Rainforests play an invaluable role in sustaining life on Earth by regulating the global climate, the water cycle, absorbing carbon dioxide, and providing us with medicines, food, and more. One fourth of the medicines available today owe their existence to plants.

Rainforests cover only 6% of the Earth's land mass, yet they house over half the plant and animal species known to man. Tropical rainforests are defined by two factors: location and amount of rainfall. Rainforests receive from 4 to 8 meters of rain a year, 4-8 times as much rain as the state of New York.



This unique eco-tourism project and research facility opened in October of 1994. The "Rainforest Aerial Tram" takes visitors on a fascinating, aerial excursion through the dense rain forest canopy and its hanging gardens of plants and animals hidden at the tops of tall tropical trees.

Home to two-thirds of all rain forest species, the rain forest canopy is a little-known world of tremendous beauty and extraordinary biological diversity. The site, adjacent to the northern border of Braulio Carillo National Park, possesses one of the richest canopy communities in the world. The Rain Forest Aerial Tram is just 50 minutes from San Jose and opens at 6:00 a.m. daily, except on Mondays when it opens at 9:00 a.m.

The Rainforest Aerial Tram tour departs from the Hotel Don Carlos at 6:20 a.m. and returns back to the hotel around 1:00 p.m. This tour also departs at 11:50 a.m. from another hotel close by and returns at 5:30 p.m. Breakfast or lunch is included depending on which tour is taken.

Rainforest Aerial Tram Tour $85.00 - RESERVE


Corcovado National Park, located in the remote South-Pacific Coast is perhaps Costa Rica’s least explored park but the one that boasts the higher wildlife diversity and complexity, only compared with the Amazonian Jungle. This area has remained relatively unknown. Only during the last years it has been the object of serious scientific research and has appeared in top rated nature-oriented films and magazines. Decide yourself to combine rainforest at its best along with several beach activities and even snorkeling and you will have a delightful tour package that will remain in your mind for years to come. Drake’s Bay has an airport for small planes that conveniently puts you at the door of this tropical paradise. Please limit your luggage weight to 25 pounds per person. Your multi-night stay will be at Drake’s Bay Wilderness Resort, an enchanting place with all the facilities you need to spend a comfortable time there while in close contact with Mother Nature.

Day I: Your package begins once you arrive to Drake's Bay Airport.Transportation from San Jose and back is NOT included in package price but it's available from Sansa Airlines at a price of $ 188.00 roundtrip per person. All taxes are included. Don Carlos Tours is an authorized agent of Sansa, so we can book tickets at your request without any additional cost.

Once there you’ll be picked-up and driven by land and boat to the resort. The afternoon is yours to enjoy your favorite beach activities, canoe a tranquil nearby stream, practice some sea-kayaking (Kayaks and canoes are complimentary).

Day 2: Full day guided hiking adventure into the northern section of Corcovado National Park. Access to the park is achieved by motorboat, bordering the coast. Take your hiking boots, there could be some mud. Remember you are at the heart of the rainforest. Lunch will be provided at the park’s ranger station.

Day 3: Caño Island Full Day Snorkeling Tour. After navigating some 45 minutes you’ll reach this small Costa Rican Island. It became famous years ago due to the mysterious, almost perfect round-shaped stones that our Indians elaborated and left there. Most of them can be seen at our National Museum and in a few particular residences belonging to wealthy citizens.

This place's greater asset is the extraordinary marine biodiversity of the waters that surround it. You will have enough time to snorkel. Snorkeling equipment is included or you can take your own. Diving is also possible but tanks are not included in the package price. Which full day tour comes first depends on the programming made by the Resort.

Day 4: After breakfast you’ll be taken to Drake’s Airport, where your already reserved plane will take you back to San Jose.

Corcovado 4D/3N Tour Package includes: All meals, three night lodging, two full day guided tours, as described, and complimentary use of kayaks and canoes. Minimum two persons


This Tour Package is not recommended during our rainiest months of September and October.







Corcovado Deluxe 4D/3N (Double Occupancy) $635.00
(High Season: December 15 - May 14 ) -
RESERVE

Corcovado Deluxe 4D/3N (Double Occupancy) $555.00
(Green Season: May 15 - December 14 ) -
RESERVE

This is perhaps the wildest and least explored area of Costa Rica. Pristine beaches and virgin rainforest is what visitors will find in this tropical paradise. National Geographic Society has catalogued this region as “one of the most biologically intense places on Earth”.

This is exactly the same package as the one described above. The only difference is the place where you stay: Punta Marenco Lodge is a nice and comfortable place but somewhat more rustic than Drake's Bay Resort. As a plus, the afternoon of the first day will include you a half day visit to Punta Rio Claro Wildlife Reserve.

Corcovado Standard 4D/3N Package includes: Roundtrip ground-boat transportation to/from Drake's Bay Airport, lodging, bilingual guides, all meals, Punta Rio Claro half-day Tour, Corcovado National Park full day hiking Tour and Caño Island full day snorkeling and exploring Tour.

Roundtrip air transportation to/from San Jose is not included in package price but can be reserved at your request from Sansa Airlines. Roundtrip airfare per person is: $ 188.00. All taxes are included.

