A Natural History Tour of Costa Rica

Tortuguero Canals – Tiskita Jungle Lodge – Arenal Volcano - Monteverde Cloud Forest

12 Days / 11 Nights

Day 1
Upon your arrival in San Jose, Costa Rica, a representative of Costa Rica Sun Tours will meet you at the airport, present you with land portion vouchers and transfer you to your hotel

Days 1 - 2
1 nights accommodation in San Jose at Hotel Grano de Oro or similar
The Hotel Grano de Oro was converted from a Victorian mansion and maintains the warmth and comfort of a private home while offering the amenities of a fine hotel. The restaurant at the Grano de Oro is one of San José's finest.  It is located on a quiet street close to the city center, near restaurants, theaters and shops.

Day 2
Early morning pick‑up at your hotel for a scenic drive to the canals lining the Atlantic Coast, stopping for a typical breakfast along the way.  At the docks, board a boat for the trip up the Tortuguero Canals through 50 km of tropical rain forest.  Late afternoon arrival at your hotel in Tortuguero 

Day 2 - 4
2 nights accommodations in Tortuguero at the Mawamba Lodge (standard room) & meals (3B.2L.2D) or similar
Mawamba Lodge is nestled in the lush rain forest on a sand bar between the Tortuguero Canals and the Caribbean Ocean. Comfortable rooms with ceiling fans provide tranquil garden views. The lodge has a lovely pool surrounded by exotic gardens, nature trails to explore and a pristine beach in front.

Day 3
Today there are 2 two-hour boating trips through the backwater canals and Tortuguero National Park with a local guide.  On your own you may wish to hire a boat for additional exploration, or just hike along the beach or visit the village of Tortuguero 

Day 4
Domestic Flight from Tortuguero to San José.  Upon your arrival in San José, transfer for the flight(s) to Tiskita.  At the lodges discretion you may fly by domestic or charter planes to Puerto Jimenez, or Golfito, then a single engine charter plane to the remote, private airstrip on the beach at Tiskita Jungle Lodge

Day 4 – 7
3 nights accommodation at Tiskita Jungle Lodge (standard room) & meals (3B.3L.3D) or similar.  While at Tiskita, enjoy two guided tours of the private rain forest reserve & exotic tropical fruit farm.  Swim in the pool, ocean, and fresh water jungle pools.  You can walk to the nearby village, explore isolated beaches, surf, boogie board or simply relax in your hammock.  Horseback riding and fishing is also available (at your own expense)

Tiskita is a nature lodge on a 550-acre private rainforest reserve in the remote region south of Golfito on the southern Pacific coast. The lodge has cabins scattered over the property, all with ocean views and viewing decks.  While at Tiskita enjoy guided walks in the rainforest and the exotic fruit orchard. Guests can explore the rainforest on their own, walk to the nearby village, explore isolated beaches, swim in the pool, ocean, and/or fresh water jungle pools, or simply relax in hammocks.  Tiskita is actively involved in a program reintroducing baby Pacific Ridley turtles to the ocean. The Lodge also worked on a program during 2002-03 reintroducing scarlet macaws to the wild, and these birds are now free flying around the property

Day 7
Morning flight(s) from Tiskita to San José.  Upon your arrival in San Jose, pick-up at the airport for a scenic drive with a group and driver/guide to the Arenal Volcano.  En route visit La Paz Waterfall Gardens, entrance fees & lunch included, where you will have an opportunity to see magnificent waterfalls with viewing platforms. Enjoy lunch on the terrace dinning room, and then continue on to your hotel in Arenal. (L)

Day 7-9
2 nights accommodation in Arenal at the Arenal Observatory Lodge (Smithsonian volcano view room) (2B.2D)
The Arenal Observatory Lodge is located within the Arenal National Park, and offers spectacular views of the volcano's imposing profile and Lake Arenal. The property encompasses acres of untouched rainforest, and is home to hundreds of species of birds and wildlife.

Day 8
Visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges this morning with your group and driver/guide, entrance fees included.  The Hanging Bridges are a complex of 6 suspension bridges above the jungle canopy and almost 2 miles of brick & concrete trails through the lush rain forest.  Late afternoon enjoy the Eco-Termales Hot Springs, entrance fees included

Day 9   
Hike in the Arenal Volcano National Park this morning with your group and driver/guide, entrance fees included. This is an opportunity for a close-up exploration of recent lava flows that left a 50 ft deep path of lava thru the rainforest.   Afternoon pick-up at your hotel and transfer to the lake shore for the boat ride across Lake Arenal to Rio Chiquito. From Rio Chiquito you will be picked up for an overland transfer to your Monteverde hotel. You will meet up with your driver/guide in Monteverde.  Please be aware that strong winds or heavy rains can make for a rough, bumpy, & wet boat ride.  The lake crossing takes 2-3 hours less than driving all the way around Lake Arenal

Day 9-11
2 nights accommodations in Monteverde at Hotel Fonda Vela (junior suite) (2B.2D) or similar
The Hotel Fonda Vela is an attractive eco-tourism lodge in a tranquil setting of 35 acres. All rooms were designed with natural lighting, privacy and warmth in mind. The hotel also has an elegant restaurant.

Day 10
Visit the Monteverde Skywalk this morning with your group and driver/guide, entrance fees included.  The Skywalk is a complex of suspended bridges, platforms and paths, built within the cloud forest of Monteverde.  These allow the observation of flora and fauna from ground level to the top of the trees.  There are 3,280 feet of paths including five suspended bridges.  In the afternoon enjoy a guided walk through the Monteverde Reserve with your group and driver/guide, entrance fees included.  Monteverde Reserve is best known as home to the Resplendent Quetzal but has hundreds of other birds, mammals and plant species.

Day 11
Depart Monteverde and return to your hotel near San Jose

Days 11-12
1 nights accommodation in Santo Domingo at Hotel Bougainvillea (standard room) or similar
The Hotel Bougainvillea is a family owned and operated inn with 80 tastefully decorated rooms set in 12 acres of beautiful gardens. The restaurant offers continental cuisine in a wonderful dining room.  Guests can stroll in the gardens, swim in the heated pool, enjoy a sauna or use the tennis courts.

Day 12
Pick-up at your hotel for a departure transfer to the International Airport in San Jose to check in 3 hours before your scheduled flight time

* Meal Codes (B) = Breakfast (L) = Lunch (D) = Dinner