Explore the highlights of Costa Rica: Poás Volcano with its huge crater, 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 hotel. Hand out of the travel information. Overnight Grano de Oro ****.
Day 2 - Poas Volcano, Arenal Volcano, Tabacon Hot Springs:
In the morning, delivery of your 4x4 rental car directly to your hotel. Drive through the Northern Mountains to Arenal Volcano. Optional: Visit Poás Volcano on your way (entrance fee approx. US$ 7 p.p. parking fee). Since the early morning offers the best chance for a clear, cloudless view of the 14,000 acre nature reserve of Poás Volcano, you should start very early by car from San José. The active crater with temperatures between 104° F and 158° F is located in the center of the park; the poisonous sulfur fumes do not allow any life near by but make Poás - because of the gas process - the world's second biggest geyser. You then pass by car Costa Rica's most impressing waterfall - Catarata La Paz - that comes down on the east slope of Poás Volcano over 3,900 ft. in different cascades. You might stop at an amazing hummingbird gallery before continuing your trip to La Fortuna and the Arenal Volcano. In the evening at the Hot Springs of Tabacón, 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, drive back to your hotel. Overnight Volcano Lodge ***.
(B) (D)
Day 3 – Monteverde:
Ride around Arenal Lake to Cañas and then on the Interamericana south until you 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 Hotel Fonda Vela ***.
(B)
Day 4 – 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 5 - Manuel Antonio (optional: Carara National Park):
After breakfast, drive on the Interamericana South and, following the coastline, continue towards the town of Jacó. Make a stop on the way at the bridge over Rio Tarcoles where you have the opportunity to observe large crocodiles. Optional: Visit of Carara National Park (entrance fee US$ 8 p.p.), one of the main nesting sites of the great macaw, with short hike on the park trails. Ride further South to Manuel Antonio; arrival at your hotel in the afternoon. Overnight Costa Verde ***.
(B)
Day 6 - 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 7 - 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 8 – Departure:
Transfer to the International Airport for your flight back home. Please keep US $ 26.00 airport tax handy. Have a nice trip home.
(B)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Single Occupancy Price: US$ 1175 per person (only if at least 2 persons traveling);
Single Occupancy Price: US$ 1395 (if 1 person traveling).
Includes accommodation and meals as specified. Included entrance fees: Tabacon Hot Springs & dinner, Tree Top Walkways, rental car Daihatsu Terios day 2 to day 7 including free mileage, basic insurance and taxes, airport transfers.
Not included: personal expenses, tips and gratuities, optional activities, national park entrance fees, airport tax.
Discounts for groups available.
Also see tour packages in:
Central America and Caribbean
Costa Rica
Ecotourism
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