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Locally Hosted Independent Tour Suggested Departure Day: Any day

ITINERARY (Subject to change without notice):

Day 01 - USA – San Jose - Sarapiqui:
Upon arrival in San Jose, you will be met and transferred less than 2-hours to the area of Sarapiqui and your hotel for the next three nights, Hacienda La Isla Boutique Hotel.

Day 02 – Sarapiqui:
This morning you will visit the famed OTS (Organization for Tropical Studies) at La Selva Biological Station, a private biological reserve for tropical rain forest research that includes some 65 universities and research centers world-wide. The afternoon will find you on an adrenaline rush as you white water raft on the Sarapiqui River (class III).  (B)

Day 03 – Sarapiqui:
A full day at the facilities of Pozo Azul Hacienda, an operating 2000-acre  ranch. It is also well known for its fine stables of Costa Rican Paso Finos, Spanish Andalusian, and quarter horses. . First you will enjoy a horseback riding excursion through rain forest areas. Later, rappel down some 90 ft. on the Sarapiqui Canyon wall with great views of the Sarapiqui and Pozol Azul Rivers. Lunch will be in the area. (B/L)

Day 04 – Sarapiqui - Tortuguero:  
Today your hosts will take you to the nearby docks at either Guapiles or Siquirres for the motorlaunch to your hotel in Tortuguero. The “inland passageway” of the Tortuguero canals parallel the Caribbean coastline. As you travel along the canals, witness the rich vibrant, lush tropical rainforest and with luck, spot incredibley colorful birds, monkeys, iguanas, sloths, among other species! In the months of July through September, thousands of green turtles come to nest and March through May come the leatherbacks. Your accommodations for the next 2 nights will be the Manatus Hotel.  In the afternoon visit the Tortuguero Village where you see colorful Afro-Caribbean homes, and also has a sea-turtle museum.  (B/L/D)             

Day 05 – Tortuguero:
The Tortuguero National Park was established in 1970, it is home to 11 ecological habitats, housing some 300 bird species, 57 species of amphibians, 111 of reptiles, 60 of mammals and some endangered species such as the jaguar, tapirs and manati. In the morning, there will be a boat excursion through the areas secondary canals. The afternoon will find you on a guided tour into the Tortuguero  National Park. NOTE: you may also wish to use the hotel’s kayaks to explore the surroundings.  (B/L/D)

Day 06 – Tortuguero – Arenal Area:  
This morning your hotel hosts will take you by boat to the dock at Guapiles where you will have lunch in the area. Then you will be met by your vehicle and guide for the 2-hour drive to Arenal and your hotel, the Arenal Kioro  (B/L)

Day 07 – Arenal:
Morning is the perfect time for pedaling on a mountain bike through areas where dense forest, Arenal volcano and the  lake seem to meld together. On the way to and from the entrance of the Arenal National Park, be it on the trail or main road, nature surrounds you. As you pedal, look out for various bird species, including Squirrel Cuckoos, Keel Billed Toucans, Crested Guans, trogons, herons, even the Laughing Falcon; mammals may include howler monkeys and raccoons.. The afternoon will find you at the Ecoglide Park, flying among the treetops as if you were Tarzan! The canopy excursion consists of 3-sections, the first part has 6-cables varying in length from 10-110 meters and  7-platforms . Section 2, 5-cables with length varying from 40-meters to 160 meters, and at the end is the Tarzan Swing. The last section has 4-cables from 70-430 meters and 5-platforms. (B)

Day08 – Arenal:  
Very early this morning you will be taken to Tenorio Volcano National Park. Here you begin the 4-hour hike through a tropical rain forest, arriving at “Los Tenideros where the Buena Vista and Roble Rivers meet to give name to this sky-blue stream. The return trail takes you to “Ollas,”  openings in the earth from which one can extract healing muds for mud baths and then dip in the natural hot springs of Tenorio. Continue hiking to view the volcano’s vents expelling gases, descend down to the Rio Celeste Waterfall and at the end of our hike there will be a typical Costa Rican lunch before going back to your hotel. (B/L)

Day09 – Arenal – Bajos del Toro:  
Before leaving for the could forest area of Bajos del Toro, enjoy a fun and scenic ATV excursion in the Arenal area; perhaps through pasturelands, tropical fruit plantations or tropical rain forest. After this enjoyable respite, continue to your last destination to reflect and unwind for the then two nights at El Silencio Lodge Lodge & Spa.  (B/D)

Day10 – Bajos del Toro:
The lodge will provide you with a brief “Mystic Hike” on the property grounds at your leisure. Balance of day to do as you wish; or enjoy the spa facilities (not included in program). (B/L/D)

Day11 – Bajos del Toro-San Jose Airport-USA:
After breakfast you will be driven the 2-hours to the San Jose international airport for departure. (B)

RATES and DETAILS: