Colors of Costa Rica for 2012
Escorted 10 Day Tour
Offered From May 2012 to November 2012
Itinerary
Day 1 – San José, 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. Our transportation will be available during the day, in order to transfer you to your hotel, for a two night stay. Rooms are available for check in after 3:00 p.m. Dine at your hotel.
Day 2 – Poás Volcano, Coffee Plantation and Typical Town
During breakfast, join your tour guide for a welcome briefing. This morning enjoy a drive through Costa Rica’s famous coffee growing region. Next, weather permitting, visit Poás Volcano. You can safely view inside the dramatic crater from an overlook. Lunch. Then, continue en route to Sarchi, a typical town, time to shop for colorful handicrafts, including painted oxcarts. Dinner included.
Day 3 – Banana Plantation, Tortuguero Park
Scenic morning drive through Braulio Carrillo Park. Look for cascading waterfalls. 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. Afternoon visit to Tortuguero village. Enjoy a two night stay at your lodge. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 4 – Tortuguero Park, Boat Safari
Cruise this morning with naturalist guides along rivers 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 Caño Palma wildlife reserve. Return to your lodge for lunch. Free time to enjoy the swimming pool and tropical flower gardens at your lodge. Next, an afternoon boat excursion into the rivers of Tortuguero Park. Look for otters, turtles and manatees. Listen to the joyful sounds of the jungle. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 5 – 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.
Day 6 – Butterfly farm, Frog Pond, Nature Hike, Hot Springs, Arenal
During the morning, visit to a Maleku Indians Village replica, a Butterfly Garden, a Frog Pond and Nature Hike. Lunch. Return to the hotel. Then, enjoy a relaxing soak in the volcanic hot springs. Weather permitting; see nearby Arenal Volcano’s softly glowing lava flow. Enjoy dinner.
Day 7 – Hanging Bridges, Central Pacific Coast
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. Enjoy lunch. Next, enter the Puntarenas province. Drive through the only tropical dry forest in Costa Rica. Then, to Costa Rica’s beautiful Central Pacific Coast for a two night stay. Dinner is at your resort.
Day 8 – Central Pacific Coast, Carara
During the morning, spend the morning walking the forest trails in search of the native inhabitants of Carara National Park, including the colorful Ara Macao. Lunch. Enjoy a carefree leisurely afternoon. Time to beachcomb or swim the pristine beaches of your resort. Dinner.
Day 9 – San José and Farewell dinner
Enjoy breakfast and lunch at the resort. Afternoon return to San José. Farewell typical dinner at a view point, with typical dances.
Day 10 – San José
Your tour ends after breakfast this morning at your hotel. Our transportation will provide transfers throughout the day to the San José airport. Thanks for vacationing with us! ¡Pura Vida Costa Rica!