Day 1:  From your preferred airport you fly to San José. Your English speaking guide will be waiting to greet you upon arrival at the airport. After a short transfer to your hotel and after a quick check in you will be given your reserved room. Welcome cocktails will be served allowing you to get to know the other participants of the group.

Accommodation: Hotel Bougainvillea. Meal plan: Welcome cocktail

Day 2:  After a hearty breakfast we set off driving past coffee plantations, typical fruit and vegetable farms to the Poás volcano (2.704m). Following our arrival in the National Park we set off on foot for the walk to the active volcano’s crater. Along the trail you will immediately notice the huge leaves of the "umbrella of the poor"; with a leaf diameter of more than one meter, they also serve as parasols. From the turquoise coloured lake formed in the crater rise white sulphur vapours and lying around us is the bizarre volcanic landscape. From the craters rim, the trail leads through the gnarled "forest of the elves" to the side of an extinct crater with its picturesque lagoon Lake Botos.

In the afternoon a walk (2 Hours 2500m/light) through a Hummingbird and Butterfly garden and along a river bank with 4 impressive waterfalls. A well-secured steel structure allows you a look behind the cascading waters.

Accommodation at the Hotel Bougainvillea. Meal Plan: Breakfast 

Day 3:  We leave the central valley passing through the cloud forest of the Braulio Carrillo National Park. Lush rain forest covers the steep mountain range; from a distance we can see in the thick green rivers and waterfalls. Our journey takes us down into the Caribbean lowlands with the unending banana and pineapple plantations of the large corporations Dole, Chiquita, Delmonte etc. We shall stop several times during our trip to the boat jetty in La Pavona (depending on the water level of the canals) to view in detail the banana trees. In the packaging plant the still green fruits are washed and sorted and then packed into the cartons that we all know. And the famous question: "Why are bananas curved?" With ease your guides provide the answer.

You continue on by riverboat for about 1 hour to the Tortuguero National Park. On the kilometre long beach is one of the most important nesting sites for Green Sea Turtles. We visit the village of Tortuguero and then take the boat to our jungle lodge that is between the river and the Caribbean Sea. The rest of the afternoon free, giving time for a walk on the beach or to visit to the Turtle Museum.

Accommodation at the Turtle Beach Lodge. Meal Plan: Full Board 

Day 4: This morning we take the boat through the numerous channels of the lowland rainforest of the Tortuguero National Park to do some wild animal watching. Above our heads Capuchin Monkeys and Spider Monkeys perform gymnastics, and above them Darters spread their wings in the sun. On the riverbanks we see Caiman and Marsh Turtles. The dense forest and waterways are a habitat for Bats, Green and Scarlet Macaws, Basilisk Lizards, Raccoons, Iguanas, American Crocodiles, Otters and countless bird species. A paradise for young naturalists.

The afternoon at your leisure or:

• OPTIONAL (free): We explore a branch of the canal system in a canoe or kayak. The canoes slide silently through the black coloured waters in search of wildlife. The impressive background noise of the wildlife is only broken by the strokes of our paddles - here we are really at one with nature.

• OPTIONAL: Night-time observation tour to watch Sea Turtles laying their eggs (Green Sea Turtle in the months of July to mid-October, Leatherback Turtles from April to June). In groups with a limited number of participants that start in the evening at 8pm. Equipped with infrared lamps and in absolute silence we explore the beach in total darkness to observe the giant female Turtles laying their eggs.

Accommodation at the Turtle Beach Lodge. Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 5: After breakfast the riverboat brings us back to the dock. We leave the banana plantations and continue on the main road to the old port city of Limon. On route we will see the large banana trucks that are bringing their cargos for loading at the port of Limon where the still green exotic fruits start their journey to Europe. After a short tour of the capital of the Caribbean province we drive south over the picturesque, palm-lined coastal road. 

En route we visit the Aviarios Sloth Sanctuary. Here injured animals or abandoned infants are recorded, cared for and if possible released back into the wild. Often this is not possible and so we can observe the traditional inhabitants up close inside the protection of the project.

