The relaxed pace of this nature-rich Costa Rica tour makes it a perfect choice for those desiring to visit the Pacific Coast and enjoy Costa Rica travel at an easy tempo. Begin your travels at Tiskita Jungle Lodge, and enjoy the rustic yet luxurious ambiance of this hidden treasure. Explore Tiskita's jungle with a naturalist guide and head down to the beach with a boogie board or grab a snorkel and mask to discover the underwater world of nearby tide pools. Before heading to Monteverde Reserve to explore the cloudforest ecosystem, stop for a night at Arenal Volcano and witness the famed glowing red lava flows.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive San Jose. Overnight.
Days 2-4: Tiskita Rainforest Reserve (2B,3L,3D)
An early morning flight takes you to Tiskita Jungle Lodge. Originally an experimental fruit farm of Peter Aspinall, Tiskita now protects 550 acres of primary and secondary forest in this seldom visited region of Costa Rica. Thirty-seven acres of the original farm still produce over 100 varieties of fruits such as carambola, mango, guanabana, pineapple, papaya, guava, vanilla, and more. Savor the flavors of some of these exotic fruits on tours of the farm. Here you'll find steep jungle clad hills, plunging into deserted black sand beaches that line the Gulfo Dulce.
Peter is a tireless conservationist and active in the local community. Peter's latest project is to reintroduce scarlet macaws to the region. But also through his efforts, the community of Punto Banco recently built a health clinic, bought new supplies for the school, created a turtle protection program and developed a hatchery for endangered olive ridley turtles.
After exploring the jungle around Tiskita with a naturalist guide, head down to the beach with a boogie board or grab a snorkel and mask to discover the underwater world of nearby tide pools. Days 3 and 4 are free to explore the forest on your own or relax on the beach. Optional tours include visiting Costa Rica's Corcovado National Park ("the most biologically intense place on earth," according to National Geographic), horseback riding or fishing with the locals.
Day 5: Arenal Volcano (B,L,D)
After breakfast, you'll fly back to San Jose and be met at the airport for the 3 hour overland transfer to Arenal. Dormant for centuries, Arenal Volcano exploded in a massive eruption of molten lava and ash in 1968. It is now one of the world's most active volcanoes and volcanologists from all over the world come here to study this tropical volcano. Spend the afternoon enjoying the lodge and forest.
Days 6-7: Monteverde Cloud Forest
This morning you'll hike into the national park for a close-up exploration of a lava flow. Mid-morning you leave the Observatory Lodge for our 5 hour drive around Lake Arenal to the Monteverde Cloudforest Reserve, one of the richest and most diverse tropical cloudforests on the continent. If the weather is nice, a shortcut across Lake Arenal may save us a couple hours! Founded in 1972, the Monteverde Cloudforest Reserve encompasses six different ecological life zones and protects roughly 1,500 plant species, 400 bird speices and over 100 mammal species. In your explorations you'll keep watch for one of the area's most famed residents, the Resplendant Quetzal.
On the morning of Day 7 you'll hike through the reserve, viewing the misty forest with its dense vegetation and majestic trees. The afternoon is yours to wander on your own or to enjoy one of the areas other optional activities.
Day 8: Monteverde - San Jose
On your final morning you will visit a private rainforest reserve before an early afternoon transfer takes you back to San Jose in time to relax and enjoy your last evening of your Costa Rica vacation in the city.
Day 9: Return Home
Accommodations: 3 nights comfortable jungle lodge, 1 night volcano lodge, 4 nights comfortable hotels
Food Includes: All meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner); most of our hotels offer free continental breakfast.
Transportation: minibuses or jeeps, charter flight, boat
An itinerary filled with naturalist exploration and plenty of variety. An easy trip for any age.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Single Supplement: US$375
US$165 Triple Room Discount
US$75 Quad room discount
Personal Budgeting: Allow $90 for meals not included, $95 optional excursions, $27 international departure tax, gratuities
Pre & Post Tour Accommodations: Share US$60, Single US$110
Note: Roundtrip charter flight San Jose-Tiskita-San Jose not included. Please add US$430(flight cost subject to change)
Arrival/Departure Transfers: 1 person US$50 each, 2 or more people US$25/person
Prices are based on a 3% cash discount
Also see tour packages in:
Central America and Caribbean
Costa Rica
Rainforest
Volcano Tours
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