Tour Date: February 11th – 24th, 2023
From: $3360.00 CAD per person based on double occupancy
This tour not only explores rainforests, volcanoes, jungles, and the flora and fauna that flourish in Costa Rica – but also puts you in touch with ordinary people during visits to a farm, a primary school, and a research station. Thermal baths, hanging bridges, and everything you would expect to experience during a visit to this amazing country are included!
San Jose (2 nights), Sarapiqui (2), La Fortuna (3), Dominical (3), San Gerardo de Dota (2), San Jose (1)
Costa Rica Highlights:
- Learn about coffee harvest and production
- During your jungle lodge stay see monkeys, toucans, sloths, caimans and a plethora of other wildlife
- Travel by boat through water canals in the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge
- Walk under the tree-top canopy on hanging bridges
- Rejuvenate in natural hot springs
- Enjoy an entertaining cooking class learning how to cook 'Tico' style at a private lodge located in a cloud forest
- Climb on board a tractor-pulled trailer for a fun and informative visit to a pineapple farm
- Experience the rainforest, mountains and coast of this natural paradise
- Walk on active and dormant volcanoes
- Walk, Swim, climb and enjoy the freshness of the incredible Nauyaca Falls
- Visit La Selva Biological Research Station
- Be welcomed by a farmer and his family at a private farm and experience Tico hospitality
- Visit a Pre-Columbian Gold Museum underground
- Stay in Savegre, a verdant tropical cloud forest and bounded by gardens overflowing with colorful flowers
- Fully escorted by an experienced Canadian Tour Leader and an expert Costa Rican naturalist for a full two week
Tour price includes:
- 13 nights’ accommodation based on double occupancy
- Meals: all breakfasts, 4 lunches and 6 dinners
- All admissions and cultural visits listed in itinerary
- Air conditioned motor coach transportation
- Fully escorted by a Canadian Tour Leader and Costa Rican (naturalist) guide
Not included: Travel insurance, Costa Rican departure tax $31 USD, air fare.
In order to make each tour a special experience space is limited to 20 people. We encourage you to book early to avoid disappointment and for the best air fares.
Flights: Call us for flight and air fare information from your closest airport in Canada as we can often access flights not easily found on the Internet and offer alternatives.
Itinerary
Day
1
February 11th/San Jose: Hotel Presidente - 2 nights
Arrival and transfer to your hotel.
Day
2
February 12th/San Jose: Hotel Presidente
Following an orientation we begin with a walking tour of the historical centre of San Jose, including a visit to the National Theatre, Gold Museum and market. San Jose’s downtown is a bustle of activity and your hotel is centrally located within blocks of the main square.
Breakfast and Dinner Included
Day
3
February 13th/Sarapiqui: Sarapiquis Rainforest Lodge - 2 nights
Today we drive to Sarapiqui. Surrounded by lush green forests and banana plantations, it is known throughout Costa Rica for its amazing and rich biodiversity. Along the way we will stop to visit a local orphanage. The organization provides comprehensive care to minors at social risk (violence interfamilial, child labor, parental negligence, abandonment, among others), with the mission to provide them the means so that they can develop positively in society.
In the evening we have the opportunity to learn how to make traditional Costa Rican dishes from a local community member. You will learn about the history, botanical names and cultivation of each fresh ingredient. Enjoy trying all of your culinary creations at the end of the class.
Breakfast and Dinner Include
Day
4
February 14th/Sarapiqui: Sarapiquis Rainforest Lodge
La Selva Biological Station, developed in 1953, was a pioneer site for education, research, conservation, and eco-tourism and is one of the world’s most important centers for tropical ecosystem research. On a hike here, a specialist points out species only seen in this area that are in danger of extinction and explains the steps that are being taken to protect them.
Breakfast and Lunch Included
Day
5
February 15th/La Fortuna: Arenal Paraiso Resort & Spa Hotel- 3 nights
This morning we climb on board a tractor-pulled trailer and head out to the vast fields of the Corsicana Pineapple Farm for a fun-filled morning learning everything there is to know about growing pineapples organically. This is followed by a visit to the factory where they are processed and a chance to taste sample “fresh” pineapples. Many have commented that they are the “best” pineapples they have ever tasted!
We continue to La Fortuna located in the Arenal Volcano National Park which protects the Arenal Volcano – an active and perfectly cone-shaped volcano that has constant moderate explosions accompanied by a roar, gas and ash emissions that billow high above the crater. Your resort offers a fantastic view of it.
