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Tropical Costa Rica Rain Forest Tour
9 days/8 nights
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In the foothills and lowlands of both slopes, Costa
Rica's rainforests harbor thousands of known life forms and thousands
more yet to be described. They are among the last strongholds of
biodiversity on earth. Resonating with the songs of birds, at dawn. the
rainforest is quiet in the heart of the day, its stillness punctuated by
the insect-like call of poison dart frogs, the rasping of cicadas or the
whistled notes of wrens and antbirds.
The dark, cool interior of primary rainforest is surprisingly free of
entangling vegetation. Only where light manages to filter through the
interlocking canopy to the forest floor does vegetation proliferate.
Walking in the rainforest is like taking a step back time. The modern
world and all its stress fade into insignificance.
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Costa Rica
Rainforest Tour
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Day 1: Upon your arrival in Costa Rica
you will be met and taken to your hotel in or near San Jose.
Overnight in San Jose at Hotel Grano de
Oro or similar..
Day
2:You will be met by a Sun
Tours driver/guide and join others for scenic drive to Arenal Volcano.
You will enjoy a scenic drive through the mountains with a stopover in
Sarchi to see the colorful artisan crafts for which the community is
famous. Following Sarchi you will continue on to the farming village of
Zarcero for a stop to see the whimsical topiary garden in the center of
the community. En route you will have lunch serving typical Costa Rican
fare, after lunch continue to Arenal and overnight at the
Arenal
Observatory Lodge. or similar.
From the
Arenal
Observatory Lodge., which is
situated only 1.6 miles south of the volcano, visitors have an
impressive view of this “giant which rumbles” and erupts with
spectacular displays of vapor and lava. The
Arenal
Observatory Lodge. is the only
lodge situated within the Arenal Volcano National Park, which
encompasses thousands of acres of pristine rainforest and teems with
tropical birds and wildlife. (BL)
Day
3: This morning you will hike with your guide further
exploring the area near Arenal Volcano on a trail where you will have
the opportunity to see a variety of wildlife. While viewing the volcano
from a safe vantage point, your guide will reveal this volcano’s
fascinating history and explain the various types of the volcano’s
current activity.
Return to the Lodge before being picked up and transferred to Arenal
Lake for a 30 minute scenic boat transfer across a section of the lake.
On the other side of the lake you will be met for an approximate 2 hour
transfer to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, one of the most diverse and
richest tropical cloud forests in the New World. It is best known as
home to the Resplendent Quetzal but has hundreds of other birds, mammals
and plant species. Overnight in Monteverde at
Hotel Fonda Vela or similar. (B)
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Day 4: In the morning visit
Selvatura's Canopy zip line tour. Considered one of the longest of its
kind it is located inside the actual virgin cloud forest of Monteverde
The tour starts with a safety talk by the guides and getting fitted with
the appropriate equipment, then the adventure begins through each of the
15 cables and 18 platforms, at the end you may choose to take the
optional Tarzan Swing.Tour usually takes between 2.5 and 3 hours. In the
afternoon hike through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve viewing the
misty forest with its dense vegetation and majestic trees. Overnight in Monteverde at Hotel Fonda Vela
or similar. (B)
Selvatura Canopy Walkways are available for those who do not want to do
the Canopy zip line tour. Selvatura's Treetop Walkways, a 1.9 mile
(approximately 3 kilometer) trail that crosses through the cloud forest,
visitors walk through eight bridges of various lengths ranging from 150
feet (50 meters) up to 510 feet (170 meters) and altitudes ranging
between 36 feet (12 meters) up to 180 feet (60 meters). Each of the
bridges features a five foot width and capacity of up to 80 people per
bridge. The treetop walkways are suitable for people of all ages and
physical condition the duration of the tour is usually between 1.5 and 2
hours.
Day 5: In the morning depart through the distinctive
dry savanna of Guanacaste to Tamarindo on the Pacific Coast. Overnight
at Tamarindo Diria or similar (B)
Day
6 & Day 7: Free days to explore or relax on the
beach. Overnight at
Tamarindo Diria or similar. (Optional activities available at extra
cost include night turtle nesting tour - mid November to mid March only)
Day 08: Return flight to San José and transfer to your
hotel. Afternoon is free for your own activities. Overnight in San Jose
at Hotel Bougainvillea or similar.
Day 09: Airport transfer for return flight home.
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INCLUDED:
As specified in the above itinerary, lodging, transportation within
Costa Rica, airport/hotel transfers on scheduled arrival/departure
dates, meals [B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner], national park entrance
fees, guide services, ground operator support within Costa Rica and
taxes.
NOT INCLUDED:
Airfare to Costa Rica
, airport departure taxes, meals not specified in the
itinerary, alcoholic beverages, personal equipment, extras in hotels
(laundry, phone calls, room service), gratuities, or costs associated
with changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control.
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