Adventures in Costa Rica
8 DAYS
San José 1 • Arenal Volcano area 2 • Monteverde Cloud Forest 2 • Manuel Antonio area 2
Basic Inclusions
Accommodations
Accommodations in centrally-located three-star or four-star hotels. Rooming on a triple basis. Double rooms: $50 per night, per person.
Meals
All breakfasts. All dinners.
Transportation
Round-trip transportation on scheduled airline. Checked luggage costs not included.
Guide
English-speaking tour escort throughout. Special arrangements as noted.
Travel Protection
Passports provides and pays for a Post Departure Travel Protection Plan that includes coverage for Trip Interruption, Trip Delay, Medical Expense and Evacuation and more.
Tour Summary
CHECKED BAGGAGE FEE
At the time of publication of this itinerary, a checked luggage fee applies to all flights to Costa Rica. This fee is not included in the tour price.
Itinerary Includes
English-speaking tour escort throughout
Day 1: Arrival San José
Arrival transfer
Day 2: San José - Arenal Volcano area
Orphanage community service
Day 3: Arenal Volcano area
Excursion to the Rainforest: Arenal Canopy Tour, Visit to a hot spring
Day 4: Arenal Volcano area - Monteverde Cloud Forest
Guided kayaking tour on Lake Arenal
Day 5: Monteverde Cloud Forest
Tree Seedling Reforestation Program
Sky Trek Zip Line: Round-trip transfers
Day 6: Monteverde Cloud Forest - Manuel Antonio area
Crocodile Viewing at the Tárcoles Bridge, Carara Biological Reserve
Day 7: Manuel Antonio area
Manuel Antonio National Park
Day 8: Manuel Antonio area - Home
UNPARALLELED STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
It's an easy airplane flight south (no jet lag) to the capital city of San José, Costa Rica. Spectacular rain forests and cloud forests, and the warm climate make this Latin American country a mecca for environmentalists and nature lovers.
Over a quarter of the hinterland and almost half the coastline is protected in Costa Rica, which is situated in one of the world's most bio-diverse regions. You will have the opportunity to experience eco-friendly tropical adventures during your trip.
Overnight: San José
Day 2: Orphanage, Travel to the Arenal Volcano area
Travel first to an orphanage located in the mountains east of San José.
Meet the children who live at the orfanato and share activities with them. Teach them a few words of English, and let them teach you some local idioms. All too soon, you'll have to say ¡Adios! to your new friends.
Travel to a region warmed by the geothermal heat of volcanoes such as Volcán Arenal that also features the country's largest lake.
Overnight: Arenal Volcano area
Day 3: Excursion to the Rainforest
Today's excursion takes you into the rainforest.
Rise to canopy level for an unforgettable look at the ecosystem and wildlife up in the treetops.
Relax in hot spring waters warmed by geothermal heat from the volcano.
Overnight: Arenal Volcano area
Day 4: Guided Kayaking Tour, Lake Arenal Crossing, Monteverde Cloud Forest
Enjoy kayaking on Lake Arenal. Learn about various indigenous bird species including cormorants, flycatchers, egrets, kingfishers, herons, and darters. Search the shoreline for Howler Monkeys frolicking in the canopy. Observe lakeside lava flow from the Arenal Volcano.
Change of pace today, from volcano to cloud forest, as you make your way to Monteverde, perhaps the richest and best-known biological reserve in the world.
The count is in: between 320 and 400 species of birds, between 2,000 and 2,500 species of plants, and 100 different mammals inhabit this place. (Almost certainly more, since new species are being constantly identified.) Hear the mysterious call of the three-wattled bellbird echo among giant oaks and palm trees.
Overnight: Monteverde Cloud Forest
Day 5: Tree Seedling Reforestation Program, Sky Trek Zip Line
Participate in the reforestation project of the Children's Eternal Rainforest (Bosque Eterno de Los Niños), which is overseen by the Monteverde Conservation League. By planting a small tropical tree seedling today, you will help preserve one of Costa Rica's, as well as our planet's, most precious resources, the forests.
Board an open-air gondola for a ride into the heights. Take in the view from the observation area before setting out on your thrilling ride back down, along a zip line track stretched between treetops and across canyons.
Overnight: Monteverde Cloud Forest
Day 6: Carara Biological Reserve, Manuel Antonio area
Follow the old Spanish route to the Pacific coast today, passing through mountainous valleys planted with coffee.
Stop at the "Crocodile Bridge" in Tárcoles, the best known attraction of the Carara National Park, to catch sight of crocodiles, some ten feet long, camouflaged among the water hyacinths and other aquatic plants.
You will visit the renowned Carara Biological Reserve and experience the climatic transition from the dry north to the humid coastline of the Pacific coast. Carara is home to an abundance of wildlife including macaws, parrots, monkeys and sloths.
Travel to the Manuel Antonio area, which is hailed as one of the most beautiful regions on Costa Rica's Pacific coast.
Overnight: Manuel Antonio area
Day 7: Manuel Antonio National Park
Enjoy a bit of beaches and biology today, as you visit one of Costa Rica's most popular protected areas, the Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio. Its white sand beaches and turquoise waters are the most beautiful in Central America; its rain forests luxuriant and inhabited by orange-and-purple crabs, three-toed sloths and squirrel monkeys. Follow the trail up to Cathedral Point where you can enjoy spectacular views.
Overnight: Manuel Antonio area
Day 8: San José, Departure
Board your coach for the ride to San José.
¡Hasta la vista! You'll remember the warm, balmy air, the hot sun and the natural wonders.
For now, enjoy the flight home, eager to share your discoveries with family and friends.
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Arenal Volcano Area
Excursion to the Rainforest
Visit to a hot spring
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Carara Biological Reserve
Manuel Antonio National Park
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