Costa Rica Nature Lovers

Itinerary

Day 1 San Jose

Arrive in San Jose and transfer to your hotel.If you arrive early enough, you'll have time to head into the city to visit a museum, shop or people-watch in the main plaza. As it is located in the central highlands, San Jos� enjoys a moderate climate. The heat and humidity of the coast and lowland areas may affect you , with a general sense of lethargy and/or loss of appetite. This is no cause for alarm, it is simply a reaction to the heat. Be sure to drink plenty of water (cold bottled water is available everywhere) and do not attempt too much in any given day. We prefer fan-cooled rather than air conditioned rooms to avoid having to acclimatize to the heat and humidity every time you go outside. Like most cities, San Jos� has its good and bad sides. It is the centre of government, theatre, and art, as well as of air pollution and congestion. It has beautiful parks and museums, and a few beggars on the streets. It is big and often noisy, but even from its crowded downtown streets, you�ll often enjoy a view of the surrounding lush mountains. Probably the hardest thing you will do in San Jos�, other than get safely across busy streets, is keep the street numbering systems straight. Street and avenue numbers are posted on buildings at the corners of some intersections. Keep looking as you walk, and you will eventually find one. The plaza is a good place to people-watch. A mime, juggler, marimba band, magician, or storyteller may be performing for whatever is collected when the hat is passed. Artisan booths are common, creating a regular arts and crafts fair atmosphere. A source of pride for the Ticos (Costa Ricans) is the National Theatre. Inaugurated in 1897, the building was paid for by coffee growers through a voluntary tax on every bag of coffee exported. The National Museum, housed in the Bellavista Fortress, offers exhibits on pre-Columbian art, colonial art and furniture and religious art within a 19th century building that was converted from a military fortress after the army was abolished. The Museum of Costa Rican Art, located in La Sabana Park used to be the international airport and this museum is in the old terminal building. The Jade Museum is on the 11th floor of the Instituto Nacional de Seguros building. In addition to the marvellous collection of jade objects, there are pre-Columbian ceramic and stone works as well as displays with archaeological and ethnographic information. The Gold Museum is located underneath the Plaza de la Cultura. Its spectacular collection of indigenous gold art belongs to the Central Bank of Costa Rica. The best and least expensive places to buy souvenirs in San Jos� are the markets. The two main ones are the ones in Plaza de la Cultura, which is an outdoor open market, and the Central Market, where handicrafts are sold along with boots, fish, flour, herbal remedies, shirts and everything else you can imagine. Always watch your belongings and be ready for crowds. If you plan on spending a few days in San Jos� prior to or after your tour, there are a number of activities within the city and area that you can participate in, many of them outdoors.

Day 2 Tortugero

Meet your guide (at approx 06.30) and departure to Tortuguero National Park. On the way, stop for breakfast in a typical restaurant, also you will visit a banana plantation. Travel by boat through the canals admiring the splendorous Jungle until arriving at your Lodge for lunch. Afternoon visit to Tortuguero town and the Turtle Museum. Dinner and overnight at your Lodge in Tortuguero. The beaches around Tortuguero, a sleepy Afro-Caribbean town, host the nesting grounds of a variety of sea turtles. Walking paths extend through the village and into the National Park. Tortuguero National Park was created in 1975 to protect the four species of sea turtles which nest along the beaches. Our three-hour boat ride along rivers and canals starts just outside the town of Lim�n and ends in the village of Tortuguero, near the park perimeter. We may see herons, egrets, spoonbills, as well as amphibians and reptiles like the �Jesus Lizard� (it walks on water) and caimans. The tropical rainforest gives way to prime beaches, ideal nesting grounds for Green, Loggerhead, Hawksbill and Leatherback Turtles. The latter nests from mid-March to May, the rest from July to September. The Caribbean Conservation Center, just outside of town, is an excellent source of information about the turtles and their tropical habitat.

Day 3 Tortugero

Today the natural adventure continues on the secondary canals that were not visited the day before, including some of the National Park itself. Good chances to spot howler monkeys, spider monkeys and white face monkeys, crocodiles, red frogs and toucans. After lunch, during the afternoon the Tortuguero Hill will be visited for a short exploration hike.

Day 4 Sarapiqui

Transfer from Tortuguero to Sarapiquí. Box Lunch on the way. Afternoon at leisure. Surrounded by lush green forests and banana plantations, this main city was once just a small port town. Located at the junction of the Puerto Viejo River (Río Puerto Viejo) and Sarapiquí River (Río Sarapiquí), this growing area is quickly becoming a main destination for adventure-seeking tourists and nature enthusiasts. And for good reason as this area has so much to offer.

