Classic Costa Rica, an excellent Costa Rica ecotour for those who want to experience it all
Duration: 10 days
Cost: $2245/Person
This is an excellent Costa Rica ecotour for those who want to experience it all, from the white sandy shores of the Pacific, to spectacular views of one of the world's most active volcanoes. There's hiking and flying by zip-lines through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and an exciting day of rafting on the Naranjo River. You'll see lots of wildlife on this Costa Rica adventure, including sloths, monkeys, and among its 400 bird species, the extraordinary quetzal. This nine-day Costa Rica ecological tour allows time for leisure as well, including a full day to relax in Costa Rica's coastal Manuel Antonio National Park, making this tour the perfect choice for travel to Costa Rica.
Private departures for our Classic Costa Rica trip can be arranged; please contact us for details.
Classic Costa Rica Tour Itinerary
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Day 1 (Fri) SAN JOSÉ
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Arrive in San José and transfer to your hotel. If you plan to arrive early, optional tours of the city and surrounding areas can be arranged.
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Day 2 (Sat) SAN JOSÉ - ARENAL
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After an early breakfast, you'll head north to La Fortuna, the closest village to the Arenal Volcano. On the way, visit the active Poas Volcano, which has one of the largest craters in the world, measuring an entire mile across. After exploring this impressive site, hike through the lush cloud forest to the mysterious Botos Lagoon, a flooded volcanic crater, now transformed into a picturesque lagoon. From a viewing terrace, look down 1,050 feet into the deep green pool of the volcano, and out across magnificent lowlands. After capturing the perfect photo, continue on your Costa Rica ecotour to La Paz Waterfall Garden, trekking through flowing waterfalls to a vibrant orchid garden and hummingbird gallery where sixteen species of these fascinating birds may be observed in their natural habitat. The walk covers two miles of safe, paved trails. Here, with a spectacular view of the Poas Volcano, you may stop for lunch (not included in trip price). Continue the rest of the way to La Fortuna. After checking into the hotel, you will visit the Tabacon Hot Springs for a superb healing bath with outstanding views. After dinner at Tabacon, return to your hotel to overnight. (B,L,D)
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Day 3 (Sun) ARENAL
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After breakfast at the hotel you start your Costa Rica tour with a visit to the Arenal Hanging Bridges. These outstanding hanging bridges are located deep and high in the forest. While walking on the hanging bridges you will be able to appreciate the great diversity of flowers and wildlife that are typical of the Costa Rica rainforest. Return to your hotel or the city for lunch. The day of your Costa Rica ecological tour continues with a visit Costa Rica's Arenal Volcano National Park, home to one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Its perfectly-formed cone and constant eruptions attracts visitors from all over the world. The exciting display of flowing lava will determine whether you hike the Los Tucanes, Los Laguitos, El Mirador or El Silencio trail. All of these trails lead to captivating Arenal Lake and contain an impressive array of plants, wildlife and magnificent lava rock formations. During the tour, the guide will share his knowledge about the history of this majestic area. After the hike, continue your exploration in the late evening on the Sky Tram for night views of the spouting Arenal Volcano. The night tour begins with a ride in the Sky tram to the top of the mountain where in a cloudless night it’s possible to enjoy the spectacular views of lava eruptions, from a comfortable platform. In this guided Costa Rica tour you can appreciate some animals such as bats, frogs, olingos, birds and an extended variety of insects. Late return to your hotel and overnight. (B)
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Day 4 (Mon) ARENAL - MONTEVERDE
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After beginning this day of your Costa Rica ecological tour with a hearty breakfast, transfer to Santa Elena & Monteverde Area. The trip to arrive in Santa Elena is an adventure in itself. The trip starts by transferring to a boat that crosses the Arenal Lake, created by a dam. If the day is clear, you will have spectacular views of the surrounding areas and Arenal Volcano. From here, transfer to 4x4 vehicles and continue on rouph roads until arriving in Montverde. After checking into the hotel and enjoying lunch, your Costa Rica travel continues with an exciting tour of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, home to a myriad of plants, insects, and over four hundred species of birds. It is one of the few areas in Central America where the stunning quetzal can be found. The reserve features an excellent network of hiking trails of varying lengths and levels of difficulty. After an exciting educational hike through the reserve, return to your hotel to overnight. (B)
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Day 5 (Tue) MONTEVERDE
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After an early breakfast, begin the Sky Trek tour. The Sky Trek is an extensive system of trails, canopy platforms, one treetop platform, one suspension bridge, and two zip-lines built deep within the cloud forest. This tour gives you a bird's eye view of the cloud forest, taking you high above the canopy for an experience like no other. For two to three hours, hike along the canopy and have the once-in-a-lifetime experience of flying through the forest on a zip-line. After the adrenaline rush subsides, transfer back to the hotel were you will have a free afternoon to enjoy the charming town of Santa Elena on your own. (B)
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Day 6 (Wed) MONTEVERDE - MANUEL ANTONIO
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After an early breakfast, transfer to Manuel Antonio National Park in private van. On they way, you will visit the Carara National Park, an ideal spot to observe where tropical and dry forests connect. Surrounded by local agricultural land, this reserve is teeming with crocodiles, monkeys, sloths and scarlet macaws. After exploring the area, continue to Manuel Antonio National Park and check into your hotel. The late afternoon is free for you to enjoy the beach and relax. (B)
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Day 7 (Thu) NARANJO RIVER RAFTING
