COSTA RICA NATURAL HISTORY ADVENTURE

TRIP INFORMATION

Year-Round Departures (depart virtually any date you choose; Dec-April is Dry season)

Costa Rica has long captivated adventure travelers with its astonishing beauty and natural diversity as well as its long tradition of warm hospitality and democracy. Fully one quarter of Costa Rica’s territory is protected by national parks, consisting of tropical rainforest, montane cloud forest, active volcanoes, grasslands, navigable rivers, and tropical beaches. Within these parks are found 850 species of birds, 600 species of butterflies, 1,200 species of orchids, and 237 species of mammals, including three-toed sloths, five types of jungle cats, coatis, giant anteaters, peccaries, tapir, and four species of monkeys. You’ll explore Costa Rica’s natural diversity in a slightly more active, adventurous way than the typical traveler, while still retiring each night to a first class lodge!

Highlights of your 10-day trip include hiking, horseback riding and/or kayaking (easy) through Corcovado National Park; snorkeling at Cano Island Biological Reserve; hiking or horseback riding (easy) through Arenal Volcano’s lush rainforest; safari float trip (raft or open seat kayak) down the beautiful Penas Blancas River (easy) or whitewater rafting down the lovely Sarapiqui River; relaxing at the wonderful Tabacon Hot Springs; and Sky Trekking and/or Sky Walking through Monteverde’s rainforest canopy. Throughout your adventure, you’ll enjoy the guidance and expertise of a top-notch bilingual naturalist guide.

Note: All included adventures are elective and low-intensity.

Extension option: Experienced whitewater rafting enthusiasts will definitely want to consider a 1 or 2 night Pacuare River extension. The Pacuare, ranked as one of the top ten rafting rivers in the world, is a lovely, class 3-4 river (moderate-difficult) that runs through deep canyons and tropical rainforest.

You may also decide to take 1-2 optional lectures from the topics listed below. Delivered by a regional specialist, these lectures would supplement the information conveyed by your top-notch guides. Some lectures may not be available on certain departures. Surcharge applies.

– Rainforests and Cloudforests
– Ornithology
– Ecotourism Projects
– Mammals
– Spanish Lesson
– Latin Dance Lesson
– The Quaker Community of Monteverde

I T I N E R A R Y

Note: We will gladly customize an itinerary to meet your preferences.

On day 4, you’ll have a choice of three activities. Your first option is to visit Cano Island, a biological reserve with warm water and a wide variety of marine life for snorkelers (sea turtles, rays, colorful fish, harmless sharks). Cano Island also offers a tropical beach with an attractive rainforest backdrop as well as nature trails through evergreen rainforest. Other options include horseback riding through tropical rainforest or kayaking down the San Jocesito River. Casa Corcovado. (B,L,D)

Later this afternoon, you'll visit the Butterfly Garden to observe and study many of Costa Rica’s most beautiful butterfly species. Stroll through fully-screened outdoor gardens where hundreds of adult butterflies mate and lay their eggs, and watch as newly-formed butterflies emerge from cocoons. The arthropod section is equally as interesting; you may observe and in many cases even handle many of the insects, tarantulas, katydids, centipedes, millipedes, scorpions etc. Fonda Vela or Monteverde Lodge (B,L)

In the morning you’ll hike along easily negotiable trails through some of the most beautiful cloudforest anywhere. With the help of your private naturalist guide, you may well spot the rare resplendent quetzal, three-wattled bellbird, howler and white-faced monkeys, ocelot, anteater, barbet, flycatcher, emerald toucanet, fiery-throated hummingbird and tanager.

This afternoon, choose between two phenomenal rainforest adventures — the Sky Walk or Sky Trek. Located near Santa Elena, the Sky Walk is a series of suspension bridges spanning forested valleys in the cloud forest. The Sky Walk is easily accessible and provides a bird’s eye view of this spectacular habitat. Your second option, the Sky Trek, allows one to slide between three suspended platforms by means of ziplines and cables that cover a distance of 1,346 feet along the rainforest canopy. The whole system is integrated by a 7000-foot-long path. An observation platform offers tremendous panoramic views of the Guanacaste, San Carlos, and Puntarenas lowlands. (Note: You may enjoy both adventures for a surcharge of $20 per person). Fonda Vela or Monteverde Lodge (B,L)

In the morning, you will be transferred by private car and boat to La Fortuna, the gateway to Arenal National Park. Arenal Volcano is a beautiful cone-shaped volcano rising out of flat surrounding plains. Dormant until 1968, when it erupted, Volcan Arenal still fumes and rumbles, blowing smoke, soot, lava, and burning rocks into the air and down the cinder cone. Surrounding the volcano is lush rainforest, farms and mountains.

