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114

Costa Rica is a glorious tropical paradise,

with huge swaths of cloud forest

and wilderness beaches protected in

world-famous parks and reserves. With

our expert naturalist Trip Leader, we

enjoy nature walks in

Monteverde, whose sheer

diversity of terrain supports

six different ecological

zones, follow hanging

bridges suspended

high in the forest near

Arenal Volcano, hike to the

base of the cascading

La Fortuna waterfall, and

soar through the cloud

forest on a zip line. Our

grand finale is Tortuguero National Park,

where tropical waterways shelter a

fascinating range of wildlife, from manatees

to three-toed sloths. Charming lodges

give us a warm welcome as we experience

this natural wonderland.

Days 1-3

Monteverde Cloud Forest

Set at

a cool 4,700 feet, Monteverde is a pioneering

private nature reserve established in 1972

and now encompassing more than 35,000

acres. Its dense cloud forest is home to

about 100 species of mammals, 1,200

species of amphibians, and 400 species of

birds, including the resplendent quetzal,

sacred bird of the Mayas and Aztecs. In

the reserve’s Jardin de las Mariposas, we

discover more than 40 shimmering species

of butterflies, and we hike nature trails

in the private Curi-Cancha Reserve, with

its hummingbird garden and view of the

continental divide. Keep your camera handy

for sightings of white-faced capuchins and

howler and spider monkeys. We also have

the option of an exhilarating ride on the

canopy zip line.

Days 4-5

Arenal Volcano

A perfect cone

rising 5,300 feet from gentle green hills,

Arenal is one of the most active volcanoes

in the Americas. It first became active in

1968 when it erupted in spectacular fashion

and is now protected as a national park. We

cross hanging bridges right into the high

rainforest canopy below Arenal, hike to the

picturesque waterfall called La Catarata de

Costa Rica Wildlife

A “NATURALLY” THRILLING TROPICAL ADVENTURE

La Fortuna, and watch for the nighttime

glow and red lava flows of Arenal from our

boutique resort hotel.

Days 6-9

Tortuguero National Park

Tortuguero protects more than 50,000 acres

of lowland forest, mangroves and tropical

beaches on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast.

In this emerald world, we head out

by boat to explore a maze of tranquil

blackwater canals overhung with rainforest.

They provide a rich habitat for caimans,

manatees, monkeys, three-toed sloths,

river otters, and dazzling birdlife including

all six species of kingfishers found in the

New World. Tortuguero is also one of the

best places in the world to see turtles.

Green sea turtles nest here (July-October)

as well as leatherbacks (March-May),

and we’ll visit the Green Turtle Research

Station. Our riverside lodge offers us

fantastic access to this wildlife haven.

Depart on Day 9, or join one of our

exciting extensions.

MAKE IT A PRIVATE JOURNEY

Your friends, your dates, your private

adventure! Call us for details.

“Our guide was

great, hotels were

local but also elegant,

logistics amazingly

smooth, and the

variety of scenery

and breadth of

feel for the country

was wonderful.”

Betsy S.

Kennebunkport ME

We explore an amazing diversity of tropical habitats, from the treetop canopies of Monteverde to the Caribbean canals of Tortuguero.

PHOTO: BRIAN MCGILLOWAY

QUESTIONS?

1.800.368.2794

OR EMAIL

LATINAMERICA@WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM