The Best of Costa Rica 4 in One (One Day)                                         Back to Top ˆ

---

Pick up time:....6:30 a.m. approximately
Duration:...........11 hours

We begin our journey driving by the monument "El Agricultor" and the Juan Santamaria International Airport. During the drive you will begin to feel at home in Costa Rica as we enter the City of Alajuela, with the second largest population in the country. The city of Alajuela is proud to display the monument of our National Hero "Juan Santamaria". While appreciating the history of the monument, not far away is the well-known park of "Los Mangos" and the old military headquarters which has been transformed into a museum and school of technical teaching.

As we continue our drive north, we begin to observe the vast difference between the construction of city homes to the ones that encompass the green countryside. These homes are surrounded by strawberry farms, huge ferns, and flower plantations, which compliment the massive coffee fields.

We now begin our assent to the national park where we will soon relax and enjoy an authentic cup of Costa Rican coffee accompanied by a delicious tropical breakfast. You will feel a change in temperature and the lush vegetation becomes apparent, preparing us for the pleasures of the exuberant cloud forest of the Poás Volcano. On a clear day the view of the main crater is admired by all visitors, with its diameter is considered one of the widest in the world. After this we will enjoy a quick hike on a trail which leads us to the Botos Lagoon (an extinct crater), where many different ecosystems exist and where some of the many species of flora and fauna of this cloud forest can be observed. After leaving the National Park we will be able to observe some dairy farms which have become the pride of Costa Ricans, due to the quality and the rich tasting products that are currently being exported to several other Latin American countries.

As we continue towards the Caribbean zone, we will stop to discover La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a Nature Park where we will walk on the truly spectacular trails that will lead us to Magia Blanca Falls (the largest and the most spectacular of the falls in the area). At the Park you will also witness the largest enclosed butterfly observatory in the world with a beautiful collection of tropical jewels. After a terrific lunch we will continue to Sarapiquí and on our way we come across the La Paz Waterfall, where we take some time to enjoy the splendid view. Less than a mile away we will encounter yet another waterfall surrounded by virgin forest, which becomes a great photo opportunity.

As our journey continues we have the pleasure of observing the unique characteristics of the Atlantic area. We come across quaint towns and farmhouses that are encompassed by beautiful pineapple, yuca, coco, and heart of palm plantations. One could never miss the tropical plants that enhance this picturesque view. Once we arrive at Puerto Viejo (Old Port), we will be ready to enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the Sarapiquí River, just sit back and observe the wildlife that is around you. The monkeys, iguanas, crocodiles, and the variety of birds will allow you to relax and concentrate on the scenery. During the boat ride our guide will also explain to us about life style of the friendly people that live at the river margins. Before returning to San Jose we will drive through the unforgettable rain forest of Braulio Carrillo National Park, one of the most important rainforest reserves for Costa Rica.

INCLUDES: Breakfast, visit to coffee fields, Poás Volcano National Park craters and cloud forest trails, Botos Lagoon, visit to La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park and all its natural wonders,La Paz, Magia Blanca and San Fernando Falls. lunch, jungle ride on the Sarapiquí River, visit to a butterfly and tropical frogs garden, snacks, and sightseeing the 45,899 ha. Braulio Carrillo National Park.

Suggested Equipment: Hat, light jacket, raingear, walking shoes, insect repellent, binoculars, and camera.

(One day)
Pick up time:....9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. approximately
Include:..............Lunch

Our guests traverse from tree to tree and platform to platform using pulleys on horizontal traverse cables, as they sail through the treetops of the tropical rainforest canopy, and over the trails far below. Expert guides assist you in this exciting journey through the different layers of the virgin rain forests and explain whats going on around you, from the time you leave the ground, until you rappel back down to the forest floor.
Our main objective is to provide tourists a unique activity and ecological experience while, at the same time, helping to aid in the preservation of the worlds endangered rain forests through direct financial support to conservation, education and reforestation efforts.

By modifying techniques and equipment originally used by spelunkers (cavers) and canyon rappelers,

The Original CANOPY TOUR® offers any adventurous tourist the opportunity to ascend into the forest canopyand see jungle life from a perspective available previously to only a select few researchers and photographers.

We offer you:

The Original Canopy Tour, with professional guides and equipment, transportation with private bus from your hotel / airport arrange hotel / lodge reservations special arrangements for movie locations and professional photographers discounts / special tour packages
we take on volunteers each year arrange flight schedules arrange other exciting things to do in Costa Rica.

Other services ?
Ask for it - nothing is impossible !

(One day)


Pick up time:....11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. approximately
Include:.............Lunch

The "Góndola" (Aerial Tram) tour is a modified "Ski Lift" which covers a distance of 2.6 kilometers through the Costa Rican rainforest. The Tour lasts approximately 90 minutes and travels at a speed of 2.6 kilometers per hour.

The main idea of the course is to show all visitors the different levels of a rainforest, specifically the hardest level of access and up to now the least scientifically known part of the forest, the canopy (the tree tops).

The canopy is home to an enormous amount of flora and fauna that inhabits the rainforest. In their eagerness to search for light and space many plants have colonized the tree tops turning them into "small ecosystems", these plants are known as "epífitas", which means, "plants that grow over other plants". Orchids, "bromelias", different types of moss, ferns, lianas and the bejucos, etc, are just some of the species which make up the canopy.

As with the canopy, or tree top ecosystems, the Fauna is also very abundant throughout these tropical rainforests, however it is much harder to observe. The most common species found here are: many types of butterflies, different bird species such as, toucans, parrots, wood peckers, sparrowhawks, eagle-hawks, tanagers, "reinitas" and many others. Reptiles like snakes and lizards as well as amphibian species such as "tree frogs" can also be found in the Fauna of the rainforest.

Those who have ventured through the Forest Tree Tops have also discovered a very attractive group of mammals. In this category we have three monkey species, two kinds of sloths, two kinds of anteater bears and of course a great number of bat species.

The most abundant fauna group of the canopy and one that is greatly unknown to scientists are the many types of insects.

From the Aerial Tram you can also appreciate all the different shades of green as well as the various sizes and shapes that the leaves have created as a strategy to capture sunlight.

The course is very secure and very quiet; this allows visitors to listen to the many different sounds of the rainforest.