This adventure will take you to four distinctly different locales in Costa Rica- the lowland rainforests and jungles of the Northern lowlands, the cloud forests and montane rainforests of the rugged central highlands, the dense cloud forests of Monteverde and the lush coastal forests, white sand beaches and dramatic tropical landscapes of Manuel Antonio on the Central Pacific Coast. The highlight of the tour are visits to the some of the most spectacular butterfly gardens in Costa Rica – La Paz Butterfly Observatory, Monteverde Butterfly Gardens and the butterfly gardens at Si’ Como No, your resort in Manuel Antonio. At these gardens, you will have an opportunity to learn about the nectar plants and host plants of tropical butterflies as well as being able to get close-up view of some of the most beautiful butterflies in the world. In addition, each of the locales selected for this tour are especially optimal places for viewing many species of butterflies in the wild.
Itinerary
Day 1:
Upon arrival at the international airport in San Jose, you will be met by your tour rep. from Horizontes Tours and transferred to the hotel. Participants will receive a Welcome Kit including information on Costa Rica, a map, brochures of properties and attractions, and recommendations on what to bring and wear during the excursions.
Overnight : Hotel Bougainvillea Meal : (-)
Day 2:
Today you’ll journey to Sarapiquí, located in the Northern lowlands just 1½ hours from San Jose. The trip to Sarapiquí will pass through Braulio Carrillo National Park, banana plantations, and bamboo thickets. Located in a region of dense rainforests and fast flowing rivers, Sarapiquí is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world and nearby La Selva Biological Station shelters researchers from many different countries. En route a stop will be made at Quebrada Gonzalez’s trail at Braulio Carrillo National Park .
Overnight : Sueño Azul hotel Meal : (B, L, D)
Day 3:
Day at leisure in Sarapiquí where you may want to participate in such optional adventures as a gentle Boat tour along the calm waters of the Sucio River or a thrilling whitewater rafting expedition (Class II-III rapids) along the Sarapiqui River (optional tours not included in the price). Or you may want to go on a leisurely nature hike where you’ll encounter many exotic birds, monkeys and other inhabitants of the jungles and learn about the intricacies and ecology of the tropical rainforest.
Overnight : Sueño Azul hotel Meal : (B, L, D)
Day 4:
Today you will be transferred to the Bosque de Paz hotel, stopping on the way to the Poás Volcano and La Paz Waterfalls Nature Park. The impressive, active Poás Volcano’s crater measures approximately 1 mile across and is one of the largest craters in the world. Besides walking to visit the crater's sightseeing point, you may also wish to wander through the cloud forest to the nearby Botos Lagoon, a former crater which today is a picturesque lagoon. The viewing terrace provides a bird’s-eye view not only 320 m (1050 ft) down into the bowels of the volcano, with its greenish sulfuric pool, but also a magnificent view of the northern lowlands.
Next stop is La Paz Waterfalls Nature Park; located on the slope of Poas Volcano, about 1 hour from San Jose, the elevation in the park ranges from 4200-5000 feet above sea level. The featured attraction here is four magnificent waterfalls easily accessed by well-designed trails and viewing platforms. This location boasts a marvelous view of the Poás Volcano. Photo opportunities abound at the hummingbird garden and the world’s largest enclosed Butterfly Observatory; some of the colorful butterfly species observed here include two members of the Swallowtail Family- Ruby spotted swallowtail (Papilio anchisiades) and Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) as well as such beauties as the Banded purple wing (Myscelia cyaniris), Silverspot Butterfly (Dione juno), Isabella's Heliconian (Eueides isabella) and the Blue Morpho (Morpho peleides). An on-site laboratory is a butterfly breeding ground; watch butterflies up close as they emerge from their cocoons or in other stages of their growth. The Hummingbird Garden attracts 23 of the 57 species of hummingbirds found in Costa Rica including the Violet Sabrewing, Magenta-throated Woodstar and the Black-bellied Hummingbird.
Overnight : Bosque de Paz Lodge Meal : (B, D)
Day 5:
Day at leisure at Bosque de Paz, a 1200-acre privately owned Biological Reserve with dense, fog-shrouded cloud forests. The Reserve is a natural biological corridor that connects the Poás Volcano National Park with Juan Castro Blanco National Park. It is a spectacularly rich ecosystem that straddles the Continental Divide with altitudes ranging from 5000 to 8000 feet above sea level. The area abounds with wildlife and offers outstanding opportunities for observing birds and butterflies Guided nature walks through the forest reserve will reveal hidden waterfalls and natural springs There are dedicated trails for Orchids and bromeliads and the compound has a wonderful reference library and offers meditation and anti-stress programs. Get a certificate for planting a tree.
Overnight : Bosque de Paz Lodge Meal : (B, L, D)
Day 6:
After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to Monteverde, a colorful village in the mountains that straddles the Continental divide at 5,000 feet above sea level with dramatic views of the Pacific Coast. Located in an area of dense fog-shrouded cloud forests, this small village has a very interesting history. A group of North American Quakers founded Monteverde in 1951; although some of the original virgin forest was cleared for dairy farming, the new settler’s environmental consciousness, together with help from private organisations, led to the creation of a biological preserve that hosts one of the richest ecological systems in the country.
Attractions in the area include a butterfly garden, the cheese factory, a variety of canopy tours and the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve among other private reserves. Within the reserve reside over 400 species of birds including the exotic resplendent quetzal, as well as over 490 species of butterflies and 2, 500 species of plants. The Golden toad, an extremely rare and endangered species, is reputed to reside in the park. Some biologists fear that this rare frog is extinct. Monteverde is truly an enchanting place!
Overnight : Fonda Vela Hotel Meal : (B)
Day 7:
Today you will visit the Monteverde Butterfly Garden. Located near the town of Santa Elena, the butterfly garden introduces visitors to the world of these fascinating creatures as they stroll through gardens filled with hundreds of butterflies. Over 40 species thrive in this facility. The garden is geared to research rather than export of pupae. Afternoon will be at leisure.
Overnight : Fonda Vela Hotel Meal : (B)
Day 8:
Today you will be transferred to the Manuel Antonio resort area on the Central Pacific Coast.
Overnight : Si Como No Hotel Meal : (B)
Day 9-10:
Days at leisure in Manuel Antonio. With it’s spectacular white sand beaches fringed by thickly forested green hills, Manuel Antonio is undoubtedly one of the most scenic locales in Costa Rica. Many people consider it Paradise! Explore the butterfly gardens across the road from your hotel,, where, you’ll encounter a variety of species including three Heliconius speccies - the Tiger Longwing (Heliconius hecale), the Zebra longwing (Heliconius charitonius),Crimson-patched longwing (Heliconius erato) as well as the Malachite (Siproeta Stelenes), the Banded Peacock (Anartia fatima), the Blue Morpho (Morpho peleides) and “The Owl” , (Caligo eurilochus), which is the largest butterfly in Costa Rica.
Covering an area of just 1688 acres, the Manuel Antonio National Park preserves beaches and the unique formation of Punta Cathedral, in addition to mangroves, a setting of islands offshore, and a humid tropical forest. Visitors will have the opportunity to hike on the forest trails and observe wildlife such as squirrel monkeys, raccoons, coatis, agoutis, and two-toed sloths, among others Birdlife is also abundant. The climate is warm, humid and wet, all year round but eases somewhat in the dry season.
Overnight : Si Como No Hotel Meal : (B)
Day 11:
Today you will be transferred to the local airstrip for your flight to San José. Upon arrival, you will be will transfered you to the hotel.
Overnight : Bougainvillea Hotel Meal : (B)
Day 12:
After an early Morning breakfast, you will be transferred to the international airport for departure.
Overnight : - Meal : (B)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Inclusion:
Rates per person and include accommodations at specified hotels, hotel taxes and service charges, meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner), all excursions and sightseeing as detailed, admission fees, domestic flights, VIP airport transfers and services of a private tour guide with transfers on Days 2,4,6 and 8. The Tour operator reserves the right to substitute hotels of comparable quality as necessary. Rates are subject to change without notice.
Exclusion:
Rates do not include International airfare, beverages, tips, personal expenses and airport departure tax. Inquire about special, low reduced airfares!
Also see tour packages in:
Central America and Caribbean
Costa Rica
Garden Tours
Ecotourism
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