Costa Rica vacation
| country: | Costa Rica |
| departures: | This trip can be tailormade at a time to suit you and can be adapted to suit your interests, budget and requirements as necessary |
| price: | From US $2999 (9 days) excluding flights, single supplement US $750. Price includes all meals. Group size is restricted to 16 individuals |
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the amazing things you'll be doing
Resplendent Quetzals, Howler monkeys, Toucans, and the unmistakable call of the Bellbird; the sights and sounds of this trip will not soon be forgotten.
Included is a white-water rafting adventure on the Sarapiqui, during two days in the lowland rainforest. Enjoy a dip in the thermal pools near the fiery-topped Arenal Volcano and enjoy cocktails as we watch fiery lava tumble down the slopes of the volcano. Travel on horseback from the Arenal area and through the rainforest.
A highlight is sure to be our time at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve with Debra Hamilton De Roser of the Costa Rican Conservation Foundation. Debra devotes her life to studying the bird species of this rare and mystical Cloud Forest habitat and will share with us her insights into the unique and various creatures found here, especially the Three-wattled bellbird. We end our adventure in exclusive accommodation overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the Nicoya Peninsula.
Included is a white-water rafting adventure on the Sarapiqui, during two days in the lowland rainforest. Enjoy a dip in the thermal pools near the fiery-topped Arenal Volcano and enjoy cocktails as we watch fiery lava tumble down the slopes of the volcano. Travel on horseback from the Arenal area and through the rainforest.
A highlight is sure to be our time at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve with Debra Hamilton De Roser of the Costa Rican Conservation Foundation. Debra devotes her life to studying the bird species of this rare and mystical Cloud Forest habitat and will share with us her insights into the unique and various creatures found here, especially the Three-wattled bellbird. We end our adventure in exclusive accommodation overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the Nicoya Peninsula.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrive San Jose. We will be met at the airport and transferred to our lodge on the banks of the Rio Sarapiqui. During the scenic drive we visit the spectacular La Paz Waterfall Gardens, and tonight we enjoy a candlelit welcome orientation dinner. |
| Day 2: | Selva Verde . Sounds of the forest abound - parrots, toucans, monkeys, macaws and more, as we head out for our first hike in the rainforest. After lunch we take an exhilarating whitewater rafting trip on the Class III and Class IV Rio Sarapiqui. Along the way all manner of wildlife can be spotted and we will make a stop for a quick swim. |
| Day 3: | Selva Verde to Arenal Volcano. Early morning bird walk berfore a scenic drive to the slopes of the still active Arenal volcano. The forested slopes of this National Park abound with wildlife, and we will have a chance for a walk this afternoon. This evening we plan to enjoy the spectacle of the volcano erupting as we eat under the stars at our restaurant. |
| Day 4: | Arenal Volcano. Choose between nature walks, relaxing in the thermal pools, canopy walks, or just relaxing in the lush tropical grounds of our lodge, enjoying the hummingbirds and other wildlife. Tonight we will visit the ecotermales hot springs, where you can relax in the soothing waters and be caressed by the cool night air while observing the stars and the incredible night sky above the volcano. |
| Day 5: | Arenal Volcano to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Today we venture higher up in these spectacular mountains, to the famed cloudforest reserve of Monteverde. To get there we will take a boat ride across Arenal Lake and then horseback ride through the forest, and up to our lodge for the next two nights. |
| Day 6: | Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Here we search for the famous Resplendent Quetzal and also hope to see Three-wattled Bellbirds, Howler Monkeys and dazzling hummingbirds that are found in abundance. We may also choose to visit the suspended bridges and walkways of the Canopy Tour, or zoom through the treetops on the Zip-line. Tonight we will hear about the work of the Fundacion Conservacionista Costaricense to protect this mystical and special area before we enjoy dinner at a colorful local restaurant. |
| Day 7: | Monteverde to Villa Caletas. We head down the mountains this morning, by bus, to enjoy some well deserved rest, sun and relaxation or "beach time", as we spend the next two nights in luxury. Perched atop a headland that spills down to the Pacific Ocean, this is the perfect place to watch the sunset over the Ocean. |
| Day 8: | Carara National Park. Today is left free to allow you to relax. We can also visit nearby parks or wildlife preserves, or go sport fishing from Los Suenos marina, or perhaps try surfing at nearby Jaco Beach. Farewell dinner tonight. |
| Day 9: | Departure. After breakfast drive back to the Juan Santamarķa International Airport. |
travellers' tales
One of the most beautiful countries we have visited with very friendly people. The provision of our own driver and tour director made sure all our needs were met and everything went smoothly.
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how this holiday makes a difference
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Join one of our tours and know that your presence is making a difference to the conservation and protection of biodiversity in Costa Rica. Knowledgeable and friendly local guides/drivers enrich our experience, as no expatriate (foreign) guides or drivers are used. For every person joining one of our eco-tours, a contribution is made to the Costa Rica Conservation Foundation, which is purchasing land to make wildlife corridors from the high-altitude Cloud Forest down to the coastal rainforests.
 Also, you get to meet one of the biologists from the Costa Rican Conservation Foundation, who can explain their work, and explain their efforts to create corridors for altitudinal migrants like the Resplendant Quetzal and the Three-wattled bellbird, two charismatic bird species that spend part of the year in the Cloud Forest and part of the year along the coast. You may even get to participate in one of the tree-planting events that the Costa Rican Conservation Foundation organizes as they work to turn farmland and pasture back into native forests-lands. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |