Colorful Costa Rica

Day 1 - Pickup

The Lamers coach or shuttle will pick you up at your designated pickup point and bring you to Gurnee, IL for an overnight stay. Tonight, dine at The Rainforest Cafe, a Costa Rican themed restaurant in Gurnee Mills shopping mall. Shop for last-minute items and relax before an early morning flight from O'Hare (ORD) Airport to Costa Rica.

Day 2: Fly

Arrive in San Jose, meet your Professional Naturalist Tour Director and transfer to your hotel. On the 4th voyage of Christopher Columbus in 1502, the explorer and his crew discovered the Caribbean side of a beautiful territory he called, "Costa Rica" or "Rich Coast". Costa Rica is Central America's greatest hidden gem, a haven for eco-tourism featuring lush forests, magnificent waterfalls, rumbling volcanoes and diverse ecosystems. Transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay. Overnight: San Jose

Day 3: San Jose

Today enjoy the scenery of the Central Valley, surrounded by soaring mountains, strawberry plantations and flower farms. Visit a Coffee Plantation to sample fresh Costa Rican coffee and learn about the history and cultivation of the coffee bean. Later travel past tropical landscapes to see Paos Volcano National Park to view the dramatic mile wide crater from an overlook. Also stop at the Sarchi Artisan Village, known as the cradle of craftsmanship and an ideal place to shop for an oxcart, Costa Rica's best known craft & souvenir. Overnight in the Arenal Volcano National Park area (La Fortuna) for the next two evenings. Tonight join your traveling companions for a Welcome Dinner. Overnight: La Fortuna

Day 4: La Fortuna

Today enjoy the amenities of your resort and spa hotel. The resort features a wonderful viewing angle of the Arenal Volcano and is surrounded by lush gardens, walking paths, excellent bird watching, swimming pools and hot springs. Enjoy dinner at the resort. Overnight: La Fortuna

Day 5: Volcano Park

This morning visit the Arenal Volcano National Park, one of the 10 most active volcanoes in the world. Its constant emissions of gases and lava will amaze you. Later check into your hotel in the Monteverde Cloud Forest area for a two night stay and enjoy dinner. Overnight: Monteverde

Day 6: Monteverde

Today experience the conservation project at Selvatura Park. Enjoy a unique opportunity to walk across Hanging Bridges & discover first hand the natural beauty of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, one of the largest and most enchanting wildlife sanctuaries in the Americas. Next visit the Butterfly Garden, home to 50 different species, and the Hummingbird Gallery, home to many species from the cloud forest. Overnight: Monteverde

Day 7: Monteverde

This morning travel to Jaco/Hermosa Beach area and settle into your hotel for the next 2 nights. As the day draws to a close, watch the sun set over the Pacific alongside birds in every color of the rainbow. Enjoy the afternoon leisure and dinner this evening. Overnight: Jaco/Hermosa Beach

Day 8: M.A. Park

Today we travel to visit Manuel Antonio National Park, home to verdant rainforests and white sand beaches. In this natural wonderland, enjoy free time to traverse the trails where the wild things are, or go for a swim in the turquoise waters as wildlife rummages in the canopies. Later return to the hotel for an evening at leisure. Overnight: Jaco/Hermosa Beach

Day 9: Jaco/Hermosa

Following breakfast this morning, travel to Tárcoles and see crocodiles among the mangroves of Tárcoles' Rio Grande. Enjoy an exhilarating jungle crocodile safari, you'll boat beneath the towering jungle, looking along the river banks for a glimpse of these incredible creatures. Then say goodbye to the coast as we travel back to San Jose. Toast to the pura vida of Costa Rica tonight over a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers. Overnight: San Jose

Day 10: Fly Home

Transfer to the airport in San Jose and fly home filled with wonderful memories of your Colorful Costa Rica tour and adventure.

B=Breakfast, D =Dinner