Natural Wonders of Costa Rica

Day 1- Flight from Heathrow to San Jose via the U.S with United Airlines.

Depart London Heathrow on the morning United Airline flight to to San Jose via the U.S (13 hours 45 minutes). On arrival, you will be met and transferred to the Indigo Hotel for an overnight stay (deluxe room).

Day 2- Drive to Cano Blanco and transfer by boat to Tortuguero National Park. Afternoon nature walk.

An early start as we drive to Cano Blanco (102 km/approximately 5 hours including a stop) and then transfer by boat (not exclusive to Bales) for a 2 hour journey through the rainforest to Tortuguero National Park which borders the Caribbean. Afternoon nature walk. Stay at the Pachira Lodge (standard room) for 2 nights.

Day 3- Explore Tortuguero National Park by boat. Afternoon nature walk to Toruguero Village.

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.

Day 4- Explore Tortuguero National Park by boat. Afternoon nature walk to Toruguero Village.

Return by boat to Cano Blanco and travel to the Tirimbina Rainforest Centre, where we will have a chocolate tour, discovering the history and cultivation of the cacao bean. A trained guide will lead the tour across the suspension bridge and a sector of the Tirimbina forest to a former cacao-growing plot. During the hike, the natural and cultural history of the cacao tree will be explained before a demonstration of how the cacao fruit is transformed into chocolate. Continue to the mighty Arenal Volcano, set amongst exuberant vegetation (total driving 200km, approximately 4 hours). Spend the next 2 nights at the Volcano Lodge & Gardens (superior room).

Day 5- Morning river rafting excursion on the Penas Blancas River. Afternoon visit to a hot spring.

Enjoy a river rafting excursion this morning sailing on the Penas Blancas River, where we hope to see monkeys, sloths, iguanas and crocodiles. Please note this is a gentle rafting experience (class I/Grade 1), and will require some paddling by participants. Life jackets will be provided. Please note clients taking this excursion will have to sign a waiver locally, therefore please ensure your insurance policy covers you for Class I/Grade 1 rafting. Late afternoon visit to a natural hot spring, with an opportunity to swim, where after an early dinner, we return to the hotel.

Day 6- Cross Lake Arenal by boat to transfer to Monteverde Cloudforest, afternoon skywalk. 2 night stay at the Fonda Vela Hotel.

This morning we cross the beautiful Lake Arenal by boat (172km, approximately 3½ hours, 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 (junior suite) for 2 nights. Afternoon ‘Skywalk’ for a bird’s-eye views of the spectacular habitat.

Day 7- Morning exploration of the cloudforest. Afternoon visit to the Butterfly Garden.

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.

Day 8- Morning visit to a local estate to see the production of coffee. After lunch transfer to San Jose.

Take a 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 exclusive to Bales). After lunch, return to San Jose (155km, approximately 3 hours) and the Indigo Hotel (deluxe room) for 1 final night.

Day 9- Depart from San Jose to London via the U.S with United Airlines.

Depart from San Jose by United Airlines to Newark to London via the U.S (13 hours 45 minutes).

Day 10- Arrive at London Heathrow in the morning.

Arrive London Heathrow in the morning.

Indigo Hotel

Thanks to an excellent location, Indigo Hotel San José, the new offering from the InterContinental Hotels Group, is the first branded boutique hotel in the region. It is uniquely designed to appeal to guests who desire affordable lifestyle, luxury, genuine service and alternatives to traditional hotels without sacrificing any of the business amenities they have come to expect. Conveniently located in Santa Ana, within walking distance to trendy entertainment, shopping malls, restaurants and spas, the hotel is near Lindora residential area, San Jose´s fastest growing and developing area. Modern comfortable Deluxe rooms and spacious suites all of them greatly decorated with whole-wall murals, hardwood floors, plush bedding with high-quality linens, a Spa-like shower, Paya amenities and 100% cotton soft towels. Rooms also come equipped with wireless internet, 37” LCD flat screen TVs, Ihome Ipod ready alarm clock and radio and laptop size safe deposit boxes. 

Pachira Lodge

The Pachira Lodge is conveniently located only 5 minutes away from the extraordinary Tortuguero National Park, and right across the main "canal" facing the town of Tortuguero. The 88 comfortable rooms are furnished with bamboo furniture, ceiling fans and private bathrooms with hot water. Please note there are no telephones or televisions in the rooms, as they are designed to blend with the natural environment. The lodge also does not provide a porterage service. There is a restaurant, bar and swimming pool.

Volcano Lodge & Gardens

The Volcano Lodge & Gardens has 65 comfortable rooms offering distant views of the volcano. All rooms have air-conditioning, television, hairdryer, safety deposit box and private bathroom. Hotel facilities include 2 swimming pools, Jacuzzi, souvenir shop and a restaurant.

The Fonda Vela Hotel

The Fonda Vela Hotel has 9 buildings nestled in the landscaped property, all designed with natural lighting, privacy and warmth in mind. It is situated approximately 1,400 metres above sea-level offering views of the Gulf of Nicoya on a clear day. The Fonda Vela has 40 rooms including 20 standard rooms and 20 Junior Suites and all have large windows with views of the forest. All rooms have private facilities, television and 2 queen-size beds or a king size bed. The hotel has 2 restaurants, a separate bar and television room.

Colonial Nicaragua Extension

Extra Days:5Cost:from £ 0

Manuel Antonio Extension

Extra Days:7Cost:from £ 0

Panama Canal Extension

Extra Days:5Cost:from £ 0

United Airlines Business Class

Cost: from £ 2445

United Airlines Business Class