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Costa
Rica
Costa
Rica is the gateway to North and South America between
two great oceans, a land of cloud forests and volcanoes,
and perfect beaches sweeping into tropical jungle.
The biodiversity of the National Parks is unsurpassed
in Central America with thousands of species of birds
and mammals.
DISCOVERING COSTA RICAEcotourism
is highlighted on this Costa Rica natural wonders
itinerary, with fun and adventure on canopy rides,
river trips and rainforest hikes all in an extremely
educational context.
Tour
Highlights Inbio Park •
Manzanillo - Crazy Monkey Canopy Ride • La Selva
Biological Station • Hanging Bridges of the
Arenal/Arenal Volcano • Monteverde Cloud Forest
DAY
1 FLY TO COSTA RICA - ARRIVAL IN COSTA RICA
Fly from the UK with an early morning departure. Arrive
at the International Airport Juan Santamaría.
You will be met by your tour representative and taken
to your hotel. After your journey, you can relax and
enjoy the swimming pool facilities of your hotel.
DAY
2 INBIO PARK AND BRITT COFFEE TOUR
After breakfast at the hotel we will head for Inbio
Park, where we will get the chance to take trails
through groups of plants from three ecosystems: Tropical
Humid, Central Valley and Tropical Dry Forests. Also
visit the butterfly garden, the lagoon and aquarium
and see a presentation on Costa Rica’s wild
protected areas lights and sound. The visit is complemented
with exhibition halls including multimedia and audiovisuals,
where visitors learn about Costa Rica’s biodiversity,
as well as a series of important activities developed
in the field for its conservation, scientific research,
and sustainable use. The exhibits also show Costa
Rica’s efforts to conserve its biodiversity
through the establishment of protected areas, such
as national parks and biological reserves. INBioparque
also offers restaurant, gift shop, coffee shop, information
and documentation center, tourist information office,
wheelchair and stroller’s facilities and transportation.
This afternoon we will take a Coffee Plantation Tour.
This fun filled multi–media presentation, where
professional actors guide you through all the stages
of coffee production, observes the traditions and
history of coffee and the very special way they package
their ‘passion’.
DAY
3 SAN JOSÉ - CRAZY MONKEY CANOPY RIDE - MANZANILLO
We will transfer this morning to Manzanillo, to the
Almonds and Corals accommodation in the center of
the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. After checking
in to the hotel we will experience the jungle from
the top of the trees, on a Crazy Monkey Canopy Ride,
a system of ten platforms, with cables stretching
from platform to platform throughout the forest. We
will move from tree to tree and platform to platform
using steel cables with pulleys and a safety harness.
The tour will offer breathtaking views of every aspect
of the forest and its wildlife, while gliding through
the forest and experiencing the adventure of a lifetime,
ending on the golden sandy beach. You will see where
the jungle truly meets the ocean!
DAY
4 NATURA PARK - PUERTO VIEJO DE SARAPIQUÍ
Today after breakfast we will drive from the hotel
to Manzanillo town where your tour guide will walk
you through the Wildlife Refuge’s Trails, while
giving you an extensive lesson on medicinal plants,
their preparation and the amount required for different
diseases. The hike takes you on a picturesque loop,
first into the forest where you will see many different
types of animals, then up to the coastline to enjoy
breath-taking views of the ocean from high cliffs.
In
the afternoon we will drive through Siquirres and
Guápiles to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí,
and in the evening dinner will be at La Quinta de
Sarapiquí.
DAY
5 BIOLOGICAL STATION LA SELVA - BOAT TOUR ON THE SARAPIQUÍ
RIVER - PINEAPPLE PLANTATION – LA FORTUNA
In the morning we will discover and learn about the
biodiversity of the tropical rainforest at OTS La
Selva Biological Station. This afternoon we will get
ready to enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the Sarapiquí
River, just sit back and observe the wildlife that
is around you. The monkeys, iguanas, crocodiles, and
the variety of birds will allow you to relax and concentrate
on the scenery. During the boat ride our guide will
also explain to us about life style of the friendly
people that live at the river margins.
Later on in the evening we will visit a pineapple
plantation and learn about how the tropical pineapple
is harvested, produced and exported.
DAY
6 ARENAL HANGING BRIDGES - ARENAL VOLCANO & NATIONAL
PARK – TABACÓN HOT SPRINGS
Today we will visit the new attraction of the Hanging
Bridges of the Arenal consists of a crossing on 15
bridges with a length between 5 and 100 metres that
cross the tropical humid forest and a circuit of 3
Km of paths.
This afternoon you will be taken to Arenal Volcano,
which has been active since 1968. It constantly ejects
gasses, water fumaroles and explosions with pyroclastic
material emissions. It is one of the most active volcanoes
in the world, and its classic cone shape and constant
activity, filling the sky with ash and red hot lava,
will stun you from miles away. In the evening we continue
to Tabacón where you will enjoy the beauty
and soothing feeling of the hot springs, waterfalls,
12 mineral pools and indoor jacuzzi. Each pool varies
in temperature and depth, and some vary in mineral
count.
DAY
7 VENADO CAVES
In the morning we make a journey to the Venado Caves,
formed during the Miocene period 15 to 20 million
years ago. The Guatuzos aborigines discovered the
caves. Limestone rocks, stalactites, stalagmites and
corals, form most of the caves and the whimsical stone
formations were sculpted by an underground river.
During the walk through the cave system, we will find
marine fossils, and also bats, spiders and crickets.
We will also walk through the river and waterfalls
from the upper part of the cave during our exploration.
On our return from the caves, we depart for Monteverde.
DAY
8 LA FORTUNA - MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST & HUMMINGBIRD
GALLERY - FROG POND
Today we depart from Las Cabañitas and travel
around the Arenal Lake to Monteverde.
In the afternoon the group will visit the Monteverde
Cloud Forest, with thousands of species of plants,
insects, frogs, snakes and great bird watching. A
visit to a Cheese Factory, where every type of cheese
from Baby Swiss to Gouda, Provolone and Spreads are
made and to the Hummingbird Gallery is scheduled.
In the afternoon we will go to visit the frog pond
with over 20 species of amphibians such as the colorful
poison arrow frog, the large marine toad and the famous
red-eyed tree frog.
DAY
9 BUTTERFLY GARDEN – SNAKE EXHIBITION –
NIGHT WALK
Today we will visit The Butterfly Farm located in
the scenic Tilaran Mountains of Costa Rica has incredible
views of the cloud forest and the Gulf of Nicoya.
The focus of the project here is environmental education,
and thousands of butterfly enthusiasts each year visit
this Nature Center and four enclosed butterfly gardens.
This busy day will allow you to explore the beauty
of Monteverde and see many of the things it is famous
for.
This marvelous amphibian and reptile zoo is a perfect
place to learn about the fauna of Costa Rica. With
modern and spacious facilities, it creates a natural
environment for the animals and at the same time offers
high comfort and security to the visitors. Here you
can appreciate more than 40 species of snakes, poisonous
snakes, reptiles, lizards, spiders, iguanas, amphibians,
and land-turtles. Please, if you take pictures do
not use a flashlight, because some amphibians like
the small poisonous frogs may become blind and die.
DAYS
10/11 MONTEVERDE - SAN JOSÉ – FLIGHT
DEPARTURE
Today we will be transferred to San Jose by coach
to the International airport. On arrival we shall
catch an overnight flight back to the UK.
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