|
|
Costa Rica's stunning scenic heritage unfolds in an ever-changing panorama of
steaming volcanoes, forested mountains, dramatic skies and bucolic countryside.
Dark lowland jungles give way to rolling savannas.
We start exploring the Meseta Central meaning "central plateau or tableland". The
popular English name for this region in the centre of Costa Rica around San Jose is Central Valley. Here
we explore the lunar landscape around the Irazu Volcano, the highest active
volcano in Costa Rica (3432 m). It is because of eruptions of this and other volcanoes
that the soil of the Central Valley is so fertile. A few low plants slowly begin to colonise the landscape around the
volcano. If it was not for these, you might feel you were on a different planet. From the summit,
it is possible to see both the Pacific and the Caribbean on clear days.
Below the summit, there is thick cloud forest vegetation with oak and madrono trees covered
with epiphytic plants. The Orosi Valley is famous for its beautiful views,
colonial buildings, hot springs and a lake formed by the hydroelectric damming project.
The Braulio Carrillo National Park is a success story for both conservationists
and developers and links San Jose with the Caribbean Coast. The pristine areas to either
side of the highway encompasses a wide spread of altitudinal zones and are large
enough to support a great and varied number of plant and animal species. The observational
naturalist may spot Costa Rica's most famous bird, the resplendent Quetzal, umbrella
birds, toucans, trogons, guans, eagles, as well as mammals such as jaguar, puma, ocelot, tapirs,
sloths, peccaries and monkeys. Next we visit Tortuguero National Park along the Caribbean
Coast Turtles are certainly the most famous attraction at Tortuguero, but they are by no means the
only one. This National Park offers great wildlife viewing and birding opportunities from the trails and canals.
Our next destination is the San Lorenzo de San Ramon Private Forest. From San Ramon
we road goes north, across the Central Highlands and down to La Fortuna. The road goes
through forest and coffee fincas. Fortuna is nearest to the spectacular Arenal Volcano.
Arenal is everyone's image of a typical volcano. Occasionally, the activity quiets down for a few
weeks, but generally Arenal has been producing huge ash columns, massive explosions and glowing
red lava flows almost daily. The view at night is unforgettable!
The Itinerary
Day 1:
Arrival at Juan Santamaria International Airport and transfer to your hotel.
Lodging: Hotel Vesuvio or similar
Day 2: IRAZú VOLCANO – OROSI VALLEY- LANKESTER GARDENS
At the brink of the crater you will admire the lunar landscape and the impressive
cliffs at 3.432 m. (11.260 ft) above the sea level. Leaving the volcano, the route takes you to the reconstructed Ruins of the colonial Church of Ujarrás and the majestic
Cachí Dam with its lake. Later at Lankester Gardens you will enjoy the exhibition of more than 800 types of orchids: the largest in Central America.
Lodging: Hotel Vesuvio or similar
Day 3: BRAULIO CARRILLO NATIONAL PARK - TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK
From San José through the Cloud Forest National Park Braulio Carrillo to Siquirres and
on through rain forests and large banana plantations to the embarking point by Matina. Here you will board the boat to cruise the marvellous water canals until you arrive in Tortuguero. Visit of the small village and the Green Turtle Information Centre.
Lodging: Hotel Turtle Beach Lodge or similar
Day 4: TORTUGUERO CANALS AND RAIN FOREST - SAN JOSE
Early Sunrise Boat Tour through the small natural canals in the Rain Forest and National Park Tortuguero with its impressive flora and fauna with more than 309 bird species. After breakfast, you will enjoy again the ride through the canals on your way back to Matina/Freeman/Ca–o Blanco and on by road to San José.
We suggest a late afternoon walking tour of downtown San José on your own.
Lodging: Hotel Vesuvio or similar
Day 5: SAN JOSé – VALLE ESCONDIDO PRIVATE FOREST RESERVE
You will drive through the Pan American Highway to San Ramón where you
will start climbing the Central Volcanic Mountain Range to arrive at Valle Escondido.
Here you will enjoy the visit to this Highland Private Rain Forest Reserve.
Lodging: Hotel Valle Escondido or similar
Day 6: VALLE ESCONDIDO – ARENAL VOLCANO – TABACóN HOT SPRINGS
In the morning, transfer to La Fortuna in the San Carlos Lowlands. Late afternoon you will have the opportunity to see the Arenal Volcano with its almost perfect conic form and its lava eruptions. You will also enjoy the Hot Springs at Tabacón with its idyllic tropical gardens.
Lodging: Hotel Rancho Corcovado or similar
Day 7: LA FORTUNA - SAN RAMóN - SAN JOSé
Morning at leisure to enjoy the surroundings of the majestic Arenal Volcano and the
small town of La Fortuna.
Early afternoon, you will drive again the scenic route of La Tigra on your way back to
San José.
Lodging: Hotel Vesuvio or similar
Day 8:
Transfer to the International Airport Juan Santa Maria for your return flight or continuation of your journey.
General Information
Rated: Easy
| Price per person | |||||||||
| High Season | Low Season | ||||||||
| Double Room | Single Room | Double Room | Single Room | ||||||
| USD | $ 631 | $ 822 | $ 631 | $ 809 | |||||
| EUR | € 523 | € 682 | € 523 | € 671 | |||||
| GBP | £ 353 | £ 460 | £ 353 | £ 453 | |||||
Included:
Lodging including taxes, all transfers, English speaking guide during the
tours only, all indicated tours and entrance fees to the national parks and
attractions, breakfast every day, lunch on day 3 and 4 and dinner on day 3.
Not included:
Meals not mentioned, personal expenses, tips, beverages.
Home
French
Belize
Bay Islands
Costa Rica
Guatemala
Nicaragua
Panama
Argentina
Bolivia
Brazil
Chile & Easter Island
Colombia
Ecuador
Falklands
Guyana
Paraguay
Peru
Venezuela
Arctic
Antarctica