Monteverde Landscape, Costa Rica
https://worldstrides.com/itineraries/costa-rica-the-grand-tour/

Costa Rica: The Grand Tour

A hands-on journey through the nature & culture

Explore Costa Rica on The Grand Tour. Arrive in San José, the capital city. Next, drive through a banana plantation on your way to a boat ride exploring the canals through lowland rainforest. Enjoy volcanic hot springs, stroll through a “cloud forest.” See a variety of wildlife from monkeys to land crabs. Chat with local students, and create an authentic local dinner.

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10 Days
Destinations Visited
San JoséArenalTortugueroMonteverde Cloud ForestManuel Antonio National Park
Local Conditions
69℉ Current Temp
Current Time

Highlights

Travel Route

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Your Adventure, Day by Day

Day 1 Fly to Costa Rica
  • Arrive in San José Arrive in San José, the capital city. Costa Rica is known as the Switzerland of Central America, a country with no armed forces.
Day 2 Tortuguero
  • Drive through a Banana Plantation En route to Tortuguero, drive through a banana plantation, a subsidiary of the Dole Company. Discover the four main processes involved in banana production.
  • Boat to Tortuguero Later, journey by boat to Tortuguero, the most important breeding ground for the green sea turtle in all of the Caribbean.
Day 3 Continue in Tortuguero
  • Enjoy a boat ride exploring the canals of an 18,946 hectare coastal park, the National Park of Tortuguero. The park offers an excellent sampling of Atlantic lowland rainforest.
Day 4 Arenal
  • Continue to Arenal
  • Volcanic Hot Springs Travel to Arenal and visit the volcanic hot springs for a relaxing soak.
Day 5 Monteverde
  • Continue to the Monteverde Reserve
  • Guided Nature Walk Enjoy an evening guided walk along a nature trail to see the nocturnal wildlife.
Day 6 Monteverde Cloud Forest
  • Tour of Cloud Forest This morning, take a guided walking tour of the reserve. At an altitude of 4,000 to 5,800 feet, this "cloudy" forest straddles the low continental divide and is known for abundant fauna and flora.
  • Add on: Canopy Zipline Tour Harness in and soar above the jungle canopy on a thrilling zip line tour that takes you through the Costa Rican rainforest.
Day 7 Manuel Antonio
  • Continue to Manuel Antonio
  • LEAP Costa Rican School Visit

LEAP Activity | Costa Rican School Visit

Visit a Costa Rican school to meet local students, practice Spanish and see the differences between schools there and schools at home.

Day 8 Manuel Antonio
  • Visit Manuel Antonio National Park Combining white sandy beaches with lush tropical forest, Manuel Antonio is the perfect place to see a variety of Costa Rican wildlife, from white-faced monkeys and sleepy-faced sloths, to green turtles and orange-and-black-shelled land crabs. Explore the cays and inlets of this national park during a full-day excursion.
Day 9 Folklore Dinner
  • Return to San José
  • LEAP Dance the El Torito
  • LEAP Cocina Tica

LEAP Activity | Dance the El Torito

Costumed Costa Rican folklore dancers teach you the El Torito, as well as other traditional dances. After your lesson, relax and watch the pros perform.

LEAP Activity | Cocina Tica

Cook Costa Rican style! Create authentic local foods and sit down to savor your delicious creations.

Day 10 Return Home OR Extend your Stay
  • Add on: San José Rafting Extension Days 10 & 11: Add an extra day to your itinerary to experience a white water rafting expedition through the Costa Rican landscape. Breakfast and lunch are included today. Return to San Jose for the evening, and fly home the following day
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