DAY 1, Sunday - Depart the USA/San Jose
Depart the USA for Costa Rica. Arrive in San Jose and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure. This evening, enjoy a welcome drink and orientation with your Tour Manager
Overnight: San Jose |
DAY 2, Monday - Visit to a Local Elementary School en Route to Arenal
Depart San Jose for Arenal, home to some of the world's most fascinating ecological tours. Stop for a photo opportunity in the charming village of Zarcero where you can see the Zarcero Park and Church. Later, visit a local elementary school for an opportunity to catch a glimpse of the Costa Rican School System. Enjoy a serenade by school children before proceeding to the Arenal region, famous for its volcano and lake. Enjoy views of the conical Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica's youngest and most active volcano, as well as the surrounding hot springs. Please Note: During school vacations, the visit to a local elementary school will be replaced with the opportunity to plant a tree
Optional: Dinner in Local Arenal Restaurant
Overnight: Arenal
Meals: Breakfast |
DAY 3, Tuesday - Arenal Volcano National Park
This morning depart for Arenal Volcano National Park. The park is home to Arenal Volcano and Chato, a long dormant volcano now filled with water. Here, take in the spectacular natural scenery while walking through the young forests and lava fields from previous eruptions. Arenal Volcano National Park is famous for volcano watching, as Arenal Volcano is the most active volcano in the country, and large flora and fauna. It contains 2,987 species of plants and it is still possible to encounter giant anteaters, sloths, tapirs, and howler monkeys among others within the park. The remainder of the day is at leisure
Optional: Penas Blancas Safari Boat Tour (PM)
Overnight: Arenal
Meals: Breakfast |
DAY 4, Wednesday - Travel to Monteverde and Visit to CASEM
In the morning, embark for Monteverde (Green Mountain) via coach and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. Upon arrival, visit CASEM, a co-op of local artisans whose vision is reflective of Costa Rica's natural landscapes. Balance of the day is at leisure
Optional: Monteverde Trapiche Tour (PM)
Overnight: Monteverde
Meals: Breakfast |
DAY 5, Thursday - Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve
Enjoy an excursion to the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve this morning. Its high altitude gives the 765-acre reserve a beautiful misty cover, hence the term "cloud forest". The stunning region boasts an extraordinarily diverse ecosystem, being home to 120 species of reptiles and amphibians, 130 species of mammals, and an astounding 500 species of birds, not to mention more than 3,000 species of plants. It is not uncommon to see tapirs, howler monkeys, sloths, and jaguars along the way. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure
Optional: Selvatura Canopy Tour (PM)
Optional: Selvatura Hanging Bridges (PM)
Optional: Dinner in Local Monteverde Restaurant
Overnight: Monteverde
Meals: Breakfast |
DAY 6, Friday - Visit Las Pumas Cat Zoo
This morning, drive from Monteverde to Tamarindo in the Guanacaste province. En route, visit Las Pumas Cat Zoo, a reserve for stray and injured jungle cats such as jaguars, ocelots, margays and cougars. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure
Overnight: Tamarindo
Meals: Breakfast |
DAY 7, Saturday - Full Day in Tamarindo
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Tamarindo. Perhaps take advantage of this chance to see more of Costa Rica's incredible flora and fauna at the Guanacaste National Park. Leatherback turtles lay their eggs from November to April on one of Tamarindo's beaches, turtle watch at night during nesting season, or take advantage of Tamarindo's other popular activities such as snorkeling, zip-lining, horseback riding or fishing all year long
Optional: Guanacaste Outriggers Tour
Overnight: Tamarindo
Meals: Breakfast |
DAY 8, Sunday - Visit Sarchi en Route to San Jose
Depart in the morning for San Jose with a stop en route in Sarchi, Costa Rica's most famous artisan town, where traditional colorful oxcarts and souvenirs can be found. Upon arriving in San Jose, transfer to hotel, the balance of the day is at leisure. Perhaps, explore the city independently and try one of over 50 restaurants, bars, night clubs, art galleries and museums
Optional: Dinner in San Jose
Overnight: San Jose
Meals: Breakfast |
DAY 9, Monday - Travel to Tortuguero
Depart early this morning for the Caribbean Coast. Drive by the Braulio Carrillo National Park to visit a local banana processing and packaging plant, where you will learn the nature of one of Costa Rica's most important exports. Continue to the nearby port to board a motor launch, which will travel along canals through the heart of the Costa Rican jungle to Tortuguero. Enjoy lunch on arrival, and afterwards, visit the Tortuguero Village and Turtle Museum
Overnight: Tortuguero
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
DAY 10, Tuesday - Full Day in Tortuguero
This morning, acquaint yourself with the many tree and insect species of Costa Rica on an easy hike through trails in the nearby rainforest. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat tour along the canals, where you are likely to see turtles, caimans, monkeys, and many tropical birds thriving in the wild. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure
Overnight: Tortuguero
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
DAY 11, Wednesday - Transfer back to San Jose by Motor Launch
This morning, travel by motor launch and motor coach to your hotel in San Jose. Enjoy the balance of the day and evening at leisure
Overnight: San Jose
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch |
DAY 12, Thursday - Depart for the USA
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Please note: Plan B will transfer via hotel's complimentary shuttle. Plan A will transfer via escorted transfer
Meals: Breakfast |
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