Locally Hosted Independent Tour Suggested Departure Day: Any day

ITINERARY (Subject to change without notice):

DAY 1 - USA - San Jose/Santa Barbara de Heredia: Depart your USA gateway for flight to San Jose. Upon arrival, meeting and transfer to the charming Finca Rosa Blanca in the foothills of the Central Valley, less than 30 minutes from the airport.

DAY 2 – San Jose/Santa Barbara de Heredia: Today you will first visit the Braulio Carrillo National Park, basically founded in the late 80’s after a public outcry for building the highway to Limon through this area. The park covers some 170 sq. miles comprising of very diverse terrain, ranging from 100 ft. to 9500 ft. above sea level, from the Central Plateau down towards the Cariibean. Ecosystems range from cloud forest in the higher ranges to tropical wet forest. Here one finds over 6000 tree species, nearly 400 bird species (including the quetzal, toucan, great green macaw) and 135 mammal species (such as tapir, white-tailed deer, peccary). Then continue on to visit the INBioparque's extensive system of interpretative trails revealing the bio-diversity found in the country. Tour begins with a documentary about Costa Ricas natural history  and fragile ecosystems. Walk along the trails,  experience  living  examples of tropical rainforest, tropical dry forest, and the rare Central Valley forest. .Also visit the butterfly farm and aquarium;  and a light show takes visitors on a virtual tour of Costa Rica’s national parks. Lunch will be included on this full day excursion.  (B/L)

DAY 3 – San Jose/Santa Barbara de Heredia - Pacuare Protected Zone: Your local host will drive you to the pre-determined site in San Jose where you will meet up with the outfitters from Pacuare Lodge. From there it will be a 2.5-hour drive to Linda Vista from which you will begin the exciting Pacuare white water rafting (class III) to the lodge (within the Pacuare Protected Zone), about 1.5-hours of rafting. In the afternoon there will be a 2-hour nature hike OR take the optional canopy zip-line, that begins with a 20-minute hike to the first platform from which you rappel down trees and slide on cables, descending down to the forest floor, just steps away from the main lodge. Overnight in one of the very comfortable bungalows of Pacuare Lodge. (B/L/D)

ABOUT PACUARE LODGE: Nine wooden, thatched roofed  bungalows tucked within a rainforest on the  banks of the Pacuare River, each tastefully decorated with private bath; main lodge is public area with dining room with excellent cuisine is on the first level and on the second level relaxing sitting areas and hammocks.

DAY 4 – Pacuare Protected Zone-Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refgue:  After breakfast, you will put-in again on the Pacuare for a 4-hours rafting excursion on class III and class IV rapids to Siquirres. Here you leave the outfitters after lunch and will be met by your local host and driven to the Caribbean coast, some 4-hours to the area of the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge to the unique tent lodge at Almonds &  Corals for two nights. (B/L/D)

ABOUT ALMONDS & CORALS: Twenty screened tents, each placed within a fully screened enclosed cabin on stilts with a wooden floor and roof, with plenty of room within the enclosure for a hammock, table and chairs; in addition, each has its own private bathroom; there is also electricity for lamps and a fan. As it lies near the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, lush, deep jungle vegetation abounds, even in daylight, it is fairly dark on ground level. Cabins are connected to each other and the public areas of reception and restaurant by elevated wooden platforms on stilts that also lead to the white-sanded beach.

