This Costa Rica tour has it all, with opportunities to seek out some of the region's most celebrated treasures. Volcanoes! Turtles! Whitewater rafting! Wildlife enthusiasts will be thrilled at the chance to tour Tortuguero National Park, one of the most important nesting sites for the green sea turtle. The adventure continues with a thrilling whitewater rafting trip on the Sarapiqui River, and culminates with a visit to Arenal, Costa Rica's most famous - and most active - volcano!
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive San Jose. Overnight.
Day 2: Meet Tortuguero (B,L,D)
This morning, enjoy a drive to the Atlantic coast, traveling through the lush tropical rainforest of Braulio Carrillo National Park, which is one of the largest in the country. Banana plantations line the highway en route to La Pavona, where you will take a scenic boat ride on the La Suerte River, Tortuguero River, and through the Tortuguero Canals. The boat ride offers lovely views of the Costa Rican forest and mangrove swamps, which are teeming with such exotic wildlife as coatimundis, spider monkeys, sloths, howler monkeys, crocodiles, racoons, egrets, parrots, and jaguars—just to name a few!
Arriving in the island village of Tortuguero, enjoy lunch at Turtle Beach Lodge. The afternoon is free to relax and explore on your own. The next two nights will be at the lodge, which offers optional garden tours, a refreshing turtle-shaped pool, a dugout canoe, and nightly turtle-watching tours.
Day 3: Jungle Exploration in Tortuguero (B,L,D)
Spend as you please – take a walk through the jungle, tour the town, or visit museums. Be sure to take advantage of the miles of beach and jungle trails in Tortuguero National Park, horseback riding, kayaking to a nearby lagoon, or fishing in the Tortuguero River for tarpon, snook, and mackerel.
You can explore the canals winding through the rainforest, which is home to exotic wildlife, from egrets to crocodiles to monkeys to butterflies. And keep your eyes open for turtles! Tortuguero has many highlights, but it is best known for the four species of sea turtles that nest in the region. Tortuguero's coastline is considered one of the Western Hemisphere's most important nesting sites of the green sea turtle, which can be found by the thousands in the summer months. The baby turtles hatch from July through early November, emerging from their nests to scrabble across the sand to the waiting waters of the Atlantic.
Day 4: Tortuguero to Sarapiqui, and Tirimbina Biological Reserve (B,L,D)
Start the day off early with a boat ride back to Gaupiles, where you'll have lunch at the Rio Blanco Restaurant. After lunch you'll take ground transportation to Sarapiqui, and spend the afternoon visiting the Tirimbina Biological Reserve.
Take a guided natural history hike at the Reserve, exploring the jungle and discovering a variety of wildlife species, including various mammals, insects, bats, frogs, and possibly even owls. Located within the rainforest and river environments of Costa Rica, this 750-acre tropical science resource combines education, research, and stunning beauty to give visitors an outstanding encounter with nature. The Tirimbina Rainforest Center was founded primarily to preserve one of the few remaining stands of intact, mid-elevation tropical forest in Central America. Through education, the Center has gone further into the process of incorporating the local communities in their conservation challenges. Tonight, enjoy dinner at the hotel. Overnight Sarapiqui.
Day 5: Sarapiqui River Rafting and Drive to Arenal (B,L,D)
This morning splash into your adventure with a classic river rafting on a seven-and-a-half-mile stretch of the clear waters of the Sarapiqui River. Begin in the small community of La Virgen, and raft down through some exciting class II and III rapids—Hueco Gringo, Confusion, Superman, Montana Rusa y Fuerza Aerea, among others. The rapids alternate with crystal clear still-water pools, where you may get the chance to stop for a refreshing swim (if you're not wet enough already!) and a bite of lunch, savoring whatever delicious tropical fruits are in season. You'll leave the river at Chilamate, another small community.
In the afternoon transfer to the Arenal area, with the rest of the day free to relax. Enjoy dinner at your hotel and take in the spectacular views of the volcano. Spend the evening swimming in the pool or relaxing in the Jacuzzi, and then head to your comfortably furnished bungalow for a restful sleep.
Day 6: Arenal Volcano Visit (B,D)
Today you visit Costa Rica's celebrated Arenal Volcano, beginning with a 90-minute walk along the Silencio Trail. Hiking through the jungle watch out for brightly colored toucans, howler monkeys, and listen to the rumbling sounds of the distant volcano. The walk ends with a magnificent view of Arenal, one of the most active volcanoes in the world since its massive eruption in 1968. With a bit of luck, you may see lava plummeting down the mountain's slopes. The tour concludes with a little relaxation in the nearby natural hot springs Head back to your hotel for dinner and another relaxing evening.
Day 7: Back to San Jose (B)
Following breakfast, you'll return to San Jose. The afternoon is free for relaxing or exploring.
Day 8: Return Home
Turtle season runs from June 15- October 30.
Accommodations: 2 nights comfortable lodge, 1 night country inn, 2 nights rustic bungalow, 2 nights hotel
Food Includes: All meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner); most of our hotels offer free continental breakfast.
Transportation: minibuses, jeep, and river boat
Note: This trip is enjoyable at any time of year, but for those wanting to see the turtles, June-October are the prime months to travel. Start Dates: Weekly departures Sat-Sat.
An itinerary perfect for the wildlife enthusiast, with the added excitement of rafting down class II & III rapids. An easy to moderate trip suitable for any age.
Weekly Departures: Sat-Sat
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Single Supplement: US$300
US$110 Triple Room Discount
US$160 Quadruple Room Discount
US$325 - Child Discount
Arrival/Departure Transfers: 1 person US$50 each, 2 or more people US$25/person
Personal Budgeting: Allow US$60 for meals not included, US$75 optional excursions, US$26 international departure tax. Prices are based on a tour without a guide. For a fully guided trip, add $370/person.
Pre & Post Tour Accommodations: Share US$55, Single US$90
Prices are based on a 3% cash discount
Also see tour packages in:
Central America and Caribbean
Costa Rica
Volcano Tours
Wildlife Viewing
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