Day 1: Arrive in San José, Costa Rica
Upon arrival, you will be met by your Tour Director, who will help you check into your hotel.
Day 2: San José –– Tortuguero National Park
Journey east to the Caribbean shore and Tortuguero National Park. On the way, pass by several banana plantations and see one of Costa Rica’s main exports being harvested. Later, board a motor launch for your cruise along the Tortuguero Canals, waterways crisscrossing a national park dedicated to the protection of endangered turtles. The trained eyes of your guide and boatman help you spot freshwater turtles, caimans, herons, toucans, egrets, and monkeys. An afternoon at leisure lets you explore your jungle lodge until you meet for an informative slideshow presentation on the area.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3: Tortuguero National Park Tour & Canal Cruise
TA local Naturalist accompanies you on a leisurely boat ride along remote, unspoiled sections of the park’s waterways, explaining the bountiful flora and fauna. Enjoy a fascinating stroll through an accessible portion of the nearby rainforest. During the peak nesting season (mid-July to mid-October) you may be lucky enough to observe an endangered green turtle laying her eggs under the starlight on an optional tour. Later this afternoon, meet a local Naturalist for an informative presentation on the ecology of the area.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Tortuguero – Sarapiqui – Arenal
A morning boat transfer begins your journey to the Sarapiqui area. Tour a Globus Local Favorite pineapple farm, owned by a local family, and learn about the history, cultivation, and industry of pineapples and other indigenous crops. Continue to your hotel in the lush town of Arenal, located in the shadow of Arenal Volcano. After settling in, experience the magic of the resort before dinner at your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Arenal – excursion to La Fortuna & Arenal Volcano National Park
This afternoon, visit Arenal Volcano National Park, where your guide takes you on a walk through lava trails of the volcano and shows you how nature has found a way to recover from past lava flows. Next, enjoy a walking tour of the town of La Fortuna de San Carlos, offering spectacular views of the active Arenal Volcano. This evening, drive to nearby Ecotermales Hot Springs for a dip in the curative and relaxing pools. Later, enjoy dinner at the hot springs.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6: Arenal – Monteverde
After breakfast, continue to Monteverde, where you will enjoy two days in the cloud forest. This afternoon, take a guided tour on the Sky Walk Hanging Bridges, which combines trails and suspension bridges through the canopy of Monteverde Cloud Forest, to search for flora and fauna.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 7: Monteverde -Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reseve
This morning, visit Santa Elena Cloud Forest for a guided walking tour. Over 600 species of butterflies and 400 species of birds have been recorded inside the private reserve, along with 100 reptiles and 120 mammal species that hide within the dense vegitation. Later, visit the family owned Ecological Sanctuary, where you will explore the trails through coffee and banana plantations filled with endemic wildlife and beautiful scenery. After the walk, enjoy a cooking class. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner, toasting an unforgettable discovery of Costa Rica.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Monteverde – Sarchi – Grecia - San José
En route to San José, visit Sarchi Village, known as the center of Costa Rican handcrafts and where you will see the artists in their workshops making the famous oxcarts. Next stop is Grecia Village to see the metal church that was imported from Belgium to Puerto Limon in 1897. The church was transported by oxcarts to its present-day location, but sat in the plaza for 10 years before being reconstructed.SAN JOSÉ Free time this evening.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: San José
Your tour ends with breakfast this morning.
Meals: Breakfast