To the Rainforest and Arenal Volcano.
Today your tour will take you to The Rain Forest Aerial Tram.
After a brief drive through Down Town San Jose, you will the route to the Caribbean.
Be prepared with cameras, binoculars, rain gear, bug spray and sun block! Keep these items handy during the day.
Shorts, T-shirt and sandals are recommended.
You will be heading to one of the most beautiful, lush, rainforest in the world! Going through Braulio Carrillo National Parks is with no doubt, one of the most impressive, spectacular drives you will experience (weather permitting).
Today you will be traveling by bus towards the province of Limón in the Caribbean. You will be amazed when you enter the Park. It is cover by a dense emerald forest where there are some unique volcanic formations, rivers and, when raining, beautiful cascades along the road.
There are several dormant volcanoes including Cerro Chompipe, Cerro Cacho Negro and Cerros las Tres Marias. Established in 1978, the park was formed as an agreement with environmental lobbyists to limit and prevent development of the area after the construction of the Highway linking the capital to Caribbean port. The park was named in honor of former Costa Rican president Braulio Carrillo, whose administration had helped foster the nation's early agricultural economy and had built the first route from San José to the Caribbean coast.
The Park is rich in biodiversity with 600 identified species of trees, over 530 species of birds, and 135 species of mammals . Examples of birds found include the Solitary Eagle, the Bare-necked Umbrellabird, as well as toucans and several species of hummingbirds.
It descends nearly 9842 ft, from the highest to lowest points )and it is home to several distinct life zones. Ranging from high-altitude cloud forest at nearly 9840 ft. to tropical lowlands rainforest, Braulio Carrillo maintains one of the highest levels of biodiversity in Costa Rica. More than 95% of the park is covered in primary forest which is home to howler monkeys, spider monkeys and white face monkeys, sloths, anteaters, jaguars, poisonous frogs, butterflies, tapirs, jaguars among other species.
The Rain Forest Aerial Tram is adjacent to the Braulio Carrillo Park. In 1994, In 1994, Joaquin von der Goltz, opened the Rain Forest Aerial Tram, the first of its kind anywhere in the world. The design had just one requirement: it had to be built in the middle of 1,200 acres of dense forest without cutting down a single tree. Today the Rain Forest Tram serve as wildlife reserve as well as tourist sight that provides a great opportunity to visit this rain forest and admire its beauty from the tree tops.
Ride the Tram, and take a hike with the company of a local guide.
The Rain Forest Aerial Tram is adjacent to the Braulio Carrillo Park. In 1994, In 1994, Joaquin von der Goltz, opened the Rain Forest Aerial Tram, the first of its kind anywhere in the world. The design had just one requirement: it had to be built in the middle of 1,200 acres of dense forest without cutting down a single tree. Today the Rain Forest Tram serve as wildlife reserve as well as tourist sight that provides a great opportunity to visit this rain forest and admire its beauty from the tree tops.
Ride the Tram, and take a hike with the company of a local guide.
Butterflies are very common in the region. It is common to see them flying near the trails.
Admiring these amazing insect gives you a sense of serenity.
The wings of the Blue Morpho have a unique iridescent metallic blue coloration and it is one of the largest and most admired butterflies in the new tropics!. Actually, the blue morpho is among the largest butterflies in the world, with a wings span from five to eight inches.
For different cultures butterflies have different meanings such a personification of a person´s soul, a symbol of transformation, luck, and love! Without any doubt, butterflies are a representation of beauty and have been inspiration for poems, myths and symbolism for centuries.
Watch your step, you might find a tiny little frog, the blue jeans frog (Oofaga Pumilio) wondering around. PLEASE avoid picking them up or even worse, moving them from their site, since this little frogs may have babies to feed un in the tree canopy, inside the water filled bromeliads! Their skin is also very sensitive and they need to be in dark, humid places!
It is believed that the species is currently being unsustainably collected specially in Nicaragua, presumably by the herpetological pet market, and because of the apparently low fecundity of this species, and habitat loss, this might lead to localized population declines.
From here you will be driving straight to your hotel al La Fortuna. You will be going through mountain ranges into one of the most colorful drive of the trip. This road is very important for exports transportation so you might see some trucks along the way, and lots of different crops too.
Your charming Hotel in Fortuna. The weather definitely changes at Fortuna. You will notice that at night the temperature goes down to the 70´s since elevation a little higher, 1800 ft. above sea level.
Your hotel at La Fortuna has beautiful gardens, flowers and it is common to see lots of birds in the morning. If you like pictures take a look of the surroundings before breakfast! Your stay here will be very pleasant. Your hotel has a spectacular view of the famous Arenal Volcano if weather permitting.
Caravan Tours will really surprise you on how good they choose their hotels.
Your Tour Director will give you more information about the hotel upon arrival and will tell you about the plans for the following day. At night when you go for dinner it would be a good idea to carry a flash light with you.
You will stay two night near one of the 5 active volcanos in CostaRica! If you hear thunder, it might be the volcano rumbling!
Enjoy you dinner!
