COSTa RIC a ECO a DVENTURE

Trip Highlights

Connect With Locals Enjoy some time with the owners of your hotel, providing a unique experience, as they prepare a special BBQ meal just for you. Visit a local Tico family’s palm plantation to learn about and taste the delicate heart of palm. Visit the Quintana family’s Hacienda Pozo Azul and discover how they reduce their carbon footprint and support the local community. Meet Monteverde’s Quaker pioneers Marvin and Flory. They moved in the early 1950s to Monteverde from Alabama. They will share their life stories and all the changes they have seen take place in the region Dive Into Culture Meet master chocolatiers, Julio Fernandez and George Soriano, to learn about the history of chocolate and how it is produced at this small workshop

Visit Tortuguero National Park, Sarapiquí, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

View Arenal Volcano

The Sea Turtle Conservancy Tortuguero Visitor Center is an educational center located in the heart of Tortuguero National Park, one of the most important sea turtle nesting sites in the world for green turtles

Day 1 Welcome to San José

Learn the secrets of pura vida on this effortlessly delivered encounter with Costa Rica. This evening, join your Travel Director and fellow expeditioners for a Welcome Reception.  Sheraton San José  Dinner Day 2 Discover the Natural Beauty of Tortuguero National Park (2 Nights)

Journey to San Isidro de Heredia, where we’ll ‘Dive Into Culture’ with master chocolatiers, Julio Fernandez and George Soriano, to learn about the history of chocolate and how it is produced at this small workshop. Then, it’s on to Siquirres where we’ll embark on a river journey with a ‘Local Specialist’ through protected wetlands to secluded Tortuguero. Enjoy a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience in the heart of Tortuguero with a visit to the Sea Turtle Conservancy Tortuguero Visitor Center. Later, we enjoy dinner at our hotel this evening accompanied by the enchanting sounds of resident cicadas and tree frogs.

 Laguna Lodge Tortuguero  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 Visit the Wildlife of Tortuguero National Park

Cruise the canals and streams of the park today with a ‘Local Specialist’ as howler monkeys watch from the treetops, toucans and egrets fly through the air and crocodiles ply the cool waters. Visit the Village of Tortuguero. If you are here between July and September, take an optional tour to see the sea turtles laying eggs on the beach.

 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 4 Sample Heart of Palm in Sarapiquí

Bid adiós to Tortuguero and head back to the mainland where we’ll enjoy lunch before meeting the Tico family for a ‘Connect With Locals’ experience at their palm plantation. There you’ll learn about and sample the delicate heart of palm. Tonight you’ll enjoy a ‘Be My Guest’ experience with the owners of your hotel. ‘Connect With Locals’ as they prepare a special BBQ meal just for you.  La Quinta Sarapiquí Lodge  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 5 Mingle

with Locals in Sarapiquí

Before breakfast this morning, get up close and personal to Costa Rica’s exquisite nature during a leisurely hike. Keep a look out for the endangered great green macaw and connect with your beautiful natural surroundings. Embark on an optional rafting trip^ later this morning. We ‘Connect With Locals,’ joining the Quintana Family for a ‘Be My Guest’ lunch at their eco-friendly hacienda. Learn how your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience contributes to the local community. We continue to Arenal Volcano, where we spend the afternoon relaxing.  Arenal Paraiso Resort and Spa  Breakfast, Lunch Day 6 Immerse in the Stories of Monteverde Cloud Forest (2 Nights)

Visit Monteverde Cloud Forest, then ‘Connect With Locals’ as you meet a native Quaker, and ‘Local Specialist,’ who will share stories of Old Town Monteverde. This evening, relish some of the best views as you enjoy dinner.  El Establo Mountain  Breakfast, Dinner Day 7 Wander the Monteverde Cloud Forest

Join your guide for an excursion through Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and later walk above the jungle floor on its Sky Walk^. We toast to our eco-adventure at a Farewell Dinner.  Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 Depart Liberia or San José

Transfer to either Liberia or San José International Airports or travel on to Guanacaste Beach for those extending their stay.  Breakfast Airport arrival will be at 11.30am for both San José and Liberia airport. Please be aware when booking your flights.

Note: For activities marked with a caret (^) in the day­by­day itinerary, participation is at your own risk and a signed liability waiver will be required.

Note: For the more remote areas of Costa Rica (such as Tortuguero and Sarapiquí), we use the best available hotel facilities with comfortable but simple guestrooms and eco­friendly amenities perfectly suited to the natural surroundings. This journey requires walking on uneven surfaces and steps and sometimes through heavy showers (rain ponchos provided). This journey is best enjoyed by the experienced traveler in good health who can take such conditions in stride.

Luggage: For the two night excursion to Tortuguero National Park, guests are permitted to bring a maximum of 25 lbs of luggage. Your primary suitcase will be transferred and securely stored at your Sarapiquí hotel.

Guanacaste Beach Stay Option

Extend your vacation with a stay at Guanacaste Beach, famous for its fishing, swimming, diving, surfing and sun.

D ay 8 On the shores of Guanacaste (2 Nights)

Check in to your seaside resort in the Guanacaste surfing town of Tamarindo Beach.

Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort

Breakfast

D ay 9 Surf and Play in Guanacaste

Settle in for a day at leisure. Relax on the beach, learn how to surf or go shopping in the nearby Tamarindo village.

Breakfast member on trips operated by Trafalgar only when you book with us!

Trip Planner

Pricing starts at $2,075/person

Double occupancy; Land only before savings

2023 DEPARTURES

MAY 20

JUN 17, 24

JUL 8, 22

AUG 12

SEP 16

NOV 18

DEC 9, 16

2024 DEPARTURES

JAN 13, 20, 27

FEB 3, 10, 17, 24

MAR 2, 9, 16, 23

APR 13, 20

MAY 18

JUN 8, 22

JUL 6, 20

SEP 14

OCT 19

NOV 9

DEC 7, 21

Visit GETours.com for more departures

Code: LCRE. Prices based on two people sharing a twin room.

Solo Room Supplement: Call for pricing.

Gratuities: Ask your Travel Specialist if you’d like to pre-pay the gratuities for your Travel Director & Driver. Room Share is not available on this trip.

D ay 10 Depart Liberia

Transfer to Liberia International Airport for your flight or consider extending your stay to soak up the sun-kissed shores of Costa Rica.

Breakfast

Trip Code: LCRG