Costa Rica Natural Paradise
9 nights / 10 days
San José – Poas Volcano – Tortuguero – Arenal Volcano –
Guanacaste – Tarcoles – San José
Day 1 – San José, Costa Rica
Welcome to the “rich coast,” friendly land of democracy and rare natural beauty. With naturalist guides, see exotic birds and wildlife, hike in jungle rainforests, view volcanoes, soak in hot springs and cruise through biological reserves. Relax on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Meeting with the Bilingual-speaking guide at the airport. We provide transfers from the Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José, Costa Rica to your hotel for a two night stay. Hotel Barceló San Jose Palacio. (D)
Day 2 – Poás Volcano, Cloud Forest
This morning, enjoy a drive through Costa Rica’s famous coffee growing region. Next, visit Poás Volcano. Weather permitting, you can see inside the active crater from an overlook. Next, hike the Escalonia Cloud Forest Trail, home to epiphytes, orchids, ferns and tropical hummingbirds. Next, visit Doka Estate Coffee Tour, a coffee plantation nestled close to Poas Volcano. Lunch. Visit to Butterfly Garden. Enjoy a guided tour and sample fresh Costa Rican coffee. Dinner. Hotel Barceló San Jose Palacio. (BLD)
Day 3 – Tortuguero Park
This morning drive by San Jose’s Plaza de la Cultura, Central Park and the National Theatre. Next, pass through Braulio Carrillo Park. Drive by a banana plantation. Then, cruise through rivers and canals to the 47,000 acre Tortuguero National Park. Tortuguero is home to more than 300 species of birds. Look for toucans, parrots, kingfishers and the rare green macaw. Enjoy lunch. Free time to enjoy the swimming pool and tropical flower gardens at your lodge. Listen to joyful jungle sounds. Enjoy a two night stay at your lodge. Dinner. Hotel Evergreen Lodge. (BLD)
Day 4 – Tortuguero Park, Canal Cruise
Cruise this morning with naturalist guides along canals lined by raffia palm, the habitat of howler and white-faced monkeys, green iguanas and tropical birds. Look for white and snowy egrets and the amazing nests of the montezuma oropendola. Then, enter the mysterious reflecting waters of Caño Palma wildlife reserve. Next, visit the Green Turtle Research Station. Learn about efforts to protect the turtles. Walk along the Atlantic turtle nesting beaches with a naturalist guide. Next, to Tortuguero village. Return to your lodge for lunch.
Enjoy an afternoon boat excursion into Tortuguero Park. Look for otters, turtles and manatees. Dinner. Hotel Evergreen Lodge (BLD)
Day 5 – La Fortuna
Morning cruise on Tortuguero River. Enjoy lunch. Next, through scenic countryside to the San Carlos Valley for a two night stay in Fortuna. Dinner. Hotel Los Lagos / Arenal Manoa (BDL)
Day 6 – Hanging Bridges, Hot Springs, Arenal
This morning enjoy an unforgettable adventure in the heart of the rainforest at the Hanging Bridges, rated one of Costa Rica’s top tourist attractions. Hike on six suspension bridges, through lush tropical rainforest canopy. Enjoy views of a waterfall and look for tropical birds. Lunch. Afternoon you can discover the adventure of canopy tour at the Hotel Arenal Paraiso (optional tour for additional rate of $45 per person), consisting of sliding on a cable between platforms flying through the treetops. This canopy tour consists of 12 platforms. Return to the hotel. Then, enjoy a relaxing soak in the volcanic hot springs. Weather permitting, see nearby majestic Arenal Volcano. Enjoy dinner. Hotel Los Lagos / Hotel Arenal Manoa (BLD)
Day 7 – Guanacaste
After breakfast departure to Guanacaste province. Drive through the only tropical dry forest in Costa Rica. Stop in Liberia. Then, to Costa Rica’s beautiful Pacific Coast for a two night stay. Lunch and Dinner at your resort. Hotel Occidental Grand Papagayo, AI (BLD)
Day 8 – Pacific Coast, Guanacaste
Whole day at leisure to enjoy your magnificent beach resort. Swim in your hotel’s pool, indulge yourself in the world class spa or just simply relax. Lunch. Enjoy a carefree afternoon. Time to beachcomb or stroll the pristine beaches of your resort. Dinner. Hotel Occidental Grand Papagayo, AI (BLD)
Day 9 – Tarcoles Cruise, San José
Morning drive through the cattle ranches of Guanacaste. Lunch. Next, enjoy a bird and crocodile spotting cruise on the Tarcoles River, adjacent to the Carara Biological Reserve. Cruise through a mangrove reserve. This tropical bird and wildlife sanctuary is a nesting site for the scarlet macaw. Return to San José. Farewell dinner. Hotel President. (BLD)
Day 10 – San José
Your tour ends after breakfast this morning at your hotel. Breakfast begins at 6:30 a.m. We provide transfers to the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San José. ¡Hasta la vista! (B)