Amazing Costa Rica

Today the Local Representative will transfer you to the bus station for the 5-hour trip to La Fortuna and its nearby volcano. It is here that you will meet up with your Tour Leader and additional members of your group who would have started several days earlier on our 'Rainforest Adventure' trip. Vulcan Arenal lay dormant for 400 years until finally erupting in 1968. Today it is the most active volcano in Costa Rica and with some luck you might be able to observe the red lava. The volcano's almost perfect cone, which soars 1,633 metres above sea level, has a crater 140 metres deep formed over an ancient Caldera. Huddled in the shadow of the looming Vulcan Arenal the small town of La Fortuna is an ideal location from which to explore the surrounding region and to witness the volcano’s dramatic fireworks display. During our stay there's time for some optional activities including a visit to the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, an excursion to the Arenal Volcano and Tabacon Resort Hot Springs, fishing in Lake Arenal as well as opportunities for mountain biking, caving and horseback riding.

It is a four-hour drive to our hotel in Santa Elena, close to the forest reserve of Monteverde, a beautiful park that teems with flora and fauna. Located 6km south-east of Santa Elena de Monteverde and straddling the continental divide, Costa Rica’s Montverde cloud forest is amongst the most precious natural environments in the country. Founded by Quakers in the late 1950's the reserve spreads out over 10,500 hectares of land that hold six different life zones. The climate and terrain of the preserve produce an incredible bio-diversity. There are at least 400 bird species in this high elevation rain forest, including the Resplendent Quetzal, ancient holy bird of the Mayans, over 100 species of mammals, 120 species of amphibians and reptiles and an estimated 2,500 species of plants making Monteverde a true ''nature lover's paradise''. Delicate orchids, more than 400 species, grace the limbs of majestic trees. Their captivating colors of whites, lilacs, and yellows contrast with the emerald green of the forest. The clouds of mist that cloak the tropical forest produce a variable climate which combined with the altitude has resulted in an array of exotic flora and fauna. Widely regarded as the most beautiful bird in the western hemisphere, the resplendent quetzal, with its scarlet chest plumage and long green tail feathers, is found in the area, and other colourful species include the bare-necked umbrella bird and the three- wattled bellbird. Jaguar are also present, although seldom seen.

Today you have a full free day to explore the reserve. In addition there are some great optional activities. There is the Skywalk, a combination of suspension bridges and platforms built in the cloud forest, that offers an opportunity to explore the forest canopy in a safe and easy manner. Besides the Monteverde preserve, some other places merit attention while you're staying in nearby Santa Elena. There is the Children's Eternal rain forest, the first international children's rain forest in the world. Then there is the Monteverde Butterfly Garden and the Hummingbird Gallery, a must for those with a penchant for these winged, colored jewels of the forest. At night we will enjoy a night hike in Monteverde, hiking at dusk in the forest. Some of the wildlife you might see include porcupines, toucans and other sleeping birds, owls, agoutis, coati mundis, snakes, walking sticks, tarantulas, katydids, and an array of other cool insects. Of course, there are no guaranteed sightings, so don't expect all these creatures to be waiting just for you! Typically though this time of transition into night offers a good opportunity to view nocturnal mammals as well as diurnal animals as they prepare for night.

It is a 4-hour drive to Manuel Antonio National Park, and we stay for the next two nights in the town of Quepos. Situated on the Pacific Coast 132km from San Jose, the area of mangrove swamps and beaches now known as the Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio was first documented by Spanish Explorer Ponce de Leon in 1519 during his (unsuccessful) search for the Fountain of Youth. Long, white beaches extending around the headland of Punta Catedral are set against evergreen forest backdrops that grow up right up to the high tide line. Incorporating 12 small islands scattered just off the coast where migrating whales can sometimes be observed, the park is home to 109 mammal and 184 bird species in a region of lagoons and fertile mangrove swamps. Your time here is your own to enjoy some of Costa Rica's finest beaches or you can take to the many fine hiking trails through the tropical forest.

After a relaxing morning we make the 4-hour drive back to San Jose where we enjoy our final night together with our new found friends.

Our adventure in Costa Rica comes to an end after breakfast today.