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Embark on a cruise through the resplendent waterways of Tortuguero National Park, passing between the marshy islands that provide shelter for a diverse range of wildlife, including sea turtles, otters and monkeys.
Discover more about two of Costa Rica's most prolific exports; cacao, a native fruit long sacred to indigenous communities and coffee, introduced by the Spanish in the 18th century. On an interactive experience, follow the process of each from cultivation to product and enjoy a tasting.
Visit a local family on their palm plantation to learn all about the traditional Costa Rican delicacy, 'palmito' or heart of palm. Learn about sustainable practices, how the hearts are extracted and taste this mild, nutrient rich vegetable.
A nature-filled adventure by land and sea! Delve into the ecosystems that make Costa Rica a natural wonderland, then set sail along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and Panama to discover paradise beaches and wildlife-filled national parks.
Arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica's vibrant capital city. The rest of the day is yours to relax or begin exploring, with a welcome dinner at your hotel this evening.
Travel across Costa Rica to the Caribbean coast, passing through the spectacular rainforest of Braulio Carrillo National Park as well as open pastures and small farming towns. Transfer to a boat and cruise through the wilderness-encompassed canals of Tortuguero, looking out for wildlife and colourful birds as you go, to reach your rainforest lodge. Later, enjoy a guided walking tour of Tortuguero Village, soaking up its Afro-Caribbean vibes and learning about the locals' sea turtle conservation efforts.
Head deeper into the lush rainforest of Tortuguero National Park, using the network of life-filled canals that criss-cross the area. You'll likely spot a wealth of wildlife, including otters, howler and capuchin monkeys, toucans, herons and maybe even a sloth lounging in the trees. Return to your lodge for a free afternoon.
Board boats to return through the canals to the pier, and travel on by road to Arenal. You'll drive through the northern lowlands with views of mountains and vast agricultural fields. Pause to meet a local family at their palm plantation to learn about the cultivation and harvesting process of the traditional product, heart of palm. Arrive under the watchful gaze of Arenal Volcano, its perfect cone swathed in a verdant blanket of green.
Follow the Mirador Arenal 1968 trail, walking across old lava fields for spectacular views of the volcano and Lake Arenal. Your guide will be on hand to give insight into geology and the surrounding ecosystems. This afternoon, enjoy an interactive chocolate and coffee experience, learning about the process from cultivation to preparation of these two iconic Costa Rican products.
Take a scenic boat cruise across Lake Arenal for a final glimpse of the mighty volcano before continuing by road to Monteverde. Arrive in Santa Elena and begin exploring with your local guide, learning all about the town's journey to ecotourism hub. The afternoon is free until twilight, when you'll head out into Monteverde's cloud forest for a night walk. Discover the species that emerge after dark and gain a deeper appreciation of the forest's biodiversity.
Take a guided walk of the Curi Cancha Reserve, exploring its rich biodiversity. Follow wandering trails through the cloud forest, spotting the birds, mammals and native flora that make this ecosystem so unique. This afternoon, enjoy a sustainable farm and artisan cheese tour, an authentic rural experience with a local family that includes a cheese tasting!
Transfer to Puerto Caldera and board your Star Clippers tall ship, Star Clipper. The rest of the day is free to explore the ship's facilities and settle in. Throughout your cruise, when your ship comes into port, there will a range of excursions available to help you explore each destination. These excursions are at your own expense.
Spend the day enjoying life on a tall ship, watching the wind fill the sails, relaxing around the pool, keeping watch on the top deck or even climbing the rigging and steering the ship.
Cross into Panamanian waters and arrive at the UNESCO-listed Coiba National Park, a marine reserve of rich rainforest-covered islands and azure waters. Here, you can explore on land, searching out rare flora and fauna or the world under the waves, snorkelling vibrant coral reefs or spotting sharks, dolphins and whales.
Another spectacular marine park, Golfo De Chiriqui protects 25 islands and 19 coral reefs which host abundant wildlife. Snorkel, surf or kayak in the park's calm, clear waters or take a big game fishing trip.
Cross the calm waters of the Golfo Dulce, looking towards the intense wilderness of the Osa Peninsula to reach the town of Golfito, a former banana town. Today offers opportunities to surf at Pavones, go sport-fishing or dolphin watching on the life-filled waters or kayak in the nearby mangrove forest.
The gateway to the magical Manuel Antonio National Park, Quepos is a small and busy but authentic Costa Rican town. From here, you can walk the trails of the national park, passing from rainforest onto paradisical beaches, or try out some excellent local restaurants.
Back in Costa Rican waters, stop at what is considered the country's most beautiful island, with powder white sands, swaying palms and crystal clear waters. Here you can relax on the beach, rent a kayak, take a glass-bottom boat cruise or, if you're feeling more adventurous, embark on a canopy tour.
Bid the Star Clipper and her crew farewell as you disembark at Puerto Caldera. Meet your guide and transfer across the Pacific lowlands and into the Central Valley. Stop for a coffee tour and learn more about Costa Rica's rich coffee heritage before arriving back into San Jose. Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening.
Transfer to the airport and fly home to the UK, arriving home the following day.
Places Visited: UK – San Jose (1N) – Tortuguero (2N) – Arenal (2N) – Monteverde (2N) – Cruise (7N) – San Jose (1N)
Make the most of your time away. Whether you want to delve deeper into a destination, discover somewhere completely new, or simply unwind on a beautiful beach, we've created a range of ways to help you stay a little longer and see a little more.
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Dedicated Solo departures are available on selected dates for this tour.
These solos-only departures feature smaller group sizes of up to 18, along with free airport lounge access.
There are no dedicated Solo departures for this year. You can enjoy any of our tours with no Single Supplement on our Happy to Share option or explore the solo departures in other years.
The same great Wendy Wu tour - just with an extra level of comfort. Enjoy relaxed 5-star city hotels, unique properties, and overnight cruises, each selected to deliver an elevated experience. See Upgraded Tour Hotels above for more details.
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