San Jose Tortuguero National Park - Arenal Volcano - Hot Springs of Tabacon - Monteverde Cloud forest Region - Manuel Antonio National Park & Beaches
Day 01: San Jose
Welcome! Upon your arrival at San Jose International Airport our English-speaking representative will greet you and escort you to your hotel. At this time you will be provided a short briefing and an informative travel handout; Lodging at Grano de Oro
Day 02: Tortuguero National Park - (B, L, D)
Off to an early start from your hotel in San Jose, you drive along a scenic route of lush pasturelands and banana plantations, through the Braulio Carillo National Park. You'll stop for a typical Costa Rican breakfast before arriving at the village of Cano Blanco or Matina.
From there you navigate by boat up the Tortuguero River, alongshore a small peninsula bordered on the other side by the Caribbean Sea. Upon arrival it's time to check into our overnight accommodations at the Laguna Lodge Tortuguero.
Enjoy a hearty lunch before taking off with your local naturalist guide on a walking tour of the bustling village of Tortuguero and its immediate surroundings. After visiting the turtle museum we meander, this time along the beach, back to the lodge for dinner.
During the months of March-April and July-October, an optional guided night hike along the beach is offered, to observe the nesting of the sea turtles (approx; US $30 p.p.); Lodging at Laguna Lodge Tortuguero
Day 03: Tortuguero National Park - (B, L, D)
A full day of activities begins with the unforgettable sights and sounds of an early morning tour to experience the awakening of Tortuguero wildlife. Follow up a well-deserved breakfast with a boat tour through the quiet backwater canals of the national park, for up-close observation of the flora and fauna so unique to this special part of the world. Head back for lunch and an afternoon of free time; take a nap or relax by the pool, visit the open butterfly garden, take a walk on the beach or another boat tour, explore the trails around the Lodge on your own; you decide. Dinner is served after a relaxing day; Lodging at Laguna Lodge Tortuguero
Day 04: Arenal Volcano - (Optional: Hot Springs) - (B, L)
After breakfast, embark by boat around 9 a.m. for Cano Blanco or Matina. From there you will head off by bus to a typical Costa Rican restaurant for a delicious home-cooked lunch. Continue your journey to Arenal Volcano in a private vehicle with your personal guide; Lodging at Arenal Springs Resort
Day 05: Monteverde Cloud Forest Region - (B)
Today you will explore. Hike with your guide through the secondary forest of Arenal Volcano National Park and over the lava fields at the foot of Arenal Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the Americas. You might even feel the ground rumble. Ride around Arenal Lake to Tilarn before taking on 35 kms of adventurous gravel road, winding your way to Sta. Elena in the Monteverde Cloud Forest region; Lodging at Hotel Fonda Vela
Day 06: Monteverde Cloud Forest Region - (B)
Today the adventure is a "walk in the clouds" to immerse in the sights and sounds of the cloud forests inhabitants greeting the new day: Start with your feet on the ground, hiking through lush forest toward the Skywalk - suspended bridges, platforms and trails elevated deep within the canopy of the cloud forest. From here you are allowed a gentle, rare glimpse through the tops of giant trees into the nether regions of this hidden world that would otherwise remain a mystery to most of us.
Keep your binoculars or camera handy, since you might catch a glimpse of the rare and famous bird of kings - the Quetzal!
There are numerous other
optional activities that you might want to enjoy during the remainder of your afternoon, including a visit to the Frog Pond, the Snake Farm, or the Orchid Garden; Lodging at Hotel Fonda Vela
Day 07: Manuel Antonio National Park & Beaches - (B)
After breakfast we take a drive on the Interamericana South along the coastline towards the town of Jaco. We will stop at the bridge over Rio Tarcoles, a great place for spotting large crocodiles, basking on the banks of the river. If you wish, we can visit Carara National Park, one of the main nesting sites of the Scarlet Macaw. (Optional, with an entrance fee of approximately US $ 8 p.p) You're welcome to hike for a bit on the park trails before we continue our drive further south to Manuel Antonio for an afternoon check-in at your hotel Costa Verde
Day 08: Manuel Antonio National Park - (B)
Are you ready for capuchin monkeys, sloth, iguanas, anteaters, and multiple species of birds, all within easy walking distance into the rainforest? A hike of about 1.5 hours on the park's trails will get you this and more, including fantastic beaches within the park, where you are free to soak up some sun or bathe in the refreshing Pacific Ocean; Lodging at Costa Verde
Day 09: San Jose - (B)
Ride back to San Jose. Once in San Jose, the remainder of the day is yours to do as you wish. You might visit one of the various galleries or museums (optional - entrance fees not included) or just go on a sightseeing spree around the capital of San Jose with your guide who is with you until evening; Lodging at Grano de Oro
Day 10: Homeward Bound - (B)
Transfer to the International Airport for your flight back home. Since airlines advise that you be at the airport 3 hours in advance, you might want to have a look there, at the duty free area or the variety of souvenir shops, for some last minute shopping
Discover Costa Rica Tour Includes:
All land transfers in private bus with a\c and driver
Assistance of English speaking guide on tour and transfer days
2 nights lodging at Grano de Oro
2 nights lodging Laguna Lodge Tortuguero
1 night lodging at Arenal Springs Resort
(junior suite)
2 nights lodging at Hotel Fonda Vela
2 nights lodging at Costa Verde
All breakfasts daily
All meals and drinks at Laguna Lodge Tortuguero
Lunch at Arenal
Airport Transfers on arrival and departure day
Transfers by bus & boat from San Jose to Laguna Lodge and back to Guapiles (joining international travelers; transfers provided by the lodge)
Private, English-speaking naturalist guide from day 4 to day 9
Local, bilingual guide in Tortuguero;
Tours & Entrances fees:
All tours in Tortuguero as described above, including entrance fee National Park (joining international travelers)
Arenal Volcano National Park
Skywalk Monteverde
Manuel Antonio National Park
All hotel taxes
Not Included:
Personal expenses, tips and gratuities, optional activities, additional national park entrance fees (US $ 7 - 9 per person) airport tax (about US $ 26 p.p.)
High Season:
15/Nov/2007 to 30/Apr/2008 and 01/Jul/2008 to 31/Aug/2008
Low Season:
01/May/2008 to 30/Jun/2008 and 01/Sep/2008 to 14/Nov/2008
