Wildlife, Volcanoes and Jungles of Costa Rica

Arrive San Jose

Today you will arrive into San Jose, where you will be met by our local representative and transferred to your hotel in the heart of Costa Rica's bustling capital.

Overnight: Grano de Oro

San Jose - Tortuguero National Park

An early start this morning as you depart San Jose and head to Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast.After a three hour drive through Braulio Carrillo National Park, you will arrive at La Pavona where you will take a boat ride through the canals to your hotel. In the afternoon you will have a guided tour of Tortuguero village, where you will learn about the history of the town as well as the important turtle conservation work of the Caribbean Conservation Corporation. Take a leisurely stroll back to your hotel along the beach, where the rest of the day is yours to relax and enjoy your surroundings.

Overnight: Tortuga Lodge (B, L, D)

Tortuguero National Park

Today you will explore the wildlife-rich canals of Tortuguero National Park by boat. Tortuguero is one of Costa Rica's best-known national parks, protecting a 22-mile stretch of coastline which is an important nesting ground for green, leatherback and hawksbill turtles. The forest interior is also home to tapirs, jaguars and sloths, while the winding waterways play host to manatees and crocodiles.

Overnight: Tortuga Lodge (B, L, D)

Tortuguero National Park

Today is a free day for you to continue exploring Tortuguero National Park; head out on an early morning hike from Evergreen Lodge when the rainforest starts to wake up, or take one of the lodge's kayaks out if you wish to get back on the water and spot wildlife from this unique vantage point.

Overnight: Tortuga Lodge (B, L, D)

Tortuguero National Park - Arenal

After breakfast this morning you will be transferred to the airstrip for your short flight to Tanque Airport, from where you will be driven to the foothills of the majestic Arenal volcano. Laying dormant since 2010, the area around the volcano is rich in activities, from rainforest trails to waterfalls and hot springs.

Overnight: Nayara Gardens (B)

Arenal

This morning you will visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges, where a series of winding trails and bridges criss-cross a 250 hectare area of lush rainforest, suspended over canyons, streams and waterfalls. Take a guided walk along the trails and learn more about the wildlife and the jungle canopy, after which you can explore the sleepy streets of La Fortuna or relax back at your hotel.

Overnight: Nayara Gardens (B)

Arenal - Monteverde

You will be met by your guide this morning and taken on a scenic drive to the cloud forests of Monteverde. Start off with a boat transfer across Lake Arenal, against a dramatic backdrop of mountains and rainforest, before continuing on by jeep to the verdant mountains of Monteverde. This incredibly diverse region sits atop Costa Rica's continental divide and boasts several unique ecosystems, which are home to the resplendent quetzal, five cat species, over two dozen types of hummingbirds and many other species.

Overnight: Hotel Belmar (B)

Monteverde

Set off early this morning to maximise your wildlife sightings during your visit to the private Curi-Cancha Reserve, a region of cloud forest reaching elevations of 5,300 feet. The reserve has an incredibly peaceful environment, and is home to a wide variety of birds - including hummingbirds, toucanets and the eluisve quetzal - and mammals such as coatis and agoutis. You will enjoy a private guided walk along the reserves well-maintained trails, with your guide pointing out any hard-to-spot wildlife. This evening, after sunset, you will head back into the rainforest with your guide to search for the unique nocturnal creatures that call this region home.

Overnight: Hotel Belmar (B, L)

Monteverde - Manuel Antonio

After breakfast this morning you will be transferred to Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific coast (approximately four hours driving). Upon arrival, check in to your lodge and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight: Arenas del Mar (B, D)

Manuel Antonio National Park

Today you will head out into the park for a hike with your guide, who will use a high-powered spotting scope to help spot birds, animals and intriguing plant life in the dense rainforest. Manuel Antonio is the only national park in Costa Rica where you can observe all four endemic primate species in their natural habitat, and is one of the best places to see sloths. In the afternoon you will have time to relax on the white-sand beaches or cool off in the ocean waters, and have the option of hiking up to the scenic Cathedral Point where you will have spectacular panoramic views over the Pacific.

Overnight: Arenas del Mar (B, L, D)

Damas Island

This morning you will be met by your guide to start your journey to Damas Island, a large area of protected forest which supports a vast diversity of wildlife such as herons, monkeys and iguanas. Wind your way through the estuaries and mangroves surrounding the island, through tunnels made naturally by trees, and admire the landscapes of this lush sanctuary.

Overnight: Arenas del Mar (B, L, D)

Manuel Antonio - Osa Peninsula

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your short flight to Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula, a remote region in the southwest of Costa Rica. From here you will be driven to Sierpe for your boat ride along the Sierpe River to your hotel in the depths of the jungle, only accessible by boat.

Overnight: Casa Corcovado Lodge (B, L, D)

Caño Island

After breakfast you will collect your snorkelling equipment and set off on a boat ride to Caño Island, looking out for humpback whales en route. The island was once an important ceremonial site and burial ground for the pre-Colombian indigenous populations, but now lies within a marine reserve that is home to wildlife such as manta rays, turtles and small white-tipped sharks. You will have time to go snorkelling in the warm waters before heading back to your lodge for a picnic beach lunch. The rest of the day is yours to relax by the sea or explore the surrounding area.

Overnight: Casa Corcovado Lodge (B, L, D)

Osa Peninsula

Today you will journey into Corcovado National Park in the early morning, when the weather is cooler and the forest starts coming to life. Learn about the fascinating wildlife of the forest from your guide and visit a scenic waterfall, where you can go for a dip in one of the shaded pools. Afterwards you will wind your way downriver to San Pedrillo, where you will enjoy a sumptuous picnic lunch of fresh fruit and ice-cold drinks on the beach. In the afternoon you will have time to relax and reflect on your Costa Rican adventure.

Overnight: Casa Corcovado Lodge (B, L, D)

Osa Peninsula - San Jose

Today you will be transferred by boat back to the airport at Drake Bay for your short flight to San Jose, where you will catch your onward flight home.