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13-Day Tour of Costa Rica’s National Parks: Hiking, Beaches, Nature and Culture


2,700.00$

Sold By: Ask Zipy Report Abuse

Discover the vast natural wonders of Costa Rica with a 13-day tour of the country’s top national parks, and visit 7 national parks over 2 weeks. Hike through Quetzales National Park’s cloud forest; relax on Manuel Antonio’s white sand beaches; discover the rich flora and fauna of Carara National Park and trek Arenal Volcano National Park’s incredible lava flow trail. Swim in natural pools, spot wildlife like scarlet macaws, iguanas and even American crocodiles and experience local nature and culture as you go. This multi-day trip includes comfy lodgings throughout.

Highlights

  • A close encounter with wildlife
  • Enjoy a day away from the hustle and bustle of the city
  • Get up-close to native wildlife
  • Small group ensures personal service
  • All entrance fees included
  • Private guide for a more personalized experience
  • Private tour is operated with just your party and a guide/driver
  • Once-in-a-Lifetime

Experience What You Can

Seven national parks, one unforgettable trip. On this 13-day adventure, you?ll walk through cloud forests and lowland rainforests and encounter wildlife and exotic plants. See the mystical turquoise waters of Rio Celeste and enjoy the natural hot springs at Arenal Volcano National Park. Hike in the heat and humidity of the tropics and experience the diverse terrain. Admire the Pacific Coast views with sun-bathing iguanas and Capuchin monkeys at Manuel Antonio National Park and see scarlet macaws and sloths at Carara National Park. Each daily hike is flexible depending on the weather and seasonal differences of the regions visited. This 13-day tour embraces three of Costa Rica?s ecosystems?rainforest, cloud forest, and dry forest. See itinerary for details.

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome (D)

Meet your guide in San Jose and go on a 2.5-hour drive to San Gerardo, set high in the cloud forest. You will drive through the heart of rural Costa Rica and arrive at the family-owned lodge that will be your home for two nights.

Overnight: Los Quetzales Ecolodge

Day 2: Quetzales Paradise (B) (L) (D)

Spend the day exploring and hiking through the cloud forests of Quetzales National Park and the Savegre Valley. Los Quetzales National Park is over 2,000 acres and it is Costa Rica’s newest park. It protects portions of the Savegre River, which you follow from the mountains to the coast on this adventure. Its name comes from the resplendent quetzal, frequently found in the park. The park comprises tropical oak cloud forest and sub-alpine vegetation and you will take a walk through this landscape admiring the unique cloud forest habitat. See birds such as the emerald toucanet and the violet sabrewing and the Talamanca Mountain Range, with the highest peak at 11, 000 feet above sea level.

Overnight: Los Quetzales Ecolodge

Day 3: Uvita Beach (B) (L)

After breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel in Los Quetzales and driven to the Cristal Ballena Hotel & Spa. Located right above the beach, you will get stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and feel the cool rainforest breezes.

Overnight: Cristal Ballena Hotel & Spa

Day 4: Hike and Campesinos Reserve (B) (L)

You will drive to the mountains of Talamanca to the town of Londres, located 45 minutes away from Quepos Manuel Antonio. Enjoy fresh fruit and coffee at Vicki?s Restaurant and then start your hike to Los Campesinos Private Reserve with your private guide. Enjoy the views of this area with great opportunities to see wildlife and birds. At the end of your hike, stop at The Campesinos Reserve located on a gorgeous mountain range between the Naranjo and Savegre rivers watersheds. This place is part of the community of Quebrada Arroyo, and you will be able to learn from the ‘Ticos’ about their tico traditions, great food, and rainforest knowledge. Then, you will have time to swim in a great natural pool at the base of a waterfall, see vanilla orchids and other tropical species. After lunch, you will depart to Manuel Antonio Beach.

Overnight: Costa Verde Hotel

Day 5: Manuel Antonio National Park (B) (L) Head to Manuel Antonio National Park where you will hike with a naturalist guide. Aside from its beautiful beaches, this park is an important refuge for rare rainforest trees and wildlife. You’ll be able to see the white-faced capuchin, squirrel monkeys, sloths, raccoons, agoutis, black and scarlet land crabs, iguanas and various types of birds. At the end of your hike, you will have time to enjoy the beaches and tropical Pacific warm waters. Then, head back to your hotel.

Overnight: Parador Resort or similar

Day 6: Carara National Park (B) (L) (D) You will drive from Manuel Antonio to Monteverde Cloud Forest and stop at Carara National Park on the way. Here, you will go on a ?1 to 2-hour hike. Carara National Park is rich in flora and fauna since it’s located between the hot dry northwest and wet regions of the southwest. You can see marshes, primary and secondary forests, as well as parrots, parakeets, toucans, scarlet macaws, and three species of monkeys. You may even see American Crocodiles basking along the Tarcoles riverbanks from a nearby bridge. You will stay at a comfortable lodge surrounded by cloud forest for the next two nights. You’ll have time to relax before a welcome dinner of Costa Rican cuisine.

