The Tanager Tour

Itinerary Description

Day 1 -  Departure from UK

Take a daytime direct BA flight to San Jose, arriving the same evening, where you will be met by our representative and taken to your hotel for 2 nights. This is also the opportunity for our guide to provide you advice, explain your programme and answer any questions you may have.

 

Day 2 - Irazú Volcano

With our local guide, you visit the Irazú Volcano, with its impressive green crater lake rising out of a desolate grey moon landscape. Continue on to the stunning Orosí Valley, where the Reventazón River cuts its swirling swathe through the surrounding mountains. We visit the Lankester Botanical Gardens, housing thousands of species of plants endemic to Costa Rica.

 

Itinerary Description

Day 3 - Transfer to Tortuguero Park

Morning transfer down the mountains to the pier where we take a boat on the river journey to our lodge in the Tortuguero Park staying for 3 nights.

 

Day 4 - Boat tour Tortuguero Park

Accompanied by guides, we explore the area by boat in the backwaters and lagoons, observing the abundance of bird species in this glorious jungle setting, home to spider monkeys, macaws, threetoed sloths, caiman and otters, amongst many others.

 

Day 5 - Tortuguero Park at leisure

Visit the Caribbean Conservation Corporation, protecting the nearby nesting beach of the Atlantic green sea turtle and surrounding tropical rainforest. From July to October it may be possible to see turtles nesting. The setting at Tortuguero is tranquil so you can also unwind, take walks along the coast, the beach and the area surrounding the lodge.

Itinerary Description

Day 6 - Transfer to Arenal

Our journey continues with a drive to Arenal, in the northern tropical lowlands, dominated by the picture-perfect cone of Arenal volcano. In the evening, weather permitting, witness the colourful lava flows.

 

Day 7 - Arenal National Park

You have the full day in the park, go horseriding through the forest, walk on the hanging bridges trails through the rainforest canopy, relax in the hot springs, or take optional excursions, including a hike around the volcano to see the lava flows.

Itinerary Description

Day 8 - Poás Volcano National Park

After breakfast, we drive to Poás Volcano National Park, where we witness the clouds of steam rising out of the depths of the active volcano, Poás. The road winds down to the Pacific lowlands before ascending again into the mountains to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, a cold and humid forest high in the mountains with great views of the Gulf of Nicoya and the Pacific.

 

Day 9 - Cloud Forest Reserve

A fascinating and beautiful half day excursion, accompanied by expert local guides, in the surrounding Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. The variety of climes is home to a fascinating number of birds and mammals, including the noisy howler monkeys and the resplendent quetzal. In the afternoon we visit the Butterfly Garden, a living laboratory of butterflies, snakes and frogs.

Itinerary Description

Day 1-3 - Manuel Antonio National Park

Extend your trip with a transfer south to the Pacific Coastal town of Manuel Antonio, staying for three nights at a hotel surrounded by rainforest and overlooking beaches and coves. The pristine Manuel Antonio National Park has well-marked trails and is teeming with wildlife, including birds, monkeys and sloths.

Day 4 - Return to San Jose to fly home

Itinerary Description

Days 10-11 - San Jose

Early morning transfer down the mountains and back to San José. Rest of the day at leisure, depart the following day, arriving home on Day 12.

You can also choose to extend your trip and visit Manuel Antonio National Park, conveniently located on the Pacific Ocean with an excellent beach. Or go to San Gerardo de Dota for bird watching or the lush Turrialba Valley.