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What You May Experience:

With endless days spent ziplining through a cloud forest, gliding along the canals of Tortuguero under the watchful eyes of colorful toucans, and trekking up the slopes of a volcano in this action-packed family adventure in the Pura Vida playground.

Costa Rica - Pura Vida:

A peace-loving pioneer in ecotourism, Costa Rica is a glorious tribute to the planet. Over a quarter of its lands are protected areas and with half a million species, it’s one of the world’s most biodiverse countries. Walk along the treetops in the Monteverde Cloud Forest to find the Resplendent Quetzal, or canoe the lagoons and beaches of Tortuguero to find sloths, toucans, rare ocelots, and sea turtles.

Trafalgar's Costa Rica tours will take you through these wondrous landscapes in ways you could never imagine, from trekking the slopes of Arenal Volcano to ziplining through the rainforest. While it’s a country where nature rules, you'll also be introduced to the wonderful culture of the easygoing Costa Ricans. You’ll meet a master chocolatier and taste the world’s best cacao beans, and enjoy lunch on a traditional working ranch. Wherever you go, you’ll hear the phrase ‘Pura Vida’, and it won’t take long before you melt into the relaxed and happy lifestyle of Costa Rica. 

Sightseeing Highlights:

• Cruise the canals of Tortuguero National Park
• Visit Tortuguero National Park, a wildlife center near Sarapiquí, Arenal National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park
• Explore Tortuguero National Park with a Local Specialist 

Here is a look at the details of this trip:

At A Glance: Monkeys, Jungles, and Volcanos Itinerary~ 8 days ~ San Jose, Costa Rica Roundtrip ~ 16 meals ~ 

Day 1: Your Adventure Starts in San José

Bienvenidos a Costa Rica. Leave your gringo boots at the door and embrace the Pura Vida playground of Costa Rica. A local host will greet you at the airport and arrange your transfer to the hotel. Chill at the pool or go walkabout before meeting your Travel Director and fellow adventurers this evening for some fiesta fun at our Kickoff Party.

Day 2: Float Through Tortuguero National Park

Rise this morning and head east through Braulio Carrillo National Park toward the Caribbean Sea. Board a riverboat, gliding through canals, lagoons, and lowland rainforest teeming with wildlife. You'll be amazed at how many kinds of animals live here—six species of sea turtles, monkeys, caimans, tons of exotic bird species plus rare and endangered ocelots, river otters, and manatees. Join a Local Specialist from the Sea Turtle Conservancy Foundation at your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience ​to learn about the turtles that nest in Tortuguero. This evening, we enjoy a buffet dinner at the resort's open-air restaurant along the Tortuguero lagoon.

Day 3: Take A Voyage Through Tortuguero

There's nothing like the wake-up call of a troop of howler monkeys to start your day. Set off on a Family Fun cruise through the park's canals with your Local Specialist and guide to explore the lush waterways of Tortuguero National Park. You may want to start a tally of all the types of wildlife you'll see. Look out for sloths, green iguanas, caiman, crocodiles, and colorful toucans. Of course, you'll spot tons of monkeys—agile howler and spider monkeys and white-faced capuchins swinging through the dense rainforest canopy. This afternoon, venture back out on the canals to add to your wildlife tally or relax back at the lodge, the choice is yours. If you're visiting during nesting season (Jul-Sep), choose to join an optional experience night walk with a naturalist guide to witness some of the world's largest turtles laying their eggs. A buffet dinner is served at your hotel this evening.

Day 4: Unlock The Wildlife of Sarapiquí

Bid adiós to the monkeys for now as you boat back to the mainland and travel to Horquetas. Here you'll Connect With Locals and visit a local Tico family's palm plantation to learn how they grow this exotic vegetable. Taste something you've probably never tried before, the delicate heart of the palm. Continue traveling to quaint Sarapiquí where your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience is at the Snake Garden Wildlife Center, which rehabilitates animals that can no longer live in the wild. This evening, enjoy a pizza party in an open-air kitchen where you can make your own pizza.

Day 5: Venture into Arenal National Park

Rise and shine as the forest and volcano call you back. Start the day with a guided trek around the quiet side of the volcano at Arenal National Park. Walkthrough the old lava rocks and learn about the powerful forces behind the volcano's past eruptions. Then, head to the Arenal Hanging Bridges to walk eye-level with the lush canopy, observe the monkeys, sloths, and chattering birds up close, and look out to see the towering Arenal Volcano. Later, relax in the thermal springs or take a swim in the pool back at the hotel.

Day 6: Fly above Arenal National Park

Imagine yourself soaring high above the jungle floor as you zipline (Waiver Required) through the treetops, eye-to-eye with the lush foliage and exotic rainforest creatures for some Family Fun. Later, head south to Manuel Antonio, renowned for its warm blue waters, beautiful beaches, and abundant exotic wildlife.

Day 7: Marvel at Manuel Antonio National Park

Walking deep into the national park with your Local Specialist guide, you'll definitely check off a few more creatures on your wildlife list—at last count, there were 109 different animals and 184 species of birds living here. Listen to the whooping bark of howler monkeys and the chattering of mischievous squirrel and white-faced monkeys. Then, it's time to hit the beach. Laze in the warm Pacific or choose an optional Mangrove Kayak tour^ or Open Sea Kayak and Snorkel tour^ where you may see various bird species, reptiles, anteaters, and white-faced monkeys. This evening, join your fellow explorers to celebrate new friendships over a Farewell Dinner at the hotel.

Day 8: Back To San Jose

Travel back to San Jose's Juan Santamaria International Airport for your flight or consider extending your stay at the Sheraton San Jose.