This package is not recommended during our rainiest months: September and October.
 

Corcovado Standard 4D/3N  (double occupancy) $425.00 Special Offer- RESERVE
(This special offer applies during the months of May, June and July, 2007)

Corcovado Standard 4D/3N (double occupancy)  $ 475.00 - Regular Rate - RESERVE
( Regular rate applies year-round, except the months of the Special Offer)

If you want to see the most of Costa Rica in just one day then this tour is designed with you in mind.

Departure will be early in the morning, heading towards Poas Volcano, an area of great beauty surrounded by extensive plantations of Costa Rica’s premium exportation coffee. After a stop for breakfast at a countryside restaurant, you’ll be taken to the volcano, which is a protected area. This National Park has one of the most accessible cloud forests and the impressive volcano’s crater is considered one of the widest in the world. Its activity consists mainly in sulfuric vapors steaming-up from its bottom lagoon, so it is completely safe hiking on the different forest trails surrounding the crater. From here, tour continues driving through volcanic edifices, lush forests, deep canyons and streams. There is a photo stop at the famous La Paz Waterfalls and later on at the San Fernando Waterfall. At this Mirador (over looking place ) you’ll witness the incredible variety of hummingbirds this region possesses in the special feeding facilities arranged for them

Upon arriving to the northern lowlands of our country, a delicious lunch will be served at Selva Verde Lodge, followed by another short hike, this time in a lowland rainforest property of this hotel. By mid-afternoon you’ll find yourself comfortably navigating the Sarapiqui River in a specially designed roof-covered motorboat. Excellent chances of observing the diversity of wildlife that lives on its banks: Colorful water birds, toucans, big iguanas, alligators, monkeys, sloths, etc. Return to San Jose will take a different route, through the always-majestic mountains of the Braulio Carrillo National Park.

Recommended: Long pants, light jacket or sweater, comfortable hiking shoes, binoculars and camera. Raingear will be provided.

The Highlights Tour departs from Don Carlos Hotel at 6:10 am and gets back at 6:00 pm. approximately. Breakfast & lunch are included.

 

The Highlights Tour $83 - RESERVE

Day 1: Early departure from San Jose. Breakfast along the way. Stop at a banana plantation and processing plant (except Sundays) Continue navigating on a series of rivers and natural waterways as you approach Tortuguero National Park. After midday arrival to your selected Lodge for lunch. Mid-afternoon visit to the village of Tortuguero and the Caribbean Conservation Center and Museum. Dinner at your Lodge. During the nesting season ( July, August and September ) possibility of taking the Night Turtle Observation Tour ($ 25.00 ) This is an optional Tour and it’s not included in package price.

Day 2: Early morning Tour to the narrow canals of the park. This Tour lasts approximately 1½ hours and it’s perhaps the highlight of your visit to the northern Caribbean Coast of our country. Return to your Lodge for breakfast.
Passengers who reserved the Overnight Tour will begin their return to San Jose. Those who stay a second night will have guided hiking in the rainforest or further exploration of other waterways of this National Park. You’ll also have spare time to enjoy the swimming pool, explore the trails of your Lodge, stroll along the beach, etc. Lunch and dinner at your selected Lodge.

Day 3: After breakfast (around 9:00 a.m.) you’ll begin your return to San Jose. Stop for your lunch along the way. Arrival in San Jose is programmed to be between 3:00 and 3:30 p.m.

All Tortuguero Packages include: Round-trip ground and boat transportation, bilingual guide, lodging, all meals and programmed activities and visits.

Not included: Entrance fee to Tortuguero National Park ($ 7.00) - admission to Caribbean Conservation Center ($ 1.00) - alcoholic drinks and soda pops.

Options:

 
 
1) DELUXE PACKAGE
(Staying at Laguna Lodge) High Season: December - April / Low Season: May - November.

Tortuguero Deluxe  2D/1N  (High)    $ 205.00 - RESERVE
Tortuguero Deluxe 2D/1N   (Low)     $ 185.00 - RESERVE
Tortuguero Deluxe 3D/2N  (High)    $ 255.00 - RESERVE
Tortuguero Deluxe 3D/2N  (Low)     $ 235.00 - RESERVE
  
Note: Laguna Lodge doesn’t charge extra for individual travelers

2) STANDARD PACKAGE
(staying at Turtle Beach Lodge) Year-Round Prices.
Tortuguero Standard 2D/1N              $ 160.00 - RESERVE
Tortuguero Standard 3D/2N              $ 215.00
- RESERVE

Note: Turtle Beach Lodge applies: $ 25.00 - Single supplement fee



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For comments or hotel information, please fill in our ›Infomation Request Form‹ or contact Hotel Don Carlos at:
Hotel Telephone: (506) 2221-6707 | E-mail: info@doncarloshotel.com | P.O. Box: J.B.C.sjo41251 pobox025240 Miami Florida ,33102 | San José Downtown, Costa Rica.
© 2005 Hotel Don Carlos, a Costa Rica Downtown Hotel. Our Costa Rica hotel is located in the oldest historical section of San Jose Downtown.