Walking the "costa rica" – a name meaning rich coast – of Central America, awakening each day to the sounds of the living forest.

Costa Rica is nature at its inspiring best – from the wild jungles of the Caribbean coast, to the Monteverde Cloud Forest, to the impressive Arenal Volcano, it is one of the most biologically diverse places on earth. Monkeys, sloths, coatimundis, and an array of colorful birds accompany us on our journey. Our adventure unfolds in the remote Tortuguero National Park, a fascinating system of islands and twisting waterways in the Caribbean rainforest. Here our naturalist guides lead us as we look for howler monkeys in the thick forests, and venture by longboats into mangrove lagoons. Next we move to the unspoiled central highlands, where we hike in the beautiful Monteverde Cloud Forest, alive with butterflies and Resplendent Quetzals, and take a boat ride across serene Lake Arenal. Our grand finale is a zip line tour through the rainforest of Arenal National Park followed by a soak in the area's natural hot springs.

Days 1-3: Our tour meets in San José, Costa Rica, and we travel over land and by private river boat to Tortuguero National Park. Enjoy nature walks in the park with our experienced naturalist guide and excursions by motorized boat and kayak.

Day 4: Fly and drive to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Explore the forest canopy at eye level from suspension bridges. Visit the small town and artists’ cooperative of Monteverde and look for the famed Resplendent Quetzal.

Days 5-7: Cross Lake Arenal by boat, and walk through the lava fields of Arenal Volcano. Hike to the majestic La Fortuna Waterfall and zip through the forest canopy. Enjoy early morning birdwatching and a relaxing dip in natural hot springs.

Day 8: Depart from San José, Costa Rica.

• A passion for travel. Simply put, we love to travel, and that is woven into every one of our journeys.
• Unique, award-winning itineraries. Our flexible, hand-crafted journeys have received accolades from the world’s most revered travel publications.
• Insider connections. There is simply no substitute for traveling with a knowledgeable insider.
• Small groups. We tread softly, and our average group size is just 6-8 guests.
• Flexibility to suit your travel style. We offer both small-group departures and Private Collection trips, so that you can choose which works best for you.
• Customer service that goes the extra mile. There is no request that is too big – or too small – for our staff to handle.
• Sustainability. We are committed to traveling responsibly – striving to preserve traditions and cultures around the world, and to protect fragile natural habitats.

Most Convenient Airport:
Juan Santamaria International Airport, San José, Costa Rica (airport code SJO).

Meeting Time and Place:
A Boundless Journeys driver will meet you at the airport when you arrive in San José to drive you to your hotel (you will find the driver holding a sign with your name, or Boundless Journeys, on it after clearing customs, and exiting the right-hand side of the terminal).

Departure Time and Place:
On the last day of the trip we will be driving from La Fortuna back to San José. We are scheduled to arrive in San José by noon. At the very earliest, flights out on the last day of the trip should be scheduled after 3:00 p.m.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Physical Activity
Boundless Journeys’ trips are designed for energetic and flexible individuals who like to be active and have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. The walks on this trip range from 1-5 hours. The terrain is usually gradual, although you may encounter occasional steep sections. Most walks are on unpaved paths and trails, with minimal vehicle support. Trails, at times, may be wet and slick with mud. There is also an optional zipline adventure, that can be enjoyed by anyone in good health.

Preparing for this Trip
It is very important that you realistically assess your physical condition with regard to the demands of this trip. The more well-prepared you are for the activities on this trip, the more you will enjoy yourself!  Please engage in moderate aerobic activities (walking, hiking, or cycling) for at least 30-45 minutes several times a week for 4-6 weeks before the trip. If you live in a flat area, try to incorporate some stairs into your workout, or use a treadmill with varying incline capability.  Consult your doctor before undertaking any new fitness program. 

The Tortuguero Experience
19,000-hectare Tortuguero National Park protects the nesting beach of the green, leatherback, and hawksbill turtles, and is one of the most important nesting sites in the western Caribbean. If you join our August tour, you can watch turtles come ashore at night to lay their eggs. This tour is an additional $40 per person and must be reserved in advance. Please inquire with the Boundless Journeys office at least 60 days prior to your tour if you are interested in adding this to your itinerary.

Aside from turtles, which primarily come ashore to nest in the rainy season, Tortuguero shelters a fabulous array of wildlife, including more than 300 bird species, among them the Great Green Macaw. It also houses 57 species of amphibians, 111 of reptiles, and 60 mammal species, including jaguars, tapirs, ocelots, cougars, river otters, and manatees. Commonly seen birds include toucans, aricaris, oropendolas, Swallow-tailed Hawks, several species of herons, kingfishers, anhingas, parrots, and jacanas. The wide-open canals make viewing easier than at many other parks – superb for spotting crocodiles, giant iguanas, and basilisk lizards basking atop branches, hawks and vultures swooping over the treetops, and caimans dozing on fallen palm branches at the river’s edge.

Getting to Tortuguero is an adventure in itself – there are no roads to Tortuguero National Park; access is only by river boat or airplane. Arriving in Tortuguero by river boat is a two-hour adventure through scenic rivers to our jungle lodge. To make the most of our time, we expedite our return by choosing to fly back to San José, and have included this flight in the trip price.

