Costa Rica

Carara is located in a transition zone between the dry forest and humid forest of the Costa Rican North Pacific region, this reserve protects ecosystems not found in any other conservation area. It also is an island of forest completely surrounded by land dedicated to human activities. Created to facilitate investigations, scientific studies, and environment education. This area is considering an excellent living laboratory in which you can study the structure and function of the tropical ecosystems and the relation between them.
Carara has several ecosystems like the cinagas, lagoons and gallery forests, secondary and primary. The wild life is very abundant. You can notice white faced monkeys, two toed sloth�s, and one of the favorite bird because of its beautiful plumage and because is en danger of extinct is the scarlet macaw

This tour will get you in the rich Costa Rican culture and history by experiencing the great museums and historical sites of the beautiful city of San Jos�. It begins with an orientation and drive through the beautiful Sabana Park. Next, we will take a walking tour through the historic National Theater. Completed in 1897, the theater is a masterpiece in art and architecture. Afterwards we will visit the Culture Plaza and one of the many unique museums of Costa Rica, the “Museo Nacional” (National Museum). Then, we will go to the University of Costa Rica, the Supreme Court and various sites of interest. A brief stop will be made in a beautiful art craft shopping store allowing you to browse through it before returning to your hotel and why not, get souvenirs for those who are expecting you back at home.

Behold our organic coffee fields and roasting facilities, where our professional actors/guides will lead you on an entertaining multimedia tour depicting the journey of the World’s Finest Coffee from plantation to cup! Here you will also discover coffee’s vital role in forging Costa Rican democracy and cultivating a national identity around hard-working, peace-loving, friendly and environmentally conscious “Ticos,” as Costa Ricans affectionately call themselves. Be a part of an unforgettable adventure.
Discover the hidden secrets of coffee’s lifecycle, from plantation to cup. Be a part of the traditions, history and incredible world expansion of the marvelous coffee bean, which is today one of Costa Rica’s principal exports.

With the establishment of ManuelAntonio National Park in 1972, the people of Costa Rica decided to preserve, for future generations, one of the most beautiful and bio-diverse areas in the world. Although it is the country’s smallest national park, the stunning beauty and diversity of wildlife in its 683 hectares is unequaled.
Manuel Antonio contains a charming combination of rain forest, beaches and coral reefs. This beaches are the most beautiful in the country, lined with lush forest, and the snorkeling is excellent too. The forest is home for sloths, iguanas, the rare and adorable squirrel monkeys and millions of colorful little crabs. And the trail that winds around Punta Catedral affords some spectacular views. The park is easy to reach, south of the town of Quepos, and is near a good selection of hotels and restaurants. Visiting the park, one is treated to an abundant diversity of wildlife.

Cathedral Point, with its forest topped cliffs was once an island, but is now connected to the coast by a thin strip of island. This land bridge now forms the spine separating the parks two most popular beaches, Playa Espadilla Sur and Playa Manuel Antonio. The southern facing beach, Playa Manuel Antonio, is a picturesque half mile long, white sand crescent bisecting deep green foliage to one side and a private, secluded cove to the other. Standing with your feet dug into the sand and watching the wave crash against the rocks on either side of the lagoon, it is easy to believe that you are a thousand miles from anywhere.

Include: Full insurance, A/C and comfortable transportation, experienced driver, naturalist tour guide, entrance fees, lunch a la carte, cold beverages on the car and beach break to swim.

What to bring: Camera, sandals or hiking shoes, swimsuit, sunblock, rain coat or poncho, hat, towel.

Tour lenght: between 7 and 9 hours from Jaco, Puntarenas and San Jose and about 5 hours from hotels in Manuel Antonio or Quepos areas.

“A Piece of heaven”
This is the phrase that thousands of national and international tourists use after visiting the beautiful area of Monteverde every year. Not just for its impressive landscapes or exuberant vegetation, but for the warm reception by the Tico population. People from Monteverde are typical Costa Ricans.
The history of Monteverde began in the early 1950s, when a group of Quaker families from United States arrived to Costa Rica in search of peace and tranquility. Some members of these families were imprisoned by the American government due to the fact that they didn’t want to take part in the Korean War. For that reason they decided to settle in Costa Rica, mainly because of its lack of an army and also because of the nature they found.

However, long time before the arrival of these Quakers, the Monteverde area was already settled by a group of Costa Rican farmers, coming from towns like San Ramon de Alajuela, Esparza and Miramar. Their purpose was to establish farms for subsistence living.

Monteverde Costa Rica has become a tourist attraction all over the world, due the biodiversity of its forests, crystalline waters, fresh air and the existence of outstanding species such as the Quetzal, the Three-wattled Bellbird, the Bare-necked Umbrellabird and the Golden Toad (nowadays extinct).

