46D05. Corcovado on the Osa Peninsula, then Self Drive to Monteverde & Arenal (8 Days/7 Nights)
Essential Costa Rica Includes Deluxe Camping, Cloud Forest Visit and Arenal Volcano
From US$1,100.00 per person in double occupancy (or US$137.00 per person per day).

Spend the first two-and-a-half days at Corcovado Lodge, in one of Costa Rica's most remote areas. Here you will have the opportunity to observe nature in the canopy from the vantage point of a 120-feet-high tree platform. Return to San Jose to pick up your rental car for the drive to Monteverde Lodge, where you will visit the Cloud Forest Reserve and, on Day 7, visit Arenal to see an active volcano.

Meal codes: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner.

Day 1: Arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica (No meals.)
Arrival at Juan Santamaria International Airport. After passing through Immigration one of our representatives will greet you at the airport. Look for a sign that has your unique identifier along with your name. After you submit your booking request you will receive a full itinerary along with in-country descriptions, including all airport and hotel transfer instructions included in your proposal. He or she will take you to your hotel. Overnight at Don Carlos Hotel.

Day 2: San Jose / Corcovado (B,L,D)
Pick up at San Jose hotel for the 30-60 minute transfer to Pavas Airport. From here you will fly for one hour to Carate, about a mile southeast of Corcovado Lodge. Upon arrival, walk 30-45 minutes with a Corcovado Guide to the Lodge (luggage will be transported by the Lodge). Free afternoon for hiking through Corcovado Lodge Preserve and/or Corcovado National Park. Dinner and overnight at Corcovado Lodge Tent Camp.

Day 3: Corcovado Lodge Canopy Tree Platform (B,L,D)
Join your guide on a trip to the rainforest canopy via our tree platform. Located within the remote Corcovado Lodge Reserve, adjacent to Corcovado National Park, the canopy platform system effortlessly lifts you 120 feet into emergent old growth trees to experience a world rarely observed. From this new vantage point you have the opportunity to view life in a primary rainforest canopy through the trained eyes of a certified Platform Guide. Return to the lodge around noon. Afternoon free. Overnight at Corcovado Lodge.

Day 4: Corcovado (B,L,D)
Free day to explore the trails surrounding the Lodge or participate in an optional activity (at additional cost) such as bird watching or other. Overnight at Corcovado Lodge.

Day 5: Corcovado / San Jose (B)
Either early or mid morning 30-to-45-minute walk (depending on the tides) to the Carate airstrip with a Corcovado Guide to catch your flight to San Jose (one hour). Upon arrival in San Jose, a car rental representative will deliver a 4x4 car. Be sure to have a major credit card for the deductible deposit, which in this case is US$1,000.00. This is credit back when the car is returned without any damages. Drive to the Monteverde area (about four hours). Overnight at Monteverde Lodge & Gardens.

Day 6: Monteverde (B)
Free day in the area. Optional activities available (at additional cost), including visit to a Butterfly Garden or Hummingbird Gallery, walks in the Monteverde and Santa Elena Reserves, horseback riding and more. Overnight at Monteverde Lodge.

Day 7: Monteverde / Arenal (B)
Drive to the Arenal area (about four hours). Optional activities available (at additional cost), including birding, mountain biking and hot springs. Overnight at the Arenal Observatory Lodge.

Day 8: Arenal / San Jose / Departure (B)
Drive back to San Jose (approx. three hours). Drop off the vehicle at the return office at the international airport. Keep in mind that you need to check-in at least two hours prior to your flight's scheduled departure time.

*Note: Pricing can vary considerably depending on the number of people in your group and travel dates. Please contact us for an accurate quote on this or any other trip on our web site.

Feb. 2, 2006. “Everything about how your lodges are run is first-rate…I never realized tent living could be so luxurious.”
I'm very pleased to provide you feedback as my wife Cathy and I had a terrific experience during our Jan. 16-23 trip arranged by Costa Rica Expeditions! The itinerary (Monteverde Lodge and Corcovado Lodge Tent Camp) was just perfect, thanks to Marco Madrigal. Everything went very smoothly, and everyone from CRE did their jobs superbly, from the host (I'm sorry to forget his name) who met us at Juan Santamaria, to the very friendly driver who took us to Monteverde, to the front desk folks at Monteverde, to all the staff at Corcovado Lodge (special thanks to Kenya who is very, very good).

The guides we had at both Monteverde and Corcovado (particularly Fillo) were EXCELLENT. We were very impressed with their knowledge of the rainforest and even their tolerance for good-natured ribbing.

The overnight stay at Grano de Oro (between the stays at your lodges) was very comfortable, and the restaurant there is top-notch. Great recommendation. Everything about how your lodges are run is first-rate, from the level of service, to the smooth execution of the ground and air transfers, to the comfort of the accommodations (I never realized tent living could be so luxurious), to the quality of the food, and to, most interestingly, the variety and caliber of the guests you attract. I wouldn't change a thing!

I'm already planning a return trip to the Tent Camp with at least one of our teen-age sons, hopefully this year. Corcovado is indeed God's country, and we'd not want to experience it any other way than with you folks. Thanks for a great vacation, it definitely is/was, as you say, an "unforgettable memory."
-John S. King and Cathy Gennert