Option #2:
Explore Sarapiquí and Tortuguero

3 nights / 4 days
 
   
 


 

From Arenal, this trip ties in nicely with the lush lowlands of the northeastern region of Sarapiquí. Primary tropical rainforest and rich second-growth habitats are found in this region, which borders Braulio Carrillo National Park. More than 500 species of birds, 100 species of mammals, thousands of insects and 2,000 species of plants, including 800 species of trees (more than in Canada and the United States combined) have been identified in this biologically rich area. The forests of Sarapiquí provide refuge for species such as tapirs, jaguars, sloths, white-nosed coatis, white-faced capuchins and howler monkeys. As you travel from Sarapiquí to Tortuguero, you meander through lush natural and manmade water canals through rainforest teeming with wildlife. Upon arrival, you can explore the tropical rainforest of Tortuguero National Park, on Costa Rica's northern Atlantic coast. Between the months of July and September, you'll have an opportunity to experience nighttime turtle nesting - an unforgettable sight!
  Day 4 - Overnight in Sarapiquí

From Arenal Volcano you travel to Sarapiquí and the tropical Sueño Azul Resort. Your afternoon here may be spent either horseback riding around the resort's 500-acre farm, on a guided hiking tour along nature-rich trails or on an invigorating waterfall tour (weather permitting). Stay overnight at Sueño Azul, where you may rest from your journey as you take in the spectacular river scenery from your private terrace, or sip a refreshing cocktail in the relaxing jacuzzi. After an adventure-packed day, Sueño Azul's exquisite cuisine awaits you...

  Day 5 - Tortuguero National Park

After rising early, you will be transported to the town of Guápiles, where a hearty breakfast awaits you at the Río Danta Restaurant, about an hour later. Following breakfast, Mawamba Lodge staff will transfer you to their private dock at the town of Matina, where you will enjoy 90-minute boat ride to Tortuguero. Pachira Lodge is located near the town of Tortuguero, on the northern Caribbean coast, near the park of the same name.

Pachira Lodge is located right on the Tortuguero main canal. Along the beautiful shore, marked trails are cut inland where visitors might admire the jungle and spot toucans or a flock of brightly colored toucans. Howler monkeys playfully swing among the treetops along some of the paths. Also inhabiting these forests are tiny bright poison dart frogs, which make great photos - as long as you keep your distance!

After checking into the rustic Pachira Lodge, a hearty lunch awaits you, followed by a guided jungle hike and a canal boat trip in the afternoon. The hiking trails take you through humid tropical rainforest, which spans a territory of more than 47,000 acres and is home to abundant wildlife. Tortuguero National Park covers nearly 14 miles of coastline and is an important nesting beach for four species of marine turtles, including the Green Turtle, which has existed for more than 200 million years and can weigh more than 400 pounds. The Tortuguero Jungle Canals are Costa Rica's version of the Amazon, comprising a vast system of natural waterways and man-made canals used both for basic transportation and jungle exploration. The journey through the canals to Tortuguero National Park is fascinating, offering visitors a chance to see monkeys and myriad colorful birds. You may also spot large iguanas and mightier reptiles, such as caimans and crocodiles, along the banks of the canals.

After a full day, return to your comfortable room at the lodge, each with private bath, hot water and ceiling fan. Sundown may be spent swimming in a large pool surrounded by tall palm trees, or soaking in the jacuzzi. That night, you will enjoy delicious international and local cuisine at an expansive, family-style restaurant, staffed by friendly local residents. Your evening doesn't end here, between the months of July and October, when Green Turtles nest along these beaches! Night tours are offered, allowing you to witness the unforgettable miracle of gigantic turtles laying their eggs on the beach. The nesting of these massive creatures is one of Nature's most amazing spectacles - Costa Rica is proud to be one of the few countries that protect turtle-nesting sites.

  Day 6 - Tortuguero to San José

Click on photos
to enlarge

The final morning at Tortuguero may be spent relaxing in a hammock or playing a spirited game of volleyball with fellow visitors before saying goodbye to this marvelous region of Costa Rica. After breakfast, you will be transferred back to San José, with a rest stop and lunch break at the Río Danta Restaurant. Overnight in San José at Hotel Don Carlos.

Day 7 - After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight back home

Above itinerary includes: One night at Sueño Azul Lodge or similar, breakfast and horseback riding tour; one night lodging at Pachira Lodge, all meals and jungle canal boat tour.

Option #2:
Explore Sarapiquí and Tortuguero
Price per person (double occupancy): Tourist minivan: US $348
Car Rental: US $272
Private tour: US $384
  Entrance to Tortuguero National Park: US$7
Night-time turtle nesting expedition: US$12 (minimum 2 participants)
 
 

Tourist minivan: On Day 2, a comfortable minivan will pick you up at your hotel at 8 a.m. to transport you to Monteverde. Pick-up time from Monteverde to Arenal is 1 p.m. arriving to Arenal at 5 p.m. The Arenal-Sarapiquí-Guápiles routes are arranged by private transfer. Mawamba Lodge will provide the remainding Guápiles-Tortuguero-San José transfers.

Car rental: The day after your arrival, your rental car will be delivered at your hotel in San José. You will drive to Monteverde and follow onto Arenal and Sarapiquí. On Day 5, you will return your rental car upon reaching Guápiles. Pachira Lodge will provide the remaining Guápiles-Tortuguero-San José transfers.

Private tour: The day after your arrival, a driver and a bilingual naturalist guide will pick you up at your hotel. Your guide will remain with you during your transfers from San José to Monteverde, from Monteverde to Arenal, from Arenal to Sarapiquí and from Sarapiquí to Guápiles. Once you reach Guápiles, you will have Pachira Lodge's specialized tour guides with you throughout the remainding itinerary.


The Basics:
Monteverde Cloud Forest and Arenal Volcano

(4 days)

Option #1:
Explore Sarapiquí and Pacuare

(4 days)

Option #3:
Explore Corcovado
(5 days)

I just wanted you and everybody at Aventuras Naturales to know how much we enjoyed our trip to Costa Rica. The hotels you recommended were excellent, especially the Trapp Family Lodge and Le Bergerac. The rafting tours were awesome and the guides on the trips really added to our enjoyment of the tour. Chilli Willy was wonderful on the drive to Monteverde - he gave us lots of great information and kept us laughing almost the entire way!! Yency was an inspiration to us on the Treasures of Costa Rica tour because she is such an incredible person. We felt lucky to meet Miguel the next day for our drive to the Pacuare. Jonathan, Esdras, and Manuel were fabulous on the overnight trip. We were impressed with their skill on the river as well as Esdras' skill in the kitchen. Manuel was the guide in our raft and he had to depend on five women for paddle power! We loved the way he said, "Forward, please" when he wanted us to paddle! It was so polite. I am telling all my friends that Costa Rica is a great place to visit and that Aventuras Naturales is a great company to work with. Judy, Lauren and I are already trying to decide when we can go again.
Thanks a gain for everything
Debbie Zartman
Brentwood, Tennessee


We would like to share some of the comments we have received from our clients.

We can assist you in planning your trip in Costa Rica! Please contact our travel division on how to customize your vacation to meet your budget and expectations. We replay with a suggested itinerary and cost within 24 hours.

Toll-free from the U.S.: 1-866-707-9163
Telephones: (506) 280-4041
Fax:
(506) 253-6934

P.O. Box 11071-1000
San José, Costa Rica
or
SJO 745
P.O. Box 025216
Miami, FL 33102-5216

We would like to share some of the comments we have received from our clients.
 
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