In 9 days, in Costa Rica, from the top of the volcano to the tropical rain forest, we explored the life code of the “rich coast”.

 

 

Day 1 Arrival in San Jose

Fly to San Jose and pick up to the hotel by special car.

HOTEL : Grano de Oro Hotel

Day 2 Travel to Tortuguero and tour
It takes a 2.5-hour bus to Tortuguero National Park. There is no road in the reserve, and it can only be reached by boat or seaplane. It is also protected from the destruction of modern industry and has become one of the most important sea turtle breeding grounds in the world, including green turtles, hawksbill turtles and leatherback turtles.
On arrival at the pier, first take a walk through the village, feel the fascinating history and exotic scenery of the Caribbean coast, and enjoy a cocktail at the bistro. After that, transfer to a speedboat, take a 1-hour boat ride through the lush jungle waterway, and arrive at the ecological camp facing the river and backed by the rainforest. You will have the opportunity to see howler monkeys and caimans along the way. The camp covers 2.2 kilometers of hiking trails, and you can often encounter wild animals such as monkeys, lizards and toucans in the early sunlight.
Hotels: Select Eco Camps

Day 3 Tortuguero National Park
Observe rare birds hiding in the woods with a guide in the early morning. In the morning, follow nature experts on a 3-hour boat ride to explore the jungle river of Totugro, tracking wildlife, including sloths, howler monkeys (the loudest voice among monkeys), manatees and river otters. In the afternoon, hike to the top of the 390-meter-high Totugro Peak, overlooking the natural landscape of the reserve. Along the way, you have the opportunity to find sloths, capuchin monkeys, spider monkeys and poison arrow frogs.

Hotels: Select Eco Camps

Day 4 Travel to Arenal Active Volcano and Excursion

Depart the camp by boat and transfer to the car for 3.5 hours to Arenal. In the afternoon, hike through the magma area formed after the volcanic eruption in 1968, overlooking the cone-shaped mountain of the active volcano Arenal, and observe the rich vegetation and flowers that have been reborn from the ashes along the way. Finally dip into a natural hot spring surrounded by rainforest.

Hotels: Select Wild Luxury Hotels

Day 5 Arenal Excursion

In the morning, explore Mistico Reserve. 16 bridges connect the highland and lowland rainforest ecosystems, and it is the habitat of 350 species of birds, 120 species of mammals and 250 species of amphibians.

Take an afternoon stroll through the rainforest in search of sloths, iguanas, toucans, and blue poison dart frogs. There are two kinds of sloths inhabiting here: two-toed sloths and three-toed sloths. Although they look similar at first glance, they are actually obviously different. Two-toed sloths are nocturnal and are often found sleeping high in the treetops during the day. The three-toed sloth, on the other hand, is more active during the day, sitting lazily on a branch eating leaves.

Hotels: Select Wild Luxury Hotels


Day 6 Arenal Excursion

Go to Basar River to experience whitewater rafting (10 km, about 2 hours, with exclusive guide and rubber boat) with difficulty level 2 and 3. Jump into the pond to enjoy a cool summer day. After returning to camp, experience the exclusive hot spring bath and read a book in the garden hammock. There are hiking trails in the camp, with orchids, cocoa trees and plantain trees planted on both sides. At night, you might as well bring a flashlight and go out to look for red-eyed tree frogs and blue poisonous dart frogs at night.

Hotels: Select Wild Luxury Hotels

Day 7 Travel to Osa Peninsula and excursion

A 3-hour ride back to San Jose and a flight to the Osa Peninsula on the Pacific coast, home to the only surviving lowland tropical rainforest in Central America. Although it only covers 0.001% of the surface area, its biodiversity accounts for 2.5% of the total biomass, and it is rated as “the most densely populated place on earth” by National Geographic magazine. Endangered mountain lions and jaguars hide in the jungle; Crimson macaws soar freely and humpback whales cruise back to the bay year after year.
In the evening, depending on the tide time, head to the beach surrounded by palm trees to catch the sea, look for land crabs, starfish and sea cucumbers, and explore Dulce Fjord, one of the only four tropical shoal fjords in the globe.

 

Hotels: Select Eco Camps


Day 8 Osa Peninsula Excursion

In the morning, go out to sea by boat to track marine life, including bottlenose dolphins, which like shallow waters and often move in groups of 6 to 8; And spinning dolphins, who like the deep sea and move in groups of 50 to 100. They often jump out of the water and complete up to seven spinning “performances”.

In the afternoon, you can overlook the sea from the lounge chairs on the terrace of your room and listen to the sound of birds and waves. Or follow the guide to hike the rainforest and discover the endemic wildlife.

Hotels: Select Eco Camps


End of the trip on Day 9

Finish the trip by returning to San Jose by inland flight.

 

 

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