Available to Club Members Only.
Starting from the center of the country with its remarkable “eternal spring” temperatures, you will travel northeast through mountains with spectacular forest scenery. Descending, you continue on to the warm eastern lowlands passing banana and pineapple plantations to board a boat and travel by rivers and canals to Tortuguero National Park. This is Costa Rica’s “little Amazon” and is dominated by rainforests and has abundant wildlife. Then travel across the country to the Pacific and Manuel Antonio Beach and National Park.
Day 1: Arrival
Upon your arrival in San José, Costa Rica and after you clear customs & immigration, exit the airport terminal, take the right hand side exit door, where you will meet your guide who will present you with land portion vouchers and transfer you to your hotel in San Jose. 1 night Hilton Garden Inn Santa Ana or similar.
Days 2: Tortuguero National Park (B,L,D)
Start your journey to Tortuguero National Park in the northeastern lowlands. This is a shared transfer to the Pavona docks. With its abundant wildlife Tortuguero is one of the best areas in Costa Rica for viewing wild animals! You will have the chance to see everything from a variety of bird species; howling, white-faced, and spider monkeys; sloths; crocodiles; iguanas, basilisk lizards and more from the comfort of your boat. During July to September, green sea turtles come ashore at night to nest on the beach. Your will have a boat tour of the backwater canals of the National Park (entrance fees included). A village visit, and guided nature walk on the trails of the lodge. Hotel: Evergreen Lodge or similar (2 nts).
Days 3: Tortuguero National Park (B,L,D)
Shared boat tour of Tortuguero National Park. Also enjoy guided trails walks and a visit to the gardens of the lodge. The area is excellent for viewing birds, butterflies and primates.
Day 4: to Manuel Antonio Beach (B)
Return by boat to the docks where you will be met and transferred by van to Manuel Antonio Beach. Manuel Antonio consists of several beautiful beaches on the Pacific coast, a forest growing to the beach’s edge, easy walking trails and abundant wildlife. Hotel: Costa Verde or similar (3 nts)
Day 5: Manuel Antonio National Park visit (B,L)
Today hike with a naturalist guide through the park’s forest. Visitors frequently have up-close views of white-faced capuchin and squirrel monkeys, sluggish sloths, raccoons, agoutis, colorful black & scarlet land crabs, and black iguanas. Some birds possible to see in the park are Gray-necked Wood-Rail, Baird´s Trogon, Violaceous Trogon, Golden-naped Woodpecker, White Hawk, King Vulture, Roadside Hawk, Orange-collared Manakin, Chesnut-backed Antbird, Bicolored Antbird, Black-hooded Antshrike, Fiery-billed Aracari, Chesnut-mandibled Toucan.
Day 6: Damas Island (B,L)
Explore one of Costa Rica’s most unique environments from the comfort of a boat! As you glide through the Damas Island Mangrove Estuary, you might spot curious families of monkeys as they migrate across the mangrove ecosystem in search of food and adventure. You might also see tropical seabirds, turtles, a range of reptiles, and maybe even a caiman or two! You will wind through acres of pristine Costa Rican estuary as guides explain why the mangrove eco-structure so vital to Costa Rica and the world. Return to your hotel and afternoon at leisure to enjoy the beach.
Day 7: Departure (B)
Private transfer to the airport in San Jose.
