A Taste of Costa Rica

Day 2: SAN JOSE - Breakfast included
This morning the clients will visit The Butterfly Farm, where the tour begins with a film which takes advantage of macro photography and "perfect timing" to show many details of butterflies that one is not likely to see otherwise. The film provides background information on the life of a butterfly and the nature of The Butterfly Farm as an exporter of live butterflies. After the film, the clients proceed with the bilingual guide to the export office where they are shown the process of exporting butterflies all over the world. Questions such as, "Who buys live butterflies" are addressed at this time. On export days, guests will be able to see the sorting and packing of butterfly chrysalides by the thousands. The tour then proceeds into a beautiful enclosed garden containing over a thousand live butterflies in all stages of their life cycle- egg, larva, pupa and adult. Guests walk along trails as butterflies land on flowers and host plants. The guide will take them through the life cycle of the butterflies and their natural history. Along the walk, butterflies may be seen emerging from their chrysalides, mating and laying their eggs. The clients are invited to smell host plants, handle giant Caligo larvae (caterpillars), and search for well-concealed eggs and larvae. After lunch (On Own) the will continue to the InBiopark, where the different ecosystems (Tropical Humid, Central Valley and Tropical Dry Forests) will be explained. Here are permanent exhibits where the clients can appreciate poison arrow frogs, tarantulas, stingless bees, bullet ants, bromeliads and orchids, also the lagoon and the aquarium. They can enjoy a Costa Rica’s wild protected areas lights and sound presentation. The visit is complemented with exhibition halls including multimedia and audiovisuals, where visitors learn about Costa Rica’s biodiversity, as well as a series of important activities developed in the field for its conservation, scientific research, and sustainable use. The exhibits also show Costa Rica’s efforts to conserve its biodiversity through the establishment of protected areas, such as national parks and biological reserves. InBiopark is an educational and recreational center where visitors will be exposed to samples of the vast world of biological diversity that can be found in Costa Rica and its National Parks, thus helping people understand the importance of preserving our biodiversity. It informs visitors about the contributions and characteristics of our biodiversity by way of exhibition halls and interpreted trails through planting of native plants. There is no better way to understand the importance of preserving nature, but most important to co-exist with it; at InBiopark they will learn about our reserves and ecosystems and once they are traveling around the country every thing they see will have a different meaning. Dinner On Own. Overnight at Comfort Real Hotel.

Day 3: SARAPIQUI - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Early this morning the clients will be transferred from San José Area to Sarapiquí Area, specifically to La Quinta de Sarapiqui Hotel. On the way to Sarapiquí Area, they will pass coffee and sugar plantations that will take them up to the top of a spectacular volcano through a tropical cloud forest. The Poás Volcano is located at the Cordillera Volcánica Central, 37 km north from Alajuela province. It was created by means of the law No 4717. Its extension is of 5.600 hectares. This is one of the most spectacular volcanoes of the country and of extraordinary scenic beauty. It has many types of habitats like very long forests with short trees, areas with very little flora and some with little smelly plants and also the cloudy forest. In this last type of forest is very common to find plants that grow attached to the trees, like orchids, ferns etc. There is a long history of eruptions but one that is very remembered is the one in 1910, consisting in a huge ash cloud that reaches 8.000 Mts. Poás Volcano is made of volcanic rocks and reaches 2.708 Mts. of height. Since 1989 gas emissions have increase causing acid rains that damage the flora in some areas and near by plantations. On the top you can find two craters, The Principal: with a diameter of 1.5 km and a depth of 300 Mts., a circular hot lagoon of 350 Mts. and a cone shape structure with active smoke spots. The second crater is the base of the Botos lagoon, of cold water and pluvial origin that runs all the way to the Caribbean through the Angel River, affluent of the Sarapiquí River. On the present days this volcano emits a lot gases and water vapor from the different fumaroles located in the interior cone of the crater. In the cloudy forest, that is very humid and dense, most of the trees reaches heights of 20 Mts. and is with different kind of plants. In the Caribbean sector forests are higher, more humid, rich in palms, and with plants growing attached to the trees. In other areas of the park, where gas emissions and old eruptions finish with all primary floras, grows species that adapted to this kind of soil. There are 79 species of birds, mammals are not very common in the high land but you can see some coyotes, rabbits, skunks and some felines. Take a close up look at the enormous crater with its deep green lake as you admire it immensity. The park is one of the first founded by the National Park System and it’s a must to see while in Costa Rica. Later they will be amazed by the variety of climates and experiences that La Paz Waterfall Gardens presents including both Cloud and Rain Forest. Five Magnificent waterfalls with nine viewing platforms allow our visitors an up close and personal view of the falls and the spectacular La Paz River. In the Hummingbird Garden, our feathered friends will delight and fascinate them with their antics as they play and fight with each other at amazing speeds. These normally skittish creatures have become so tame; they will feed within a few feet of the clients. After exploring La Paz Waterfall Gardens, they will be lured to the terrace dining room to enjoy a great lunch. Also they will visit Tabacón Hot Spring Waters, where they can enjoy a healthy and relaxing soak, it is also possible to see the Arenal Volcano erupting from this comfortable spa. Buffet Dinner will be served at this paradisiacal place. Overnight at LA Quinta de Sarapiqui Hotel.
About this Area… Sarapiquí has been a center of conservation activity in Costa Rica for many years, originally due to the presence of La Selva just south of Puerto Viejo. La Selva is the international biological research station owned by the Organization for Tropical Studies, a consortium of approximately 50 universities in the United States and Costa Rica. FUNDECOR (the Foundation for the Development of the Central Volcanic Mountain Range -- translated from its name in Spanish) works closely with landowners in the area promoting sound farm management techniques and conservation practices. COMBOS (The Conservation and Management of Tropical Forests) is also helping community groups and private individuals in the area with various projects promoting the conservation and management of private forests. ABAS (The Association for the Environmental Well being of Sarapiquí;) is a strong environmental group working in the Sarapiquí; region to halt the poaching of endangered animals, hazardous waste dumping by local banana plantations, and in general, watching for any other environmental offenses which exist in the region while at the same time promoting conservation of the rich natural resources of the area and consolidation of the Maquenque National Park at Caño Tambor.

