Wildlife & Culture Costa Rica - Nicaragua Tour (131081),Holiday Packages to San Jose, Managua

Package Overview

Combine the wildlife of Costa Rica with the Spanish colonial culture of Nicagarua on this fascinating two-country holiday. Visit San Jose, the Tortuguero waterways, Arenal Volcano & Monteverde Cloud Forest. Then fly to Granada, the picturesque capital of Nicaragua with its many colonial buildings. English speaking guides & all transfers included.

HIGHLIGHTS
San Jose
Central Valley
Volcan Poas National Park
La Paz Waterfall
Tortuguero National Park
Birding
Arenal Volcano
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Granada
Isletas Archipelago

Contact Agent Plan A Trip Text Me

Day wise Itinerary

Day 1 : Arrive

You will be met at San Jose Airport and transferred to this capital city in the Central Valley region, with the Talamanca Mountains to the south and volcanoes to the north.

Check into your hotel and relax in this modern city.
Day 2 : Central Valley

Today your driver will take you on a tour through the Central Valley.

Provided volcanic activity makes it safe to do so, we drive 1.5-hours through coffee plantations, strawberry fields and dairy farms to Poás Volcano National Park, with its magnificent blue crater lake. When the mist and clouds part you can see the sulphuric, bubbling lake at the bottom, surrounded by smoke and steam rising from fumaroles. Views of the crater are most likely between March and November, with the early morning offering the best opportunity. Trails lead through the cloud forest to Lake Botos, which fills an extinct crater and is home to nearly 80 species of cloud forest birds. Hummingbirds are easy to see and you may also spot an emerald toucanet, brown robin, black guan or masked woopecker. Coyotes, rabbits, frogs and toads are common and you will see many bromeliads, ferns and mistletoes.

We continue to the Doka Coffee Estate in the coffee capital of Sabanilla, to learn more about the production, harvesting, processing and roasting of the grain. The farm belongs to the Vargas Ruiz family, who have pioneered coffee production for more than 70 years. Here we enjoy an included lunch before returning to San Jose in the late afternoon.

Note: Wear good walking shoes today and take a windbreaker and rain jacket.
Day 3 : Tortuguero National Park

An early departure this morning, with 06.30 pick-up from your hotel for your shared 4-hour transfer to Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean Coast - known as the 'Amazon of Costa Rica'. This remote wetland system covers an area of over 300 square km. It support a wide range of threatened flora and fauna and is a RAMSAR birding site of international significance. It is renowned as a nesting place for green and leatherback turtles.

After travelling 2.5-hours by air-conditioned coach, we stop at Guapiles around 08.00 for a Costa Rican breakfast, before continuing to the docks at La Pavona or Cano Blanco. Here we board the boat for our 1.5-hour ride along the La Suerte River and the wider Tortuguero River, to your lodge in the heart of these lush waterways.

On arrival check into your lodge and enjoy a buffet lunch. In the afternoon there is the opportunity to visit the local village with a guide, to observe their way of life. We walk back to our lodge along the beach trail, with balance of afternoon at leisure.

Note: As turtle tours book out quickly, on arrival we recommend you immediately book your tour at reception, as this cannot be booked in advance
Day 4 : Tortuguero National Park

This morning is devoted to exploring the waterways of Tortuguero National Park by boat with a local guide.

At sunrise the rainforests comes alive with wildlife including sloths, monkeys, caimans and over half of all the bird species found in Costa Rica. From March to September you can see turtles laying their eggs on the beach and later in the year you can see the hatchlings emerge - an unforgettable sight. You may also see alligators, tapirs, anteaters, ocelots and peccaries.

With eleven different habitats - including rainforests, mangroves, swamps, beaches and lagoons - this park sustains a wide range of bio diversity and is teeming with bird and insect life. It is very hot and humid, and receives up to 250 inches (6,400 mm) of rain a year.

Return to your lodge for lunch, after which you can join a guided walk along the pathways of your hotel or simply relax by the swimming pool.

In the evening we recommend an optional Turtle Tour (must be booked locally). To ensure you do not disturb the turtles, you must wear dark clothing - blue, black or grey - and closed shoes. Cameras are strictly prohibited.

Note: Take rain gear and a windbreaker for your boat ride, as showers can always be expected in the rainforest.
Day 5 : Central America

Check out of your room early this morning (07.00) so that you are ready to depart after breakfast and travel 1.5-hours by boat to Guapiles, where we stop for an included lunch. Here you will collect your hire car.

After lunch continue 3-hours by shared shuttle transfer across a large agricultural and cattle area to the Arenal Volcano - one of the most active in Central America.

Check into your hotel in La Fortuna and enjoy the surrounding national park and thermal hot springs.
Day 6 : Arenal Volcano

This morning you will be transferred to the Hanging Bridges for a self-guided tour. This series of suspension bridges offers wonderful views of Lake Arenal and the volcano. The bridges form part of a 2-mile (3 km) interpretative trail, allowing you to enjoy the great diversity of flora and fauna inside this mountainous zone, as well as outstanding bird watching. Afterwards you will be transferred back to your hotel.

In the afternoon you will be collected from your hotel for a guided tour of Arenal National Park, with its volcano and hot springs. Arenal Volcano rises to 5,250 feet and towers over the village of La Fortuna. On the morning of 29 July 1968, after having been inactive for three thousand years, it erupted in the most spectacular way. The earth started shaking, clouds of ashes rose into the sky, women washing clothes by the river felt the water becoming hot, and lava started pouring down the side of the volcano.