This afternoon you’ll enjoy a private hiking or horseback riding excursion within Arenal National Park. You'll follow nature trails at the base of the volcano, observing wildlife and flora of the lowland Atlantic forest along with interesting lava formations. You’ll also have lovely views of Lake Arenal, the largest fresh water lake in Costa Rica. After hiking, stop and relax at the wonderful Tabacon hot springs! Cloud permitting, enjoy an evening viewing of Arenal Volcano! Lost Iguana Resort (B,L)

Note: Optional upgrade to Tabacon Resort or Hotel Arenal Kioro.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Trip Grade: Easy. Emphasis is on "off the beaten track" experience. All included adventures are elective and low intensity. Activities include nature walks in rainforest, kayaking, rafting, Sky Walk/Trek, snorkeling and horseback riding. Accommodations are in first class lodges. Since the trip travels into remote areas, some discomfort may result from the elements, cultural differences, rough roads and schedule changes.

Land Cost Includes: All vehicle transportation and transfers as stated in the itinerary; private and small group touring with bilingual guides; supplemental lecture(s); accommodations in first class lodges based on double occupancy; 20 meals; entrance/park fees; service and handling charges.

Land Cost Does Not Include: Airfares (quoted separately); meals in San Jose; excess baggage charges; alcoholic beverages; laundry, passports, personal insurance, other personal items; airport departure taxes; hotel nights en route or return.

Accommodations: Accommodations are based on double occupancy in first class hotels and lodges. Deluxe hotel upgrade also available. Singles who sign up will be assessed a single supplement charge.

Climate: Like many tropical countries, Costa Rica has two rather than four seasons - the wet and the dry. The dry season for Costa Rica falls between the months of December to April. Rain, however, is possible at any time, but is usually brief, occurring mostly in the late afternoon or evening and clearing within an hour or so. The Caribbean side of Costa Rica tends to be wet year round as does, to some extent, the southern Pacific coastal region. In general, Costa Rica’s climate is tropical, with warm to hot daytime temperatures and comfortable nights. Temperatures vary little between the seasons. In San Jose, temperatures are mild, with lows averaging 59F and highs averaging 80F. The coastal areas tend to be warmer, with lows around 70F and highs around 87F. Temperature varies with altitude, so chilly nights are possible in the highlands.

Reservations and Payments: A deposit of $400 with the completed reservation form will ensure you a place on this trip. Departures are guaranteed during the season with a minimum of two passengers. Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure.

Cancellations and Refunds: The initial deposit for the trip is refundable up to 90 days before departure, less a $200 handling fee. Any cancellation occurring between 60 and 89 days will result in a cancellation penalty of $400 (the full deposit) based on nonrecoverable deposits and expenses. Any cancellation occurring between 30 and 59 days will result in a cancellation penalty of 50% of the trip cost. Unless a suitable replacement can be found, there will be no refunds for any cancellation within 29 days of departure. There are no refunds for any unused meals, accommodations or other trip activities. In certain cases, the cancellation policies of NEI's subcontractors will supersede NEI's policy.

Insurance: Trip cancellation and accident insurance are recommended and will be offered to all participants. Trip cancellation insurance is strongly advised; this will protect you in the case of cancellation due to personal or family illness.

Responsibility: Nature Expeditions International is responsible for conducting this trip as outlined in the published itinerary. It reserves the right, however, to cancel the trip should it become affected by conditions beyond the company’s control. In such an event, NEI will return all monies paid to it by the affected participants as full and final settlement.

NEI also reserves the right to substitute other lodging during the trip or to change the trip leader(s), itinerary, or travel arrangements if the staff believes it is in the best interest of all participants. In addition, NEI may decline to accept or retain any member or prospective member of an announced trip. Full refund for the unused portion of the trip will be paid to the affected participant in such an event.

Airline Clause: All arrangements for airline transportation are made by the respective airlines, which companies shall not have or incur any responsibility or liability to any person taking an trip except their liability as common carriers. Nor shall such carriers be or be held responsible for any act, omission, or event occurring after the passenger has disembarked from the conveyance. The usual passage contract in use by the carrier, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between said carrier and the passenger. All rates are based on tariffs currently or those tariffs to be placed in effect and are subject to adjustment in the event of changes therein. The air transportation services of any IATA/ARC member may be used.