2012-2013 COSTA RICA’S NATURAL WONDERS

COSTA RICA’S NATURAL WONDERS

Departing Weekly / Year Around

“I had never seen a forest so green. Vines spiraled upward into the tops of huge trees draped with hanging plants. Even the light was green.”

- Jeremy Schmidt -

Join us for a nine-day adventure through a jungle paradise! Come to a land that boasts more species of butterflies than the whole of the continent of Africa! You’ll enjoy the friendly “Ticos,” famous for their warmth and hospitality and their fresh, delicious food. Imagine walking through lush jungles, strolling along the shores of starlit beaches and viewing an abundance of exotic wildlife from a bridge that gently suspends you in the mist of the Cloud Forest canopy. Sultry breezes, silly monkeys and colorful birds await you in this jungle paradise of Central America.

JOURNEY OVERVIEW

2 Nights San Jose (first and last night)
2 Nights Monteverde Cloud Forest
2 Nights El Rincon de la Vieja
2 Nights Pacific Beach/ Stay additional nights if you like

JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTS

Orientation walk of capital city of San Jose ♦ National Museum ♦ Coffee plantation visit ♦ Walk through Poas National Park to Poas Volcano ♦ Jungle hike to a waterfall ♦ Rincon bubbling Hot Springs ♦ Cloud Forest of Monteverde ♦ Hummingbird Gallery ♦ Skywalk through jungle canopy ♦ Butterfly Garden ♦ Float trip on Corobici River ♦ Rincon de la Vieja volcano ♦ Horseback ride into the forest ♦ Starlit stroll on Pacific Beach ♦ Toucans, monkeys, iguanas and sloths!

IT’S INCLUDED

• An expert Earthbound Expeditions guide/naturalist
• Eight nights of accommodation in comfortable cabins and lodges (all rooms with private baths and hot showers)
• All breakfast, lunches and multi course dinners.
• Transportation, from arrival to departure, on board a spacious mini-bus
• Complimentary airport transfers in Costa Rica if arriving the day the tour begins
• Entrances to all activities listed in the journey highlights section above
• Gratuities for your guide and driver
• Fun introductory language lessons offered by your guide
• Complimentary refreshments
• Alumni discounts applied to all future trips with Earthbound Expeditions
• A fun small group of soon-to-be friends!

TRIP FACTS

Length: 11 Days/10 Nights
$2,075 PP Dbl. (14 to 18 passengers)
$2,350 PP Dbl. (8 to 13 passengers)
Single: Supplement: $495
Departing weekly / year around

WAYS TO SAVE $250!

Pay by check: Pay your final balance by check or money order and save $75 per person.

Alumni Discounts: All alumni of Earthbound Expeditions will receive $100 off the published journey price (private trips may be excluded). If Earthbound Expeditions has other discounts available, participants may choose the greatest available discount.

Refer a Friend: Refer a friend and save an additional $75 for each person new to Earthbound who travels with you on an Earthbound Expedition. “Refer a Friend” discounts may be combined with other discounts.

“To see something interesting in this naturalist paradise of a country,

all we had to do was sit down and wait”.

Jeremy Schmidt

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS…

DAY 1

Arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica

Today the adventure begins when you arrive in San Jose. Tonight you’ll enjoy a welcome reception, orientation and dinner hosted by your guide. Sleep in San Jose

DAY 2

Butterfly Gardens and a Walk in the Clouds

Following breakfast, we’ll say adios to San Jose and make our way to the renowned Cloud Forest of Monteverde. Our scenic route will take us through the lush Central Valley and along the Pan American Highway. We will make a number of stops where the scenery is at its best and end our drive at Monteverde itself.

