Colours of Costa Rica

Fly to San José, Costa Rica's capital, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for overnight stay. Next day is yours to start soaking up the local culture, and in the evening you will enjoy a welcome dinner. (Only day 2 includes B, L, D)

This morning, get to know San Jose by exploring the main streets, theatres, museums and downtown neighbourhoods. After this, head to the outskirts of the city, to the town of Escazu where vestiges of the colonial lifestyle still can be found on every corner. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, visit a local artisan to learn about the traditional “mascaradas” and finish your visit at a sugar cane mill.

Today you will travel through Braulio Carrillo National Park crossing through rural agriculture towns of banana and cocoa plantations, before you embark on a boat to cross to the beautiful jungle area of Tortuguero. This afternoon receive a visit from the local elder, learning how the town turned from a lumberjack town into one of the most important wildlife protection areas in the country.

Start the morning with a boat tour on the canals of the Tortuguero National Park, where you can expect to see anything from small reptiles such as the Jesus Christ Lizard, multiple species of migratory and stationary birds, or if you are lucky, the king of the Costa Rican jungles: the elusive jaguar. Stop at the town of Tortuguero to explore and learn about their way of living.

Leaving the Caribbean behind, your exploration continues crossing mountains, rivers and different kinds of forests, as you continue to one of the landmarks of Costa Rica, the Arenal Volcano. You will stop at the town of Sarapiqui to visit with a local farmer, tasting the delicacy of fresh cut Heart of Palm.

This morning you visit Eco Centro Danaus, one of the most important projects for wildlife protection and preservation in the area. In the afternoon visit the Arenal 1968 Park, for a walk that offers spectacular panoramic views of Arenal Volcano and Arenal Lake. You will end the day with a stop at the hot springs to relax and enjoy the peaceful and beautiful scenery.

Enjoy a trip in an inflatable boat through the scenic Río Peñas Blancas as you try to spot a wide variety of trees, birds, monkeys and other wildlife. Your afternoon is at leisure before heading into town to enjoy an evening experiencing amongst the locals.

Today you leave the imposing Arenal Volcano and its rain forest behind as you move to the cloud forest area of Monteverde. In the late afternoon experience a forest walk at night, learning about the various species that rule at nightfall, to the symphony of frogs and insects.

This morning take a memorable walk on the Hanging Bridges where you get to see the flora and fauna at every level of these magical tropical forests. The afternoon is yours to decide if you want to stay in the park or relax at the hotel, before a local host shares the history of the Quaker foundations of Monteverde with you.

After breakfast head to the last destination of this trip, the area of Manuel Antonio. Completing the forest cycle of the country this area hosts not only a large variety of flora and fauna in a relatively small area of land, but also a significant patch of protected sea. After amazing views of the Nicoya Gulf you will arrive at your hotel where you spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Wake up to explore the pristine natural beauty of this National Park filled with exotic wildlife such as monkeys, sloths, birds, reptiles and butterflies. A picturesque walk takes you to one of the beaches named the most beautiful in the world. Experience the lush rainforest, white sandy beaches below, and crystalline blue waters.

Morning at leisure to relax before exploring the local flavors of the area this afternoon with a stop at the local farmers’ market in Quepos, to pick out ingredients for dinner. Continue to a private ranch in Londres to choose the finishing flavours, colours and textures for your meal, before the preparation guided by the expert local cooks.

Transfer to the airport and fly to New Zealand. Arrive home in 2 days due to crossing the International Date Line once again.