Day 1 :   RESORT MARTINO
- In the Central Valley, hideout near the airport

You arrive at Juan Santamaria International Airport west of San Jose.

Our taxi transports you to the 5-star Resort Martino in La Garita,
about 10-15 minutes (12 km or 8 miles) from the airport.

La Garita has one of the three best climates on earth according to
National Geographic Magazine. We reside for 2 nights at Resort Martino, Italian-owned, one of the 50 best resort hotels in the world.

...more pictures of Day 1:

Day 2 :   POÁS VOLCANO - Viewing the eye of the active Volcano

We leave Resort Martino early in the morning. As we ascend Poás Volcano, we’ll pass beautiful sceneries with strawberry plantations, flower farms and coffee fields.

Poás is Costa Rica’s highest active volcano (2,704 m or 8,871 feet)
with frequent small geyserand lava eruptions. The crater is totally safe
for viewing. After enjoying the geysers and the crater, 16 km or 10
miles wide, we will visit a garden where hummingbirds zip like crossfire between feeders. Before returning to our hotel for a relaxing evening,
we’ll have lunch at a garden restaurant. Back at Resort Martino it’s time
for a swim and/or a visit to the spa.

...more pictures of Day 2:

Day 3-7:   BARBILLA NATIONAL PARK - Natives and Biodiversity in the Jungle

We drive through Braulio Carrillo National Park, one of the largest national parks in all of Central America (44,100 ha or 109,000 acres),
and will arrive at the small town of Siquirres (60 m or 200 feet a s l)
and make a stop for lunch. We continue in 4-wheel-drive by jeep up
to Las Brisas. This is the rain forest of the Cabecar people, still the
most isolated and "primitive" indigenous group in Central America.
They were never conquered by the Spaniards and they live in small settlements, where the eldest woman is in charge.

We will be guests of the Costa Rican-Swedish settlers at the Barbilla Rainforest Lodge, within one-hour hiking distance from the Barbilla National Park. The nearby private Tapir River Wildlife Refuge
(100 ha or 240 acres), between the Barbilla Rainforest Lodge and the Barbilla National Park, belongs to our host family. One hike (about 3 km or 2 miles) will take us through the rainforest, down to the Tapir River
to swim and relax within a gracious virgin habitat. The reserve has several kilometers of trails of various difficulties, two rivers, several beautiful waterfalls and an amazing biodiversity.

Our hosts produce butterfly pupae for international exhibitions. We will be able to observe all stages of their life cycle, from tiny eggs to gorgeous looking caterpillars, pupas like jewel, new born butterflies emerging from its pupa, and watch them take their very first flight!

...more pictures of Day 3-7

Days 8 :   TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK - The Central American Amazon

Early in the morning we’ll leave Barbilla to spend two days on the water-ways and Amazonian like canals at the Tortuguero National Park.
Our boat will travel along several water-ways within virgin rain forest
and allow us to observe all kinds of wild life. This is one important area
in the Western Caribbean as nesting grounds of the Green Sea Turtle.
So if you come between July and September, their night visits to Tortuguero’s white beaches may overlap with yours.

Sitting comfortably in small boats, we will see up close many plants, monkeys, sloths, toucans, water-birds and several other species. We will stay over night in small cabins of a relaxing tropical lodge near the river. This is a great way to spend two days in the Caribbean.

...more pictures of Day 8:

Days 9-11:  DESCANSO COUNTRY LODGE  - On the Pacific slope

We depart by river boat and later by taxi back to Siquirres, and will continue to reach the Central Valley for lunch at our Resort Hotel.
Later we take a minibus to the small country town of San Mateo
(275 m or 900 feet a s l) on the sunny Pacific slope. We’ll spend 3-4 leisurely days atthe restful, newly built Descanso Country Lodge
with pool (28-30ºC or 80-86ºF). This is a real oasis rising from the
tropical dry forest for visitors who want to avoid the crowds.

During these peaceful Pacific days we will see American crocodiles
(up to 6 m or 20 feet) at River Tarcoles and go for a swim at Playa Herradura.

...more pictures of Day 9-11:

Day 12:  CANOPY TOUR AND RETURN TO
RESORT MARTINO

Near San Mateo you may try a canopy tour (additional cost).
Later in the day we will be back to Resort Martino, one hour away,
with its own spa and swimming pool. On our way there we make a
stop at the handi-craft centre of colourful Atenas. In the evening we
will enjoy supper at Resort Martino.

...more pictures of Day 12:

Day 13:   DEPARTURE DAY

Your departure depends on the flight back home; perhaps you will
have enough time for a swim as well as lunch and a visit to the spa.
Only breakfast is included this day.

...more pictures of Day 13:

ADDITIONAL TOUR   
TURTLE  ISLAND - Pacific White Sand Beach

We take a romantic one-day cruise to the small Turtle Island (Isla Tortuga), one of the most exotic beaches of the whole Costa Rican Pacific, famous for its white sands and crystal clear waters. Before
we’ll reach the seaport of Puntarenas a typical Costa Rican breakfast
is served within a coffee plantation. Later a buffet is offered right on the beach. In the afternoon we will travel by the same catamaran back to Puntarenas. From there we’ll return in the evening to our relaxing
5-star Resort Martino for a great farewell evening meal at your choice

...more pictures of the Additional tour