Costa Rica Fam Trip 22nd May 2009 - Overland Trip

Itineraries

Arrive in San Jose and transfer to your hotel

Travel by bus and boat into the Tortuguero National Park. This vast park is one of the jewels in Costa Rica’s crown and features miles of jungle-fringed canals and lagoons that are home to howler monkeys, brightly coloured parrots and a wide variety of other wildlife. This is also where green and leatherback turtles come to lay their eggs once a year (June-September). We spend two nights in a lodge in the rainforest. (BLD)

We spend a full day exploring the National Park by boat. (BLD)

We leave the rainforest behind and head for La Quinta de Sarapiqui Inn, a country inn run by a Costa Rican family. Each room opens onto a shaded porch with chairs where you can enjoy the view of flowers and birds. There are hammocks on the wooden-deck in front of the small swimming pool and the sound of water from the nearby river makes it a relaxed setting. La Quinta, together with its guests and the Sarapiqui Conservation Association, is helping to buy trees and develop projects to preserve the forest here. (B)

After breakfast we drive through mountains and typical small villages to Fortuna, a small town nestled at the base of the Arenal Volcano. Arenal Volcano is highly active and its cone-shaped peak constantly emits explosions of sulphurous gases, streams of red-hot lava and loud rumbles. We have time to explore around the lower slopes of the volcano or to soak in one of the hot springs generated by the volcano. In the evening you will enjoy a perfect view of the volcano from the porch of your own room. (B)

Today we explore the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge which covers approximately 10,000 hectares. Cano Negro is remarkable for its large population of birds and endangered mammals, including jaguar, tapir, giant ant bear and ocelot. There are always plenty of monkeys around. Emerald basilisk, iguana, river turtle, crocodile and caiman are often seen. The Rio Frio, which cuts through the refuge, makes an ideal waterway for guided boat tours into Cano Negro. Return to the hotel in La Fortuna. (BL)

Drive to Manuel Antonio National Park, where we spend two nights. This park features some of Costa Rica’s finest beaches, with long stretches of beautiful white sand backed by lush jungle, from which iguanas and monkeys often emerge. (B)

A full day to relax on the beach or follow hiking trails through the tropical forest. (B)

After a relaxing morning we travel back to San Jose. (B)

Transfer out. Tour ends. (B)