Day 5 Arenal

Morning tour to La Selva Biological Station , this is a Nature Hiking tour one of the best places in the world it is member of the Organization of Tropical Studies. In the afternoon transfer to Arenal. La Fortuna is one of the centres of adventure travel in Costa Rica. Here you can try numerous optional activities: river rafting, mountain bike, caving, horseback riding or take a walk on the active volcano. And don’t forget about the Hot Springs, fed directly by the active volcano. Once you’re seated at the swim-up bar, you won’t want to get out.Set on the northern plains of Costa Rica, Arenal Volcano is on the shores of Lake Arenal, (77 square kilometres, or 48 square miles), created by a hydroelectric project. Winds sweeping off the Caribbean Sea reach speeds of 48 to 72 km/hr (30 to 45 mph), making Arenal one of the best sail boarding locations in the world. The lake actually separates the mountain ranges of Guanacaste and Tilarán. The volcano is set on the lake’s southeast end. It is active and occasional eruptions make it a natural wonder to be respected. Arenal is especially impressive at night, when the glowing molten lava is blasted into the ink-black sky. Even during the day, its reflection on Lake Arenal is truly enchanting. There are several attractions in the area aside from the lake and volcano. It is a birders’ paradise, with over 600 species as permanent residents, and is inhabited by numerous species of frogs. You can also enjoy hiking the area’s nature trails, or if you’re more daring, you can opt to climb a ladder to participate in one of the canopy tours and catch a fresh glimpse of the forest greenery. After a long day of exploring, the local Hot Springs might just be the answer to your tired muscles. Soak in one of the natural thermal baths under the shade of the surrounding canopy.

Day 6 Arenal

Departure to the Arenal Hanging bridges through the Canopy Trees after this transfer to La Fortuna Waterfall where you will have time to swim. Return to La Fortuna Town for lunch and during the afternoon tour to the Arenal Volcano National Park. Finish this full day at the Hot spring,relax and enjoy while have some volcano views. Note: If space is unavailable at the Tabacon Hot Springs, you will visit the equally lovely and relaxing Baldi Hot Springs for dinner and leisure time in the hot pools.

Day 7 San Jose

Transfer back to San Jose. During the afternoon enjoy a City Tour.

Day 8 & 9 Savegre

Depart for San Gerardo de Dota situated in the lush Savegre Valley and enjoy some horseback riding. On Day 9, embark on a guided hike through the cloud forest. This Quetzal Tour is ideal for spotting the famous Quetzal bird.

Day 10 Dominical

Departure to the South Pacific to Dominical Beach.

Day 11 Manuel Antonio / Quepos Area

Morning at leisure and during the afternoon you will drive to Manuel Antonio.The white sand beaches and warm Pacific waters near the tiny town of Quepos is the ideal atmosphere to relax at the end of your adventure. Enjoy swimming, fishing, kayaking, horseback riding, boogie boarding, sailing or surfing. Not far away, Manuel Antonio offers excellent hiking and wildlife viewing. Like monkeys? This is the spot for you. Finally, you can snorkel, swim and try to spot dolphins as we finish our stay with an included sunset sail.Manuel Antonio sits on the outskirts of the Manuel Antonio National Park and is a great introduction to the laid back “Tico” lifestyle. This town is very popular with the younger set of international travellers and has a good beach for those who want to get a little sun and swim. If you have the jungle in mind, then we recommend that you head into the National Park. Although this is Costa Rica’s smallest National Park, it is also one of the most popular and it won’t take you long to see why. This park has fabulous beaches, abundant wildlife, and a great trail system for those who want to spend the day hiking. Look for monkeys, armadillos, coatimundis, sloths and some 350 species of birds that are present in the park.

Day 12 Manuel Antonio / Quepos Area

Departure to the Manuel Antonio National Park for a Half day tour. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 13 San Jose

Breakfast and drive back to San José.

Day 14 San Jose

Transfer Out to the International Airport.

Trip Details

Accommodation	Superior hotel (13 nts)
Departure	Daily
Group Size	No Minimum
Included Highlights	Visit to a banana plantation, guided tours of the Tortuguero Canals and park, guided hiking tour of La Selva Biological Station, Arenal hanging bridges, waterfall hike, hike in Arenal Volcano National Park, Hot springs, guided city tour of San Jose, horseback riding and hiking in the Savegre Valley
Meals Included	13 B, 4 L, 3 D
StartFinish	ex San José
Transport	Bus or Van, Hiking
Brochure Intro	This tour encompasses some of Costa Rica's lesser-known destinations.

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