Essential Costa Rica

DETAILED PROGRAMME

Day 1: Arrival in San José

 With an altitude of 1000 meters, you are in the central valley. Private transport overnight at the hotel in San José.

Day 2: Transfer to Tortuguero (4h) 

We leave the San José valley to cross the central chain of  volcanoes. The road, then the track, leads us to the shore of the Suerte river. We embark on a large canoe to descend the tropical waters of the river to enter one of the wildest and biologically intense areas of the territory: Tortuguero. Here we will spend an afternoon visiting the village located on a strip of sand between the Caribbean Sea and the river. (Overnight in Tortuguero)

Day 3: Tours in Tortuguero National Park

We will cruise along the waterways. As its name indicates in Tortuguero (derived from the Spanish word “tortuga” means “turtle”) there are turtles, though not all year round. Tortuguero is the most important nesting site in the world for the green sea turtle. Night tours are organized by local guides so that you can respectfully observe the thousand-year-old egg-laying spectacle. Tortuguero National Park includes a maze of canals that facilitate the observation of nature. From small boats, you will observe troops of monkeys, sloths, iguanas, toucans, and many other animals. (Overnight in Tortuguero)

Day 4:· Transfer to La Fortuna (3h) 

We leave the coast going up the Suerte river to our land transport. After crossing Guapiles, head for the plains of San Carlos to reach La Fortuna. This is a small provincial town located at the foot of the Arenal Volcano. In addition to the ‘textbook image’ of the volcano, there are Thermal springs which flow one after the other along the naturally warm waters that flow from the colossus. Thermal bath in the afternoon. (Overnight in La Fortuna)

Day 5: Day in Arenal

The day takes place around the volcano since climbing it is dangerous and strictly prohibited. Volcan Arenal National Park offers a superb trek beside the volcano and Lake Arenal, between the forest and an old lava flow. La Fortuna waterfall is a spectacular waterfall in the middle of the jungle. Private nature reserves along the way combine observation of the volcano from several platforms and appreciation of the rich surrounding fauna and flora. (Overnight in La Fortuna)

Day 6: Transfer to Monteverde (3h) 

We leave behind the majesty of Arenal and depart for Monteverde. Our journey takes us  through one of the most bucolic roads in the country. Along the way we will include a stop and walk along Lake Arenal.

Day 7: Monteverde

Monteverde is a showcase of the biological wealth contained in Costa Rica. We will be visiting Selvatura Park where you’ll be whisked away into a magical universe. Here, the cloud forest concentrates a level of endemism rarely equaled in the world. The multiple suspension bridges that skirt the canopy offer you an experience somewhere between  dream and scientific investigation. This is an epiphyte plant paradise: air plants, the best known of which are orchids. For adventurers looking for adrenaline, we also offer zip lines in Selvatura Park. The second visit of the day will be spent at the Ecological Sanctuary. This former grazing area and a coffee plantation is an example of the eco-tourism transition in Costa Rica. Within two generations, the same family has gone from being farmers to nature conservationists. Expect to see plenty of wildlife In this privileged space. (Overnight in Monteverde)

Day 8: Transfer to Manuel Antonio (4h)

As we make our way to the Pacific coast, we transition from the cool cloud forest of the mountains to the hot coastal lowlands. On our way, enjoy a relaxing ¨cruise¨ on the Tárcoles River. This is an essential stop for birdwatchers as the Tárcoles has a favorable ecosystem that hosts numerous colonies of birds. Here you will discover the mangroves, the shore, and the river mouth. And, it is impossible to miss the crocodiles so abundant in this river. After this smooth navigation we will take to the road again, heading to Manuel Antonio. (overnight in Manuel Antonio)

