Individual Trip: Costa Rica, an ecological paradise, 10 days

Day 1: Athens – San José

Departure from Athens and arrival via an intermediate stop at Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José.
After the necessary formalities and luggage collection, transfer to the hotel. Check-in and overnight stay.

Day 2: Excursion to Doka Coffee Estate – Poás Volcano National Park and visit to the La Paz Waterfall Gardens

The Doka Estate is located on the fertile slopes of the Poás Volcano. The farm belongs to the Costa Rican Vargas Ruiz family, a pioneer in coffee production for more than 70 years. The wide variety of microclimates and altitude offer the ideal conditions for the production of high-quality coffee.
Under the guidance of an experienced guide, visitors will receive extensive information regarding the production, harvesting, and roasting of the “Golden Grain.” After the visit, we can visit the souvenir shop and pick up some of the best coffee in Costa Rica.
What to bring? Comfortable clothes and shoes, sunscreen, camera.
|What is included? Entrance fee, coffee tour, welcome cocktail, butterfly tour, visit to the Garden and Bonsai exhibit, the hydroponic garden, and access to all attractions on the property, coffee, spirits, and chocolates.
Poás is a volcano rising to 2,708 meters above sea level. Since 1989, it has significantly increased its gas emissions, causing acid rain phenomena that have destroyed the flora in some sectors of the Park and around agricultural plantations in the area. We will only be able to visit the main crater for about 20 minutes. Today, the volcano emits a large amount of gas and water vapor from the various fumaroles located in the inner cone of the crater.
Important: according to the new park regulations, you are required to have your passport with you. The volcano has continuous activity, so the visit is subject to restrictions and/or cancellations without prior notice.
Next, we will head to La Paz Waterfall Gardens for our lunch featuring local dishes. This area is a private property of over 70 acres (28 hectares). We will have our lunch with local dishes. It features five waterfalls, safe hiking trails, and animal exhibits among other interesting attractions. The area allows visitors to wander along the 2 miles of paved trails that lead them to some amazing waterfalls. The La Paz Waterfall is the most famous, as seen from the road. In the park, visitors have views from platforms above, below, and in front of the waterfalls that offer excellent photo opportunities. The Hummingbird Garden attracts 26 different species of hummingbirds. In the Butterfly Garden and the on-site laboratory, visitors have the opportunity to observe the most colorful species of butterflies, learning about the life cycle and metamorphosis of these beautiful creatures. The Serpentarium exhibits 30 of the country’s most beautiful and deadly snakes, including the Golden Eyelash viper. In the Ranarium, frogs roam freely in a landscaped enclosure tended by experienced guides. The park also has a sanctuary for wild birds and felines. These birds and wild felines come from a center that ceased to be funded and had to close. Since the Ministry of Environment of Costa Rica did not have the resources to care for these animals, they were placed under the care of La Paz Waterfall Gardens. These animals were either too old, injured, or had been exposed to humans for too long to be released back into the wild. Many of the birds had been illegally captured by poachers and confiscated by the government, or donated by their owners, and lack the basic skills to survive in the wild on their own.
Recommended: Comfortable walking shoes (preferably with thick soles for hiking the trails and hundreds of stairs), shorts or comfortable pants, and a light jacket or raincoat.
Important note: The park ranges in altitude from 5,200 feet to 4,200 feet, and is fed with cold air when the clouds shift.

Day 3: San José – Tortuguero

Departure early in the morning from San José and, driving through the impressive Braulio Carrillo National Park, we will stop at the Rio Danta restaurant for delicious snacks and refreshments. The bus ride continues through banana plantations to the pier. A two-hour boat ride through the canals will take us to Mawamba Lodge, just in time for lunch.
In the afternoon, we will explore the Mawamba gardens. During the visit, we will learn about the flora species, as well as some animal specimens we can see in the area, and admire the beautiful scenery. We will also learn about environmental protection projects, such as organic treatment. Then, dinner at the Lodge.
Mawamba Lodge is located on the strip of land between the Tortuguero canals and the Caribbean. It is surrounded by beautiful gardens, with direct access to the beach and just a few steps from the town.
We recommend wearing dark-colored clothing on the night tour during the nesting season. – Luggage is limited to 25 kg per person

Day 4: Tortuguero National Park.

