Costa Rica Discovery
Nature & Adventure

DAY 1
US- COSTA RICA

Arrival into San Jose’s International Airport from ??? (PLEASE SEND US YOUR FLIGHT INFORMATION: airline, flight number & scheduled arrival AS SOON AS POSSIBLE). Your hosts ECOTOURISM & ADVENTURE, will meet and greet you at the airport. Transfer to your hotel. Overnight at Hotel Real Intercontinental/ Hotel Alta or the Fleur de Lys Hotel.

DAY 2
SAN JOSE- IRAZU VOLCANO- CARTAGO

This morning, after breakfast, our driver will pick you up to take you to visit the city’s surroundings. You will see the impressive crater of the Irazu volcano, an active volcano with a long history of dramatic eruptions. Proceed to Cartago, a small Costa Rican city with a beautiful church with impressive stained glass work. En route to San Jose we will enjoy lunch. Depending on the weather we will choose between a visit to a fabulous orchid collection at the Lankester Gardens, or a visit to InBio Parque. (LANKESTER GARDENS: Discover more than 800 species of native and exotic orchid species, bromeliads, philodendrons, and anthuriums. The gardens are a great introduction to tropical forest species and an excellent place for birding. InBio Parque: the gateway to Costa Rica’s National Parks! Come into contact with the most representative of Costa Rica's ecosystems: the Central Valley Forest, the Humid Forest, the tropical Dry Forest, and the Wetlands. At InBio Parque you may find approximately 51 bird species, 583 native plant species, as well as mammals and reptiles.) Return to your hotel. Dinner on your own. Overnight at Hotel Real Intercontinental/ Hotel Alta or the Fleur de Lys Hotel.

DAY 3
SAN JOSE- CARARA BIOLOGICAL RESERVE- MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST PRESERVE

You will start early this morning toward the cloud forest village of Santa Elena. En route we will visit the Carara National Park, where we will appreciate evergreen forests and various ecosystems along the Grande de Tárcoles River… After visiting the park’s lagoons, swamps and primary forest and discovering the Pacific Coast near Orotina, Puntarenas we’ll continue toward the cloud forest ecosystem of Monteverde… After check in at your hotel you will visit the village and appreciate Santa Elena’s country lifestyle, filled with delicious surprises. Overnight at the Ecolodge San Luis & Biological Station/ Cloud Forest Lodge.

DAY 4
MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST PRESERVE

You will make an early morning start to visit the Monteverde Biological Reserve & the Santa Elena Forest, the protected cloud forest habitat renown worldwide for its wonderful nature trails and 450 bird species. Among the most beautiful is the resplendent quetzal. An abundance of plants and magnificent epiphyte-laden trees growing at an altitude above 5000 feet sea level will be all around us as we spend the morning exploring the trails and pursuing the observation of quetzal birds and other species. Visit an impressive hummingbird gallery. After lunch you will have the unique opportunity to visit the village’s orchid expert for a quick tour of his collection, including rare miniatures. Overnight at the Ecolodge San Luis & Biological Station / Cloud Forest Lodge.

DAY 5
SANTA ELENA- ARENAL

After breakfast this morning you will have some time to appreciate the beauty of the cloud forest around your hotel and relax all morning before we continue our adventure. Optional: For our active travelers we have prepared an active tour among the forest canopy for you this morning, at the Monteverde Original Canopy Tour, which will afford you the opportunity to experience the uniqueness of a different perspective above the forest floor! Lunch at your hotel. After lunch time we will depart toward the Arenal Volcano National Park, where an active giant may be heard roaring in the distance. Arenal is in the Tilarán mountain range. Check in and overnight at the Tabacon Resort / Arenal Observatory Lodge.

DAY 6
ARENAL & TABACON (B, L, D)

Early this morning, after breakfast, enjoy the friendly hospitality at the Tabacon Resort and Spa, where you will enjoy the volcanic hotsprings and lunch. For the young crowd who can’t stay still and for the adventuresome at heart, there is another OPTIONAL TOUR today: In the afternoon you may go on an unusual tree-top adventure at the Tabacon Original Canopy Tour. Transfer back to the Tabacon Resort / Arenal Observatory Lodge. Arenal Observatory Lodge for dinner and overnight.

