Code Starts (UK) Ends (UK) PriceTS 201 25 Feb 12 08 Mar 12 £2,398TS 202 31 Mar 12 12 Apr 12 £2,598TS 203 28 Jul 12 09 Aug 12 £2,598TS 204 29 Sep 12 11 Oct 12 £2,398TS 205 22 Dec 12 03 Jan 13 £2,598Single supplement £290Business class supplement from £2,0522013 departures 26 Jan, 23 Mar, 03 Aug, 05 Oct, 28 Dec.CARIBBEAN SEAPACIFIC OCEAN.Cahuita.Tortuguero.ArenalMonteverde..SanJoséCOSTA RICAISTOCKPHOTO.COMISTOCKPHOTO.COMISTOCKPHOTO.COM JOURNEY ROUTECosta Rica's natural worldTOUCANET DISCOVERY JOURNEY 13 days, 11 nights Enjoy the rich and varied mantle of verdant vegetation home to vivacious wildlife. Monteverde, cloud forest alive with biodiversity. Get up close to an active volcano at Arenal. The channels and mangroves of Tortuguero National Park. Cahuita, Afro-Caribbean heritage on a jungle fringed beach.Day 1 Sat, UK clients depart, arriving San José in the evening,Days 2,3 Drive through the mountains to Monteverde Reserve, a lush environment of humid cloud forest rich in wildlife. Your base is at a simple, modern lodge offering guided walks along trails through splendiferous vegetation, including wild orchids, accompanied by the soundtrack of an exuberant population of birds. You can also enjoy this abundance of natural magic from canopy walkways and ziplines. Day 4 On by road and boat across Lake Arenal, with views of the volcano of the same name towering over its shores. Take a sunset hike up the volcano with an opportunity to bathe in natural hot pools. Stay at a simple cottage-style countryside hotel close to the volcano.Day 5 Still based at Arenal, hike to Rio Celeste, where a crystal clear waterfall and hot springs make this one of the country's unsung beauty spots. It'll be hard to resist taking a dip in the turquoise waters, surrounded by emerald rainforest.Days 6,7 Road travel gives way to boat en route to Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast, with its network of canals, lagoons and swamps alive with monkeys, iguanas, sloths, river otters, frogs and hundreds of species of birds. You'll stay at a cheerful, chalet-style lodge, exploring the canals with a naturalist guide and visiting the local village and turtle museum. There are canoes and kayaks at your disposal and on the July and September departures you may seek out turtles laying their eggs on the beach by night. Days 8-10 Continue along the coast to the pleasant little resort of Cahuita, with its white and russet sand beaches and palms genuflecting towards the cobalt blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. The village's population is Afro-Caribbean, and the pace of life and cultural identity demonstrate the variety within the borders of this tiny country. The Cahuita National Park protects the coral reef which lies close to the shore, ideal snorkelling territory. Other optional activities include visits to an indian reserve, horse riding, bird watching and biking. The coast here is undeveloped and folksy and we stay in the small village of Cahuita, just a short walk to the park entrance.Day 11 Drive to Costa Rica's capital San José.Day 12 UK clients return, arriving home on day 13, Thur. Transport 5 road and boat journeys.Accommodation Mostly small and friendly hotels and lodges in natural settings with private facilities.Meals Breakfast daily; dinner day 4; lunch days 5, 9, 10; full board days 6, 7.Included excursions Twilight Monteverde cloud forest tour; sunset volcano hike and hot springs, Arenal; Rio Celeste hike and swim; Tortuguero village tour; turtle watching (Jul,Sep), canals and nocturnal jungle explorations, Tortuguero; hiking and snorkelling in Cahuita National Park; Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, Cahuita.Summary of nights San José 1, Monteverde 2, Arenal 2, Tortuguero 2, Cahuita 3, San José 1.Group Size Min 4, max 16. Led by local specialist guide. JOURNEY PROFILEDeparture dates and prices16 Escorted Small Group Holidays 2012 » COSTA RICAThe most memorable experience of the trip? It had to be seeing the sloth in the wild for the first time. Our driver pulled over for us to see one whilst showing us some monkeys... the passion some of the tour guides had for the flora and fauna of their country. HK, TrawsfynyddBelow: The Caribbean coast and Cahuita is a relaxing end to the holiday, with opportunities for being active and more wildlife spotting.Above: The imposing Arenal volcano dominates the skyline of the surrounding area.Above: You can be sure to see toucans in the Monteverde cloud forest.Below: Costa Rica is home to around 175 species of amphibians, 85% of which are frogs such as this red-eyed tree frog.Right:Catch a glimpse of the peculiar, lethargic sloth in the Monteverde cloud forest.For more information, client reviews, trip dossiers, detailed extensions ?and to book online visit journeylatinamerica.co.uk

ISTOCKPHOTO.COMSHUTTERSTOCK.COMMEGAN PARKINSONCall 020 8747 8315 to speak to one of our expert consultants for advice, additional information or to book your holiday 17 Escorted Small Group Holidays 2012ExtensionA FEW DAYS TO SPARE?Extend your exciting Costa Rica itinerary with a multi-activity stay in the rainforest of the Osa Peninsula.For more details see our website.