Day 1 – Departure

Depart your home city today for Costa Rica.

Welcome to San Jose the capital. Upon arrival, your Learning Through Travel guide will greet and assist you with the transfer to your hotel. After check-in and time to freshen up, enjoy a welcome cocktail and dinner. 

Day 2 – San Jose and Rain Forest Excursion

After breakfast depart to the Rain Forest Aerial Tram, the only place in the world where you silently glide through the colorful and complex beauty of the rainforest canopy to enjoy natures best! Only 45 minutes outside of San Jose see the beautiful 1000 acre private reserve of virgin forest. The canopy is home to an enormous amount of flora and fauna that inhabit the rainforest. Eager to find light and space, many plants have colonized the treetops, turning them into small, independently functioning ecosystems. Home to two-thirds of all rain forest species it is a world of tremendous beauty and extraordinary biological diversity. Full of known and unknown plant and animal species, you will be able to see life close-up for the first time, and scientists will discover new wonders about the ecology of the rain forest. Due to its inaccessibility, little scientific work has been done concerning life in the tops of tropical trees. The tram has become a center for canopy exploration and research. Continue to La Fortuna at the Arenal Volcano Zone.

Day 3 – Arenal Volcano & Tabacon Hot Springs

Today you see the majestic Arenal Volcano, the only volcano in Costa Rica that is active since 1968. It produces huge ash columns, explosions, & glowing red lava almost everyday. Visit the Tabacon Hot Springs and enjoy the soothing waters and fresh air. 

Day 4 – Central Pacific Area

This morning travel to the central Pacific area of Costa Rica. This adventure takes you along the Guacalillo estuary and the Tarcoles River, located near Carara Biological Reserve. The Guacalillo estuary is noted for its mangrove forests an up to four different species of mangroves may be found in this area. It is the most important in the mid Pacific Coast for the conservation of the Scarlet Macaw. The area is home to more than 250 species of birds, crocodiles, mammals and insects.

Day 5 – Carara Biological Reserve

After breakfast visit one of the most fascinating biological reserves in the tropical forest of Costa Rica, the Carara Biological Reserve. The word “Carara” is an indigenous term, reputedly meaning river of crocodiles. Many endangered and threatened species live and breed here. Hike through the reserve discovering a wide variety of plant life with evergreens being particularly predominant. The reserve possesses several ecosystems, including marshlands, a lagoon, and primary, secondary and gallery forests. The marshland is rich in waterfowl, wading birds, amphibians and reptiles found in these environments. The lagoon is completely covered by water hyacinths and other water plants. The primary forests which occupy most of the reserve are species-rich, multi-layered, and have an abundance of creeping vines and epiphytes. The tallest trees include the espave, silk cotton, wild fig, nargusta and quamwood, a spectacular tree during the dry season when it is covered with yellow flowers. Amphibians and reptiles are abundant. Crocodiles measuring up to three meters long are easy to sight in the Grande de Tarcoles River. See waterfowl such as roseate spoonbills, anhingas, jacanas, pied-bellied grebes and Mexican tiger-bitterns. The fauna is abundant in spite of the isolated location of the reserve. Among the mammals, the four-eyed opossum, two-toed sloth, aouti, kinkajou, tayra, margay cat, collared peccary and white-tailed deer can be seen. Carara is considered a sanctuary of the rare and beautiful Scarlet Macaw notable for its bright blue, red, and yellow plumage.

Day 6 – Carara/San Jose

After some time at your leisure on the beach, return to San Jose. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner.

Day 7 – Departure

Farewell to Costa Rica as you transfer to the airport for your return. Arrive home, your heart and mind filled with many happy memories of Costa Rica.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• International Air
  

• 6 nights accommodation at a deluxe hotel
  

• 6 Breakfast, 2 Dinners
  

• English speaking guide throughout
  

• All sightseeing and entrance fees
  

• All sightseeing by deluxe air conditioned mini-van or motor coach
  

• Hotel taxes and service charges
  

NOT INCLUDED           

• U.S. Departure Tax and Airport Security fees.
  

• Costa Rica Departure Tax (to be paid upon departure)
  

• Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, meals not mentioned in program, soft drinks, mineral water, coffee, tea, tips for drivers, guides, escorts, etc….
  

Please note: Itinerary sequence subject to change.