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Central / South America
Central and South America present unique contrasts in cultural and political diversity which blend ancient civilizations with European control until their independence. Aztec, Mayan and Incan signatures can be found throughout Central and South America in a variety of surprisingly sophisticated archeological finds. European settlers brought their own cultures and that of African slaves which integrated with native Indian populations.
Today each country presents its own unique personality based on its origins in history, language, religion, government and the influence of preceding ancient origins and provide varying destination experiences. Some focus on famous bathing beaches, night clubs with pure Latin rhythms. Others provide vast natural ‘green ‘resources to study or ancient ruins or, a combination of these features.
Travel Ideas
Costa Rica Natural Paradise 10 Days: This tour is all inclusive with all meals and activities. Enjoy a two night stay at the luxurious J.W. Marriott Guanacaste Resort and Spa, a stunning oceanfront resort considered one of the most magnificent in all Latin America. Stay two nights in Tortuguero National Park, this remote and wild park is accessible by boat, and hosts the famous green turtles. Caravan has added a cruise on the Tarcoles River, where giant crocodiles soak and scarlet macaws fly.
All Caravan tours are priced between $995 and $1,395, taxes and fees are extra. Air not included. All activities listed are included on every Caravan tour. Every meal is included in Latin America, about 50% of meals are included in the United States and Canada. We hope you travel with us soon.
Itinerary
Begins and Ends: San Jose, Costa Rica
Day 1 - San José, Costa Rica
Welcome to the "rich coast," friendly land of democracy and rare natural beauty. With naturalist guides, see exotic birds and wildlife, hike in jungle rainforests, view volcanoes, soak in hot springs and cruise through biological reserves. Relax on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Caravan provides transfers from the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San José, Costa Rica to your hotel for a two night stay. Rooms are available for check in after 4:00 p.m. Dine at your hotel, then join Caravan for a 8:00 p.m. welcome briefing.
Day 2 - Poás Volcano, Cloud Forest
This morning, enjoy a drive through Costa Rica's famous coffee growing region. Next, visit Poás Volcano. Weather permitting, you can see inside the active crater from an overlook. Next, hike the Escalonia Cloud Forest Trail, home to epiphytes, orchids, ferns and tropical hummingbirds. Cloud forests are like rainforests, but with less rain and more humidity. Lunch. Next, visit Cafe Brit, a coffee plantation nestled in Barva de Heredia, on the slopes of the extinct Barva Volcano. Enjoy a guided tour and sample fresh Costa Rican coffee. Then, see San José's Plaza de la Cultura, Central Park and the National Theatre. Dinner.
Day 3 - Butterfly Garden, Tortuguero Park
Scenic morning drive through Braulio Carrillo Park. Look for cascading waterfalls. Visit a butterfly garden. Enjoy lunch. Drive by a banana plantation. Then, cruise through rivers and canals to the 47,000 acre Tortuguero National Park. Tortuguero is home to more than 300 species of birds. Look for toucans, parrots, kingfishers and the rare green macaw. Free time to enjoy the swimming pool and tropical flower gardens at your lodge. Listen to joyful jungle sounds. Enjoy a two night stay at your lodge. Dinner.
Day 4 - Tortuguero Park, Canal Cruise
Cruise this morning with naturalist guides along canals lined by raffia palm, the habitat of howler and white-faced monkeys, green iguanas and tropical birds. Look for white and snowy egrets and the amazing nests of the montezuma oropendola. Then, enter the mysterious reflecting waters of Caño Palma wildlife reserve. Next, visit the Green Turtle Research Station. Learn about efforts to protect the turtles. Walk along the Atlantic turtle nesting beaches with a naturalist guide. Next, to Tortuguero village. Meet Costa Rican school children on your visit to a local school (when in session). Return to your lodge for lunch. Enjoy an afternoon boat excursion into Tortuguero Park. Look for otters, turtles and manatees. Dinner.
Day 5 - Pineapple Tour, Fortuna
Morning cruise on Tortuguero River. Enjoy lunch. Visit a pineapple plantation. Sample Costa Rica's famous sweet organic pineapples. Next, through scenic countryside to the San Carlos Valley for a two night stay in Fortuna. Dinner.
Day 6 - Caño Negro, Hot Springs, Arenal
Head north this morning, passing through sugar cane, teak and orange plantations. Then, cruise on the Rio Frio which runs through the world famous Caño Negro wildlife refuge, home to many migratory birds found nowhere else in Costa Rica. Look for whistling ducks, roseate spoonbills, cormorants, anhingas, blue heron, and northern jacanas. Watch for caimans, crocodiles, spider monkeys, and web-footed, water-walking lizards. Lunch. Return to Fortuna. Then, enjoy a relaxing soak in the volcanic hot springs. Weather permitting, see nearby Arenal Volcano's softly glowing lava flow. Enjoy dinner.
Day 7 - Hanging Bridges, Guanacaste
This morning enjoy an unforgettable adventure in the heart of the rainforest at the Hanging Bridges, rated one of Costa Rica's top tourist attractions. Hike on six suspension bridges, through lush tropical rainforest canopy. Enjoy views of a waterfall and look for tropical birds. Later, a scenic drive around Lake Arenal. Enjoy lunch. Next, enter the Guanacaste province. Drive through the only tropical dry forest in Costa Rica. Stop in Liberia. Then, to Costa Rica's beautiful Pacific Coast for a two night stay. Dinner is at your resort.
Day 8 - Pacific Coast, Guanacaste
This morning drive to the nearby Natural Trail of Hacienda Pinilla. This tropical bird and wildlife sanctuary is home to the playful howler monkey. Lunch. Enjoy a carefree leisurely afternoon. Time to beachcomb or stroll the pristine beaches of your resort. Enjoy your hotel's infinity pool, the largest in Central America. Dinner.
Day 9 - Tarcoles Cruise, San José
Morning drive through the cattle ranches of Guanacaste. Lunch. Next, enjoy a bird and crocodile spotting cruise on the Tarcoles River, adjacent to the Carara Biological Reserve. Cruise through a mangrove reserve. This tropical bird and wildlife sanctuary is a nesting site for the scarlet macaw. Return to San José. Farewell dinner.
Day 10 - San José
Your tour ends after breakfast this morning at your hotel. Breakfast begins at 6:30 a.m. Caravan provides transfers to the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San José, Costa Rica arriving at 5:00 a.m, 7:00 a.m, 9:00 a.m., and 11:30 a.m.. Thanks for vacationing with Caravan. ¡Hasta la vista!
Please contact us or call 1-800-773-7930 for further information.
