2008
Highlights Of Costa Rica
Set between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, Costa Rica is a naturalist's paradise lying like a jewel between North and South America. Explore spectacular tropical rainforests,volcanic mountain ranges, rich and varied countryside and delightful beaches.
Escorted
Highlights of Costa Rica is escorted by a local guide from Day 2-Day 10. Extensions are not escorted but assistance is provided in each destination by our local representative.
Itinerary
- San José: 1 night
- La Fortuna: 1 night
- Puerto Viejo Sarapiquí: 2 nights
- Tortuguero: 2 nights
- San José: 1 night
- Tamarindo (optional): 3 nights or more
Day 1 Fri London/Madrid/San Jose
Iberia flight via Madrid to San Jose. Transfer to the Grand Costa Rica, located in the heart of San jose close to the National Theatre.
Day 2 Sat Tortuguero
Transfer by road into the caribbean lowlands and continue through the jungle by boat to Mawamba lodge. Nestled in lush rainforest on a sandbar overlooking the caribbean, the lodge is an ideal base from which to explore the Tortuguero National Park. The park is an area of significant biological diversity, which includes toucans, macaws, monkeys, crocodiles, colourful frogs and the green turtles, which lay their eggs on the beaches between July and September (approx. 110 miles). B,L,D.
Day 3 Sun Tortuguero
Learn more about the local flora and fauna from your guide as you spend the day exploring the national park by boat and on foot. B,L,D.
Day 4 Mon Tortuguero/Sarapiqui
Continue west to your next hotel located close to the Sarapiqui River in an area of verdant tropical wet forest. Afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the wonderful surroundings (approx. 100 miles). B,L.
Day 5 Tue Sarapiqui
A leisurely day including a gentle walk through the forest, where there is the opportunity to bathe beneath the nearby waterfalls. B.
Day 6 Wed Sarapiqui/La fortuna
Join the 'chocolate trail' in Trimbina rainforest Reserve, learning how cacao is grown, processed, its history as well as the chance to sample the final product. In the afternoon continue to the town of La Foruna set beneath Arenal Volcano. The almost perfect conical peak is an impressive sight and you can often watch as it spews ash and steam, while at night you may be able to see the glowing lava as it rolls down the slopes. Two nights are spent at the Arenal Paraiso hotel located just out of town, offering spaectacular views of the volcano from its spacious grounds.
Day 7 Thu La Fortuna
Discover a little more about the local culture: learning about agriculture at a typical farm house, visiting a local school and taking a ride on a tractor drawn trailer.
Day 8 Fri La Fortuna/Monteverde
A morning walk in the National Park taking you across an old lava field to an area of forest where toucans and other wildlife can often be seen. In the afternoon depart along the northern shore of Lake Arnenal, climbing by road to the small town of Monteverde, located amid pristine cloud forest. It is noticeably cooler here and the flora and fauna are distinctly different from the tropical forests experienced so far. Two nights at the Cloud Forest Lodge, where comfortable bungalows are scattered around the attractive grounds, where hummingbirds can often be seen (approx. 75 miles). B.
Day 9 Sat Monteverde
A morning walk in the Santa Elena cloud forest reserve, the abundant vegetation here is home to a variety of wildlife including the highly elusive jaguar and the resplendent quetzal, although sightings are rare amid the dense vegetation. In the afternoon, visit the Don carlos coffe plantation. B.
Day 10 Sun Monteverde/San Jose
Return to San Jose and overnight (approx. 80 miles). Alternatively, contuniue to Manuel Antonio or Tamarindo for time relaxing at the beach. B.
Day 11 Mon San Jose/Madrid/London
Overnight flight via Madrid to Heathrow with Iberia. B.
Beach Extensions
Highlights of Costa Rica 9 nights
Tamarindo or Manuel Antonio 5 nights
Day 10 Sun Monteverde/Tamarindo or Manuel Antonio
Instead of returning to San Jose, continue by road to the beaches of either Tamarindo (109 miles) or Manuel Antonio (101 miles) for four nights before your final night in San Jose. Tamarindo is a small village on the Nicoya Peninsula, popular with surfers and famous for the giant leatherback turtles that come to lay their eggs here. Our hotel, the first class Suizo is set directly on the beach in a paecful location about fifteen minutes walk from the lively centre. Alternatively, Manuel Antonio offers a glorious setting with tropical beaches backed by dense forest, prolific wildlife an a well maintained network of walking trails. The first class El Parador hotel is set on a hill overlooking the pacific close to the Natinal Park. NB: Return to San Jose is by land, flights available at a supplement.
Corcovado Extension
Highlights of Costa Rica 10 nights
Corcovado 3 nights
San Jose 1 night
Day 11 Mon to Day 14 Thu
Fly south to the remote Peninsula de Osa on the Pacific coast for four nights at La Paloma lodge, set atop a high bluff surrounded by tropical rainforest overlooking the pacific. The nearby Corcovado National Park protects a large area of coastal rainforest and its remote location result in an incredibly diverse range of flora and fauna. Take a guided hike through the jungle, observing parrots, pelicans, monkeys and many other animals. Also visit the biological reserve of Cano Island, whrere you can relax on the beach and snorkel in the warm, clear Pacific waters which are a haven for marine life, including manta rays, sea turtles, dolphins, barracudas, reef sharks and for much of the year humpback and pilot whales. B,L,D.
Day 15 Fri Corcovado/San Jose
Return flight to San Jose and overnight.
Day 16 Sat San Jose/Madrid/london
Over night flight via Madrid to Heathrow with Iberia.
Nicaragua Extension - Granada
Highlights of Costa Rica: 10 nights
Nicaragua: 4 nights
Day 10
Transfer from Monteverde to Liberia and then to the border town of Penas Blancas. Despite a turbulent history Nicaragua has been growing rapidly in popularity. Historic Granada: This three night programme takes you to the historic colonial town of Granada. Staying in the superior medium Class La Gran Francia, a renovated colonial building. The itinerary includes a boat tour on Lake Nicaragua, a tour of Granada's old town and a visit to the impressive Masaya volcano.
Nicaragua Extension - Morgan's Rock
Highlights of Costa Rica: 10 nights
Nicaragua: 4 nights
Day 10
Transfer from Monteverde to Liberia and then to the border town of Penas Blancas. Despite a turbulent history Nicaragua has been growing rapidly in popularity. Morgan's Rock Hacienda & Ecolodge: This small first class resort enjoys an enviable position on a beautiful beach amid tropical rainforest. Part of a reforestation and conservation project there are a variety of nature tours you can take or you may prefer to relax and enjoy the small pool and excellent restaurant. Fifteen comfortable bungalows have been carefully constructed from local materials and are connected to the main building by a suspension bridge across a forest canyon. NB Prices are based on four nights with a final night in San Jose.
