Costa Rica's Stunning Wilderness Awaits
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Earth Journeys, created by Tauck and BBC Earth! Life is pretty colorful on a Costa Rica vacation, where even butterflies like the electric-blue morpho make visitors gape in awe. More than 850 different species of birds make their homes here, from emerald-green parrots, scarlet macaws and bright-billed “flying banana" toucans to purple-throated hummingbirds, orange-bellied trogons, and red and green plumed quetzals. Green turtles and iguanas, red frogs and white-faced monkeys are also a big draw too, as you’ll find out when you explore tropical rainforests and jungles on a rafting trip and a nature hike during overnight stays in riverfront lodges.
One of our most popular trips immerses you in the Earth Journeys experience, featuring custom-made BBC Earth on-tour film vignettes and when the opportunity arises, the use of field equipment. Want to get the ultimate hands-on Costa Rica vacation experience? Soar on a zip-line adventure through the rainforest, learn all about living along a jungle river, take a pineapple tour, and see – as well as taste – how the cacao fruit is transformed into chocolate. And the best part – share it all with your family on Costa Rica: Jungles & Rainforests.
Highlights
- Gratuities to Tauck Director, drivers & local guides are included
- On-tour film vignettes custom-made for Tauck by BBC Earth natural history experts plus other select BBC Earth touches
- Zip line adventure for extraordinary views of Arenal Volcano and the lush rainforest canopy
- Jungle river-rafting adventure with an expert wildlife guide
- Guided pineapple tour includes tastings of field-fresh pineapples and pineapple treats
- Hands-on demonstration in making chocolate
- Exploration of Tortuguero National Park by boat and land with expert naturalists includes a canal cruise
- Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted
- 20 meals (7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners); gratuities to local guides and drivers, admission fees, taxes, porterage and service charges
Itinerary
Day One
Arrive San José
Tauck Bridges’ family Costa Rica holiday begins at InterContinental Costa Rica at 6:00 PM. A transfer is included from San José’s Juan Santamaria International Airport to InterContinental Costa Rica in the heart of Costa Rica’s capital city, San José. Meet your fellow eco-adventurers at this evening’s welcome reception followed by dinner at your hotel, where your family enjoys Deluxe Rooms.
Meals Included: Dinner
Accommodation: InterContinental Costa Rica at Multiplaza Mall
Day Two
Toucans, chocolate & on to Tortuguero
A day of fun awaits your family today as you depart the capital, San José, and make your way to Tortuguero National Park, a tropical paradise in the heart of the coastal rainforest and your first taste of Costa Rica’s incredible biodiversity! En route, pay a visit to the Toucan Rescue Center, where you’ll tour the facilities and meet some of the toucans, sloths, monkeys and other wildlife the center’s staff cares for. Next, learn everything you ever wanted to know about one of our favourite food groups – chocolate – at an artisan chocolatier! See the natural process of transforming the cacao fruit into chocolate during a hands-on demonstration, do a little tasting and have lunch. This afternoon, a boat transports you to your rustic rainforest retreat adjacent to Tortuguero National Park – where most travel is by water, toucans and blue morpho butterflies fly all around you, and howler monkeys provide a natural wake-up call! Enjoy a poolside barbecue for dinner tonight.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Aninga Lodge
Day Three
The natural treasures of Tortuguero
Wake up today in your rainforest lodge near the entrance to Tortuguero National Park, where 11 different habitats have been identified in the surrounding wilderness – providing homes to 60 kinds of mammals, 57 species of amphibians, 111 varieties of reptiles and more than 309 recorded species of birds! Your day begins with a morning canal cruise, where you’ll do some birding and nature viewing with our local guides, then return to your lodge for lunch. This afternoon, take a boat to explore the village of Tortuguero; learn about the medicinal benefits of coconuts, and the “tree of life” they come from, during a coconut demonstration; and, if you wish, take an optional canal cruise inside Tortuguero National Park, or just relax at your resort. And if you’re travelling with us between July and August, this evening we’ll take an unforgettable nighttime trip to the beach to observe nesting green sea turtles in one of the world’s top nesting grounds for these endangered animals. You’ll have a chance to see them make their way up the beach from the water to dig their nests in the sand, leaving tractor-tread trails behind them!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Aninga Lodge
Day Four
Sarapiqui River float trip
Head to the banks of the Sarapiqui River to take in the sights and sounds of the rainforest; a national monument today, the river played an important role in suppressing an armed incursion into Costa Rica in 1856, serving as a highway that transported soldiers, weapons and food. Board a rubber river raft for a gentle float trip* through the jungle; try to spot turtles, sloths, monkeys, iguanas and other wildlife that call the Sarapiqui region home. Continue to your thermal water spa resort, where you’ll spend some time at leisure before dinner this evening.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: The Royal Corin Thermal Water Spa & Resort
Day Five
Zip lining at Arenal & a pineapple tour
In Costa Rica’s Arenal region, get an extraordinary bird’s-eye view of cone-shaped Arenal Volcano, an actively “restless” volcano, on a thrilling zip-line ride* at Sky Trek Adventure Park, where you’ll soar over and through the canopy of rainforest treetops! (Those not into zip lining can take a nature walk instead.) Following lunch at a local restaurant, join us for a pineapple tour on which you’ll taste pineapples fresh from the field, learn how to choose the best pineapple at the supermarket, and sample some local pineapple treats. Return to your resort for some time at leisure and dinner tonight.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: The Royal Corin Thermal Water Spa & Resort
Day Six
Across Costa Rica to coastal Guanacaste
Head out from Arenal and across Costa Rica’s interior today to Guanacaste on the Pacific coast, stopping for lunch on the way. Then continue on to your eclectic oceanfront resort, El Mangroove, on the shores of the Pacific in Guanacaste.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: El Mangroove
Day Seven
Outdoor fun & a beachfront farewell
A day of fun awaits your family today at Vandara Adventure Park & Spa in Guanacaste… where the only other guests will be your fellow Tauck travellers! You can choose from activities including horseback riding, a zip-line adventure*, waterslides, a dip in volcanic hot springs, or a massage. Whichever you choose, it’s a great way to wind up your family’s Costa Rica holiday! After enjoying a farm-to-table lunch at Vandara featuring products from the park’s own organic garden, return to your oceanfront resort, where you’ll celebrate the end of your amazing eco-trip with a farewell reception on the beach, complete with traditional Costa Rican music by a marimba band, followed by a farewell dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: EL Mangroove
Day Eight
Adios, Costa Rica!
Your family’s memorable Costa Rica holiday ends in Guanacaste. Fly home anytime. A transfer from El Mangroove to Liberia International Airport is included. You should allow a minimum of three hours for check-in at the airport.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Note: For activities marked with an asterisk (*), participation is at your own risk and a signed liability waiver will be required. Nighttime beach visit on Day 3 for the possibility of seeing sea turtles is only offered on July – August departures.
Departures & Rates
Additional dates and rates are available, please speak to one of our Travel Specialists for more information.
AUD $250 Child Savings: Children 11 and under
Children under 18 must be booked in a room with at least one adult. Triple and quad accommodations are two-bedded rooms.
Recommended age: 8+. Children must be 8 or older to experience the zip line ride.
Ask one of our Travel Specialists about Packaging Flights with your Tour and Save
Single Supplement rates are available on request.
*Rates are subject to availability and seasonality and may change without notice. Rates are based on two adults sharing. For solo travellers or single person occupancy rates or further information on terms and conditions, please contact our Travel Specialists at time of booking.
