Exotic Costa Rican Wildlife
San Jose + Tortuguero + Manuel Antonio
7 night / 8 day Costa Rica family vacation package

** Fifth night free on selected Manuel Antonio Hotels **
 
Our Costa Rica vacation experts have designed this Exotic Costa Rican Wildlife Package to allow our guest families the opportunity to experience the abundant and diverse wildlife that inhabits the Caribbean and Pacific coastlines in Costa Rica.  Two unique National Parks are featured in this package: Tortuguero – home to the green sea turtles and exciting canals and jungle, and Manuel Antonio – the country’s most visited park, home to four species of monkeys, sloths and many other species. 

Day 1:  Arrive to the San Jose International Airport. After clearing immigration, continue down the escalator where there will be a contact person with a sign posting your name in the customs area.  After collecting your luggage, this person will take you to meet your driver as you exit the San Jose International Airport.  Board the van for the 20 minutes transfer to the hotel in the city and check in.  See hotel options below. 

Day 2: Early the staff from the Tortuguero Hotel will pick you up at the hotel around 6:15 am.  You will be travelling with a bilingual naturalist guide on an air conditioned bus. Drive through Braulio Carrillo National Park, where you have the opportunity to see beautiful views and abundant vegetation. On the way we will stop for breakfast. After breakfast you will continue to your trip to Matina deck driving by banana plantations.

At Matina, you will board the covered boat to the lodge, passing the Tortuguero canals arriving between 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. At the lodge the staff will be waiting for you with a refreshing cocktail, your rooms will be assigned and the guide will explain the afternoon activities after lunch -the visit to the Turtle Museum of the C.C.C. (Caribbean Conservation Corporation) and to the colourful Tortuguero town.

You will return to the lodge around 5:30 p.m.  Free time to enjoy the pool, the bar service and prepare for your dinner.  After a family style dinner service spend the rest of the night to enjoy the surroundings, pool and bar.  A late night visit to the park is optional, to witness the miracle of the Green Sea Turtles laying their eggs (available June – October)

Day 3:  Optional 6:15 am tour to admire the awakening of the wildlife of Tortuguero. Return for breakfast (service between 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.). Then another boat tour to admire the canals of Tortuguero National Park. This is a wonderful and interesting experience where you can see abundant flora and fauna of Tortuguero National Park. Return to the lodge for lunch and time off for a siesta, enjoy the pool or go for a walk to the beach.

Day 4: after an early breakfast, board the boat that will bring you to the local airstrip. Arrive on time to board the flight back to San Jose. Upon landing board the van for the 3 and ½ hour drive to Manuel Antonio. This beautiful drive will take you west of the central valley to the town of Atenas.  Continue down the southern mountains of the central valley towards Orotina, home to some of the country’s top fruit producers.  Stop at one of the fruit stands and taste some of the local tropical delicacies, or stock up in refreshments and snacks.  Continue towards the beaches of the Central Pacific, driving past Herradura, Jaco, Hermosa, Esterillos and Parrita en route to Quepos, a fishing town near Manuel Antonio.  Continue on for 5 minutes to the resort and national park region. Check in and take the rest of the afternoon to explore the region and enjoy the hotel.

Day 5 – 7: Enjoy the hotel and the Manuel Antonio Region.  While in Manuel Antonio (activities optional, not included):

It’s a must to visit Manuel Antonio National Park.  Observe spider and white-faced monkeys, sloths and iguanas, hike through the mangroves, and lounge on the pristine beaches.

Quepos is home to some of the world’s best sport fishing.  Boats with experienced crews and great service can be reserved for a half day in-shore outing or a full day offshore billfishing adventure.

Experience sea or estuary kayaking in the warm waters of the Damas Island estuary and mangroves, and get a great workout at the same time!

Marvel at the unspoiled beaches of Manuel Antonio and the mysterious islands that lay just offshore as you sail on a 37-foot catamaran off the Central Pacific waters.  Jagged rock formations and towering cliffs are host and nesting grounds to countless marine birds and their young.  Search for spotted dolphins and keep an eye out for giant sea turtles and migrating humpback whales.  The tour will stop in one of the many protected jungle coves to swim, snorkel and enjoy lunch or dinner.

Explore the mangroves on a motorized boat tour guided by experts.  This tour presents a unique opportunity to spot local wildlife while travelling by boat through this pristine ecosystem.  Expect close encounters with white-faced monkeys, sloths and many bird species.

Join other horse lovers on a guided horseback tour through the Pacific Lowland Rainforest Reserves in Manuel Antonio to a spectacular waterfall where you can enjoy a refreshing swim in the pristine lagoon.

Spend a half or full day white water rafting two of Costa Rica’s most picturesque rivers, the Naranjo River (Class II / III) or the more challenging Savegre River (Class III / IV), accompanied by expert bilingual guides.

Glide through the rainforest in a challenging canopy tour experience.  Enjoy a trademark Costa Rican nature adventure while learning about this unique ecosystem.

Overnight in your Manuel Antonio hotel.

Day 8: Enjoy your final morning in Manuel Antonio.  At a time TBD, you will be picked up for the 3 and 1/2 hour drive to back to San José.  Arrive at the San José International Airport and check in for your flight back home.

Total 7 night / 8 day package for 4 persons:

Package includes

1 night in San Jose hotel
3 day / 2 night package in Tortuguero
Includes land / boat transfers, three daily meals, two tours
4 nights in hotel in Manuel Antonio
Private transfer San José Int. Airport – San Jose hotel
Local flight Tortuguero - San Jose 
Roundtrip Private transfer San Jose Airport – Quepos
Daily breakfast at all hotels
Hotel & sales taxes

Package for Four guests (sharing one room, at least one family member must be 6 years old or younger):

Corobici Crown Plaza + Laguna Lodge + Costa Verde:
May 1 - Nov 15, 2010: from $2,430 per family in one room
May 1 - Nov 15, 2010: from $3,990 per family in two rooms

Corobici Crown Plaza + Pachira Lodge + Si Como No:
May 1 - Nov 15, 2010: from $3,190 per family in one room
May 1 - Nov 15, 2010: from $4,620 per family in two rooms
Fifth night free available

Intercontinental + Manatus + Arenas del Mar (suite + sup room):
May 1 - Nov 15, 2009: from $4,750 per family in one room
May 1 - Nov 15, 2010: from $5,850 per family in two rooms
Free night available on selected dates

For travel during peak holiday season, including Christmas and Easter, please contact our Costa Rica vacations experts at (888) 928-3688

Our Costa Rica vacations experts will be happy to work with you and customize this package.  We can add tours and activities in Manuel Antonio, extend your stay, add other regions, change hotels, room types or modes of transportation.  To customize this Costa Rica family vacation package, please email us at info@memorablecostarica.com or call us toll free at (888) 928-3688.

Costa Rica is a tropical country with only two seasons: dry and green! Click here for forecast Exchange Rate for July 30 515.33 CRC for each USD 695.70 CRC for each EUR