In the afternoon we reach Puerto Viejo, a charming Caribbean village near the Panamanian border. Our hotel is located next to the beach, offering the perfect opportunity for snorkelling, beach volleyball, or simply relaxing and swimming in the warm Caribbean Sea. The afternoon is at leisure.

Accommodation at the Azania Bungalows. Meal Plan: Breakfast 

Day 6: On the agenda today is a walk through the Cahuita National Park. The park entrance is located on the beach of the Caribbean village of Cahuita, whose charm provides a wonderful contrast to the otherwise familiar environment. On our hike we encounter Raccoons, Howler Monkeys and Sloth’s while also enjoying the sea breeze along the trail next to the white sand beach. Inside the park we reach a fantastically beautiful beach where we are treated to a picnic under the palms.

The afternoon is at leisure or;

• OPTIONAL:  We set off by boat from Manzanillo and with a bit of luck can spot Dolphins swimming in the calm Caribbean Sea. Close to Gandoca is a 5000-year-old coral reef and is the perfect place to get out the snorkel gear in search of colourful reef fish.

Accommodation at the Azania Bungalows. Meal Plan: Breakfast, L (Beach Picnic) 

Day 7: Today is dedicated to an encounter with the indigenous Bribri of the Talamanca Mountains. We drive to Bambu and the river Yorkin where we board typical Indian canoes. Paddling upstream along the border between Costa Rica and Panama the adventurous ride in the middle of the rainforest brings us to the village Yorkin.

Upon arrival in the small village we continue on foot for about half an hour past organic bananas trees and cacao plants to the Indian Village and the Stibrawpa Lodge, the women’s house. We are welcomed by the curious children of the community - a friendly smile and we already communicating in the universal language of mankind.

First we get a rest from the journey and are served a delicious lunch that has been cooked on an open fire. Then we learn all about the community, the house of the women and the objectives of the project. Along a nature trail we discover interesting facts about their crops and the plants used in Indian remedies that have been practiced by the individual tribes for many generations. Fancy a dip in the river? Later we learn the art of palm roof braiding, of course with expert help. And how do you actually turn cocoa beans into chocolate? Bernarda, the head of the women's community and her colleagues show us how they do this and together we make our own rainforest chocolate - of course this has to be tasted!

Your accommodation in the village is simple but clean. Meal Plan: Full Board 

Day 8:  Today we start early driving into the northern Caribbean lowlands past the La Selva Biological Research Station and on towards the active volcano Arenal. We stop at the largest organic pineapple plantation in Costa Rica. With a tractor we chug through the pineapple plantation and get to see firsthand how the plants are grown and the fruits harvested. Then in the packaging plant we see how the fruit is washed and sorted - in between we can also taste the sweetness of the fruit. 

Accommodation: La Quinta Lodge. Meal Plan: Breakfast 

Day 9: On the program today is a visit to a local school. The region in which the school is located is very rural and there is a great deal of poverty. The children come from far away, a walk of 1.5 km to school, sometimes in the worst of weather conditions. Many of these children are from poor families of Nicaraguan workers. Depending on the season there are more or fewer children because the parents are at work on pineapple plantations.

Sequence of the school visit:

Arrival at the school: Greeting by two schoolchildren in typical Costa Rican costume. 
In the assembly hall the children will sing a song and you may like to join in. 
Then we visit the children in their classroom and the school system is explained to us.  Subsequently the children play games.

Then we visit the absolutely remarkable Leaf-Cutter Ants Project of Costa Rican Leo whose interest in nature inspired him to build an entire colony of ants in an accessible environment for visitors. In an aviary with about 100 m²  he prepared a glass box for the Queen Ant and from that has developed a huge colony of thousands of ants.  Various feeding places have been installed which the ants reach on an elaborate system of vines.

As evening approaches we reach the town of La Fortuna and the Arenal Volcano. The hot springs of the resort with its numerous pools are perfect for swimming and relaxing.

