Cultural Ecotourism in Costa Rica - 15 days - CRA:

This eco-adventure explores some of the most remote and unique regions of Costa Rica as well as main features such as the Arenal and Poas Volcanoes.

A 15 day ecotour off the beaten track travelling in a small group with one of the best naturalist tour guides in Costa Rica!

Small groups (6 to 12 travellers);
Top naturalist guides;
Professional drivers;
Charming high end lodging;

Day 1. San Jose:
Arrival in San Jose International Airport, meet your driver and guide at the airport arrivals terminal. Private transfer to San Jose, evening meal and overnight in a very comfortable and charming hotel or inn in the capital.

Day 2. Poas National Park - Monteverde:
Meet your friendly tour guide and travel companions for breakfast. Exploration of the Poas National Park; encounter with an active volcano which has the world's second largest crater surrounded by a cloud forest abounding with this life so particular to Costa Rica : hummingbirds, bromides, lichens, butterflies... Lunch on the Volcano slopes on our way back and guided visit of a coffee plantation. Explanation of the coffee growing process and its social and political context in Costa Rica. Drive towards Monteverde in the afternoon (4hrs drive). Tonight we will be staying in a friendly family run inn in Santa Elena, Monteverde (great cook and warm family atmosphere!).

Day 3. Monteverde Cloud Forest:
Exploration of Santa Elena's Biological Reserve in the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Guided hike on the trails accompanied by a naturalist (tropical biologist). Contoured by the Tilaran Mountains this reserve is spread on eight ecological zones, it shelters over 100 mammal, 400 bird and 1500 plant species. In the afternoon, we will also experience the famous Sky Trek, a network of under story trails and platforms reaching high above the ground. Zip lines of steel cables attached from one platform to another allow you to slide through the forest canopy - it's fun and unforgettable! Night in Santa Elena.

Day 4. Arenal Volcano:
Breakfast at the lodge and departure for a scenic drive towards the active Arenal Volcano going around the beautiful Arenal Lake OR expedition on horseback through the farmland and slopes of the Arenal-Monteverde zone (both options are proposed, additional fees apply if you choose the horseback ride). Those who will travel by road will stop for lunch in a very pleasant Italian restaurant located on a hill top yielding superb views of the region, those on horseback will have a lunch box meal on the side of the lake. They will then cross on a motorized boat to meet the rest of the group at the Arenal dam near the foot of the Volcano a few minutes drive away from our hotel and the Tabacon Hot springs. Stay in a comfortable hotel on the volcano slopes. Optional visit to the Tabacon hot springs in the evening.
OPTION : Horseback ride, 52.00$

Day 5. Arenal Volcano:
Optional early morning birding tour on the volcano slopes. Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the beautiful Fortuna waterfall located next to the Chato mountain, the ancient crater of the Arenal Volcano. Descending a steep trail between rock cliffs with dense vegetation we reach the base of this amazing 140-foot waterfall for a refreshing swim. Lunch at a restaurant in Fortuna village before heading towards Arenal Volcano National Park. Inside the park are several hiking trails open to visitors taking you as close as advisable to the summit of the active volcano. The park rangers are continuously monitoring the volcanoes activity and upon arrival at the ranger station they will inform visitors which trail is open. From the ranger station at the park entrance there are two hiking trails leading east through some young secondary forests & old lava formations from previous eruptions to the mirador, a look-out point, from where you can watch lava flowing from the volcano. This is a 2 to 3 hours hike (1.4km each way). Transfer back to our hotel for supper and relaxation. Optional visit to Tabacon hot springs (fees apply).

Day 6. Selva Verde or / Centro Neotropico de Sarapiqui:
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the private reserve of Selva Verde (1½ hr drive). Upon arrival buffet lunch at the lodge's restaurant located on the riverside. Selva Verde Reserve protects 180 hectares of primary and 300 hectares of secondary tropical rainforest we discover during a guided hike on the nature trails. Free afternoon to explore the surroundings or simply relax in the hammocks. You may wish to visit the butterfly farm to learn about the butterfly world, the plants and flowers they are attracted to and how the garden is maintained. Evening meal at the lodge.

