Sierra Club – Angeles Chapter DESTINATION: COSTA RICA
November 21-December 6, 2008
Leaders: Mike Sappingfield, Donna Specht & John Lajeuness
Bienvenidos: Prior to our departure, there will be a pre-trip meeting (date and place not yet determined), where we will answer your questions, share the latest details, pass out your airline ticket receipts, enjoy some food and beverage, suggest some tips on how to pack and meet your fellow travelers and leaders. After the trip we will host a reunion. November 21, Friday: Arrive at LAX, mid-evening for departure on overnight non-stop flight to Costa Rica. You’ll need to
“sign-in” for our Sierra Club group near the departure gate.
November 22, Saturday, San Jose to Arenal: We arrive at Juan Santamaria Int'l Airport in early AM. As you exit the airport,
look for our leaders (with “Sierra” signs) to direct you to our coaches. Two coaches will pick us up; these air-conditioned coaches will accompany us through our trip. We will make a lunch stop near Varablanca. Along the way we will stop at the Catarata de La Paz, a waterfall you can walk behind on a trail. Good photo op! Our coaches drive around rolling hills and fields of the NE facing Cordillera de Tilaran foothills. We'll drive through San Carlos and Fortuna, with at least one stop at a market to look around. Late afternoon we'll arrive at Arenal, just up the hill from Fortuna. If the weather is clear, we will have a close up view of Volcan Arenal. On some of our trips, we have witnessed this active volcano spewing smoke and fireworks.
November 23, Sunday, Arenal: Breakfast included. Join us on the optional Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge boat tour. On our
return, we stop at the Desafio River Center and hear about their available adventure activities.
November 24, Monday, Arenal: After breakfast in the open-air dining room, consider the following: Walk to La Catarata de
La Fortuna, the river rafting with Desafio. Explore the Venado Caves. Visit Volcan Arenal Natl Park and hike with the leaders ($6 entrance fee). After a full day, you might want to visit the Baldi Hot Springs.
November 25, Tuesday, Arenal to Santa Elena/Monteverde: Depart Arenal in early AM, for Santa Elena and Monteverde via
Tilaran. Santa Elena’s elevation is 5,000’. Our coach will take us around Lake Arenal, the largest in Costa Rica, and make various stops of interest and lunch in Tilaran. Santa Elena/Monteverde is one of Costa Rica’s most popular destinations so do not be dissuaded by the rough ride, or curse the rocks and potholes. They have effectively created a moat around a precious experiment in sustainable ecotourism, where humans are learning to make their living from the rain forest without destroying it. We arrive early afternoon for a 2-night stay and lots of exploring.
November 26, Wednesday, Santa Elena/Monteverde: In the Quaker community of Monteverde is the famous Reserva
(Biologica Bosque Nuboso) Monteverde. In this largely English-speaking town, you have many optional pursuits. The Serpentarium, Ranarium (amphibians), many art galleries, hiking trails, the Sky Walk, Canopy tours of the Monteverde Cloud Forest, butterfly gardens, the Quaker cheese factory, organic coffee farming, and numerous other tours or take a walk through the communities of Monteverde and Santa Elena (a Tico community). Whatever you decide, you may find that others are interested in joining you. Get a good night's rest; we have a long day tomorrow.
November 27, Thursday, Santa Elena to Manuel Antonio: Depart early AM for the dash (about 5 hours) to Parque Nacional
Manuel Antonio, along the way south, we stop at Crocodile Bridge on the Rio Tarcoles where you'll see crocs basking along the riverbanks. Did you see the program “Killer Crocs of Costa Rica on the Discovery Channel? Then it's on to Quepos and Manuel Antonio. Check in.
November 28, Friday, Manuel Antonio: Our hotel offers an included breakfast each morning. This is the perfect time to mix
with our group and discover their plans for the day. The small Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio has all those things tourists want, stunning beaches, a magnificent setting with offshore islands, abundant wildlife, lush rainforests with a network of trails, all within walking distance of our hotel. However, as a result it is over used. The park now limits daily admission, we suggest you go early (opens at 7 a.m.). We will probably hire guides and get a group rate for those interested. At our hotel, there is an amazing amount of wildlife: Troops of monkeys come flying through the trees or iguanas and beautiful birds.
November 29, Saturday, Manuel Antonio: Another day in paradise to explore. Or come with us on a tour of the Isla Damas
Estuary. Don’t pass up the opportunity to see one of the most amazing and important ecological systems of the planet at work right here on the Damas Island Mangrove tour. Owned and operated by knowledgeable local Costa Ricans.
November 30, Sunday, Manuel Antonio to San Jose: After breakfast, we'll depart for San Jose, Capital of Costa Rica. Here
we've secured the best hotel/location at the pedestrian mall. Sunday in San Jose is to see Tico families going about a leisurely day. There are many museums to choose from, Museo Nacional, Museo de Oro Precolombino, Museo de Arte y Diseno Contemporano, Museo de Jade or the Teatro Nacional for 5 bucks in a beautiful turn of the century theater. For those with more energy, check out the eight block long pedestrian mall, right outside the front door. Within walking distance of our hotel are many great restaurants at very reasonable prices. This evening please repack. Take only a daypack with some clothes and bare essentials for Tortuguero; your other luggage will be left behind on the coach. Bring raingear, sandals, plastic bags to protect your clothes and pack.
