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Costa Rica: Jewels of Costa Rica
Get really close to nature! With its unspoiled scenic beauty and rich ecological habitats, Costa Rica is a grand slam when it comes to viewing wildlife. This exclusive active itinerary focuses on the spectacular wildlife and ecosystems of three of the country’s top spots for wildlife viewing—with frequent nature hikes, canopy walks, ziplines, an easy whitewater rafting trip, and plenty of local cultural interaction!
You’ll explore the exquisite cloud forest of Monteverde, home to the legendary resplendent quetzal, a bird prized by Maya kings; visit Arenal National Park, a pastoral countryside retreat with a canopy walkway, thermal hot springs, and dominated by one of the world’s most active volcanoes; and discover the Sarapiquí area on the Caribbean slope, where you’ll visit a biological field station and raft a spectacularly scenic river chockfull of wildlife! Gustavo Orozco, our expert naturalist guide, personalizes this trip and makes every minute fascinating—not to mention exceedingly fun!
Note - We recommend you book at least four months in advance (nine for holiday departures), as space is very limited at the small, upscale lodges we have chosen for this trip and your international flights must be booked well in advance.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Hike and take a zipline in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, home to the legendary resplendent quetzal
- Green iguanas, kingfishers, and monkeys abound on the Río Sarapiquí, where you’ll enjoy an easy rafting trip
- Visit scenic Arenal National Park, dominated by one of the world’s most active volcanoes
- Spend a day in an indigenous community and learn firsthand about their way of life
Check out our Costa Rica Vacation Feature. Slideshows, stories, facts, and more.
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Itinerary: Jewels of Costa Rica
Day 1 - Arrive in San José, Costa Rica.
Day 2 - Drive to the lowland rainforest in the agricultural-rich Sarapiquí area. Afternoon walk in search of toucans, tanagers, and other avian fauna.
Day 3 - Guided visit of La Selva Biological Station, a rainforest reserve and research station with a variety of ecosystems. Later, you’ll enjoy a “chocolate” tour of La Tirimbina, a 350-acre nature reserve with an old cacao tree plantation.
Day 4 - Get wet and wild on an easy rafting trip on the Río Sarapaquí. Continue to Arenal National Park and soak in hot springs owned by a local family (not open to the general public).
Day 5 - Morning wildlife viewing from Arenal’s “hanging” bridges through a ravine filled with huge trees, birds, and sometimes sloths. Afternoon visit to a local sustainable farm.
Day 6 - Spend the morning in a Maleku Indian village to learn about their way of life, then drive to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, where wreaths of mists nurture over 2,000 native plant species.
Day 7 - Hike through Monteverde’s forest in search of birds and visit the Hummingbird Gallery.
Day 8 - Hike along forest trails, traverse a 300-foot-long, elevated suspension walkway, climb to high platforms, and zipline along steel cables over the forest canopy! Return to San José in the afternoon.
Day 9 - Depart San José (or join our optional extension to Corcovado National Park).
Extend your adventure
Explore Corcovado National Park, a major birding and wildlife refuge with eight unique habitats ranging from mountain forests to surf-pounded beaches. 3 or 4 days. Call for details.
Detailed Itinerary - Costa Rica: Jewels of Costa Rica
1. Download detailed itinerary in a PDF format
2008 Detailed Itinerary
(PDF files require that you have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed. This program can be downloaded for free from the Adobe Website.)
2. Or email us your itinerary request at sales@mtsobek.com
3. Or call us at 1-888-831-7526 (USA and Canada) or (510) 594-6000
We’ll email you a copy (Word or Acrobat document), fax, or mail you the itinerary as you prefer.
For more information and reservations, please contact:
Mountain Travel Sobek
1266 66th Street, Suite 4
Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
Toll Free (USA and Canada): 1-888-831-7526
Phone: +1-510-594-6000
Fax: + 1-510-594-6001
Email: info@mtsobek.com
Photo Credits
©C. S. Bettencourt (MTS staff)
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