When Columbus landed at Limón on the Caribbean coast he discovered long sandy beaches, towering volcanoes and unspoilt tropical rainforest. Join us on a journey through Costa Rica exploring jungle waterways, volcanic craters and verdant rainforest. We also visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve where the rare Quetzal bird can be sighted.
Itinerary
[+] Detailed Itinerary
Day 1:
Join tour San Jose
Arrive San José and check-in at hotel.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Day 2:
In San Jose
San Jose lies in a fertile valley at an altitude of 1150m. Coffee and sugar cane are grown in this area and coffee is still planted between new buildings and along the roadside on the outskirts of the city. This morning we’ll head up to Volcan Poas National Park where the smoking volcano rises majestically from the beautiful tropical rainforest. The main crater is one of the largest in the world and there are many trails, one of which leads to a forest fringed lake where fiery throated humming birds can be seen feeding on colourful flowers. Alternatively, depending on local conditions, we may head up to Irazu, with equally spectacular views. In the afternoon we make an orientation tour of San José to get a feel for the city centre and main sights, including the National Museum.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 3:
Drive to Turrialba
We drive to Cartago, the old colonial capital until 1823, situated at the foot of the Irazu volcano and encircled by mountains. We continue through coffee farming land to the town of Turrialba. On arrival there is the option to visit the remarkable serpentarium to witness Costa Ricas most venomous snakes on show. This evening your tour leader may be able to organise a visit to a typical ‘Finca’, where you can enjoy dinner prepared in a traditional family way (optional).
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 4:
In Turrialba
A short bus journey brings us to the excavated Indian ceremonial centre at Guayabo, dating from AD 1000 to 1400. Here it is possible to see the excavated remains of village life as paved streets and water channels have been uncovered. The rest of the day is left free for personal exploration. alternatively, there is an opportunity to try white water rafting on the Pacuare River (optional) may visit CATIE, an important agricultural research station, dedicated to conserving genetic diversity.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 5:
Drive and boat to Tortuguero
This morning we drive through extensive banana plantations to Cano Blanco where we board our boat to travel through the jungle waterways to Tortuguero. Partly artificial, created from narrow lagoons, and partly natural, a complex canal system links small isolated settlements. The rivers are rich in fish, including rainbow bass and grouper and support an abundance of birds such as heron, stork and kingfisher amongst others. We stay in a lodge in the National Park.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6:
In Tortuguero National Park
A full day to explore the Park. At certain times of the year green turtles, leatherbacks and occasionally loggerheads can be seen struggling ashore to lay their eggs (leatherbacks can weigh up to 700lbs). Every year between June and September over five thousand turtles come ashore to nest on Tortuguero’s beaches. There are many other animal species to watch out for such as the howler monkey noisily protecting its territory. The toucan, parrot and humming bird are amongst the hundreds of birds to be spotted whereas the ocelots, jaguar and tapir are shy and elusive. There is a full programme of included and optional excursions by boat and on foot to help you get the most out of this unique environment.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7:
Boat to Cano Blanco and Drive to Arenal
This morning we travel back by boat on this system of waterways, passing the virgin forest with dense vegetation. In fact 33% of the jungle’s total biomass is made up of ants and termites! We continue onto Cano Blanco where we will meet our bus. In the afternoon we drive, skirting the great central volcanic massif, past fertile farmlands, rich with a diversity of tropical crops, brings us within sight of Arenal, Costa Rica’s most active volcanic cone. This classic cone, which rises to 1,633m, is covered by a tangled mass of vegetation on one side while the other is starkly barren and old lava flows are visible. We recommend an evening bathe in the nearby thermal baths (optional).
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8:
In Arenal
The day is free to explore the area. There are local trails to waterfalls and various optional rafting and float trips available, not to mention spa treatments with the volcanic mud!
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 9:
Drive to Monteverde
Today we will travel around Arenal Lake up into the cloud forest of Monteverde. On arrival, there are plenty of activities on offer in this lush forested area, perched on the continental Divide between Pacific and Caribbean.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 10:
Am Visit Monteverde Reserve; Free PM
We have two full days to take advantage of all the things there are to see and do around Monteverde. The famous, but now very rare, Resplendent Quetzal is fairly commonly seen in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, one of the last remaining places in Central America where its habitat has been preserved. The best months are March and April, the breeding months. This morning we include a guided walk searching for a glimpse of the three-wattled bell bird or the Quetzal, whose feathers were traded as valuable items throughout pre-Columbian America. Then you can spend the rest of the day exploring the reserve, walking the paths that wind their way through gigantic ferns and giant trees dripping with lichen and moss. The rest of your time here maybe filled with optional activities such as the Canopy Tour, sliding down wires through the canopy, exploring the forest more sedately on suspension bridges, strung at canopy height, or on the fascinating Night walk. Alternatively you can spend an afternoon in the Santa Elena Reserve, supported by school children worldwide. There are also other private forest reserves in the area which can be explored, and various innovative local businesses to support.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 11:
Free in Monteverde
Today has been left free to enjoy one or several of the many optional activities available in the area.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 12:
Drive to Manuel Antonio N.P.
From the cloud forest we descend to the Pacific coast enjoying staggering views over the Gulf and Peninsula of Nicoya. Heading south, we cross the Rio Tarcoles bridge from which huge crocodiles are regularly seen. We then pause at Carara Biological Reserve, famed for the scarlet macaws and abundant birdlife which populate this transitional forest, before continuing along the Pacific coast to Manuel Antonio National Park.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 13:
In Manuel Antonio N.P.
This morning we explore the Manuel Antonio park area, famed for its beautiful beaches and rich wildlife which includes Capuchin white-faced monkeys (which can be seen coming down to the beach), coatimundi, sloth and the tiny squirrel monkey. The remainder of the day can be spent relaxing on the white sandy beaches, enjoying a swim in the warm azure waters. The sunsets from this coast are spectacular and have to be seen to be believed!.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Day 14:
Drive to San Jose
After a morning relaxing, we leave the Pacific Ocean at about Midday, following the road back the way we came to Costa Rica’s capital.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Day 15:
Tour ends San Jose
Included meals: Breakfast
