Wildlife abounds on this exceptional trip which provides plenty of opportunity to see Costa Rica’s diverse flora and fauna.
Discover nesting turtles, primates, Costa Rica’s prolific birdlife and much more – all amid a tapestry of forests, beaches, lagoons and waterfalls. Exploring by foot, boat and high above the trees on a canopy walkway, you’ll visit some of our favourite wildlife spots: the waterways of Tortuguero, the cloudforest of Monteverde, the idyllic white sand beaches and verdant forests of Manuel Antonio.
Suggested Itinerary
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Day 1:
Fly to San José
On arrival in San José, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel, situated to the north of the city.
Accommodation: Hotel Bougainvillea, 1-night
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Days 2-3
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Tortuguero National Park
Journey from San José, through the Braulio Carrillo National Park, to Siquirres and on through rainforests and large banana plantations to the embarking point at Caño Blanco. Here you board a boat to cruise the canals until you reach Tortuguero. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided visit to the small village and the Green Turtle Information Centre.
Your second day starts with a sunrise boat tour through the canals of the park to spot some of its 309 different species of birds, swamp forests and floating aquatic plants. Primates are especially abundant. You should also see the fishing bulldog bat, keel-billed toucans, anurans, seven species of turtles, West Indies manatees, crocodiles and gar.
Accommodation: Evergreen Lodge, 2-nights
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Days 4-6
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Volcan Arenal National Park
After breakfast, ride again through the canals on your way back to the disembarking point at Caño Blanco. Continue to Siquirres for lunch, then take a private transfer to La Fortuna, home of the stunning Arenal Volcano. During your stay in Arenal you will have a guided hiking tour along one of the best trails in the Arenal Volcano National Park as well as a whole day to spend as you wish to explore the area further on an optional excursion.
Accommodation: Arenal Observatory Lodge, 3-nights
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Day 7:
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
Cross Arenal Lake, the largest and the most important fresh water lake in Costa Rica, and continue by land through a non-paved road to Monteverde, one of Central America's finest reserves and home to over hundreds of species of mammal, bird and flora.
Accommodation: Ocotea Boutique Hotel, 2-nights
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Day 8:
Visit Santa Elena Reserve
Located high on the Caribbean slopes of the Cordillera de Tilarán at an altitude of 1,500 metres, Santa Elena was one of the first community-managed reserves in the country. Conservation efforts in the area concentrate on research, ecosystem management, and establishing forest corridors radiating down to lower altitudes. Soak up the quiet serenity of the cloud forest and search for magical forest fauna, especially bird life, with the colourful and aptly named resplendent quetzal thriving here. Huge biodiversity exists in this verdant wonderland, with reptiles, amphibians, insects and orchids represented aplenty, secreted away within the lush confines of thick vegetation, vines, moss and lichen. Over 100 mammal species are supported too, including puma, jaguar and ocelot, but they're secretive, elusive, and rarely seen.
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Days 9-11
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Manuel Antonio via Carara National Park
You are transferred from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica which is a journey of approximately four hours by road. To break up the transfer, you will stop at Carara National Park for a guided visit. Carara is famous for its population of scarlet macaws, but there is a wonderful array of other species to enjoy there including mantled howler monkey, white-nosed coati, Baird's trogon, boat-billed heron and two-toed sloth. Following your visit to Carara, you continue to Manuel Antonio.
On your first full day in Manuel Antonio, you will have a guided walk of the national park to enjoy its idyllic beaches and lush rainforest and hopefully observe some of the wildlife that resides here. Manuel Antonio is usually an excellent location for both two-toed and three-toed sloth, but it is also possible to encounter northern tamandua, white-faced capuchin and mantled howler monkeys. In addition to the mammals, there are some excellent birds that can be seen here such as fiery-billed aracari, golden-naped woodpecker, ocelated piculet, white-necked jacobin and violet sabrewing.
The following day, you are free to spend as you wish and can choose to do one of the optional excursions available from your accommodation.
Accommodation: Si Como No Resort, 3-nights
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Day 12:
Transfer to San José
This morning you depart the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica after breakfast as you are transferred back to San José for your final night in the country.
Accommodation: Hotel Bougainvillea, 1-night
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Day 13:
Depart San José
Transfer to San Jose airport for an overnight flight back to the UK.
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Day 14:
Arrive UK
