Tortuguero National Park & the Osa Peninsula
8 days / 7 nights
From $1,705 per person, double occupancy for 2009

Day 1: San Jose
Airport reception and transfer to your San Jose hotel. Overnight accommodations at the centrally-located Hotel Don Carlos in a superior room, continental breakfast included.

Day 2: San Jose - Tortuguero National Park
Morning pick up at your hotel for a scenic 2-hour drive to the Caribbean, driving through Braulio Carillo National Park. Transfer to riverboat for a 2-4 hour boat trip up jungle canals to Tortuguero National Park, a vast tropical rain forest preserve and one of the best places to observe wildlife in Costa Rica. Afternoon is free to enjoy on own. The Tortuguero Canals along the Caribbean coast are musts for nature lovers. You may have the treat of close up looks at monkeys, crocodiles, tree sloths and a host of colorful birds. During turtle nesting season (June through September), the endangered green turtle come up on the beaches at night to lay their eggs - an unforgettable experience. Overnight at a Tortuguero area lodge, all meals included - 2 nights. (B,L,D)

Day 3: Tortuguero National Park
Enjoy a two to three hour boat ride touring the backwater canals of Tortuguero National Park with a local bilingual guide to observe the flora and fauna. The afternoon is free to enjoy optional activities and tours, a walk to the village or a visit to the museum. Overnight at the lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Tortuguero - San Jose - Osa Peninsula
Transfer to the Tortuguero airstrip for your early morning flight to San Jose. You will then transfer to another plane for your flight to the Southern Pacific Rainforests. Depending on which lodge you stay for the next three nights, your route may vary. The secluded Osa Peninsula is on the Southwest Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, adjacent to Corcovado National Park. Corcovado National Park has been called "the most biologically intense place on earth" by National Geographic. This famous Park is home to many large mammals, jaguar, tapir, ocelot, collared and white-lipped peccaries, giant anteaters and an incredible number of birds. Here visitors have the best chance to actually see this tropical wildlife, or at least have the thrill of seeing some recent sign of them and knowing that they are in the habitat of these majestic creatures. On the northern part of the Osa Peninsula nestled near the banks of the Rio Agujitas is where Drake Bay is located, where there are various lodges (Aguila de Osa, La Paloma, Casa Corcovado, Drake Bay Wilderness Lodge). From the beach you can snorkel among the volcanic rock heads, enjoy the tidal pools, hike along the extensive beaches, visit the local village, take a guided tour to Corcovado National Park, horseback ride, Scuba dive, swim or just relax. On the southern part of the peninsula are the other lodges, such as Lapa Rios and Bosque del Cabo, which offer similar activities. Located across the Golfo Dulce south on the coast is Tiskita Lodge. Overnight at your Osa Peninsula lodge - 3 nights. (B,L,D)

Days 5 and 6: Osa Peninsula Rainforest
Free days to enjoy optional activities described above. Most of the lodges offer two separate tours included in the price of lodging. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Corcovado - San Jose
Transfer to airport for flight to San Jose. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel and overnight at selected hotel in San Jose (Don Carlos or similar), breakfast included. (B)

Day 8: Int'l departure
Hotel pickup and transfer to the San Jose Airport. Pay departure tax ($26, cash only) and check in for flight. (B)

Single supplement - $305