Get closer to nature with this 8-day adventure through Costa Rica and never look at the world the same way again. It doesn't take long to come to understand the motivation behind the dedication to the conservation efforts in Costa Rica - it is a nation in which a quarter of the country's total territory is protected within national parks and designated conservation areas - as we head to one of the country's largest national parks in the initial stages of our tour to witness the beauty, diversity and richness of a unique and striking natural environment. We wander through verdant, mist-enshrouded forests, spend time relaxing on paradisaical gold-sand beaches, or in bubbling hotsprings with the majestic Arenal Volcano as a backdrop, cast off for a boat trip through untouched wilds along the canals of Tortuguero Park and become entranced by the magic of a glorious country whose nature comes second to none.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in San Jose. Today we arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica.Overnight in San Jose. Hotel Balmoral or similar. Dinner if required.
Day 2: San Jose - Tortuguero. This morning we travel by bus from San Jose through Braulio Carillo National Park, one of Costa Rica's largest. Later we visit a working banana plantation and pass through a region known for its cocoa production.Overnight in Tortuguero. Laguna Lodge or similar. All meals.
Day 3: Tortuguero Forest Walk & Village. Tortuguero Park is a fascinating place to explore. An early morning boat ride offers an opportunity to observe an awakening coastal rain forest full of lush vegetation and unique bird life. After lunch we visit the village of Tortuguero accessible only by river boat; you may choose to walk on the Caribbean beach where several turtle species lay their eggs each year. Overnight in Tortuguero. Laguna Lodge or similar. All meals.
Day 4: Tortuguero - Baldi Hotsprings - Arenal Volcano. After an early breakfast we travel by boat 1½-hour from Tortuguero to the Cano Blanco dock. From there we continue by road (+/- 5 hours) to the la Fortuna / Arenal area. We travel through rolling hills covered with sugar cane fields to overnight near Arenal Volcano. Overnight at Arenal. 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. Overnight at Monteverde. Heliconia Hotel or similar. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 7: Monteverde - San Jose. Today we return by road to San Jose. Time permitting, we recommend a visit to the Gold Museum in downtown San Jose (optional), easily the country's best with thousands of different examples of Pre-Colombian gold artifacts (the museum closes at 16:30). NOTE: This will be a private transfer without your Tour Leader and some other group members who are continuing on a longer tour option (CR2, PA3). Overnight in San Jose. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 8: Departure. Departure from San Jose. Breakfast. Buen Viaje!
Price Includes:
- 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.
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
Cultural Journey
Ecotourism
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