Day 9: Visit of Manuel Antonio National Park

The Manuel Antonio area includes the town of Quepos, the public beaches of Manuel Antonio, and the National Park with its marvelous trails and protected beaches. The beaches are spacious enough for everyone to find space under the shade of  coconut and almond trees. Beyond the scenic beauty of the place, Manuel Antonio’s attraction comes from its abundant wildlife. The density and diversity of species in one square kilometer of the national park are among the highest in the world and justify a visit to one of the jewels of the Pacific coast. We will visit the national park during the day, have lunch in one of the restaurants in the area and go on a chocolate tour for dessert! And then, not to be missed, the Night Tour just outside of Quepos where we will be astonished at the variety of nocturnal fauna, including the famous red eyed tree frog of Costa Rica! (Overnight in Manuel Antonio or surroundings)

Day 10: The Osa Peninsula 

From Manuel Antonio we will head south along the coastal highway to the Osa Peninsula town of Sierpe(2h), but not before we stop in the central park of Palmar Sur to discover the pre-Columbian spheres of the Diquis culture. These spheres, symbols of the indigenous past of Costa Rica, are presented in the middle of a collection of tropical trees. The park itself  is the former botanical garden of the United Fruit company. ‘Banana Republic’ architecture is omnipresent with the church, homes and the old buildings of the company. Dive in many layers of history in this remote area of ​​the country. In Sierpe we will board a launch to Drake Bay (1h). Along the way we pass through the heart of the largest mangrove in the country, admire the mangroves from the boat, observe the fauna and finally pass through the mouth of the river into the Pacific Ocean. Get ready for a wet landing on Drake´s Beach. Dinner and overnight in Drake Bay.

Day 11: Corcovado National Park

An early morning departure for Corcovado National Park from Drake’s Beach will ensure a day full of adventure. Depending on the availability of the park, we will visit one of the two park stations: Sirena or San Pedrillo. Visits to Corcovado National Park are limited and can only be done with a certified tour guide. We will land on one of the beaches of the Osa peninsula. Go for a fauna and flora observation hike (30 min by boat for San Pedrillo and 1 hour for Sirena, 4-hour hike). Corcovado National Park is the home of the four species of monkeys, a large population of pumas and tapirs, and even a few jaguars. It is a privilege for any naturalist to one day be able visit this treasure. Return to Drake and rest in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at Drake.

Day 12: Trek to the Quetzals (4h)

We make our way back to Sierpe from Drake. Then, in less than four hours we will pass from the overwhelming heat of the mangroves to the fresh paramo of the Talamanca´s Cordillera Range at more than 9800 feet (3000 meters) above sea level. This is another of Costa Rica’s unique ecosystems. Composed of oak trees that colonized the slopes of these mountains since the Ice Age, we are here in the biome which concentrates the greatest number of endemic species, in particular the Resplendent Quetzal. This is the mythical bird with jade plumage that gave birth to many Maya legends. We will stop in the town of Siberia to taste the local dishes and visit a producer of Shiitake mushrooms. Then we leave for dinner and overnight in our hotel in the Cerro de la Muerte region.

Day 13: Los Quetzales

Our wake-up is at dawn for a departure with our guide to one of the quetzals feeding points. The quetzal, which is only observed in Costa Rica forests above 4000 feet, (1200 meters) of altitude, feeds very early in the morning on small avocados natural to this area. While the Quetzal is Guatemala’s national bird, it is much more common here in Costa Rica thanks to habitat protection and conservation efforts. With a little luck we will be able to observe the male and the female. An afternoon hike in the oak forest  will round out our time in this area. Dinner and overnight in our hotel in the Cerro de la Muerte region.

Day 14: Irazu Volcano (3h)

Irazu is the highest volcano in Costa Rica. We leave the Cordillera de Talamanca for the central volcanic chain towards this active volcano. We will visit Irazu Volcano National Park which contains three volcanic craters. This volcano is, from a meteorological point of view, the least capricious of the country. Indeed, it tends to be clear almost every day of the year. On our relaxing walk along the crater, depending on the year, we may be able to enjoy the superb jade-colored lagoon of the main crater. We then descend to the city of Cartago, visit the Basilica of Cartago, lunch in a local restaurant, and depart for our hotel near the airport. (1.5h)Day 15: Depending on the departure time of your international flight, this day may include a visit to Poas National Park which boasts the largest volcanic crater in Costa Rica, the La Paz Waterfall or a tour of the Dota Coffee Plantation.