Info from National Geographic Expedition to Costa Rica

 http://www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com/

 

Costa Rica: Volcanoes, Jungles, and Wildlife

• Explore volcanoes, rain forest, jungles, and coastlines on a 7-day expedition to three national parks
• Search for incredible wildlife including parrots, monkeys, otters and the Atlantic Green Sea Turtle

Expedition Details

Misty cloud forests teeming with wildlife, virgin rain forests edged by black-sand beaches, tumbling waterfalls, and simmering volcanoes—Costa Rica is a small country packed with natural wonders. On an expedition to three national parks, explore the crater of Poás volcano and the waterfalls of La Paz Waterfall Gardens, and hike off the beaten path with naturalists in the Sarapiquí river valley. Visit working farms and plantations to learn about Costa Rica’s most important crops–from pineapples and bananas to cacao and hearts of palm. Then keep an eye out for parrots, iguanas, and poison dart frogs as we glide up the waterways of Tortuguero National Park, and learn about the fascinating life cycle of the green sea turtle.

Trip Highlights

• Encounter diverse wildlife from white-faced capuchins and howler monkeys to sloths, caimans, basilisk lizards, toucans, and hundreds of butterflies.
• Go white-water rafting through the jungle on the Sarapiquí River, and enjoy a private animal safari cruise on the serene waterways of Tortuguero National Park.
• Discover Costa Rica’s diverse ecosystems, exploring rain forests, lush jungles, and the Caribbean coast.
• Witness firsthand the ancient nesting ritual of the green sea turtles, or see their hatchlings embark on an epic crawl from beach to ocean (during the nesting season, from July to October). 

Itinerary - 7 Days

Day 1 — U.S./San José, Costa Rica

Depart for San José, Costa Rica’s capital city, and transfer to our hotel upon arrival. After an orientation and time to explore the hotel’s spectacular tropical gardens, meet for a welcome reception and dinner.
Xandari Resort & Spa (D)

Day 2 — Poás Volcano National Park

A morning excursion brings us to Poás Volcano National Park. See the volcano’s steaming crater lake and learn about the surrounding ecosystem. Then head to a nearby coffee farm to watch how coffee beans are harvested and processed, and taste the lucrative local grano de oro (golden bean). Take advantage of the spa amenities at our hotel before dinner.
Xandari Resort & Spa (B,L,D)

Day 3 — La Paz Waterfalls/ Sarapiquí

Journey to the Sarapiquí region, an area known for its incredible biodiversity. Stop en route to visit the magnificent La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Set off into the cloud forest on foot to explore breathtaking waterfalls and gardens brimming with colorful tropical species; and see a mind-boggling array of butterflies, birds, and reptiles. Next, dive into the history of Costa Rica’s native peoples with a tour of the archaeological artifacts at the Museum of Indigenous Cultures. Later this afternoon, settle into our hotel, a Spanish colonial hacienda set in the foothills of Braulio Carrillo National Park.
Hacienda La Isla Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 4 — Sarapiquí

The day begins with a white-water rafting adventure (or a river safari float) on the Sarapiquí River. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the river’s edge, including sloths, iguanas, crocodiles, and numerous species of monkeys and birds. Back on terra firma, visit a historic cacao plantation to explore the history of chocolate, and then learn about the cultivation of pineapples, which are Sarapiquí’s most important crop. Later this afternoon, relax back at the lodge and stroll through the extensive orchards, bursting with orange, banana, papaya, mango, avocado, and grapefruit trees.
Hacienda La Isla Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 5 — Sarapiquí/Tortuguero National Park

Join a naturalist at a biological research station to examine the unique flora and fauna of the rain forest. Then learn about another important Costa Rican export: the palmito, or heart of palm—a culinary specialty harvested from the core of certain palm trees. On our way to the coast, take a tour of a working banana plantation, and learn the intricacies of the banana industry. Then climb into a boat on the Caňo Blanco river, and navigate the still waterways that cut through lowland tropical wet forest of Tortuguero National Park. Disembark at our secluded hotel, perched right on the water’s edge. This incredibly rich ecosystem supports a wide spectrum of wildlife, from poison dart frogs to spider monkeys to the park’s namesake— green sea turtles who return each year to nest. Take advantage of a rare opportunity to watch these turtles nesting and their young hatching, a harrowing but fascinating ritual that dates back millions of years (during the nesting season, from July to October).
Tortuga Lodge & Garden (B,L,D)

Day 6 — Tortuguero National Park

A private motorized jungle boat waits to take us deeper into Tortuguero’s complex system of backwater lagoons and creeks. The morning hours are an especially active time for this tropical wildlife kingdom, so keep your eyes peeled for howler monkeys, sloths, river otters, caimans, and a variety of lizards and birds. Later, learn about conservationists’ efforts to restore and protect Tortuguero’s long stretch of beach where the turtles make their nests. If you wish, hop in a kayak on your own this afternoon and explore narrow channels reachable only by small, hand-propelled boats. Gather for a festive farewell dinner at the lodge tonight.
Tortuga Lodge & Garden (B,L,D)

Day 7 — Tortuguero National Park/San José/U.S.

After a final breakfast in our jungle paradise, board a private charter plane back to San José, and connect to your flight home.

Christopher Baker
The Lowell Thomas Award 2008 ‘Travel Journalist of the Year,' photographer and writer Christopher Baker is one of the world's foremost authorities on Costa Rica and Cuba. He has authored guidebooks to Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Panama in the National Geographic Traveler series, and is currently at work on Colombia. He is also the author of the award-winning Mi Moto Fidel: Motorcycling Through Castro's Cuba, published by National Geographic Adventure Press. His more than 20 other books include the coffee-table book Cuba Classics: A Celebration of Vintage American Automobiles. He has written for more than 200 publications, from National Geographic Traveler to Newsweek, and has been an invited speaker at National Geographic headquarters, the National Press Club, and the World Affairs Council, among other prestigious organizations. Christopher has been profiled in USA Today and featured on the National Geographic Channel, NPR, and dozens of other radio and TV outlets.
Christopher will join the following departures:
Jan 06 - 12, 2013 • Aug 11 - 17, 2013Sep 08 - 14, 2013 • Sep 22 - 28, 2013Oct 07 - 13, 2013

Expedition Cost		$4,395

Price is per person, double occupancy. For a single room, add $1,000. Airfare and trip leader gratuity are not included in the expedition cost. Round-trip economy airfare between New York and San José is from $700; internal air from Tortuguero to San José is $225 (subject to change).