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A thrilling vacation highlight awaits you here: Arenal Volcano.
Discover pure nature and unique animals during this National Geographic adventure!
Keep your eyes peeled for a group of squirrel monkeys!
Experienced guides will accompany you during your journey through Costa Rica.
Look high up into the trees for the lazy sloths!
Explore the idyllic shores of the untouched beaches.
The beautiful colors of the rainbow-billed toucan will take your breath away.
Discover the phenomenon of bioluminescence during a boat tour on Isla Jesusita.
You will quickly find out during the bioluminescence tour that it is not the water that is glistening - it is the glowing organisms that live there!
Arenal Volcano is the youngest and most active volcano in Costa Rica.
There are 16 different species of macaws in Costa Rica - which ones will you see?
Visit a coffee village in the San Gerardo de Dota region.
Learn about the different flavors, textures, and colors of coffee.
Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles is the most famous church in Costa Rica.
Have you ever seen a tapir before? These Costa Rican animals are a cross between a horse and a rhino!
Found near rivers and streams, the basilisk lizard can cross the water faster than a blink of the eye.
Costa Rica is home to 137 different types of snakes.
There are four different species of monkeys in Costa Rica - the howler monkey being the most common.
Hummingbirds can live anywhere because of their adaptable survival skills. Therefore, you can see these beautiful critters all around the country!
50 of the 330 hummingbird species are Costa Rica natives.
Visit the Orosi Valley and learn about one of the oldest cultural landscapes in the country.
The fiery-billed aracari can be seen in northern Costa Rica.
Is that a parrot mocking your words in the distance? Try to spot its dazzling red feathers in the trees!
Discover the 13 different ecosystems in the Corcovado!
Corcovado National Park is one of the country's few parks that border the sea.
Land of the sloths!
Meet one of the many Costa Rica inhabitants: the coati!
Corcovado National Park is one of the most biodiverse areas in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica is a bird lover's heaven.
Lobby at the Gran Hotel Costa Rica.
Exterior views of your accommodation at Lapa Rios.
Your exquisite room at Lapa Rios.
Your deluxe room at Casa Turire.
Your Isla Chiquita tent.
Your accommodation at Arenal Springs.
Nature focused journey through Costa Rica accompanied by the jungle expert and nature photographer Dieter Schonlau
Engaging discussions with your guide about the country, its people, and photography
Discover the phenomenon of bioluminescence during a boat tour on Isla Jesusita
Numerous activities to choose from in the Corcovado National Park, such as a sustainability tour, hiking, and birdwatching
Stay at the award-winning Lapa Rios, one of National Geographic's Unique Lodges of the World
Soar away to the peaceful soul of Central America: Costa Rica. The green oasis is nestled between the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean and filled with many hidden gems waiting to be discovered. It’s one of the world’s most biodiverse countries, therefore offering an unlimited number of adventures and experiences for everyone. During your National Geographic journey through Costa Rica, you will visit a coffee plantation, hike through the Corcovado and Irazu National Parks, and take a boat trip through glowing plankton.
Travel date: August 2020
Expert: Dieter Schonlau, jungle expert and photographer
Welcome to Costa Rica: an emerald-green land where adventures are boundless, and nature prevails. “Pura Vida” means pure life, and you will feel it all around you the moment you step out of the plane.
At the airport, an English-speaking CANATUR representative will be waiting for you with a warm greeting! If any luggage or customs problems arise, they are here to help. They will also give you all of your travel documents and accompany you to your elegant city hotel!
Travel time San José Airport - hotel: approx. 30 minutes / 18 km
1 night at Gran Hotel Costa Rica****, San Jose, Costa Rica
In the early morning, wake up to a delicious breakfast before heading onto the road.
Driving under the morning sun, you will begin to notice the lush green landscapes come to life. Pass the quaint villages and verdant jungle roads until you reach the Irazu Volcano. This shimmering volcano is the highest in Costa Rica and is still active today! As you drive to the 3,432-meter summit, an otherworldly vista will suddenly appear. Views of the endless green and faraway coast will take your breath away.
The next stop is at Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles, an important pilgrimage site for the Costa Ricans. It's home to Costa Rica’s patron saint, where her bones reside on a gold, jewel-studded platform at the main altar.
The adventure doesn’t stop there! Continue to Orosi, a small town in the province of Cartago. Take a stroll through its tropical streets and get to know the surroundings and history of this charming central valley. Visit one of the few remaining colonial churches and have some chats with the locals.
After a jam-packed day, head to your accommodation in Turrialba, where you can rest up and have a delicious dinner.
Travel time San Jose - Turrialba: approx. 2 hours / 60 km
1 night at Casa Turire****, Turrialba, Costa Rica
Wake up early for your hearty breakfast before heading out for another day full of adventure!
Are you a coffee lover and have always wondered where the aromatic beans come from? Today, you will get to learn all about it at the largest coffee farm in the country! Stretching 2,283 acres, the farm boasts panoramic views and friendly people that will answer all of your questions. Its picturesque location is nestled between rivers, waterfalls, and verdant trees - home to a variety of birds! During your tour, you will learn about the processes involved in coffee production, from cultivation to the finished product.
