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Price Per person double occupancy
| Dates | Land Only No Transfers |
|---|---|
| Please Call us at 800.322.0788 or fill out a request form above for dates/pricing. | |
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Price Includes: All motor coach and land transportation, sightseeing, admissions, services of tour director and driver, lodging, meals as specified in tour itinerary, taxes, gratuities to bellhops and waiters at included meals.
Not Included: Cost of obtaining passports or visas, laundry, meals, beverages or sightseeing not included in the itinerary, travel insurance, gratuity to guide, driver, communication charges, & excess baggage fees. Port charges and gratuities to crew are not included on cruises.
Day 1: Arrive in San Jose
We arrive at the San Jose airport and receive a warm welcome by our tour guide. We’ll transfer to our hotel and enjoy a welcome dinner together.
Day 2: San Jose
After breakfast we depart San Jose and travel to the northeastern part of the Central Valley. Start the day with a scenic ride up the 1,400-meter rainforest Aerial Tram. This 90-minute ride is the perfect introduction to the beauty of Costa Rica. This afternoon we’ll return to San Jose, the countries capital and our tour guide will provide insight into the history of San Jose, as well as its commitment to education, peace, and democracy. During our tour we’ll enjoy a visit to the fascinating National Theatre and the Gold Museum.
Day 3: San Jose-Tortuguero National Park
Journey east to the Caribbean shore and Tortuguero National Park. On the way, we’ll stop at a Banana Plantation to understand & learn the growing and harvesting process. Later board a motor launch for your cruise along the Tortuguero Canals. The canals are waterways crisscrossing a national park which has been dedicated to the protection of endangered turtles. Our guide and boatman will help you spot freshwater turtles, caymans, herons, toucans, egrets, and monkeys.
Day 4: Tortuguero National Park Tour & Canal Cruise
This morning we’ll take part in a leisurely boat ride along remote, unspoiled sections of the park's waterways, explaining the bountiful flora and fauna. Afterwards we’ll enjoy a fascinating stroll through an accessible portion of the nearby rain forest. Enjoy some free time this afternoon to rest and relax at our hotel.
Day 5: Caribbean to Pacific
This morning we transfer to the Tortuguero airstrip for the short flight to San Jose. We travel west towards Pacific Ocean. Our guide will point out the contrasting beauty of a rain forest adjacent to pristine white sand beaches in Carara National Park. Discover the diverse habitats formed by marshes, lagoons, and streams during your guided walk. We’ll arrive at our beach resort this afternoon and have some down time to enjoy the amenities and activities offered by our hotel.
Day 6: Jaco & Monteverde Cloud Forest
This morning we travel north and visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, which is home to over 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, 120 species of amphibians and reptiles, 2,500 species of plants as well as tens of thousands of insect species. It is one of the few areas in Central America where the legendary resplendent quetzal finds protection. The reserve features a very good network of trails that gives us the chance to take routes of different length. We’ll enjoy our overnight in Monteverde.
Day 7: Monteverde Coffee Plantation, Arenal Lake & Volcano
This morning we visit one of Monteverde's Cooperative's coffee plantations, where visitors are shown the process and taken to the roasting company to taste the final product. We will begin with a short walk through the coffee plantation enjoying spectacular views of the surrounding forest as well as the San Luis Valley and if weather permits, the Gulf of Nicoya. Our guide will inform the group about the area's history and explain the delicate process of growing coffee, from planting to picking, as well as drying and roasting. The tour will end with a coffee tasting, during which we will be able to compare different roasting techniques. This afternoon we travel to Arenal Lake, the largest in the country, where we will board a boat at the Río Chiquito Pier and travel to the east side of the lake to Tapón pier. Our boat ride will last about 30 minutes and weather permitting, we will be able to enjoy great views of Arenal Volcano as well as beautiful views of the forest and small Isletas located along the lake. Late this afternoon we make our way to Tilajari Resort which will be our home for the next 2 nights.
Day 8: Tilajari Resort
During your morning at leisure, you may wish to go horseback riding or take a float trip. Or you may simply like to take full advantage of Tilajari's amenities, including a walk along the shaded trail of the private 750-acre tropical forest. Later this afternoon drive to the nearby Tabacon Hot Springs Spa and Resort where we’ll enjoy the hot springs and have dinner with views of the still active Arenal Volcano.
Day 9: La Paz Waterfalls, Butterfly Observatory Poas Volcano--San Jose
We depart early this morning and enjoy a visit to La Paz Waterfall Gardens. With five amazing waterfalls and nine viewing platforms, you are sure to receive an up close and personal view of the falls and the spectacular La Paz River. Waterfall Gardens is also home to the largest Butterfly Observatory in the world. Watch the butterflies soar freely in their natural habitat. The walk involves 3 1/2 kilometers of safe, paved trails. This location boasts a marvellous view of the Poás Volcano. This afternoon we’ll travel to San Jose where we’ll enjoy a special farewell dinner together with time to share our tour highlights.
Day 10: Return Home
We say goodbye to Costa Rica and return home today.