Day 7. Selva Verde or / Centro Neotropico de Sarapiqui:
An early morning bird watching tour is available every day at 6h00 before breakfast. Inform your tour guide if you are interested. Breakfast at the lodge followed by a boat trip on the Sarapiqui river, during which you will have the opportunity to observe river wildlife, and feel the vitality of the river as a means of transportation for the local Costa Ricans. After lunch at the lodge we visit the Sarapiqui Conservation Learning Center (SCLC) located on the grounds of Selva Verde for an overview of this project. Your guide may be able to organize a meeting with the researchers and volunteers working at the center in order to provide an insight in their world. Excellent local artwork can also be purchased at the end of the visit. Free afternoon; explore the surroundings - together with your naturalist guide or on your own, relax or choose one of the optional activities proposed by the lodge such as rafting or kayaking on Sarapiqui River and horseback riding expeditions in the nearby region (additional fees apply). Your tour guide will be happy to assist you in organizing such activities. Supper and overnight at the lodge.

Day 8. La Paz Gardens, San Jose:
Optional morning wildlife watching tour in the reserve. Filling breakfast and scenic drive towards the capital via Vara Blanca. We will visit on our way to the capital the amazing La Paz Waterfall Gardens where we experience lush rainforests, majestic waterfalls, fluttering butterflies and whimsical hummingbirds. With over 3.5 kilometres ( 2 miles) of nature trails, a butterfly observatory, hummingbird gardens and bird watching areas proposed, we can spend here most of our day without seeing time fly! Lunch will be served buffet style in the excellent on site restaurant (rated 4 forks). The dining area yields incredible views of the La Paz River Valley and the Poás Volcano. Final drive down to San Jose in the afternoon, installation in a charming inn located near all the services in a quiet neighbourhood, evening meal near the hotel

Day 9. Cerro de la Muerte / San Gerardo de Dota:
After breakfast we head towards the Cerro de la Muerte & San Gerardo de Dota area where some of the best bird watching in Costa Rica can be done. The eco-lodge we stay at (Trogon Lodge or Savegre Lodge) proposes some excellent hiking on private trails, excellent combination of Costa Rican and international cuisine and charming yet superior lodging facilities. Amidst dazzling flowers, showing amazing shades of colors and where centennial oak trees show their impressive roots, at an altitude of 2200 m. / 7000 ft above sea level, surrounded by the unspoiled ecology of the area., you will find here in the gardens or on the trails the beauties you came to Costa Rica for. The song of the Resplendent Quetzal, in it's magical fly, is a sample of the exuberant biodiversity that lives in this very special and unique area.

Days 10. Cerro de la Muerte / San Gerardo de Dota:
A full day in this beautiful and peaceful environment is very appreciated by the nature lover. Explore the region with your guide , choose one of the numerous active adventures proposed or simply relax at the lodge and enjoy !

Day 11. Bahia Drake and Corcovado:
Heading off for Sierpe, Osa Peninsula, where we cruise on the Sierpe River towards Bahia Drake. First , we pass through the rainforest on the Rio Sierpe which eventually leads through an estuary with mangroves and further into the ocean. During this scenic and interesting boat ride (90min.) we get the chance to observe monkeys, sloths, macaws, parrots, boobies, pelicans and even dolphins, excellent photography can be done here! Overnight in a charming jungle eco-lodge in Drake Bay.

Day 12 and 13. Corcovado National Park:
(Optional dive tour to Isla del Cano Biological Reserve)
During these two days we explore the nature trails of the Corcovado National Park region, considered being the best remaining Pacific coastal rainforest in Central America. Because of its remoteness this national park embraces one of the greatest biological diversity of Costa Rica and many important endangered rainforest species are protected here. Overnights in a charming and friendly eco-lodge in Drake Bay, transfers by boat. This two day stay in the Corcovado National Park sector includes a full day hiking ecotours within the national park starting and ending in the main ranger station at Sirena camp. Option on day 13: dive tour or snorkelling tour to Isla del Cano (additional fees apply).

Day 14. Manuel Antonio National Park:
Return by boat to Sierpe, scenic drive to San Isidro and Manuel Antonio area where we stay in a comfortable and charming hotel on the coast near the National Park. Manuel Antonio offers excellent bird watching and wildlife watching.

Days 15. Transfer to airport in San Jose:
Transfer to San Jose international airport for a check-in at least 2 hours before your flight or to another location in the San Jose area.

Optionally, you can choose to extend your stay in the Manuel Antonio National Park & Quepos region. Ask us for a quote including lodging, meals and transfer back to San Jose at the end of your stay.