This morning we will check-out from Hotel Bougainvillea and board our private shuttle for our trip to Turrialba.  Along the way we will visit Irazú Volcano National Park for a walk in its lunar landscape and a look into the crater.  Later we will visit the beautiful Lankester Botanical Gardens.  In the afternoon, continue traveling to the Turrialba Valley, in the shade of the active Turrialba volcano.

INCLUDED

* Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

* Lodging:  Hotel Villa Florencia

* Visit:  Irazú Volcano National Park

* Visit:  Lankester Botanical Garden

Irazú Volcano National Park
Irazú Volcano National Park, is in the province of Cartago. The volcano is still active although the last major eruptions were between 1963 and 1965, with occasional minor eruptions and some small lava flows since that time. The forest is made up of conifers and other exotic species, and also a native forest consisting mainly of oaks and alder, protecting the watershed of the Reventado River.

The main crater lake has an unusual greenish yellow coloring caused by rainfall dissolving the minerals along the craters walls. It has also been known to change color to rust-red depending on the minerals present. The inactive, dry Diego de la Haya crater, sits just up to the right of the main crater and is filled with volcanic ash.

Lankester Botanical Garden

Lankester Botanical Garden is located in Costa Rica, set on a 11-hectare property providing conservation, exhibition and research of tropical epiphytic plants with a focus on orchids. The botanical garden features over 3000 species of plants, a Japanese Garden, forest with trails, souvenir shop and a deck area for eating and drinking.

Turrialba
Situated in the Costa Rican Cartago Province, the small city of Turrialba is home to flourishing agriculture, textile, and tourism industries. Renowned for its amazing white water rafting, visitors can enjoy thrilling excursions down the Pacuare and Reventazon Rivers. This city serves as the gateway to the Costa Rican Caribbean and has been declared as a city of National Archeological Interest. Visitors can explore the largely undiscovered Turrialba Volcano National Park, home of the active Turrialba Volcano.

Hotel Villa Florencia

Hotel Villa Florencia offers guests the ideal place to rest in one of the most picturesque areas of Turrialba Valley. Sugarcane plantations and beautiful vegetation surround the hotel. It is located only 10 minutes from the city of Turrialba and guests will be able to enjoy privacy and hospitality. Hotel Villa Florencia offers 20 rooms carefully designed in harmony with the atmosphere around the villa, and its familiar and personal attention.

This morning we will visit also Hacienda Sitio de Mata, where you will learn about the whole process for the coffee and the sugar cane.  There will be opportunities to try all the different products available! Later in the day we will visit the Tropical Agronomy Center for Research and Learning (CATIE), and see their botanical gardens with plants from around the world.  

INCLUDED

* Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

* Lodging:  Villa Florencia

* Visit:  Hacienda Sitio de Mata

* Visit:  CATIE

Hacienda Sitio de Mata Tour

Hacienda Sitio de Mata offers a guided expedition consisting of touring the hacienda, where visitors will learn about the different processes of coffee, macadamia and sugar cane. During the tour, visitors will also visit a colonial church from 1850 and a plank house built in 1750 on the slopes of the Irazú volcano. The journey includes a Costa Rican typical lunch.

The Botanical Garden of CATIE

Surrounded by the calls of birds, the whisper of the giant Guanacaste tree and the imposing Ceiba, The Botanical Garden of CATIE is a special place to relax. Here, tourists will find life ranging from minuscule parasites to exquisite orchids, bromeliads and robust stands of bamboo. The garden serves as a laboratory for students and scientists investigating the molecular and morphological characteristics of the conserved species. It is also an educational site, where awareness about environmental conservation and the sustainable use and protection of natural resources is promoted.

After breakfast we will check-out of Hotel Villa Florencia and begin to travel back towards San Jose.  After one final visit to a local plant nursery, travel back to the Central Valley.  In the evening, visit Mrs. Ileana Terán's home, see her private garden, and share her stories and knowledge over fine wine.

INCLUDED

* Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

* Lodging:  Hotel Bougainvillea

* Visit:  Jardin Ileana Terán

* Transfer to Heredia

This morning we will check out of Hotel Bougainvillea and head West out of San Jose and on to the Central Pacific Coast.  On the way there we will be stopping at The Green Ark Foundation.  After lunch we will continue on to Quepos.