For this reason, in 2007 Monteverde Cloud Forest is considered one of the Costa Rica’s Seven Wonders, along with Cocos Island, Tortuguero, Arenal Volcano, Chirripo Mountain, Celeste River and Poas Volcano.

The biodiversity of Monteverde includes more than 400 bird species, including the magnificent quetzal, bellbird and black guan, 120 species of amphibians and reptiles, 490 of butterflies, 100 of mammals (60 being bat species). Some species of mammals like the tapir, ocelot and jaguar are nowadays threatened by extinction.

The story of conservation at Po�s began in Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the 1960’s. Mario Boza was a student when he visited the park in the United States and was so impressed that he developed a plan to manage the area around Po�s Volcano in a similar way, presented it as his masters thesis, and pursued its implementation. How the plan was adopted as an integral part of the birth and development of the National Park system in Costa Rica is described in David Rains Wallace’s book, The Quetzal and the Macaw.
Attractions and Amenities
Po�s volcano is a powerful symbol of the geothermal forces that formed Costa Rica. When the mist and clouds part you’ll see the sulfuric, bubbling, green rain fed lake at the bottom, surrounded by smoke and steam rising from fumaroles. Water from the lake is constantly seeping through cracks in the hot rock, evaporating and building pockets of steam. When the pressure in these pockets exceeds the weight of the water above, the steam breaks through in geysers that rocket up to 820 feet (250 meters) high. Don’t worry about getting a shower though, the crater is 1,050 feet (320 meters) deep. At almost a mile (1.6 km) across it’s also the largest active crater in the world.

Po�s is active, but don’t expect to see a full fledged eruption or even any lava flow here, the most recent period of eruptive activity ended in 1954. The last major activity was in 1910 when nearly a million tons of ash was ejected along with an immense column of smoke and steam.

A modern visitors center (wheelchair accessible) and small museum explains and interprets the geothermal and ecological attractions in the park. A cafe serves coffee and hot drinks�as much to wrap your hands around to warm them as anything else�sandwiches, and snacks.

The volcano provides an excellent if extreme example of the effects of acid rain. Around the caldera, and for several miles downwind, the vegetation is stunted brown and black by the tainted moisture that precipitates from the omnipresent clouds near the peak.
Trails that lead through cloud forest stunted and twisted, not only by volcanic emissions but the rigors of the cold windy high altitude habitat. Lake Botos fills an extinct crater at the end of one trail, and is home to many cloud forest birds including hummingbirds, tanagers, flycatchers, toucanets, Costa Rica’s national bird the clay-colored robin, and the area’s most famous avian resident, the resplendent quetzal.

In the region: Po�s Volcano National Park is an easy day trip from most locations in the central valley, and can easily be combined with a number of other activities. A tour of a coffee farm is the perfect way to drive the chill out of your bones after an early morning atop Po�s. The lower slopes of Po�s Volcano are covered with fruit farms and huge ornamental flower farms. Most of the roses, lilies and other flowers grown in this region are driven to Sarchi town and it�s colorful oxcarts and souvenirs made by the locals on their backyards.

The Rainmaker Conservation Project founded in 2003 is a privately owned rainforest reserve. The reserve is one of the last remnants of primary rainforest in Costa Rica. It is home to 60% of all the flora and fauna species found in Costa Rica. The reserve has created a series of suspension bridges allowing you to see the forest from a unique perspective. the highlight being a suspension bridge 160 above the canopy. A very educational tour for the whole family.

Experience the raw power of the rainforest through our SkyWay walking tour. Of 1.5 miles (2.5 km) in length, this all-ages tour lets you observe a wide array of exotic flora and wildlife firsthand. Make yourself one with the jungle! Each of these bridges is an astonishing 300 feet in length, crossing through the very heart of the tropical rainforest. Experience the unique sensation of getting surrounded by the magic of virgin, unspoiled nature. privileged location, along the border between the Tropical and Dry Pacific eco-systems, gives us the benefit of gathering hundreds of species of birds as well as exotic animals (poison dart frog, monkeys, raccoons, lizards, anteaters and many more), plus astonishing views of the Pacific Ocean! It would be hard to get to see this many species and vistas anywhere else!

Those who are looking for the ideal fishing trip, need look no further than the beautiful Natural Paradise of Costa Rica. It’s a Country with an unmatched combination of the of unspoiled beaches, mountains, volcanoes, great fishing spots, experienced captains, world record holders, eco-tourism,great accommodations and friendly people. Costa Rica has gained an international reputation as having one of the best concentrations of billfish year round. For all of the bluewater anglers, there are opportunities for Blue marlin and Black marlin as well as Tuna and Dorado.
Includes: A/C transportation, bilingual and experienced Mate and Captain, Lunch, cold beveranges, all the equipment and insurance.
Length: Full day and half day tours.
Departure time: Early morning, early afternoon.
Wath to bring: Camera, fresh comfortable clothes, hat and sunblock.

