Itinerary

Day 1: SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Fly to San Jose where you are met at the airport and assisted through immigration and customs. Then transfer to our deluxe hotel located in a rural setting, surrounded by beautiful grounds on the outskirts of San Jose. Snacks are served in the hospitality room before travelers retire for the evening.

Accommodation: HOTEL ALTA (view website)

Day 2: MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST RESERVE

Thursday, January 29, 2009

After breakfast at the hotel, depart on the approximately 4 ½ hour drive to Monteverde. Stop on route at the Nectandra Botanical Garden for lunch. The Garden is made up of primary and secondary forest with most of the plants featured in the horticultural observation area coming from the preserve and its immediate surroundings. Continue to Monteverde, arriving in the afternoon. Monteverde is a peaceful community made up of dairy farmers, naturalists and tourism service providers who have joined together to create a model for sustainable development and protection of the environment that is becoming known throughout the world. Founded in 1954 by a group of Quakers searching for a peaceful place to live, it is the home of Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, the Children's Eternal Rain Forest, and the Santa Elena Reserve. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: MONTEVERDE LODGE (view website)

Day 3: MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST RESERVE

Friday, January 30, 2009

Early this morning visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, where different microclimates support six distinct ecological communities. An astounding 2000 plant species are native to the area, including a host of wild orchids. Also, more than 320 species of birds and 100 species of mammals have been observed, including Baird's Tapir, Jaguar, Ocelot, Resplendent Quetzal, Black Guan, Three-wattled Bellbird, and Bare-necked Umbrellabird. With relatively little walking we see giant pipers, beautiful strangler figs, Spanish Flag orchids, and abundant epiphytic vegetation. After walking through the Cloud Forest, we make a very worthwhile stop at the Hummingbird Gallery. Here we find several species of hummingbirds that are attracted by feeders. This provides a great opportunity to observe and photograph these colorful avian creatures. In the late afternoon we visit the Butterfly Farm which begins at the nature center for a general overview of spiders and insects. The Garden philosophy is to educate the visitor about the great biodiversity of the Monteverde region. After the general overview the tour continues into 4 butterfly gardens. Each of the 4 gardens represents a different local habitat including the hot lowlands, mid-elevation forest edge, deep forest and cloud forest. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: MONTEVERDE LODGE

Day 4: MONTEVERDE, COSTA RICA – WIND STAR

Saturday, January 31, 2009

This morning we visit the Sugar Mill, El Trapiche, owned by the Santamaria family, for a tour. While walking through the farm, learn about the production of sugarcane, coffee, and the traditional ways of cultivating bananas, arracache (a local legume), avocado, macadamia nuts as well as other products. After lunch at Monteverde Lodge, depart for the Pacific coast where the WIND STAR awaits us at Puerto Caldera. Embark the vessel and acquaint yourself with its amenities and settle into your cabin, but be on deck for the excitement as we sail at 6:00 p.m. The Captain welcomes you on board followed by a lovely dinner. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: WIND STAR (view website)

Day 5: AT SEA

Sunday, February 01, 2009

See the billowing sails of the WIND STAR as we cruise north to Nicaragua. Enjoy a lecture on board and gather with just our group for a cocktail party. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: WIND STAR

Day 6: SAN JUAN DEL SUR, NICARAGUA

Monday, February 02, 2009

San Juan del Sur is a tranquil fishing village nestled at the head of a horseshoe-shaped bay on Nicaragua’s southern Pacific coast. The lovely bay is dotted with small, private yachts and commercial fishing boats. On an full day shore excursion visit one of Nicaragua’s national parks and museums. This is a unique opportunity to observe the active Masaya volcano and stand at the edge of its immense crater, taking in the breathtaking view of the entire area. Learn about the park’s indigenous wildlife and vegetation. After your visit to the volcano, it will be time to enjoy a delicious buffet lunch at a local restaurant in Masaya. Next, continue to the Indian Market, where a plethora of colorful ceramics, leather, carved wood, hammocks and native paints are available for purchase. Next is a visit to the colonial city of Granada, founded in 1524. Granada was the first city founded on the American continent. The historic legacy of the city is preserved in the beautiful Spanish churches and convents that have endured centuries of wars and invasion. The San Francisco Convent houses a large collection of pre-Columbian stone sculptures. Its colonial and Renaissance-style buildings surround a beautifully landscaped central plaza which typifies 16th-century Spanish cities. You will have time to view the convent’s gardens, the cathedral and squares. Or, a shorter excursion just visits Granada. Return to the ship and sail into the setting sun. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: WIND STAR

