Highlights:
Tortuguero National Park, Arenal Volcano, Monteverde/Sta.
Elena Cloudforest Reserve
Detailed description N1 (Comfort+, with english-speaking
naturalist guide)
Day 1
San José – (–)
Welcome! Upon your arrival at San José International
Airport our English-speaking representative will greet you
and escort you to your hotel. At this time you will be provided
a short briefing and an informative travel handout. Overnight stay Don Carlos
Day 2
Tortuguero National Park – (BF, L, D)
Off to an early start from your hotel in San José, you drive along a scenic route of lush pasturelands and banana plantations, through the Braulio Carillo National Park. You’ll stop for a typical Costa Rican breakfast before arriving at the village of Caño Blanco or Matina. From there you navigate by boat up the Tortuguero River, alongshore a small peninsula bordered on the other side by the Caribbean Sea. Upon arrival it’s time to check into our overnight accommodations at the lodge. Enjoy a hearty lunch before taking off with your local naturalist guide on a walking tour of the bustling village of Tortuguero and its immediate surroundings. After visiting the turtle museum we meander, this time along the beach, back to the lodge for dinner. During the months of July-October, an optional guided night hike along the beach is offered, to observe the nesting of the sea turtles. (approximately US $30 p.p.) Overnight stay Laguna Lodge Tortuguero
Day 3
Tortuguero National Park – (BF, L, D)
A full day of activities begins with the unforgettable sights and sounds of an early morning tour to experience the awakening of Tortuguero wildlife. Follow up a well-deserved breakfast with a boat tour through the quiet backwater canals of the national park, for up-close observation of the flora and fauna so unique to this special part of the world. Head back for lunch and an afternoon of free time; have a “siesta”, relax by the pool, visit the open butterfly garden, take a walk on the beach or another boat tour, explore the trails around the Lodge on your own; you decide. Dinner is served.
Overnight stay Laguna Lodge Tortuguero
Day
4
Arenal Volcano
After breakfast, embark by boat around 9 a.m. for Caño Blanco or Matina. From there you will head off by bus to a typical Costa Rican restaurant for a delicious home-cooked lunch. Continue your journey to Arenal Volcano in a private vehicle with your personal guide. Optional: In the evening at the hot springs of Ecotermales, Tabacón or Baldi Hot Springs, you may want to relax in a warm soothing bath of waterfalls and natural pools against the backdrop of fresh nighttime air and a starry sky. Keep a lookout in case that sky explodes with hot showers of red, yellow and orange, the sparkling lava flows of Arenal Volcano.
A visit of the thermal hot springs can be pre-booked if desired:
- Tabacón Hot Springs incl. dinner: aprox. US$ 70 per
person (18:30 PM – 22:00 PM)
- Tabacón Hot Springs incl. dinner: aprox. US$ 85 per
person (12:00 md – 22:00 PM)
- Baldi Hot Springs incl. lunch OR dinner: aprox. US$ 40 per
person
- Ecotermales: aprox. US$ 29 per person (no meals included)
Overnight stay Volcano Lodge or similar - Breakfast,
lunch
Day 5
Arenal
Volcano, Monteverde Cloudforest Today you will explore. Hike with your guide through the secondary forest of Arenal Volcano National Park and over the lava fields at the foot of Arenal Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the Americas. You might even feel the ground rumble. Ride around Arenal Lake to Tilarán before taking on 35 km’s of adventurous gravel road, winding your way to Sta. Elena in the Monteverde Cloud Forest region. Overnight stay Arco Iris Lodge or similar - Breakfast
Day 6
Monteverde Cloudforest Your adventurous day begins with a "walk in the clouds." Start with your feet on the ground, hiking through lush forest toward the “Treetop Walkways" of Selvatura; suspended bridges, platforms and trails elevated deep within the canopy of the cloud forest. From here we are allowed a gentle, rare glimpse through the tops of giant trees into the nether regions of this hidden world that would otherwise remain a mystery to most of us. While exploring the different trails keep your binoculars or camera handy, since you might catch a glimpse of the rare and famous bird of kings – the Quetzal! There are numerous optional activities that you are welcome to enjoy during the remainder of your afternoon, including a visit to the Frog Pond, the Snake Farm, or the Orchid Garden.
Overnight stay Arco Iris Lodge or similar - Breakfast
Day 7
Monteverde
- San José – (BF)
Ride back to San José. Once in San José, the remainder of the day is yours to do as you wish. You might visit one of the various galleries or museums (optional - entrance fees not included) or just go on a sightseeing spree with your guide who is with you until evening. Overnight stay Don Carlos
Day
8
Departure – (BF)
Transfer to the airport for your flight back home.
BF =
Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, BL = Box Lunch
NOTE:
This tour is
available in 3 different versions:
"Comfort+" Tour (with driver/guide
and private vehicle) - see description above
Your adventurous day begins with a "walk in the clouds." Start with your feet on the ground, hiking through lush forest toward the “Treetop Walkways" of Selvatura; suspended bridges, platforms and trails elevated deep within the canopy of the cloud forest. From here we are allowed a gentle, rare glimpse through the tops of giant trees into the nether regions of this hidden world that would otherwise remain a mystery to most of us. While exploring the different trails keep your binoculars or camera handy, since you might catch a glimpse of the rare and famous bird of kings – the Quetzal! There are numerous optional activities that you are welcome to enjoy during the remainder of your afternoon, including a visit to the Frog Pond, the Snake Farm, or the Orchid Garden. 