Weather
The temperature in Costa Rica is influenced by altitude, and varies little over the course of the year. In San José, average temps are between 59 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit. When cold fronts move in, as they can at any time of year, the weather can turn cooler and wetter, typically for a few days. The coastal areas are typically much warmer, with the Caribbean coast averaging lows in the mid to upper 70s and highs in the mid 90s. In the afternoons, humidity is in the mid-to-high 60 percent range. You may obtain more detailed weather information by visiting www.weatherbase.com.

When to Go
The dry season is from December to April.  The highlands are truly dry at this time of year, typically with only one or two rainy days per month (although if a cold front comes in a rainier pattern can prevail even during the dry season). The Caribbean coastal region tends to have a more consistent rainforest weather pattern, and can have rain year-round, usually limited to afternoon showers in the dry season. 

The rainy season (or green season) begins in May and lasts until late October. During the day sunny skies generally prevail, though they may give way to afternoon showers.

It is important that you come prepared for a variety of weather conditions regardless of the time of year. Over the course of your trip you will likely encounter both cool, rainy weather and warm, sunny weather. Please be prepared with clothing for both!

Overview:  Comfortable San José hotel and perfectly located nature lodges with many amenities and unrivaled scenery. All with private baths.

Night 1:  Hotel Bougainvillea
Santo Domingo de Heredia, Costa Rica

Located in a quiet suburb of San José, Hotel Bougainvillea offers charming accommodations and a tranquil location to rest after your travels.

Nights 2 & 3:  Pachira Lodge
Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica

Set in the rainforest aside the slow-moving canals of Tortuguero, with Tortuguero National Park just a five-minute boat ride away. Rooms are basic but comfortable, and a swimming pool allows for cooling off midday. Meals are buffet-style, with a nice selection of regional foods available.
 

Nights 4 & 5:  Hotel Fonda Vela
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Costa Rica

Set in a private location overlooking the Gulf of Nicoya, and adjacent to the Monteverde Reserve, Hotel Fonda Vela is a wonderful retreat after days of exploring the cloud forest.

Nights 6 & 7:  Arenal Observatory Lodge
Arenal National Park, Costa Rica

Set on a ridge 1.6 miles from the Arenal Volcano, this former Smithsonian research station offers one of the area’s most stunning views of the volcano and Arenal Lake. All rooms have large observation windows.
 

DAY 1
Arrival in San José

Our trip begins upon the arrival of your flight to Juan Santamaria International Airport in San José. After clearing customs you are met by a Boundless Journeys driver and transferred to our hotel, where you can enjoy a swim or a walk in the beautiful gardens. This evening, you are free to dine on your own at the hotel or in downtown San José.
Hotel Bougainvillea, San José

DAY 2
Tortuguero National Park

Walk – easy to moderate, on nature trails, 1-2 hours.

This morning we depart San José and drive east through the central mountains, descending through valleys of banana plantations on our way to the launch point of our rainforest adventure. Next, we board our private river boat and make our way through the twisting rivers of the Caribbean lowlands to our home for the next two nights – a comfortable jungle lodge bordering Tortuguero National Park. We arrive early afternoon in time for a delicious lunch, followed by a hike in the forest where our guide introduces us to the mysteries of Tortuguero and its complex ecosystems.

Tortuguero National Park protects one of the last large areas of tropical rainforest in Central America. Eleven habitats are found here, providing homes to three species of monkeys (spider, howler, and white-faced capuchin), three-toed sloths, and river otters. Caiman, iguanas, river turtles, basilisk lizards, and poison dart frogs inhabit the area as well, along with more than 320 species of birds including kingfishers, toucans, eight species of parrots, and the uniquely named Slaty-tailed Trogon, White- collared Manakin, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, and White-fronted Nunbird.

After our hike, we take a colorful walk through Tortuguero Village to the Caribbean Conservation Center where we learn about the area’s marine turtle conservation project. We may also enjoy a walk on the beach where thousands of turtles return each year between June and September to lay their eggs.

During our August departure, an optional night tour to observe the green turtle migration during nesting season may be arranged at an additional cost.

This evening we enjoy dinner together at our lodge.
Pachira Lodge, Tortuguero

DAY 3
Tortuguero National Park

Morning kayak – easy, 2 hours (no experience necessary); afternoon exploration by motor boat – approximately 2 hours.

This morning we explore the canals of Tortuguero by kayak. The wide-open canals are superb for viewing howler monkeys, Chestnut-mandibled Toucans, crocodiles, iguanas, and dozens of other species.

Lunch will be back at our lodge, perhaps followed by an early afternoon swim in the pool or a siesta on one of the hammocks hung throughout the property.

As afternoon draws to a close, we’ll venture again into the canals for a sunset tour by motor boat keeping our eyes and ears alert for forest creatures. Our guides have an amazing ability to spot wildlife that remains hidden to the untrained eye.

