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Day 1
ARRIVE SAN JOSE
Pura Vida! Bienvenidos a Costa Rica! You're going to have more fun than a barrel of monkeys and spot more than a barrel of wildlife on this incredible adventure. A local host will greet you at the airport and arrange your complimentary transfer to the hotel. Relax by the pool before meeting your Travel Director and fellow explorers at 6 p.m. for a Kick-off Party.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 2
SAN JOSE - BRAULIO CARRILLO NATIONAL PARK - TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK (2 NIGHTS)
Rise with the roosters and head east through Braulio Carrillo National Park towards the Caribbean Sea. Stop at a banana plantation and learn about the Local Speciality of banana production while snacking on a just-ripe banana before arriving in Tortuguero National Park. You'll also have the chance to taste the fresh juice of a coconut, another Local Speciality, after you find the most delicious "pipa" (a variety of coconut) to have cut open and sample. Board a river boat, gliding through canals, lagoons and lowland rainforest teeming with wildlife. You'll be amazed at how many kinds of animals live here—six species of sea turtles, monkeys, caimans, tons of exotic bird species plus rare and endangered ocelots, river otters and manatees. Join a Local Expert from the Sea Turtle Conservancy Foundation to learn about the incredible turtles that nest in Tortuguero. The afternoon is yours—hang out by the pool or on the beach, or head to Tortuguero Village to meet the students (when school is in session). Enjoy a buffet dinner at the resort's open-air restaurant along the Tortuguero lagoon.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 3
TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK SIGHTSEEING & FREE TIME
Arrr, arrr, arrr! There's nothing like the wake-up call of a troop of howler monkeys to start your day. Set off with your captain and guide to explore the lush canals and waterways of Tortuguero National Park. You may want to start a tally of all the types of wildlife you'll see. Look out for sloths, green iguanas, caiman, crocodiles and colourful toucans. Of course, you'll spot tons of monkeys—agile howler and spider monkeys and white headed capuchins swinging through the dense rainforest canopy. This afternoon, you can venture back out on the canals to add to your wildlife tally or relax back at the lodge—the choice is yours! If you're visiting during nesting season (Jul-Sep), join an optional night walk with a naturalist guide to witness some of the world's largest turtles laying their eggs. Amazing! A buffet dinner is served at your hotel this evening.
Day 4
TORTUGUERO - SARAPIQUI - ARENAL NATIONAL PARK (2 NIGHTS)
Bid adios to the monkeys for now as you boat back to the mainland and travel by motorcoach to Horquetas. Here you'll visit a local Tico family palm plantation to learn all about and taste an exotic vegetable and Local Speciality you've probably never tried—the delicate heart of palm. Continue travelling to tiny Sarapiqui where you'll visit a pineapple farm, the only farm of its kind in the world producing certified organic golden pineapples. After learning how it's grown without hurting the environment, you'll eat the juiciest, most delicious pineapple ever.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 5
ARENAL SIGHTSEEING & FREE TIME
Rise and shine as the jungle and volcano are calling! Start the day with a guided trek around the quiet side of the volcano at Arenal National Park. Walk through the old lava rocks and learn about the powerful forces behind the volcano's past eruptions. Then head to the Arenal Hanging Bridges where you can walk eye-level within the lush canopy, observe the monkeys, sloths and chattering birds up close, and look out to see the rumbling, steaming Arenal Volcano. Relax or take a swim at the pool back at the hotel. End the day bubbling and soaking in the thermal mineral pools and hot springs at the awesome Tabacon Hot Springs followed by a scrumptious Highlight Dinner buffet.
Day 6
ARENAL - MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK (2 NIGHTS)
Head south to Manuel Antonio National Park, renowned for its warm blue waters, sparkling white-sand beaches and abundant exotic wildlife. Then, get ready for a blast! Imagine yourself soaring high above the jungle floor as you fly along ziplines through the treetops, eye-to-eye with the lush foliage and exotic rainforest creatures. Combined with Tarzan swings and rappelling, ziplining through the canopy is sure to be among the most amazing adventures of your lifetime! This evening, join the gang for a pizza night Highlight Dinner.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 7
MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK SIGHTSEEING & FREE TIME
Walking deep into the National Park with your guide, you'll definitely check off a few more creatures on your wildlife list—at last count, there were 109 kinds of animals and 184 species of birds living here! Listen for those barking howler monkeys and the chattering of those mischievous squirrels and white face monkeys. Then, it's time to hit the beach! You can laze in the warm Pacific or at the resort's pool, or choose one of many incredible optional activities. Will it be a catamaran cruise to snorkel (and maybe even see dolphins, parrotfish and sea turtles), a surf lesson, mangrove kayak tour, horseback ride or white water rafting? This evening, join your fellow explorers and celebrate new friendships and awesome experiences with a Farewell Dinner at the hotel.
Day 8
MANUEL ANTONIO - DEPART SAN JOSE
Travel back to San Jose's Juan Santamaria International Airport for your flight (not included in holiday price) or to the hotel in San Jose for guests extending their stay. Or choose to linger longer in Manuel Antonio! Please do not schedule any flights before 12:30 p.m.