DAY 5 – Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge: Morning hike of about 2-hours to the Cahuita National Park, though formed to protect one of the country’s few living reefs, sedimentation from expanding banana plantations and deforestation in the Talamanca Mountains and the last earthquake have killed much of the reef close to the shore. In these waters some 35 species of coral have been identified, including elk horn, brain coral and Venus sea fan, and 123 species of tropical fish.. You will have an opportunity to snorkel before returning to the lodge for lunch. The afternoon will find you on a canopy zip-line excursion that will take you from the treetops to treetops via series of platforms connect by cable zip-lines and hanging bridges right down to the golden seashore sands. (B/L/D)

DAY 6 - Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge - Tortuguero: After breakfast you will be driven back to the Siquirres area where you will be met by the personnel of Pachira Lodge for the nearly 2-hours boat ride along the Tortuguero Canals that parallel the Caribbean, reaching the Lodge around lunch time. . In the afternoon, visit the quaint village of Tortuguero and the Caribbean Conservation Turtle Museum (no entrance fee, but a “donation” is expected). During the months of July-September you may wish to take an optional excursion (at additional cost) for a turtle night watch on the beach. Overnight at the Lodge. (B/L/D)

ABOUT PACHIRA LODGE: Located a mere 5 minutes from the entrance of the Tortuguero National Park’s main entrance and across the “main canal” from the Town of Tortuguero, the Lodge rests on14 hectares. Each of the 34 rooms have 2 double beds, private bath with hot water, ceiling fans. Restaurant/bar decorated with bamboo furniture and meals are served buffet-style. Relaxing pool.      

DAY  7 – Tortuguero - Sarapiqui: Today will be a long but very interesting day! First, you will take the regular boat service from Tortuguero up to the Rio San Juan, the natural border separating Costa Rica and Nicaragua, then down the Sarapiqui River to the dock at Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui. Here you will leave the boat and be driven about 15 kilometers to La Quinta de Sarapiqui Lodge for the next two nights  (B/L)

ABOUT LA QUINTA DE SARAPIQUI: This lodge, on the banks of the Sardinal River, is located in an undisturbed pre-montane tropical wet forest, is family owned/operated. Originally started as a farm, it has slowly transformed into a unique garden of cabins connected by trails and covered walkways, with pounds and colorful gardens. Each cabin has two or more rooms, each with their private bath, hot water, ceiling fans – the porch of all cabins have their own rocking chairs overlooking the gardens. There is a restaurant/bar, daily meals include fresh fruits and vegetable, many of which are grown on the premises. There is a heliconia and ornamental flower garden and a frog-land “trail” where the poisonous dart frog can often be seen

DAY 8 – Sarapiqui: The morning will take you to the nearby La Selva Biological Station, one of 3 such Stations operated by the Organization for Tropical Studies, consortium of some 50 USA and Costa Rican Universities dedicated to tropical research. La Selva covers some 1500+ hectares with more than 60 kilometers of trails. Since 1985, La Selva has annually the Christmas Bird count, the most counted within a 24-hour period has been 420 species within a 14.5 kilometer radius! The guided walking tour, in addition to birds, will reveal frogs, toads, snakes, lizards and an incredible variety and number of plants and insects. Return to La Quinta for brief rest before the afternoon excursion to La Tirimbina Reserve. The Tirimbina Rainforest Center is affiliated with the Milwaukee Public Museum, for the preservation, education and Scientific research of the natural forest. This reserve covers some 865 acres ff pristine forest. The reserve's habitats include riverside, island, forest edge, gardens, and others It also contains eight kilometers of trails adapted for all ages. The guided walking tour will also take you along several suspension bridges. (B)

DAY 9 – Sarapiqui - Arenal:  In the morning you will drive into the cooler area of Arenal, less than a 3-hour drive away. Accomodations for the next 3 nights will be at the Lost Iguana Lodge. In the afternoon your host will take you for a  most extraordinary view of the Arenal Volcano with a gentle hike along the base of this marvelous "Mountain of Fire". The hike begins on the active side of the volcano, that takes you through the forest over recent lava flows and to the destroyed area now in the process of regeneration. Continue to El Tabacon Resort and Hot Springs, take a dip in one of the 10 the natural mineral hot springs that descend from the volcano. The pools are surrounded by some of the most impressively well-manicured tropical gardens. After your relaxing soak in the warm waters, dinner will be included in the hotel’s restaurant.   (B/D)

