We loved Costa Rica. All of the hotels were great as were the guides. You were right that horseback riding was easy with those docile trail horses. The ... more Michelle and Juan Burriel
Note: The route and program may vary according to National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety reasons and wildlife encounters.
Lodging, Meals, and Airfare: This tour includes accommodations for 14 nights (1 night in San Jose, 2 nights in Arenal, 2 nights in Monteverde, 2 nights in Manuel Antonio, 3 nights in Quito, and 4 nights on the Galapagos Legend), 25 meals (14 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 5 dinners), and domestic airfare in Ecuador.
Elevations: San Jose is 3,700 feet abov
Costa Rica and Galapagos
Costa Rica and Galapagos are two of the best destinations in the world for eco and adventure tours. In Costa Rica, you will discover amazing biodiversity, explore awe-inspiring natural attractions, and experience whitewater rafting on Rio Pacuare, zip-lining in Monteverde, and kayaking in Manuel Antonio. You will then continue on to the Galapagos Islands for a five day cruise aboard the Galapagos Legend, where you will observe plant and animal species that are found nowhere else on Earth.
The Galapagos Legend is a 100 passenger deluxe expedition ship that offers the comforts and amenities of a larger cruise liner. It is air conditioned throughout, and features 57 cabins with lower beds, private bathroom, safe, and mini bar. The ship's spacious social areas include a pool, Jacuzzi, Fisherman's Bar, observation decks, al fresco dining areas, a spacious passenger lounge, dining room, boutique, library, and conference room. Snorkeling equipment ($20) and wets suits ($25) can be rented on board.
Customization: This tour can be customized to suit your requirements.
Activities: Cultural/historical sightseeing, visits to natural attractions, wildlife viewing, whitewater rafting, zip-lining, hiking, and snorkeling.
Day 1: San Jose
Depart to San Jose. Upon arrival, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. You will have the rest of the day free to relax and enjoy San Jose. Overnight in San Jose.
Day 2: San Jose/Siquirres/Rio Pacuare Whitewater Rafting/Arenal
Early morning, you will be transferred to Siquirres for breakfast, and then the Rio Pacuare put-in for an amazing Class III-IV whitewater rafting adventure. You will travel a distance of 18 miles, over 52 rapids in four hours. Pacuare is world famous for its sheer beauty. A true river gorge, it is flanked by steep green walls. You will see waterfalls cascade into the river from both sides as colorful tropical birds fly overhead. Sloths, toucans, parrots, coatis, morpho butterflies, and colorful frogs are common sights. Safety instructions and lunch will be provided. After the rafting, you can shower and change clothes before continuing on to Arenal. Overnight in Arenal. (B,L)
Day 3: Arenal/Optional Excursions/Volcano Hike and Hot Springs
In the morning, you have a choice of two (included) half-day excursions: Arenal Hanging Bridges (a private, 250 hectare tropical rain forest reserve located near Arenal Volcano. The tour consists of two miles of trails crossing 15 bridges from 16 to 330 feet long, suspended above the primary rain forest. A wide variety of rain forest plants and animals can be observed) or Horseback Ride to La Fortuna Waterfall (a scenic ride through pastures and rainforest, where wildlife can be observed. At the end of the ride, you will hike down to La Fortuna Waterfall, an impressive 200 foot cascade of rainforest water).
Mid-afternoon, you will have a private, guided hiking tour of El Silencio Trail in close proximity to the volcano. Your naturalist guide will point out indigenous rain forest plants and inform you of their medicinal properties. Frequent wildlife sightings include monkeys, toucans, White-Nosed Coatis, Oro Pendulas, Golden Eyelash Vipers, Boa Constrictors, White-Tailed Deer, and Great Curassows. Before dark, you will stop at the observation point, which offers the closest, most direct view of the Volcano's lava flow. The day finishes at the Tabacon Hot Springs Resort for a relaxing mineral bath followed by dinner at the restaurant. Overnight in Arenal. (B,D)
Day 4: Arenal/Monteverde
You will be taken to the Arenal Lake Dam dock for a scenic 30 minute boat ride across the lake. Disembark at the Rio Chiquito dock on the other side of the lake, where a 4 x 4 vehicle will be waiting to take you by gravel road to Monteverde (+/- two hours). Monteverde was founded about 40 years ago by a small group of conservation-minded Quakers who were looking for a peaceful place to live. Its Cloud Forest Reserve is one of the most outstanding wild life sanctuaries in the New World. After checking in at your hotel, you will have the rest of the afternoon free. Overnight in Monteverde. (B)
Day 5: Monteverde/Cloud Forest Biological Reserve Tour/Selvatura and Canopy Tour
Morning visit to the Monteverde Cloudforest Biological Reserve, a 10,500 hectare privately owned reserve that straddles the continental divide. The reserve has several well-marked hiking trails, and is popular with bird watchers, who come to see the Reserve's more than 400 bird species, including the resplendent Quetzal (the Mayan bird of paradise). The reserve also contains over 3,000 plant species (including 500 orchid species), and a wide variety of mammals, amphibians, and reptiles.
