Day 8. To San Jose

To San Jose.

 Today you will be driving back to San José. But there are still some good adventures to cover! Right after breakfast at Sambada Hotel, put on your swim suit, sandals, sun block and visit one of the most visited National Parks of Costa Rica. Manuel Antonio.  

Walk the lush jungles, enjoy the sandy beaches, take scenic trails, relax and enjoy the wildlife. Do not forget to carry cameras, binoculars, and if you are planning to take a trail, wear good walking shoes. Trails could be slippery and muddy.

 After visiting the Park, get ready to check out and leave to San Jose for your final night.After a little more that a hour drive, reach the Tárcoles River, where a boat will be waiting for an exciting hour of boat cruise

Be sure you do not leave any of your belongings in the room before you leave the hotel.

Light clothes are recommended today, since you will do a river cruise later during the day. Sandals or sneakers will be fine, and have sunblock, hat, cameras, binoculars and rain gear handy with you.

The Tarcoles River flows through Carara National Park, a transition forest where the tropical dry forest ends and gives place to the rainforests of the south.  Carara National Park was established on April 27, 1978 as a biological reserve, and  after 1990  the government declared it national park Many endangered and threatened species live and breed here, like the American crocodile. Carara is also considered a sanctuary of the endangered Scarlet Macaw. The word "Carara" is an indigenous term that means "river of crocodiles".The Rio Grande de Tárcoles is one of the most famous in the country. It originates in the central volcanic range and flows for 111 kilometers to the pacific. It is habitat for the massive American Crocodile and also the river also home for more than 50 species of migratory, native and coastal birds, among them herons, egrets, crested caracas, roseate spoonbills and the scarlet macaws. its waters seep into seasonal marshlands and a shallow lake.

Near 80 couples of scarlet macaws nest and feed throughout Carara region and can usually be seen early morning heading to the park where they spend the day, and around dusk flying west down the Río Tárcoles towards the coastal mangroves where they roost for the night. They are the most colorful birds in our rainforests! Beautiful!

You will pass the Village of Tárcoles and then you will board the boat. This is a great opportunity foe pictures and for bird watching! You will be given a bird chart with the 50 most common species in the area and your Tour Director will guide you through this amazing mangrove ecosystem and will be spotting some birds.

 This is your chance to see and photograph some of the largest crocodiles in the country. And there are many crocs here! This is a unique opportunity to have a close encounter with these prehistoric creatures. Not in many parts of the world you will be able to be close a 16 feet massive crocodile!

The Tárcoles river cruise is one definitely one of the highlights of the trip! An experience to never forget!

Depending on your tour itinerary and starting day, the Tarcoles River Cruise would be done on day 7th.

After the boat tour, you will be driving back to the Quality Inn Hotel in San Jose, another great hotel chosen by Caravan Tours. That is where you will spend your last evening of the tour. Before you arrive, your Tour Director will give you instructions about your luggage, the times for your Farewell Dinner and your transfer hours for tomorrow.

Two important things when you get off the bus at the hotel: be sure you bring all your personal belongings since you 

won´t be on the bus again, and that will be the time to say good bye and show your appreciation to your Motor Coach Driver, since he will not be joining you at dinner.

For the Farewell Dinner the Restaurant requests long pants for gentlemen. Even though it is not a formal dinner, you may want to bring something nicer for this occasion.

 A glass of wine or a soft drink is included and dinner will be served at your table. A very nice and perfect setting to finish the tour, and to say Hasta Pronto to all those people that shared this amazing journey with you!