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COSTA RICA - Ecology and Exploration - 12 Day School/Scout Trip
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COMPLETE COSTA RICA – Coast to Coast
Day One (D)
Fly from your hometown to Juan Santamaria International Airport outside of San José. On arrival you will be met by your experienced bi-lingual guide and private motor coach. This expert will accompany you for your entire tour. Paraiso is our destination today. En route, drive through San José, the capital of Costa Rica and largest city in the country. Dinner at your Lodge tonight. Overnight at Sanchirí Lodge or similar, Paraíso.
Day Two (B, D)
After breakfast, early morning drive to the rim of Irazu Volcano. This is the highest volcano in the country and was very active in 1963-1965. Enjoy the lunar landscape at 11,200 feet above sea level and, if the weather is clear, you can see both the Atlantic and Pacific coast lines – the only place on earth where that is possible. Lunch on your own after visiting the volcano. After lunch, you visit the first capital city of the country Cartago. The National Sanctuary is located here and Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles (Our Lady of Los Angeles), the Patron Saint of Costa Rica, is venerated. See the monument commemorating the visit of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. Overnight at Sanchiri Lodge or similar, Paraiso. Dinner at the Lodge.
Day Three (B, L, D)
Early this morning you transfer to Moín fluvial port at the Caribbean lowlands, driving across coffee, pineapple and banana plantations. At Moín you get the boat to travel on the canals through the Tropical Rain Forest. This trip will let you look for abundant wildlife, such us sloths, monkeys, crocodiles, and many varieties of shore and wading birds. Upon arrival and check in, have lunch and enjoy the rest of the afternoon by the swimming pool or sitting at the porch of your room. Dinner at the lodge. Overnight at Laguna Lodge or similar, Tortuguero.
Day Four (B, L, D)
Before breakfast, take a boat tour on the canals of the Tortuguero National Park to look for the profusion of aquatic birds and other types of wildlife. After breakfast, visit the Caribbean Conservation Corporation Center to learn about the efforts to save the sea turtles that come to nest to this unique spot on the planet. Then visit the small village of Tortuguero. Back to the lodge, have lunch and take an optional boat tour at dusk looking for more wildlife. Dinner at your Lodge tonight. Overnight at Laguna Lodge or similar, Tortuguero.
Day Five (B, D)
This morning take the boat back to Moín to be transferred to La Fortuna with lunch on your own en route. If the weather is clear you will be able to see the distinctive cone shape of Arenal Volcano, one of the most active in Central America. Dinner tonight in the town of La Fortuna. Overnight Arenal Paraíso Lodge or similar, La Fortuna.
Day Six (B, D)
Morning hike to Arenal Volcano National Park. Lunch in La Fortuna where you have time to explore the town and write some emails. Afternoon and evening at Baldi Hot Springs with dinner. Overnight Arenal Paraíso Lodge or similar, La Fortuna.
Day Seven (B, D)
Morning transfer to Monteverde located in the Tilarán Mountains. This peaceful dairy community was founded in the 1950s by Quakers from the United States who wished to move to a country with no military. The founders originally came to farm the land, but realized the importance of preserving the cloud forest located on the mountains above their area. The Cloud Forest contains six ecologically-diverse habitats, home to an incredible diversity of plan life. Overnight at Arco Iris Ecolodge or similar, Monteverde.
Day Eight (B, D)
Morning hike to Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve. Afternoon visit to the butterfly farm. Overnight at Arco Iris Ecolodge or similar.
Day Nine (B, D)
Sky Trek this morning. This consists of a system of platforms in and above the canopy of the cloud forest. You will be harnessed in and zip along cables from one platform to another. Then drive down the mountains to the Central Pacific coast at the boundaries of Manuel Antonio National Park. Lunch stop en route. Overnight at Hotel Verdemar or similar, Quepos.
Day Ten (B, D)
Explore Manuel Antonio National Park. After lunch spend your last afternoon relaxing by the swimming pool or soak in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean. You could even have a picnic on the beach. Overnight at Hotel Verdemar or similar, Quepos.
Day Eleven (B, D)
Morning transfer to the Juan Santamaria International Airport for your flight home. Along the way stop for some last minute souvenir shopping which just might include the world’s best coffee.
B – Breakfast is included on this day L- Lunch is included on this day
D- Dinner is included on this day
NOTE: If time and budget allow, DeBOLT can arrange for you to stay at
Rancho Margot Eco-Lodge an entirely self-sufficient 400 acre experiment in sustainable living where you will learn about self-sufficiency, organic chemical-free farming, holistic lifestyle, and intentional community development.
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| Sample Daily Itinerary: | | | Day 1 | Fly from your hometown to Juan Santamaria International Airport, San Jose, Costa Rica
Meet experienced bi-lingual guide and board private motorcoach
San Jose
Overnight: Paraiso
| | | Day 2 | Irazu Volcano (11,200 feet)
Lunar landscape
Two ocean view (weather permitting)
Cartago - National Sanctuary, Kennedy Memorial
Ovrernight: Paraiso | | | Day 3 | Caribbean Lowlands
Tropical Rain Forest
Abundant wildlife
Overnight: Tortuguero | | | Day 4 | Tortuguero National Park
Caribbean Conservation Corporation Center
Overnight: Tortuguero | | | Day 5 | Transfer to La Fortuna
Arenal Volcano
Overnight: La Fortuna | | | Day 6 | Arenal Volcano National Park
Baldi Hot Springs
Overnight: La Fortuna | | | Day 7 | Transfer to Monteverde
Tilaran Mountains
Overnight: Monteverde | | | Day 8 | Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve
Butterfly Farm
Overnight: Monteverde | | | Day 9 | Sky Trek Zip Lining
Drive to the Central Pacific Coast
Overnight: Quepos | | | Day 10 | Manuel Antonio National Park
Free time in the Pacific Ocean, on the beach, or in the pool
Overnight: Quepos | | | Day 11 | Transfer to Juan Santamaria International Airport
Souvenir shopping
Flight to your hometown
Overnight: Your home | |
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| | | Optional Inclusions: | | | If time and budget allow, DeBOLT can arrange for you to stay at Rancho Margot Eco-Lodge an entirely self-sufficient 400 acre experiment in sustainable living. Here you will learn about self-sufficiency, orgainc chemical-free farming, holistic lifestyle, and intentional community development. | |
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