Costa Rica: Turtles and Quetzals

Day 1: Your hotel in the centre of San José is the efficient Don Carlos, once a presidential residence.

Days 2,3:  By road and boat to Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast, a protected wilderness area of mangrove swamp, lagoons and creeks.  The park is one of the best places on the continent for wildlife spotting, home to spider, howler and white-faced monkeys, three-toed sloths, river otters, caimans, iguanas, poison dart frogs and 320 species of birds. Stay at the excellent Tortuga Lodge, a rustic place with good facilities, from where your naturalist guides will take you on a canoe trip through the rich tropical vegetation to get up close to the birds, mammals and reptiles.  Turtles hatch on the beach here July-September. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Days 4,5:  It is an adventurous trip by road, boat and light aircraft up into the hills to Monteverde Lodge, shrouded in unsullied cloudforest.  It’s a lovely place to relax, with excellent views over the lush gardens. There’s a guided foray into the surrounding woodland, and many other optional activities available from the lodge, such as bird-watching, hikes and horse-riding. You have a good chance of spotting the iconic Resplendent Quetzal showing off its jazzy green and red plumage. Day 4:  Breakfast and dinner included. day 5:  Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 6: In the afternoon, you’ll be driven to Esterillos Beach (3 ½ hrs) on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast and your hotel, Xandari by the Pacific, right on the shell-strewn beach which is fringed with stately palms. You’ll stay in a villa at this upmarket resort, which has open-air dining, two pools, Jacuzzi, and a spa.  Breakfast and lunch included

Days 7,8: Relax and enjoy the gardens and the beach  (renowned for surfing, but bathers need to beware strong currents). The hotel offers various excursions including rafting, horse-riding and surfing lessons. Breakfast included.

Day 9:  Drive back to San José airport and your flight home. Breakfast included.