Buffet breakfast daily (B), 3 lunches (L), and 3 three-course dinners (D); Local Host service in each city; Sightseeing with a Local Guide and transportation as outlined in the day-by-day itinerary (inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE).
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive San José, Costa Rica. Arrive in San José, where you will be met by your Local Host. (B)
Day #2 San José–Tortuguero National Park. Early this morning, travel east to the northern Caribbean’s lowlands. In the first part of the trip, admire beautiful evergreen mountains and beautiful landscapes of Braulio Carrillo National Park. Once on the Caribbean side, continue to the Caño Blanco Dock, where you will board a BOAT to take you to TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK. A 2.5-hour boat ride will take you through the canals sheltered in the jungle of the rainforest. From the boat you will be able to admire the unique flora and fauna of this area. Upon arrival at your hotel there will be short briefing followed by lunch. In the afternoon, visit the village of Tortuguero, where you learn the lifestyle of local residents and the significant conservation efforts developed to protect the sea turtles that come to spawn each year along the 22 miles of nearby protected coastline. (B,L,D)
Day #3 Tortuguero National Park. Your guide accompanies you on a leisurely BOAT RIDE along remote, unspoiled sections of the park’s waterways, explaining the bountiful flora and fauna. Later, enjoy a fascinating STROLL through an accessible portion of the nearby rainforest and learn how the different animals, insects, and birds interact with forest plants, thus achieving a perfect balance of each species. During the peak nesting season (mid-July to mid-October) you may be lucky enough to observe an endangered green turtle laying her eggs under the starlight. (B,L,D)
Day #4 Tortuguero–Arenal. Take an early morning flight back to San José (or transfer by boat and car to Arenal depending on departure date). From here, journey to the artisan town of Sarchi before stopping for a typical Costa Rican lunch in La Fortuna. Continue to the Arenal Volcano area, where you will stay two nights. In the afternoon, take a guided WALK through the lava trails of the volcano and appreciate how nature has found a way to recover from past lava flows. After the walk, visit the famous TABACÓN HOT SPRINGS and take a dip in the natural springs and pools of mineral waters surrounded by lush, tropical forest. Enjoy dinner at the Hot Springs. (B,L,D)
Day #5 Arenal. Today is at your leisure to explore on your own. Perhaps visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges, a network of suspension bridges, platforms, and trails built in the cloud forest. From here, explore the forest canopy with a bird’s-eye view, giving you a different perspective of the forest’s wildlife. Alternatively, you may choose a rafting adventure, horseback riding, or spelunking in nearby Venado Caves. (B)
Day #6 Arenal–Monteverde. This morning, begin with a short BOAT ride across Arenal Lake and admire different species of birds that visit and call the area home. Continue through incredible mountain scenery and MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST, home to over 3,000 plant species as well as approximately 120 mammal species, 400 bird species, and 1,200 species of amphibians and reptiles. This afternoon, visit SELVATURA PARK and take a walk on the suspension bridges through the cloud forest canopy. A great opportunity for nature lovers and birdwatchers! Also, don’t miss the butterfly and hummingbird gardens. (B)
Day #7 Monteverde. Enjoy a day to do as you please. Maybe wake up early and visit Santa Elena Cloud Forest to best experience the animals in their natural forest habitats. Discover this misty and surreal wildlife sanctuary full of mosses, ferns, flowers, and other indigenous plant life. Also notice how the combination of climatic and geographic factors create temperature and humidity gradients, changing dramatically over just a short distance, or you could visit a local family’s farm to learn about sugarcane, coffee, and tilapia farming. (B)
Day #8 Monteverde–San José. Return to San José today. (B)
Day #9 San José. Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning. (B)