Your tour of the volcano starts with a drive to its active northwestern side, followed by a guided walk along either the Toucan Trail through the rainforest and across a large lava flow, or along the El Silencio Mirador Trail (depending on weather conditions). Your guide will explain the great variety of plants, wildlife and lava rock formations found in this region. Once on top of the lava flow you will have a beautiful view of Lake Arenal. The hike ends at a viewing area where, weather permitting, you may be able to see red hot lava rolling down the side of the volcano.
Day 7 : Arenal National Park

At leisure to explore the magnificent surroundings of Arenal National Park, with its many natural hot springs for relaxation.

Optional activities include hiking, mountain biking, zip-lining, horse riding and a gentle cruise down the Penas Blanca River. If you are adventurous, you can try canyoning or thrilling white water rafting down the Rio Balsa (grade 2 & 3 rapids) or Rio Toro (grade 3 & 4 rapids).

Day tours are available to the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge; the city of Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui; the Rio Celeste with its turquoise waters; or across the border into Nicaragua to view the Penas Blancas Massif.
Day 8 : Monteverde Cloud Forest

This morning depart from Arenal and travel 4-hours by shared shuttle to Monteverde Cloud Forest, founded by a small group of conservation-minded Quakers who were looking for a peaceful place to live.

Shrouded in mist for most of the year, this primary rainforest comprises six different ecological zones spread over 10,500 hectares (26,000 acres) at different elevations - 90% of which is virgin cloud forest. As a result, it has exceptionally great biodiversity and is one of the most outstanding wildlife sanctuaries in the tropics.

Check into your lodge, relax and enjoy beautiful vews over the Gulf of Nicoya.
Day 9 : Monteverde Cloud Forest

Today explore with a naturalist guide the Monteverde Cloud Forest, set on Costa Rica's continental divide and a magnet for flora and fauna thanks to its high rainfall and constant veil of mist.

Woodlands give way to rainforests and tall trees – festooned with orchids, bromeliads, ferns, vines and mosses – rise high into the sky. In other parts you will find swamp forests and deep gorges with numerous streams creating waterfalls, rapids and pools. In this cloud forest you have an excellent chance of spotting an adorable sloth - a tree-dwelling animal that sleeps for over 15 hours a day, whilst hanging from the branches of trees. The two-fingered sloth is largely nocturnal, so you are more likely to see the three-fingered sloth, although both species have excellent camophlague so can be hard to spot. These cute creatures move so slowly that algae grows on their fur.

The high elevation Monteverde Cloud Forest offers miles of trails, with excellent opportunities for wildlife spotting & bird watching. It sustains over 2,500 different plant species (including the highest number of orchid species in the world), more than 100 mammals, over 400 birds, 120 reptiles and amphibians, as well as thousands of butterflies and other insects. Other wildlife you may see here include the jaguar, ocelot, tapir, white faced monkey, spider monkey, toucan, hummingbird, three-wattled bellbird and bare-necked umbrella bird. The resplendent quetzal is best seen in the dry months from January to July.

There is also the option to take a ride in the Sky Tram, walk along the Sky Walk Hanging Bridges and experience a thrilling Sky Trek Zip Line across the forest canopy (pay locally).
Day 10 : Monteverde Cloud Forest

Today depart from Monteverde Cloud Forest and travel 3-hours by shared shuttle through beautiful Costa Rican scenery to San Jose.

Check into your hotel in this capital city.
Day 11 : Granada

Transfer to San Jose Airport for your flight to Granada.

You will be met at Granada Airport and transferred to your hotel in this beautiful city. Situated on the shores of Lake Nicaragua, this elegant city is home to many Spanish colonial buildings that have survived repeated pirate invasions. Check in and absorb the atmosphere of this historic place.
Day 12 : Granada

Today transfer to Granada Port for a 6-hour excursion to the beautiful Isletas Archipelago, consisting of over 350 small tropical islands situated on Lake Nicaragua.

Navigate 40-minute by boat to this spectacularly archipelago, that is covered in lush vegetation and is home to many aquatic birds. These small peaceful islands are accessible only by boat and are inhabited by a rural community.

Enjoy an included fish barbeque lunch on Zopango Island, with stunning views over Mombacho Volcano and the bay. Here you can see orchids, rare birds, turtles and many beautiful trees. You can also enjoy kayaking, walking on the island, bird watching and swimming in the lake. In the late afternoon we return to Granada by boat.
Day 13 : Granada

At leisure to relax and independently explore the photogenic city of Granada.

Central Park, the main plaza, is dominated by the distinctive yellow and white bell towers and dome of the colonial Cathedral of Granada, towering far above and visible for miles.

The nearby San Francisco Convent and Museum is the oldest church in Central America, dating back to 1585. It is a striking building with a robin's-egg-blue birthday cake façade. It houses both an important convent and one of the best museums in the country, with a wonderful display of pre-Columbian statues.
Day 14 : Granada

After a day free to explore more of Granada, in the afternoon transfer to your airport hotel for overnight.
Day 15 : Departure

Transfer to Managua Airport for your flight home.

Contact Agent Plan A Trip Text Me

Inclusions

Hotel
Sightseeing
Pickup-Drop

Contact Agent Plan A Trip Text Me

Price & Rates

No of pax	Age Limit	Price per pax (Rs)
Adult	Above 12 years	$ 2900 / Adult

* Mentioned prices may vary depending upon date of travel, hotel availability, surge pricing and seasonal rush.

Contact Agent Plan A Trip Text Me

Package Start From

San Jose, Costa Rica, South America

Contact Agent Plan A Trip Text Me

Terms & Conditions

Payment Terms & Methods :
* Some Advance Percentage of total booking amount
* Airfare/Transport fare to be paid full at one time in advance.

Cancellation & Refund Policy :
* Upon cancellation, refund will be made after deducting the Retention Amount.
* Retention Amount varies as per the number of days left before your package start date.

Contact Agent Plan A Trip Text Me