Day 1: Arrive San Josè

After you collect your luggage and clear customs you will be met outside the terminal by our local representative who will be holding a sign with your name on it. Our representative will collect your vouchers and present you with an itinerary with scheduled times of pick-up, then will escort you on the two-hour drive to Trogon Lodge, in the magical San Gerardo Cloud Forest.

Day 2: San Gerardo Cloud Forest

Nestled in a cloud forest 7,000 feet above sea level, Trogon Lodge is a special retreat for nature lovers. Located 53 miles southeast of San José near the farming community of San Gerardo de Dota, the lodge consists of 10 cozy cabins, is located on a family farm, with nature trails and a lovely rippling river flowing through it. This is an area where one may catch sight of the elusive quetzals known as the 'Phoenix of the Americas'—one of the most beautiful birds in Costa Rica.

Day 3: San Gerardo to Dominical

This small beach town, 25 miles south of Manuel Antonio, is your base for exploring the delights of the south Pacific coast, one of Costa Rica's most beautiful areas, still relatively undiscovered. The area is a paradise for snorkeling, surfing, and whale and dolphin watching. It is also the gateway to Corcovado National park, with its great biodiversity.

Day 4: Dominical

Explore the wonders of Corcovado National Park. Enormous biological diversity has made this park an important international research center, home to a great variety of wildlife and some 500 species of trees. Corcovado is unquestionably the rawest, most challenging and most rewarding park in Costa Rica. Head to the town of Serpe, then cruise through the mangrove filled waters and admire the rich coral reef that flanks Cano Island with its ever-changing underwater vistas. Upon arrival at the national park, disembark and enjoy the beach and stunning natural scenery on a guided hike — complete with a picnic lunch.

Day 5: Dominical to Manuel Antonio

Head north for a different but equally beautiful beach experience. Famous for its pristine beaches, Manuel Antonio is surrounded by tropical rainforest and possesses options for all kinds of travelers. The national park beckons with a wide variety of flora and fauna, including a colony of squirrel monkeys.

Day 6: Manuel Antonio

Set out to see the exotic flora and fauna this bio-diverse region is known for. During the Isla Damas Tour, your guide will point out caymans, sloths, crocodiles, boas, white-faced monkeys, egrets and many more species of wildlife, as your boat leisurely winds its way through the mangrove channels along the gentle currents of the coastal tides. This adventure is highly recommended for any naturalist, young or old, who wants to experience firsthand the pulse of the mangrove ecosystem and how it interacts with the international ecosystem.

Day 7: Manuel Antonio

Spend a day relaxing on the beach, or hiking through the national park. Add on an optional excursion, such as an exciting ATV tour or a visit an exotic spice plantation.

Day 8: Depart San Josè

Catch a short flight from Manuel Antonio to San José to meet up with your international flight home, or on to your next Avanti Destination!