DAY 7
TABACON- LA VIRGEN DE SARAPIQUI

After breakfast this morning we will depart toward the village of La Virgen de Sarapiqui, crossing through different microclimates and altitudes as well as beautiful landscapes! Upon arrival appreciate the magnificent lodge where you will be staying for the next couple days. Upon arrival we will visit Alma Ata, the archaeological display at the Centro Neotropico SArapiquiS where you will discover a burial ground, dated from 15th century Costa Rica. Learn about Pre-Columbian indigenous stone sculptures, petroglyphs and architecture… Overnight at Centro Neotropico SarapiquiS.

DAY 8
WHITEWATER RAFTING ON THE SARAPIQUI RIVER

After breakfast this morning you will explore your ecolodge’s premises and check out one of the longest hanging bridges in Costa Rica… At 11 a.m. this morning our rafting crew will pick you up at your hotel to take you whitewater rafting on Class II and III rapids. You will enjoy a brief training session and then start your adventure with our experts. You will choose a lovely spot for lunch along the river & continue on your rafting adventure! Return to your hotel. Free afternoon. Optional: You may visit the Tirimbina Private Forest Preserve with one of our experienced guides… Dinner and overnight at Centro Neotropico Sarapiqui.

DAY 9
CENTRO NEOTROPICO- LA PAZ WATERFALLS- SARCHI- SAN JOSE

This morning you will make an early start to visit the largest butterfly sanctuary on Earth, adjacent to the spectacular La Paz Waterfalls. This is a private nature reserve, where you may view the awesome power of the falls from different perspectives as you hike on trails and climb on nicely built viewing platforms. The huge butterfly observatory includes ten species native to Costa Rica and the hummingbird garden has 12 resident species that have become so tame they will approach and feed within a few feet of visitors. After this exciting trek you will continue to the village of La Grecia to visit a metallic church, and the on to Sarchi for a visit to a traditional Costa Rican painted ox-cart factory. Transfer back to your hotel in San Jose, Hotel Real Intercontinental/ Hotel Alta.

DAY 10
COSTA RICA- US FLIGHT BACK HOME

Time permitting you will enjoy breakfast at your hotel before your departure. Farewell at the airport. Check in for your flight back home.

TORTUGUERO- PUERTO VIEJO DE LIMON EXTENSION

DAY 9
PUERTO VIEJO DE SARAPIQUI- BARRA DEL COLORADO- TORTUGUERO

Very early after breakfast, transfer to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, where we will embark on a unique river adventure, reserved only for the truly adventuresome connoisseurs... We will reach Tortuguero by midday, after exploring the magnificent Sarapiqui & San Juan Rivers. We will make a brief stopover at the Nicaraguan border on the San Juan River and then proceed to the Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge. Barra del Colorado is on the Caribbean coast and is a fascinating wetland habitat... Upon arrival in Tortuguero check in at our hotel. This afternoon we will visit the Centre for Tropical Conservation and our host village to learn about the Pacific turtles and the wonderful conservation project at Tortuguero National Park! This is the Green turtle's most important spawning area in all of the West Caribbean coast. Dinner included at your hotel. Overnight at the Pachira Lodge/ Laguna Lodge.

DAY 10
TORTUGUERO- GUAPILES- PUERTO VIEJO DE LIMON- GANDOCA MANZANILLO WILDLIFE REFUGE

Early this morning after check out we will start our journey southeast to Puerto Viejo de Limon and on to the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. The reserve affords protection to several particularly threatened wildlife and to some species of which remain only very reduced populations. It protects the only natural large mangrove oyster bank in the coastal reef. Upon arrival check in at our lodge. Enjoy a free afternoon on the beautiful beach, surrounded by almond trees & the Caribbean Sea… Dinner and overnight at Almonds & Corals Lodge.

DAY 11
GANDOCA MANZANILLO WILDLIFE REFUGE

This morning we will explore the preserve with a local guide. We will have a brief encounter with the Bribri Indians and sample their traditional cuisine. Free afternoon on your own at the beach… Dinner and overnight at the Almonds & Corals Lodge.

DAY 12

GANDOCA MANZANILLO- SAN JOSE

After some quiet moments to relax after breakfast this morning we will check out and start our journey back to “civilization”. En route we will stop at the village of Manzanillo and will continue toward San Jose. C\heck in at your hotel upon arrival. Dinner on your own. Overnight at Real Intercontinental Hotel / Hotel Alta.

DAY 13
SAN JOSE- USA

Today, after check out you will fly back home. Farewell at San Jose’s International Airport. Your flight ¿? leaves at ¿?

ADD ON

On Day 12 instead of returning to Costa Rica you may continue towards Bocas del Toro in Panama, with our operator Ancon Expeditions.