Travel to Costa Rica: Costa Rica Connoisseur

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Costa Rica Connoisseur

			DAYS: 9 GRADE: I define PRICE: From $2700 per person (Includes Local Air) HIGHLIGHTS: Nectandra Cloud Forest Garden Monteverde Reserve Arenal Hanging bridges Arenal Volcano Tortuguero National Park Doka Coffee Plantation Rafting optional 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 Costa Rica adventure tour traverses three diverse ecological regions full of wildlife, from the mythical Monteverde Cloud Forest, to the impressive active Arenal Volcano and the rainforest lowlands of Tortuguero on the Caribbean Sea. It is designed for travelers who want a relaxed pace but enjoy easy nature walks surrounded by wildlife.

On this fun and active Costa Rica vacation, you'll explore the rainforest's colorful and fascinating flora and fauna on easy hiking trails and high in the forest canopy on secure hanging bridges; visit a coffee farm and learn about the harvesting and roasting of this important Costa Rican export; relax and rejuvenate as you soak in natural, volcanic hot springs; and join a night walk tour of Costa Rica's Caribbean beaches observing nesting giant green sea turtles (when in season). All the while, you'll be accompanied by a knowledgeable and personable Costa Rican naturalist guide. Pura vida!

DAY 1 :  ARRIVE SAN JOSE
Arrive at San Jose Juan Santamaria International Airport and transfer to your Central Valley area hotel. Bask in the new sights, sounds, smells, and warm tropical air of Costa Rica. Overnight at Hotel Presidente or similar.

DAY 2 :  MONTEVERDE
Savor an early morning cup of Costa Rica's coffee and a hearty breakfast before hopping in the van with your guide for the 1.5 hour ride to Nectandra Cloud Forest Garden. Located 80 km Northwest of San Jose, going north from San Ramon, it is the centerpiece of 104 hectares (257 acres) of primary and secondary forest. With few exceptions, most of the plants featured in the horticultural observation area are from the preserve and its immediate surroundings. Some of the plants in the design are included as pure aesthetic elements, others for their importance in medicinal, indigenous and cultural uses. A small number of changing exhibits highlight scientific information on the ecology of the cloud forest.

Beyond the garden, the remaining biological preserve is restricted to scientific field research carried out by a non-profit organization, the Nectandra Institute. Current scientific activities include botanic inventory, preparation and identification of herbarium specimens of dominant and unusual plants, and investigation into the variables influencing natural reforestation in cloud forests.

Two naturalist-guided tours are available. They differ in length and terrain. Both walks are suited to visitors in good health. The "Leisure Walk" is approximately four hours, through dense forest and undulating terrain. In addition to information offered by the naturalist guide along the way, visitors will have ample opportunity to hear the sounds of the forest, observe the fauna and flora, and experience the serenity of the place. The "Wilderness Walk" takes about five hours at a moderate pace and is also led by a naturalist guide. This hike winds through primary forest and visitors will encounter steeper trails.

After a typical Tico lunch at the gardens, continue onward to the Monteverde area (3 hour drive, the last 2 hours of which are on a winding gravel road). Overnight at Monteverde Lodge. [BLD]

With the help of your naturalist guide, you may spot the rare resplendent quetzal bird while on an easy nature walk through the Monteverde Cloud Forest.

DAY 3 :  MONTEVERDE
A guided naturalist hike introduces you to the unique Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. The reserve extends down both slopes of the Tilaran Mountains covering an elevation range from 2,300 to 5,600 feet encompassing eight different ecological life zones and protecting over 100 species of mammals, 400 of the approximately 850 species of birds in Costa Rica, and 1,500 species of plants.

