Costa Rica: A World of Nature featuring Tortuguero National Park, Arenal Volcano & Manuel Antonio National Park

What's Included

• Accommodation

  Stay at various hotels and lodges including Doubletree by Hilton Cariari Hotel, Evergreen Lodge, Tilajari Hotel Resort, Hotel Lomas del Volcán, and Marriott Los Suenos.

• Guided Tours

  Enjoy guided tours such as a nature cruise in Tortuguero National Park, a guided walk through a private forest reserve, and a tour of Arenal's hanging bridges.

• Culinary Experiences

  Participate in culinary experiences like tasting cacao, learning to cook with coconut, and enjoying a farm-to-table lunch.

• Transportation

  Transportation is included for various excursions and transfers between locations.

• Cultural Experiences

  Engage in cultural experiences such as visiting a local village in Tortuguero and learning about local life and traditions.

What's Not Included

• Optional Excursions

  Optional excursions such as white water rafting and a visit to a Costa Rican farm are not included in the base package.

• Gratuities

  Gratuities for the Tour Manager, driver(s), and local guides are not included unless departing from Australia & New Zealand.

• Personal Expenses

  Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.

• Travel Insurance

  Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.

Experiences

• Learn about Costa Rica’s ecosystem and local culture.
• Visit the world’s first sea turtle research station.
• Stay in Tortuguero National Park and find yourself surrounded by wildlife.

Options

Arenal: White Water Rafting Experience Embark on a fun-filled white water rafting adventure that is great for all levels of rafters. The adventure on the Rio Balsa or Sarapiqui River provides plenty of action and thrills, but with milder white water rapids, Class II-III. Once everyone has had time to practice and review the commands and “high-fives” you will embark on your journey down the rapids. Get wet and wild as you navigate rapids on your 1.5 hour adventure down the beautiful and tropical river. Enjoy the majestic foliage of the rainforest as you watch for monkeys, sloths, and toucans while you raft. You will come to understand the meaning of Costa Rica’s favorite saying, “Pura Vida!” End this tour with a traditional Costa Rican lunch and celebrate your watery adventure! Duration approximately 6 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 10 passenger(s) is required to operate this option.

The minimum age to participate is 8 years old.
It is recommended to bring a bathing suit, t-shirt, sunscreen, change of clothing, secure shoes such as water shoes or sports sandals, and a $1 to $2 per person cash tip for your rafting guides, at your discretion. Changing rooms are available at the river.

Arenal: Costa Rican Farm Envelop yourself in Costa Rican culture at Finca Don Juan. Explore this family-owned farm, getting a peek into the daily lives in this part of Costa Rica. During a tour of the gardens, learn how the plants are organically grown through the concept of sustainability. The farm considers itself a “classroom without borders.” Taste the exotic fruit harvest and experience the traditional way to process sugar cane. Enjoy a sip of cane liquor before engaging in a culinary demonstration and a farm-to-table lunch. Duration approximately 3.5 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 8 passenger(s) is required to operate this option.

Culinaries

• Taste for yourself why cacao is called “the food of the gods” and observe the process of converting this seed from bean to bar.
• Learn how to cook using a coconut before tasting some delicious local candy.

Must See

• Explore Arenal during a captivating 3-night stay.
• Hop aboard a river boat for a jungle crocodile safari and bird watching excursion.

Choice Highlights

Tortuguero National Park This park is located in northeastern Costa Rica on the Caribbean coast, and it can only be reached by airplane or boat, but is the 3rd most visited park in the country. The coastal part of the park has many different animal species, including land turtles, manatees and crocodiles, and several types of sea turtles come here to lay their eggs, such as Loggerheads and Leatherbacks. The inland forests are home to jaguars, three-toed sloths and several kinds of monkeys. There are also many poisonous frogs and 375 species of birds. The park was established in 1975.

