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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 WildlifeA “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