Wonderful Costa Rica

"Costa Rica"

In Costa Rica, the tree-lined tropical beaches warmth is exceeded only by the friendly Costa Ricans who, with spontaneous smiles and genuine desire to make you feel at home, greet you wherever you go. The intense colours of the spectacular birds and flowers rival those of the erupting Arenal Volcano, and the sounds of nature and exuberant vegetation bring you into a mystic world of greenery. True and intimate contact with nature for a better understanding of the ecosystem and hands-on experiences to foster a better comprehension of sustainable agricultural practices are part of your Costa Rica experience. Although the beach ambiance at the Caribbean and Pacific coasts is very distinct, the borders share particular characteristics: they offer great accommodations, watersports, unique seafood restaurants, and picturesque villages, without loosing the beauty of our natural sights. Instead of cement and high hotels, the jungle still borders the beaches, and monkeys and birds vie for attention while visitors sip a cool cocktail at the beach.

The Itinerary

Day 1:
Arrival at the International Airport Juan Santamaria. Transfer to Hotel.
Lodging: Hotel Vesuvio or similar

Day 2: THE IDEAL COMBINATION: INBIO PARK AND BUTTERFLY FARM
Short ride from San José to Santo Domingo de Heredia. Costa Rica is home to almost 5 % of the world’s biodiversity. At the Inbiopark, learn more about the natural richness and characteristics of Costa Rica’s Biodiversity (INBIO), observing samples of the vast world of biological diversity. Early afternoon, you will ride to the Butterfly Farm where you will observe the rearing of live butterflies for export. This farm exports annually over 50.000 chrysalides. Within a nice enclosed garden, observe many live butterflies in all stages of their life cycle.
Lodging: Hotel Vesuvio or similar

Day 3: SAN JOSé - TORTUGUERO RAIN FOREST NATIONAL PARK
Departure to Limón, the afro-Caribbean province of Costa Rica. Passing through the Central Volcanic Mountain Range, you will experience the weather, temperature and landscape variations. After Siquirres, see many of the largest banana plantations. At the embarking point by Matina/Freeman, you will board the boat to Tortuguero. Admire the great diversity of flora and fauna, for example, sloths, monkeys, crocodiles, green turtles and more. Afternoon visit to the small town with its tiny Green Turtle Information Center.
Lodging: Turtle Beach Lodge or similar

Day 4: TORTUGUERO RAIN FOREST NATIONAL PARK
In the morning, a soft hiking to the Tortuguero Hill with a breathtaking view of the Caribbean Coast. Afternoon, boat tour through the small canals of the National Park with its 309 different bird species, its swamp forest and floating aquatic plants.
Lodging: Turtle Beach Lodge or similar

Day 5: TORTUGUERO CANALS - SAN JOSé
After breakfast, you will enjoy again the ride through the canals on your way back to the embarking point by Matina/Freeman. Continuation by road to Guápiles and San José.
Lodging: Hotel Vesuvio or similar

Day 6: SAN JOSé – TáRCOLES – VILLA LAPAS SKY WALK
Transfer from San José across the Aguacate Mountains to Tárcoles. Afternoon, a tour to the Villa Lapas Sky Walk. In a Private Reserve mixture of dry and rain forest, you will set your pace through natural paths and hanging bridges to enjoy nature at its best.
Lodging: Hotel Villa Lapas or similar

Day 7: CARARA NATIONAL PARK – OROTINA - MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST
Early morning visit Carara Transition Forest National Park. It is a hilly land with a surface of 4.700 hectares (11.615 acres) in a climatic transitional zone between the dry North Pacific and the humid South Coast. You will probably see: macaws, parrots, partridges, toucans, flycatchers, humming birds, howler monkeys, coatis, sloths and armadillos. Early afternoon, departure passing by Orotina to arrive at Monteverde.
Lodging: Hotel Finca Valverde’s or similar

Day 8: MONTEVERDE BIOLOGICAL RESERVE – LA FORTUNA DE SAN CARLOS
Early morning visit of this 10.000 ha. (24.710 acres) Private Reserve, which is always cold and humid thanks to the rain clouds coming from the Caribbean. Exuberant forest area with trees covered with moss and ferns that protect the home of different exotic frogs and the resplendent quetzal (one of the 400 kinds of birds to be found here). Early afternoon transfer through a secondary route around the Arenal Lake to La Fortuna.
Lodging: Hotel Rancho Corcovado or similar

Day 9: ARENAL VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK AND TABACóN RESORT
Morning at leisure to enjoy the surroundings of La Fortuna. Late afternoon you will have the opportunity to see, on clear days, the Arenal Volcano with its almost perfect conic form and its lava eruptions. You will also visit the well-known Hot Springs at Tabacón with its idyllic tropical gardens.
Lodging: Hotel Rancho Corcovado or similar

Day 10: LA FORTUNA – LIBERIA – RINCóN DE LA VIEJA
Transfer from La Fortuna across the Guanacaste Mountain Range to Ca–as and continuation passing by the city of Liberia to arrive at Rincón de la Vieja. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the different activities at La Hacienda.
Lodging: Hacienda Guachipelín Lodge or similar

Day 11: RINCóN DE LA VIEJA NATIONAL PARK AND VOLCANO - TAMARINDO
Early morning, visit of Rincón de la Vieja, an active Volcano situated at 1.895m. (6.200 feet). It protects the home of innumerable animal species. Visit "Las Pailas" an area with intense volcanic activity with boiling mud pools, steamy cones and sulphur gases. Or in "Azufrales", enjoy small pools with hot springs and also a site with refreshing waterfalls. Late morning transfer across the Guanacaste Pampa to Tamarindo Beach.
Lodging: Hotel El Milagro or similar

Day 12-13: TAMARINDO BEACH
At leisure to enjoy the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean or simply to relax on the beach.
Lodging: Hotel El Milagro or similar

Day 14: TAMARINDO - SAN JOSE
Morning at leisure. Afternoon transfer from Tamarindo to San Jose. Lodging: Hotel Vesuvio or similar

Day 15:
Transfer to the International Airport Juan Santamaria for the 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	$ 1292	$ 1710	$ 1239	$ 1584
EUR	€ 1073	€ 1419	€ 1029	€ 1315
GBP	£ 723	£ 957	£ 694	£ 887

(*) Price last updated on 24 June 2004. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a
quotation request .
HIGH SEASON: NOVEMBER 15th, 2002 to APRIL 30th 2004 LOW SEASON: MAY 01st to OCTOBER 31st, 2004

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, all breakfasts, lunches on day 3, 4 and 5, dinner on days 3 and 4

Not included:
Meals not mentioned, personal expenses, tips, beverages.

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