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Exploring Costa Rica
San José – Tortuguero National Park - Arenal
Volcano - Hot Springs of Tabacón - Monteverde Cloud
forest Region - Manuel Antonio National Park & Beaches
( 10 days, 9 nights )
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Day 1: San José
Arrival at San José International Airport. Reception
and transfer to your hotel.
Day 2: Tortuguero (Breakfast, lunch
& dinner)
Early pickup from your hotel and trip through the Braulio
Carrillo National Park, passing along pastureland and banana
plantations, stopping for a typical Costa Rican breakfast.
From the small village of Caño Blanco, we will take
the boat that leads us through the main channel of Tortuguero
to the comfortable rustic lodge located between the channels
and the Caribbean Sea.
One of the country’s main attractions is the 47,000
acres Tortuguero National Park with its innumerous lagoons
and canals. It protects a terrestrial area of 18956 hectares
and 52265 hectares of marine habitat.
Tortuguero (derived from the Spanish word tortuga = turtle)
is an one of the most important nesting sites for the Green
Sea Turtle, the Leatherback and the Hawksbill Turtle in the
whole Caribbean. These are best observed between July and
September at night. North of the National Park, the village
of Tortuguero is located on a narrow land strip To the east,
the Atlantic ocean with a strong surf and population of sharks,
swimming is not recommended. In the small canals where the
bordering vegetation forms amazing tunnels, nature presents
itself from the most beautiful tropical side: caiman, crocodiles,
sweet water turtles, poison-arrow frogs, Basilisk lizards,
oropendolas, toucans, Anhingas, Amazon kingfishers, bats,
howler monkeys and manatees are just a few examples of Tortuguero’s
abundant fauna.
Tortuguero Village and National Park are accessible by boat
only, so individual traveling in this area might become difficult.
After lunch your naturalist guide takes you to the small village
of Tortuguero for a short tour and visit of the turtle museum,
you then walk back to the lodge along the beach. After dinner
there is a possibility for an optional guided night hike along
the beach to observe the nesting of the sea turtles. (Season
March-April and July –October, approx. US $15 per person).
Day 3: Tortuguero (Breakfast, lunch
& dinner)
A full day, starting in the early morning with a tour to admire
the awakening of the wildlife of Tortuguero. Return for breakfast.
Then you will go on another boat tour through the small channels
of the National Park, where you will observe the flora and
fauna of this unique area. Return for lunch and free time
for a “siesta”, on the pool or go for a walk on
the beach. In the afternoon you can either participate in
another boat tour or stay in the Lodge to explore the jungle
trails around the Lodge. You also may visit the open butterfly
garden. Dinner at the Lodge.
Day 4: Arenal Volcano, Tabacón
Hot Springs (Breakfast, lunch & dinner)
After breakfast, you will embark the boat around 9 a.m. leaving
for Caño Blanco. From there, the bus will take you
to a typical Costa Rican restaurant near Guapiles. After lunch,
journey to Arenal Volcano.
Arenal has been in a dormant strato-volcano with young deposits
on the slopes of the volcano but it had not erupted in recent
times. Arenal's status changed dramatically in July 1968,
when an explosive eruption produced hot avalanches and ejected
blocks that devastated the west flank of the volcano and killed
78 people. Arenal has been continuously active since 1968.
It rises 1,633m above sea level and casts an almost flawless
silhouette on the land below it. Arenal's last explosion was
in 1969 but this volcano is far from dormant. Its constant
rumblings are Arenal's most popular characteristics. Often
spewing ash and smoke, the volcano provides a striking backdrop
for photographs and video. There are several excellent look
out points along the highway and several resorts and spas
have developed in the area. In the evening at the hot springs
of Tabacon, you will enjoy a bath in the sulfur water formed
by the natural pools in this geologically active area. Chance
of viewing some volcanic eruptions. Buffet dinner at Tabacon.
Day 5: Monteverde Cloud Forest Region (Breakfast)
Today the Shuttle Bus will take you around Arenal Lake and
then on the Interamericana highway. We will turn left on a
gravel road, that will take us on a 35 km difficult ride to
Sta. Elena in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Region.
Day 6: Monteverde Cloud Forest Region
(Breakfast)
The early morning gives you the best chance to observe birds,
so we recommend an optional walk through the Monteverde or
Sta. Elena Nature Reserve. At the entrance, you will already
meet many different kinds of hummingbirds that come very close
to their feeding stations (transportation and entrance fees
not included).
In the afternoon, you will be picked up at the hotel for a
"walk in the clouds". Here, “walkways”
- a complex of suspended bridges, platforms and trails, built
within the cloud forest, will allow a unique perspective of
the forest and an opportunity to explore the tops of the trees,
the canopy of the cloud forest. The bridge system is located
along a 1.7 mile trail designed to be walked by people of
all ages and all physical conditions. With 8 suspension bridges
that add up to a total distance of 1200 feet of total bridge
length, the trail goes through 90% of primary cloud forest.
Day 7: Manuel Antonio National Park
& Beaches (Breakfast) After breakfast, a shuttle
bus will take you back to the Interamericana highway and alomg
the coastline to the town of Jacó. Ask your driver
to stop at the bridge over Rio Tarcoles, where you have the
opportunity to observe large crocodiles. Arrival to Manuel
Antonio and your hotel in the afternoon.
Day 8: Manuel Antonio National Park
(Breakfast) Free day in Manual Antonio. Optional
tours include a visit to the Manuel Antonio National Park
(entrance fee approx. $7 p.p.), where a hike of about 1.5
hours will lead you through the rainforest and to the fantastic
beaches within the park. Here you can observe capuchin monkeys,
sloths, iguanas, anteaters and various species of birds whilst
exploring the hiking trails through the rainforest. Trip ends
with relaxing on the beach on the Pacific Ocean.
Day 9: San Jose (Breakfast) After breakfast,
shuttle bus transfer back to San José. Free day with
an opportunity to visit one of the various museums or just
go sightseeing or shopping.
Day 10: San Jose (Breakfast) Transfer to
the airport for your flight back home.
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Price per person US$ Upon request based on two people.
Services: 9 night’s accommodation
in lodges and tourist hotels, meals as per itinerary,
all transfers and tours as per itinerary, guided
walking tours with professional, bilingual (English,
Spanish) tour guide, and entrance fees where indicated.
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For current availability contact us at info@amazingperu.com and we will send you the relevant trip dossier along with a 90 day fixed quote, terms and conditions.
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