Tortuguero and Tropical Rainforests Costa Rica
7 Days - 6 Nights
- Based on Double Occupancy
Explore Caribbean coastal rainforest, the Arenal Volcano and the Monteverde Cloudforest for 7D/6N starting at $1,335.00 per person.
Your ecotourism experience begins with two days in wildlife-rich Tortuguero National Park, known as Costa Rica’s “little Amazon”.
Then fly back to San Jose where you will be picked up and driven to Arenal Volcano via La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a rescued wildlife preserve and home to several magnificent waterfalls.
After exploring Arenal Volcano´s lush rainforests travel west through rural Costa Rican villages, dairy farms and coffee plantations en route to the cool montane forests of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, and its unique rural Quaker/Tico community.
Monteverde is a prime example of a rare rainforest type that accounts for only 2% of all the world´s rainforests.
Lost World Adventures itineraries can be tailor-made according to your plans and preferences: budget, hotel selections, travel dates, optional excursions, length of trip, etc.
Day 1 : San Jose
Upon arrival in San Jose you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Hotel Bougainvillea, located in Santo Domingo, is less than five miles from downtown San Jose, yet in a country setting with fresh air and panoramic vistas. Amenities include restaurant, bar, swimming pool, sauna, lighted tennis courts and extensive flower gardens.
Breakfast included.
Day 2 : San Jose – Tortuguero
You will be met at your San Jose hotel and transferred through Braulio Carrillo National Park to the docks in Guapiles, stopping for breakfast en route. From Guapiles board a boat for the trip up the Tortuguero Canals through 30 miles of tropical rainforest to your Tortuguero lodge.
Overnight at Evergreen Lodge, or similar. All meals and excursions are included.
Day 3 : Tortuguero
A premier area for wildlife viewing, the vast forested wilderness of Tortuguero is accessible only by plane or by boat along a vast river network-yet your area lodging is first class!
Today, you will have a morning guided walk through the pathways around the hotel, free time for exploring or relaxing, and then after lunch enjoy an afternoon boat tour to Tortuguero National Park.
Your keen-eyed boat driver and guide will point out wildlife that includes shorebirds, monkeys, caiman, toucans, parrots, iguanas, sloths and more! During July to September, sea turtles come ashore to nest on the beach at night, and guided tours to observe this ancient ritual can be arranged.
Day 4 : Tortuguero – San Jose – Arenal
Depart Tortuguero on a 45-minute flight to San Jose. You will be met at the airport and depart for the Arenal Volcano area stopping first at La Paz Waterfall Gardens. La Paz has manicured gardens; a rescued wildlife preserve with jungle cats and monkeys; a hummingbird garden; live butterfly, frog exhibits and more.
At La Paz you can walk along a clear mountain river on an easy access trail with great views of gorgeous waterfalls. After a delicious lunch at La Paz, you will continue your journey into lowland plains amid tropical farmlands before arriving at your Arenal area hotel.
Overnight at the Arenal Observatory Lodge, or similar, breakfast included.
Day 5 : Arenal – Monteverde
Set off with your guide for a half day of hiking close to the 1968 lava flow. The lava flow trail begins off the main road near the Arenal Volcano National Park entrance and crosses an open area rapidly reverting back to forest on the northwest side of Arenal Volcano.
The flow left an impressive pile of blocky lava rocks that rises about 60 feet high and now offers a panoramic view of the surrounding forests, mountains, nearby Lake Arenal and Arenal Volcano itself.
Afterward, depart for an overland transfer to Monteverde, stopping for lunch en route.
Two nights at the Hotel Fonda Vela, or similar, breakfast included. The Monteverde Cloud Forest is one of the worlds premiere destinations for naturalists. Much of the resident wildlife is unique to these habitats.
In addition to forest hikes, visitors can enjoy many other area attractions including horseback riding; dining in numerous restaurants; live frog and butterfly exhibits; bird watching; crafts and gift shopping; zip line tours and bridge walks in forest canopies; a visit to a native orchid garden and more.
Day 6 : Monteverde
Set off for Sky Trek Monteverde Costa Rica – Canopy Tour. This tour includes both the Sky Tram and the Sky Trek and offers you adventure, zip lines, bird watching and hiking inside the cloudforest.
The Sky Tram is a 20 minute aerial tram tour up the densely forested hillside to an observation deck, where you have spectacular views of the surrounding cloudforest.
The Sky Trek is a 3,280 foot long zip line system that gives you an exhilarating ride through the cloud forest. If the weather is fine, you will have views of Lake Arenal and the Pacific Ocean.
This afternoon set off for a half day tour of one of the most famous, diverse and rich cloud forests in the World. The Monteverde Reserve is 26,000 acres and is an important link in the growing network of private protected areas in Costa Rica.
The remarkable reserve forest is characterized by trees densely covered from top to bottom with moist “carpets” of epiphytes including mosses, bromeliads, ferns and orchids. This cloud forest habitat is also seasonal home of the crimson and iridescent Resplendent Quetzal as well as many resident endemic mountain birds. Entrance fee included.
Day 7 : Monteverde – San Jose
Transfer to San Jose (or Liberia) for your international flight.
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Tipping Guidelines
Although not mandatory, tipping is highly appreciated in all cases. Our general advice to travelers is to tip what you feel is appropriate and based on performance – using the guidelines below – and do not worry about offending anyone.
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