Transport

Arrival and departure transfer on days 1 and day 12 Transfers and transportation in private vehicles and boats

Others

Boat trip down the canals of Tortuguero Nature walk in Tirimbina Rainforest reserve Tenorio Volcano National Park and Rio Celeste hike Excursions to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and Selvatura hanging bridges Cooking class at local finca

Meals

Breakfast daily, 5 lunches and 10 dinners

Accommodation

11 nights 3-4 star hotels/guesthouses

Guide

Escorted by an English speaking local naturalist guide

Not included:

Others

International flights and visas Departure taxes or border taxes Tipping - an entirely personal gesture Tortuguero local entry fee - USD $15

Insurance

Every traveler must have suitable travel insurance to take part in this tour.

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Day 1 Day 1: San José
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: San José

Upon arrival into San Jose airport you will be met and and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to start exploring the capital or just to relax in the hotel.
Day 2 Day 2: Tortugero Jungle Reserve
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Tortugero Jungle Reserve

San Jose - Tortugero. Today we head off to discover the Caribbean coast with a few days of rewarding wildlife spotting. Unlike the Caribbean of resort hotels, sugary beaches and Pina Coladas, this is a true wilderness. Our journey takes us northeast through Braulio Camillo National Park, including a short bumpy ride through banana plantations to La Pavona dock. We then take a boat along the shore, with its twisted mangrove swamps, stopping to observe plants and wildlife, until we reach the ramshackle and remote village of Tortuguero. Known for its proliferation of turtles (nesting Jul-Oct), Tortugero will serve as our home for the next two nights.
Day 3 Day 3: Boat Trip To Tortuguero
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Boat Trip To Tortuguero

This morning we head out on a wildlife adventure boat trip through the mangrove forest of Toruguero National park. With 11 different varieties of natural habitats and a large range of endemic wildlife, this is one of the last protected areas of tropical rainforest in Central America. Here, we have ample of opportunities to spot the three species of monkeys (spider, howler, and white-faced) swinging from branch to branch while lazier three-toed sloths doze in the shade and be sure to spot any river otters in the natural inland channels. The mangroves is also home to over 320 species of birds including three of toucan and eight of parrot.
Day 4 Day 4: Sarapiqui
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Sarapiqui

After breakfast, we start our day back on the water to explore more of these spidery channels. We continue our journey with a drive to the Sarapiqui region, a fertile plain with focus for conservation with a number of eco-tourism projects. Dispersed between the banana and pineapple plantation, there are forested national parks. Rio Sarapiquí is becoming popular for rafting on the fast-flowing waters, bird-watching and numerous other activities in the area including mountain-biking, boat trips and canopying.
Day 5 Day 5: Tirimbina Rainforest Reserve
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Tirimbina Rainforest Reserve

Today we take a morning walk to the Trimbina Reserve, catered to research and recreation of the rainforest environment. Founded to preserve one of the few remaining stands of intact tropical forest on mountainous slopes in Central America. To make our journey more exhilarating, we take a walk on a suspension bridge, followed by a canopy walkway and an educational walk of the rainforest museum. We have many opportunities to spot variety of mammals and insects. If we are lucky! We can see a few nocturnal animals, fast asleep.
Day 6 Day 6-7: Rio Celeste And Tenorio Volcano Np
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6-7: Rio Celeste And Tenorio Volcano Np

This morning we make our way to the town of Bijagua, nestled between two volcanos (Tenorio and Miravalles) will be our home for the next two days. Bijagua is a perfect place for our exploration of Tenorio Volcano National Park, established in 1997 to protect tracts of primary and dry tropical forest. Many of the trails within the park is still under construction and considered one of the new up coming destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers. If there is time after our exploration during these two days, explore the town of Bijagua at leisure either on foot or horseback/mountain bike. Day 7 bring forth a moderately challenging 6km hike to the remarkably striking turquoise coloured Rio Celeste. During our walk keep an eye out for monkeys, sloths, tropical birds and other wildlife. As we make our way along the banks of the rivers, taking in the vivid blue colour of the waters. we arrive at the breath-takingly beautiful waterfalls of Celeste.
Day 7 Day 8: Monteverde
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Monteverde

Our adventure for the day begins as we board our vehicle heading towards Monteverde, following a bumpy road with volcanic rocks, winding up through the hills to the cloud forest at 1,400m above sea level. During our journey, we will be diverted by wildlife we spot along the way- have your binoculars handy. Our lodge for the night is close to the village of Santa Elena, which will serve as the hub to visit Monteverde National Park.
Day 8 Day 9: Monteverde Cloudforest Reserve
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Monteverde Cloudforest Reserve

This morning we take a walk to the Selvatura Park, a conservation area offering many activities including zip lines. Our walk on a trail system includes seven suspension bridges crossing the deep canyons at treetop level. This afternoon we have a guided walk in the Monteverde Cloudforest Reserve, home to more than 100 species of mammals, 400 of birds and 1,500 of plants. During our walk we may encounter the brilliantly feathered quetzal (Jan – Jul). The reserve is home to six different life zones, here we can enjoy a rich diversity of flora and fauna.
Day 9 Day 10: Carara National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Carara National Park

This morning we head to Carara National Park, taking the journey towards the pacific coast we enter a completely different vegetation zone of Pacific tropical dry forest. Carara is famous for its bright scarlet macaws and giant crocodiles, which sprawl on the beaches of the Tarcoles river – we’ll view them safely from a bridge! Late afternoon we will arrive at Finca Ecologica La Trinidad, here we have a cookery lesson on the premises. There is also free time to take optional horseback ride (book and pay locally).
Day 10 Day 11: Free Day At Carara Np
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Free Day At Carara Np

Today is free to spend at leisure. Relax in the lodge taking in the forest, river and the ocean or take advantage of the less dense forest and take a walking trail to spot Carara’s wildlife.
Day 11 Day 12: San José
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: San José

Today our Costa Rican adventure comes to an end with an included transfer to the airport in San Jose. If you decide to stay on for a few more days in this beguiling country, perhaps for some beach time at Manuel Antonio where there’s a range of good accommodation, a monkey-filled national park and sweeping golden Pacific sands.

12 days tour

Costa Rica Explorer - 12 Days

This tour includes:

Not included:

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Itinerary of your trip Costa Rica Explorer - 12 Days

Day 1: San José

Day 2: Tortugero Jungle Reserve

Day 3: Boat Trip To Tortuguero

Day 4: Sarapiqui

Day 5: Tirimbina Rainforest Reserve

Day 6-7: Rio Celeste And Tenorio Volcano Np

Day 8: Monteverde

Day 9: Monteverde Cloudforest Reserve

Day 10: Carara National Park

Day 11: Free Day At Carara Np

Day 12: San José

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