Costa Rica Detailed Itinerary

DAY 01 DEPARTURE SAN JOSÉ: Board your plane for a flight to Costa Rica. Arrive in San José, the capital of the country, and greet your full-time naturalist tour director at the airport. Transfer to the city center for check-in at your hotel followed by dinner. Overnight in San José.

DAY 02 CARARA NATIONAL PARK: Following breakfast, transfer by coach to Carara National Park, distinctive in that it is the transition zone between the Pacific rainforest and the tropical dry forest. The park is a sanctuary for endangered species such as the American crocodile and the Purpleheart tree as well as the rare and beautiful scarlet macaw. After your visit, continue on to Manuel Antonio for check-in and dinner at your hotel. Overnight in the Manuel Antonio area.

DAY 03 MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK: Visit Manuel Antonio National Park, known for its lush forest and white sand beaches. Enjoy guided walks along the park's trails, where you may view the rare squirrel monkey, or lay back and soak up the sun on the beautiful beaches. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 04 PALO VERDE NATIONAL PARK: Continue your exploration of Costa Rica as you transfer to the Guanacaste province for a visit to Palo Verde National Park. This park is one of the most ecologically diverse areas in Costa Rica, consisting of more than 13 different habitats. Board your boat and glide on the Tempisque River for a closer look at the animals, flora and fauna. See whiteface and howler monkeys frolicking in the trees, and watch the banks for American crocodiles sunning themselves along the beach. Continue to the Palo Verde Biological Station for dinner and overnight.

DAY 05 MONTEVERDE BIOLOGICAL RESERVE: Today's destination is the Monteverde Biological Reserve. Situated on a 4,000-foot mountain plateau, Monteverde offers incredible views of the Pacific Coast below. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve is owned and administered by the non-profit, Tropical Science Center (TSC), whose objective is to conduct and support scientific research and the education of tropical environments. Enjoy lunch and dinner at La Casona within TSC. Overnight in the Monteverde area.

DAY 06 MONTEVERDE BIOLOGICAL RESERVE: Following breakfast, visit the Santa Elena Cloud Forest to learn about Costa Rica's renowned conservation efforts. This afternoon experience a Monteverde Canopy Tour. Travel on suspension cables from platform to platform while enjoying the beauty of the cloud forest. Enjoy lunch and dinner at the La Casona within TSC. Overnight in the Monteverde area.

DAY 07 ARENAL REGION: This morning, transfer to Arenal for a spectacular view of one of the world's most active volcanoes. Since its last major eruption in 1968, Arenal has experienced several mini-eruptions every day! Enjoy lunch at your, then visit the Baldi Hot Springs for a chance to relax in the mineral pools and have dinner. Overnight in Arenal Area.

DAY 08 LA SELVA REGION SARAPIQUI RIVER RAFTING: Today takes you to the La Selva Region, deep in the rainforest to learn about this endangered ecosystem. Check-in to the La Selva Biological Station. After lunch, enjoy an afternoon whitewater rafting expedition on the crystal clear waters of the Sarapiqui River. Return to the biological station for dinner and overnight.

DAY 09 LA SELVA REGION: Join your natural history guide on a walk introducing you to lowland rain forest biology including 120 species of mammals, 2,000 species of vascular plants, 420 bird species and 500 species of butterflies! Return to the lodge for lunch. This afternoon, transfer back to San José for dinner and overnight.

DAY 10 RETURN: Say farewell to this beautiful land of rainforests and volcanoes, and transfer to the airport for your return flight.