| Costa Rica is one of my favorite destinations - | | | | - Two nights at Bosque de Paz - private nature |
| there is so much natural beauty crammed in this | | | | reserve and lodge at about 7,000 feet above sea |
| small country of 19,600 square miles. From the | | | | level, Cloud forests and montane rainforests, |
| humble capital city of San Jose, located in the | | | | Secluded and quiet. Ideal for hiking and nature |
| center of the country at about 3.600 feet above | | | | studies |
| sea level, everything is close at hand - the | | | | Alternate: Two nights in Monteverde - popular |
| Caribbean and the Pacific Coast are less than 90 | | | | ecotourist destination and mountain resort |
| minutes away, the lush lowland rainforests of the | | | | straddling the continental divide. Misty cloud |
| Caribbean slope are about 75 minutes away and | | | | forests, very lush and green with views of the |
| the cloud forests and the volcanoes of the central | | | | Pacific Ocean. Somewhat commercial but there |
| highlands are less than 1 hour away. For a visitor | | | | are many attractions in the area. Many lodges to |
| who can afford only 7-8 days in Costa Rica, it is | | | | choose from. Nice social scene. |
| possible to explore a variety of habitats and life | | | | - Two nights La Fortuna - Popular resort area, |
| zones in a very short time period. | | | | and site of Arenal Volcano, most active volcano in |
| The following 8 day/7 night itinerary would be | | | | Costa Rica |
| ideal for such a traveler: | | | | If you can afford to stay 3-5 days longer, I would |
| - One night in San Jose - if you arrive during the | | | | add an extra night at Bosque de Paz and in San |
| day, you may have time for a quick highlights | | | | Jose and/or perhaps 2-3 nights in Manuel Antonio, |
| tour of the city and some shopping | | | | a popular resort area with lush tropical landscapes |
| - Two nights in the Caribbean lowlands - an | | | | and excellent beaches on Costa Rica's Central |
| opportunity to explore the lush rainforests of | | | | Pacific Coast. Alternate - any number of resort |
| Costa Rica. Nature hikes, white water rafting, | | | | areas located on the Nicoya Peninsula (Northern |
| birdwatching etc. | | | | Costa Rica) - Ocotal, Playa Tamarindo, Playa |
| Alternate: 2 nights in Tortuguero - well-established | | | | Samara or Nosara. |
| ecotourist destination located on the Northern | | | | For your information, a variety of tour packages |
| Caribbean Coast. Wet coastal forests, very lush | | | | to Costa Rica are offered by Calypso Island |
| and green. Drive/take motorboat from San Jose | | | | Tours, with themes ranging from turtle watching |
| return by air. Important nesting area for both | | | | to butterfly gardens. All these tours are fully |
| Green and leatherback turtles. | | | | customizable. |