Tortuguero National Park, Arenal Volcano, Monteverde
Cloudforest: Sta. Elena Cloudforest Reserve & Selvatura Treetop Walkways, Manuel
Antonio National Park & Beaches
Detailed description EX2 (Comfort+,
with english-speaking
naturalist guide)
Day 1
San José -
(-)
Welcome! Upon your arrival at San José International
Airport our English-speaking representative will greet you
and escort you to your hotel. At this time you will be provided
a short briefing and an informative travel handout. Overnight stay Grano de Oro
Day 2
Tortuguero
National Park -
(BF, L, D)
Off to an early start from your hotel in San José, you drive along a scenic route of lush pasturelands and banana plantations, through the Braulio Carillo National Park. You'll stop for a typical Costa Rican breakfast before arriving at the village of Caño Blanco or Matina. From there you navigate by boat up the Tortuguero River, alongshore a small peninsula bordered on the other side by the Caribbean Sea. Upon arrival it's time to check into our overnight accommodations at the lodge. Enjoy a hearty lunch before taking off with your local naturalist guide on a walking tour of the bustling village of Tortuguero and its immediate surroundings. After visiting the turtle museum we meander, this time along the beach, back to the lodge for dinner. During the months of July-October, an optional guided night hike along the beach is offered, to observe the nesting of the sea turtles.
Overnight stay Laguna Lodge Tortuguero
Day 3
Tortuguero
National Park -
(BF, L, D)
A full day of activities begins with the unforgettable sights and sounds of an early morning tour to experience the awakening of Tortuguero wildlife. Follow up a well-deserved breakfast with a boat tour through the quiet backwater canals of the national park, for up-close observation of the flora and fauna so unique to this special part of the world. Head back for lunch and an afternoon of free time; have a "siesta", relax by the pool, visit the open butterfly garden, take a walk on the beach or another boat tour, explore the trails around the Lodge on your own; you decide. Dinner is served. Overnight stay Laguna Lodge Tortuguero
Day 4
Arenal
Volcano -
(BF,L)
After breakfast, embark by boat around 9 a.m. for Caño Blanco or Matina. From there you will head off by bus to a typical Costa Rican restaurant for a delicious home-cooked lunch. Continue your journey to Arenal Volcano in a private vehicle with your personal guide. In the late afternoon you surrender to an evening at the hot springs of Ecotermales, to enjoy a soothing bath of waterfalls and natural pools against the backdrop of fresh nighttime air and a starry sky, all within beautiful, tropical gardens.
Overnight stay Arenal Springs Resort or similar
Day 5
Monteverde
Cloud Forest Region -
(BF)
Today you will explore. Hike with your guide through the secondary forest of Arenal Volcano National Park and over the lava fields at the foot of Arenal Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the Americas. You might even feel the ground rumble. Ride around Arenal Lake to Tilarán before taking on 35 km’s of adventurous gravel road, winding your way to Sta. Elena in the Monteverde Cloud Forest region.
Overnight stay Hotel Fonda Vela
Monteverde:
Southwest of Lake Arenal at an altitude of about 1800
m extends Costa Rica's most popular nature reserve: Monteverde,
which represents only a small part of the cloud forest, it
is the most visited and as consequence the animals living
in this ecosystem have slightly retracted. The visitor may
enjoy more the private nature reserve of Sta. Elena, which
borders the Monteverde Park; they both belong to the same
ecosystem, and this is evident by the manifold fauna and flora.
The 345 ha cloud forest nature reserve of Sta. Elena has well-marked
trails by which the visitor is carefully led through this
humid and dusky world. The high humidity supports the growth
of approx. 2500 different kinds of plants, among them many
orchids and bromeliads; up to day, about 100 different mammals
(i.e. the ocelot, jaguar and monkeys) have been sighted,however
they can hardly be seen due to the dense vegetation, but encountering
the various birds living here, is a unique experience: among
the 400 kinds of birds of this region, we may - with some
luck - also see the Quetzal, the most famous among the Central
American birds.
Day 6
Monteverde Cloudforest -
(BF) Your adventurous day begins with a "walk in the clouds." Start with your feet on the ground, hiking through lush forest toward the “Walkways" of Selvatura; suspended bridges, platforms and trails elevated deep within the canopy of the cloud forest. From here you are allowed a gentle, rare glimpse through the tops of giant trees into the nether regions of this hidden world that would otherwise remain a mystery to most of us. While exploring the different trails keep your binoculars or camera handy, since you might catch a glimpse of the rare and famous bird of kings – the Quetzal! There are numerous optional activities that you are welcome to enjoy during the remainder of your afternoon, including a visit to the Frog Pond, the Snake Farm, or the Orchid Garden.
Overnight stay Hotel Fonda Vela
Day 7
Manuel Antonio (optional: Carara National Park) -
(BF) After breakfast we take a drive on the Interamericana South along the coastline towards the town of Jacó. We’ll stop at the bridge over Rio Tarcoles, a great place for spotting large crocodiles, basking on the banks of the river. Arrival in Manuel Antonio for an afternoon check-in at your hotel.
Overnight stay Hotel Costa Verde
Day 8
Manuel
Antonio National Park & Beaches -
(BF)
Are you ready for capuchin monkeys, sloth, iguanas, anteaters, and multiple species of birds, all within easy walking distance into the rainforest? A hike of about 1.5 hours on the park’s trails will get you this and more, including fantastic beaches within the park, where you are free to soak up some sun or bathe in the refreshing Pacific Ocean.
Overnight stay Hotel Costa Verde
Manuel Antonio: This park with an extension
of almost 1,800 acres attracts the visitor with its gorgeous
hiking trails through abundant, tropical jungle bordering
white sandy beaches and blue-green water. The evergreen fascinating
forest is the home of about 100 species of mammals and 180
kinds of birds. A hiking trail through dense vegetation all
around the cape enables you to catch the beautiful sight of
12 smaller islands just in front of it. This is a splendid
combination of nature experience and beach fun.
Day 9
San Jose -
(BF)
Ride back to San José. Once in San José, the remainder of the day is yours to do as you wish. You might visit one of the various galleries or museums (optional - entrance fees not included) or just go on a sightseeing spree with your guide who is with you until evening. Overnight stay Grano de Oro
Day 10
Departure -
(BF)
Transfer to the International Airport for your flight back
home.
BF =
Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, BL = Box Lunch
NOTE:
This
tour is available in 2 different versions:
"Comfort+" Tour (with driver/guide
and private vehicle) - see description above
"Wheels & Vouchers" self driving
tour
"Budget+" Tour (with seat-in
transfers/INTERBUS from hotel to hotel)
Your adventurous day begins with a "walk in the clouds." Start with your feet on the ground, hiking through lush forest toward the “Walkways" of Selvatura; suspended bridges, platforms and trails elevated deep within the canopy of the cloud forest. From here you are allowed a gentle, rare glimpse through the tops of giant trees into the nether regions of this hidden world that would otherwise remain a mystery to most of us. While exploring the different trails keep your binoculars or camera handy, since you might catch a glimpse of the rare and famous bird of kings – the Quetzal! There are numerous optional activities that you are welcome to enjoy during the remainder of your afternoon, including a visit to the Frog Pond, the Snake Farm, or the Orchid Garden. 
After breakfast we take a drive on the Interamericana South along the coastline towards the town of Jacó. We’ll stop at the bridge over Rio Tarcoles, a great place for spotting large crocodiles, basking on the banks of the river. Arrival in Manuel Antonio for an afternoon check-in at your hotel.
