Costa Rica — The Americas — Explore Worldwide 2008/09 online holiday brochure

THE AMERICAS COSTA RICA Tree frog Quetzals of the Cloudforest 16 DAYS HOTELS/LODGES RAINFOREST, WILDLIFE, VOLCANOES & BEACHES Ref CC JFMAMJJASOND JFMA Quetzals of the Cloudforest Ref CC Lake Nicaragua NICARAGUA CARIBBEAN SEA 1633m ARENAL Arenal Puerto Viejo 3432m Irazu TORTUGUERO NP Sea turtles perhaps catching sight of the unusual barenecked umbrella bird or even the elusive yet resplendent quetzal. Finally we head to Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific coast. You can walk among a variety of flora and fauna or just relax on miles of beach, where monkeys and iguanas often come down to the sand. MONTEVERDE 2707m RESERVE Cloud forest Quetzals Poas Guayabo SAN JOSE Quepos TURRIALBA Cartago Rafting FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/San Jose. 2 In San Jose; city tour; visit Poas volcano. 3 Drive via Cartago to Turrialba. 4 At Turrialba; visit Guayabo ruins; optional rafting. 5 Drive and boat to Tortuguero NP. 6 Explorations in Tortuguero NP by boat and on foot. 7 Boat/bus Arenal area. 8 Optional excursion to hot springs; jungle float or walks. 9 Boat across Lago Arenal; 4WD to Monteverde. 10 & 11 In Monteverde; walks. 12 Drive via Carara Reserve to Manuel Antonio NP. 13 In Manuel Antonio NP; walks, swimming, relaxing. 14 Drive San Jose. 15 Fly London. 16 Arrive London. Accommodation & Meals: 12nts hotel, 2nts lodge; 10 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 3 dinners included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/Riverboat/4WD/On foot. Comment: An easy-going wildlife exploration of Costa Rica's diverse habitats and the opportunity for easy walks in one of Central America's most attractive countries. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver, boatmen and some local guides. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16. COSTA RICA MANUEL ANTONIO NP Sandy beaches Iguana km 0 120 PACIFIC OCEAN Sandy beaches/Emily Morgan When Columbus landed at Limon on the Caribbean coast on his fourth and final voyage to the Americas, he could only guess at what beauty the interior possessed. With long sandy beaches, towering volcanoes and unspoilt tropical rainforest, Costa Rica is a naturalist's paradise the habitat of some 800 species of bird and over 1,200 species of orchid. Poas Volcano & Guayabo Ruins Arriving in San Jose, we visit the gigantic Poas volcano (2707m) a towering (and still smoking) crater, where fumeroles are surrounded by tropical forest and humming birds can be seen hovering among wild orchids. We'll visit the Indian ceremonial centre at Guayabo, Costa Rica's most important archaeological site. Poas volcano Quetzals of the Cloudforest 16 DAYS HOTELS/LODGES RAINFOREST, WILDLIFE, VOLCANOES & BEACHES Ref DCC J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A FACTFILE For those who fancy travelling in a little more comfort, we offer the same itinerary In Style. Following exactly the same route and participating in all the activities offered in our Quetzals of the Cloudforest tour, there are a number of departures where we stay in some of Costa Rica's finer, more distinctive hotels. A rainforest adventure with style! Itinerary Day 1 to 16 As Ref. CC (See above). Accommodation & Meals: 12nts hotel, 2nts lodge; 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 2 dinners included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/Riverboat/4WD/On foot. Comment: A comfortable exploration of Costa Rica's diverse habitats and wildlife, offering the opportunity for easy walks in one of Central America's most attractive countries. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver, boatmen and some local guides. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16. Tortuguero National Park There's a chance to whitewater raft from Turrialba (optional), before we make our way into the tangled forests and swamps of Tortuguero National Park. Boarding our riverboat, we'll enter a network of jungle waterways, where brightly coloured parrots can be seen among thick creepers and vines. We pause to listen to the cry of howler monkeys and glimpse a variety of wildlife and flora. Monteverde & Pacific Coast We head for Arenal a classic volcanic cone and then travel by boat and 4WD up into the cloud forest of Monteverde Reserve where some 2,500 species of rare plants are found. Here, we'll enjoy a spot of birdwatching, 200 Essential information, departure dates & prices see Pricing & Information Supplement

The Americas contd… Costa Rica