), one of the main nesting areas of the Scarlet Macaw. Drive further South to Manuel Antonio; arrival at your in the afternoon. Overnight Costa Verde ***.
(B)
Day 8 - Manuel Antonio:
Day at your disposal in Manual Antonio. Optional: Visit Manuel Antonio National Park (entrance fee approx. $7 p.p.), where a hike of about 1.5 hours will lead you through the rainforest and to the fantastic beaches within the park. Observe capuchin monkeys, sloth, iguanas, anteaters and various species of birds while exploring the hiking trails through the rainforest; then relax on the beach or take a refreshing bath in the Pacific Ocean. Overnight Costa Verde ***.
(B)
Day 9 - San Jose:
Ride back to San José (approx. 4 hrs). Depending on how early you leave Manuel Antonio, you might use the afternoon for sightseeing, visiting one of the various museums or souvenir shopping in San José (optional). In the evening, drop off your rental car at the hotel. Overnight Grano de Oro ****.
(B)
Day 10 – Departure:
Transfer to the International Airport for your flight back home. If you arrive with sufficient time, you might want to have a look at the duty free or the variety of souvenir shops at the airport for some last minute shopping. Please keep US $ 26 per person airport tax handy. Have a nice trip home.
(B)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Single Occupancy Price: US$ 1429 per person (only if at least 2 persons traveling);
Single Occupancy Price: US$ 1655 (if 1 person traveling).
Includes accommodation and meals as specified. Included entrance fees: All tours in Tortuguero as described above; Tabacon Hot Springs & dinner; Tree Top Walkways; rental car Daihatsu Terios 4x4 from day 4 to day 9 incl. free mileage, basic insurance and taxes; airport transfers; transportation for Tortuguero package provided by the lodge.
Not included: personal expenses, tips and gratuities, optional activities, national park entrance fees, airport tax. Please note: The entrance fee to the Tortuguero National Park (US $ 7) has to be paid on spot and is not included!
Discounts for groups available.
Also see tour packages in:
Central America and Caribbean
Costa Rica
Ecotourism
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