Costa Rica – A Tropical Paradise
January 23 - February 1, 2024 (10 Days)

Costa Rica is a special place, a clean and safe country of natural beauty and wildlife. Costa Rica is known for its incredible scenery and immense biodiversity. Roughly a quarter of its area is made up of protected jungle, brimming with exotic wildlife. Our Costa Rican naturalist/guide leads us from coast to coast through the many ecosystems. The animals are equally as impressive be it a jaguar (the largest cat in the New World), the ever-elusive Margay, or the wonderful birds like the green or scarlet macaws. The amphibians are also quite impressive.  The poison dart frogs, with their bright colors, are bound to catch your attention.

Included meals are denoted: Breakfast: B, Lunch: L, Dinner: D

Day 1

We fly to San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital city, meet our naturalist/guide, and transfer to Studio Hotel for two nights.

Day 2               B,L,D              

This morning we will tour Doka Estates Coffee Plantation. Enjoy a guided tour and tastings of this decades-old company built on volcanic slopes.  After coffee it's on to Poas Volcano. The Poás Volcano, is an active 2,697-metre stratovolcano in central Costa Rica and is located within Poas Volcano National Park. It has erupted 40 times since 1828.  For lunch we will stop at La Paz Waterfall Gardens and then enjoy a guided tour before celebrating with a "Welcome" dinner at Studio Hotel

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Day 3               B,L,D

We travel through the lush Braulio Carrillo National Park rainforest, en route to Tortuguero National Park (on the North Eastern Costa Rican coast) where we have lunch. Then we visit the nearby village of Tortuguero with our guide and learn about the thousands of sea turtles which nest on the beach every year. Located in an unspoiled jungle close to the Caribbean Sea, the Evergreen Lodge is home for the next two nights.

Day 4               B,L,D

Considered “The Amazon of Costa Rica,” Tortuguero National Park is a tropical wetland filled with exotic flora and fauna waiting to be discovered. We travel in specially-designed boats to explore the extensive network of waterways that wind through the wildlife-rich vegetation. Watch for monkeys, sloths, iguanas, crocodiles, frogs, flowers, turtles, and birds by the hundreds. In the afternoon, our guide leads a nature walk on some of the jungle trails.

Day 5               B,L,D

We enjoy an early breakfast, then take a boat ride and transfer to Guápiles. Guápiles is one of Costa Rica's most popular cities and it sits within the country's banana growing region. Here we have lunch at El Ceibo Restaurant and catch a land transfer from Guápiles to Arenal.  Dinner is served at the Arenal Kioro where we spend two nights at the Arenal Kioro Sutes & Spa

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Day 6               B,L,D

Our day starts with a tour of the Arenal Hanging Bridges. Our guide points out the interesting flora and fauna. Monkeys, sloths, colorful birds, and reptiles are abundant and likely to make an appearance for our cameras. We savor lunch at Fortuna Waterfall and have time for shopping in town! Our afternoon gives us plenty of time for relaxing at our beautiful resort hotel with on-site hot springs. Dinner this evening is at Rancho Perla Restaurant.

Day 7               B,L,D

After breakfast this morning, we leave the Arenal area and drive south to the Pacific Coast and board our boat for a crocodile and bird nature safari. We navigate through mangroves and sail up the Tarcoles River. The up-close views of basking and swimming crocodiles are fascinating and the variety of birdlife is remarkable. It truly is a bird watcher’s paradise! We continue to Manuel Antonio National Park where we lodge two nights at Hotel El Parador Resort and Spa. (Trip Advisor has given this property its 2017 Traveler’s Choice designation!)

Day 8               B,D

After breakfast, we will walk the trail in Manuel Antonio National Park, enjoying the alluring, pristine beaches. Those with a stronger sense of adventure may choose to hike some of the more challenging trails. We will have the option to go into the nearby town of Quepos for shopping, or return to the resort to enjoy the pool and other luxury facilities. Late afternoon finds us on a delightful sunset dinner cruise along the coastline. Watch for dolphins on this one!

DAY 9              B,L,D

After breakfast, walk the trails at El Parador before departing for San Jose. We stop for lunch at El Jardin, then go into the city for a tour of the National Theater. A farewell dinner this evening at our hotel is a fitting end to the day.

DAY 10            B

After a very early breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our departure from stunning, and unforgettable, Costa Rica.

PLEASE NOTE: This tour includes extensive trail-walking and hiking in the parks to observe the birds and animals and view the natural beauty. People of any age who are in normal good health can participate. People who cannot comfortably walk a slow mile, or climb steps, may choose to miss some of the activities.

Itinerary subject to change