Costa Rica's Caribbean coast has its very own special ambiance. The mostly black population lives a Caribbean lifestyle and many immigrants are joining them. Reggae music everywhere, dance parties, good restaurants, a relaxed atmosphere in a beautiful rainforest setting can be enjoyed during this tour.

Type of Car: You will need a 4-wheel-drive vehicle for this tour. See below.

Day 1: San José - Aerial Tram - Limón

After a 45 minute drive from San José through the Braulio Carillo National Park, you come to the famous aerial tram through the rainforest. The tram ride lasts about 1 ½ hours and later you also have a chance to hike through the jungle with a local guide (entrance fee about US$55 per person). Continue your journey via Guápiles and Siquirres to Limón, where your room is reserved at Hotel Maribu Caribe**(*).

Overnight at: Hotel Maribu Caribe
Total km today: about 170 km
Total driving time today: about 3 hours
Included meals today: none

Day 2: Limón - Tortuguero - Limón

The hotel offers day-tours to the famous Tortuguero National Park, a truly recommendable excursion. Please ask about the departures at the reception the night before.

Overnight at: Hotel Maribu Caribe**(*).
Total km today: none
Total driving time today: none
Included meals today: breakfast

Day 3: Limón - Selva Bananito Lodge

This is a fun day for off-road lovers. From Limón you will head south to the small village of Bananito, from where you take an adventurous road to the lodge. Although the distance from Bananito to the lodge is only 17 km, you need to calculate some time for this off-road adventure. You will cross 3 rivers, narrow roads and cattle fields before you arrive at Selva Bananito Lodge**(*). The owners of the lodge will love to explain the excursions offered in the area.

Overnight at: Selva Bananito Lodge**(*)/ Standard.
Total km today: about 40 km
Total driving time today: about 1½ hours
Included meals today: breakfast, dinner

Day 4: Selva Bananito Lodge

The whole day is at your leisure. A guided hike into the rainforest is included in the package. Other activities, such as horseback riding, mountain biking or tree climbing can be booked on the spot at an extra charge (one guided hike is included).

Overnight at: Selva Bananito Lodge**(*)/ Standard.
Total km today: none
Total driving time today: none
Included meals today: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5: Selva Bananito Lodge - Puerto Viejo

It's time to say good bye to this nature paradise and to drive back to Bananito, from where you will take the road along the coast and head south to Puerto Viejo, where we booked your room at Hotel Cariblue. There are beautiful beaches in this area and the village of Puerto Viejo offers some restaurants and lots of reggae music everywhere.

Overnight at: Hotel Cariblue***/Standard
Total km today: about 70 km
Total driving time today: about 1 ½ hours
Included meals today: breakfast

Day 6: Puerto Viejo - Excursions

Today you can explore the Gandoca Manzanillo Reserve, located just a few kilometers south of your hotel. There are also beautiful beaches nearby. If you want to drive a little bit further, we recommend visiting one of the large banana plantations close to the border with Panama. Return to Hotel Cariblue***

Overnight at: Hotel Cariblue***
Total km today: about 20 - 70 km, depending on which excursion you choose
Total driving time today: 30 - 90 minutes
Included meals today: breakfast

Day 7: Puerto Viejo - San José

It's time to drive back to San José. We recommend taking the road Siquirres - Turrialba - Cartago - San José. Close to Cartago you can visit the Lankester Gardens with its beautiful orchid and bromelia collections before getting back to San José.

Total km today: about 250 km
Total driving time today: about 4 hours
Included meals today: breakfast

Note: you can also drop off your car at any hotel at the Caribbean coast at extra costs. If you want to continue to the Pacific coast, you'll have to spend 1 night in San José before.

Package Rate 2007/2008

The package rate is per person. The rental car, insurance charges and any other extra costs have to be added to the total per person rate to determine the final price.

Hotels Used for this Itinerary

	Selva Bananito Lodge**(*), Bananito Your reach Bananito approximately 20 km south of Limón and another 17 km land inwards. You definitely need a 4-wheel drive car to reach the lodge.
	Official category:	**(*)
	Total number of rooms:	12
	Location:	This ecologically built and managed lodge is located in the hinterland of the Caribbean coast, not far from the huge protected rainforest area La Amistad International Park and with a marvelous view over the surroundings. From Limón you drive south towards Cahuita / Puerto Viejo and Sixaola. After about 20km you see the big sign of the lodge, turn right and drive on to the village of Bananito. From here on the street is getting a little adventurous and you cross several brooks. After about 15km from Bananito you reach the lodge. Shortly before arriving at the lodge you might get to a gate that seems close, but if you have a reservation, this gate will not really be closed and you can open it easily. If you don't like to drive this road on your own, the lodge offers transfers from Bananito (at extra charge). The car can be parked safely in Bananito at a small charge. The lodge can only be reached by 4 x 4 vehicle no matter what time of the year it is.
	Transfer time:	From San José to Bananito about 3 ½hours. From Bananito to the lodge about 1 hour.
	Hotel facilities:	The lodge is an ideal base for many adventurous nature excursions. Bird watching, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and tours to beautiful waterfalls are available. 10% of their profits is donated to a conservation foundation. The restaurant serves local and international dishes and drinks. The lodge does not have electricity; thus dinner is enjoyed by romantic candlelight.
	Room facilities:	The comfortable bungalows have private bathroom with solar-heated water and a big terrace with hammocks. The superior rooms are larger and offer the best views.
	Our opinion:	Offers active holidays in the middle of the Caribbean lowland rainforest, in a rustic, yet comfortable ambience.

	Hotel Cariblue***, Puerto Viejo
	Official classification:	***
	Total number of rooms:	22
	Location:	Hotel Cariblue is nestled in a tropical garden with large jungle trees, approximately 2 km south of Puerto Viejo. The beach is only 100 meters away from the hotel and you reach it by walking on a trail and then crossing the road from Puerto Viejo-Manzanillo.
	Transfer time:	Approximately 4 ½ hours by road from San José
	Hotel facilities:	This pleasant nature hotel consists of different wooden buildings distributed in its tropical garden. The reception, restaurant and bar are located in 2 ranchos with palm-thatched roofs. The rooms are approximately 100 meters away from the restaurant and can be reached on trails through the garden. The hotel offers a swimming pool with Jacuzzi.
	Room facilities:	You can select three different room types. All rooms are constructed with elegant woods. 6 Standard Bunglows: located in 2 separate buildings and equipped with private bathroom, hot water, ceiling fan and terrace. 10 Superior Bungalows: each bungalow is equipped with private bathroom, hot water, ceiling fan and large terrace with hammocks. These individual bungalows offer a lot of privacy. 1 House: with 2 separate sleeping rooms, each with private bathroom, hot water, and ceiling fan. The two rooms have a large common terrace with hammocks and a completely equipped kitchen.
	Our opinion:	This is an ideal place for nature lovers looking for a place to enjoy a quiet holiday at a beautiful Caribbean beach, with excellent service. The house is perfect for families with children.

Choose a Car

Extras: GPS system US$: 7 per day

US$100 deposit for mobile phone

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