After our boat tour, dinner awaits us back at the lodge.
Pachira Lodge, Tortuguero

DAY 4
Flight to San José; transfer to Monteverde

Walk – easy to moderate, on hiking trails, about 2 hours.

Early this morning we say goodbye to the rainforest as we board our plane at a nearby airstrip for our flight back to San José. The approximately one-hour flight is scenic and offers us a new perspective on this special part of Costa Rica, where waterfalls cascade from the mountains below. Upon arrival in San José, we begin our overland drive to Monteverde (approximately 4 hours).

By mid-afternoon we arrive in Monteverde where we will stay for the next two nights. The Monteverde Cloud Forest is one of the richest and most diverse tropical cloud forests in the world, best known as home to the Resplendent Quetzal. It is also home to hundreds of other bird, mammal, and plant species.

Our first adventure in Monteverde is a visit to the Ecological Sanctuary, a 75-acre wildlife refuge with meandering trails through secondary forest. Once a working farm, the Ecological Sanctuary now plants four to five thousand trees per year for reforestation. Here you may see coatimundis, sloths, white-faced monkeys, and many other animal species.

After dinner in the village, we make ourselves comfortable at our hotel on the edge of the forest.
Hotel Fonda Vela, Monteverde

DAY 5
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

Walk – easy to moderate, on hiking trails and suspension bridges, 4-5 hours.

After breakfast, we have the unique experience of seeing the wonders of the virgin cloud forest from a bird’s-eye view in the canopy, on suspension walkways high above the forest floor. Meandering through the trees at our own pace, we have the vantage point of eight different bridges of various lengths spanning nearly two miles of lush forest.

Midday we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, perhaps sampling casado (rice and beans with meat) – a favorite of the locals. The abundant fresh fruit is also refreshing at this time of day.

This afternoon we hike through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, where we experience first-hand the misty, dense vegetation and majestic trees. Along the way, our naturalist guide explains the specific cycles of life in this unique and complex ecosystem. The tropical cloud forest is confined to mountain ridges where, due to frequent cloud cover, the mist moistens and fertilizes the land, resulting in the dense growth of small plants (known as epiphytes) in the trees. From the forest floor to the canopy, it is a place full of life.

Tonight we enjoy one more evening at our rainforest retreat.
Hotel Fonda Vela, Monteverde

DAY 6
Transfer to Arenal Volcano National Park

Scenic boat ride; walk – easy, on hiking trails, 1-2 hours.

In the morning we say goodbye to the cloud forest and depart Monteverde for the small town of Rio Chiquito, where we board a boat for a thirty-minute ride across Lake Arenal. As we travel across, our guide explains the history of this man-made lake and the original town of Arenal that now lies deep under the surface.

On the other side of the lake, our vehicle is waiting for a short ride to the Vida Campesina, a small organic farm owned by Erasmo Gonzales and his children. Here we learn how to make tortillas and enjoy a traditional lunch with freshly harvested vegetables.

This afternoon we walk through lush rainforest to the majestic La Fortuna Waterfall. This beautiful 200 foot waterfall receives its cool, clear waters from the pristine forested mountains of Arenal National Park. Those who brought their bathing suits may wish to take a dip in the refreshing water below the falls. All proceeds from our visit today are reinvested into local conservation efforts.

This evening we return to our lodge. perched high on a ridge less than 2 miles miles from Arenal Volcano. From our rooms we have an impressive view of the volcanic giant amidst lush tropical rainforest.
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park

DAY 7
Arenal Volcano, Sky Tram and Zip Lines, and Ecotermales Hot Springs

Hike – easy to moderate, on hiking trails, 2-3 hours.

Arenal Volcano National Park encompasses thousands of acres of pristine rainforest and teems with tropical birds and wildlife – it is also our grounds for exploration today.

This morning a leisurely or heart-pounding adventure is in store – the choice is yours. We board gondolas, providing a smooth and peaceful ride through the rainforest with endless views on the way to the top. Once at the observation deck, we take some time to simply enjoy the magnificent views of the volcano’s south face.
From here, we have two options for returning to the base. The first option is to ride back down on the gondola, noticing along the way how the vegetation varies as the altitude changes once again. The other option is to zip your way to the bottom along a series of fast moving canopy zip lines – a great option for those seeking a rush of adrenaline!

This afternoon, we continue to explore the rainforest with a hike around the volcano learning about its fascinating history and current activity.

Early this evening, we enjoy the benefits of this geothermal area with a refreshing dip in the Ecotermales hot springs – one of the less-frequented but most scenic springs in the Arenal region. Here we have time to relax before a celebratory dinner at a local restaurant.
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park

DAY 8
Departure

We depart Arenal early, arriving at Juan Santamaria International Airport in San José by late morning in time for mid-afternoon international flights home.

Please note that this is a typical itinerary, and actual activities may vary to take advantage of weather conditions, local events, and to allow serendipity to play a hand in your experience. Accommodations are as outlined in the itinerary, although we reserve the right to change these should the need arise.

$3,195 per person

• Expert leadership
• All accommodations
• All meals, except dinner on Night 1
• All transportation during the trip, including boat transfers and internal flight
• Park fees
• All activities as noted in the itinerary