Costa Rican Tropics - 8 days

Tour Highlights

National Museum • Teatro Nacional • Inbioparque • Braulio Carrillo National Pak • Tortuguero National Park • Cano Negro • La Fortuna Waterfalls • Arenal Volcano • 3 Performance Opportunities

Overnights

San Jose 2, Tortuguero 2, San Carlos 2

Itinerary

DAY 1: SAN JOSE
Depart the USA today for an exciting tropical adventure. Arrive in the capital of Costa Rica where you meet your Tour Manager and transfer to your hotel for check-in. After an arrival briefing, the rest of the day is free to explore at your leisure. Dinner and overnight in San Jose.

DAY 2: SAN JOSE
Sightseeing with your Tour Manager includes the National Museum, with its impressive exhibits of natural history and pre-Columbian art and artifacts, and the University of Costa Rica. You will also visit the Teatro Nacional. Modeled after the Paris Opera House, the theater was built from coffee taxes. This afternoon you will visit the INBioparque and Educational Center to learn about the importance of Costa Rica's biodiversity. Tonight after dinner is your debut performance!

DAY 3: SAN JOSE
Journey to Sarchí today, the hub of Costa Rica’s arts and crafts trade. Furniture makers abound; be sure to see the famous Sarchí ox-carts and leather rocking chairs. Return to San Jose for a free afternoon and preparation for your second performance. Dinner and overnight in San Jose.

DAY 4: TORTUGUERO
Drive through the spectacular cloud forest in the Braulio Carrillo National Park. Continue on a riverboat journey, which will take you to your lodge in Tortuguero National Park. This research park, which is one of the most exotic regions in the world, is also home to the most important green sea turtle nesting ground in the Western Caribbean. All meals are included while in Tortuguero.

DAY 5: TORTUGUERO
Today explore the marvelous Tortuguero National Park. Hiking and boat trips are included. Ride through the system of natural and man-made canals to get a closer look at the different flora and fauna.

DAY 6: SAN CARLOS REGION
Today you will travel to the splendid Caño Negro Lake and Wildlife Reserve. Comprised of swamp and marshlands, Lake Caño Negro covers about 1977 acres in the wet season. Enjoy the boat trip through the reserve while you share company with exotic creatures, such as osprey, storks, and herons as well as the garfish, which have lungs, gills and a nose. Lunch is included today. Continue to San Carlos for a performance for the locals, followed by dinner.

DAY 7: SAN CARLOS REGION
Arrive in the small town of La Fortuna and hike to the swimming hole below. Afterwards you can take in spectacular views of the Arenal volcano, a perfect cone over 5,000 feet high and one of the most active in the world. In the afternoon, visit the Tabacón Hot Springs where you can take a dip in the hot pools before dinner. As you relax in the therapeutic waters, look up at the crimson lava oozing out from the volcano above.

DAY 8: RETURN TO THE USA
Transfer to San Jose for your return flight to the United States.