Transportation: Motorcoach and boat

Length: 7 nights

Package includes: Transportation (ground and boat), bilingual guide (English speaking), meals, lodging and programmed tours.**

Day 1 - arrive in San Jose

A Swiss Travel Service representative will meet and greet you upon arrival at the Juan Santamaria International Airport and will provide you with transfer service to your hotel in San Jose. Overnight at Radisson Europa Hotel (standard room).

Day 2 - Tortuguero

Early morning ground transfer from San Jose.

For the next 3 hours, you'll pass through one of Costa Rica’s biggest National Parks, the Braulio Carrillo (no stops).

Breakfast at a local restaurant en route.

1 ½ hour boat ride through canals to the Tortuguero area. You'll journey through the jungle and rain forest and see unique flora and fauna of the area.

In the afternoon, explore the tiny Caribbean Village of Tortuguero. You can visit the Turtle Conservation Museum (entrance fee of about $2 per person not included). Lunch, dinner and overnight at Pachira Lodge.

Day 3 - Tortuguero

Explore the smaller canals of the Tortuguero area and get closer to nature in a morning boat tour in the region.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included at Pachira Lodge.

**Tortuguero is a rich, biologically diverse region with a network of waterways. It's the most important nesting site of the green turtle as well as leatherback and hawksbill turtle. The Caribbean Coast is considered a special destination within Costa Rica with its golden beaches and unique Caribbean cuisine.**

Day 4 - Arenal

Morning boat transfer from Tortuguero to port, where you'll continue by ground transfer to a local restaurant for lunch.

Detour to Arenal Volcano and arrive late afternoon.

Stay overnight at Arenal Springs Hotel.

**Along the way you'll find small towns dedicated to agriculture and cattle ranches, which become what many people have called the heart of the country. The main attraction of this area is the Arenal Volcano, active since 1969, with its curative hot mineral springs and its manicured gardens.**

Day 5 - Arenal

Breakfast at the hotel and morning at leisure.

Mid-afternoon half day tour of Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs.

Dinner and overnight at Arenal Springs Hotel.

**Enjoy the hot springs for a healthy and relaxing soak. You can see the Arenal Volcano erupting from the spa.**

Day 6 - Monteverde

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning shuttle to the Monteverde area (about 3 ½ hours drive). En route, you'll go around Arenal Lake.

Check in for a 1-night stay at Trapp Family Lodge (mountain suite room).

Rest of the afternoon at leisure.

**Monteverde was founded in 1951 by Quakers from Alabama seeking for a better place to live. Over the years the colony has grown and some non-Quakers have settled there as well. Extra optional activities in Monteverde include hiking in the cloud forest, visiting the enchanted hummingbird gallery, or a canopy tour.**

Day 7 - Monteverde

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning half day tour to the Sky Walk (hanging bridges).

Afternoon transfer back to San Jose (about 4 ½ hours).

Overnight at the Radisson Europa Hotel.

Day 8 - San Jose departure

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Juan Santamaria (SJO) International airport.