Compare Tortuguero National Park Tour – 4-Day Independent Adventure by G Adventures vs Costa Rica Escape with Tortuguero by Globus
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 4 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 579 | $ 1,469 |
| Price Per Day | $ 145 | $ 147 |
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| Trip Style | Self-guided tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | No |
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| Meals Included | 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners | N/A |
| Description |
Short on time but need more of Costa Rica? Tortuguero National Park, a remote coastal town only accessible by boat or small plane, is the place for you. Travel from San José through banana plantations to the Caribbean Coast where you'll catch a boat to Tortuguero. Spend three days exploring the canals, beaches, and jungles of this pristine nature reserve in search of turtles, birds, caiman, and, if you are lucky, the famous "Jesus Lizard." |
Escape to the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, reachable only by air or water, to explore Tortuguero National Park. As its name suggests, it is here where sea turtles like loggerheads and leatherbacks lay their eggs each year. Visit the Sea Turtle Conservancy, home to the Western Hemisphere’s largest green sea turtle nursery. Cruise the canals to spot fantastic creatures large and small that stalk, slither, and soar in this natural paradise of wildlife diversity. Depart by boat before driving to San José and pass pineapple and banana groves en route to the heart-stirring rainforest canopies of Arenal. Here, the hanging bridges stretch to heart-stirring heights through the rainforest canopy, while the depths of the earth deliver lava trails to follow. See Arenal Volcano and explore the wild places where pumas and jaguars prowl. Look skyward to spot the hundreds of multi-hued birds, butterflies, and a dizzying diversity of wildlife in the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Find your head in the clouds in a primeval forest blessed by trade winds, rain, and fog by day, and unfettered stars above by night. Go where monkeys and macaws make your day with mischief and count yourself charmed to see some of the 160-plus reptile species—from tiny amphibians to titan snakes. Get civilized too, with visits to an artisan village and a tour of Costa Rica’s largest city and cultural capital of San José. |
Day 1 San José
Arrive at any time, arrival transfer included.
You will be met at San José International Airport and transferred to your hotel for the night. There are no planned activities, so enjoy the city on your own.
Day 2 San José/Tortuguero
Travel to Tortuguero National Park and enjoy guided boat trips and wildlife viewing within the canals and coastal jungle. In leisure time, relax at the secluded lodge or take an optional nocturnal animal-spotting boat excursion in the evening.
Enjoy a a delicious Costa Rican breakfast en route as we transfer by road then boat through the famous canals of Tortuguero. This tropical eco-paradise is home to countless bird and animal species, and you will have many opportunities to view and photograph wildlife.
The tropical rainforest gives way to prime secluded beaches, ideal nesting grounds for Green turtles (nesting July-October) and Loggerhead, Hawksbill and Leatherback Turtles (nesting March-June). We cannot guarantee you will see turtles but odds are fairly good from July through October.
Day 3 Tortuguero
Enjoy a guided boat trip and jungle walk in search of caiman, monkeys (spider, howler, and white-faced Capuchin), sloths, and basilisk lizards.
Take advantage of this excellent opportunity to spot a variety of birds, monkeys and other wildlife. In our downtime, relax at the secluded lodge on a hammock or at the pool or beach. Opt to explore the gardens and beach, or go kayaking.
Day 4 Tortuguero/San José
Head back to San José after breakfast. Tour ends on arrival.
After an early morning breakfast, it is time to return to San José, where the tour ends back at the starting hotel location. Have lunch on the road, returning to the capital in the afternoon.
Post tour accommodation in San José (not included) is recommended. Please speak to your sales agent.
Day 1: ARRIVE IN SAN JOSÉ, COSTA RICA
Welcome to San José! Upon arrival, a Globus representative will provide details about your Tortuguero National Park adventure.
Please note: You will meet your Tour Director on day 4 in San José.
Day 2: SAN JOSÉ–TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK
Shell GamesJourney east to the Caribbean shore and Tortuguero National Park. On the way, pass by several banana plantations and see one of Costa Rica’s main exports being harvested. Later, board a motor launch for your cruise along the Tortuguero Canals, waterways crisscrossing a national park dedicated to the protection of endangered turtles. The trained eyes of your guide and boatman help you spot freshwater turtles, caimans, herons, toucans, egrets, and monkeys. Upon arrival, enjoy a welcome drink and briefing at your lodge before free time before dinner this evening. (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTWONDERS OF NATURE Your time in Tortuguero National Park includes Naturalist-guided visits to the bio-diverse park—home to many species, including white-faced capuchin, howler, spider monkeys, toucans, macaws, tapirs, ocelot, manatees, and jaguars! The area is also famous as the annual nesting site for the five species of turtles.
