You can never keep a good thing under wraps for long and though Costa Rica is no longer a well-kept secret hidden from the attentions of mass tourism, it has nonetheless survived with all its unique attractions intact. There can be no more appropriate an introduction to Costa Rica than our visit to INBio Parque, an educational and recreational center that exposes us to the vast biodiversity that Costa Rica crams between its borders.
With over 25 per cent of the entire country designated as protected areas, Costa Rica’s efforts to preserve its stunning natural environment are clearly indomitable. We travel past rolling hills and sugar cane fields, stopping in at quaint villages and hotsprings en route to Arenal, where we embark on a horseback excursion at the base of Arenal Volcano. Rustic countryside is the picturesque backdrop as we enter Monteverde Cloud Forest to see nature and ecological diversity at their finest and we top it all off with a tour through Manuel Antonio National Park, an untouched haven of natural beauty on the shores of the Pacific.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in San Jose. Today we arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica. Please Note: The hotels indicated in this itinerary reflect our preferred properties in each location. We list these hotels primarily to provide a general sense of overall standard; the final hotel list (which supersedes this itinerary) is not 100% confirmed until approximately 30-45 days prior to departure. We reserve the right to make substitutions of a similar standard if necessary. Overnight in San Jose. Hotel Balmoral or similar. Dinner if required.
Day 2: San Jose: INBio Parque. We have a morning departure to INBio Parque, an educational and recreational center where visitors are exposed to samples of the vast world of biological diversity that can be found in Costa Rica. We visit the biodiversity center, and the projection room in the company of an expert guide. We then walk through one of the three interpretive trails, an excellent introduction to the country's natural marvels. Overnight San Jose. Hotel Balmoral or similar. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 3: San Jose - Arenal. Today we stop at Sarchi, a village renowned for its colourful oxcarts and wooden handicrafts. We travel through rolling hills covered with sugar cane fields to overnight near Arenal Volcano. The volcano's regular eruptions and lava flow can be heard and seen in the night sky from afar on a clear night. Overnight in Arenal / La Fortuna area. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 4: Arenal Horseback Excursion. This morning we embark on a 2-hour easy horseback ride through the forests and hills near Arenal Volcano. Your leader will provide expert guidance with plenty of information on the plants and animals that live in the trees and underbrush. Bring your binoculars as birdwatching can be particularly interesting. This afternoon you may elect to follow your Tour Leader on a lava walk, a hike in the rain forest, or a visit to Arenal Waterfalls. Overnight in Arenal / La Fortuna Area. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 5: Arenal - Monteverde Cloud Forest. We travel today through a rustic rural countryside to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve area (+/- 4 hours). Covered in a mantle of moss, ferns and orchids, this private reserve is home to over 400 species of birds and a great number of animals. Overnight at Monteverde. Heliconia Hotel or similar. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 6: Monteverde Cloud Forest. We have a full morning exploring the cloud forest reserve with the help of a local naturalist guide. There is more to the forest than the trees and lesser plants. Of over 320 bird species, the most notable is the quetzal with its long arc of tail feathers. It nests in the trunks of dead trees. REMEMBER: This can be a wet and windy place by definition. You should be prepared for varied conditions. Overnight at Monteverde. Heliconia Hotel or similar. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 7: Monteverde - Quepos. Today we travel to Quepos, the gateway to Manuel Antonio National Park, an unspoiled haven of natural beauty on the shores of the Pacific. Overnight in Quepos. Hotel California or similar. Breakfast and Dinner.
Day 8: Manuel Antonio National Park - Quepos - San Jose. This morning we enjoy a leisurely walk through part of Manuel Antonio Park. While strolling the forest trails and the white sand beaches, we'll encounter monkeys, iguanas, sea creatures and bird life of infinite variety. Overnight in San Jose. Hotel Balmoral or similar. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 9: Departure. Departure from San Jose. Breakfast. Buen Viaje!
Price Includes:
- Family pricing: Age 15 and under at time of travel 30% off land price, based on one child per adult; 11 and under 25% off adult air
- Breakfast and dinner daily (hotels and local restaurants)
- All transport, sightseeing and entrance fees for sites noted as 'visited' in the detailed itinerary
- Gratuities for local guides, drivers, restaurant staff, hotel porters (if available)
- Airport transfers for land / air customers arriving / departing on tour dates.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
All pricing reflects per-person Land Only expenses, however, we can book flights from virtually every city. Please call us for an air quote.
Price Excludes:
- Tour Leader gratuity, lunches, drinks, personal items (phone, laundry, etc), departure taxes, and international air taxes (if applicable)
- Airport transfers for early / late arrivals / departures or Land Only customers
- Optional trip cancellation insurance
- Our post-reservation trip notes offer further guidance on not included meal costs, shopping, and locally paid departure taxes.
Also see tour packages in:
Central America and Caribbean
Costa Rica
Ecotourism
Cultural Journey
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