December 1, Monday, San Jose to Tortuguero Village Northern Caribbean: After an early morning breakfast (included)
depart for Parque Nacional Tortuguero. Down the relatively new highway to Limon, we'll turn off near the town of Siquirres. From there we drive to Cano Blanco and board boats to Tortuguero ("land of turtles"). The boat trip is very exciting and a lot of fun, especially if it starts to rain! While the greenbacks come ashore in vast numbers in July, Hawksbill turtles arrive from March to November. (Stragglers are seen every month of the year.) This is the jungle you've read about, go on a guided tour along the waterways and see the wildlife; howler, spider, and capuchin monkeys, sloths, anteaters, and kinkajous, plus many types of birds and amphibians. The village is rustic, poorly developed, and somewhat isolated as all supplies are brought in by boat/plane. There are no roads, no cars only muddy paths that meander throughout the village. Although they are working on some concrete walkways in some of the wetter areas. The town provides much of the labor force to operate the high-end allinclusive Americano resorts to the north. There are no ATMs/credit cards used here; it is a cash economy. Upon arrival, you'll receive an orientation talk from a local guide. Tortuguero is one of the wettest areas in the country. Swimming not recommended due to strong undertoads and large sharks. With all that said, Tortuguero is spectacular and probably the closest you will ever get to living with the people of any country. We will visit the Caribbean Conservation visitor center and learn all about the remarkable sea turtle. There are lots of activities and willing guides. Relax and settle in for an incredible experience.
December 2, Tuesday, Tortuguero Village: After breakfast (included) at our three lodgings, plan your day. Our 2004 trip had
one night here, participants asked for more! Tortuguero is a relatively poor part of Costa Rica. During the 2004 trip we donated a used laptop to the high school administrator and some cash to the high school, which is at the very end of the financial pipeline from San Jose. At our pre-trip meeting we'll discuss what we can do. The Caribbean Conservation Corporation has a visitor center/museum (1 km north of village). There are small shops, grocery stores, restaurants, and yes, even a pizzeria.
December 3, Wednesday, Tortuguero Village to Cahuita: Depart Tortuguero on boats to Cano Blanco, rejoin our coaches
and travel south to Parque Nacional Cahuita for 3 nights. Perhaps we can stop at a super-Mercado along the way to purchase snacks or some Costa Rican coffee. In the small town of Cahuita, we may have to spread our group amongst two or three Ticoowned accommodations, but they will be in close proximity to each other. The Cahuita National Park is only about 40 feet from our hotels. From Cahuita, you have access to two national parks, several indigenous and biological reserves.
December 4, Thursday, Cahuita: Wake-up in Cahuita, do what you want (only about 60 people per day enter Cahuita Nat'l Park, and we're at one of two entrances). Or perhaps an early morning walk along a jungle trail, perhaps something more ambitious like snorkel the coral reef. Please be aware of leaving valuables on the beach while swimming. December 5, Friday Cahuita: On our last day here, you can catch a tour you missed or just relax. December 6, Saturday, Cahuita, San Jose, LAX: Early morning departure to Juan Santamaria Int'l Airport. Along the way,
anticipate enough time to do some last minute shopping in San Jose before our late afternoon/early evening flight to LAX. All of our lodging will be in mid range hotels, locally owned and operated. Many of our tours are organized with trained local guides educated in the wonders of their environment. You will appreciate a guide when he spots a pit viper next to the trail. As a visitor, you are encouraged to follow Costa Rican national park regulations (do not feed the wildlife!) as well as Sierra Club Leave No Trace, pack it in, pack it out, stay on the trail ethics and respect for wildlife. Costa Rica is a fast developing nation, but at the same time has a very fragile infrastructure. The plumbing is especially fragile. In Cahuita, we will offer an optional visit to a sloth rescue center and learn about the pressures of deforestation on the wildlife of Costa Rica and how the education of children benefits the preservation of critical wildlife. We will visit the Caribbean Conservation center at Tortuguero Village (Northern Caribbean) with educational exhibits of all things sea turtle related. La Pura Vida
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Documents Passport, two extra copies (of photo page)~one for your luggage and one to leave at home Extra Photo ID Insurance Information, Medical card Money, money belt Airline Tickets Credit cards Copies of all documents ID all luggage, inside and out Addresses Itinerary, maps, Spanish dictionary, Lonely Planet guide book Gear, Essentials Day Pack, luggage/duffle w/wheels, locks optional. Water bottle, snacks Flashlight w/batteries Camera Binoculars Pocket knife (not on the plane!) First Aid, insect repellant, bite sticks, Sting Eze. There are some nasty biting bugs and mosquitoes. Some people wear long sleeves, long pants. Personal Toiletries. If you are especially fond of toilet paper, carry it at all times. DO NOT FLUSH DOWN TOILETS. Tissues, wipes, antibacterial wipes, Purel, anti diarrheal, Pepto Bismol Sunscreen, sun hat, lip balm, sunglasses, bandana Calculator Travel Alarm REI type Pack Towel, washcloth All purpose liquid travel soap or Fels Naptha or track down someone to do your laundry. Zip lock bags, all sizes, garbage bags (to cover your luggage) Active dorkware: An umbrella Duct tape Clothing Costa Rica is a tropical rain forest and has two seasons: Less wet and more wet. Light weight rain gear, a windbreaker, polar fleece. At the higher elevation of Santa Elena you can layer all three and be fine. You will need rain gear for Tortuguero Village Bring clothes that you don’t mind getting absolutely filthy. Light hiking boots or cross trainers. Sport sandals: Keens or Tevas Two short sleeve shirts, quick dry, pockets are good Quick dry long sleeve shirt, quick dry long pants (may be used for dress occasions as will as jungle hikes) One or two pair shorts w/pockets Bathing suit, sarong, trunks Something to wear out to dinner, casual of course. Quick dry socks, one pair of old socks (if you want to rent a pair of rubber boots in Tortuguero Village) AVISO: Pack light. All luggage is secured under plastico on top of the coaches. The drivers have to lift your luggage over their heads and toss up to the other driver on top of the coach every time we load and unload. Pack light!
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