DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN SAN JOSÉ
Arrival at the Juan Santamaría International Airport . Private transfer to your Hotel in San José.
Lodging: Hotel Fleur de Lys or similar
DAY 2: VERAGUA RAIN FOREST ADVENTURE – Cahuita
Delivery of the rented vehicle at your hotel. Drive through the Braulio Carrillo Cloud Forest to Liverpool town. The park at Veragua is a buffer zone for La Amistad International Park. Admire the serpentarium and the only existing natural frog garden in Latin America. Take the funicular into the jungle and stroll along the skywalk enjoying pure life at its best. The butterfly garden is also one of the largest in the country, comprising most of the Caribbean species.
Lodging: Ciudad Perdida Lodge or similar
DAY 3: Cahuita MARINE NATIONAL PARK – PUERTO VIEJO
Cahuita is one of the most beautiful palm tree beaches. The white sand comes from crushed coral and shells and is lighter than the normal stone sand. In the National Park, admire the beach, the crustaceans and fishes and also the only “living” coral reef in the Costa Rican Caribbean Coast. Visit the nearby small village of Puerto Viejo to enjoy its Caribbean flavour.
Lodging: Ciudad Perdida Lodge or similar
DAY 4: GUAYABO MONUMENT OR CATIE BOTANICAL GARDENS
Drive from Cahuita to Siquirres and from here to Turrialba. In Santa Cruz, visit the Guayabo pre-Columbian architectural monument built in central Costa Rica in 800-1550 AD. Archaeologists have also found ceramic evidence of earlier occupations from around 1000 BC. An evergreen forest surrounds the site. Or visit the natural trails through the forests and the exotic tropical fruit garden at CATIE, the Tropical Research Agronomic Center. Continue to arrive at Pavones.
Lodging: Turrialtico Lodge or similar
DAY 5: LOS QUETZALES NATIONAL PARK – MANUEL ANTONIO
Drive to Cartago and take the Pan American Highway heading South, in direction of Panamá. Before the Cerro de La Muerte, visit Los Quetzales National Park, the newest national park in Costa Rica, with an extension of 5000ha (12355 acres). Observe the legendary quetzal among many other exotic birds. This Park is also home to more than 116 mammals. Return to Route 1 and continue South to the city of San Isidro and then to the city of Quepos to arrive in Manuel Antonio where you will be impressed by the magnificent beaches in this famous National Park.
Lodging: Hotel Karahé or similar
DAY 6: MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK - SAN JOSÉ
Morning at leisure to enjoy the warm waters of the Pacific, the beautiful beaches and the exuberant nature of the forest in the Manuel Antonio National Park. In the afternoon drive back to San José. Return of the rented vehicle.
Lodging: Hotel Fleur de Lys or similar
DAY 7: DEPARTURE FROM SAN JOSÉ
Transfer to the Juan Santamaría International Airport for your return flight.