Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Costa Rica (No meals.)
Arrive at San Jose's Juan Santamaria International Airport. After passing through Immigration you will be met by a Costa Rica Expeditions representative who will give you a sticker that will facilitate clearing customs. When you leave the building after clearing customs, look for a sign that says, "Costa Rica Expeditions" with your name on it. A Costa Rica Expeditions’ Guide wearing a bright orange shirt will be holding the sign. He or she will take you to your hotel. Overnight at Grano de Oro Hotel (standard room).

Day 2: San Jose / Limon / Tortuguero (B,L,D)
Morning pickup at your hotel in San Jose and drive to the Atlantic lowlands near Limon. About mid-day board a boat with local guide and depart for a 2-to-4-hour trip to Tortuguero. Set on a private rainforest reserve bordering Tortuguero National Park, the lodge’s rooms have private baths and hot showers. A swimming pool is surrounded by botanical gardens that lead to the rainforest and river. Arrive at Tortuga Lodge late afternoon. Optional activities such as river kayaking and fishing are available at extra cost. Dinner and overnight at Tortuga Lodge & Gardens (deluxe room).

Days 3-4: Tortuguero (B,L,D)
Two full days in Tortuguero. During your stay you will have your choice of either a 3-hour motorboat tour or a 3-hour kayak tour into Tortuguero Park with a local guide. The Park was originally created to protect a major nesting beach of the Atlantic Green Sea Turtle, which come ashore between June and Oct. It now protects 51,870 acres, one of the last large areas of tropical rainforest in Central America. Eleven habitats are found in the park. Three species of monkeys (Spider, Howler, and White-faced), Three-toed sloths, and river otters are frequently seen along the natural inland waterways and canals. Caiman, iguanas, river turtles, Basilisk Lizards, and Poison Dart (Dendrobates) Frogs inhabit the area, along with more than 320 species of birds including all 6 species of kingfishers found in the new world, 3 species of toucans, 8 species of parrots, and other neotropical species such as the Slaty-tailed Trogon, White-collared Manakin, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, and White-fronted Nunbird and many more species which you will have the opportunity to observe during your tour through the backwater canals of Tortuguero National Park. Optional excursions available (at additional cost) such as fishing, turtle observation, visit to village and museum, and more. Nights at Tortuga Lodge.

Day 5: Tortuguero / Arenal (B)
After breakfast board a boat with local guide and depart on a 2-to-4-hour trip to Caño Blanco where a van with a Spanish-speaking driver will be waiting to take you to the Arenal area (3-1/2 hour drive). With its almost perfect cone, Arenal Volcano** soars 1,633 meters above sea level and has a crater 140 meters deep. From time to time loud explosions are heard and a mushroom cloud of gray, brown, orange or blue smoke billows out of the top. Although the Volcano is capable of inspiring intense fright and awe in visitors, inhabitants of nearby Fortuna, San Carlos and the dairy farms at its base seem to live with relative peace of mind. Arenal is most impressive at night. In the dark, on a clear night, you may see bursts of fire and red-hot rocks shoot hundreds of feet into the sky. Incandescent material cascades down the sides. On a clear day see smoke and hear the volcano roar. Explosions usually happen every few hours. Overnight at Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens (deluxe room).

Day 6: Arenal (B)
Free day to participate in optional activities (at additional cost), including hiking, biking, hot springs and more. Overnight at Arenal Nayara Hotel.

Day 7: Arenal / Monteverde (B,L,D)
After breakfast depart to Monteverde by van and boat. At the Arenal Dam board a boat to cross the lake (30-40 mins. depending on wind conditions). Dock at Rio Chiquito, a small town on the shore of Lake Arenal, where you will then board a 4-wheel-drive vehicle for the two-hour ground transfer to the Monteverde area. Total transfer time from Arenal to Monteverde area via Lake Arenal is about 3 hours. Monteverde is a peaceful community made up of dairy farmers, naturalists and tourism service providers who have joined together to create a model for sustainable development and protection of the environment that is becoming known throughout the world. Founded in 1954 by a group of Quakers searching for a peaceful place to live, it is the home of Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, the Children's Eternal Rainforest, and the Santa Elena Reserve. Overnight at Monteverde Lodge & Gardens (standard room).

Day 8: Monteverde Cloud Forest and Butterfly Garden (B,L,D)
After breakfast hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Founded in 1972, the Reserve extends down both slopes of the Tilaran Mountains (elevation 2,300-5,600 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 12 or more individuals at once). Other species include the Three-Wattled Bellbird, the Emerald Toucanet, and White-faced and Howler Monkeys. Return to your hotel for lunch. Afternoon visit to the Butterfly Garden where butterflies and other insects are raised and displayed in cloth enclosures in tropical gardens. Overnight at Monteverde Lodge.

Day 9: Monteverde / Manuel Antonio (B)
Depart in van to Manuel Antonio (about 4-1/2 hours). White-sand beaches, cliffs, promontories, ravines, rivers, rainforests, varied wildlife, beautiful seascapes and a hot climate all describe Manuel Antonio National Park. Located on Costa Rica's Central Pacific Coast 4.3 miles (7 kms) south of Quepos Harbor. In addition to the Park, Manual Antonio is one of Costa Rica's most popular beach destinations and is sometimes compared to Key West. Relatively small patches of primary forest remain in the Park providing a habitat for large populations of Squirrel and White-Face Monkeys. In fact, Manuel Antonio may be the best place in the world to observe these entertaining primates out of captivity. Here you will spend the next three nights. One half-day tour is included during your stay. You may choose between a motorized boat tour for wildlife observation in the Damas Esturary, kayaking in a mangrove swamp, or horseback riding. Other tours (at additional cost) include surfing lessons and deep sea fishing. Overnight at Arenas del Mar Beach & Nature Resort (ocean breeze superior room).

Days 10-11: Manuel Antonio (B)
Two full days at Manuel Antonio. Overnight at Arenas del Mar Resort.

Day 11: Manuel Antonio / San Jose (B)
Mid afternoon drive to San Jose (about 3-1/2 hours). Overnight at Grano de Oro Hotel (standard room).

Day 12: Departure (No meals.)
Transfer to the International Airport, arriving at least 2-3 prior to your flight's departure time.

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