A comprehensive tour through the jungles, mountains and coasts of this natural paradise with wildlife viewing, boat trips and beaches

Costa Rica is a charming and peaceful country with a rich natural heritage. Its hilly, forested interior hosts a wealth of plant, bird and animal life, whilst its superb coastline is perfect for marine exploration or beach relaxation. This trip visits several national parks and nature reserves replete with a wealth of exotic fauna including white-faced howler monkeys, sloths and iguanas. The white-sand beaches and rivers of both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts are perfect for swimming and snorkelling, and also offer chances to see turtles and caimans.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Start San Jose. 2 To Caribbean coast, boat to Tortuguero N.P. 3 Guided tour of water channels and hike up Tortuguero Hill. 4 Inland to La Fortuna, near Arenal Volcano. 5 Morning hike to La Fortuna Waterfall; afternoon visit volcano itself. 6 Transfer to Tilaran Mountains, with breathtaking views of Gulf of Nicoya and islands below. 7 Visit Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, famous for its biodiversity. 8 Along coast to Manuel Antonio. 9 Morning guided visit to Manuel Antonio N.P. 10 Free day to enjoy the fantastic beaches of Manuel Antonio N.P. 11 Drive to Golfito, stay at lodge in rainforest. 12 To local school and hike through the Piedras Blancas N.P. 13 To lodge at Cerro de la Muerte, in cloud forest, for quetzal spotting. 14 Walk to Copey, a tiny picturesque village nestled in the highlands of the Central Mountains. Afternoon return to San Jose. 15 End San Jose.

Mode of travel: Travel is by minibus, on some dirt roads, and by boat.
Group size: Min. 6, max. 16, plus leader.
Accommodation: 14 nights hotels and lodges.
Food: All breakfasts, 7 lunches and 5 dinners included.
Optional Single Supplement: from $550.00
Trip Reference: AUC
Reverse Itinerary: trips that run in reverse are specified with an "R" in the dates and prices table below.