Overview
Costa Rica is a glorious tropical paradise, with huge swaths of cloud forest and pristine beaches protected in world-famous parks and reserves. With our expert naturalist Trip Leader, this wonderfully active adventure brings us on nature walks in famous Monteverde Cloud Forest, whose diversity of terrain supports six ecological zones. Near towering Arenal Volcano, follow hanging bridges suspended high in the forest, hike to the cascading La Fortuna waterfall, and soar through the cloud forest on a zip line. In Tortuguero National Park, we’ll glide through tropical waterways that shelter fascinating wildlife, from manatees to three-toed sloths. Charming lodges give us a warm welcome in this natural wonderland.
We thought the trip was well scheduled and our time well spent. We were kept moving and steered to different places and experiences to make the most of our trip, which was just what we wanted. The hotels were excellent, as was the food!
— Gregg S., Boise, ID
Days 1-3
San José / Monteverde Cloud Forest
Set at a cool 4,700 feet, Monteverde is a pioneering private nature reserve established almost four decades ago and now encompassing more than 35,000 acres. Its dense cloud forest is home to about 100 species of mammals, 1,200 species of amphibians, and 400 species of birds, most famously the resplendent quetzal, sacred bird of the Maya and Aztecs. In the reserve’s Jardin de las Mariposas, we discover more than 40 species of butterflies, and we’ll hike nature trails in the private Curi-Cancha Reserve, with its hummingbird garden and views across the Continental Divide. Keep your camera handy for sightings of white-faced capuchin, howler, and spider monkeys. We also have the option to ride the canopy zip line.
San José / Monteverde Cloud Forest - Days 1-3
Hotel Bougainvillea
Day 1 (1 night),Day 8 (1 night), San Jose, Costa Rica
The Hotel Bougainvillea is set among 10 acres of lush tropical gardens in the residential district of San Domingo de Heredia, just 15 minutes from downtown San Jose. This hidden gem of a hotel offers spacious rooms with comfy beds, tranquil grounds for strolling and birdwatching (wonderful butterflies, too), a swimming pool, tennis, and a fine restaurant. And don’t forget to try a Guaro Sour—the Costa Rican national drink—at the bar.
Monteverde Lodge
Days 2 to 3 (2 nights), Monteverde, Costa RicaThe winding paths of Monteverde Lodge’s beautifully manicured gardens are flanked by ferns and bromeliads, a magical butterfly and hummingbird garden, and a stream, pond, and small waterfall provide a habitat for riverine birds and a host of reptiles and amphibians. After an active day exploring the cloud forest, relax in a hammock or take a dip in the solar heated swimming pool. The elegant dining room, with its cloud forest mural and abundant tropical flora, offers excellent Costa Rican specialties. Spacious rooms with private bath have two double beds with fluffy comforters and large windows, and are designed to put you “in the forest”—there are no TVs!
Days 4-5
Arenal Volcano
A perfect cone rising 5,300 feet from gentle green hills, Arenal is one of the most iconic volcanoes in the Americas. First active in 1968, when it erupted in spectacular fashion, Arenal is now a national park. We cross hanging bridges into the high rainforest canopy below the volcano, hike to the base of La Fortuna, an impressive waterfall, and enjoy Arenal views from our boutique resort hotel.
Arenal Volcano - Days 4-5
Lost Iguana Resort & Spa
Days 4 to 5 (2 nights), Arenal Volcano, Costa RicaThis wonderful resort is like an oasis in the middle of nowhere. While the rooms are not luxurious, they are very comfortable and private, and feature balconies with fantastic views of Arenal Volcano (assuming clear weather). An open-air restaurant serves delicious meals (try the ceviche and tilapia dishes) and the free in-room Wi-Fi is a plus. There are also beautiful gardens, a spectacular double pool with swim-up bar, and if you have some extra time, treat yourself to a soothing spa treatment.
Days 6-9
Tortuguero National Park
Tortuguero protects more than 50,000 acres of lowland forest, mangroves, and tropical beaches on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. In this emerald world, we head out by boat to explore a maze of tranquil blackwater canals overhung with rainforest. They provide a rich habitat for caimans, manatees, monkeys, three-toed sloths, river otters, and dazzling birdlife including all six species of kingfishers found in the New World. Tortuguero is also one of the best places in the world for encounters with turtles. Green sea turtles nest here (July-October) as well as leatherbacks (March-May), and we’ll visit the Green Turtle Research Station. Our riverside lodge offers us fantastic access to this wildlife haven. Depart on Day 9 via San José or join one of our extensions.
Tortuguero National Park - Days 6-9
Tortuga Lodge
Days 6 to 7 (2 nights), Tortuguero National Park, Costa RicaSurrounded by acres of landscaped gardens and dense forest, Tortuga Lodge offers 27 spacious and comfortable rooms with private bathrooms and screened windows. Its airy bar-restaurant is right on the river, as is the swimming pool. The lodge is located right next to Tortuguero National Park, but there’s plenty of wildlife on the grounds, too—take a walk on the trails behind the lodge and see what you can find! Solar energy is used at the lodge, which earned Tortuga ecotourism awards from Travel & Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler. The lodge supports the local community through sustainable development, hires local staff, and supports local conservation projects.
Hotel Bougainvillea
Day 8 (1 night), San Jose, Costa RicaThe Hotel Bougainvillea is set among 10 acres of lush tropical gardens in the residential district of San Domingo de Heredia, just 15 minutes from downtown San Jose. This hidden gem of a hotel offers spacious rooms with comfy beds, tranquil grounds for strolling and birdwatching (wonderful butterflies, too), a swimming pool, tennis, and a fine restaurant. And don’t forget to try a Guaro Sour—the Costa Rican national drink—at the bar.
Costa Rica Wildlife