Day 3: TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK
Natural BeautiesA local Naturalist accompanies you on a guided cruise of the remote yet extensive Tortuguero canals. Watch for abundant wildlife, including over 125 species of mammals, 124 species of reptiles, and over 375 species of birds. Return to the lodge for a nature walk into the rainforest with your Naturalist guide who explains the flora commonly found here and its uses. This afternoon, visit the small town of Tortuguero and visit the Sea Turtle Conservancy Museum in the protected nesting habitat and largest green turtle rookery in North America, as well as Hawksbill, Leatherback, Loggerhead, and Olive Ridley turtles. (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT CONSERVATION MATTERS The Sea Turtle Conservancy Museum has been working with green turtles in Tortuguero since 1959, making it the world’s oldest sea turtle research and conservation group. Learn about sea turtle species that nest in Tortuguero, their life cycle, migratory routes, the research that was started in the early 1950s, and preservation efforts to help protect these endangered species.
Day 4: TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK–SAN JOSÉ
Make Waves A morning boat cruise and drive take you back to San José where you will meet your Tour Director. (Breakfast,Lunch)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT SCENIC RIDE Pass the plentiful fields of banana trees on your way to San José where the Costa Rican plantations produce this main export to the rest of the world.
Day 5: SAN JOSÉ–ARENAL
Lava LoveDepart on a scenic drive past banana groves and pineapple and sugar cane fields en route to Arenal. Visit to La Fortuna Village in the shadow of mighty Arenal Volcano (currently dormant but known for consistent lava flows before 2010). Arenal is home to cascading waterfalls, thriving rainforests, abundant wildlife, and a wealth of outdoor activities with nearby nature trails and 400-year-old trees. Watch for frogs, monkeys, birds, and native wildlife. (Breakfast)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTWONDERS OF NATURE For 42 years, Arenal Volcano was Costa Rica’s most active volcano until 2010 when entered a passive phase. This area is one of the most bio-diverse areas in the world and is home to more than 850 species of birds and other wildlife. Time here can be spent hiking the trails around the volcano or relaxing in the many thermal hot springs.
Day 6: ARENAL
Bird’s Eye View Today, take a guided excursion with your Naturalist to Arenal Hanging Bridges. Explore the jungle canopy atop 15 bridges suspended in the treetops to see various species of plants, birds, butterflies, monkeys, sloths, and other local wildlife. On a clear day, get a 360-degree view of the tropical rainforest and stunning views of Arenal Volcano. Free time the remainder of the day. (Breakfast)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTPICTURE PERFECT Explore the rainforest from a bird’s-eye perspective high above the jungle floor from the Arenal Hanging Bridges. This Naturalist-guided tour introduces you to the flora and fauna of the Costa Rican rainforest. With some bridges spanning over 700 feet long and 200 feet high, this is truly a unique way to admire the forest canopy.
Day 7: ARENAL–MONTEVERDE
Heads in the CloudsThis morning, depart Arenal on scenic drive to Monteverde for the next two nights. Arrive in the cloud forest of Monteverde, situated on the continental divide under misty cloud coverage in one of the world’s most bio-diverse areas. Enjoy an afternoon and evening at leisure. (Breakfast)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTWILD & WONDERFUL Explore Monteverde Cloud Forest, home to over 3,000 species of plants, 400 species of birds, 60 species of bats, 1,200 species of amphibians, and 700 species of butterflies in one of the last remaining natural habitats of all six Costa Rica wildcat species—ocelots, jaguars, jaguarundi, pumas, oncillas, and marguays. Perhaps you’ll catch a glimpse of one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful birds, the resplendent quetzal.
Day 8: MONTEVERDE
Creatures of the Cloud ForestThis morning, take a Naturalist guided walking tour of Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve home to forest fauna such as sloths, jaguars, ocelots, monkeys, coatis, and numerous species of birds. With almost 100% humidity throughout the year, the cloud forest experiences almost 12 feet of rain per year. Free time this afternoon. (Breakfast)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTPARADISE FOUND This unique, high-elevation ecosystem of Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve is constantly enveloped in moisture-rich clouds formed from the warm winds from the Atlantic Ocean as they sweep over the Continental Divide, creating one of the most bio-diverse and rich ecosystems in the world. Prolific in many animal and plant species, this is a nature lover’s paradise.
Day 9: MONTEVERDE–SARCHI–SAN JOSÉ
Artistry & Drama En route to San José, visit Sarchi Village, the hub of Costa Rican craftsmanship, and see the artists in their workshops making their famous ox carts. Upon arrival in San José, a guided city orientation introduces downtown San José includes the historic National Theater and the Metropolitan Cathedral. (Breakfast)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTCULTURE & TRADITION Visit the local village of Sarchi and see firsthand how the traditional ox carts are hand-painted. Once used to transport coffee and sugarcane, these are now pieces of art with intricate designs.
Day 10: SAN JOSÉ
Adios y Gracias, San José!Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
