| Most international flights fly into the Santamaria | | | | return to the protected beaches to lay their eggs |
| International Airport in San Jose, named after the | | | | and the following morning you will have the chance to |
| country´s national hero from the 19th century. You | | | | tour the park as the sun rises and the natural world |
| should definitely spend the day enjoying the rich | | | | comes to life before a full day exploring the park. |
| culture, delicious flavors and nightlife of this unique | | | | Day 5 make your way down the Caribbean coast to |
| colonial capital city. On day two after relaxing for | | | | Puerto Vargas and Cahuitia National Park to enjoy |
| your first afternoon in Costa Rica, take a day tour | | | | the beaches, coral reefs and tropical forests in this |
| from San Jose to Poas Volcano which is the home to | | | | paradise locations. The reserve is home to a vast |
| one of the world´s largest craters. | | | | array of fauna and flora as well as more than 2 miles |
| You will climb through the cloud forests to look over | | | | of coral reefs. You will stay in the delightful and |
| the southern lake full of life and the highly acidic | | | | colorful Caribbean town of Puerto Viejo that boasts |
| northern lake with a pH of nearly 0! Another | | | | great restaurants and day activities for its year round |
| interesting aspect of this particular volcano is that | | | | tourists. |
| one side has been inactive for nearly 10,000 years | | | | You should start working your way to the town of |
| and then the northern side that had a small eruption | | | | La Fortuna de San Carlos to visit the Arenal Volcano |
| in 2009. | | | | around Day 7. Enjoy the afternoon kayaking, hiking, |
| As you descend from the mountain in the afternoon, | | | | horseback riding or riding ATVs before checking out |
| most tours will take you to the village of Grecia to | | | | the thermal hot springs that evening. In the morning |
| see the infamous metallic church constructed in | | | | you should hike the Toucans Trail on the western |
| Europe and brought to Costa Rica piece by piece. | | | | side of the Arenal Volcano. This trail cuts through the |
| You will also stop in Sarchi, a town famous for it´s | | | | rainforest and then crosses over a large lava flow. |
| wood work and you will have the opportunity to | | | | The trail continues to an overlook of Lake Arenal and |
| watch the artisans create their masterpieces before | | | | then by evening you can watch the lava flow down |
| returning to San Jose to rest in your hotel. | | | | the side of the mountain. |
| On day three pack your bags and make your way to | | | | Either stay another night and head back to San Jose |
| the Caribbean coast to visit Tortuguero National Park. | | | | in the morning or make the reasonably short trip |
| Here as you ride along the intertwined waterways, | | | | back for an red eye flight or an early morning return |
| you will be able to spot the endangered manatees, | | | | home if you are short on time. If you have some |
| hundreds of species of birds and exotic flora. That | | | | more time, be sure to check out Monteverde, |
| evening you may have the opportunity to return to | | | | Tamarindo, Jaco and Manuel Antonio if you can! |
| the park to watch the female green sea turtles | | | | |