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Home > Destinations > Highlights of Costa Rica (2012)
Despite its somewhat diminutive size, few countries anywhere in the world can come close to Costa Rica’s staggeringly rich biodiversity. With some 25% of its total area being devoted to an incredible collection of protective refuges, national parks and biological reserves, its rainforests and mangrove swamps, turtle nesting grounds and active volcanoes make it a natural paradise of breathtaking scope and diversity.
Fly to San José with Continental Airlines via US. You will be met by a guide and transferred to the Corteza Amarilla Art Lodge & Spa for your overnight stay.
Set out for Cano Blanco Dock, followed by a 2-hour boat ride to Tortuguero National Park – 312sq km of astounding natural landscape. The park is a natural system of canals and lagoons and is the most important natural hatchery in the western Caribbean for green turtles, whilst its rivers and forests are home to rare manatees, caimans, sloths and Jaguars. After lunch, visit Tortuguero Village and the Turtle Museum. Overnight at Pachira Lodge for 2 nights. (B/L/D)
Enjoy the backwater canals of Tortuguero in greater depth on a guided boat tour to explore the jungle waterways. Afternoon at leisure to explore the fascinating flora and fauna of this area, rich in wildlife including monkeys, iguanas and colourful tropical birds. (B/L/D)
Continue your journey to Sarapiqui. You will have the afternoon free for wildlife viewing and other rainforest adventures such as white-water rafting, canopy ziplining and hiking. Overnight at Selva Verde Lodge. (B/L)
Enjoy a birdwatching tour in the morning where you will be able to see various species of birds such as the keel-billed toucan, great green macaw, wood thrush, grey-necked wood rails, sun bitterns and violet crowned woodnymphs to name a few. Transfer to Arenal, where the afternoon is free to explore the area home to the most active volcano in Costa Rica, which regularly puts on a stunning show of glowing lava flows, ash columns and sudden explosions and rises 5,436ft above sea level – a must see on any visitors itinerary. Stay 2 nights at Arenal Springs Resort. (B)
Enjoy a walking tour of the Arenal Hanging Bridges in the morning. Set in 250 hectares of primary forest, there are 15 bridges from 5-100m long covering a 3km circuit from which to enjoy the forest. Visit the Arenal Volcano National Park and experience the relaxing Ecotermales Hot Springs. (B/D)
Transfer to the Manuel Antonio area on the Pacific Coast for a 2-night stay at La Foresta Nature Resort. The area is home to the Titi (squirrel) monkeys found only in this lush tropical part of the world. You will have the opportunity to observe 50 species of mammals and 15 species of reptiles and butterflies in the resort’s own trails. (B)
Morning tour to Manuel Antonio National Park, a stunning combination of sandy white beaches and lush tropical forest. Admire the lagoons and mangrove swamps habitat to 184 species of birds and 109 species of mammals, including sloth, iguana and squirrel monkey. You will spend the afternoon on a mangrove tour through the Damas Island. (B/L)
Return to San José – the capital and the largest city of Costa Rica. You can spend the rest of the day at leisure, further exploring the city. Overnight at Corteza Amarilla Hotel. (B)
Transfer to San José airport for your return flight home via US with Continental Airlines. (B) Alternatively you may wish to extend your stay at one of the stunning Pacific beach resorts – please call for details.
Arrive in London this morning.