ABOUT LOST IGUANA: Located on 100 acres, overlooking the Arenal Volcano And Arenal River Gorge. All rooms have king or 2-full beds, A/C, satellite TV, Ceiling fans, safe-deposit box. Standard deluxe rooms have min-bar, coffee service, balcony. Luxury suites have dinning area, sitting area, Jacuzzi bath. Las Casitas are located on a hill, each has 2-bedrooms, large master with king bed second room has bunk beds, refrigerator, microwave, patio or balcony with Jacuzzi. The 4 Celebrity Villas also have 2-bedrooms, kitchen or kitchenette, refrigerator Microwave, patio or balcony with Jacuzzi and outdoos shower. Facilities include Open air restaurant, Palapa bar, pool with swim-up bar.

DAY 10 – Arenal: Today will be an active full day. Begin with mountain biking tour of the surrounding area; Some will have very good views of the volcano, traveling through forested areas to the dam at Lake Arenal to the entrance of the national park. After peddling around on the bike, leave it behind and mount your horse for a gentle ride up to the foothills of the volcano through very pastoral country scenery. Dismount and hike some 500 meters into the forest to the hidden La Fortuna Waterfalls with its 230 ft.drop into a natural pool. Lunch will be included during this full day. (B/L)

DAY 11 – Arenal-San Ramon area: Today, at a more leisurely pace, you will be driven about 2-hours to the aera know as San Ramon and your hotel in to the region near the Los Angeles Cloud Forest, Villa Blanca Hotel. Lat this afternoon at dusk, prepared with a flashlight, enjoy a walking guided nocturnal visit into a cloud forest where your guide will point out many characteristics that are not seen in daylight hours.(B)

ABOUT VILLA BLANCA HOTEL: This boutique hotel rests on 75-acres of lush cloud forest. Thirty-five individual casitas and five romantic Honeymoon Casitas are scattered throughout the property, each with their own view, private baths, fireplaces, sitting area and porch.

DAY 12 – San Ramon area: This morning your host will take you on a guided 1-kilometer walking excursion within the Los Angeles Cloud Forest, a private biological reserve. Here you will view a variety of tropical flora and fauna, with possibility of spotting howler monkeys, sloths and toucans. The afternoon is a leisure or you may wish to have an optional guided horseback riding tour through the picturesque dairy farm of former President Rodrigo Carazo.  (B)

DAY 13 – San Ramon - San Jose - Osa/Golfito: Very early morning transfer to the domestic airport in San Jose (a little more than an hour’s drive), where you will board the scheduled small aircraft flight to Golfito on the Osa peninsula, where you will be met by lodge staff and taken to the pier to board the boat for the 30-minute ride across the gulf to the Playa Nicuesa Lodge near Piedras Blancas National Park. At the lodge you will have free access to kayaks, windsurf boards, basic snorkeling and fishing equipment. In addition, you will be able to select one guided tour on each of the two coming days.  (B/L/D)

ABOUT PLAYA NICUESA: This family owned and operated lodge on 165-acre private reserve Is located in the Osa peninsula, which may say is one of the most biologically diverse areas on The planet and one of Central America’s largest pristine rainforest area. The lodge is small, lending to private and personalized service. There are three 1-bedroom cabins and one 2-bedroom cabin. In the two-story Mango House, there are 4 rooms. Whether cabins or rooms, each have canopied beds, ceiling fans, private baths with open-aired hot showers. The open-aired main house rises two stories to the canopy jungle, where there is the terrace bar, lounging area and family style dining area.

DAY 14 & DAY 15 – Osa/Golfito: During these two days you may select one guided tour each day: kayaking in the Dulce Golo; Rio Esquinas Mangrove by kayak or boat; visit Casa Orchideas; guided snorkeling in Golfo or guided coastal fishing.  (B/L/D)

DAY 16 - Osa/Golfito  - San Jose - USA: Today you will boat back to Golfito and catch the scheduled small aircraft flight back to San Jose, where you will be met and transferred to the international airport for your flight home. (B)

RATES and DETAILS: