2010: Costa Rica Natural Paradise
Call 800-748-4777 for more information or to book today! Mention code 8669734
- Tour Operator
- Caravan Tours
- Offer
- Offer valid through 12/24/2010
- Duration
- 10 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - Yes
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | San Jose | San Jose, Costa Rica : Welcome to the "rich coast," friendly land of democracy and rare natural beauty. With naturalist guides, see exotic birds and wildlife, hike in jungle rainforests, view volcanoes, soak in hot springs and cruise through biological reserves. Relax on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Caravan provides transfers from the San Jose airport to your hotel for a two night stay. Rooms are available for check in after 3:00 p.m. Dine at your hotel, then join Caravan for an 6:00 p.m. welcome briefing. D |
| Day 2 | San Jose | Poas Volcano, Cloud Forest : This morning enjoy a drive through Costa Rica's famous coffee growing region. Next, weather permitting, visit Poas Volcano. You can safely view inside the dramatic crater from an overlook. Next, hike the Escalonia Cloud Forest Trail, home to epiphytes, orchids, ferns and tropical hummingbirds. Cloud forests are like rainforests, but with less rain and more humidity. Lunch. Visit the National Museum. See ancient mysterious stone spheres. Then, see San Jose's Plaza de la Cultura, Central Park and the National Theatre. Visit the Gold Museum. Enjoy dinner. BLD |
| Day 3 | Tortuguero Park | Butterfly Garden, Tortuguero Park : Scenic morning drive through Braulio Carrillo Park. Look for cascading waterfalls. Visit a butterfly garden. See a banana plantation. Then, cruise through rivers and canals to the 47,000 acre Tortuguero National Park. Tortuguero is home to more than 300 species of birds. Look for toucans, parrots, kingfishers and the rare green macaw. Enjoy lunch. Next, an afternoon boat excursion into Tortuguero Park. Look for otters, turtles and manatees. Listen to the joyful sounds of the jungle. Enjoy a two night stay at your lodge. Dinner. BLD |
| Day 4 | Tortuguero Park | Tortuguero Park, Canal Cruise : Cruise this morning with naturalist guides along canals lined by raffia palm, habitat of howler and white-faced monkeys, green iguanas and tropical birds. Look for white and snowy egrets and the amazing nests of the montezuma oropendola. Then, enter the mysterious reflecting waters of Cano Palma wildlife reserve. Next, visit the Green Turtle Research Station. Learn about efforts to protect the turtle's nesting habitat, eggs and young hatchlings. Walk along the Atlantic turtle nesting beaches with a naturalist guide. Next, to Tortuguero village. Meet Costa Rican school children on your visit to a local school (when in session). Return to your lodge for lunch. Free time to enjoy the swimming pool and tropical flower gardens at your lodge. Dinner. BLD |
| Day 5 | Fortuna | Pineapple Tour, Fortuna : Morning cruise on Tortuguero River. Enjoy lunch. Visit a pineapple plantation. Sample Costa Rica's famous sweet organic pineapples. Next, through scenic countryside to the San Carlos Valley for a two night stay in Fortuna. Dinner. BLD |
| Day 6 | Fortuna | Cano Negro, Hot Springs, Arenal : Head north this morning, passing through sugar cane, teak and orange plantations. Then, cruise on the Rio Frio which runs through the world famous Cano Negro wildlife refuge, home to many migratory birds found nowhere else in Costa Rica. Look for whistling ducks, roseate spoonbills, cormorants, anhingas, blue heron, and northern jacanas. Watch for caimans, crocodiles, spider monkeys and web-footed, water-walking lizards. Lunch. Return to Fortuna. Free time to explore this charming village. Then, enjoy a relaxing soak in the volcanic hot springs. Weather permitting, see nearby Arenal Volcano's softly glowing lava flow. Enjoy dinner. BLD |
| Day 7 | Guanacaste | Hanging Bridges, Guanacaste : This morning enjoy an unforgettable adventure in the heart of the rainforest at the Hanging Bridges, rated one of Costa Rica's top tourist attractions. Hike on six suspension bridges, through lush tropical rainforest canopy. Enjoy views of a waterfall and look for tropical birds. Later, a scenic drive around Lake Arenal. Enjoy lunch. Then, tour a coffee cooperative where thousands of small family farmers process their coffee. Enjoy fresh Costa Rican coffee. Next, enter the Guanacaste province. Drive through the only tropical dry forest in Costa Rica. Stop in Liberia. Then, to Costa Rica's beautiful Pacific Coast for a two night stay. Dinner is at your resort. BLD |
| Day 8 | Guanacaste | Pacific Coast, Guanacaste : This morning drive to the nearby Natural Trail of Hacienda Pinilla. This tropical bird and wildlife sanctuary is home to the playful howler monkey. Lunch. Enjoy a carefree leisurely afternoon. Time to beachcomb or swim the pristine beaches of your resort. Dinner. BLD |
| Day 9 | San Jose | Handicrafts, San Jose : Morning drive through the cattle ranches of Guanacaste. Stop at the Monteverde Cooperative. Sample delicious Monteverde Cheese. Continue en route to the Central Valley, time to shop for colorful handicrafts, including painted oxcarts. Enjoy lunch. Return to San Jose. Farewell dinner. BLD |
| Day 10 | San Jose | San Jose : Your tour ends after breakfast this morning at your hotel. Caravan provides transfers throughout the day to the San Jose airport. Thanks for vacationing with Caravan. Hasta la vista B |
- Dates/Pricing
- Lodging
San Jose : Barcelo Palacio, Aurola Hotel Tortuguero Park : Laguna Lodge, Pachira Lodge Fortuna : Lomas del Volcan, Arenal Springs, Arenal Manoa, Magic Mountain Guanacaste : J.W. Marriott Resort and Spa San Jose : Aurola Hotel
- Disclaimer
- * Prices are per-person, double occupancy
Airfare is not included or sold by Caravan.
Plus Taxes and Fees:
Double $189; Triple $187; Single $222How to Reserve Space
You can reserve space free for up to 3 days, then a $300 deposit per person is due. Full payment due 60 days prior to departure.In Latin America Caravan transfers you between the airport and hotel on the starting and ending dates of your tour.
All Meals Included
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner*indicates Super Value date.
**indicates Holiday Value date
