MONTEVERDE LODGECOSTA RICA EXPEDITIONSPETE SELMANPUNTA ISLITACOSTA RICA tourist boardCoast and cloud forest 15 days, 13 nightsSan José 1 night, Osa Peninsula 3n, San Ramon 2n, Arenal 2n, Monteverde 2n, Tamarindo 3n.Day 1 Fly from the UK, arriving at the capital San José same evening. Overnight at Hotel Grano de Oro. Day 2 Fly to Palmar Sur on the Osa Peninsula and continue by boat to La Paloma Lodge. Days 3&4 Guided excursions from the lodge (p36) Day 5 Fly to San José and by road to San Ramón. 2 nights at Villa Blanca, formerly a farm and now an acclaimed eco-lodge in Los Angeles Cloud Forest Reserve. Day 6 At leisure to explore trails, visit a coffee farm, take a canopy tour or go bird-watching. Days 7&8 Drive to Arenal. Spend two nights at Arenal Manoa, in rich forested surroundings with impressive views of the lively volcano. The hotel has its own dairy farm, and there are hanging bridges and hot springs to investigate. Day 9 An adventure by boat and 4WD vehicle to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Guided hike and overnight at the lodge (below). Days 11-13 By land to Tamarindo on the Nicoya Peninsula. 3 nights based at Hotel Capitán Suizo to relax on remote beaches. Day 14 Transfer to San José airport by road and fly to the UK, arriving day 15. Prices from £2,601pp based on two sharing, excluding transatlantic flights. Daily from the UK monteverde lodge From this cheerful lodge, the best accommodation option close to the mountainous cloud forest reserve, you'll venture on guided walks to observe some of the 320 bird species and 2000 plant varieties native to the area, including many wild orchids. You might well spot the bright plumage of the iconic quetzal - a highlight for bird lovers. Back at the lodge you can soak in the covered Jacuzzi before taking a pre-dinner drink by the log fire in the cosy bar and returning to your spacious, airy room where large windows open onto well-laid out tropical gardens.how about?» Extending your stay to include Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean side of the country (p38). » A side-trip from San José to Poás Volcano where you can peer into the steaming crater.020 8747 8315 / journeylatinamerica.co.uk bookings, consultant advice and additional information 37Above The Resplendent quetzal......San JoséMonteverde ArenalPalmar SurTamarindoSan RamónCOSTA RICANicoya PENINSULAOSA PENINSULAPANAMA.

COSTA RICA expeditionsHead southeast from San José and you descend from the coffee-growing highlands to the banana plantations of the sultry coastal plains fronting the Caribbean Sea. Long isolated from the Latin-influenced centre and Pacific coast, this region has maintained strong links with a predominately English speaking, Caribbean culture: a very informal, relaxed atmosphere pervades where you can find family run restaurants serving freshly caught lobster. The coast contrasts with the cliffs and rollers of the Pacific, here swamp and mangrove harbour a concentrated wealth of wildlife while the sheltered beaches at Cahuita and Puerto Viejo are becoming increasingly popular with visitors. It's a river-boat journey that takes you to the partly submerged Tortuguero National Park, with its network of canals, lagoons and swamps defined by a profusion of tangled tropical vegetation. It's alive with several species of monkey, iguana, sloth, river otter, poison dart frogs and hundreds of species of birds.Costa Rica is one of the continent's best destinations for river-rafting. On River Pacuare there's a dramatic perspective from the water of canyons with woodland clinging precariously from the rock-face and rainforest sheltering a wildlife community including jaguar, ocelot and monkeys; all enlivened by the chattering of tropical birds. You can camp on a two day rafting trip or stay at the extremely comfortable Pacuare Lodge (p41) which sits on the riverbank surrounded by rainforest.Caribbean Coast and Rainforest 38 Costa Rica