Rainforest Adventure - a Family Holiday in Costa Rica - 2010/11 Itinerary
15 days - from $1950
See smouldering volcanoes emerging from bird-filled tropical forests
Cruise jungle-lined rivers watching for wildlife
Unwind on the sandy beaches at Manuel Antonio & Tortuguero National Parks
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Poas Volcano & Guayabo Ruins
Arriving in San José, we visit the towering Poas volcano - its smouldering crater surrounded by tropical forest where humming birds can be seen hovering among wild orchids. From here we travel to Turrialba where we learn about Central America's amazing reptiles at a serpentarium, and visit Costa Rica's most important archaeological site: the Indian ceremonial centre at Guayabo.
Tortuguero National Park
There's a chance to enjoy some whitewater rafting, before we make our way into the forests and swamps of Tortuguero National Park. Boarding our riverboat, we'll enter a network of jungle waterways, where we can hear the cry of howler monkeys and spot brightly coloured parrots among the tangled vegetation.
Monteverde & Pacific Coast
Arenal, a volcanic cone that regularly spews out lava and steam, is our next stop. We then climb into the cloud forest of Monteverde Reserve, where some 2,500 species of rare plants are found, and we can also enjoy some spectacular birdwatching, perhaps spotting the resplendent quetzal or even the unusual bare-necked umbrella bird. Finally we head to Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific coast. You can soak up the variety of flora and wildlife or just relax on miles of beach, where monkeys and iguanas often wander down to greet you.
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Itinerary:
Day 1 Join San José. Day 2 Poas Volcano After exploring downtown San José, we visit the towering Poas volcano - its smouldering crater surrounded by tropical forest where humming birds can be seen hovering among wild orchids. Days 3/4 Reptiles & rafting Heading to Turrialba we learn about Central America's amazing reptiles at a serpentarium and visit Costa Rica's most important archaeological site: the Indian ceremonial centre at Guayabo. There's also the chance to go white water rafting here. Days 5/6 Tortuguero National Park This area of dense jungle, rivers and swamps is one of Costa Rica's premier natural reserves and we'll explore the area by boat and on foot. Day 7 Wild frontier Today we travel by boat along the jungle-lined river that divides Costa Rica and Nicaragua to Puerto Viejo. Days 8/9 Arenal Volcano Regularly spewing out molten lava and steam, we pause in Arenal where we can relax in hot springs, float through the jungle or walk in the local area. Days 10/11 Quetzal Cloud Forest Continuing to Monteverde we climb high along canopy walkways to give us the best chance of spotting tree-top birds and wildlife. Days 12/13 Pacific beaches Manuel Antonio reserve is a great place to soak up the variety of flora and wildlife or just relax on miles of beach, where monkeys and iguanas often wander down to greet you. Day 14 San José We return to Costa Rica's capital today. Day 15 End San José.
Accommodation: 12nts hotels, 2nts at a comfortable lodge in Tortuguero NP; 11 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 2 dinners included.
Transport: Bus/Riverboat.
Comment: An easy-going wildlife exploration of Costa Rica's diverse habitats and the opportunity for easy walks in one of Central America's most attractive countries.
Group: Approx. 14 to 18.
Staff: Explore Tour Leader plus driver, boatmen and some local guides.
Trip Reference: FCC2010