Showcasing Costa Rica’s natural world

• An abundance of tropical cloud forests, mountains and volcanoes
• Magnificently varied national parks
• 850 species of birds

Sandwiched between the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, Costa Rica is often thought as a place of paradise, overflowing with tropical rainforests and stunning sandy beaches. Millions of visitors come to this small country every year to admire the beautiful scenery and stunning eco-system. The array of birds, flora and fauna is astonishing and with a magnificent system of national parks the walking is both interesting and educational.

Our holiday Costa Rica – Nature’s Showcase has been running for a number of years, but for 2008 features additional departure dates for your greater convenience. This 11-night tour includes a mixture of sightseeing, a lazy boat ride and an excellent choice of walks to suit all abilities. This holiday can be enjoyed by all, especially those with a love of nature and wildlife.

The tour programme starts at San Jose where you will be met from the airport and transferred to a four-star hotel, nestled among coffee fields. We may take an afternoon walk through the coffee plantations and enjoy the stunning views of the valley below. The following day we head deep into the tropical rainforest and visit the Poas Volcano National Park, home to a steaming crater of emerald green water and hummingbird observation area.

The next three nights are spent in the San Carlos Valley, after a short transfer, at the Tilajari Resort. On each day you’ll have a choice of interesting walks that will showcase the best of the local wildlife, monster volcanic craters and beautiful cascading waterfalls. Exotic creatures such as howler monkeys, caymans, turtles, sloths, butterflies and colourful birds may be spotted on our walks through the National Park. On day five a different agenda from walking is offered. We ride a slow river-boat through the Cano Negro Wildlife Reserve, spotting as much wildlife as possible, including Great Potoo, a cryptic bird who likes to pretend it’s a stick!

We then travel south, over the Cerro de la Muerte, to the Savegre Mountain Lodge, which will be our base for the next three nights. This rustic but comfortable lodge is situated on the mountainside at an altitude of 7,200ft and is one of the finest spots in the country to view a variety of wildlife. Again there is a choice of walks on each day ranging from an 8-mile full day trek up the Cerro de la Muerte to shorter trails around the lodge. Either option will provide you with an excellent opportunity to view the fantastic scenery.

The next two nights are taken at a more leisurely pace, based in Manuel Antonio, reputed to the finest beaches in Costa Rica. Our four-star hotel borders the beach and is also a ten-minute walk away from the Manuel Antonio National Park. We spend our time sunbathing, swimming, and exploring the immediate area on foot, or alternatively you can relax and enjoy the hotel facilities. Our final full day is spent back in San Jose where there will be time to explore the cities sights and visit the Plaza de la Democracia for some last minute open air shopping. A night’s stay in the bustling city leads us to a morning return flight the following day.

This holiday offers a truly magical experience and the opportunity to get up close to Costa Rica’s exotic eco-system.

Why not try...

A guided walking and sightseeing holiday in the Caribbean, click here for more information.

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