Locally Hosted Independent Tour Suggested Departure Day: Friday

ITINERARY (Subject to change without notice):

DAY 01 - USA – San Jose, Costa Rica: Upon arrival in the home of the “Ticos” (as the Costa Ricans are called), you will be met and transferred to your hotel, Grano de Oro for your for first night.  

DAY 02 – San Jose-Osa Peninsula (Golfito or Puerto Jimenez):  Early this morning your local host will transfer you to the domestic airport for the flight to one of the world’s few remaining pristine  rain forest areas, the Osa Peninsula (in small aircraft, luggage restrictions apply). Upon arrival in the Osa, you will be met by the lodge’s personnel and taken to the pier to board the motorized boat that will take you across the bay to Playa Nicuesa that borders the Piedras Blanca National Park.    (B/L/D)

NOTE: The three night program at Playa Nicuesa includes opportunity to partake in the following Activities: kayak in Gulf; Rio Esqiunas by kayak or boat; Casa Orquideas, Rainforest Hike & Waterfall hikes in  Piedras Blanca National Park. Boat/snorkel in Gulf, Inshore fishing in Gulf.

DAY 03 – Playa Nicuesa:  At leisure to partake in included activities . (B/L/D)

DAY 04 –. Playa Nicuesa:  At leisure to partake in included activities: (B/L/D                                       

DAY 05 – Osa Peninsula (Golfit or Puerto Jimenez)-San Jose-Manzanillo Beach-: Back to the landing strip in either Golfito or Puerto Jimenez for the flight back to San Jose, where you will be met by your local host and transferred some 4-5 hours by surface to the Caribbean coast, and experience another set of rainforest areas. First two nights will be spent at the unique Almonds & Corals Lodge, in the heart of the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge on Manzanillo Limon Beach. (B/D)

DAY 06 – Manzanillo Beach:  This morning within the area of the Lodge, you will have a guided hike through the surrounding tropical forest and pass an indigenous village. In the afternoon their will be a canopy excursion into the middle of the rainforest, series of hanging bridges  via cable system that “rides” you to 10 platforms.  (B/D)

DAY 07 – Manzanillo Beach-Tortuguero Area: Early this morning you will be driven to the small town of Siquirres , where you will meet up with the personnel of the Manatus Hotel. Here you will board a boat that will take you along the Tortuguero Canals (paralleling the Caribbean) to the hotel. In the afternoon you will visit the nearby Tortuguero village, a very small community with colorful Afro-Caribbean homes and stores and view “lifeseeing” activities of the people that live in the area.  (B/L/D)

DAY 08 Tortuguero Area: The area of Tortuguero has some 11 different ecological habitats that run from high rainforest right to the Caribbean sea. This lush area has some 375 species of birds, 400+ tree species and well over 2000 species of plants. In addition, the area abounds with crocodiles, manatees, 3 species of monkeys, 3-toed sloths. Your local host will take you out in the morning by boat to navigate the various channels and lakes. Afternoon at leisure.    (B/L/D)

DAY 09 Tortuguero Area-San Jose-USA: Early morning transfer to the Tortuguero airstrip for the flight back (in small aircraft, luggage restrictions will apply) to San Jose’s domestic airport where you will be met and transferred to the international airport for your flight home.  (B)

RATES and DETAILS: