Naturparadies Costa Rica

Day 1: San Jose
A complimentary transfer is included with your trip. Please ensure you provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel so the transfer can be organised.
Your adventure begins with a Welcome Meeting at 6pm on Day 1.
Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader.
Following the meeting, there is generally an optional group dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Costa Rica’s capital sits in the centre of a lush, wide valley which has a comfortable subtropical climate. The streets of the town are laid out along a grid iron pattern, with avenidas running east to west and callés running north to south. Many of the most interesting buildings are in the region of Avenida Central – the Teatro Nacional is an elaborate confection of marble staircases, statues, frescoes and mirrors.
There are a number of interesting museums in the city; the Museo de Oro has a good collection of golden pre-Columbian figurines. The Mercado Central is the main market which dates back to 1881 – there are some good food stalls here as well as countless artefacts for sale.

Included Activities:
- Orientation walk
- Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer

Optional Activities:
- San Jose - Irazu Volcano, Ososi Valley & Lankester Botanical Garden (full-day tour) - USD90
- San Jose - Butterfly farm - USD27
- San Jose - National Museum - USD12
- San Jose - Gold Museum - USD11
- San Jose - Jade Museum - USD10

Accommodation: Hotel

Special Information: Some departures of this trip are part of a combination trip. As such, some of your fellow travellers may have started their trip 8 days ago in Havana on Cuba & Costa Rica, or 15 days ago in Mexico city on Mexico & Costa Rica Experience , or 22 days ago in Mexico city. Please contact our sales team if you wish to book or know more information on these longer combination trips.

Day 2: La Fortuna/Arenal Volcano
A scenic drive by private minibus takes us to La Fortuna (approx 4-5 hrs).
La Fortuna is a small town situated just a few minutes away from Costa Rica's most famous volcano - the majestic Arenal. The views here are spectacular as the volcano is reflected on the lake for postcard perfect photos. Besides the panoramic views the town offers a range of other activities such as the 70 metre high La Fortuna waterfall, stunning lush forest, rare plants, animal watching and watersports on the lake.

Included Activities:
- La Fortuna - Hot springs

Optional Activities:
- La Fortuna - Arenal hanging bridges - USD65
- La Fortuna - Rio Celeste Safari Float tour - USD70
- La Fortuna - La Fortuna Waterfall - USD10
- La Fortuna - Nature hike around Arenal Volcano - USD50
- La Fortuna - Tabacon Hot Springs (entrance, dinner and transport) - USD99

Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3: La Fortuna/Arenal Volcano
Today is free for optional activities. Take a trip to the volcano, visit La Fortuna waterfall or take a canopy tour for a bird's eye view of the forest. Otherwise head out into the beautiful surrounds and explore by bike.
In the evening we include a visit to one of the hot springs in the area. Surrounded by lush foliage and naturally heated by the volcano, the springs are the perfect way to relax.

Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4: Monteverde
Travel by shared minibus and boat to the cool cloud forests of Monteverde (approx 4 hrs).
Monteverde was founded as an agricultural community in 1951 by a group of North American Quakers; they cleared virgin forest to create verdant pastures ideal for dairy farming. These environmentally aware settlers were conscious of the danger that unrestricted settling and farming could cause to this precious habitat. Consequently they established a small privately-owned wildlife sanctuary, which has since grown to become the internationally-renowned Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. These forests are similar to rainforests, but instead of relying on rain for essential moisture, adequate water comes from the semi-permanent cloud that covers the region. It is lush and full of wildlife. This is truly a nature lover's paradise. More than 2,000 species of plants, 320 bird species and 100 different types of mammals call Montverde home. Be sure to keep an eye out for the resplendent quetzal, one of the most elusive birds in the world.
In the afternoon, your leader will take you on a walking tour through the protected reserve.

Included Activities:
- Monteverde - Cloud Forest hike

Optional Activities:
- Monteverde - Suspension bridges tour - USD35
- Monteverde - Zip lining - USD45
- Monteverde - Night walk - USD35
- Monteverde - Coffee & Chocolate tour - USD35
- Monteverde - Butterfly garden and insects farm - USD30
- Monteverde - Serpentarium - USD15

Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5: Monteverde
Today you can choose from some great optional activities. Explore the forest canopy on a combination of suspension bridges and platforms built in the cloud forest. Another option is the Monteverde Butterfly Garden and the Hummingbird Gallery, a must for those with a penchant for these winged, coloured jewels of the forest.
At night you can choose to enjoy a night hike in Monteverde, hiking at dusk in the forest. Some of the wildlife you might see include porcupines, toucans and other sleeping birds, owls, agoutis, coatimundis, snakes, walking sticks, tarantulas, katydids, and an array of other cool insects. Of course, there are no guaranteed sightings, so don't expect all these creatures to be waiting just for you! Typically though this time of transition into night offers a good opportunity to view nocturnal mammals as well as diurnal animals as they prepare for night.

Accomodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6: Manuel Antonio National Park
Travel by private minibus to Manuel Antonio National Park (approx 4-5 hrs). Situated on the Pacific Coast, the area of mangrove swamps and beaches now known as the Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio was first documented by Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon in 1519 during his (unsuccessful) search for the Fountain of Youth.
Long, white beaches extending around the headland of Punta Catedral are set against an evergreen forest backdrop that grows right up to the high-tide line. Incorporating 12 small islands scattered just off the coast where migrating whales can sometimes be observed, the park is home to hundreds of mammal and bird species in a region of lagoons and fertile mangrove swamps.

Included Activities:
- Manuel Antonio National Park - entrance

Optional Activities:
- Manuel Antonio - Surf/boogie board rental - USD10
- Manuel Antonio - Mangrove tour by kayak (with lunch) - USD80
- Manuel Antonio- Sunset sail - USD75

Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast

Special Information: Accommodation in Manuel Antonio is at Hotel Faro; this property is slightly below the standard generally used for Intrepid Comfort. We have chosen this property because it's one of the few hotels willing to accept our standard reservation policies and conditions yet still provides the most important requirements:
- An excellent location; meters from the beach, the National Park entrance, and local restaurants
- It's clean and comfortable
- A unique experience

Day 7: Manuel Antonio National Park
Your time here is your own to enjoy some of Costa Rica's finest beaches or you can enjoy some of the fine hiking trails through the tropical forest.

Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8: San Jose
We'll spend the morning in Manuel Antonio before returning to San Jose and your centrally located hotel. You can enjoy one last night out to celebrate the end of your journey.

Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 9: San Jose
There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time.

Meals Included: Breakfast