Day 4: TORTUGUERO - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
This day the clients will depart from Sarapiquí Area to Tortuguero Area, in the way they will pass through the Braulio Carrillo National Park. This flora and fauna sanctuary is an emerald-green mass of vegetation, a saturation of tropical plants, waterfalls and trees that are heavily laden with orchids and other plants that cling to their branches. Even if someone has witnessed the splendor of a virgin rainforest before, no one that visits the Braulio Carrillo National Park can avoid feeling a sense of awe because of its beauty and magnitude. The park was founded in 1978 in order to save some of the area that was being opened up by the Guápiles Highway, and it was named after the third president of Costa Rica who ruled in the mid 1800’s. Even though the paths are small, bird watchers might still spot many animals like the beautiful quetzals, toucans, trogons and eagles. Other common animals and reptiles are the jaguar, ocelot, bushmaster snake ("Matabuey"), or the feared fer-de-lance snake ("Terciopelo"). The vegetation is, as mentioned before, completely breath-taking. The park is at 50 m above sea level at its lowest point, and at 2906 m at its highest, in the Barva Volcano. At Caño Blanco Dock the boats are waiting to transfer them to Pachira Lodge and a two and half hour boat ride will take them through the canals sheltered in the jungle of the rain forest. From the boat they will be able to admire the unique flora and fauna of this area. Upon arrival will receive a short briefing and will enjoy a great lunch. Later after their visit to the Tortuguero Town will enjoy a delicious dinner. Overnight and Dinner at Pachira Lodge.
About Tortuguero… Tortuguero consists of a network of waterways, allowing visitors to view a rich, biologically diverse region. It is the most important nesting site of the green turtle as well as leatherback and hawksbill turtle. It is located at Limón Province on the Caribbean Coast, 84 Km. N.W. of the city of Limón. The National Park has: 18,946 Ha. (Terrestrial) and 52,265 Ha. (Maritime). It is a system of natural & man-made canals and navigable lagoons that cross the park from southeast to northwest, which are of great scenic beauty. Much of the park is on lowland plains with mountains peaks of volcanic origin in the western side. The fauna consist of 309 species of birds, spectacular migrations of North American birds can be seen: orioles, warblers and Swainson's hawks, sun grebe, kingfishers, herons and rails. Greet green macaw is found too, white faces and howler monkeys, three-toed sloths, etc. 7 species of freshwater turtles, West Indian manatee, crocodiles, 30 species of freshwater fish (gar, eel and bull shark). Nesting site for green, leatherback, loggerhead and hawksbill turtles. The flora: Littoral woodland, berm, tall fern forest, hill forest, herbaceous swamp, marshland and holillo forest, with tree species such as: crabwood, banak, Santa María, bully tree and dove wood. The important of this park is that preserve the most important nesting site in the western half of the Caribbean for the green turtle.

