Discover how Costa Rica earns its reputation as a natural wonderland on this two-week adventure through one of the most exciting and striking countries in Central America, and indeed, the world. Literally translated as the 'rich coast', Costa Rica is a land of varied topography and broad spectrum of ecosystem; between its borders, Costa Rica encompasses white-sand Caribbean beaches, volcanic mountainscapes, lush, velveteen jungle, low-lying plains and swampland, all of which combine to house enormous populations of diverse wildlife.
From sauntering the trails of Braulio Carillo National Park, the country's biggest national park, we head to Tortuguero Park, where we take to the waters to glide along canals that are lined with virgin wilderness on both shores. The mist-encircled trees in Monteverde Cloud Forest provide a setting that seems as though it was taken straight out of a fairytale and Rincon de la Vieja National Park yields hidden lakes, hotsprings and beautiful volcanic landscapes. A short foray into Nicaragua gives us the opportunity to see historic churches, cathedrals and stone-carved statues, as well as enjoy some first-rate animal sightseeing and birdwatching, and it's back to Costa Rica for yet more wildlife adventures in Manuel Antonio National Park and to enjoy leisure-time sightseeing in San Jose.
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. 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. We then board our riverboat and spend the afternoon journeying through myriad interconnecting rivers and canals that take us finally to the Caribbean coast and Tortuguero Park. 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. This evening (weather permitting) we can view the volcanic activity which may include explosions and lava flows. 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. The forest is created by winds, particular temperature and moisture conditions, and mountainous topography which combine during the dry season to hold a steady cloud cover along the continental divide. 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, Costa Rica - Granada, Nicaragua. Today we travel northward (+/- 5 hours), via the Pan American Highway and Liberia, to Granada, Nicaragua (have your passports handy!). Granada is set by Lake Nicaragua with views of volcanoes on Island Ometepe and is one of the most beautiful cities in Central America. Countless historical buildings share the city's cobblestone streets with elegant homes and tranquil parks, an urban elegance complemented by nearby natural attractions. Overnight in Granada. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 8: Granada Walking Tour & Boat Trip. We will visit the most interesting sites in this city, including the Fort La Polvora, the Xalteva Church, the Xaltera walls, and the church La Merced. We walk through the Main Square Colon and visit the Cathedral, the Casa de los Leones, and the old Convent of San Francisco where you can admire the impressive stone-carved statues with animal and human form. There are 350 small emerald-green islands near Granada, all created when the Volcan Mombacho erupted and lava flew into the lake forming small islands. The area is now a haven for birdwatchers, with herons, ducks and cormorants. On our boat tour of the islands we include a visit to El Castillo San Pablo, a fortress built in 1784 to protect Granada from the British. Overnight in Granada. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 9: Granada, Nicaragua - Rincon de la Vieja, Costa Rica. Today we return to Costa Rica and the Rincon de la Vieja National Park. The Rincon de La Vieja National Park is located in the mountain range of Guanacaste, province of Guanacaste and Alajuela. The active volcano's slopes are covered with both wet and dry forests that contain hidden lakes, rivers and waterfalls and an abundance of wildlife - the resplendent quetzal, three-wattle bellbirds, morpho butterflies, tapir, coatimundis and three kinds of monkeys. Overnight near Rincon de la Vieja National Park. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 10: Rincon de la Vieja National Park. Known for its stunning diversity of flora and fauna, this national park is home to two volcanoes, the Rincon de la Vieja and the Santa Maria, as well as six different volcanic peaks and thirty two rivers and streams. Overnight near Rincon de la Vieja. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 11: Rincon de la Vieja - Quepos. This morning we continue southward to the town of Quepos, gateway for the 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 12: Manuel Antonio National Park. 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 likely encounter monkeys, iguanas, sea creatures and bird life of amazing variety. After our morning walk, you may like to continue to explore the park and return to the hotel by taxi on your own. Overnight in Quepos. Hotel California or similar. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 13: Quepos - San Jose. Today we return to San Jose, arriving mid-late afternoon. A visit to the Gold Museum, located under the Plaza de Cultura in the center of the city, is a highly recommended way to spend some of your free time in the city. Overnight San Jose. Hotel Balmoral or similar. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 14: 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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