OUR SPECIALTY FOR HARDCORE NATURALISTS

PACKAGE DESCRIPTION:

VISITING: San José / Braulio Carrillo National Park, Tortuguero National Park, La Fortuna waterfall, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve,

ACTIVITIES : Hiking, River Swimming, Bird Watching, Boat Trip, Whitewater rafting,  

LETTER CODES : (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner.
 
Day by Day Itinerary.

Day 1 - Arrival to the International Airport Juan Santamaria. Transfer to Hotel Herradura and check In.

Day 2. Tortuguero . (B,L,D) .
We begin our trip early in the morning between 6:00 am to 7:00 am . You will be travelling with a bilingual naturalist guide on an air conditioned bus. Drive through Braulio Carrillo National Park , where you have the opportunity to see beautiful views and abundant vegetation. On the way we will stop for breakfast at Selva Tropical Restaurant where you can enjoy a butterfly garden with a variety of tropical flowers. After breakfast we will continue our trip to Caño Blanco deck driving by banana plantations.

At Caño Blanco, you will board the covered boat to the lodge, passing the Tortuguero canals arriving between 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. At the lodge our staff will be waiting for you with a refreshing cocktail, your rooms will be assigned and the guide will explain the afternoon activities after lunch -the visit to the Turtle Museum of the C.C.C. (Caribbean Conservation Corporation) and to the colourful Tortuguero town.

You will return to the lodge around 5:30 p.m. Free time to enjoy the pool, the bar service and prepare for your dinner. Dinner service from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and then rest of the night free to enjoy the surroundings, pool and bar.

Day 3 - Tortuguero . (B,L,D)
Optional 6:15 am tour to admire the awakening of the wildlife of Tortuguero. Return for breakfast (service between 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. ). Then another boat tour to admire the canals of Tortuguero National Park . This is a wonderful and interesting experience where you can see abundant flora and fauna of Tortuguero National Park . Return to the lodge for lunch and free time for a siesta, enjoy the pool or go for a walk to the beach. Then you have another optional tour to the canals or stay at the lodge to explore the private trails of the lodge and visit the open butterfly garden. Dinner at the lodge and free night.

Day 4 – Tortuguero – Arenal Volcano. (B,L,D)
After breakfast we depart to San Jose . On the middle of the way and after lunch, you will meet your private tour guide and proceed overland to Arenal, arriving at our accommodation for the next two nights. Our comfortable Hotel Arenal Paraiso offer panoramic views of Arenal Volcano and have private baths with hot showers. In the afternoon and before dark, we will be visiting the most important touristy attraction of the area: Tabacon Hot Springs where you will have the rest of the day for enjoy the thermal pools and spa. Dinner is included at this beautiful place.

Day 5 – La Fortuna Waterfall . (B)
Horseback Riding tour to La Fortuna Waterfall. The length of the tour is approximately four hours; from La Fortuna we have to go 5 ½ kilometers to the southeast. We spend 1 ½ hours to get to the rest site of the horses.
After that you have to walk five hundred meters into the forest to get to the waterfall, which is 70 meters high.
At the base of the waterfall there is a “natural pool” where we can swim for about one hour.
Afternoon: Free time.

Day 6 - Arenal - Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. (B)
This morning we drive around Lake Arenal to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, arriving by mid afternoon. After settling in, we join our guide for a short tour and walk through the town. After an enjoyable afternoon we return to the lodge to relax before dinner. Overnight at Belmar Hotel.

Day 7 - Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve . (B)
This morning we explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, a habitat characterized by tumbling waterfalls, giant tree ferns, and a lush blanket of mosses and epiphytes that seems to cover every plant and tree, even the forest floor. Perhaps the most stunning resident of the cloud forest is the Resplendent Quetzal. In addition to quetzals, we may encounter Emerald Toucanets, Three-wattled Bellbirds, and a brilliant array of jewel-like hummingbirds. After lunch, we visit the Monteverde Butterfly Gardens to observe exotic species that represent the diversity of Costa Rica 's butterflies. We return to the lodge late this afternoon in time to relax before dinner. Afterward, we may enjoy coffee or a nightcap around the fireplace.

Day 8 - Monteverde San José . (B). After breakfast we drive to San Jose . By noon , arrive to San Jose . Check In at Hotel Herradura and free afternoon and evening.

Day 9- Transfer Out. (B)
Transfer out at scheduled flight and good bye.

INCLUDES : 8 nights lodging, all land and water transportation within Costa Rica , all airport/ hotel transfers on scheduled arrival/ departures dates only, specified meals, National Parks entrance fees, naturalist tour guide.

NOT INCLUDED : International air fare, airport departure taxes, meals not specified in the itinerary, alcoholic beverages, personal equipment, extras in hotels (laundry, phone calls, room service), gratuities, or costs associated with changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control.

WHATS TO BRING : Hiking Shoes, Bathing Suit, Binoculars, Camera, Beach Sandals, Suntan Lotion, Hat, Mosquito Repellent.