Contact Us Insurance Rail Car Packages Resorts Getaways Cruises Hotels Flights Home Land Tours
Trafalgar >> Family Experiences >> North And Central America >>
 
Family Experiences Europe, The Americas & South Africa
 
Monkeys, Jungles And Volcanoes
8 days tour from US$1375
Brochure Type: Family Experiences 2012
 Tour code : LFCA
• Itinerary   |   • Dates & Rates   |   • What's Included    |   • Booking Conditions
 
Itinerary

Day 1     Arrive San Jose
Pura Vida! Bienvenidos a Costa Rica! You’re going to have more fun than a barrel of monkeys and spot more than a barrel of wildlife on this incredible adventure. A local representative will greet you at the airport and arrange your complimentary transfer to the hotel. Relax by the pool before meeting your Tour Director and fellow explorers at 6 p.m. for a Kick-off Party.
Meal(s): (Kick-off Party)
Hotel: Costa Rica Marriott Hotel (Deluxe)

Day 2      San Jose - Braulio Carrillo National Park - Tortuguero National Park (2 Nights)
Rise with the roosters and head east through Braulio Carrillo National Park towards the Caribbean Sea. Stop at a banana plantation and learn about banana production while snacking on a just-ripe banana before arriving in Tortuguero National Park. Your journey begins aboard a river boat, gliding through canals, lagoons and lowland rainforest teeming with wildlife. You’ll be amazed at how many kinds of animals live here - six species of sea turtle, monkeys, caimans, tons of exotic bird species plus rare and endangered ocelots, river otters and manatees. The afternoon is yours - hang out by the pool or on the beach, or head to Tortuguero Village to meet the students (when school is in session) and visit the Green Turtle Research Station to learn about the efforts to protect the turtles’ nesting habitat and young hatchlings. Enjoy a buffet dinner at the resort’s open air restaurant along the Tortuguero lagoon.
Meal(s): (Full Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Hotel: Laguna Lodge Tortuguero (MF)
Day 3    Tortuguero National Park Sightseeing & Free Time
Arrr, arrr, arrr! There’s nothing like the wake-up call of a troop of howler monkeys to start your day. Set off with your captain and naturalist guide to explore the lush canals and waterways of Tortuguero National Park. You may want to start a tally of all the types of wildlife you’ll see. Look out for sloths, green iguanas, caiman crocodiles and colourful toucans. Of course, you’ll spot tons of monkeys - agile howler and spider monkeys and white headed capuchins swinging through the dense rainforest canopy. This afternoon, you can venture back out on the canals to add to your wildlife tally or relax back at the lodge – the choice is yours! If you’re visiting during nesting season (Jul-Sep), join an optional night walk with a naturalist guide to witness some of the world’s largest turtles laying their eggs. Amazing! A buffet dinner is served at your hotel this evening.
Meal(s): (Full Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day 4      Tortuguero - Sarapiqui - Arenal (2 Nights)
Bid adios to the monkeys for now as you boat back to the mainland and travel by motorcoach to Horquetas. Here you’ll visit a local Tico family palm plantation to learn all about and taste an exotic vegetable you’ve probably never tried – the delicate heart of palm. Continue travelling to tiny Sarapiqui where you’ll visit a pineapple farm, the only farm of its kind in the world producing certified organic golden pineapple. After learning how it’s grown without hurting the environment, you’ll eat the juiciest, most delicious pineapple ever. As you approach Arenal, keep a look out for the steam and lava seeping from the active volcano.
Meal(s): (Full Breakfast / Lunch)
Hotel: Hotel Arenal Manoa (F)
Day 5      Arenal Sightseeing & Free Time
Rise and shine as the jungle and volcano are calling! Start the day at the Arenal Hanging Bridges where you can walk eye-level within the lush canopy, observe the monkeys, sloths and chattering birds up close, and look out to see the rumbling, steaming Arenal Volcano. Next, take a guided trek around the quiet side of the volcano at Arenal National Park. Walk through the old lava rocks and learn about the powerful forces behind the volcano’s past eruptions and continuing lava flow. After a typical Casado Highlight Lunch, you can relax by the swimming pool back at the lodge, or continue your exploration at the Danaus Eco-Center. Spot caimans, iguanas and water-walking lizards and examine the tiny, poisonous blue jeans tree frogs. Visit the reserve’s butterfly farm, and, if you’re lucky, you’ll have a giant Blue Morpho land on you! End the day bubbling and soaking in the thermal mineral pools and hot springs at the awesome Tabacon Hot Springs followed by a scrumptious Highlight Buffet Dinner. And, if Mother Nature is in the mood, you’ll be wowed by an outing to see the evening pyrotechnics of Arenal Volcano.
Meal(s): (Full Breakfast / Highlight Lunch / Highlight Dinner)

Day 6      Arenal - Manuel Antonio (2 Nights)
Head south to Manuel Antonio National Park, renowned for its warm blue waters, sparkling white-sand beaches and abundant exotic wildlife. Then, get ready for a blast! Imagine yourself soaring high above the jungle floor as you fly along ziplines through the treetops, eye-to-eye with the lush foliage and exotic rainforest creatures. Combined with Tarzan swings and rappelling, ziplining through the canopy is sure to be among the most amazing adventures of your lifetime! This evening, join the gang for a Poolside Pizza Party Highlight Dinner.
Meal(s): (Full Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Hotel: Parador Resort & Spa (SF)
Day 7     Manuel Antonio National Park Sightseeing & Free Time
Walking deep into the national park with your guide, you’ll definitely check off a few more creatures on your wildlife list – at last count, there were 109 kinds of animals and 184 species of birds living here! Listen for those barking howler monkeys and the chattering of those mischievous squirrels and white face monkeys. Then, its time to hit the beach! You can laze in the warm Pacific or at the resort’s pool, or choose one of many incredible optional activities. Will it be a catamaran cruise to snorkel with dolphins, parrotfish and sea turtles, a surf lesson, mangrove kayak tour, horseback ride or white water rafting? This evening, join your fellow explorers and celebrate new friendships and awesome experiences with a Farewell Dinner at a cool local restaurant set under the starboard wing of a retired army transport plane!
Meal(s): (Full Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)

