Costa Rica with Luxury & Style (9 Days): Sample Itinerary Outline
ID #: DT-CR-9-3-9-10-BESI
Day
1: Depart for San José, COSTA RICA
Arrive in San José and transfer to your hotel. ►Suggested hotel:
Marriott Hotel
Day 2: San José / Monteverde, COSTA RICA
Stop at Nectandra Botanical Garden for lunch en route to Monteverde
and its nearby Cloud Forest. Founded by a group of Quakers in 1954,
Monteverde is a peaceful community of dairy farmers, naturalists and
tourism service providers who joined together to create a model for
sustainable development and environmental protection. Tonight, meet
for a private wine and cheese reception and presentation showcasing
Monteverde's history, flora and fauna, preparing you for your cloud
forest visit tomorrow. ►Suggested hotel: Monteverde Lodge
Day 3: Monteverde, COSTA RICA
Visit the enchanting Butterfly Garden, located in the scenic Tilarán
Mountains, where you have the chance to closely observe these
wonderful creatures. This afternoon, explore the unique and
spectacular Cloud Forest Reserve, containing six ecologically
diverse habitats. As many as 400 species of birds, 490 butterfly
species, 100 species of mammals and a staggering 1,500 species of
plants are at home here. Later, meet with one of the original Quaker
settlers of the area, Marvin Rockwell. ►Suggested hotel: Monteverde Lodge
Day 4: Monteverde / Fortuna (Arenal), COSTA RICA
Travel along scenic gravel roads to Rio Chiquito; then cruise across
Lake Arenal on the way to Fortuna. Settle in to your hotel, set on
100 acres overlooking the Arenal Volcano and Arenal River Gorge. You
have time to relax before your visit to the Hidalgo family's hot
springs for a traditional dinner and a swim. Giant strangler fig and
kapok trees provide shade as you enjoy a natural massage from the
small cascade of hot spring water. ►Suggested hotel: Arenal Nayara Hotel
Day 5: Fortuna / Peñas Blancas / Fortuna, COSTA RICA
Explore the Arenal region on an excursion with a bird's eye view
from a vantage point of 15 hanging bridges poised above the trees.
Observe the natural beauty of flowers, lush vegetation and birds as
you walk along the beautiful trails that were designed to blend in
with the natural environment. Later, embark on an afternoon float
trip down the slow-moving Peñas Blancas River in search of howler
monkey, caiman, toucan, sloth and blue jean frog. ►Suggested hotel: Arenal Nayara Hotel
Day 6: Fortuna / Tortuguero, COSTA RICA
Fly to the Caribbean coast this afternoon. Slow moving tropical
rivers define the essence of Tortuguero, and you explore its narrow
canals by boat in search of wildlife often hidden by thick vines and
other flora that engulf your path. Originally intended to protect a
major nesting beach of the Atlantic green sea turtle, Tortuguero
National Park now protects over 50,000 acres, one of the last large
areas of tropical rainforest in Central America. ►Suggested hotel: Tortuga Lodge
Day 7: Tortuguero, COSTA RICA
Continue exploring the canals by boat and visit the Caribbean
Conservation Corporation (CCC) Museum to learn about the Atlantic
green sea turtle. You may wander the beach where thousands of sea
turtle nest from June through October. It is thought that these
gentle vegetarians return to nest on the beach where they were born.
Optional kayaks and canoes are available to access the most remote
areas of Tortuguero National Park at your leisure. ►Suggested hotel: Tortuga Lodge
Day 8: Tortuguero / San José, COSTA RICA
Return this morning to San José. On arrival, transfer to the Britt
Coffee Plantation for a tour. View the production process from the
seed to the roasting plant. This evening, gather with your fellow
travellers for a festive farewell dinner. ►Suggested hotel:
Marriott Hotel
Day 9: San José, COSTA RICA / Depart for Home
Board your homebound flight or continue to your next Latin American
destination.