Escorted Tours 2020 & 2021 - 2nd Edition - Mercury Holidays

84 LATIN AMERICA MEAL PLAN: 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches & 10 dinners ACCOMMODATION Alajuela Province 1 nights 3 ★ Buena Vista Hotel Tortuguero 2 nights 3 ★ Pachira Lodge La Fortuna 3 nights 4 ★ Arenal Springs Monteverde 2 nights 4 ★ El Establo Punta Leona 2 nights 3 ★ Punta Leona Hotel DAY 1: UK TO ALAJUELA PROVINCE D Depart London on your scheduled flight to San Jose. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner tonight with your group. DAY 2: ALAJUELA PROVINCE TO TORTUGUERO B/L/D This morning you will leave Alajuela and start your journey to the mystical town of Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast. We schedule breakfast before leaving the hotel for your first taste of the traditional gallo pinto (black beans and rice), then a quick stop in Guapiles. Continuing your journey to the port you will travel through small villages and banana plantations. A gentle boat ride through the jungle canals will follow to arrive at your lodge in Tortuguero. Enjoy lunch at your lodge and then a visit to Tortuguero town. With no cars or streets, the town is sandwiched between a Caribbean beach on one side and waterways on the other. Spend some time exploring this charming town where you may even be lucky enough to spot some turtles nesting on the beach if you are travelling between July and October. The rest of the afternoon will be free to relax with dinner at your lodge. DAY 3: TORTUGUERO B/L/D Following an early breakfast, start your day with a fascinating hike through the rainforest nature trails at your lodge, home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. Following lunch, travel by boat through the maze of canals within the national park, for the best chance to spot the wildlife of the rainforest. Tortuguero literally means “region of turtles” and it is no surprise that it is home to seven species of turtles as well as being the most important nesting site for the green sea turtle. The area also contains a great diversity of crustaceans and many species of freshwater fish. DAY 4: TORTUGUERO TO LA FORTUNA B/L/D Travel back through the Tortuguero canals to reach the pier where your ground transportation will meet you. Travel by bus to La Fortuna with stops for a traditional Costa Rican lunch and to see the Giant Iguanas at El Muelle. DAY 5: LA FORTUNA B/L/D Explore a private 4.5-kilometre path around the base of the volcano and ascend to a lookout point to experience a fantastic view of the Arenal Volcano including the remains of the last volcanic eruption in 1968. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the hot springs or simply take in the view from your hotel. DAY 6: LA FORTUNA B/L/D Today you will visit Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. One of the most important wetland areas in the world and a region of huge biological importance due to the immense variety of flora and fauna in the area. The refuge is home to several endangered species including cougars, jaguars and tapirs, and whilst these elusive animals are very difficult to see there are several species of monkeys and a phenomenal variety of birdlife that are much easier to find. DAY 7: LA FORTUNA TO MONTEVERDE B/L/D Monteverde is a world above the coastal towns at high altitude (1440m above sea level) allowing it to receive the steady supply of clouds and the life-giving moisture they contain. On the journey, take in the beautiful landscape of Lake Arenal and pass through some typical country villages. Your lunch stop will be at a wonderful local ranch, where you will be served a traditional local meal along with a folklore dance presentation by school children, plus the chance to visit the coffee plantations on the grounds. Before arriving at your hotel, you will be taken for an introduction to the town of Santa Elena, famous for one of South America’s most resplendent birds, the Quetzal. Navigate Tortuguero National Park’s snaking canals to spot wildlife, view the magnificent Arenal Volcano, discover the Monteverde Cloud Forest full of flora and fauna, and explore the diverse landscapes of Manuel Antonio National Park. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve CAPTIVATING COSTA RICA 12 days from £2,099pp TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ✔ Meander down the rivers and canals of Tortuguero National Park in search of wildlife ✔ Nature trail to the majestic La Fortuna Waterfall with a refreshing swim ✔ Treetop walkways and wildlife spotting in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve ✔ Take in fantastic views of the Arenal Volcano ✔ Spot wildlife in the wetlands of Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge ✔ Visit the stunning Manuel Antonio National Park home to spectacular white-sand beaches, tropical lowland wet forest and coral reefs PACE: To book or for further information visit your local travel agent or call us FREE on 0800 408 0556