INCLUDED

* Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

* Lodging:  Hotel San Bada

* Visit:  The Green Ark

The Green Ark Foundation

The Green Ark Foundation is located in Santa Barbara de Heredia, Costa Rica, and is a foundation that aims to educate and share knowledge of the use of plants. The botanical garden features different terraces, including a Medicinal garden, a culinary garden, a tropical food garden, an essential oils garden and a natural colorants garden. Visitors may enjoy walking around the garden, and there are guided tours available. The on-site restaurant serves delicious produce from the garden, which visitors may enjoy.

Hotel San Bada
Hotel San Bada is located a two minute walk away from the popular Manuel Antonio Beach in Costa Rica. The hotel is approximately 6 km from downtown Quepos and its marine port. Travel through colorful places by the mountains, bridges that cross rivers full of crocodiles and highways that border the coast of the Costa Rican Pacific. Observe the mountains covered with beautiful foliage and the beaches of the Central Pacific.

This morning we will experience the Rainforest Spices tour at Villa Vanilla. Afterwards, we will visit Manuel Antonio National Park. Come prepared to hike in the forest and enjoy time at the beach!

INCLUDED

* Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

* Lodging:  Hotel San Bada

* Visit:  Villa Vanilla 

* Visit:  Manuel Antonio National Park

Villa Vanilla Rainforest Spices Farm Tour

Villa Vanilla Rainforest Spices Farm Tour takes place at the magical Villa Vanilla Spice Plantation located in the Central Pacific rain forest, overlooking Manuel Antonio National Park. Spanning over 27 acres of agriculture production and 125 acres of primary and secondary rainforest, this expansive farmland houses vanilla, as well as true Ceylon cinnamon, cocoa, black pepper, allspice, turmeric, and a variety of exotic fruits, essential oil and medicinal plants. Available in both the morning and afternoon, this serene half-day tour allows participants to experience the sights, tastes, and aromas of the spices, meander along the winding plantation trail and shop for souvenirs to take home.

Manuel Antonio National Park

Set just south of Quepos, on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast, the Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the most bio-diverse areas in the world. Boasting enthralling rain forests,  beaches, and gorgeous coral reefs, this is an ultimate destination for outdoor explorers. Some of the best beaches are the Playa Espadilla Sur and Playa Manuel Antonio, and the conditions for swimming, snorkeling, and surfing (lessons are offered) are excellent here. In the forests, hikers may see iguanas, sloths, snakes, lizards, butterflies, different types of monkeys and brightly colored tiny crabs. The forest is a mecca for birdwatchers - there are more than 350 spectacular bird species including toucans and emerald amazon kingfishers. Several lovely bistros and bars are scattered around the outskirts.

After breakfast we will check-out of Hotel San Bada and board the shuttle to begin our trip back into the Central Valley and our final trip back into San Jose.  On our way we will stop at Botanical Orchid Garden where we will spend time exploring the gardens and enjoying a nice lunch.

INCLUDED

* Meals:  Breakfast, lunch, dinner

* Lodging:  Hotel Don Ernesto

* Visit:  The Botanical Orchid Garden

Botanical Orchid Garden

Botanical Orchid Garden is located in La Garita, Alajuela. For more than 30 years, trees and palms have been planted throughout the property. This has created a habitat for hundreds of plants so that visitors can enjoy walking along the garden's trails. The nurseries preserve, cultivate and reproduce an extensive orchid family.

Hotel Don Ernesto
Our hotel is located in a beautiful 74-hectare coffee plantation, the song of the birds will wake you up, you will be able to walk through beautiful private trails, you will learn everything about coffee.  Our rooms are inspired by the typical Costa Rican country house, cozy without frills.  With a view of the coffee plantation, you will enjoy a delicious Gallo Pinto and freshly brewed coffee. Lush tropical gardens await you just 30 minutes from the airport.

• After Breakfast we will check-out from Hotel Don Ernesto for our transfer back to

   San Jose International Airport (SJO) where you will catch your flight back home.

• Or begin your Optional Tour Extension.  See Discover Garden Tours for details.

Pura vida!

INCLUDED

*  Breakfast

*  Airport transfer