Beaches, Volcanos, and Wildlife in the Heart of Central America
From $2,919
Days: 11 days
Country: Costa Rica
Resumo de cada itinerário
Day 1 - San Jose
Meet your tour director in San Jose at this first day of your tour.
Day 2 - Tortuguero National Park
Travel east to Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast. Pass through many banana fields along the trip to watch one of Costa Rica's key exports being gathered. Later, board a motor launch for a trip through the Tortuguero Canals, which run through a national park dedicated to the conservation of endangered turtles. Your guide and boatman's skilled eyes will help you spot freshwater turtles, caimans, herons, toucans, egrets, and monkeys. A leisurely afternoon allows you to explore your rainforest lodge before meeting for an educational slideshow presentation on the area. Tortuguero National Park was formerly a volcanic archipelago until sediments from adjacent mountains filled in the valleys, forming the famed network of marshy islands and turtle breeding beaches. This beautiful, protected area is teeming with species and variety thanks to its 11 distinct habitats.
Day 3 - Tortuguero National Park
A naturalist from the area joins you on a leisurely boat ride through remote, untouched portions of the park's waterways, discussing the abundant flora and fauna. Enjoy a fascinating journey through a piece of the local rainforest that is easily accessible. During the peak nesting season (mid-July to mid-October), an optional tour may allow you to see an endangered green turtle laying her eggs under the stars. Meet a local Naturalist later this afternoon for an informative talk on the ecology of the area. Tortuguero's turtles that come to nest in the national park named after them are easily one of the park's biggest attractions. Nesting Green Sea Turtles, Leatherback Turtles, and Hawksbill Turtles can all be seen on the beaches here. Learn about the conservation initiatives that have been in place since 1955 to help protect these endangered animals during your visit.
Day 4 - Sarapiqui
Your journey to the Sarapiqui region begins with an early boat transfer. Learn about the history, production, and industry of pineapples and other indigenous crops by touring a pineapple farm owned by a local family. Continue to your accommodation in Arenal, a lovely town in the shadow of Arenal Volcano. After settling in, explore the resort before supper at your hotel. Volcano Lodge's lush tropical gardens, the sound of crashing waterfalls, and stunning views of Costa Rica's famed Arenal Volcano will transport you into the heart of a hidden rainforest jungle, but with all of the comforts and amenities of a well-tended retreat. Explore the resort's pool and hot spring-fed jacuzzi, or take a walk along the neighboring nature trail in search of 300- to 400-year-old trees, frogs, monkeys, birds, and potentially tiny creatures common to the region.
Day 5 - La Fortuna & Arenal Volcano National Park
Free morning. Optional Activities include a horsebackride excursion, a float trip, or enjoying the resort’s amenities and shaded trails. This afternoon, go to Arenal Volcano National Park, where your ranger will take you on a walk along the volcano's lava paths and show you how nature has recovered from previous lava flows. Then, take a walking tour to La Fortuna de San Carlos, which offers stunning views of the dynamic Arenal Volcano. Drive to adjacent Ecotermales Hot Springs this evening for a swim in the therapeutic and calming waters. After that, have dinner at the hot springs. Arenal Volcano was previously Costa Rica's most active volcano, with lava and gas constantly streaming from the crater, mesmerizing tourists to the region. It went into hibernation in 2010. Due to the area's seismic activity, you will discover some of the greatest natural thermal hot springs.
Day 6 - Monteverde
Explore the cloud forest from a bird's eye view far above the jungle floor on the Sky Walk Hanging Bridges. This naturalist-led trip shows you to the Costa Rican cloud forest's vegetation and animals. This is certainly a one-of-a-kind approach to observe the forest canopy, with 6 bridges spanning over 700 feet long and 150 feet high.
Day 7 - Monteverde
This morning, take a guided walking tour of Santa Elena Cloud Forest. This private reserve is home to over 600 kinds of butterflies and 400 species of birds, as well as 100 reptile and 120 animal species that hide among the deep flora. Later, visit the family-owned Ecological Sanctuary, where you will hike through coffee and banana plantations teeming with rare fauna and stunning landscapes. Take a culinary lesson to learn how to make traditional Costa Rican dishes such as hand-made tortillas, picadillos, and gallo pinto. Enjoy your masterpieces for a home-cooked meal!
Day 8 - Quepos
Drive to the Pacific Ocean in the morning to Quepos, the entry of Manuel Antonio National Park. Dense mangrove swamps that provide habitat for a variety of species back up to the area's clean beaches. Iguanas and white-faced monkeys are typical sightings on the beach. The amazing natural beauty and wonder of Manuel Antonio National Park lures visitors, where mangroves thrive and golden beaches gleam in the home of iguanas and monkeys on its Pacific beachfront.
Day 9 - Manuel Antonio National Park
Free time in Manuel Antonio National Park. Take an optional tour like a kayaking trip or a mangrove tour.
Day 10 - Manuel Antonio National Park
Day 10 - Manuel Antonio National Park
Day 11 - Manuel Antonio Area
Free time in the morning. Afternoon flight returning home.
