Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Page 1
Costa Rica from Coast to Cloud Forest March 21-30, 2019
10 Days – 9 Nights
Visit the 15th most biologically diverse country in the world* and be immersed in its natural and
scenic beauty. Costa Rica is home to 4.5% of all of the world’s known plant and animal species yet
occupies a land mass roughly the size of West Virginia.
Costa Rica boasts numerous endemic species of vertebrates
and invertebrates. The country owes its high biodiversity to
twelve different ecosystems which range from tropical
rainforests to upland cloud forests, canyons to volcanoes and
mangrove swamps to over 800 miles of coastline both on the
Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean. By no means we will see
them all, but there have been 194 species of amphibians,
210 species of mammals, 218 species of reptiles, 921 species
of birds and more than 35,000 species of insects identified in
Costa Rica!
We have reserved the services of Horizontes Nature Tours for
the duration of our all-inclusive trip. They are an ecologically-
minded tour operator with more than 30 years of experience
working in Costa Rica. Through their network, we have
assembled a customized experience which includes private tours and being led by some of the best-
rated guides in the country. We will hike in various ecosystems, visit breath-taking destinations, stay
at highly rated hotels and sample local cuisine for the duration of our 10 day trip. We will have the
opportunity to explore the Caribbean coast, Pacific coast, cloud forest, rainforest, volcanic regions
and culture that make Costa Rica unique.
Day 1 – Travel to San Jose, Costa Rica
Our first day includes travel from Michigan and arrives at Juan Santamaria International Airport
where we will be greeted by our tour company. We will stay the night in one of the top 20 hotels in
Costa Rica, Hotel Bougainvillea. Relax after the day of travel and enjoy the beautiful scenery and
accommodations. (D**)
*Source: World Conservation Monitoring Centre of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP-WCMC) 2004.
**(B = breakfast included, L = lunch included, D = dinner included)
4214 56th Street
Holland, MI 49423
Page 2
Day 2 – Heredia to Tortuguero
Our first full day will have us travel
by bus and boat to the Caribbean
coast and the biologically diverse
paradise of Tortuguero National
Park. Travel will be part of the
adventure as we leave the Heredia
Province through the Braulio Carrillo
National Park and watch the
transition from city to lowlands. We
will pass through extensive banana
plantations en-route to the docks at
La Pavona where we board a boat
to Tortuguero. The rivers and canals
provide great opportunities to see
birds and other wildlife along the banks. After settling into our rooms, we will have an afternoon tour
of the village of Tortuguero. Overnight accommodations and meals will be at Laguna Lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 3 – Tortuguero National Park and the
Caribbean Lowlands
After breakfast at Laguna Lodge, we will take a boat
tour of the canals of Tortuguero National Park with a
guide in search of wildlife such as Basilisk lizards,
caiman, birds, monkeys, anteaters and sloths. Bring
your binoculars and/or camera! You will be amazed by
the biodiversity of the region which lists three species
of monkeys, over 400 species of birds, and hundreds of
reptile and amphibian species. There will be time in the
afternoon for individual exploration at the lodge
including a walk on the beach, hiking the trails or
relaxing on the spacious patio, gardens or at the
poolside. Overnight accommodations and meals will be at Laguna Lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 4 – Tortuguero to Arenal
We will begin our day at the Laguna Lodge with breakfast but will travel by boat and bus to Arenal
for our next stop. On our way, we
will have lunch and visit Organic
Paradise for a Pineapple Tour.
The tour will include learning
about the indigenous roots of
their operation and the
sustainable crops that are
produced on the farm. Our
destination is Arenal for the Kioro
Suites and Spa near the town of
La Fortuna. Relax for the evening
and enjoy the facilities, sights
and sounds of the rainforest.
