COSTA RICA CONNOISSEUR REGULAR - 10 Days

Itinerary

Featuring Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and Butterfly Garden, a walk on a canopy walkway with views of the active Arenal Volcano, remote Tortuguero National Park with boat trips through the rain forest and Café Britt’s Coffee Tour

After a welcome orientation breakfast, pick-up by service guide for a 4–1/2 hour drive to Monteverde. The first 2–1/2 hours are on the Pan-American Highway and the last 2 hours are on a winding gravel road.  Arrive at Monteverde hotel in time for lunch.  Visit the ecological Farm in the afternoon.  This small private reserve provides the chance to see flora, birds and mammals.   Dinner and overnight are at Monteverde Lodge & Gardens.  (Cool climate). (B,L,D)

After breakfast at Monteverde Lodge, guided excursion in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Founded in 1972, the Reserve extends down both slopes of the Tilarán Mountains (elevation 2,300 to 5,600 ft.), encompassing six different ecological life zones and protecting more than 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds and 1,500 species of plants. From January to July, depending upon your luck and patience, you may observe in its natural habitat the resplendent quetzal (occasionally a dozen or more individuals at once). Other species include the Three-wattled bellbird, the Emerald toucanet, and White-faced and Howler monkeys.   Return to the hotel midday for lunch.  Afternoon you visit the Butterfly Garden where butterflies and other insects are raised and displayed in shade cloth enclosures with tropical gardens. Overnight is at Monteverde Lodge & Gardens.  (Cool climate). (B,L,D)

Mid-morning, drive with your guide approximately 4 hours from Monteverde to your hotel in the Arenal area, passing around the north end of Lake Arenal and near the Arenal Volcano, which has been active since 1968.  Stop on route for lunch.   Arrive at your hotel in time for an afternoon rest. In the evening, weather permitting, view the volcanic activity, which may include explosions and lava flows. Overnight at Volcano Lodge.   (B,L,D)

After breakfast, depart with your Guide for a morning hike in the Arenal hanging bridges. This project sits within a 250-hectare (618 acre) reserve of fully recovered secondary rain forest.    A visit to Arenal Hanging Bridges consists of traversing 15 bridges from 5 to 100 meters long that cross the rain forest and a 3 km circuit of interpretive trails built with paving blocks to prevent slipping.  The bridges are made of aluminum, galvanized steel and concrete, and ensure maximum security for visitors.   Afternoon you visit the Hidalgo Family Hot Springs.    Doña Mireya, your host, will prepare a typical Costa Rican dinner for you in the tradition of local hospitality.   Overnight at Volcano Lodge.   (B,L,D)

Arenal / Tortuguero

After an early morning breakfast, drive 5 hours to the Caño Blanco dock, where you will meet the boat for the 1-½ -hour ride to Tortuguero. The last part of the drive, will take you through banana plantations.  Until the 19^th century, Costa Rica was very poor with an economy based on subsistence agriculture.  Then the introduction of coffee provided a product suitable for export.  Bananas followed coffee; both remain two of the most important crops in Costa Rica today.   Upon arrival you will be transported to Tortuga Lodge.  The rest of your afternoon is at leisure.  Dinner and overnight is at Tortuga Lodge. (B,L,D)

Two full days to explore the Tortuguero area including two boat excursions with local Tortuguero guide, and a visit to the Caribbean Conservation Corporation (CCC) Museum to learn about the Atlantic Green sea turtle. Originally intended to protect a major nesting beach of the Atlantic Green sea turtle, Tortuguero National Park now protects 51,870 acres, one of the last large areas of tropical rain forests in Central America. Additional boat trips are available at extra cost. There will also be time to wander on the deserted beach (swimming is discouraged for safety reasons) where thousands of green sea turtles come to nest from June through October (there are special night excursions available in this season). Overnight at Tortuga Lodge. (B,L,D)

This morning you depart Tortuga lodge for a 30-minute flight to San José.  Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to the Britt Coffee Plantation.    Discover coffee’s vital role in forging Costa Rican democracy and cultivating a national identity around hard-working, peace-loving, friendly and environmentally conscious “Ticos,” as Costa Ricans affectionately call themselves.  The Coffee Tour is packed with tips and tricks that will help make your next cup of coffee, your best. Learn how to properly store coffee and brew a perfect cappuccino. Observe how experts distinguish good coffees from great ones – and why they ignore their mothers’ warnings about slurping.  After lunch, land transfer to your hotel in San José, rest of the day free. Farewell dinner tonight.  Overnight is at your San José area hotel. (B,L,D)

RATES -  Season A

RATES -  Season B

RATES -  Season C

Tax increases or new taxes charged for services that were not taxed at the time the booking was made; excess mileage carried out at the request of the passenger; sightseeing or meals not specified in the itinerary; personal insurance coverage (strongly recommended).

Note regarding arrival and departure transfers: Transfers are available by previous arrangement through Ace Global for participants not arriving or departing on the stated arrival/ departure dates of the tour. The cost, per person, per transfer is: 1 person=$50, 2 people=$25, 3 people=$20,  4 people=$15 and 5 or more=$12