Depending on your luck and patience, from January to July you may observe the resplendent quetzal, the three-wattled bellbird, the emerald toucanet, and white faced and howler monkeys in their natural habitats. Return to the lodge around mid-day for lunch before immersing yourself in the colorful world of butterflies. We explore the butterfly garden where butterflies and other insects are raised and displayed in shade cloth enclosures within tropical gardens. Overnight at Monteverde Lodge.[BLD]

DAY 4 :  MONTEVERDE TO ARENAL VOLCANO
Leave the cloud forest behind and depart Monteverde mid-morning. The 4 hour drive to the Arenal area passes through picturesque towns and villages, around the north end of Lake Arenal and near the Arenal Volcano. Stop for lunch enroute and chat with the locals. Weather permitting  take in the stunning views of the volcano which has been active since 1968. In the dark of night watch the fireworks explode and lava spill over the crater rim. Overnight at Hotel Arenal Manoa, Volcano Lodge or similar. [BLD]

DAY 5 :  ARENAL VOLCANO
Grab your hiking shoes and head out with our naturalist guide to experience the rain forest canopy from the amazing aerial perspective provided by the Arenal hanging bridges. This system of bridges within a 618 acre reserve threads its way through the rainforest surrounding the volcano. We traverse 15 connected bridges ranging from 5-100 meters in length looking for white hawks, great curassows, rufous motmots, howler and spider monkeys, coatimundis, sloth, and white-collared peccary. (The bridges are made of aluminum, galvanized steel, and concrete to ensure maximum safety for visitors.) Soothe tired muscles with an afternoon soak in the Hidalgo Family Hot Springs followed by a typical Costa Rican dinner prepared under a rustic rancho. Enjoy the true tradition of local hospitality! Overnight at Hotel Arenal Manoa, Volcano Lodge or similar. [BLD]

	Cruise up the jungle canals of Tortuguero National Park, then float back down listening and watching for wildlife.

DAY 6 :  CENTRAL HIGHLANDS TO THE JUNGLE CANALS OF TORTUGUERO
We begin our scenic drive from the Central Highlands to the Caribbean coast early passing through small towns, lush farmlands and forests until we descend amongst the many banana plantations of the Caribbean lowlands. Bananas were once Costa Rica's primary export crop before the introduction of coffee. We reach  the coast and board a jungle boat meandering several hours through the languid tropical rivers and canals of Tortuguero's lowland rain forest in search of shore birds, sloth, monkey and caiman. Tortuguero National Park preserves 51,870 hectares of tropical rain forest, one of the last large areas of tropical rain forests in Central America. Overnight at Tortuga Lodge. [BLD]

DAY 7 :  TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK
Explore the flooded lowland rainforest of Tortuguero National Park established to protect the sea turtles that nest on these beaches and the forest habitat which is one of the best areas to see wildlife in Costa Rica. We glide quietly through the natural jungle canals in an electric boat with a local Tortuguero guide who helps us spot and photograph the lush flora and fauna. Bring binoculars and keep a keen eye out for sloth, caiman, river otters, monkeys, iguanas and a myriad of tropical birds including macaws, toucans, trogons and many more. Visit the Caribbean Conservation Natural History Center to learn more about the life history of the Atlantic Green sea turtle and turtle conservation and research programs.  There is often time to wander the deserted beach and enjoy swimming in the lodge pool. When turtles are in nesting season (July through October) a guided night walk on the beach is available to witness giant sea turtles digging nests and depositing eggs in the sand (not included). Overnight at Tortuga Lodge. [BLD]

DAY 8 :  SCENIC FLIGHT AND COFFEE TOUR
Take off from the local airstrip for a spectacular 30 minute flight over the jungle lowlands and central highlands back to San Jose. Upon arrival transportation is provided to a coffee plantation. Located in the coffee capital of Costa Rica - Sabanilla - the farm belongs to the Costa Rican Vargas Ruiz family, pioneers of coffee production for more than 70 years. We tour the Doka Estate and learn about how coffee is cultivated, harvested and roasted. The tour takes you through all stages beginning with a seed bed and ending in the Coffee House where you can taste the finished product! Enjoy a farewell dinner and one last Costa Rican evening. Overnight at Hotel Presidente or similar. [BLD]

DAY 9 :  SAN JOSE
Pack your bags and relish one last cup of Costa Rican coffee before departing for the airport in time to arrive approximately two hours before your scheduled international flight.

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

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