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Costa Rica Family Holiday (2009)



Tour Description:

Costa Rica's palette of outdoor fun is incredibly varied - you've barely arrived before you're shooting down a Class III rapid on the Pacuare River. The rainforest takes on a new dimension when viewed from a canopy catwalk, and a catamaran cruise along the coast brings you up-close with dolphin and whale.

Dates & Pricing



ITINERARY

Families with children from age 5 to 11 join the Class I-II rafting excursion on the Pejibaye River; and those with children 12 and older participate in the Class III-IV Pacuare River program. On the Pejibaye trip, there's plenty of time for swimming and tubing on the seven-mile run through Class I and II rapids. Stop for a picnic lunch along the riverbank lined with strangler figs and kapok and poro trees. On the Pacuare program, soak in the natural beauty of the surrounding rainforest as the currents sweep you through the Pacuare Gorge. Stop for a gourmet riverbank lunch prepared by your guides and then continue to float and paddle downriver to Siquirres. After your rafting adventure, board a private boat from the Ca?o Blanco dock and travel to Tortuguero and your lodge. Tortuga Lodge B L D

Day 1: USA or Canada/San Jos?, Costa Rica
Early this morning, join your naturalist guide for a bird walk or sleep in until breakfast. Slow-moving tropical rivers define the essence of Tortuguero. Depart by boat for Tortuguero National Park, one of the last large areas of tropical rainforest in Central America. Explore the narrow canals in search of wildlife often hidden by thick vines and other flora that engulf your path. Originally intended to protect a major nesting beach of the Atlantic green sea turtle, Tortuguero National Park now protects over 50,000 acres. Search for spider, howler and white-faced monkey; threetoed sloth; river otter; caiman; iguana; river turtle; basilisk lizard; and poison dart frog, along with a multitude of bird species. This afternoon, visit the village of San Francisco to glimpse local life in Costa Rica. Tortuga Lodge B L D

Day 2: San Jos?/Rafting program/Tortuguero
Head north by boat to Ca?o Palma (Palm Canal) for a day of adventure and exercise in kayaks. Choose your vessel and row through the wildlife-rich canal. Later, join your guide for a garden walk; then spend time at the pool. Tortuga Lodge B L D

Day 3: Tortuguero
Fly by private charter to Jac?, where a van waits to drive you to the waterfalls canopy tour (minimum age is eight). Begin your safety-certified canopy tour with a short walk along a trail. Search for toucan, aracari and scarlet macaw, white-faced monkey and the blue morpho butterfly. Just past the waterfalls, take to the trees where, from a three-story tree house, you cross the rainforest on a gantry suspended by cables. Adventure seekers have the option to rappel 90 feet at the end of the tour. After lunch in a local restaurant, drive to your hotel located near Manuel Antonio National Park. Arenas del Mar B L D

Day 4: Tortuguero
Find white-sand beaches, cliffs, points, ravines, rivers, rainforests, varied wildlife and a hot climate in Manuel Antonio National Park on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast. Join your guide for a visit to this region, home to white-faced capuchin, paca, white-nosed coati, sloth and monkey. Among the airborne inhabitants are brown pelican, laughing falcon, white ibis, green kingfisher and jacana. This afternoon, relax and cool off at the beach. Arenas del Mar B L D

Day 5: Tortuguero/Jac?/Quepos (Manuel Antonio)
Join your guide to explore the Manuel Antonio coast along the route Christopher Columbus once travelled. The difference is that you climb aboard a fast-sailing catamaran and glide through crystal-clear Pacific waters. Marvel at unspoiled beaches and explore the mysterious islands that rest off shore. See jagged rock formations and towering cliffs that host nesting marine birds. Watch spotted dolphin and migrating humpback whale jumping in the catamaran's wake. Stop in a protected bay for a swim and snorkel along the coral reefs near the gentle coastline. While you're enjoying the surf and scenery, your crew prepares a meal from fresh local ingredients. Arenas del Mar B L D

Day 6: Manuel Antonio
After a morning at leisure on the beach, drive to the Quepos Airstrip for a short private charter flight to San Jos?. Arrive at your hotel where you will have the afternoon available to relax or perhaps enjoy some last-minute shopping. Tonight's farewell dinner is in a local restaurant. Marriott Hotel B L D

Day 7: Manuel Antonio
Board your homebound flight. B

Day 8: Manuel Antonio/San Jos?

Day 9: San Jos?/USA or Canada