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Gardens of Costa Rica
From £4,395
Summary
The term biodiversity may have been coined with Costa Rica in mind, such is the range of different species within its pristine, tropical forests. Throw in some spectacular scenery and resplendently laid-back citizens, and you have all the makings of a life-affirming holiday experience.
Visit a broad range of gardens both public and private, such as the Else Kientzler Botanical Gardens with its world-class collection of plants. At the Monteverde Cloud Reserve we will see some of the 100 mammals, 400 bird species and more than 2,500 varieties of plants that thrive here, including, if we are lucky, the famously elusive resplendent quetzal.
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Your Departure date
Today's Price
£4,395
Deposit: £420 Single supplement: £995
Includes flights
Meet your Experts
Colin Crosbie
Colin Crosbie was the Head Gardener to Her Majesty The Queen Mother in Windsor prior to taking up the position of Curator at RHS Garden Wisley, and is currently the President of the Scottish Rock Garden Club.
Your itinerary
Day 1 -
Enjoy access to the airport Executive lounge before we fly from London to San José, arriving in time for dinner.
| Hotel | Bougainvillea Hotel |
|---|---|
| Meals included | Dinner |
Day 2 -
After breakfast, we visit the stunning Else Kientzler Botanical Garden, home to a vast array of tropical plant species from around the globe. We spend some time exploring the gardens, wandering the trails and discovering the collections of succulents and bromeliads.
We later also enjoy a visit to a private garden.
| Hotel | Bougainvillea Hotel |
|---|---|
| Meals included | Breakfast, Lunch |
Day 3 -
This morning we check out of our hotel and depart for a visit to La Paz Waterfall Gardens where we visit the world’s largest butterfly garden and learn about the surprisingly complex life of the butterfly. We visit the Hummingbird garden where we will be serenaded by the gentle hum of tiny wings lightly brushing the air as dozens of these colourful jewels buzz around you in search of food and a quiet resting spot. We then take a short walk to the magical waterfalls where the refreshing spray of water from the streaming cascades cools us.
| Hotel | La Quinta Lodge, Sarapiqui |
|---|---|
| Meals included | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Day 4 -
This morning we travel to La Tirimbina reserve, where we visit an organic cacao plantation, with the chance to make and eat our very own chocolate!
In the afternoon we visit Organic Paradise Tour, where we will learn about the process of pineapple farming, from the harvesting to then packing and export. There will of course be an opportunity to taste this delicious, sweet fruit.
| Hotel | La Quinta Lodge, Sarapiqui |
|---|---|
| Meals included | Breakfast, Lunch |
Day 5 -
We check out of the hotel and head west towards Arenal where we will see the majestic Arenal volcano, which has not erupted since 2010 but still rumbles and smokes from time to time. Here we will visit a medicinal garden and discover how various endemic plants are used to produce effective medicines.
In the afternoon, we journey on to our comfortable hotel which enjoys marvellous views of the volcano.
| Hotel | Arenal Springs |
|---|---|
| Meals included | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Day 6 -
This morning we depart on a full day excursion to the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, close to the Nicaraguan border. This area of protected marshland is the epitome of ‘biodiversity’ – in the course of our two and a half hour boat trip we will see an astonishing variety of birds, monkeys, iguanas, sloths, alligators and turtles as well as a diverse range of flora. We will travel back to the Arenal Area where we will visit some of the abundant hot springs to be found here, fed by the constant geo-thermal activity of the region.
| Hotel | Arenal Springs |
|---|---|
| Meals included | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Day 7 -
This morning we leave the hotel and after a boat trip on Lake Arenal, Costa Rica’s largest body of fresh water, which was enlarged to three times its original size when a hydro-electric dam was built here, we head south to Monteverde.
| Hotel | Monteverde Country Lodge |
|---|---|
| Meals included | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Day 8 -
Wander around orchid and butterfly gardens today. Costa Rica has the richest orchid flora in Central America with more than 1400 identified species. At the butterfly garden we can expect to see myriad different species in a garden that has been specially designed to attract these delicate, colourful creatures.
This evening there will be an opportunity to have dinner in the unique Tree House restaurant, built into the upper branches of a huge tree (not included).
| Hotel | Monteverde Country Lodge |
|---|---|
| Meals included | Breakfast, Lunch |
Day 9 -
This morning we have a tour of the Monteverde Cloud Reserve, whose variable climate and large altitudinal gradient supports a complex and extensive eco-system: over 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, tens of thousands of insect species, and over 2,500 varieties of plants, including orchids, bromeliads, ferns, vines and mosses. Animal species include the jaguar, ocelot and Baird’s tapir and birds such as the three-wattled bellbird, bare-necked umbrella bird, and the famously elusive resplendent quetzal – you never know with animals and birds but we might be lucky!
| Hotel | Parador Resort and Spa |
|---|---|
| Meals included | Breakfast, Lunch |
Day 10 -
This morning we tour the Manuel Antonio National Park, which was established in 1972 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 unequalled, with its charming combination of rain forest, beaches and coral reefs. The forest is home for sloths, iguanas, the rare squirrel monkeys and millions of colourful little crabs.
In the afternoon we will take the Rainforest Spices Plantation tour. In this highly sensorial journey we will smell, touch and taste many different spices such as vanilla, cinnamon, cocoa, black pepper and a variety of essential oils and medicinal plants.
| Hotel | Parador Resort and Spa |
|---|---|
| Meals included | Breakfast, Lunch |
Day 11 -
In the morning we depart from the hotel and head back to San José, with a visit to the Orchid Garden in La Garita included en route. Costa Rica has the richest orchid flora in Central America with more than 1400 identified species. On arrival at our hotel there will be some free time to relax.
| Hotel | Bougainvillea Hotel |
|---|---|
| Meals included | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Day 12 -
We transfer to San Jose airport for our return overnight flight to London.
| Meals included | Breakfast |
|---|
Day 13 -
We arrive in London.
Tour dates & prices
Included in your cost:
- Accommodation
- Meals - as per the itinerary
- London pre-flight Executive lounge access
- Comfortable coach travel throughout
- All visits as outlined in the itinerary
- Services of a professional tour manager & local guides
| Tour Departure | Tour ID | Departure date | Return Date | Guided by | Price | Deposit | Single supplement | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 January 2024 | BCOS240126 | 26 January 2024 (Friday) | 7 February 2024 (Wednesday) | Colin Crosbie | £4,395 (inc. flights) |
£420 | £995 | Book your trip |
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