Discover, Plan & Go!

Our premier itinerary in Costa Rica combines the cloud forests of Monteverde and the active Arenal Volcano with the verdant lowland tropical forests of Tortuguero to highlight Costa Rica’s diversity of nature and culture. With your naturalist guide, explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, home to numerous endemic flora and fauna including the resplendent quetzal. The picture perfect cone and active lava flows of the Arenal Volcano provide the rare opportunity to view and learn about this geological wonder. Tortuguero National Park encompassesone of the largest protected rain forests in the country, made easily accessible by a series of slow moving rivers, streams and canals. (From June through October Tortuguero is home to thousands of nesting Green sea turtles). At every turn, there are chances to view wildlife such as monkeys, tapirs, caimans, iguanas, and countless bird species while learning about the complex relationships connecting these environments. Accommodations for this adventure include hotels and wilderness lodges. Ask about connoisseur departures which guarantee upgraded accommodations.

The Costa Rica Connoisseur and Costa Rica Explorer are two programs with the same itinerary, but which use different classes of hotels. The Connoisseur, as the name implies, includes more upscale properties. The Connoisseur also includes a coffee tour and all meals at Arenal, which the Explorer does not. The Explorer uses hotels and lodges that are comfortable and clean, but more affordable.

Day 1 - Arrive San Jose

Upon arrival at San Jose's Juan Santamaria International Airport you are met by our representative and transferred to your hotel in San Jose.

Explorer Accommodations: Hotel Don Carlos

Connoisseur Accommodations: Parque del Lago

Included Meals: n/a

Day 2 - Poas Volcano

Enjoy breakfast and a trip orientation with your naturalist guide. A short drive from San Jose leads up the steep flanks to the crater rim of the Poas Volcano. This restless giant reveals its activity in steam vents, bubbling pools, occasional geysers and a new cone growing from the center of the crater. A second crater, reached by a half-mile trail through dwarf cloud forest, is home to a beautiful rain-fed lake. Birds abound in this environment especially hummingbirds such as the Fiery-throated and Magnificent hummingbirds which are high altitude specialists in Costa Rica.

Descend the volcano and drive along the Pan-American Highway into the Tilaran Highlands. A bumpy winding road takes you to cloud forests of Monteverde. Monteverde means 'Green Mountain' and is an appropriate name for these forest-cloaked slopes. Check in to your hotel and perhaps take a stroll in their gardens before dinner.

Explorer Accommodations: Hotel El Sapo Dorado

Connoisseur Accommodations: Monteverde Lodge

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - Monvteverde Cloud Forest

Set out on foot with your guide through one of the most outstanding wildlife sanctuaries in the new world tropics, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. The perpetually misty forests of the Reserve, founded in 1972, encompass eight distinct ecological zones and protect more than 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds and 1,500 species of plants. Temperature and humidity vary greatly over short distances producing an incredible variety of forest types with little elevation change. Majestically tall trees adorned with orchids, bromeliads ferns and vines, dwarf man and other inhabitants of the cloud forest. White-faced and Howler monkeys are frequently sighted. Birds are some of the forest’s biggest attractions. Try to spot the Black guan, Emerald toucanet, the Three-wattled bellbird, and the elusive resplendent quetzal. Return mid-day to the hotel for lunch and siesta. This afternoon visit the Butterfly Garden where forty species of butterfly are raised and displayed in netted flyways that recreate four distinct habitats. Be sure to bring your camera to capture the vivid colors of the Blue morpho and other butterflies.

Explorer Accommodations: Hotel El Sapo Dorado

Connoisseur Accommodations: Monteverde Lodge

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Arenal Volcano

Enjoy the morning drive from Monteverde, skirting around Lake Arenal. At the far end of the lake you will likely glimpse the postcard perfect cone of the Arenal Volcano long before reach it. The scenic route takes you to the base of the Arenal Volcano. On July 29, 1968 the mile high cone awakened from its 400 year slumber with a fateful earthquake. Since that time it has been one of the most active volcanoes in the world, with constant lava flows and eruptions. On virtually any day (weather permitting) you can see smoking cinderblocks tumbling down the steep slopes, and at night watch a fiery cascade of orange lava spewing from the crater. Arrive at your hotel in time for an afternoon rest. In the evening view the volcanic activity.

Explorer Accommodations: Volcano Lodge

Connoisseur Accommodations: Volcano Lodge

Included Meals: breakfast

Day 5 - Arenal National Park

Explore the lava flows and volcanic features of Arenal National Park on a short guided walk. The walk transitions between rich jungle and lifeless volcanic flows as you explore the base of the volcano and learn the geologic processes that shape this living giant. Those not interested in walking may choose the Penas Blancas River Float Trip (at additional cost). Board a raft for a scenic two-hour float down the river experiencing complete solitude and searching for rain forest wildlife such as monkeys, iguanas and toucans.

