Thursday, February 27 - Arrived in San Jose and checked into Barcelo San Jose Palacio Hotel late.

Friday, February 28 - Bus tour of San Jose, stopping at National Theatre and National Museum in San Jose as well as touring areas of the city. Souvenir stop in Moravia then on to Heredia and a tour of the Cafe Britt coffee plantation and processing plant. Evening at leisure.

Saturday, March 1 - Off to the jungle. Travel east through Braulio Carrillo National Park and down on to the Caribbean lowlands, with its numerous banana plantations. Board a river boat to proceed through the inland water canals leading to the Tortuguero region. Also visited the beach to see where the green turtles lay their eggs before visiting Tortuguero Village.

Sunday, March 2 - Explored the park with a boat ride along the canos (narrow waterways) in the morning. Experienced swinging through the jungle on the Canopy Tour before visiting the Butterfly exhibit and a walk through the jungle.

Monday, March 3 - Morning wakeup call from the Howler Monkeys at 4:00 a.m. Left Jungle Lodge by riverboat to Parismina before boarding the bus to travel on rough gravel roads. Stopped at Del Monte banana plantation and packing plant. Arrived at Suerre Hotel in Guapiles for the night and enjoyed a Tico barbeque beside the Olympic sized swimming pool. Learned how to make empanades and plantain chips and sampled the local drink, Guaro.

Tuesday, March 4 - Off to the Aerial Tram in Braulio Carrillo National Park where we explore the rain forest on three different levels. Continued on to El Tucano Resort & Spa near Aguas Zarcas in the highlands.

Wednesday, March 5 - Drove to the Arenal Volcano area to watch eruptions. On the way were able to see the Iguana tree. Drove to Fortuna for shopping and then on to Quesada for lunch at the central market.

Thursday, March 6 - Day of leisure at the resort enjoying the pool, a massage and sunshine.

Friday, March 7 to Wednesday, March 12 - Morning departure heading west to the Pacific Ocean. Near Puntarenas boarded the ferry to cross the Bay of Nicoya and continue on the Playa Tambor, a popular all-inclusive resort for five nights, four days of sun, sand, and surf.

Wednesday, March 12 - Reversed route back to San Jose stopping at unique Costa Rican truck stop for lunch. This evening was a special farewell dinner at the Tiquicia Restaurant featuring traditional Folkloric entertainment.

Thursday, March 13 - Up early to return to the airport and fly home.