Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Costa Rica (No meals.)
Arrive at San Jose’s Juan Santamaria International Airport. After passing through Immigration you’ll be met by a Costa Rica Expeditions representative who will give you a sticker to facilitate clearing customs. When leaving the building after customs, look for a sign that says, “Costa Rica Expeditions,” with your name on it. A Costa Rica Expeditions guide wearing an orange shirt will be holding the sign. He or she will drive you to Turrialba (2-1/2 hours). Overnight at Casa Turire Hotel (junior superior room).

Day 2: Two-day Pacuare Rafting - Class III-IV. Min. age 12 years. (B,L,D)
This trip puts in four miles upriver from the one-day Pacuare trip. With more time to soak in the beauty of the canyon and take awe-inspiring side hikes, for many participants, this two-day raft trip transcends mere rafting and rises to a truly transforming experience.

After breakfast at the hotel meet your River Guide in the hotel lobby. Drive about an hour to the put-in. After an orientation and safety talk, proceed down the river. Continuous Class III rapids and a hike up a side creek to a waterfall provide a perfect introduction to the magic of the Pacuare. (river time about 2 hours). There will be plenty of time for hikes into the rainforest. Overnight tent camping on the riverbank.

Day 3: Pacuare Rafting (B,L)
An early put-in means that you are virtually alone on the river for the first part of the day. Today you will experience the canyon, the rapids and the side hikes that have made the Pacuare famous (river time about 4 hours). Mid afternoon take-out. Return to San Jose (2-1/2 hours). Overnight at Grano de Oro Hotel (deluxe room).

Day 4: San Jose / Manuel Antonio (B)
After breakfast at the hotel meet your guide in the lobby for the ride to the domestic airport (30-60 mins), where you’ll board a Costa Rica Expeditions’ chartered flight to Quepos. Upon arrival one of our representatives in the area will provide transportation to your hotel. Overnight at Arenas del Mar Beach & Nature Resort (ocean view suite).

Day 5: Manuel Antonio / Mangrove Kayak Tour (B)
As the tide schedule allows, take a kayak tour in the estuary at Damas Island, where mangrove canals provide excellent bird watching. Damas Island, located 20 mins. from Manuel Antonio, plays an important role as an ecosystem vital to Costa Rica's rich biodiversity. It is not uncommon to spot herons, sand pipers, egrets and many other endemic or migrant bird species. You may get the chance to see the White-faced Monkeys, or even see the rare Silky Anteater, caimans and Boa Constrictors. The duration of the tour is about 4-5 hours and includes round-trip transportation, lunch or dinner, the services of a bilingual local guide, kayaks, and all equipment needed. Overnight at Arenas del Mar Resort.

Day 6: Manuel Antonio National Park Hike (B)
Meet your local guide in the hotel lobby for today’s private hike in Manuel Antonio National Park. You will drive about 30 mins. to the main entrance of the Park, which is on the Pacific Coast. The Park totals 1,685 acres and is one of the most beautiful in Costa Rica. South Espadilla and Manuel Antonio beaches are particularly lovely. The principal natural communities are the primary, secondary and mangrove forests, and lagoon and beach vegetation. The park includes 12 small islands just off the coast, which are excellent bird refuges. The fauna is varied with 109 species of mammals and 184 species of birds, including the Fiery-billed Araçari, Chestnut-backed Ant Bird, White-necked Jacobin, Baird's Trogon, Orange-collared Manakin, Blue-throated Gold Entail and Blue-black Grosbeak. Rest of the day is free. Overnight at Arenas del Mar Resort.

Day 7: Manuel Antonio / Carara and Waterfalls Canopy Tour / Monteverde (B,L)
In the morning meet a Costa Rica Expeditions’ Naturalist Guide and drive to Monteverde. En route visit the Carara Biological Reserve for a forest hike and the Waterfalls Canopy Tour (2 hours). Carara presents a wide variety of plant life with evergreens being predominant. The reserve possesses several ecosystems, including marshlands, a lagoon, and primary, secondary and gallery forests. The marshland is rich in waterfowl, wading birds, amphibians and reptiles that are found in these environments. The lagoon is completely covered with water hyacinths and other floating aquatic plants. The primary forests occupying most of the reserve are species-rich, multi-layered, and have an abundance of creeping vines and epiphytes. The tallest trees include such species as espave, silk cotton, wild fig, nargusta and quamwood, a very spectacular tree during the dry season when it is covered with yellow flowers.

Amphibians and reptiles are abundant. Crocodiles measuring up to 3m long are widely distributed and easy to sight in the Grande de Tarcoles River. Waterfowl such as Roseate Spoonbills, Anhingas, Jacanas, Pied-bellied Grebes and Mexican Tiger Bitterns are also present. Among the mammals, the Four-eyed Opossum, Two-toed Sloth, Agouti, Kinkajou, Tayra, Margay Cat, Collared Peccary and White-tailed Deer are found. A particularly conspicuous bird in Carara, notable for its beautiful bright blue, red and yellow plumage, and the fact that it has all but disappeared from the Dry Pacific, is the Scarlet Macaw.

The Waterfalls Canopy Tour starts with a short walk, while your local guide describes the area and flora and fauna. Since a part of the forest has been used for agro forestry, a variety of exotic fruit trees and hardwood trees can be found. Much of the Canopy's 46 hectares of protected area is covered with transitional rainforest growing on steep slopes, and studded with massive trees laden with vines and epiphytes. This Canopy Tour consists of 13 platforms, 7 cables of varying lengths, a three-story tree house, a Tarzan Swing, a suspension bridge and a 90 feet rappel down at the end (optional for adventure seekers). Lunch included. Continue to Monteverde (3 hours). Overnight at Monteverde Lodge & Gardens.

Day 8: Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve (B)
After breakfast a guided excursion in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is planned. Founded in 1972, the Reserve extends down both slopes of the Tilarán Mountains (elevation 2,300 to 5,600 ft.), encompassing six different ecological life zones and protecting more than 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds and 1,500 species of plants. From January to July, depending upon your luck and patience, you may observe in its natural habitat the Resplendent Quetzal (occasionally a dozen or more individuals at once). Other species include the Three-wattled Bellbird, the Emerald Toucanet, and White-faced and Howler Monkeys.

Return to the hotel for lunch. Afternoon visit to Santa Elena Reserve, a 600-hectare cloud forest reserve north of and at a slightly higher elevation than the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. It has all the species claimed by its eastern neighbor, including Quetzals, deer, sloths, and ocelots, Howler, Capuchin and Spider Monkeys. It receives far fewer visitors: it may thus be easier to see a greater diversity of birds. It has 4 one-way trails and a lookout point with views toward the Arenal Volcano. The reserve is the site of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Center, a forest farm started in March 1992 to educate youngsters and local farmers on the forest ecology and conservation. Overnight at Monteverde Lodge.

Days 9-10: Monteverde / Tamarindo (B)
You will be driven to the Tamarindo Beach area (4-1/2 hours). Upon arrival check in to your hotel, which is right on the beach. Day 10 is free; you may wish to explore the area or participate in optional activities (at additional cost) such as kayaking, surf lessons, golf and others. Nights at Capitan Suizo Hotel.

Day 11: Tamarindo / San Jose / Departure (B)
Drive to the Tamarindo Airstrip to board a Costa Rica Expeditions’ chartered flight to the San Jose domestic airport. Upon arrival a representative will take you to the International Airport, arriving at least two hours before your flight's scheduled departure time.

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