Overnight: Trapp Family Lodge or similar

Day 7: Treetop Walk (B) (L) Enjoy an early morning cup of Costa Rica’s coffee and a delicious breakfast before your walk through the cloud forest at Santuario Ecologic de Monteverde. You will cross through extensive networks of trails and, along the way, you will visit a ‘Tico’ family for a meal in their home, visit local farms, and learn about rural everyday life in Costa Rica. In the afternoon, you will visit Monteverde Cloud Forest. This park’s ecology has been the subject of research for more than 40 years and it is known for its settlement of Quakers who came from the United States to live in Costa Rica in the 1950s. You will see this place from a different perspective as you enjoy a treetop walk! On this walk, you will cross a series of eight suspension bridges, walking above the tree canopy and looking down on the huge ferns and trees that make up the dense vegetation of this rainforest.

Overnight: Trapp Family Lodge or similar

Day 8: Adventure in Arenal (B) (L) After breakfast, you will head to the region of Arenal Volcano. You will stay at a mountain lodge which is the only lodge located next to Arenal Volcano National Park, right at the base of the Arenal volcano. From here, you will get incredible and exclusive views of the volcano and Lake Arenal, and, on a clear day, even see the volcano?s impressive cone.

Overnight: Arenal Observatory Lodge

Day 9: Hike Arenal Volcano National Park (B) (L) Enjoy a hike of the lava flow trail at Arenal Volcano National Park. See the impressive pile of blocky lava rocks that rise about 60 feet high and give you a panoramic view of the surrounding forests, mountains, Lake Arenal and the Arenal Volcano.

Overnight: Arenal Observatory Lodge

Day 10: Rio Celeste (B) (L) After breakfast, head to Tenorio Volcano National Park where you will see one of Costa Rica?s most beautiful waterfalls and natural hot springs. You will also get to see the unique phenomenon of Rio Celeste, or ?light blue river,” which turns turquoise because of a chemical reaction. You will walk to Rio Celeste starting at a primary forest, pass a geothermally heated stream and then see the Rio Celeste Waterfall, which descends into a picturesque blue lagoon surrounded by lush vegetation. After lunch, you’ll head to Guanacaste Province.

Overnight: Jardin del Eden or similar

Days 11 and 12: Guanacaste Free days to enjoy and relax.

Overnight: Jardin del Eden or similar

Day 13: Back Home Enjoy one final swim in the ocean or walk on the beach before being transferred to Liberia International Airport to catch your flight back home.

Inclusions

  • 2 nights accommodation at Quetzales Hotel
  • 1-night accommodation at Diuwak, Dominical
  • 2 nights accommodation at?Costa Verde or Parador Resort, Manuel Antonio
  • 2 nights accommodation at Caba?a Los Pinos or Trapp Family Lodge, Monteverde
  • 2 nights accommodation at?Arenal Manoa or Arenal Springs
  • 3 nights accommodation at Tamarindo Diria or Jardin del Eden, Tamarindo
  • Meals as specified (Breakfast= B, Lunch=L, Dinner=D)
  • Driver Guide
  • Transportation
  • Entrance fees and activities at Quetzales National Park, Campesinos Reserve, Manuel Antonio National Park, Carara National Park, Monteverde Reserve, Arenal National Park, Rio Celeste at Tenorio National Park

Exclusions

  • Airport taxes including international airport departure tax ($USD28)
  • Gratuities (optional)
  • Meals, souvenirs and other local and personal expenses not specified in the itinerary
  • Additional beverages and alcoholic drinks
  • Medical costs and hospitalization and evacuation and any other extra expenses due to unanticipated changes in our itinerary for reasons beyond the control
  • Single-room supplement (USD$500)

Additional info

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
  • A maximum of 6 people per tour
  • Minimum age is 12 years
  • Please advise any specific dietary requirements at the time of booking
  • Note: If you are getting picked up from the airport, please provide your complete flight information upon booking
  • Note: Price is based on double occupancy

What to bring:

  • Keep in mind it is a tropical environment and will generally be warm. Therefore, one sweater or light jacket is sufficient for cooler climates.
  • Hiking shoes with traction and mid-high ankle support, sports sandals (that securely strap on such as the Teva brand).
  • A light hat with a wide brim, including protection for the back of the neck, is best.
  • A lightweight raincoat or poncho is very useful.
  • A good quality backpack to carry your water bottle, camera, binoculars, snack food, fields? guides, and a rain jacket.

Ticket info

You can present either a paper or mobile ticket for this activity.

Local operator information

Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Ticket. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel at least 7 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.

If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.

If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.

Schedule and Pricing

Click the link below to check pricing & availability on your preferred travel date. Our pricing is constantly updated to ensure you always receive the lowest price possible – we 100% guarantee it. Your currency is set to USD.

Departure point

San Jose Hotels and Alajuela hotels

Departure time

Flexible (exact time given upon reconfirmation)

Times are subject to change due to local traffic conditions.

Duration

13 days (approx.)

Return details

Ends in Liberia

Seller Information

  • Store Name: Ask Zipy
  • Seller: admin
  • Address: PO Box 47 - 6370
    Quepos
    60601
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