Upon arrival in Monteverde we will enjoy the rare opportunity to visit the Cloud Forest canopy. Skywalk is a series of suspension bridges that allows you to walk where jungle life is at its most complex. Eighty percent of all life in the Cloud Forest is to be found in its canopy. Hovering one hundred feet above the dark floor of the jungle, the sun-soaked canopy explodes with life. Former guests have stated that Skywalk is the trek a lifetime. Having spent the afternoon getting a new perspective on this zone, we will come back down to earth for a visit to Jim Wolf’s amazing Butterfly Garden for a close look at these fragile creatures. Sleep in Monteverde

DAY 3

Vibrant Cloud Forests and an Energetic Hummingbird Gallery

This morning we depart for the overwhelming lushness of the Cloud Forest of Monteverde, which is home to numerous species of plants, birds and animals. Your guide will take you on a walking journey through this abundant environment, pointing out the many exciting plants and animals, and keeping a keen eye out for quetzals, considered by many as the most beautiful bird in the world. Having heightened our interest in birds, we will make a quick stop at the Hummingbird Gallery to enjoy their outstanding slide show about these tiny and beautiful members of the Cloud Forest community. The afternoon is yours to explore the area of Monteverde further. Of course, you may just want to take a siesta, or relax at the hotel. Sleep in Monteverde

DAY 4

River Rafting and Active Volcanoes

Our drive will take us out of the Cloud Forest and through the dry “African” grasslands of the province of Guanacaste. Our itinerary will include a leisurely float trip down the beautiful Corobici River, where we will enjoy beautiful lush scenery, skilled local guides and excellent opportunities for bird watching. We will also visit the Hagendauer Injured Animal Reserve en route to our evening stop. Sleep in Rincon de la Vieja

DAY 5

Thermal Springs and a Trek into the Outback

Called the “Yellowstone of Costa Rica,” Rincon de la Vieja boasts an active volcano, geysers, bubbling mud pots and mineral springs, virgin forest and countless species of birds, monkeys and other wildlife. We’ll get our visit started with an early morning bird walk and after breakfast, for those interested, we’ll take a horseback ride into the forest to see one of the national park’s many beautiful waterfalls. Along the way we’ll keep our binoculars at the ready for monkeys, birds, butterflies and more. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch by the river, and return in the afternoon in time for a siesta before dinner. Sleep in Rincon de la Vieja

DAY 6

Stunning Beaches

We’ll enjoy another bird walk today and visit the “Sector las Pailas,” as well as see some of the smaller volcanoes, geysers, and mud pots. Some may choose to have a mud bath and maybe even a massage at the hotel! Later in the day, we’ll depart the forest and volcano for our beach stop, where we can enjoy the coastline of Costa Rica far from the crush of the crowded resorts. Sleep in Pacific beach

DAY 7

A Day at the Beach

Today is your day to truly relax. The only thing on the agenda is lying in a hammock contemplating the incredible beauty of Costa Rica from a suspended position. If you are interested in tide-pooling, our resident naturalist will be available for an educational walk along the beach. For those who prefer a more active day, you may wish to set out on a hike or simply discover the joy of body surfing in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean. Sleep in Pacific beach

DAY 8

Pacific beach to San Jose via the artisan village of Sarchi

Our drive back to San Jose will take us past coffee plantations and striking scenery. We’ll make a stop in the artisan village of Sarchi to do any last minute shopping you have in mind. Tonight, enjoy a farewell feast hosted by your guide. Note: Have a bit of extra time on your hands? Why not stay on at the beach for a few more nights. Call us for details. Sleep in San Jose

DAY 9

Return home with a lifetime of memories

For those of you staying on in Costa Rica, your guide will be available for a post-tour consultation. Buen Viaje!

ABOUT EARTHBOUNDS REMARKABLE GUIDES AND NATURALISTS

SUPERB EXPEDITION LEADERS

Earthbound Expeditions guides offer a unique perspective on the places you’ll visit. These group leaders are not just great historians, naturalists and linguists, but as our happy alumni can testify, they are also great travel companions! Scroll down below to meet a few of our expert expedition leaders!