Day 8      Manuel Antonio - Depart San Jose
Travel back to San Jose’s Juan Santamaria International Airport for your flight ( not included in vacation price ) or to the tour hotel in San Jose for guests extending their stay in San Jose. Or choose to linger longer in Manuel Antonio!
Meal(s): (Full Breakfast)

Please do not schedule any flights before 12:30 p.m.

Please note : In some locations, you will be required to walk on uneven terrain and climb stairs without handrails. You should be in good health and be able to walk without assistance.
 
Top ∧
Dates & Rates

Land Prices - 2012
Arrives San Jose Departs San Jose Land Only Single Supp. Arrives San Jose  Departs San Jose Land Only Single Supp.
2011 Sun 24 Jun 2012 Sun 01 Jul 2012 1375 495
♦ Wed 21 Dec 2011 Wed 28 Dec 2011 1375 495 Sun 08 Jul 2012 Sun 15 Jul 2012 1425 495
♦ Fri 23 Dec 2011 Fri 30 Dec 2011 1375 495 Sun 15 Jul 2012 Sun 22 Jul  2012 1425 495
2012 Sun 05 Aug 2012 Sun 12 Aug 2012 1425 495
Sun 12 Feb 2012 Sun 19 Feb 2012 1425 495 Sun 04 Nov 2012 Sun 11 Nov 2012 1375 495
Sun 19 Feb 2012 Sun 26 Feb 2012 1425 495 Sun 18 Nov 2012 Sun 25 Nov 2012 1375 495
Sun 26 Feb 2012 Sun 04 Mar 2012 1425 495 Sun 23 Dec 2012 Sun 30 Dec 2012 1550 570
Sun 11 Mar 2012 Sun 18 Mar 2012 1425 495 Fri  28 Dec 2012 Fri 04 Jan 2013 1550 570
Sun 18 Mar 2012 Sun 25 Mar 2012 1425 495 2013
Sun 25 Mar 2012 Sun 01 Apr 2012 1425 495 Sun 17 Feb 2013 Sun 24 Feb 2013 1425 495
Sun 01 Apr 2012 Sun 08 Apr 2012 1425 495 Sun 24 Feb 2013 Sun 03 Mar 2013 1425 495
Sat 26 May 2012 Sat 02 Jun 2012 1375 495 Sun 17 Mar 2013 Sun 24 Mar 2013 1425 495
Sun 10 Jun 2012 Sun 17 Jun 2012 1375 495 Sun 24 Mar 2013 Sun 31 Mar2013 1425 495
Triple Room Reduction : US$85 Quad room reduction : US$125
2nd Trip discount: Save Up To US$69 p.p. Early payment discount :
6 months US$69
10 months US$103
12 months US$138
Young Traveller Discount (5 - 12) : US$138
The hotel In Tortuguero has ceiling fans, not air conditioning.
♦ These departures operate as per the 2011 brochure. Hotels, hotel room categories and inclusions may vary. Please inquire at the time of booking
For Trafalgar's other great savings, extra nights accommodation, transfers and air details, please refer to Great Saving pages. All prices are per person, twin share.

Top ∧;
What's Included
  •  Sightseeing Highlights
    • Braulio Carrillo National Park : Journey through this magnificent tropical rainforest.
    • Tortuguero : Travel to Tortuguero by river boat; meet local children at their school (when in session); visit the Green Turtle Research Station; cruise the canals in search of wildlife with you naturalist guide.
    • Tortuguero National Park : Join your expert naturalist guide in search of the abundant local wildlife.
    • Arenal : Enjoy a guided tour through the rainforest canopy along the famous Arenal Hanging Bridges.
    • La Fortuna : Take a guided conservation walk through Danaus Eco-Center spotting wildlife and visiting a butterfly farm and frog enclosure.
    • Arenal National Park : Trek with your guide around Arenal Volcano National Park.
    • Tabacon Hot Springs : Bubble and soak in soothing thermal mineral pools.
    • Manuel Antonio National Park : Get your adrenaline pumping on a zipline canopy safari; look for nearly 300 kinds of birds and animals on a nature walk.
    • Audio Headsets : For all guided visits and included sightseeing.

     

  •  Insider Highlights
    • Hidden Treasure : Enjoy at least one surprise Hidden Treasure experience, unique to your itinerary, courtesy of your expert Travel Director.
    • Local Speciality : Banana and Pineapple Plantation; Visit Tico family Palm Plantation; Taste organic pineapple from an eco-friendly farm.

     

  • Dining Highlights

    • Kick-off Party with your Tour Director in San Jose. (KP)

    • 7 full breakfasts. (FB)

    • 3 lunches. (L)

    • 2 buffet dinners. (D)

    • Casado-style Highlight Lunch in La Fortuna. (HL)

    • Highlight Buffet Dinner with drinks at the Tabacon Hot Springs in Arenal. (HD)

    • Pizza Party Highlight Dinner with drinks in Manuel Antonio. (HD)

    • Farewell Dinner with drinks in Manuel Antonio. (FD)

     

  • First Class Travel Highlights

    • Includes all First Class features.

    • Just 4 Kids Surprise Pack.

 
 
  Return to top