After breakfast, a guided tour of the small town of Tortuguero located inside the National Park. Lunch is included at the pool restaurant. In the afternoon, we will enjoy a boat tour of the Tortuguero canals. Dinner at the lodge.

Day 5: Tortuguero – Arenal (158 km)

After breakfast, return to the pier by boat, where the journey will continue by bus to our next destination, Arenal. Lunch is included at a typical local restaurant. Arrival and check-in at the hotel.

Day 6: Visit to the Arenal Hanging Bridges and afternoon visit to the Arenal Volcano National Park

The trails and bridges of the park are located on the migration route of birds flying between North and South America, bringing visitors as close as imaginable to observe the birds, flowers, and lush vegetation of the primary rainforest. This is a primary forest property of 250 hectares, with trails and bridges designed to maintain absolute harmony between man-made structures and nature. The area has spectacular views of the Arenal Volcano and the lake that feeds the largest hydroelectric plant in Costa Rica. This walk is a fun and educational option to learn more about the forest and the local environment, and to enjoy close contact with nature. Walking along the trails, the fascinating world of the rainforest will be revealed to us. Along these three kilometers of trails, visitors will be impressed by the diverse fauna and flora of the rainforest, admiring colorful birds and tropical plant species. More than 50 bird species can be spotted in this area, which offers a unique walk suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Located 15 kilometers from La Fortuna in northwestern Costa Rica, between the foothills of the Cordillera de Tilarán mountain range and the plains of San Carlos, the Arenal Volcano National Park is one of the most popular destinations in the Northern Zone. Various trails – Heliconias, Coladas, Tucanes, and Los Miradores – allow for the observation of many species of the park’s flora and fauna, as well as the footprints of lava flows. The park covers an area of 12,124 hectares.

Day 7: Arenal – Monteverde

This route, half transfer and half excursion, is a fast and scenic way to travel from La Fortuna (Arenal area) to Monteverde. We will leave our hotel in La Fortuna to start a bus journey of about 30 minutes towards Lake Arenal. Arriving at the dam, we will board a comfortable and safe boat, and after a 30-40 minute journey, we will reach Río Chiquito, a small community on the other side of the lake. Lake Arenal is the largest and most important lake in Costa Rica, artificial in origin, built in 1974 to generate hydroelectric power for the country. It is also a place where we can see a variety of indigenous and migratory birds, and sometimes we might spot mammals like monkeys, as well as enjoy excellent views of the Arenal Volcano when the sky is clear. Arriving at Río Chiquito, we will disembark and continue by bus for about 1.5 hours to the hotel in Monteverde. (During the rainy season, this transfer may take longer). It is recommended to wear long pants, a coat, comfortable shoes, and to bring a camera, binoculars, sunscreen, and a raincoat.

Day 8: Visit to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is one of the most famous conservation areas in Central America. It is a tropical forest, but due to its altitude (1,400 meters or 4,600 feet), it is called a Cloud Forest. A cloud forest is a mountainous forest characterized by almost 100% humidity throughout the year. Here in Monteverde, warm, moisture-laden northeastern winds blow from the Atlantic, and as they sweep over the area up to the Continental Divide, they cool and condense, forming clouds and covering the forest in a continuous, soft mist. The cloud forest receives more than four meters of rain each year – over twelve feet! It is home to rare and unusual wildlife, such as jaguars and pumas, and over 450 bird species, including the largest population of birds in the world.

Day 9: Monteverde – San José – Airport

After breakfast, transfer to San José and transfer to Juan Santamaría International Airport in time for the return flight.

Day 10: Athens

Arrival in Athens and end of the journey.

Travel Notes