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Factsheet for
this self-driven round trip |
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Day 1:
Arrival |
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Arrival at Juan Santamaría International Airport.
Transfer to your hotel in San José.
Lodging: Hotel Vesuvio
or similar |
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Day 2: Sarchí
Handicrafts Town - Poás Volcano - San Carlos |
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Delivery of your rented vehicle. Drive from San José to
Sarchí, famous for its multicoloured wooden crafts. There,
the painting of ox-carts gave rise to a complete industry of
precious souvenirs at the beginning of this century. Later
driving through rural and urban areas, enjoy the beautiful
landscape with dairy farming and areas planted with coffee,
sugar cane and different vegetables. The Poás Volcano is
considered to be the largest geyser in the world. Through a
natural trail, walk to Lake Botos admiring the exuberant
volcanic vegetation. Continue your journey through the
Central Mountain Range to arrive near La Fortuna on the San
Carlos Lowlands.
Lodging: Hotel San Bosco
or similar
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Day 3:
Arenal Volcano National Park and Tabacón hot springs |
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The Arenal Volcano offers visitors a rare opportunity to
observe one of the world's most active volcanoes. After
sleeping quietly for more than 400 years, the Arenal erupted
with tremendous force in July 1968. Since then, it continues
to erupt daily but at a smaller scale. Visitors can see the
lava eruptions that during the evening look like an
impressive fireworks display. Visit also Tabacón Hot Springs
with its exotic gardens.
Lodging: Hotel San Bosco
or similar
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Day 4:
San Carlos - Arenal Lake - La Ensenada at Abangaritos |
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Day at leisure. Recommended: visit of Caño Negro Wildlife
Refuge, La Fortuna Waterfalls or the Venado Caves.
Afterwards drive around the Arenal Lake Arenal, largest
freshwater lake and a well-known place for windsurfing and
fishing. Lush rain forest, farms and mountains surround the
whole area. Continuation passing through the picturesque
city of Tilarán to reach Cañas and finally the Hacienda La
Ensenada at Abangaritos.
Lodging: La Ensenada
Lodge or similar
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Day 5:
Palo Verde Dry Forest National Park - Monteverde Cloud
Forest |
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Visit the nearby Palo Verde Dry Forest National Park with
its 17.000ha, 150 species of trees and 55 species of water
plants. It is a paradise for bird watchers. Drive then along
the Pan American Highway and then through a secondary route
admire the spectacular views until you reach the Monteverde
Cloud Forest.
Lodging: Hotel Finca
Valverdes or similar
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Day 6:
Monteverde Reserve - Carara National Park - Manuel Antonio |
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Visit this 10.000 ha. (24.710 acres) Biological Reserve,
always cold and humid thanks to the rain clouds coming from
the Caribbean. Exuberant forest area with trees covered with
moss and ferns that protect the home of different exotic
frogs and the resplendent quetzal (one of the 400 kinds of
birds to be found here). Later drive to Tárcoles. Stop at
the Carara Transition Forest National Park, a hilly land
with a surface of 4.700 hectares (11.615 acres) in a
transitional zone between the dry North Pacific and the
humid South Coast. Possibility to see: parrots, partridges,
toucans, flycatchers, humming birds, howler monkeys, coatis,
sloths and armadillos. Continue to Manuel Antonio.
Lodging: Hotel Villa
Teca or similar
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Day 7:
Manuel Antonio National Park and Beaches - San José |
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Morning at leisure to enjoy the white sandy beaches
and the exuberant nature of the forest at Manuel Antonio
National Park. In the afternoon drive to San José.
Lodging: Hotel Vesuvio
or similar |
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Day 8:
Departure from San José |
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Drive to the International Airport Juan Santamaría.
Return of rented vehicle at the airport. Return
flight. |
Lodging including taxes
