Best of Costa Rica: Tortuguero Canals, Selva Bananito, Sarapiqui area & Rancho Naturalista, Turrialba

tortuguero canales

tortuguero canales

Enjoy a boat trip on the canals of Tortuguero. Visit Selva Bananito, a secluded rain forest lodge. Day hike up the Bananito riverbed. Jolin a naturalist on walks at the La Selva Biological Station. Go birdwatching at Rancho Naturalista, Turrialba.

Day 01 Arrival-San Jose
Arrival. A representative will meet you at the airport and provide transfer to the Hotel.
Overnight at El Rodeo Superior room. Breakfast is included.

Day 02 San Jose – Tortuguero
After breakfast, early morning departure for Tortuguero. Enjoy a scenic drive through the Braulio Carillo National Park and then a three-hour boat trip to the canals of Tortuguero. Upon arrival to the lodge enjoy a welcome cocktail and lunch. The lodge will then schedule a visit to the Turtle Museum and town of Tortuguero. Afternoon free to relax in the pool or take advantage of the hiking trails.

In the evening, after a delicious meal, you will relax along the canal’s edge with a cocktail and enjoy the night sounds of the jungle.
Overnight at Laguna Lodge, standard room. All “Family style” meals included.

Day 03 Tortuguero Canals
During the day enjoy scheduled boat tours to the small canals for wildlife observation.
A jungle adventure of a lifetime! Think Amazon, only on a smaller scale. Tortuguero National Park, with its 21,000 hectares of preserved tropical rain forest, provides one of the best opportunities to experience a wide range of tropical wildlife.
Overnight at Laguna Lodge, standard room. All “Family style” meals included

Day 04 Selva Bananito
Enjoy a scenic boat ride back to the Caño Blanco Port. A representative from Selva Bananito will take you to lodge a secluded rain forest lodge situated on the Atlantic side of Costa Rica.

After lunch, learn to use the absolutely safe tree climbing equipment and venture to the canopy of a beautiful tropical tree.
Overnight at Selva Bananito (Superior Room / FAP)

Day 05 (Tour to the Waterfalls)
This all-day hike is an unforgettable journey up the Bananito riverbed and into the surrounding rainforests. While hiking upstream you will make over 60 river crossings, learn about the various micro-climates, and jump in the plentiful river pools. Visit a 600 year-old mahogany tree and learn more about rainforest ecology.
Lunch and fruit juices by the last of a series of charming waterfalls. Rappelling at the waterfalls, optional.
Overnight at Selva Bananito Lodge (Superior Room / FAP)

Day 06 (Selva Bananito –Sarapiqui)
Have fun and enjoy the lovely tropical scenery on a half-day horseback ride through the farm. A memorable ride for those with little or no riding experience, you will see breathtaking vistas, cattle and farmland along the Bananito riverbed.
After lunch, transfer to Sarapiqui area.

The Sarapiquí region, named for the river that drains this area, lies at the foot of the Cordillera Central mountain range. To the west is the rain forest of Braulio Carrillo National Park, and to the east are Tortuguero National Park and Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge. In between these protected areas lie thousands of acres of banana, pineapple, and palm plantations. It is here that you can see the great contradictions of Costa Rica.

Overnight at the La Selva OTS, standard room, All meals included.

Day 07 La Selva Biological Station (OTS) Hike
Half day and full day guided walks schedule daily at 8:00am and 1:30pm. Bilingual naturalists lead the walks that give a glimpse of the leading-edge research conducted at La Selva Biological Station. Enjoy and learn about the amazing natural history of the tropical forests, its flora and fauna.
Each walk is approximately 3 1/2 hours, principally on cement or wood trails suitable for people of all ages. Some trails are accessible for the physically challenged.
Frog tour (La Tirimbina)

Costa Rica ranks 14th in the world for amphibian species, with a total of 180. The Sarapiqui area is located on the Caribbean slope of Costa Rica, which represents almost half (46%) of the total species found in the country. Costa Rica is home to many incredible, unique species found nowhere else.

The Frog Tour consists of a multimedia presentation on the natural history of amphibians. Later, visitors take a short walk (30–40 min.) to the outer edges of the Tirimbina rainforest to visit a small pond. A trained guide will provide a safe environment for close contact with the species that are found, while learning about their adaptations and way of life.The Frog Tour is offered from 7:30 p.m–9:30 p.m, all days.
Overnight at the La Selva OTS, standard room, All meals included.

Day 08 -09 Rancho Naturalista, Turrialba
Conveniently located between San Jose and the Caribbean Coast, this lively region is distinguished for its green rolling hills and fertile volcanic farmland.
Rancho Naturalista is among the finest in Central America. Over 450 species of birds have been recorded in the area. These birds may be sampled from this comfortable lodge famous for its excellent food, welcoming hospitality and stunning volcano views. Provisions are also made for non-birding companions who will find Rancho Naturalista a relaxing holiday retreat.

While enjoying your coffee or tea in the early morning on the balcony you will be amazed at the variety of tropical birds coming to the feeders. Groups of Gray-headed Chachalacas, Collared Aracaris, Passerini”s Tanagers, and the impressive Montezuma Oropendolas will all provide quite a show. Other likely possibilities include Blue-crowned Motmot, Lineated and Black-cheeked Woodpeckers, Golden-hooded and White-lined Tanagers, and Scarlet-rumped Cacique. Hummingbird feeders only a few feet away are usually buzzing with Green
Thorntails, White-necked Jacobins, Green-crowned Brilliants, Green-breasted Mangos, and Rufous-tailed Hummingbirds.
Two nights at the Rancho Naturalista standard room. All meals included.

Day 10 San José
Return to San Jose.
Overnight at the El Rodeo, std. superior room. Breakfast is included.

Day 10 Departure
Transfer to the international airport.

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