This evening before dinner relax in the soothing waters of the natural hot springs at Ecotermales. Unlike some of the other crowded hot springs in the area, these lesser known pools are made of river rock which provides a “natural” feeling to the experience as you move from pool to pool, feeling the difference in the water temperature. Once you are completely “chilled out” and changed back into street clothes, enjoy dinner at the restaurant located onsite.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
Day
6
February 16th/La Fortuna: Arenal Paraiso Resort & Spa Hotel
Today we travel by boat through the various water canals in the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge set near the Nicaraguan border. This area is often submerged in water by flooded rivers and is home to hundreds of different species of birds, as well as mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
Breakfast and Lunch Included
Day
7
February 17th/La Fortuna: Arenal Paraiso Resort & Spa Hotel
This morning we view the forest from a different view as we walk on a series of hanging bridges hung just below the forest canopy. By doing so we are able to see the flora and fauna without disturbing it as we traverse the trails formed by these bridges.
Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore. With a diverse landscape that features erupting volcanoes, rainforests full of life, and cascading waterfalls, it’s a land perfect for active explorers.
Breakfast Included
Day
8
February 18th/Dominical: Villas Rio Mar - 3 nights
Say good-bye to the volcano region as we travel to the Pacific Coast. The drive takes us through the Tilaran Mountains and onto the Panamerican Highway to the small beach front village of Dominical. The town recalls the mythical ‘old Costa Rica’ – the days before the roads were paved, and when the coast was dotted with lazy little towns that drew a motley crew of surfers, backpackers and affable do-nothings alike.
With its stunning backdrop of lush green forests and palm trees, it’s truly a piece of paradise surrounded by plantations, estuaries, mangroves and marshes. Birder beware, you may not want to leave.
Breakfast and Dinner Included
Day
9
February 19th/Dominical: Villas Rio Mar
Enjoy your day sunbathing in the swimming pool or on the beautiful Playa Dominical Beach which is a 10 minute walk away.
Breakfast Included
Day
10
February 20th/Dominical: Villas Rio Mar
Tucked away in the dense jungle of Dominical are the waterfalls of El Pavon. The canyon is surrounded by gorgeous tropical rainforests and several waterfalls created from the Barucito River. After a short hike to the falls, enjoy time swimming in the natural pools while admiring this stunning environment.
Your afternoon is at leisure to explore the tropical jungle and spot exotic wildlife, canopy tours, horseback riding, deep sea fishing, sea kayaking, scuba diving and snorkeling.
Breakfast and Lunch Included
Day
11
February 21st/San Gerardo de Dota: Mirador/Paraiso de Quetzales Lodge - 2 nights
This morning our drive takes us into the highlands of the San Jose Central Valley, past carrot & potato plantations to a small community of San Gerado. It is part of the Los Santos Forest Reserve, a biological corridor for a great array of wildlife including the resplendent quetzal.
At an altitude of 7,000 feet above sea level (2200 meters) and surrounded by the unspoiled ecology of the area, our Lodge sits amidst dazzling flowers, showing amazing shades of colors and where centennial oak trees show their impressive roots.
After checking in at the hotel, you will have free time to explore the lodge’s trout ponds and nature trails before dinner.
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day
12
February 22nd/San Gerardo de Dota: Mirador/Paraiso de Quetzales Lodge
After breakfast we travel to the small town of Santa Maria de Dota to learn about the process of making of coffee. One of the community’s biggest claims to fame is the shade-grown Tarrazu coffee that thrives in the volcanic soil of the area. At the local cooperative, you will learn about the different projects of environmental sustainability and have a chance to enjoy a cup of coffee.
Since 1865, unique blends have been regarded world-wide as some of the finest.
Breakfast included
Day
13
February 23rd/San José: Hotel Presidente- 1 night
On our drive back to San Jose we stop for a short visit in the city of Cartago, Costa Rica’s first capital and one of the oldest communities. Ruins dating back to the 16th century can be found in the city’s central park. It is here that Cartago’s first basilica was destroyed several times due to the close proximity of the Irazú Volcano, just 24 miles away. Several rebuilding attempts ended in the same result and efforts to repair the basilica were eventually abandoned. Now, the area’s largest religious center is the Basilica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles, a massive grey and white Byzantine church that pilgrims from all over Central America visit.
This evening we enjoy a farewell dinner where we have a chance to reflect on what we have seen and learned during the past two weeks.
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day
14
February 24th/San José
Transfer to airport for your return flight home or perhaps you have decided to extend your vacation. We can arrange for a longer stay as well.
Breakfast included
