Costa Rica
Read what our clients say about Costa Rica
At the bottom was the waterfall and a deep, blue-green pond. Some of us cooled off with a swim beneath the falls.”
Feb 16-25, 2012
Nov 7-16, 2012
Dec 10-19, 2012
Land Cost: U.S. $2695.00
Single Supplement Rate: $300 U.S.
Trip Begins: San Jose, Costa Rica
Trip Ends: San Jose, Costa Rica
Lodging: Hotels/Inns
Detailed Itinerary
What we Provide
For years you’ve probably heard friends rave about Costa Rica: its natural beauty, wildlife, friendly people, the political stability of the area, reasonable prices, erupting volcanoes, beautiful beaches, and the mysterious rainforests. You know what? It’s all true! It’s hard to imagine that there can be such diversity in landforms and wildlife in such a small country, but you’ll soon be back telling your friends about that amazing place called Costa Rica.
art of the reason Costa Rica is so popular with visitors is its commitment to preserving the nation’s natural areas and wildlife. In fact, proportionately, Costa Rica protects more of its land in parks and reserves than any other country in the world.
Until recently, Costa Rica could boast of protecting 11.4 percent of their national territory in their parks system. A new initiative will extend this total to nearly 19 percent of Costa Rica’s mountains, volcanoes, forests, and beaches.
When you join us in Costa Rica, you’ll be traveling to one of the most diverse areas in the world. Costa Rica’s parks shelter some of the planet’s most important examples of biol ogical diversity including 5 percent of all plant and animal species on Earth. Costa Rica’s National Biodiversity Institute has identified an absolutely amazing number of both plant and animal species.
Those species presently known include 209 mammals; 850 birds; 220 reptiles; 163 amphibians; 130 freshwater fish; 350,000 insects, spiders and crabs; 13,021 plants; 1,500 trees; and over 1,400 types of orchids. All in all, Costa Rica offers one of the most attractive and hospitable destinations in the world. So, brush up on your Spanish, load your camera, open your senses, and join us in magical Costa Rica!
This itinerary may be changed at the discretion of the trip leader.
(B = Breakfast included, L = Lunch included, D = Dinner included)
Day 1 – Arrive San Jose. Transfer to our hotel from the airport. You can arrive anytime today. Overnight in San Jose.
Day 2 – After a hearty Tico breakfast, we’ll meet our local guide, learn a bit of Spanish and then drive towards Doka Coffee Farm, the oldest processing plant still active in Costa Rica. The plant still operates with water power. We’ll learn about the history of coffee, its introduction to Costa Rica, how it’s harvested and processed and then savor samples of a variety of blends. Doka is the main coffee provider for the biggest coffee store chains in the U.S. Then it’s off to beautiful la Fortuna and Volcano Arenal. On the way we’ll visit a plantation for ornamental plants. Overnight at Monte Real, a small, private and beautiful hotel in the Center of al Fortuna). B, L, D.
Day 3 – After having a “typical” breakfast of rice and beans and incredibly delicious tropical fruits, we’ll drive for about 10 minutes to la Fortuna Waterfall, a Biological Reserve administered by the local government. A well maintained trail will take us to the base of this magnificent waterfall where we’ll enjoy exploring the beauty of a tropical rain forest and relaxing in a magnificent fresh water swimming hole. A great first experience in a tropical rain forest.
Then it’s back to La Fortuna where we’ll have some time off to enjoy the hotel facilities, visit the local stores or just walk around the town of Fortuna. This afternoon we’ll visit Arenal Volcano National Park for a two hour hike to the most resent lava formation from 1992. Arenal is currently active, erupting approximately every 2-4 hours. Our guide will take us on a hike around the base of the volcano where we will be able to observe a great variety of plants, wildlife, magnificent lava rock formations and Lake Arenal. If it’s a clear day, we’ll be able to see smoke and lava from the small eruptions that shake Arenal on a regular basis. And what better way to finish our day than a relaxing soak in the hot water springs of the Ecothermals natural spa. Dinner included. Overnight at Monte Real. B, L, D.
Day 4 – We’ve got a lot planned for today, so we’ll get an early morning start and head to our first experience, a float trip on the Peñas Blanca’s River. During our float we’ll be treated to a veritable smorgasbord of wildlife, including monkeys, sloths, iguanas, caimans (crocodiles), grackles, Blue Herons, egrets, hummingbirds, Roseate Spoonbills, White Ibis, American Anhingas, turtles, the Amazon Kingfisher and the Basilik lizard to name but a few. At the end of our two hour float it’s time for a stop at the river side home of two local friends, Don Osvaldo and Doña Milagro to learn a bit about Costa Rican Cattle and agriculture. Don and Dona love having us visit and will open their arms and home to us, making us feel like pat of their family. We’ll enjoy lunch together before heading back to the hotel for some free time in the afternoon. Overnight at Monte Real. B, L, D.
Day 5 – Today we head to Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific Coast. On our way, we’ll stop for a hike in Carara National Park, a sanctuary for the American Crocodile, Scarlet Macaw and a wide variety of flora and fauna easily observable from the trails. After Carara, Quepos, our destination, is just 20 minutes down the road. However, we’re in for a surprise. Until now, we’ve seen the rainforest from the ground. Now, we’ll see the rainforest from a new perspective, from the top. We’ll zip over the top of the rainforest, the Canopy, along a series of cables strung from tree to tree, reaching heights of 90 feet on cables as long as 1000 feet.
Our hotel near Manuel Antonio is only a 5 minute walk to one of Costa Rica’s finest beaches and 2 minutes from the entrance of the national park. Overnight at Hotel Espadilla. B.
Day 6 – After an early breakfast we visit Manuel Antonio National Park. This unique conservation area was created for the protection of a very important ecosystem that is considered one of the last sanctuaries for the Squirrel Monkey, the most endangered species of all five monkeys found in Costa Rica. On our walk we’ll also visit Punta Cathedral, a magnificent rock formation offering great views of the Pacific and some beautiful islands. Once inside the park we’ll relax and enjoy some of Costa Rica’s most beautiful beaches. Overnight at Hotel Espadilla. B.
Day 7 – Morning off to enjoy the beach, ether Espadilla or the ones in Manuel Antonio. (entry fee not included).
The afternoon offers another special treat, a cruise on the Pacific aboard a specially chartered catamaran. There will be time for snorkeling and dolphin watching, and, depending on the season, some whale watching. Our excursion begins with a hearty lunch and ends with a Pacific Ocean sunset. Overnight at Hotel Espadilla. B, L.
Day 8 – After checking out from our hotel, we board our vehicles and head to Cerro de la Muerte for a visit to the Resplendent Quetzal Sanctuary and the Trogon Lodge at Santa Maria de Dota. This private reserve, that includes high elevation to sub-alpine ecosystems, is one of the best places in Costa Rica to see the magnificent Resplendent Quetzal in all its finery. Overnight at Trogan Lodge. B, L, D.
Day 9 – Early morning departure to Cartago in the Central Valley of Costa Rica for visits to the Basilica de los Angeles and Irazu Volcano, one of the 7 active volcanoes in Costa Rica. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a farewell dinner in one of our favorite restaurants overlooking the city of San Jose. A great way to end our time together in Costa Rica! B,L,D
Day 10 – Transfer to the airport for flights home. B.
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