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Transfer from International Airport to your hotel in San José.
Overnight in San Jose .
After exiting the plane , and pass the immigration point look for a person at the end of the ramp holding a placard with your last name.
Costa Rica Guides and Expediciones Tropicales will make special arrangements to have a representative from Expediciones Tropicales in the entry of the airport. These persons cannot, however, provide assistance with your bags, as you are the only person permitted to handle your luggage while you are inside the airport.
Outside the arrivals area, look for our representative from Expediciones Tropicales who will be holding a placard with your last name on. Our driver will provide assistance with luggage and private transportation to the hotel in San Jose. |
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4 in One Tour. Breakfast and lunch included on tour.
Overnight in San José.
4 in One Tour.
We begin our journey driving by the monument "El Agricultor" and the Juan Santamaria International Airport. During the drive you will begin to feel at home in Costa Rica as we enter the City of Alajuela, with the second largest population in the country. The city of Alajuela is proud to display the monument of our National Hero "Juan Santamaria". While appreciating the history of the monument, not far away is the well-known park of "Los Mangos" and the old military headquarters which has been transformed into a museum and school of technical teaching.
As we continue our drive north, we begin to observe the vast difference between the constructions of city homes to the ones that encompass the green countryside. These homes are surrounded by strawberry farms, huge ferns, and flower plantations, which compliment the massive coffee fields.
We now begin our assent to the national park where we will soon relax and enjoy an authentic cup of Costa Rican coffee accompanied by a delicious tropical breakfast. You will feel a change in temperature and the lush vegetation becomes apparent, preparing us for the pleasures of the exuberant cloud forest of the Poas Volcano. On a clear day the view of the main crater is admired by all visitors, with its diameter is considered one of the widest in the world. After this we will enjoy a quick hike on a trail which leads us to the Botos Lagoon (an extinct crater), where many different ecosystems exist and where some of the many species of flora and fauna of this cloud forest can be observed. After leaving the National Park we will be able to observe some dairy farms which have become the pride of Costa Ricans, due to the quality and the rich tasting products that are currently being exported to several other Latin American countries.
As we continue towards the Caribbean zone, we will stop to discover La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a Nature Park where we will walk on the truly spectacular trails that will lead us to Magia Blanca Falls (the largest and the most spectacular of the falls in the area). At the Park you will also witness the largest enclosed butterfly observatory in the world with a beautiful collection of tropical jewels. After a terrific lunch we will continue to Sarapiqui and on our way we come across the La PazWaterfall, where we take some time to enjoy the splendid view. Less than a mile away we will encounter yet another waterfall surrounded by virgin forest, which becomes a great photo opportunity.
As our journey continues we have the pleasure of observing the unique characteristics of the Atlantic area. We come across quaint towns and farmhouses that are encompassed by beautiful pineapple, yuca, coco, and heart of palm plantations. One could never miss the tropical plants that enhance this picturesque view. Once we arrive at Puerto Viejo (Old Port), we will be ready to enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the Sarapiqui River, just sit back and observe the wildlife that is around you. The monkeys, iguanas, crocodiles, and the variety of birds will allow you to relax and concentrate on the scenery. During the boat ride our guide will also explain to us about life style of the friendly people that live at the river margins. Before returning to San Jose we will drive through the unforgettable rain forest of Braulio Carrillo National Park, one of the most important rainforest reserves for Costa Rica.
Includes: Breakfast, visit to coffee fields, Poas Volcano National Park craters and cloud forest trails, Botos Lagoon, visit to La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park and all its natural wonders, La Paz, Magia Blanca and San Fernando Falls. Lunch, jungle ride on the Sarapiqui River, visit to a butterfly and tropical frog's garden, snacks, and sightseeing the 45,899 ha. Braulio Carrillo National Park.
Suggested Equipment: Hat, light jacket, raingear, walking shoes, insect repellent, binoculars, and camera. |
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Breakfast at the hotel in San Jose.
Rain Forest Aerial Tram Tour with lunch.
Balance of the day at leisure.
Overnight in San Jose.
Rain Forest Aerial Tram Tour.
Twenty minutes outside of San Jose you will cross the Continental Divide and enter Braulio Carrillo National Park. After a half hour trip through the park, the bus will reach our 1000 acre private reserve of virgin forest.
Open-sided vehicles shuttle passengers from our parking area to the Visitor's Center. The shuttle trip provides an introduction to the forest, as visitors pass a small river and numerous tree snags with nesting holes of various birds - the White Hawk is regularly seen here, as well as the Pale-billed Woodpecker and many others. A deeply rutted trail crosses the road where fresh tapir tracks tell of the animals' daily pilgrimages to find forage.
At the Visitor's Center we provide a quick briefing on canopy exploration and the construction of the tram. From this point, visitors divide into smaller groups for a 45 to 90 minute (optional) nature walk with one of our trained naturalist guides. Our trails are well-groomed and provide an excellent introduction to the rain forest and a view from the forest floor of the canopy you will experience while on the tram.
Time now to board the Aerial Tram. the Open-sided cable-cars hold 5 passengers and a guide. Our guides are quite knowledgeable about flora and fauna. They'll point out orchids and different species of trees and are quick to identify the calls of the many birds that inhabit this unique environment.
The tram ride lasts about an hour and fifteen minutes. The lower, outbound leg of the tram journey takes you skimming over hilltops and in and out of the sub-canopy, a dark world of overburdened tree limbs dripping with mosses, ferns, and orchids. Lianas and vines drape over branches and traverse forest spaces, and act as highways for birds and insects. The ride will stop several times as passengers board at either loading station.
The return leg of the ride reveals the most dramatic portion of the trip as the cars glide on a breath-taking journey through and above the airy canopy. |