A hidden tropical island with dreamy white-sand beaches and incredibly blue waters awaits just off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica�s. We�ll pick you up at your San Jos� hotel and drive you through lush mountains en route to the Pacific port city of Puntarenas, where you�ll board the luxury yacht. You�ll then begin a sun drenched cruise across the picturesque Gulf of Nicoya to Tortuga Island. Along the way, an attentive crew will serve fresh tropical fruit and exotic drinks.
Once on the island, you can enjoy the magnificent sugar-white beach and gentle turquoise waters. You�ll have ample time for snorkeling, lounging on the beach, playing beach volleyball with the crew, exploring the island or just plain relaxing in this tropical paradise.
You will be served a delicious buffet lunch with wine, right on the beach, before returning to San Jos� in the late afternoon.

Jungle Crocodile Safari�s tour time is two hours. Our bilingual tourist guide offers expert orientation about the crocodiles and other associated wildlife. On the way downstream, the boat heads along the Estero Guacalillo, a most awesome mangrove ecosystem that features four different species of mangrove trees. In addition to sightseeing, photography and videotaping are permited.
Tourists receive a bottle of cold drinking water along with a brochure that shows all 56 bird species commonly sighted along the river.
he best way to catch sight of these beautiful creatures is on board the boats of The Jungle Crocodile Safari on the Tarcoles River. The Tarcoles is located in the Central Pacific region of Costa Rica, close to Carara National Park. There you can observe more than 50 species of native, migratory and costal birds. Our tour also travels through mangroves, the refuge of the Scarlet Macaw where its presence is frequent. During our two-hour journey down the Tarcoles, you can observe the birds from a short distance while accompanied by a bilingual guide. The tour also includes an informative bird pamphlet and bottled water.
in the mangroves of Guacalillo it�s possible to observe the Mangrove Warbler, Mangrove vireo, Panama Flycatcher, and the American Pygmy Kingfisher among others.

This tour is the most thrilling, exciting and safe adventure tours that you can do in Costa Rica!
We offer you spectacular eco-adventure tours that provide a unique experience in the canopy of the tropical rainforest.
While zipping over cables as high as 120 foot over ground level, we offer you a bird’s eye view of the rainforest canopy, which is home to an estimated 60% of rainforest species! Vista Los Suenos Canopy Tour is located just outside Jaco and near the Carara Biological Reserve and is part of an important ecological transition zone between Costa Rica’s drier northwest and more humid south. This transitional rainforest grows on steep slopes, and has studded massive trees laden with vines, bromeliads and orchids. The gear used is top quality climbing harnesses and equipment, made and certified by reputable, well-established manufacturers. Designed not only as an extreme adventure, but a way to enjoy nature without harming the environment. Their property boasts spectacular views of the Herradura bay and Island near Jaco. Within the property, you will have the opportunity to view the Scarlet Macaws, Chest nut mandible Toucans and white-face monkeys. The adventure starts on a 15 minute ride aboard our specially designed 40 passenger tractor. Once we arrive to the top of the mountain we then descend to the bottom via a series of zip lines, including 15 platforms and 14 cables with a total cable distance of 3.5 kilometers�..including the longest cable in the area of 2400 ft
Eco-tourism, including adventure tours, is the country’s most important industry. Many foreign visitors rate canopy tours as one of the highlights of their vacation package, ideal for families, groups, incentive activities and companies. We are also the perfect destination for those interested in some fun team building.

Take an exciting horseback riding excursion into the jungle to the spectacular Bijagual waterfalls, one of the highest waterfalls in Costa Rica. Cascading 600ft high from cliffs that stand deep in the lush jungle. Travel along the road to Bijagual and take in the breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. See quaint local fishing villages as you hike through the small mountain range between Carara National Park and the protected zone of Turrubares, After this scenic drive you takes you will continue on horseback along the jungle trail, this ride is short, but challenging, and well worth it once you stop within a few hundred yards of the waterfalls and hear the roaring sounds of the plummeting water as it hits the naturally formed pools below

Is a challenging recreational activity utilizing a raft to navigate a river or other bodies of water. This is usually done on whitewater or different degrees of rough water, in order to thrill and excite the raft passengers.
With so much rain in our tropical weather we have excellent rivers for raft around Costa Rica, some of then are close to los sue�os as Naranjo and Savegre in Quepos, or Corobic� in Guanacaste and different classes (I to IV) for really adventurers or family activity

These are other trips.