Day 7: PLAYAS DEL COCO, COSTA RICA

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

The WIND STAR sails into a protected cove and passengers transfer into zodiacs for the ride ashore. An excursion takes you into the forest canopy in a reserve that protects more than 240 acres of tropical dry forest. Over the last decade, thousands of hectares of this precious forest have been cut down for its prised hardwoods. Today, throughout the Americas it is only possible to find dry forest reserves in northwestern Costa Rica. A platform located at ground level on the upper side of a canyon marks the beginning of your experience. Using industry-approved, ultra-safe harness equipment, you will traverse a network of steel cables that connect eight trees in the forest. This will be your pathway to excitement as you learn the secrets of the dry forest. Gliding from tree to tree, you will have a bird’s-eye view of the forest. At the end of the last cable, you will descend to earth at the end of the canyon. Universities and medical centers from around the globe are researching the forest floor for new medicinal plants and animals. A natural fertilizer used in banana plantations and a natural anesthesia for human surgeries have been found in the forest’s animals and plants. Wildlife is especially abundant in the dry forest. Hundreds of different species of birds have been sighted, along with the howler monkey, many different snakes, coatis and other mammals. There is also a white water rafting option. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: WIND STAR

Day 8: QUEPOS, COSTA RICA

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Quepos is the port for one of Costa Rica’s most famous parks. Manuel Antonio National Park is the jewel of Costa Rica’s National Parks. The park’s 683 hectares of fragile tropical rain forest ecosystem shelter an abundance of wildlife including easy-to-see monkeys, a great variety of tropical birds and more than a thousand different species of flora. The dense rain forest is accessed by small trails where your naturalist tour guide will acquaint you with the forest. This walk is one of the best in Costa Rica. Your 90-minute guided walk will lead you to the beach where you will have time to swim in the warm waters of the Pacific. The trail is well maintained and is easy walking with no uphill climbs. Another hour of leisurely walking will bring you back to the park exit with more opportunities to spot wildlife. A 30-minute drive will bring you back to the ship in time for lunch. An optional drop-off in the town of Quépos is available for those wishing to explore the restaurants and shops. An other excursion travels by boat through a mangrove swamp, a great place to see crocodiles and several species of birds. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: WIND STAR

Day 9: BAHIA PARAISO, COSTA RICA

Thursday, February 05, 2009

The WIND STAR anchors and uses zodiacs to ferry you ashore. Excursions here include the opportunity to visit Corcovado National Park. The park is very picturesque with two lovely beaches and safe swimming due to the natural barrier of the rocks. Snorkeling is good here too and when the tide is low it is possible to explore tide pools. There is also access to trails leading to Corcovado National. There is also an optional full-day snorkeling cruise to Caño Island. Enjoy a scenic 75-minute boat ride aboard the Natural Mystic, with frequent sightings of dolphins, marine birds, and perhaps whales and sea turtles. The 600-acre island is a significant historical archaeological site for Costa Rica, where two mysterious, perfectly-round spheres from the pre-Columbian era were discovered along with other artifacts. Caño is an ideal spot for snorkeling, swimming, and relaxing. Join a naturalist for light hiking—the first leading to the site of many of the archaeological discoveries, where a few artifacts still remain, and the second to a beautiful lookout on the south side of the island. Aquatic life around the island is spectacular, and snorkelers will find a broad and colorful spectrum of Pacific coast reef fish: triggerfish, trumpetfish, damselfish, parrotfish, angelfish and puffers as well as rays and sea turtles. After a relaxing and fun-filled day, you will head back to the ship. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: WIND STAR

Day 10: TORTUGA ISLAND, COSTA RICA

Friday, February 06, 2009

Tortuga Island is actually two uninhabited islands that lie just off the Nicoya Peninsula. Characterized by palm-fringed beaches and lush tropical flora, Tortuga is pretty and peaceful and offers terrific sheltered swimming and snorkeling in warm waters. Spend a morning exploring the Curu National Wildlife Refuge—a private reserve of which two-thirds is preserved as primary forest. The reserve includes 4.5 kilometers of coastline, with tiny coves and three beaches. Although it is small, there is an abundance of wildlife to be seen in this reserve—including up to 200 species of birds! Be on the lookout for capuchin and howler monkeys, as well as sloths and anteaters. The WIND STAR will anchor and guests will be transferred by zodiac for a beach landing. The beach is lovely and no organized activities are planned except a beach BBQ. Sail late this evening. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: WIND STAR

Day 11: PUERTO CALDERA, COSTA RICA

Saturday, February 07, 2009

After breakfast, disembark and proceed to the airport in San Jose for your flight home. (B)