Guided Tropical Forest Adventure – Tortuguero
Tortuguero  / La Paz Waterfall Gardens / Arenal Volcano / Monteverde Cloud Forest
9 Days / 8 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

Day 1-2
1 nights accommodation in San José at Hotel Grano de Oro (standard room) or similar
Hotel Grano de Oro is a converted Victorian mansion and maintains the warmth and comfort of a private home while offering the amenities of a fine hotel. The restaurant at the hotel 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
Early morning flight from Tortuguero to San José.  Pick-up at the airport for a scenic drive with a group and driver/guide to the Arenal Volcano, stopping en route at the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, entrance fees & lunch included.  At La Paz you will have an opportunity to see magnificent waterfalls from viewing platforms, and a Butterfly.  Enjoy lunch on the terrace dinning room, before you continue on to your hotel in Arenal (L)

Day 4-6
2 nights accommodation in Arenal at the Arenal Observatory Lodge (Smithsonian volcano view room) or similar (2B.2D)
The Arenal Observatory Lodge is located only 1.6 miles south of the volcano across a gorge from the volcano and surrounded by lush rainforest.  Visitors have an impressive view of this "giant which rumbles" and erupts with spectacular displays of vapor and lava.   The Observatory is the only lodge situated within the Arenal National Park, which encompasses thousands of acres of pristine rainforest and teems with tropical birds and wildlife, and offers comfortable rooms (most with volcano views) a good restaurant, pool, Jacuzzi, and a guided hike each morning

Day 5
This morning with your group and driver/guide visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges, 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 a visit to the Ecotermales Hot Springs, entrance fees included to relax in the warm waters heated by the volcano

Day 6   
This morning with your group and driver/guide hike in the Arenal Volcano National Park, entrance fees included for a close-up exploration of recent lava flows that left a 50 ft deep path of lava thru the rainforest.  Mid-morning departure with your group and driver/guide, driving around Lake Arenal to Monteverde, one of the most diverse and richest tropical cloud forests in the New World (approx a 5 hour drive). Note: There is the option at an extra cost of taking a boat ride across Lake Arenal to Rio Chiquito, and from Rio Chiquito overland transfer to your Monteverde hotel.  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 6-8
2 nights accommodations in Monteverde at Hotel Fonda Vela (junior suite) (2B.2D) or similar
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 7
This morning with your group and driver/guide visit the Selvatura Tree Top Walkways.  Located along a 1.7 mile trail, this bridge system is designed to be walked by people of all ages. The bridge system has 8 suspension bridges, totaling a distance of 1,200 feet, and 90% of the trail goes through primary cloud forest.  This is one of the best methods of learning about the complexity and beauty of the cloud forest.  This afternoon with your group and driver/guide enjoy a guided walk through the Monteverde Reserve, 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 8
This morning depart Monteverde for a semi private transfer to your hotel near San José (approx a 4 hour drive)

Day 8-9
1 nights accommodation in Santo Domingo at Hotel Bougainvillea (standard room) or similar
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 9   
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