When you arrive, visit the farm’s small church before driving through the impressive coffee plantations. Notice the gigantic tropical trees that surround you, and see if you can find the beautiful kapok trees (aka wool trees). These trees are just a lovely addition to the fantastic views the coffee plantation and mountain village offers.
As you continue the tour, learn about the different flavors, textures, and colors of coffee. In the end, you can even try the coffee for yourself!
In the afternoon, we will continue the National Geographic journey to the San Gerardo de Dota region. Get ready for a fantastic destination known for its dense cloud forest and large bird population. It will be hard to miss the emerald green Quetzal birds because of their striking color and long, majestic feathers.
After arriving at your next hotel, you can hike along its trails and surround yourself with the silence of nature.
Travel time Turrialba - San Gerardo de Dota: approx. 2.5 hours / 110 km
1 night at Savegre Natural & Spa***, San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica
Set your alarms for the early morning and stroll along the hotel’s nature trails before the sun rises. As the nocturnal wildlife head to bed and the other creatures wake up for breakfast, you may be able to catch a glimpse of a unique jungle dweller.
After a replenishing breakfast, set off for the Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula! Witness the dramatic change between landscapes as you leave one destination and arrive at the next. The tropical vegetation varies between 3,400 meters in altitude and sea level! Keep your eyes peeled for bright red macaws on the trees, baby monkeys running toward their mothers, furry tarantulas atop a mossy rock, or even a casual sloth hanging from their favorite branch!
Once you arrive in Puerto Jiménez, you will have to hop into a four-wheel-drive vehicle to reach tonight’s accommodation: Lapa Rios. This award-winning eco-lodge has a sustainability level 5 from the Costa Rican Environmental Institute. Entirely surrounded by the tropical rainforest, Lapa Rios has always been committed to environmental protection, preserving more than 1,000 acres of primary and secondary rainforest and assisting in the development of the local community.
Travel time San Gerardo de Dota - Corcovado: approx. 5 hours / 280 km
2 nights at Lapa Rios**** , Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica
Nature lovers, today, you will be spoiled for choice. How about a birdwatching tour? You can also visit the local sustainability projects or take a boat tour through the mangrove swamps.
Your day begins with an impeccable view where the Golfo Dulce meets the Pacific Ocean. Listen to numerous species come to life around you in the morning. Look for the local monkeys, red macaws, hummingbirds, toucans, or sloths! And later on, there will be a guided tour where you can learn more about the surrounding wildlife and experience it up close.
You can choose from the following tours for a maximum of 8 people (all included in the price):
Wild waterfalls (3-hour hike)
Medicinal plants (3-hour hike)
Mountain hike in the rainforest (3 - 3.5-hour hike)
Osa Peninsula hiking trail (3.5 - 4-hour hike)
Bird watching at sunrise OR sunset (2-hour hike each)
Matapalo tour (2-hour hike)
Night hike (1.5-2 hour hike)
Sustainability tour
In the evening, you can enjoy the sunset from a kayak or surfboard, or pamper yourself with massages and yoga classes.
Immediately after breakfast, you will make your way to the beautiful island of Jesusita! After a six-hour drive to the port of Puntarenas, you will cross over to Paquera by ferry. Once you arrive, another boat will take you to the quaint Jesusita Island. End your traveling day with a cocktail, a pristine coastline, and the setting sun. Your accommodation is the perfect combination of nature and getaway luxury, so you can kick back for the evening. You will even get a delicious dinner from the lodge!
Travel time Corcovado National Park - Isla Chiquita: 8 hours / 385 km
2 nights at Isla Chiquita Lodge***, Isla Jesusita, Costa Rica
Your morning starts with a tropical breakfast in a magical atmosphere. Now spend the day however you want to! Go kayaking around the glimmering island, practice stand-up paddle boarding near shore, take a stroll and watch the birds soar by, or relax in a hammock by the sea.
In the evening, we have a special tour planned just for you: bioluminescent water. Lucky for you, this natural phenomenon can be observed year-round! Produced by high concentrations of light-emitting plankton, bioluminescence imbues the waters with a blue-green effect. During this boat adventure, you will get to see the glowing sea with your own eyes! Your local tour guide will make sure this is a magical experience you will never forget.
After breakfast, hop onto a boat back to Paquera, a district in Puntarenas Canton. A thrilling holiday attraction awaits you here: Arenal Volcano, located in the eponymous national park. Even though the volcano is still active, there has been no movement since 2010, so you can safely explore its surroundings.
Afterward, drive to the Arenal Springs Resort, where you can end the day by relaxing in the natural hot springs. Dinner will also be served later in the evening.
Travel time Isla Jesusita - La Fortuna: 4.5 hours / 235 km
2 nights at Arenal Springs Resort*****, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Today’s adventure takes us to the famous Arenal Volcano!
