CCOSTA RICA CONNOISSEUR Reversed - 10 Days

Itinerary

Featuring light charter flights into remote Tortuguero National Park with boat trips through the rain forest, a walk on a canopy walkway with views of the active Arenal volcano, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and Butterfly Garden and Café Britt's coffee tour.

Early morning, pick-up at San José hotel for 30 minute to 1-hour transfer to Pavas Airport for direct flight to Tortuguero (single engine Cessna 206 plane). Fly over Braulio Carrillo National Park and the Atlantic lowlands (35 minute flight). Upon arrival, have breakfast and a welcome orientation session. This morning you take a boat tour into the rainforest of the Tortuguero National Park. 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 forest in Central America. Eleven habitats are found in the park.

Three species of monkeys (Spider, Howler, and White-faced), Three-toed sloths, and River otters are frequently seen along the natural inland waterways and canals. Caiman, iguanas, River turtles, Basilisk lizards, and Poison dart (Dendrobates) frogs inhabit the area, along with more than 320 species of birds including all 6 species of kingfishers found in the new world, 3 species of toucans, 8 species of parrots, and other neotropical species such as the Slaty-tailed trogon, White-collared manakin, Purple-throated fruitcrow, and White-fronted nunbird and many more species which we will have the opportunity to observe during this ride through the creeks of Tortuguero National Park. Return to the hotel for lunch. Afternoon, optional garden walk with your Guide. Dinner and overnight are at Tortuga Lodge. (BLD)

After breakfast at Tortuga Lodge, your guide will take you to the village of Tortuguero. Learn about the history of the village and it's efforts to get their basic needs met such as running water, medical and dental care, garbage collection and management. Visit the park headquarters, the general goods store and walk the paths lined with colorful afro-Caribbean homes. Visit the Atlantic Green Sea Turtle Museum founded by the Caribbean Conservation Corporation. The late Dr. Archie Carr began to study and tag the thousands of Atlantic green sea turtles that every year from June through October come to Tortuguero Beach to lay their eggs.

The study has continued without fail ever since, under the auspices of the Caribbean Conservation Corporation (CCC). It is the longest running continuous study of its kind in the world, and it has had a profound effect on the community of Tortuguero. Lunch today will be at "Miss Juney's", one of Tortuguero's oldest and most well loved residents, Miss Juney is famous for her down home Caribbean cookin'. The menu will be typical dishes from the Caribbean coast, rice and beans in coconut milk, black chicken, sweet plantains, fried bread fruit and to drink "fresco" (fruit juice) made with Tamarindo, Cas, or Maracuya. Afternoon you return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight is at Tortuga Lodge. (B,L,D)

After breakfast, you depart by boat to continue your exploration of the canals of Tortuguero National Park. This time you will visit Caño Harold (Harold's Canal) where Bare-throated Tiger herons, Snowy egrets, Boat Billed herons and other species are known to nest. Return to your hotel in Mid-day. Afternoon is at leisure. Dinner and overnight at Tortuga Lodge (B,L,D)

After an early breakfast at the hotel, depart on a 1 ½-hour boat transfer to the Caño Blanco area. Upon arrival, depart with your guide on a 5-hour drive to Arenal. The first part of the drive, will take you through banana plantations. Until the 19th 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. 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. Dinner is at a local restaurant. Overnight is at Volcano Lodge or similar. (B,L,D)

Arenal Volcano

After breakfast, depart with your Guide for a morning hike in then 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. This 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 is at Volcano Lodge or similar. (B,L,D)

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Monteverde (4-hour drive). Arrive in Monteverde in time for lunch. Monteverde is a peaceful community made up of dairy farmers, naturalists and tourism service providers who have joined together to create a model for sustainable development and protection of the environment that is well known throughout the world. Founded in 1954 by a group of Quakers searching for a peaceful place to live, it is the home of Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, the Children's Eternal Rain Forest, and the Santa Elena Reserve. In the afternoon take an optional walk in the Monteverde Lodge Gardens with your guide. Dinner and overnight are at Hotel Monteverde Lodge & Gardens. (B,L,D)

After breakfast, 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 visit the Butterfly Garden where butterflies and other insects are raised and displayed in shade cloth enclosures with tropical gardens. Overnight 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