Guest Itinerary

Thursday, August 21 - Arrival San José, Costa Rica
Arrive at San José Costa Rica's Juan Santamaría International Airport. You will be met at the airport and transferred to the charming Hotel Grano de Oro. Situated on a shady street our hotel is a true oasis, a sanctuary in the heart of a bustling city. Converted from a Tropical Victorian mansion, the hotel maintains the warmth and comfort of a private home. No guided activities have been planned so that you can arrive at your convenience. Overnight Hotel Grano de Oro. (TG)

Friday, August 22 - San José – Farmer’s Market and City Tour
Early morning visit to the Farmer’s Market, one of the best ways to meet the local culture. Breakfast will be served at a typical Costa Rican restaurant. Continue on for a city walking tour of San José. We will visit both the National Theater and the Gold Museum. The magnificent National Theater, built in 18
97, is a historical landmark and one of the country’s architectural jewels. The Pre-Columbian Gold Museum boasts a collection of gold objects that reflect the world view, social structure and gold working techniques of the Pre-Columbian people of Costa Rica. In the afternoon, we visit the National Museum, located atop a hill that dominates the city of San Jose, in the country’s former army headquarters, vacated in 1949 after Costa Rica abolished its standing army. Here you can witness for yourself the pre-Columbian tools, pottery, burial sites and social past. Return to our hotel late in the afternoon in time for a welcome dinner with our guide. Overnight Hotel Grano de Oro. (BLD) (NG)

Saturday, August 23 - San José / Tortuguero

Our drive towards Tortuguero will take us through scenic banana plantations to the Caño Blanco dock where we will take a boat ride to reach our destination. Arrive at Tortuga Lodge set on a private rainforest reserve bordering Tortuguero National Park. The essence of Tortuguero is slow-moving tropical rivers. Everything about Tortuguero is defined by the rivers. They are Tortuguero's roads and Tortuguero's soul. If a visitor wants to bring home the essence of Tortuguero he/she must get in tune with the rivers.

After lunch a local guide will join our group to take us to the village of Tortuguero and hike along the Tortuguero National Park trail. Learn about the history of the village and its efforts to get their basic needs met such as running water, medical and dental care, garbage collection and management. Visit the park headquarters, the general goods store and walk through down the paths lines with colorful afro-Caribbean homes. Visit the Atlantic Green Sea Turtle Museum founded by the Caribbean Conservation Corporation. The late Dr. Archie Carr began to study and tag the thousands of Atlantic green sea turtles that every year from June through October come to Tortuguero Beach to lay their eggs. The study has continued without fail ever since, under the auspices of the Caribbean Conservation Corporation (CCC). It is the longest running continuous study of its kind in the world, and it has had a profound effect on the community of Tortuguero. Return to the hotel for dinner. Overnight Tortuga Lodge. (BLD)(NG)

Sunday, August 24 - Tortuguero
Early to rise and to go look for the hatching baby turtles before breakfast. Escorted by the best Tortuguero Guides available, we will walk the beach in the early morning hours in search of a nest that has begun to hatch. Baby turtles dig their way out of the nest and then make their way to the water.

After lunch, depart with our guide for a boat tour into the Tortuguero National Park. Originally intended to protect a major nesting beach of the Atlantic green sea turtle, Tortuguero National Park now protects 51,870 acres, one of the last large areas of tropical rain forest in Central America. Eleven habitats are found in the park. Three species of monkeys (Spider, Howler, and White-faced), Three-toed sloths, and River otters are frequently seen along the natural inland waterways and canals. More than 320 species of birds including all 6 species of kingfishers found in the new world, 3 species of toucans, 8 species of parrots and many more species which we will have the opportunity to observe during this afternoon boat ride through the back water canals of Tortuguero National Park.

This evening a night time turtle walk. We will actually stand a few feet from a 300 pound Green Sea Turtle while she lays 80-100 eggs, covers up her nest, perhaps digs a false nest to throw off predators, and, finally, after more than an hour, returns to the sea. Overnight at Tortuga Lodge. (BLD) (NG)

Monday, August 25 -Tortuguero Children
Morning visit to the town of San Francisco to be visitors of the local school. Spend the morning with the local children as their special guests.

After lunch, participate in another optional boat tour through the canals of the Tortuguero National Park.

Another great opportunity this evening to go on a night time turtle walk after dinner. Overnight at Tortuga Lodge. (BLD)(NG)

Tuesday, August 26 - Tortuguero / Caño Blanco / San José

After breakfast, transfer to the Airstrip to board our chartered flight to San Jose. Arrive at Xandari Resort & Spa, a tropical paradise of individually designed villas nestled on a 40 acre plantation overlooking the Central Valley of Costa Rica. View the twinkling lights of the valley below as we toast farewell. Overnight Xandari Resort & Spa (BLD) (NG)

Wednesday, August 27 – Depart
Land transfer to the international airport approximately 3 hours before your flight’s scheduled departure time. (B) (TG)

STAY LONGER, EXPLORE MORE - Optional extension to Arenal

Tuesday, August 26 - Arenal

After arriving in San Jose, you will depart for the Nectandra Cloud Forest Garden for a naturalist led walk through a dense forest while highlighting the importance of the surrounding vegetation in medicinal, indigenous and cultural uses. From here continue on to Arenal Manoa, a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the marvelous view of Arenal Volcano. Surrounded by gardens, pastures and animals, our rooms have been designed so that each one offers you a panoramic view of the volcano. You can take advantage of the spacious gardens for walking as well as the opportunities to see the daily operations of a typical Costa Rican farm.
Overnight at Arenal Manoa. (BLD) (NG)

Wednesday, August 27 - Arenal

After breakfast we will walk the Arenal Hanging Bridges a newer attraction in La Fortuna de San Carlos. The visit consists of traversing 15 bridges from 5 to 100 meters long that cross the rain forest. It will be a chance to appreciate the contrast of the highly diverse flora and fauna along with the imposing vista of Arenal Volcano.

We will end our day at Hidalgo Family Farm and Hot Springs. The Hidalgo Family Hot springs a privately owned facility are only availavle by reservation and not for mass tourism. In 2000 the Hidalgo Family were reluctant to open up their family farm to visitors. Finally they agreed to try it by appointment only on a trial basis. They found, perhaps to their surprise, that they enjoyed having foreign guests on this basis and have now put in changing rooms and a restaurant. Over the years the hot springs have grown in hospitality and the Hidalgos have increased the number of reservations they will accept for any given time. The springs consist of 5 free-flowing pools set in a natural river gorge. Water temperature ranges from 100ºF (38ºC) to 109ºF (43ºC) depending on the pool. A Costa Rican Home style meal in the restaurant, modeled after the first house that Don Manuel and Dona Hortesmida Hidalgo built when they settled on the Farm in 1940 is a highlight of the visit. Overnight at Arenal Manoa. (BLD) (NG)

Thursday, August 28 - XANDARI

After a leisurely morning transfer back to San Jose. Arrive at Xandari Resort & Spa, a tropical paradise of individually designed villas nestled on a 40 acre plantation overlooking the Central Valley of Costa Rica. View the twinkling lights of the valley below as we toast farewell. Overnight Xandari Resort & Spa (BLD) (NG)

Friday, August 29 Depart
Land transfer to the international airport approximately 3 hours before your flight’s scheduled departure time. (B) (TG)

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