Selvatura is a cloud forest conservation project located in the Monteverde area. You will have a guided Treetop Walkways tour through the cloud forest on eight different bridges of various lengths from 150-510 feet up. Each of the bridges are five feet wide, and are suitable for people of all ages. The tour also includes a Butterfly Farm, Hummingbird Garden, and a zip-line Canopy Tour. Lunch at Selvatura. Overnight in Monteverde. (B,L)
Day 6: Monteverde/Manuel Antonio/National Park Guided Tour
Morning transfer to Manuel Antonio. In the afternoon, you will have a half-day guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park. This 1,685 acre park is one of the last remaining tropical lowland wet forests in Costa Rica. It is very popular with the native Costa Ricans due to its unspoiled beaches, and also features several hiking trails, spectacular natural scenery, and the possibility of seeing over 350 species of birds, and a wide variety of animals, including sloths, monkeys, white-nosed coatis, agoutis, iguanas, and jesus christ lizards. After the tour, you will be returned to your hotel. Overnight in Manuel Antonio. (B)
Note: Manuel Antonio National Park is closed on Mondays.
Day 7: Manuel Antonio/Coastal Kayaking/Snorkeling
In the morning, you will experience one of Costa Rica's most striking coastlines and National Parks - by open-seat ocean kayak. This challenging yet gratifying ocean kayaking adventure begins near the developing Pez Vela (Sail Fish) Marina in Quepos, and winds along the Manuel Antonio coastline. Indulge yourself at a rare jewel of a beach - a hidden Manuel Antonio treasure at Biezans Bay - for a refreshing swim and delicious local snacks. And feel free to have your bilingual naturalist guide direct you to the best snorkeling spots as you experience three small but growing, active, and astounding coral reef systems nestled very close to the shore of Biezans Bay. After the tour, you will be returned to your hotel, and have the afternoon free to enjoy the area. Overnight in Manuel Antonio. (B)
Day 8: Manuel Antonio/San Jose/Quito
Transfer to San Jose International Airport for your flight to Quito, Ecuador. After passing through immigration and customs, proceed to the reception area, where our representative will be holding a sign with your name on it. You will be greeted and then transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Quito. (B)
Day 9: City Tour of Quito
In the morning, you will have a city tour of Quito. You will explore the bustling streets and squares of the largest historical centre in the Americas, and visit some of its most important churches such as the majestic La Compania and iconic San Francisco, guardians of a stunning multi-ethnic artistic and cultural heritage. You will drive through the traditional neighborhood of San Juan and finish the morning at the Panecillo hillside, with its breathtaking views of the old and modern parts of the city. Overnight in Quito. (B)
Day 10: Quito/San Cristobal Airport/Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve (San Cristobal)
Morning transfer to the airport in Quito for the flight to Galapagos. Passengers are picked up at the airport by our naturalist guides and taken on a ten minute bus drive to the pier to board the M/V Galapagos Legend.
Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve (dry landing). You will visit the Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve and the village of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, where you can have a drink or shop for arts and crafts and other souvenirs. Overnight Aboard the Galapagos Legend. (B,L,D)
Day 11: Gardner Bay/Suarez Point (Espanola)
Gardner Bay. You will have a wet landing on a beautiful white coral sandy beach guarded by a colony of sea lions. There are no trails, so we stay along the shore where we can spot Galapagos hawks, American oystercatchers, Galapagos ground doves, Hood mockingbirds, yellow warblers, lava lizards, marine iguanas, and three species of Darwin's finches: a subspecies (Geospiza fuliginosa) of the Large Cactus Finch, which is similar to the large ground finch, the Small Ground Finch (Geospiza fuliginosa) and the Wabler Finch (Certhidea Olivacea) which is another endemic subspecies. Swimming and snorkeling offers a great variety of Galapagos marine animals: king angelfish, Creole fish, damsel fish, parrotfish, manta rays, and white-tipped reef sharks.
