Travel to Costa Rica: Natural Wonders Family Tour

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Natural Wonders Family Tour

			DAYS: 9 GRADE: II, Relaxed Family Adventure define PRICE: From $3135 per person (Includes Local Air) HIGHLIGHTS: Boat excursion into Tortuguero National Park Village tour Turtle Museum Night Turtle (when in season) Corcovado National Park hike Snorkeling at Cano Island Lady Bug nocturnal walk Horseback riding (optional) River Rafting with free photo CD. ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels/Lodges MEALS: As noted  [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch,   D-Dinner] SEASON: Year-round Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services Send to a Friend Print this Itinerary

This fun and active Costa Rica family adventure immerses parents and teens in a variety of tropical ecosystems. Traveling by van, boat, raft, plane, easy hiking, and kayaking, we explore the rainforests of the Osa Peninsula and the lazy jungle canals of Tortuguero. Find colorful poison arrow frogs, Howler monkeys cavorting in the canopy, toucans flying overhead, and busy leaf cutter ants hard at work. Splash down the easy white-water of the Reventazon River, strap on night vision goggles to watch nocturnal creatures in action, and snorkel near an island beach picnic spot. We also soak up the Tico culture trying local cuisine, playing with village kids, and meeting the engaging hosts at our comfortable native-style accommodations.

DAY 1 :  ARRIVAL
Arrive at San Jose's Juan Santamaria International Airport and transfer to your hotel to enjoy the pool and relax for the evening. Overnight at Hotel El Rodeo, Hotel Bougainvillea or similar.

DAY 2 :  TRAVEL TO TORTUGUERO
Your trip to the Caribbean coast begins with an early morning transfer to the Pavas domestic airport for a scenic flight to Tortuguero.  Enjoy vistas over the Braulio Carrillo National Park and upon arrival share breakfast and a trip orientation with your guide.  Today we explore the Tortuguero National Park by boat, gliding quietly through the canals in a modern boat with fuel-injected four-stroke engines that are virtually silent, designed to avoid disturbing the wildlife. Look for animals with funny names like the Chestnut mandibled toucan or the Slatey-tailed trogon.  This afternoon hop on board your boat again and wind your way through the slow moving tropical rivers and canals of the lowland rainforest, this time in a different area of the park. Keep your eyes peeled for Spider, Howler, and White-faced monkeys, Three-toed sloth, caimans, iguanas, poison dart frogs and river otters before your boat trip ends deep within Tortuguero National Park. Stretch your legs, cool off with a dip in the pool, and taste a Tico specialty at dinner. Overnight at Tortuga Lodge, Pachira Lodge or similar. [BLD]

Hang out with a two toed sloth in Tortuguero's tropical forests.

DAY 3 :  EXPLORE TORTUGUERO
Today visit the village school to meet the children, help them practice their English, and learn more about life in Costa Rica. Hungry? Its time for the delicious Caribbean version of rice 'n beans (among other choices) at Miss Juni's. Stop in at the Caribbean Conservation Center to learn more about tracking migrating turtles by satellite and turtle adoption. Afternoon free time can be spent playing in the pool or exploring the canals on your own by kayak (not included). If you are lucky enough to visit during Green sea turtle nesting season (June-October) head out after dark to see turtles burying their eggs in the sand (not included). Overnight at Tortuga Lodge, Pachira Lodge or similar. [BLD]

DAY 4 :  FLY TO THE OSA PENINSULA
Relish your bird's eye view of Tortuguero's twisting canals and rivers on a short morning flight to San Jose where you change planes and head to the wild and lush Osa Peninsula. Touching down on the small airstrip you are immersed in a mangrove forest. Be prepared to take your shoes off as you may get wet hopping into the small boat which takes you along the Agujitas River and to your lodge situated on a high bluff. Settle into your comfortable refuge, admire the panoramic view of Drake Bay, take a swim, look for shells, simply lie in a hammock or explore the Agujitas river and surrounding Drake Bay by kayak. Put on your head lamps and head out after dinner with the Bug Lady to see the nocturnal rainforest come alive. Overnight at La Paloma Lodge, Casa Corcovado, or Hotel Aguila de Osa. [BLD]

DAY 5 :  HIKING IN CORCOVADO NATIONAL PARK
Grab your hiking shoes and hop on board the launch for the short trip to the ranger station at Corcovado National Park. Your guide for the day takes you on a hike through mangrove swamp to montane forest looking for many of the 400 species of birds, 116 species of amphibians and reptiles, and 139 species of mammals that call Corcovado home. Cross your fingers and you may see a Harpy eagle, tapir, a big cat or a crocodile! Hungry and tired after hiking? Eat lunch at the ranger station and relax on the beach before returning to the lodge. Overnight at La Paloma Lodge, Casa Corcovado or Hotel Aguila de Osa. [BLD] 

	A short boat ride to Cano Island takes us to the best snorkeling in Costa Rica.

DAY 6 :  CANO ISLAND SNORKELING
Trade in your hiking boots for a mask and snorkel, and spend the day at the beach. A 45 minute boat ride takes you to Cano Island. Float along the surface of the ocean, as you watch schools of colorful reef fish darting through the water below. Starfish, octopus, conch, and moray eels hide in the coral reefs and underwater rock formations (perfect for first time or experienced snorkelers). Dry off on the beach and munch on a wonderful picnic lunch. Take a break from snorkeling and wander up the island trails to indigenous burial sites. Plenty of time for another swim before heading back to the lodge. Don't forget an underwater camera and sunscreen, though there is shade on the beach from the palms. Overnight at La Paloma Lodge, Casa Corcovado or Hotel Aguila de Osa. [BLD]

DAY 7 :  TURRIALBA VALLEY
Say goodbye to the wild Osa Peninsula, fly back to San Jose and drive 40 miles east to the rich and scenic Turrialba Valley. Drop your things off at your home for the night, a lovely family-friendly, hacienda-style plantation surrounded by the Turrialba Mountains. The rest of the afternoon will be for you to enjoy the spring-fed pool or burn off some energy in the game room. Overnight at Casa Turire or similar. [BL]

Cool off, have fun, and experience the rain forest in a different way rafting the Reventazon River.

DAY 8 :  RAFT THE REVENTAZON RIVER
Savor a hearty, deluxe Costa Rican breakfast and get ready for a wet and wild day rafting the Reventazon River. Your expert guides will give you a safety talk and some paddling instructions before you tackle the Class II and III whitewater. Be ready for plenty of laughs and screams of delight as you succumb to the will of the river. Your riverbank gourmet lunch (prepared especially for you by the guides-turned-waiters) will give you a chance to look back on your adventure. This is a safe and fun trip for all, as long as you don't mind getting a bit wet. At the take-out a victory cocktail awaits.  Change into dry clothes for the drive back to your San Jose hotel in the Central Valley and linger over one last Costa Rican sunset. Overnight at Hotel El Rodeo, Bougainvillea or similar. [BL]

DAY 9 :  TRAVEL HOME
Pack your bags and savor one last cup of Costa Rican coffee before departing for the airport approximately two hours before your scheduled international flight. Smile as you think of your Costa Rican memories. [B]

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

. C o n t a c t Grettel Calderon 1(800)345-4453