Depart London Heathrow in the morning by British Airways to Miami (9 hours 45 minutes). Here you will be required to clear US immigration and customs formalities before continuing by American Airlines flight to San Jose (2 hours 55 minutes). On arrival, you will be met and transferred to the Alta Hotel for an overnight stay.

An early start as we drive to Cano Blanco (102 KMS/approximately 5 hours including a stop) and then transfer by boat for a 2 hour journey through the rainforest to Tortuguero National Park which borders the Caribbean. Afternoon nature walk. Stay at the Laguna Lodge.

Today we explore by boat the back channels of Tortuguero National Park which has 11 ecological habitats. Over 300 bird species have been recorded in this area and sloths, freshwater turtles, caiman, iguanas and three types of monkeys can often be seen. We have arranged a further nature walk to Tortuguero Village.

Return by boat to Cano Blanco and travel to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, where we will visit a pineapple plantation and learn about the history, cultivation and all phases of pineapple growth. Continue to the mighty Arenal Volcano, set amongst exuberant vegetation. Accommodation at the Volcano Lodge.

A tranquil morning sailing in rubber zodiacs on the Penas Blancas River, where we hope to see monkeys, sloths, iguanas and crocodiles. Late afternoon visit to a natural hot spring, where after an early dinner we return to our hotel.

This morning we cross the beautiful Lake Arenal by boat (not exclusive to Bales) to the world-famous Monteverde Cloudforest. On the lake crossing, we hope to have great views of Arenal Volcano. At Monteverde, we stay at the Fonda Vela Hotel. Afternoon ‘Skywalk’ for a bird’s-eye view of the spectacular habitat.

Monteverde is renowned as one of the most outstanding wildlife refuges in the New World tropics and we have a day of exploration in the cloudforest, draped in its mantle of mist, home to the emerald-coloured Resplendent Quetzal, considered by many to be the most beautiful bird in the world. Also visit the Butterfly Garden.

Morning visit to a local estate to learn about the production of coffee, sugar cane and other produce including bananas, avocado and macadamia nuts. (Please note this tour may not necessarily be private to Bales). After lunch, return to San Jose (4 hours) and the Alta Hotel.

Depart from San Jose by American Airlines to Miami, connecting with the British Airways overnight flight to London.

Arrive London Heathrow in the morning.