Escorted tour of Natural Wonders of Costa Rica - a wildlife haven, Costa Rica

Day 1 - On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel, the rst of the day at leisure

Day 2    This morning we’ll take on this cosmopolitan city on a guided tour. We’ll explore both business and residential neighbourhoods, so you’ll get a real insight into the diverse and beautiful architecture that decorates the city. We’ll admire colonial mansions, many of which have now been converted into trendy museums and galleries. We’ll also see the bright yellow turrets of Bellavista fortress - the bullet marks a reminder of Costa Rica’s past, but today it is the home of the National Museum. Right in the city centre, we’ll visit the beautiful National Theatre. You might think it looks familiar - and if you’ve visited Paris, it may well be. Completed in 1897, the theatre is modelled on the Paris Opera House.

Stay 2 nights Park Inn by Radisson, San Jose

Day 3-    Today’s journey is a scenic feast and an adventure in itself. We’ll drive through the cloud-enshrouded landscapes of Braulio Carrillo National Park to Tortuguero. We’ll pass volcanic mountains, travel through untouched tropical rainforests and drive by sprawling banana plantations. Before you’ve had the chance to catch your breath, we take to the waters of the Tortuguero Canals and as we weave through these sinuous canals, we’ll pass by rare and unusual flora and fauna. Finally, we arrive at our eco-lodge hotel; nestled in an area of rivers, lakes, wetlands and lush, exotic jungle. Later, we’ll head out to explore Tortuguero village and visit the Turtle Preservation Centre. Turtle nesting season is usually July to October and they hatch from September to December, so we may catch a glimpse if we’re lucky.

Day 4-    We waste no time in exploring the breathtaking paradise of the Tortuguero Canals. With its unique system of natural and man-made waterways this is a haven for a wide variety of birds, monkeys, sloths and toucans along with a dazzling array of orchids. The afternoon is yours to spend as you please; perhaps relax in the unique location of our eco-lodge, or head out on a guided walk for even more exciting discoveries.

Day 5-    This morning we leave our lodge by boat, before continuing by coach through the plains of the San Carlos region, the heart of Costa Rica, thriving with agricultural and livestock smallholdings, to Arenal and its famous volcano.

Day 6-  Watch on as we whizz by local communities on the way to the pueblito (small village) of Los Chiles; gateway to the Rio Frio and the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge. From here, our boat takes us on a floating safari through the tropical rainforest and pastures. The Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge is considered to be one of the richest in biological diversity in Costa Rica, so keep your eyes peeled for a variety of resident and migratory birds including roseate spoonbills, green-backed herons and wood storks, to name just a few. Plus, there are spider and howler monkeys, sloths, ocelots and more.

Day 7 -     This morning we depart Arenal for Monteverde, located along the continental divide at 5,000 feet above sea level. We visit the Butterfly Gardens, to observe and learn about these beautiful winged insects, before free time to explore.

Day 8-    Today is free to relax and explore this tropical haven or take an optional excursion for an adventure into the cloud forest canopy. A skywalk of hanging bridges, trails, and platforms above the forest floor takes you to all the different layers of the forest for a great opportunity to see how the forest works.

Day 9-    This morning, we venture through the Cloud Forest private reserve to witness the wide array of flora and fauna. This is one of the few places you may be able to glimpse a strikingly coloured quetzal. Then, leaving the magnificent cloud forest behind, we travel back to San Jose via the picturesque town of Sarchi, famous for its elaborately painted oxcarts.

Day 10-    Today we transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.