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After breakfast, travel to the Naranjo River for an exciting Class III/IV half day rafting challenge, one of the most thrilling events of any Costa Rica tour. Located about three and half hours from Manuel Antonio, the Naranjo drops steeply from the mountains above Quepos through a beautiful jungle gorge. This rafting adventure is one wild ride, beginning in the mountains and ending at the sea, traveling through lush farmlands and palm plantations. Water levels rise quickly on this river, with increasing adrenaline and levels of difficulty, requiring rafters to be physically fit and ready for adventure. To raft, all children must be over thirteen years old. Fruit and snacks are provided to recharge your energy along the way. If you prefer, rafting on less challenging river can be arranged. After conquering the river, return to the hotel to spend the rest of the day relaxing by the pool or exploring the beautiful surroundings. Overnight at a hotel near the Naranjo. (B,L)
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Day 8 (Fri) PACIFIC BEACH FREE DAY
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This day of your Costa Rica ecotour is yours to discover more of this beautiful area at your leisure. Choose to relax on the sunny beach, or, if you're feeling a bit more adventurous, go sea kayaking, horseback riding, coastal paddling, hiking in the rainforest, or sport fishing. Manuel Antonio is undoubtedly one of the most lush and beautiful locations in Costa Rica, with spectacular sandy white beaches reaching forest-covered hills. Located on the central Pacific coast and covering an area of just 1,688 acres, the Manuel Antonio National Park protects beautiful beaches, the unique formation of Punta Catedral, scenic mangroves, some offshore islands and a humid tropical forest. The weather is always warm and very humid. Spend a second comfortable night at the hotel. (B)
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Day 9 (Sat) MANUEL ANTONIO - SAN JOSÉ
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Take the morning to further explore Manuel Antonio on this last full day of your Costa Rica ecological tour, before your return flight to to San José. Upon arrival in the San José airport transfer to the hotel and spent the night. (B)
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Day 10 (Sun) SAN JOSÉ - HOME
You'll be transported from the hotel to the International Airport, ending Southern Explorations services. (B)
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Key:
(B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner
Itinerary Map
CONTACT US
CALL
1.877.784.5400
TOLL FREE
OUTSIDE
THE U.S.A. CALL
1.206.784.8111
2008 SCHEDULED TRIP DATES
Friday Departures
2 person minimum / 8 maximum
September
05-14
October
10-19
November
21-30
December
19-28
Private Departures can be arranged. Please contact us regarding private departure costs.
2009 SCHEDULED TRIP DATES
Friday Departures
2 person minimum / 8 maximum
January
16-25
February
13-22
March
13-22
April
17-26
May
15-24
June
12-21
July
17-26
August
14-23
September
18-27
October
16-25
November
20-29
December
12/25-01/03
Private Departures can be arranged. Please contact us regarding private departure costs.
INCLUSIONS / EXCLUSIONS
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Included in tour cost
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- Meals as indicated
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- All hotel accommodations (twin shared basis)
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- All airport/hotel transfers
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- Entrance fees for all scheduled tours and archaeological sites
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- Rafting equipment
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- English speaking certified guides
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- Southern Explorations pre departure services.
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Excluded in tour cost
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International round - trip airfare to and from Costa Rica
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- Tips and gratuities
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- Travel insurance
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- Continental breakfasts are included at all hotels. All other meals are not included unless specified in the itinerary.
PHYSICAL RATING
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Moderate - Difficult
COSTA RICA ACCOMMODATION
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Classic Costa Rica:
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9 nights hotels
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
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Additional $250
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- Single Supplement is the additional cost of a single traveler not sharing a room in double occupancy. We will match you with another same gender traveler unless you request single accommodations.
Prices based on 3% cash discount
)
Duration: 10 days)
After breakfast at the hotel you start your Costa Rica tour with a visit to the Arenal Hanging Bridges. These outstanding hanging bridges are located deep and high in the forest. While walking on the hanging bridges you will be able to appreciate the great diversity of flowers and wildlife that are typical of the Costa Rica rainforest. Return to your hotel or the city for lunch. The day of your Costa Rica ecological tour continues with a visit Costa Rica's Arenal Volcano National Park, home to one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Its perfectly-formed cone and constant eruptions attracts visitors from all over the world. The exciting display of flowing lava will determine whether you hike the Los Tucanes, Los Laguitos, El Mirador or El Silencio trail. All of these trails lead to captivating Arenal Lake and contain an impressive array of plants, wildlife and magnificent lava rock formations. During the tour, the guide will share his knowledge about the history of this majestic area. After the hike, continue your exploration in the late evening on the Sky Tram for night views of the spouting Arenal Volcano. The night tour begins with a ride in the Sky tram to the top of the mountain where in a cloudless night it’s possible to enjoy the spectacular views of lava eruptions, from a comfortable platform. In this guided Costa Rica tour you can appreciate some animals such as bats, frogs, olingos, birds and an extended variety of insects. Late return to your hotel and overnight. (B)
)
After an early breakfast, begin the Sky Trek tour. The Sky Trek is an extensive system of trails, canopy platforms, one treetop platform, one suspension bridge, and two zip-lines built deep within the cloud forest. This tour gives you a bird's eye view of the cloud forest, taking you high above the canopy for an experience like no other. For two to three hours, hike along the canopy and have the once-in-a-lifetime experience of flying through the forest on a zip-line. After the adrenaline rush subsides, transfer back to the hotel were you will have a free afternoon to enjoy the charming town of Santa Elena on your own. (B)
