9 days/ 2018 San Jose-Cano Negro Cruise-Hot Springs-Hanging Bridges/ Turtle Park- Guanacaste Beach Resort-Birding Cruise/ Manuel Antonio-Aerial Tram-San Jose
Most days 2018: January-April and December / Weekly: May-August and November
Price: from $1195 + taxes and Fees Single $359
More about tour
Day 1 – San José, Costa Rica Welcome to the “rich coast,” friendly land of democracy and rare natural beauty. With naturalist guides, see exotic birds and wildlife, hike in jungle rainforests, view volcanoes, soak in hot springs and cruise through biological reserves. Relax on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. COMPANY provides transfers from the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San José, Costa Rica to your hotel for a two night stay. Rooms are available for check in after 4:00 p.m. Dine at your hotel, then join COMPANY for a 9:30 p.m. welcome briefing. D
Day 2 – Poás Volcano, Cloud Forest, Coffee Plantation, ButterfliesMorning visit to Costa Rica's most popular park, Poás Volcano. Weather permitting, you can see inside the active crater from an overlook. Next, hike the Escalonia Cloud Forest Trail, home to epiphytes, orchids, ferns and tropical hummingbirds.Cloud forests are like rainforests, but with less rain and more humidity. Then, drive through Costa Rica's famous coffee growing region. Lunch. Enjoy a guided tour at a coffee plantation. Sample fresh Costa Rican coffee. Next, visit a butterfly garden. Look for blue morpho butterflies. Dinner. BLD
Day 3 – Wildlife Rescue Center, Sarchi, FortunaThis morning drive by San Jose’s Plaza de la Cultura, Central Park and the National Theatre. Next, visit Zoo Ave, a wildlife rescue center. Here, injured birds and animals are rehabilitated for release back into the wild. Lunch. Then, visit Sarchi and watch artisans making traditional Costa Rican oxcarts. Continue to the San Carlos Valley. Arrive at Fortuna for a two night stay. Dinner. BLD
Day 4 – Rio Frio Cruise, Hot SpringsHead north this morning, passing through sugar cane, teak, pineapple, and orange plantations. Then, cruise on the Rio Frio which runs through the world famous Caño Negro wildlife refuge, home to many migratory birds found nowhere else in Costa Rica. Look for black turtles, whistling ducks, roseate spoonbills, cormorants, anhingas, blue heron, and northern jacanas. Watch for caimans,howler monkeys, spider monkeys, green iguanas, and water-walking lizards. Lunch. Return to Fortuna. This afternoon enjoy a relaxing soak in the volcanic hot springs. Dinner. BLD
Day 5 – Hanging Bridges, Leatherback Turtle Park Morning visit to the Hanging Bridges. With a naturalist guide, hike the suspension bridges. Weather permitting, enjoy views of majestic Arenal Volcano. Next, enjoy a scenic drive around Lake Arenal. Lunch at a historic hacienda in the Guanacaste province. Then, to Costa Rica’s beautiful Pacific Coast. Visit Leatherback Turtles National Park and learn about Costa Rica's efforts to protect this endangered giant. The leatherback is the largest marine reptile in the world, weighing over 1,500 pounds. Continue to the J.W. Marriott Guanacaste Resort and Spa for a relaxing two night stay. Dinner. BLD
Day 6 – Aerial Tram, Manuel Antonio
This morning enjoy a thrilling adventure. Glide through and above a dry tropical transitional forest. Enjoy views of waterfalls and the Pacific Ocean. Lunch. Return to Manuel Antonio. Enjoy magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean and the jungle of Manuel Antonio from your hotel's rooftop terrace and pool. Dinner. BLD
Day 7 – Manuel Antonio Park
Morning visit to world famous Manuel Antonio Park, a natural habitat for the white face monkey, the rare squirrel monkey, and the three-toed sloth. Hike through the rainforest and along the
spectacular beach coves, ranking among the most beautiful in the world. Look for toucans and parrots. Lunch. Your afternoon is at leisure. Swim in your hotel's two pools, enjoy the elegant spa, or simply relax, listening to the joyful jungle sounds. Dinner. BLD
Day 8 – Bird-Watching Cruise, San Jose
Morning cruise on the Tarcoles River, adjacent to the Carara Biological Reserve. Float through mangroves. Enjoy bird watching and crocodile spotting. Look for white and snowy egrets and the amazing nests of the montezuma oropendola. This tropical bird and wildlife sanctuary is a nesting site for the scarlet macaw. Lunch. Return to San José. Farewell dinner. BLD
Day 9 – San José
Your tour ends after breakfast this morning at your hotel. Breakfast begins at 6:30 a.m. COMPANY provides transfers to the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San José, Costa Rica arriving at 5:00 a.m, 7:00 a.m, 9:00 a.m., and 11:30 a.m.. Thanks for vacationing with COMPANY. ¡Hasta la vista! B
Arrival Transfers
COMPANY's vacation packages include complimentary arrival transfers from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San José, Costa Rica to your hotel in San José on the day the tour begins. These transfers are only available on the day the tour begins. After you clear customs, COMPANY’s representative will meet you at the taxi stand, about 20 feet from the international terminal, with a sign. You may have to wait a couple minutes as your representative might be transferring another client. Driving time to your hotel can run from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic. If you take a taxi, use “Taxis Unidos Aeropuerto,” the official taxi service, and expect to pay
$25.00 U.S. Dollars per taxi, plus tip. To enter Costa Rica, you will need a U.S. passport valid for 6 additiansfers
Departure Transfers
COMPANY's vacation packages include complimentary departure transfers from your hotel in San José to the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San José, Costa Rica on the day the tour ends, scheduled to arrive at the airport at 5:00 a.m, 7:00 a.m, 9:00 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. These transfers are only available on the day the tour ends. If you wish to extend your stay in Costa Rica, you will need to transfer on your own, at your own expense. Please ask the hotel bellman to arrange a taxi. Expect to pay $25.00 U.S. Dollars per taxi, plus tip. The driving time from the hotel to the airport is approximately 30-60 minutes, depending on traffic. Please advise the Tour Director if you will be taking your own taxi separately.
Included in the tour price
Hotels, all meals, all of the activities described in the itinerary pages, airport transfers, gratuities to hotel porters, restaurant staff and local guides. Professional Tour Directors conduct every land tour from start to finish. They are fluent in English, experienced and fun, ensuring a worry free vacation.
Not included in the tour price
Prices do not include air travel, country entry or departure fees, airport porters, visas, phone calls, valet, laundry, all items of a personal nature, extra food and beverages not on the regular menu, and tips to the Tour Director and Driver. General fees and taxes are additional and listed separately beneath each tour’s price.