#1 Costa Rica Ecotourism, Birdwatching, nature tours

Ecotourism
Costa Rica

See Costa Rica through the eyes of Costa Ricans

B=breakfast, L=lunch, PL= pic-nic lunch D=dinner

Day 1. Arrival / San Jose
Meet and greet at the airport by our representative who will be taking you to your hotel in San Jose.Overnight at Hotel Britannia.

Day 2. to Tortuguero (B, L, D)

Travel early today towards our Caribbean side. Passing the central highlands we will make a stop to enjoy breakfast. Then continue through banana plantations and then at the dock meet our boat. Now we are immersed in this amazonic environment of Tortuguero. The waterways bring us to exuberant forest on both sides of the boat and you wonder how the boatman doesn't get lost in this labyrinth of canals. We will arrive in Tortuguero for a late lunch. Your guide will take any opportunity offered by nature to see wildlife so, have your binoculars and camera handy. This afternoon explore the area and the town of Tortuguero . Spend these two nights in Pachira Lodge.

Day 3. In Tortuguero (B, L, D)

Full day exploring Tortuguero, in the morning go for a guided boat ride along the water canals. The boat goes slowly and your guide and boat man will allow you to see the most amazing creatures in this region: lizards, iguanas, bats, sloths, howler monkeys, kingfishers, anhingas, great egrets and many more. Also go for a guided hike in the trails of the park. Pachira Lodge.

Day 4. to Arenal Volcano area (B, L)

This early morning there will still be time for some birdwatching in the surroundings of the hotel. By mid-morning travel by boat out of Tortuguero. Then continue by van towards Arenal Volcano, shuttle transfer service. Lunch enroute. Beautiful landscapes along the way towards Arenal. The lodge here, Arenal Springs , offers interesting trails for birdwatching. Arenal Volcano offers loud rumblings and frequent explosions of lave and ash, making of this a sight not to be missed by anyone.

Day 5. to Monteverde (B)

Enjoy this morning at your leisure. Travel this afternoon crossing Lake Arenal towards Monteverde, shuttle transfer service. This is a beautiful ride for the nice landscapes you encounter. Monteverde brings you to a fresher environment with the lush cloud forest. The Monteverde Cloud forest reserve is one of the most diverse and rich tropical cloud forests in the new world. It is home of the resplendent quetzal and the rare bellbird. It is not only interesting for nature but also for the Quaker families who came to settle here in the mid-fifties. Lodging here at the Family Trapp Lodge.

Day 6. Monteverde Cloud forest (B)

Go this morning for a guided hike in the trails of Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve. Great chances of seeing many colorful highland birds. For the afternoon you might want to give a try to the famous sky Trek zipline tour: a series of platforms within the forest at different levels, to which you glide via a cable with special equipment. Family Trapp Lodge.

Day 7. San Jose (B)

Shuttle transfer to San Jose this morning allowing you a leisure afternoon to explore San Jose on your own.Overnight at Hotel Britannia.

Day 8. Departure

Transfer to international airport for flight back home, OR extend your stay.

This trip includes:
To/from airport transfers
Shuttle transfer services on an a/c motorcoach for the whole trip,
2 nts in San Jose ,
3days / 2 nts in package at Pachira Lodge,
Including lodging, meals and tours,
1 nt in Arenal,
2 nts in Monteverde, Monteverde cloudforest guided hike,
Taxes and fees for all included features.
Price is based on a minimum of 2 passengers