Day 1 - ARRIVE SAN JOSE
Pura Vida! Bienvenidos a Costa Rica! You’re going to have more fun than a barrel of monkeys and spot more than a barrel of wildlife on this incredible adventure. You will be greeted by your Tour Director at Juan Santamaría International Airport and whisked to the tour hotel where a local representative will help you check in.
Day 2 - SAN JOSE – BRAULIO CARRILLO NATIONAL PARK -
TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK (2 nights)
Rise with the roosters, meet your fellow explorers and head east, through Braulio Carrillo National Park towards the Caribbean Sea. Stop at a banana plantation and learn about banana production before arriving in Tortuguero National Park. Since the park is surrounded by canals and lagoons, your journey begins aboard a river boat, gliding through lowland rainforest teeming with wildlife. You’ll be amazed at how many kinds of animals live here - six species of sea turtle, monkeys, caimans, tons of exotic bird species plus rare and endangered ocelots, cougars, river otters and manatees. This afternoon, head to Tortuguero Village where you’ll meet the students at its small school (when in session) and learn what it’s like to get an education in Costa Rica. Next, visit the Green Turtle Research Station and learn about the efforts to protect the turtles’ nesting habitat and young hatchlings.
Day 3 - TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK SIGHTSEEING
Arrr, arrr, arrr! There’s nothing like the wake-up call of a troop of howler monkeys to start your day. Join your captain and local guide and set off to explore the lush canals and waterways of Tortuguero National Park. You may want to start a tally of all the types of wildlife you’ll see. Look out for sloths, green iguanas, caiman crocodiles and colorful parrots and toucans. Of course, you’ll spot tons of monkeys -- agile howler and spider monkeys and white headed capuchins swinging through the dense rainforest canopy. If you’re visiting during nesting season (Jul - Sep), you have the option to join a night walk with a naturalist guide to witness some of the world’s largest turtles scoop out their nests in the sand and lay their eggs. Amazing!
Day 4 - TORTUGUERO – SARAPIQUI – ARENAL (2 nights)
Bid adios to the monkeys for now as you boat back to the mainland and board the motorcoach to Horquetas, where you’ll visit a local Tico family palm plantation to learn all about and taste an exotic vegetable you’ve probably never tried – the delicate heart of palm. Continue travelling to tiny Sarapiqui where you’ll visit a pineapple farm, the only farm of its kind in the world producing certified organic golden pineapple. Besides learning how it’s grown without hurting the environment, you’ll eat the juiciest, most delicious pineapple ever. Continue to Arenal and settle into your hotel with the best views of Arenal’s active volcano.
Day 5 - ARENAL AREA SIGHTSEEING
Rise and shine as the jungle and volcano are calling! Start the day at the Arenal Hanging Bridges, one of Costa Rica’s greatest eco-touristic projects and a fun way to learn about the dense primary rainforest canopy at eye level. As you make your way along the bridges through the lush jungle, the views of the rumbling, steaming Arenal Volcano are out of this world! Next is Arenal National Park where you’ll take a guided trek around the quiet side of this active volcano. Walk through the old lava rocks and learn about the powerful forces behind the volcano’s past eruptions and continuing lava flow. After a typical Casado Highlight Lunch at Don Carlos Farm, explore Danaus Eco-Center. Keep your camera ready as you have the chance to spot caimans, iguanas and water-walking lizards. Explore the reserve’s butterfly farm, check out the stages of the butterfly’s lifecycle, and if you’re lucky you’ll have a giant Blue Morpho land on you! At the frog enclosure, see the tiny, poisonous blue jeans and red-eye tree frogs. End the day having a blast, bubbling and soaking in the thermal mineral pools, waterfalls and hot springs at the awesome Tabacon Hot Springs followed by a scrumptious Highlight Buffet Dinner. And, if Mother Nature is in the mood, you’ll be wowed by the evening pyrotechnics of Arenal Volcano.
Day 6 - ARENAL – MANUEL ANTONIO (2 nights)
Time to hit the beach! Head south to Manuel Antonio National Park, renowned for its warm blue waters, sparkling white-sand beaches, idyllic coves and abundant exotic wildlife. As you explore the park with your guide, keep an eye out for howler monkeys, mischievous squirrel monkeys and white face monkeys, or maybe even a peccary. You’ll definitely add to your wildlife tally since there are 109 kinds of animals and 184 species of birds living in the park. This evening, join the gang for a poolside pizza party.
Day 7 - MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK SIGHTSEEING
& AT LEISURE
Woohoo! Get ready for a blast! Imagine yourself soaring high above the jungle floor as you fly along ziplines through tree tops and some of the most beautiful flora and fauna in the Costa Rican rainforest. The exhilaration of ziplines, complete with Tarzan swing and rappel line, is, most likely, unlike anything you have ever experienced and an awesome experience to share with friends and family! The afternoon is yours for some exciting optional activities! Will it be a catamaran cruise to snorkel with dolphins, parrotfish and sea turtles, or a surf lesson, mangrove kayak tour, horseback ride, white water rafting or simply hanging out by the hotel pool or on a beach? This evening, join your fellow explorers and celebrate new friendships and awesome experiences at a cool local restaurant for a farewell dinner.
Day 8 - MANUEL ANTONIO – DEPART SAN JOSE
Wake up early for your complimentary transfer to San Jose’s Juan Santamaria International Airport, or to the tour hotel in San Jose for guests extending their stay in San Jose. Or choose to linger longer in Manuel Antonio!
Please do not schedule any flights before 12:30 p.m. |
Braulio Carrillo National Park – Journey through this magnificent tropical rainforest.
Siquirres – Stop at Dole’s La Esperanza Banana Plantation and witness the harvesting-to-packing process.
Tortuguero – Ride to Tortuguero National Park by river boat; meet local children at their school (when in session); visit the Green Turtle Research Station; cruise the canals in search of wildlife.
Tortuguero National Park – Join an expert naturalist on a guided boat canal tour and learn about local wildlife.
Horquetas – Learn about growing and harvesting gourmet hearts of palm on a visit to a local family’s artisan palm plantation.
Sarapiqui – Sarapiqui Explore Finca Corsicana, home of the finest biological pineapple plantation in the world.
Arenal – Enjoy a guided tour through the rainforest canopy along the famous Arenal Hanging Bridges.
La Fortuna – Take a guided conservation walk through Danaus Eco-Center spotting wildlife and visiting a butterfly farm and frog enclosure.
Arenal National Park – Trek with your guide around Arenal Volcano National Park.
Manuel Antonio National Park – Look for nearly 300 kinds of birds and animals on a nature walk get your adrenaline pumping on a zipline canopy safari.
Tabacon Hot Springs – Bubble and soak in soothing thermal mineral pools.
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