After a short drive to the foot of the volcano, you will embark on a 1.5-hour hike. The national park overflows with different sights, sounds, and activities, promising an unforgettable adventure along the ash-covered paths. Trek over cooled lava flow and around rocky footpaths. Even though this volcano has been dormant since 2010, there are still incredible things to discover. These breathtaking views of the volcano and surrounding hills will leave an everlasting imprint on your memory.
In the evening, relax at the resort and truly relish your last hours in Costa Rica.
After you finish your last Costa Rican breakfast, you will make your way back to San José Airport. Say goodbye to the serene waters, tropical rainforests, the unique wildlife, and impressive volcanoes as you head home. Don’t forget to take back some of that “Pura Vida” energy Costa Rica is known and loved for.
Not ready to go home? Extend your vacation to the Caribbean or another Pacific coast destination!
itravel - for that moment!
Gran Hotel Costa Rica ****, San José, Costa Rica (1 night)
This historic building is not only a luxurious hotel but also an architectural monument. National museums, plazas, and other cultural and tourist attractions are in its direct vicinity.
Each room boasts a first-class, modern design, dominated with beige tones and clean-cut interiors. This hotel promises its guests all amenities and a feel-good atmosphere.
Casa Turire ****, Turrialba, Costa Rica (1 night)
Casa Turire is the ideal hotel for exploring Costa Rica's shimmering nature! Only 25 km from Guayabo, it proves to be the perfect location for adventure and sports activities, such as rafting, kayaking, and paragliding.
The hotel has 16 individually furnished rooms, all of which have a furnished balcony and a private bathroom with a rain shower. Enjoy a cup of coffee in the hotel bar and pamper yourself with a soothing massage in the Spa Turire.
Savegre Hotel Natural Reserve & Spa***, San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica (1 night)
Escape to this romantic hotel hidden amongst the impressive cloud forest. Standard rooms have heating, whereas the cozy junior suites are extensive and include a fireplace. In the immediate vicinity is a rushing waterfall and Rio Savegre. The restaurant serves typical dishes and drinks.
Lapa Rios****, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica (2 nights)
Boasting remarkable views from its Osa Peninsula location, the eco-lodge protects one of the last remaining tropical lowland rainforests in Central America. The immersive destination allows guests to relax in luxury while breathing in the fresh jungle air. The bungalows are located on three hills and are connected by footpaths and stairs through the jungle. Some of the rooms have a terrace or veranda, and most of the furniture is primarily made of wood. Lapa Rios creates an intimate and authentic experience filled with luxury, educational opportunities, and inspiration.
Isla Chiquita Lodge***, Isla Jesusita, Costa Rica (2 nights)
A Costa Rican glamping adventure awaits you on Isla Jesusita! Each tented suite includes a large bathroom, tea and coffee making facilities, internet, and a minibar available. You can even enjoy sparkling views of the Pacific Ocean from your private balcony. The beach is only a few meters away and can only be reached at low tide.
Arenal Springs Resort*****, La Fortuna, Costa Rica (2 nights)
Kick back and relax at the Arenal Springs Resort! It's only 20 minutes away from the Arenal Volcano, making it the perfect starting point for adventures! The bright rooms have a TV, private bathroom with shower, terrace, minibar, and a coffee machine. Local specialties, as well as Japanese and Italian delicacies, are served at the resort's restaurants. Wi-Fi is available free of charge in all public areas.
Closest airport: Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport
Duration of the trip: 10 days / 9 nights
Date of the trip: August 2020
9 nights at the mentioned accommodations or similar:
1 night at Gran Hotel Costa Rica**** in a standard room, San José
1 night at Casa Turire**** in a standard room, Turrialba
1 night at Savegre Hotel Natural Reserve & Spa*** in a Junior Suite, San Gerardo de Dota
2 nights at Lapa Rios**** in a Deluxe Bungalow, Corcovado National Park
2 nights at Isla Chiquita Lodge*** in a Tent Suite, Isla Jesusita
2 nights at Arenal Springs Resort***** in a Junior Suite, La Fortuna
Meals according to the program
Guide and expert
Transfers and transports in an air-conditioned bus with a Spanish-speaking driver
Irazu:
San Gerardo de Dota:
Corcovado National Park:
Activities to choose from:
Wild waterfalls (3-hour hike)
Medicinal plants (3-hour hike)
Mountain hike in the rainforest (3 - 3.5-hour hike)
Osa Peninsula hiking trail (3.5 - 4-hour hike)
Bird watching at sunrise OR sunset (2-hour hike each)
Matapalo tour (2-hour hike)
Night hike (1.5-2 hour hike)
Sustainability tour
Isla Jesusita:
International flights
Meals and drinks that are not included in the scope of services
Optional excursions (visits, admissions, etc.)
Paquera ferry 2,-USD
Tips and personal expenses
Insurance
Single room surcharge: 990,-EUR
Experience “Pura Vida,” aka pure life.
Pure Authenticity: Feel like a San Jose native as you explore the city's most important sights...
Immerse yourself in the spectacular landscapes of Costa Rica.
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