Overnight accommodations will
be at Arenal Kioro Suites and
Spas. (B,L,D)
Page 3
Day 5 – Arenal National Park and Mistico
Hanging Bridges
After a delicious breakfast consisting of local
meats and fruits, we will off to explore Arenal
Volcano National Park. Arenal sits 5,437 feet
above the forest where its still active status
provides thermal features that create hot springs
throughout the area. After lunch, we will
experience Puentes del Bosque which means
forest bridges of the Mistico Arenal Hanging
Bridges. On this system of 16 bridges, you will be
able to explore the primary forest while also
taking in the scenery and wildlife. Overnight
accommodations will be at Arenal Kioro Suites and
Spas. (B,L,D)
Day 6 – Arenal to Monteverde
To reach Monteverde, we must use two different forms of
transportation again; bus and boat to traverse Lake Arenal. After
we arrive at the Belmar Hotel in Monteverde, we will have an
afternoon to relax and enjoy the unique hotel nestled in the cloud
forest. There will be an option to visit the CASEM (Cooperativa de
Artesanas de Santa Elena y Monteverde) which showcases
local women artisans and is a great place to pick up
handicrafts and one-of-a kind souvenirs. Before the day is
through, we will take an exciting night hike in the Curi-Cancha
Reserve. This reserve consists of both virgin and secondary
growth forest that is highly regulated by the refuge to allow only
50 visitors at a time. It is considered to be one of the best places
in Monteverde to see a variety of wildlife including birds, bugs, insects, mammals and amphibians.
Overnight accommodations and meals will be at Belmar Hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 7 – Monteverde Cloud Forest and
Don Juan Coffee Tour
The world renowned Monteverde Cloud
Forest Reserve is over 3,000 feet above sea
level in the cloud forest. Our morning will
include a tour of the Monteverde reserve
which is home to numerous species including
jaguar, Baird’s tapir, black-faced solitaire,
bare-necked umbrellabird, black guan, and
the famous resplendent quetzal. The cloud
forest is draped in mosses, lichens, ferns,
bromeliads and orchids with many rapids,
waterfalls and standing pools of mountain
runoff. The forest is sure to be alive with
wildlife and our private guide will help us
locate and identify species. After lunch we will head to the Don Juan Coffee Farm for a tour learning
the history and land use of this pioneering family. Overnight accommodations will be at Belmar
Hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 8 – Monteverde to Manuel Antonio
After breakfast we are on the road again to reach the Pacific Coast and Manuel Antonio National Park
via the Pan American Highway. On our way we will have a Guacalillo Mangroves boat tour along the
Tarcoles River and the Guacalillo Estuary on the Pacific. The estuaries are teaming with wildlife
Page 4
including the country’s largest populations of crocodiles and an important conservation area for the
red scarlet macaw. Our arrival in the Manual Antonio Zone will be punctuated by the blue-green
Pacific waters, white sands and seemingly endless rainforest. Overnight accommodations will be at
Parador Boutique Resort and Spa. (B,L,D)
Day 9 – Manuel Antonio National Park
Our morning will be spent exploring one of the
most stunning and diverse parks in the
country. The lush forests are home to over 100
species of mammals including squirrel, howler
and white-faced capuchin monkeys and both
species of sloths. Bird species include white-
necked puffbird, fiery-billed aracari, chestnut-
mandibled toucan and red-legged
honeycreeper. Our guide will help us find and
identify as many species as we can discover.
Our last afternoon will be spent enjoying the
Parador Boutique and Spa and soaking up all
that Costa Rica shared over the last 9 days.
Overnight accommodations will be at Parador
Boutique Resort and Spa. (B,L,D)
Day 10 – Departure and Travel
After breakfast at the resort, we will board the bus back to San Jose. As we travel back to the
central valley we will say goodbye to the beautiful coast and enter the mountains. We depart as we
entered Costa Rica through the Juan Santamaria International Airport. (B,L)
Pricing: $3,500 per person (based on double occupancy) ($1000 single supplement)
Payment: $1,500 deposit due at time of booking and required to hold a place on the trip; deposit
plus $1,000 1st payment due by November 1, 2018; Final payment of $1,000 due by February 1,
2019. All payments may be made at one time if desired.
Cancellations: Full refunds will be made until November 1, 2018. After January 1, 2018, up to 50%
of money received may be forfeited by the participant. No refunds will be given for cancellation after
February 1, 2019.
Included: 9 nights lodging; all meals in Costa Rica; all transportation within Costa Rica; bilingual,
professional naturalist guide; entrance to museums, parks and attractions as a group; taxes;
gratuities for full time guide and driver; and all gratuities for porters, maids and all staff of the
locations visited. Most hotels have free Wi-Fi for guests.
Not included: Flight to and from Juan Santamaria International Airport; alcoholic beverages; and
personal items during the trip. (Flights for the group will be coordinated through Travel Leaders in
Jenison.)
Please contact trip leader Jamie Krupka to learn more or to make a payment: 616.393.9453 or
Page 5
Suggested Pre-trip Readings
Monkeys Are Made of Chocolate: Exotic and Unseen Costa Rica – February 15, 2005; by Jack
Ewing (Author), Daniel Quinn (Foreword)
