8 Days / 7 Nights Highlights of Costa Rica Deluxe
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ITINERARY
Day 1: San José – Costa Rica Arrival in San Jose’s Juan Santamaria International Airport, where our driver will be waiting for you to transport you to Hotel Radisson Europa 5* or similar. Day 2: San José / Tortuguero Morning pick up at your hotel for transfer to Tortuguero National Park located in Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. Slow-moving tropical rivers define the essence of charming Tortuguero, and you'll explore its narrow, tranquil canals by boat in search of the abundant wildlife often hidden by thick vines and other flora that engulf your path. Originally intended to protect a major nesting beach of the Atlantic green sea turtles, Tortuguero National Park now protects more than 50,000 acres, and is considered one of the last large areas of tropical rainforest in Central America, spanning 11 natural habitats, home to monkeys, sloths, river otters, caimans, lizards and frogs. Overnight at Manatus Lodge. Meals included; Breakfast, lunch, dinner Day 3: Tortuguero If you are an early riser, you may join your expert naturalist guide for a bird walk this morning. Otherwise, after breakfast, you'll continue to explore the the canals by boat. After lunch, visit the quaint village of Tortuguero, walking through the paths lined with colorful homes and chatting with locals to learn about their way of life. At the Caribbean Conservation Corporation (CCC) Museum, learn about the Atlantic green sea turtle, which thrive on Tortuguero’s shores. (Tortuguero comes from the word tortuga, “turtle” in Spanish.) You may wander the beach, where thousands of sea turtle nest from June through October. It is thought that these gentle vegetarians return to nest on the beach where they were born. Optional kayaks tours are available to access the most remote areas of Tortuguero National Park at your leisure this afternoon. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner. Overnight at Manatus Lodge. Meals included; Breakfast, Lunch and dinner Day 4: Tortuguero / Arenal Leave Tortuguero after morning boat tour for drive back to San Jose with a stop for lunch at which time our driver will pick you up for transfer to the Arenal area and the imposing Arenal volcano. Overnight at Hotel Arenal Nayara Meals included; Breakfast, lunch Day 5: Arenal Explore the Arenal region on an excursion with a bird’s-eye view from a vantage point of numerous fixed and hanging bridges poised above the treeline. Observe the natural beauty of flowers, lush vegetation and exotic birds as you walk along the beautiful trails. Later, visit the Arenal Observatory Lodge to view the seismographs installed by the Smithsonian Institute to monitor volcanoes. Afterward, discuss the origins, patterns and geography of this and the over 30 other volcanoes that exist in Costa Rica today. Enjoy a relaxing soak and dinner at the thermal waters of Ecotermales Thermal Spa. Overnight at Arenal Nayara. Meals included; Breakfast, dinner Day 6: Arenal / Monteverde After breakfast, our driver will pick you up for drive to Monteverde — at times up local gravel roads — and the nearby cloud forest. Founded by a group of Quakers in 1954, Monteverde is a peaceful community of dairy farmers, naturalists and tourism service providers who joined together to create a model for sustainable development and environmental protection. Enjoy a twilight tour of the Ecological Sanctuary in the late afternoon, the most active time for the wildlife that lives here, which includes sloths, porcupines, white-faced capuchin monkeys, butterflies and birds. Overnight at Koora Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 7: Monteverde Early in the morning you'll be picked up at your hotel for guided hike to the unique Cloud Forest Reserve, containing six ecologically diverse habitats. As many as 400 species of birds, 490 butterfly species, 100 species of mammals and a staggering 1,500 species of plants are at home here. Afternoon visit to the enchanting Monteverde Butterfly Garden to learn about the incredible biodiversity of the Monteverde region. Overnight at Koora Meals included: Breakfast Day 8: Monteverde / San José / Return home Depending on your flight time, leave Monteverde for transfer back to San Jose' Juan Santamaria airport for return flight home Meals included; Breakfast |
COST: USD $2,885.00 per person based on double occupancy
(“Green” Season April 30 – Nov 14, 2024) COST: USD $3,250.00 per person based on double occupancy (“High” Season Nov 15, 2024 – May 14, 2025) Please inquire about pricing during Special Seasons (Dec. 22, 2024 – January 3, 2025), (April 13 - April 20, 2025) PACKAGE INCLUDES:
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE: A) International airfare B) Personal expenses like liquor, laundry, phone calls, etc C) Tips for your drivers and/or guides D) $15.00 per person entrance fee to Tortuguero National Park Gallery |