Explorer Accommodations: Volcano Lodge

Connoisseur Accommodations: Volcano Lodge

Included Meals: n/a

Day 6 - Arenal to Tortuguero

From Arenal drive down the Caribbean slope to Freeman where you'll meet a covered boat for the river transfer to Tortuguero on the shores of the Caribbean. The river journey will take two to four hours, depending on stops to view wildlife along the way. Arrive at the lodge where the afternoon is free to explore the area or relax by the pool.

Explorer Accommodations: Mawamba Lodge

Connoisseur Accommodations: Tortuga Lodge

Included Meals: lunch and dinner

Days 7-8 - Tortuguero National Park

Spend the next two days exploring the wildlife rich lowland rain forests of Tortuguero. Uniquely accessible via a system of slow moving rivers, creeks and canals the rain forests of Tortuguero are home to an astounding array of wildlife including three species of monkey, sloth, anteaters, kinkajous, caimans, basilisk lizards and over 300 species of birds including the Roseate spoonbill, Royal tern, Anhinga, kingfishers and toucan. Each day boat excursions led by a local naturalist guide explore various regions of Tortuguero National Park. Early morning naturalist guided birding walks are also available, searching for many of the 300 species found in the oceanic, riparian and rain forest habitats. Visit the rural village of Tortuguero (population 500) and the Caribbean Conservation Corporation museum to learn about the Atlantic Green sea turtle and the conservation efforts to protect the turtle and its habitat.

From June through October a miracle of nature occurs in Tortuguero when thousands of endangered Green Sea turtles come to nest on Tortuguero Beach. During this season guided night walks will be led (at additional cost) along the beach to witness 300 pound females emerge from the sea to lay and bury her eggs. Later in the season, guests can view the hundreds of baby turtle’s hatch and scurry to the safety of the seas.

Explorer Accommodations: Mawamba Lodge

Connoisseur Accommodations: Tortuga Lodge

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9 - Tortuguero to San Jose

Enjoy an early morning flight from Tortuguero to San Jose. A leisurely shopping tour is included. Hunt for famous Costa Rican coffee and numerous local handicrafts such as carved wood and leather items, ceramics and jewelry. Optional tours such as white water rafting on the Reventazon or Pacuare rivers, a stroll through the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, or a tour of a local coffee farm are available at extra cost. Lunch today is on your own. Return to your hotel in San Jose where the rest of the day free. This evening enjoy a delicious farewell dinner while toasting your experiences in Costa Rica.

Explorer Accommodations: Hotel Don Carlos

Connoisseur Accommodations: ParquedelLago

Included Meals: breakfast and dinner

Day 10 - Departure or Begin Trip Extension

Transfer to the International Airport approximately two and a half hours before your flight's scheduled departure time or begin your trip extension to the rain forests of Corcovado National Park, the Pacific beaches of Manuel Antonio, or the dry tropical forests of the Guanacaste Peninsula.

Explorer Accommodations: n/a

Connoisseur Accommodations: n/a

Included Meals: n/a

Trip Notes: Transfers are available by previous arrangement for participants not arriving or departing on the stated arrival/departure dates of the tour.

Single Travelers: Single supplement added if single accommodations are requested or forced. Also, when a single parent is traveling alone with one child, he or she must pay the adult rate plus the single supplement. The child will pay the regular children's rate. The reason for this is because lodging is not costed into the children's rate.

Land Cost Includes: Nine nights lodging, all land, air and water transportation within Costa Rica, all airport/hotel transfers when arriving and departing on the stated arrival and departure dates of the group, meals as specified in the itinerary, Hotel taxes, entrance fees to National Parks, museums and places of interest in effect at the time of booking are included unless otherwise specified, guide services as specified in the itinerary, guides' expenses.

Not Included: International airfare, airport departure taxes ($26.00 per person), tax increases or new taxes charged for services that were not taxed at the time the booking was made, meals not specified in the itinerary, alcoholic beverages, personal equipment, extras in hotels (laundry, phone calls, room service, etc.), gratuities.

Payment and Cancellation Policy: < Please see AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with

Accommodations:

Qualifications: This trip is available to any traveler with a love of nature and sense of adventure.

Extending Your Trip: Call AdventureSmith Explorations about the possibilities of combining trips

General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations 'Terms & Conditions'. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation. We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance through AdventureSmith Explorations. If purchased within 14 days of sign-up, the pre-existing condition exclusion is waived.

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today.