Tour P:
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Saturday: Arrival in San Jose and transfer in the guesthouse EL MARAÑON in CIUDAD COLÓN, located in a tropical garden with view on the Poás volcano.
Sunday: After the tropical breakfast detailed tour information; afterwards tour through coffee plantations to the PEACE UNIVERSITY OF THE UNITED NATIONS: first insight into the democratic history of the country without an army; afterwards guided tour through EL RODEO forest reserve: first insight into the variety of species in the country. Afternoon free for individual activities. If you are interested in music and dancing you will be offered a special option: a visit of the typical dancing hall Palenque de Ojo de Agua where Costa Ricans between 16 and 60 dance salsa on Sunday afternoons. If you wish, you can learn the main steps of salsa and merengue. Monday: We travel through the highlands of Alajuela to SAN RAMON - stop at the cathedral and at Don Pedro’s cigar factory and go on to the CLOUD FOREST RESERVE LOS ANGELES: Biological-ornithological guided tour through the tropical virgin forests with a wide range of species. We continue to ARENAL volcano, the fascinating active volcano of the country that erupts several times a day. Overnight stay at LA CATARATA lodge, an ecological farmers’ project, located between volcano and La Fortuna. Guided tour through the butterfly garden and possibility to learn all about medical plants. In the late afternoon excursion to the Northwest side of the volcano to watch the lava, with possibility to enjoy the hot springs. |
Tuesday: Hike to the near FORTUNA waterfall, located in a deep gorge in dense tropical rainforest. You can bathe under the waterfall or in the river. Afterwards we drive around the 80 square km big ARENAL LAKE, passing hydro- and wind electricity plants, which are producing 60% of the electricity needed in Costa Rica. We pass TILARAN and CAÑAS and reach the peninsula of NICOYA. In the afternoon we arrive at the forest reserve MONTE ALTO near HOJANCHA. Here a cooperative protects the forest and reforests the surrounding hills in order to protect the source area of the RIO NOSARA and thus secure the water supply of the town and the variety of species; overnight stay in the lodge, wonderfully situated in the middle of the forest reserve. Wednesday: The biologist of the project leads us on the trails of the reserve (also a native orchid trail) and we visit the little museum with a library. In the afternoon we can learn how raw sugar is transformed into natural sugar in a TRAPICHE, the traditional sugar cane press. Furthermore you have the option for horseback riding or bathing in the nearby river. Thursday: Today we go to GUAITIL, a village that makes pottery based on patterns and motives of the CHOROTEGA Indians, the original inhabitants of the peninsula. Afterwards we will visit the CASA DE SOL where a local group produces and distributes solar-powered ovens and promotes the self-confidence of the woman taking part in this project. Our healthy meal will be cooked by solar energy! We go on via the town of NICOYA (stop at the central park with its colonial church) to the Pacific on the fantastic palm beach of PUERTO CARRILLO. You can take a refreshing bath in the Ocean; overnight stay in Hotel Esperanza or Guesthouse Colibri – both of them 5 min. from the beach.
Friday: In the morning hiking through mango plantations to EL ROBLE beach, afternoon free for individual activities, such as horseback riding, canoeing on the ORA river, surfing, paragliding, deep-sea fishing, turtle observation or a trip to the tourist village SAMARA. Saturday: After a refreshing bath in the Pacific you return to SAN JOSE/ Ciudad Colón to the EL MARAÑON guesthouse. Alternative: Extending your stay at the Pacific. Sunday: Breakfast and departure |
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