IMPORTANT: There is a 25-pound weight limit on domestic flights in Costa Rica. Please remember to pack light. If you would like to leave some of your belongings behind, we will do our best to catch it up to you when you arrive at the next destination in your itinerary.

Day 1: Arrival in San Jose, Costa Rica (No meals.)
Arrive at San José Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaría International Airport. After passing through Immigration you will be met by a Costa Rica Expeditions representative who will give you a sticker that will facilitate you clearing customs. When you leave the building after clearing customs, look for a sign that says, “Costa Rica Expeditions” and has your name on it.  A Costa Rica Expeditions guide wearing an orange shirt is holding the sign.  He or she will take you to your hotel in San José. Overnight Hotel Presidente or similar.  Standard room (No meals) (TG)

Day 2: San Jose / Monteverde
After a welcome orientation breakfast, your local guide will accompany you on the 3 hour drive to Monteverde.  Arrive at Monteverde Lodge in time for lunch.  Afternoon visit the Ecological Sanctuary.  This small private reserve provides an introduction to the Monteverde Cloud Forest and it’s creatures.   Dinner and overnight at Monteverde Lodge & Gardens.(cool climate). (B,L,D) (NG)

Day 3: Monteverde Cloud Forest
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 visit the Butterfly Garden where butterflies and other insects are raised and displayed in shade cloth enclosures with tropical gardens. Overnight  Monteverde Lodge & Gardens. (B,L,D) (NG).

Day 4: Monteverde / Arenal
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 Arenal Manoa Hotel.(B,L,D) (NG)

Day 5: Arenal
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 visit the Hidalgo Family Hot Springs, for dinner, a typical Costa Rican dinner will be served in the tradition of local hospitality.   Overnight at Arenal Manoa. (B,L,D) (NG)

Day 6: 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 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.  Coffee was followed by bananas; both remain two of the most important crops in Costa Rica today.   Upon arrival you will be transported to Tortuga Lodge.  Rest of the afternoon free.  Dinner and overnight at Tortuga Lodge & Gardens.. (B,L,D) (NG)

Day 7: Tortuguero
After breakfast, leave the lodge by boat with your Tortuguero guide on your to explore the creeks of Tortuguero National Park. The morning hours are especially active in the rain forest, when the wildlife is hungry and in search of their energy source for the day. It’s not uncommon to find troops of Howler monkeys in search of tender young figs or the leaves of the Monkey Plum tree you might also encounter a River Otter hunting. The Northern Jacana is often perched on an island of Water Hyacinth looking for insects and miniature shrimp and the caiman is quietly waiting for its next meal to swim by.

This tour is a three hour trip into the back water lagoons and creeks of Tortuguero National Park. Your boat is equipped with an ice chest with water and if you’d like to have additional beverages in the boat you can ask your guide to stock the ice chest with your favorite drinks (at additional cost).

Be sure to bring your binoculars (we highly recommend water proof 8 x 32) and your bird book. Two of the most important things to bring to Costa Rica are a pair of BINOCULARS and a field guide (we recommend Birds of Costa Rica). They are a must for getting a closer look at wildlife and are not available for rent in Costa Rica.

On your way back to the lodge, visit to the Caribbean Conservation Corporation (CCC) Museum to learn about the Atlantic Green sea turtle. 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 when in season). Overnight at Tortuga Lodge (B,L,D) (NG)

Day 8: Tortuguero / San Jose
Morning departure from Tortuga Lodge for a 30-minute flight to San José. Upon arrival transfer 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 at Hotel Presidente. (B,L,D)(NG)

Day 9: Depart San Jose
Transfer to the international airport approximately two hours before your flight’s scheduled departure time. (No meals) (TG)

IMPORTANT: There is a 25-pound weight limit on domestic flights in Costa Rica. Please remember to pack light. If you would like to leave some of your belongings behind, we will do our best to catch it up to you when you arrive at the next destination in your itinerary.

IMPORTANT: There is a 25-pound weight limit on domestic flights in Costa Rica. Please remember to pack light. If you would like to leave some of your belongings behind, we will do our best to catch it up to you when you arrive at the next destination in your itinerary.