Costa Rica on a Dime!
If the eco-tourism paradise is in your future, here is a great value - from $995 (plus air). This tour takes you across the entire landscape of Costa Rica - coast to coast, and gives you memories to last a lifetime
Begins and Ends: San Jose, Costa Rica
Note: Itinerary applies to 2009 departures. The 2008 itinerary is available in our 2008 brochure.
Day 1 – San José, Costa Rica
Welcome to the “rich coast,” friendly land of democracy and rare
natural beauty. With naturalist guides, see exotic birds and wildlife,
hike in jungle rainforests, view volcanoes, soak in hot springs and
cruise through biological reserves. Relax on both the Atlantic and
Pacific coasts. Caravan provides transfers from the San José airport to
your hotel for a two night stay. Rooms are available for check in after
3:00 p.m. Dine at your hotel, then join Caravan for an 8:00 p.m.
welcome briefing. D
Day 2 – Poás Volcano, Cloud Forest Hike
After breakfast, see the statue of the drummer boy, Costa Rica’s hero.
Next, weather permitting, visit Poás Volcano. You can safely view this
dramatic mile-wide crater from an overlook. Next, hike the Escalonia
Cloud Forest Trail, home to epiphytes, orchids, ferns and tropical
hummingbirds. Cloud forests are like rainforests, but with less rain
and more humidity. Enjoy lunch. Then, see San José’s Plaza de la
Cultura, Central Park and the National Theatre. Visit the National
Museum (on Mondays, visit the Gold Museum instead). Enjoy dinner. BLD
Day 3 – Rainforest Aerial Tram
Scenic morning drive through Braulio Carrillo Park. Look for cascading
waterfalls. Then, a thrilling adventure into the heart of the
rainforest. Glide through the jungle canopy on the world famous
rainforest aerial tram, rated one of Costa Rica’s top tourist
attractions. Next, with a naturalist guide, enjoy a short rainforest
hike on level terrain. Enjoy lunch. Visit a butterfly garden. See a
banana plantation. Then, cruise through rivers and canals to the 47,000
acre Tortuguero National Park. Tortuguero is home to more than 300
species of birds. Look for toucans, parrots, kingfishers and the rare
green macaw. Enjoy a two night stay at your lodge. After dinner in
Tortuguero, a naturalist talks about the rainforest. BLD
Day 4 – Tortuguero Park, Canal Cruise
Cruise this morning with naturalist guides along canals lined by raffia
palm, habitat of howler and white-faced monkeys, green iguanas and
tropical birds. Look for white and snowy egrets and the amazing nests
of the montezuma oropendola. Then, enter the mysterious reflecting
waters of Caño Palma wildlife reserve. Next, visit the Green Turtle
Research Station. Learn about efforts to protect the turtle’s nesting
habitat, eggs and young hatchlings. Walk along the Atlantic turtle
nesting beaches with a naturalist guide. Next, to Tortuguero village.
Meet Costa Rican school children on your visit to a local school (when
in session). Return to your lodge for lunch. Free time to enjoy your
lodge’s swimming pool and tropical flower gardens. Enjoy an afternoon
boat excursion into Tortuguero Park. Look for otters, turtles and
manatees. Dinner. BLD
Day 5 – San Carlos Valley, Fortuna
Morning cruise on Tortuguero River. Enjoy lunch. Visit a pineapple
plantation. Next, through scenic countryside to the San Carlos Valley
for a two night stay in Fortuna. Dinner. BLD
Day 6 – Caño Negro, Hot Springs, Arenal
Head north this morning, passing through sugar cane, teak and orange
plantations. Then, cruise on the Rio Frio which runs through the world
famous Caño Negro wildlife refuge, home to many migratory birds found
nowhere else in Costa Rica. Look for whistling ducks, roseate
spoonbills, cormorants, anhingas, blue heron, and northern jacanas.
Watch for caimans, crocodiles, spider monkeys and web-footed,
water-walking lizards. Lunch. Return to Fortuna. Free time to explore
this charming village. Then, enjoy a relaxing soak in the volcanic hot
springs. Weather permitting, see nearby Arenal Volcano’s softly glowing
lava flow. Enjoy dinner. BLD
Day 7 – Hanging Bridges, Guanacaste
This morning enjoy an unforgettable adventure at the Hanging Bridges.
Here you can hike on six suspension bridges, through lush tropical
rainforest canopy. Enjoy views of a waterfall and look for tropical
birds. Later, a spectacular drive around Lake Arenal. Enjoy lunch.
Next, enter the Guanacaste province. Drive through the only tropical
dry forest in Costa Rica. Then, to Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast
for a two night stay. Dinner is at your resort. BLD
Day 8 – Central Pacific Coast, Manuel Antonio
This morning drive by the Carara Biological Reserve. This tropical bird
and wildlife sanctuary is one of the world’s few nesting places for the
scarlet macaw. Then, visit Manuel Antonio National Park, home to the
playful rare squirrel monkey. Time to beachcomb or swim at the pristine
beaches (on Mondays, visit Manuel Antonio’s beautiful public beaches
instead). Lunch. Return to your resort to enjoy leisure time. Dinner. BLD
Day 9 – Handicrafts, Coffee Plantation
Morning drive to the Central Valley. Time to shop for colorful
handicrafts, including painted oxcarts. Enjoy lunch. Then, visit a
coffee plantation. Pick a few beans when in season. Sample fresh Costa
Rican coffee and learn about the history of the coffee bean. Return to
San José. Farewell dinner. BLD
Day 10 – San José
Your tour ends after breakfast this morning at your hotel. Caravan
provides transfers throughout the day to the San José airport. Thanks
for vacationing with Caravan. ¡Hasta la vista! B
for more info contact scott@eztravelpad.com