Cooking Demonstration

Sarapiquí This is located in the province of Heredia in north central Costa Rica, lying between the coastal wetlands region and the central highlands, and is Costa Rica’s largest area of tropical rainforest. The main products that come from Sarapiquí are coffee, bananas and cacao beans. It is always rainy season here which helps feed the rivers and streams that are popular with white-water rafters and kayakers. The Estacion Biologica La Selva, a research preserve, is located here.

Tirimbina Rainforest Center Tirimbina Rainforest Center is a non-profit organization working to conserve the biodiversity of the rainforest through research, education, and eco-tourism.

Chocolate-Making Demostration & Tasting On your journey to the Sarapiquí region, an experience for the senses awaits you during a stop at a cacao plantation. A delicious endeavor into the origins of modern-day chocolate-making, you’ll learn the history of cocoa agriculture, and a fascinating demonstration illustrates the high art of converting this magical seed, bean to bar. Afterward, taste for yourself why cacao is coined “food of the Gods.”

River Safari Explore your surroundings on a Penas Blancas River Safair. As you paddle down the river, take in the sights and sounds of the rainforest as your naturalist guide explains the rich wildlife all around you.

Forest Reserve Guided Walk

Hanging Bridges These are walkways suspended near the tops of the trees in the cloud forest, so people can walk at treetop level, in the clouds. They are anchored, but not fixed, so there is some movement, but they have handrails and are quite safe. The longest one in Monteverde is 984 feet. About 90% of the organisms in the forest live near treetop level, so the bridges give access to much more than is visible from the ground. The bridges are linked by well-marked trails, and most of the way it is relatively flat.

Arenal Volcano What an impressive sight – the imposing Arenal Volcano – 7,000 years in the making and reaching over 5,000 feet! This live volcano is currently dormant but was active as recent as 2010. Its most active period began in 1968 and it stayed active until July 2010. Smoke plumes and lava flows were common occurrences for decades. Now, although quiet, it is still just as breathtaking. Rising high over the shores of the peaceful Lake Arenal and surrounded by lush forests, it is simply majestic. The volcano’s underground geothermal activity creates nature’s gift - hot springs. Spend time soaking in the soothing waters while gazing at this extraordinary sight.

Choice of Zip Lining or Volcano Lava Field Hike Costa Rica is the birthplace of zip lining. In the shadow of the Arenal Volcano, discover a new perspective of the rainforest as you glide over the canopies on an exhilarating ride through the jungle. If you’d prefer a perspective that’s a little closer to the ground but just as epic, head out with your guide on a moderate hike across the lava fields for an up-close-and-personal look at the Arenal Volcano.

Manuel Antonio National Park This is a small (about 4,500 acres) national park on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, known for its beaches and hiking trails through the tropical forests. It was created in 1972 and is the smallest national park in the country. Forbes Magazine listed it as one of the world’s 12 most beautiful parks. There are beaches suitable for swimming and also tidal pools for snorkeling. Animals found there include three- and two-toed sloths, monkeys, iguanas, coatis and 184 species of birds.

Jungle Crocodile Safari & Bird Watching The Tarcoles River flows from the central highlands to the Pacific Ocean, and the upper reaches are home to mangrove forests and a large biological preserve. The group will take a cruise through this ecosystem and be able to view American crocodiles as long as 13 feet, iguanas and many different kinds of birds, which can include macaws, parakeets, parrots, herons, egret and many others. The boats have covered seating areas.

Mode of Transport

Travel through Costa Rica's diverse landscapes by boat and road, including a river boat journey to Tortuguero National Park and a scenic drive to various destinations, ensuring a seamless and picturesque travel experience.

Accommodation

Experience comfort and nature at its best with stays at the Doubletree by Hilton Cariari Hotel, Evergreen Lodge, Tilajari Hotel Resort, Hotel Lomas del Volcán, and Marriott Los Suenos, offering a blend of modern amenities and stunning natural surroundings.