Suárez Point (dry landing). An island of geological interest, we explore volcanic formations and a riveting wildlife: large sea lion colonies and seabirds including Española mockingbird, Nazca boobies and the spectacular red billed tropic bird. You will also encounter marine iguanas, lava lizards, and the colorful sally lightfoot crabs. A somewhat lengthy hike will bring you among Nazca and Blue-footed Boobies, right up to nesting grounds that sometimes overlap the trail. Other birding favorites include Galapagos dove, Galapagos hawk, swallow-tailed gulls and the world's largest colony of waved albatross, an unequivocal highlight during mating season (May-December). Admire the island's dramatic backdrop, featuring the famous Soplador, a seaward blowhole that shoots water at some 23 m. (75 ft.) in the air. Overnight Aboard the Galapagos Legend. (B,L,D)
Day 12: Post Office Bay/Cormorant Point (Floreana)
Post Office Bay (wet landing). Located on the north side of Floreana Island, the bay is so-named because in 1793 Captain James Colnett installed a wooden barrel which served as an informal post office for sailors passing through, who would take letters with them to their destinations. Today, our visitors continue the tradition by placing unstamped postcards inside the barrel that should reach their destinations for free. It can take weeks, months, even years or not arrive at all! But some will arrive before yourself. We may also encounter Darwin's finches, yellow warbler and lava lizards. Here is also a good opportunity for snorkeling with green pacific sea turtles. This island is best known for its endemic plant life: Scalesia villosa, Lecocarpus pinnatifidus, and Galapagos milkwort. Snorkelers can practice on the main beach among playful sea lions.
Cormorant Point. Wet landing on an olive green sand beach. We hike from the black mangrove beds to a brackish lagoon, which usually holds one of the largest flamingo populations in the Galapagos. This island features some endemic plants such as Scalesia villosa, white and black mangrove, and holy stick. The trail continues to a beautiful white-sand beach, one of the most important nesting sites of Green Pacific Sea Turtles. It is important to avoid walking in the water due to the Sting Rays that may be hiding in the sand, which can be dangerous if accidentally stepped on. From the beach one can spot sea turtles, Blue-footed Boobies plunging into the water, and small reef sharks floating along the shoreline in search for food. This coral-sand beach marks the end of our trail, and we head back to the olivine beach we landed on to swim or snorkel amongst sea turtles, reef fish, sea lions and, on a good day, white-tipped reef sharks. A small colony of penguins resides on Floreana and can sometimes be observed as well. Overnight Aboard the Galapagos Legend. (B,L,D)
Day 13: Highlands/Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz)
Highlands of Santa Cruz (dry landing). We will reach the Highlands of Santa Cruz and visit a private farm, Primicias (El Chato), where giant tortoises are found in their natural habitat. Additionally, travelers can walk inside lava tubes. It's an excellent place to find the vermilion flycatcher and to walk in the endemic Scalesia forest.
Charles Darwin Research Station. Travelers will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, staffed with international scientists conducting biological research and conservation projects. Here you can admire the giant tortoises that are part of the breeding program. Visitors can also admire the prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds. Later on, you'll have some free time to walk around the town of Puerto Ayora and shop for souvenirs. Overnight Aboard the Galapagos Legend. (B,L,D)
Day 14: Daphne/Baltra Airport/Quito
This morning, you will circumnavigate around Daphne, an eroded tuff cone formation that was created by successive explosions. Opportunity to see Darwin's finches, blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, red billed tropic birds, swallowed tail gulls, and brown noddies. Afterwards, you will go straight to the airport for your return flight to Quito. You will be greeted and then transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Quito. (B)
Day 15: Quito
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to your final destination. (B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Costa Rica and Galapagos
Single
Double
Triple
Budget
$6,609
$4,199
$4,089
Standard
$7,159
$4,479
$4,299
Superior
$6,679
$5,209
$4,809
All prices are in U.S. Dollars. Click here to see our prices in your currency.
Notes:
The above prices are valid until December 10, 2012.
The above prices are based on a Moon Cabin during the cruise.
Singles willing to share a cabin during the cruise receive a substantial discount on the Single price shown above.
Room/cabin upgrades and additional nights in each destination are available upon request.
Triples are available in the Junior Suite, Legend Suite, and Balcony Suite cabins.
Christmas Season and High Season (from June to August) surcharges may apply.
Costa Rica and Galapagos
The Price of This Tour Includes
South American Vacations' expert pre-departure planning services and documentation.
Airfare from Quito to Galapagos to Quito in economy class.
Airport/hotel and other transfers including baggage handling.
Hotel accommodations including taxes and service charges.
Accommodations on board the M/V Galapagos Legend.
All meals scheduled on board and others as indicated on the itinerary.
Two daily excursions to the islands and other excursions as indicated on the itinerary including all applicable entrance fees.
Evening briefings and lectures (on the ship).
The Price of This Tour Does Not Include
International airfare.
Costa Rican international airport departure tax ($28).
Ecuadorian international departure tax (Quito $40.80).
Galapagos National Park entrance fee ($100).
Transit control card ($10).
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (on the ship).
Meals not indicated on the itinerary.
Gratuities to ship crew and guides, tour guides, drivers, and hotel staff.
Gifts and personal items.
Travel insurance.
We will be happy to quote the cost of international airfare and travel insurance, and to make these arrangements for you.