Accommodation in a Superior Suite at the Los Lagos Resort. Meal Plan: Breakfast

Day 10:  This morning we visit the Arenal National Park and the foot of the lava field and impressive stratovolcano. As we make our way over the black volcanic sand we are acoustically accompanied by countless birds and also the deep rumble and hiss from the crater.

On the sandy areas orchids and tropical plants grow abundantly, just before the large lava field we cross a section of dense rainforest where many vines dangling over the trail just like Tarzans swinging rope. Our guide takes us onto a section of cooled lava and explains in detail all about this active volcano.

In the afternoon you can explore the extensive facilities on your own with its crocodile and caiman enclosures, the leaf-cutter ant house, the butterfly garden, a frog terrarium and the many small pools, fed with volcanic thermal waters.

• OPTIONAL: We walk through the jungle over stunning hanging bridges that are up to 104 meters in length allowing a close up view of the tropical rainforest. The bridges are well secured and safe for children.

• OPTIONAL: We are up into canopy of the rainforests giant trees taking a canopy tour you zip from tree to tree using a well-secured system of steel cables.

Accommodation: in a Superior Suite at the Los Lagos Resort. Meal Plan: Breakfast

Day 11: On route to the Pacific we stop to visit the Swiss Project, Los Heroes and experience a piece of alpine hospitality in a tropical setting. We ride the houses own excursion train and their slowly revolving restaurant from which you have a beautiful view of the Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal.

After a short break and snack we continue on to the famous Pan Americana - the longest road in the world that runs from Alaska in the north to Tierra del Fuego in the south. On route we stop for lunch and then an “animal pleasure” awaits us.

In Parque Megafauna its not only lifelike models of some long dead dinosaurs that are on show, but also those of today’s most endangered species in Costa Rica. In the Insect Museum you will not believe your eyes - palm-sized iridescent beetles compete with stick insects and butterflies for the title of largest insect of the world.

Our next visit is to the protégés of the Las Pumas Rescue Shelter. Here we see examples of all the endangered cat species in Costa Rica, also Toucans, Macaws, Fish Otters and many others whose fate has brought them into the protective hands of the Swiss family Hagnauer.

Just in time for sunset, we reach our beach hotel in Playa Tamarindo.

Accommodation: in a Tropical Poolside room at the Tamarindo Diria. Meal Plan: Breakfast

Day 12:  Today is at your leisure to explore and enjoy the beaches of Tamarindo and Playa Grande.

• OPTIONAL: Sailing off the coast of Tamarindos with onboard catering.

Accommodation: in a Tropical Poolside room at the Tamarindo Diria. Meal Plan: Breakfast

Day 13: This morning you still have plenty of time enjoy the beach. In the afternoon we drive back to San Jose.

Accommodation: Studio Hotel. Meal Plan: Breakfast

Day 14: Today you visit the Children's Museum in San Jose where everything from the natural history of Costa Rica, the indigenous peoples of Central America to the human body, technology, recycling and so many more questions can be answered. At several exhibits the children take an active part performing small experiments and at the end of the museum tour the children can let off steam with various games that are designed just for fun. During a tour of the Plaza de la Cultura we learn about the hustle and bustle of the Latin American capital. Finally your transfer to the international airport. 

Services included

• All Transfer
• All overnight stays are based on double occupancy with breakfast incl.
• For other meals see table.
• All entrance fees listed in the table Activities and National Parks.
• Qualified English-speaking tour guide.
• Transport in modern, comfortable and fully air-conditioned vehicles.
• EU safety guidelines for drivers  and driving times are maintained.

Self Drivers

• Airport Transfers
• Accommodation is based on a doubleroom including breakfast
• Rental car including basic insurance. Vehicle Type: Hyundai Tucson or similar
• GPS navigation system 
• free mileage

Services not included

• Gratuities (optional) 
• Departure Tax Costa Rica (29 USD)