Costa Rica Tropical Treasures

Upon arrival in San Jose you will be met and transferred to a specially selected hotel.

Breakfast en route as you travel by road and water to Tortuguero National Park for two incredible days of exploration. The park borders the Caribbean and contains a network of canals and waterways that take you inland through the jungle. With help from your naturalist guide, search the trails and waterways for manatees, caimans, monkeys, sloths, river otters, poison dart frogs, and the 300 species of birds, including the roseate spoonbill, American fin foot, great green macaws, trogons, oropendulas, and frigate birds. Spend two nights at a comfortable lodge located between the beach and the estuary, and within walking distance from the village. Tortuguero is the Caribbean's largest nesting area for green sea turtles. From July to October, 1,000-4,000 green turtles lay eggs on Tortuguero's beaches. This phenomena attracts visitors to the area in the summer months. The giant leatherbacks nest in March and April and hatch in May and June. Hawksbill turtles also nest in late spring and early summer, but they are solitary and difficult to observe. Overnights at Mawamba Lodge (or similar).

Meals: 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners

Fly from Tortuguero to San Jose (note: 30 lbs baggage limit). En route to Arenal, visit La Paz Reserve to hike the magnificent trail to five towering waterfalls or go hiking in the La Virgen del Socorro. Drive through mountains and agricultural lands to Arenal, Costa Rica's most active volcano. During your stay you will enjoy guided hikes in the vicinity of Arenal. The volcano erupted in 1968 and has since been continuously active. Spend a night at the Arenal Observatory Lodge, built in 1987 as a research station for the Smithsonian Institute and the National University of Costa Rica. On cloudless nights, lava flows create an awesome display.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges. The Hanging Bridges are a complex of 6 hanging suspension bridges rising above the jungle canopy and almost 2 miles of brick and concrete trails through the lush rainforest. The bridges provide an excellent vantage point to observe the flora and fauna from the ground level to the top of the trees. Walk the trails where you will see many varieties of tropical butterflies and flowering ginger and hear howler monkeys. In the afternoon visit Ecotermales hot springs, which has several different pools of natural hot springs, including a soothing waterfall for a natural massage.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, enjoy a hike to a nearby waterfall and a close-u exploration of lava flow. A mid-morning departure takes you across Lake Arenal by boat. Then continue on to Monteverde, a private reserve cloud forest. This reserve and the Quaker community at Monteverde are models of commitment to environmental preservation. Search the reserve for the resplendent Quetzal; the male Quetzal is considered to be the most beautiful bird in all of Central America. There are over 400 other inhabitant bird species, 100 mammal species and 2500 plant species. Other optional (extra cost) activities in the vicinity include horseback riding and visits to the Butterfly Garden, the Bajo Tigre trail, or the Serpentario. The weather can be quite cool and there may be frequent showers, even in the "dry" season. Spend two nights at a lovely Monteverde hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

In the morning, visit the Selvatura Walkways, a system of suspension bridges and platforms constructed within the cloud forest. Feel the sensation of walking among the clouds as you view the tropical forest from a whole new perspective. In the afternoon, enjoy a hike through the reserve, exploring the misty forest with its dense vegetation and majestic trees.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Depart for San Jose this morning. Spend the afternoon at leisure. Overnight at a specially selected hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Transfer to the San Jose International Airport for your flight home.

Meals: Breakfast