Day 5: PUERTO VIEJO - Breakfast and Dinner included
Before breakfast the clients will visit Tortuguero National Park. Later they will be transferred form Pachira Lodge to Caño Blanco Dock, where their transportation will be waiting to re – start their journey. They will take the way to Puerto Viejo where they will stay two (2) nights at Almonds And Corals Hotel. After Lunch (On Own) they will visit the Gandoca / Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. The hike takes about three hours on a very picturesque loop, first into the forest where they can have the chance to watch different kind of mammals such as coatis, agoutis, howler monkeys, sloths and numerous kinds of birds like three types of toucans, trogons, parrots, hawks, oropendulas among many more. As they keep going, will go through a section of primary forest and then return to Manzanillo by another way, where the trail follows the coastal line going up and down in little hills with breath taking views to the ocean from high cliffs. Dinner and Overnight at Almonds and Corals Hotel.
About this Area… This Area is the perfect place to visit if you're in need of rest and relaxation. The residents are open and friendly and the town itself lends itself to exploration. The town has increased in size steadily since the 1970s and has proven to be a good place for Costa Ricans to settle down. This Area has been the cradle of important personalities: poets, musicians, cooks, storytellers and painters. They have all, through their work, popularized their culture and projected it beyond the limits of its province, both inside and outside of Costa Rica. Thus, it should come as no surprise that this land is the stage of one of the most renowned carnivals in Central America. The Carnival is a door that beckons us to cross the threshold and discover the richness of this area. Two principal rhythms exist on the Caribbean: Calypso and Reggae. Both inspire the youth and breathe life into dances and gatherings with friends and neighbors. The first and more traditional rhythm is the Calypso, which has fairly old roots. Its interpreter, called ''CaIypsonian,'' and its foundation are based on the singing of the plantation slaves throughout the Caribbean, which transmitted, through the song, news and messages of the Black community without being heard or noticed by the masters. Quince Duncan and Carlos Melendez, researchers investigating this theme, comment in one of their studies that "The Calypso is native to the Caribbean, the expression of excellence among the English-speaking Antillean community. Its contents are the true chapters of the history of Black people, of their daily lives." The second rhythm, which perhaps has more relevance to the newer generations, is Reggae. This musical genre began in the 1960s as part of a movement to revitalize Black ethnicity. Its philosophy is based on the ideas of Marcus Garvey, who said Blacks should physically return to Africa to recuperate their ancestral roots. The movement's main proponent was the popular Bob Marley, who sang about these philosophies in his lyrics and gained many followers. The first Reggae heard in Costa Rica was imported, as its development occurred much later than the Antillean music. Reggae began in Costa Rica in the 1970s and took on increased popularity after Marley's death in 1981.

Day 6: PUERTO VIEJO - Breakfast and Dinner included
This morning will be special; the clients will receive a kayak, the snorkeling equipment and the basic instructions. They will sit on their kayaks and start to paddle to Manzanillo, just 2 kilometers from their start point. After 20 minutes paddling will arrive to the beach in front of Manzanillo, will leave the kayaks here and from the beach will start swimming over beautiful corals. The guide will take them to the best spots.They will swim above the coral, also around the edges where will see some deeper spots, little holes, cracks and caverns and a lot more, in other words, a magical underwater garden worth to see. Among the things there are sea rods, sea fans, brain coral, boulder coral, fire coral, elk horn coral, turtle grass, etc. Also will have the chance to see beautiful tropical fish like parrot fish, angel fish, snappers, groupers, grunts, blue tangs, jack fish and others, without leaving behind the spiny lobster, crabs, conchs and other many life forms. After lunch (on Own) day at their leisure. Dinner and Overnight at Almonds And Corals Hotel.

Day 7: SAN JOSE - Breakfast included
After a delicious breakfast will start the journey back to San José Area (approximately five (5) hours driving time), specifically to Comfort Real Hotel. After lunch (on Own) will visit the Gold Museum, which is an exhibition that shows a significant group of gold objects from 500 AD to the time of the arrival of the Europeans in the 16th Century. When admiring the exhibition the viewer will not only learn about the important stylistic features of these objects, but also understand their functions and use within the society and culture in which they were created. In 1950 the Central Bank of Costa Rica began its pre-Columbian gold collection with the intent to help preserve the nation’s cultural heritage. The Plaza de La Cultura project was launched by the Central Bank in 1975. A major task of the institution was to build an architectural complex to exhibit all of its collections on a permanent basis and, at the same time, contribute to the urban design of the city of San José. Of the collections, only the pre-Columbian gold objects had been partially displayed to the public at the Bank’s main building since 1966. The construction process lasted from 1976 to 1982 and it is today one of the most outstanding contemporary designs in the city which undoubtedly constitutes a landmark in the history of Costa Rican architecture. At street level is the "Plaza de La Cultura", a big open public space that quickly became a favorite meeting place for students and young people. It is also common to observe artisans and musicians there. Inside the building, beneath the "Plaza de La Cultura", the collections are distributed in three underground levels; this is an attractive and unusual feature of this museum. The pre-Columbian gold collection is permanently open to the public. Overnight and Farewell Dinner at Comfort Real Hotel.

Day 8: SAN JOSE - Breakfast included
Full bilingual guide will be at Comfort Real Hotel, waiting to transfer the clients directly to the Juan Santamaria International Airport, in order to check in and aboard their international flight. Please remember that they must be three (3) hours before their departure time at the international airport.