Thanks to its remote location the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica remains well off the beaten path and it is possible to find some incredible places, which you can almost have all to yourself. The south is for adventurers, who want to explore the wild beauty of nature.

Type of car: we recommend a 4x4 vehicle at any time of the year.

Day 1: San José - Cerro de la Muerte - San Gerardo de Dota

You start your journey by driving to the former capital of Costa Rica, the town of Cartago, where you can visit the Basilica, one of the most beautiful churches of Costa Rica. Continue on the Pan-American Highway, where the road soon starts to climb the Talamanca mountain range. After about 80 km you will reach 3000 meters of altitude and turn right to San Gerardo de Dota, where your room (Junior Suite) is reserved at Savegre Lodge**(*). This small village is located at about 2000 meters and is surrounded by beautiful cloud forest. This is the best place in Costa Rica to observe the Quetzal, a shy and colorful bird, which was sacred to the Mayas and other Native populations. Enjoy a walk through the jungle and observe birds in the later afternoon.

Overnight at: Savegre Lodge**(*)/ Junior Suite.
Total km today: about 90 km
Total driving time today: about 2 hours
Included meals today: none

Day 2: San Gerardo de Dota - Golfito - Golfo Dulce Lodge

The early morning hours, when the jungle awakens are the perfect time for bird watching. But you won't have too much time to walk around today, because you need to drive quite a long way to your next hotel. Drive back up to the Pan-American Highway. You will soon reach the top of the highest pass of Costa Rica, the Cerro de la Muerte at 3400 m. After many twists and turns you will reach San Isidro del General, the capital of the South Pacific coast. Continue on the Pan-American Highway, passing large pineapple plantations until you reach Golfito. A representative of Golfo Dulce Lodge will await you at Samoa del Sur Restaurant, located in the center of Golfito, at about 11:30am. Here you can park your car safely at a charge of about 10.-USD per night. On a 30 minutes boat trip, you can observe the beautiful green coastline, and with some luck dolphins can be spotted on this transfer. Arrival and check-in at Golfo Dulce Lodge***. Surrounded by jungle and located at the rocky beach, this is a perfect place for nature lovers and birdwatchers. Ask the staff about the tours offered from here. We recommend a walk in the jungle, a boat ride to the mangroves of Rio Esquinas, or a visit to a local botanical garden.

Overnight at: Golfo Dulce Lodge***/ Deluxe Bungalow
Total km today: about 280 km
Total driving time today: about 5-6 hours
Included meals today: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3: Golfo Dulce Lodge

Today is at your leisure to explore the surroundings of the lodge. We recommend a boat tour to Rio Esquinas, where you'll find mangroves. Please ask the guide to bring the kayaks. It's an unforgettable experience to paddle silently through the mangroves. Enjoy a jungle hike in the afternoon or watch birds on a platform above the rainforest.

Overnight a: Golfo Dulce Lodge***/ Deluxe Bungalow.
Total kms today: none
Total driving time today: none
Included meals today: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4: Golfo Dulce Lodge - Golfito - Cortés - Dominical

A representative from the lodge will take you back to Golfito by boat where you will pick up your car again and continue your journey. You will drive to Palmar Norte and Cortés, where the coastal road starts. There are some really beautiful beaches there, and most of the time you are absolutely alone. You'll reach Dominical in the evening, where your room is reserved at Hotel Villas Rio Mar***.

Overnight at: Hotel Villas Rio Mar***
Total km today: about 180 km
Total driving time: about 3-4 hours
Included meals today: breakfast

Day 5: Dominical - Quepos / Manuel Antonio

Some excellent tours can be booked at the reception desk. We recommend a horseback ride to a beautiful waterfall, a hike through the jungle at Hacienda Bar&uacutr;, or some relaxing hours at the wild beach. Later, you will have to continue driving north to Quepos, where we have reserved your room (Junior Suite) at Hotel Rancho Casa Grande***. There is a private reserve right next to the hotel, where you can enjoy a hike in the afternoon. Many other tours are offered, such as horseback riding, a tour to oil palm plantations or more hiking in the jungle.

Overnight at: Hotel La Foresta***
Total km today: about 70 km
Total driving time today: about 1-2 hours
Included meals today: breakfast

Day 6: Quepos / Manuel Antonio

Today we recommend a visit to Manuel Antonio National Park (closed on Mondays, entrance fee US$7 per person). Apart from the beautiful beaches there are trails through the rainforest, where you have the opportunity to see different species of mammals and also a good chance of encountering the endangered Squirrel monkeys (Mono Tití) that live inside the park. Return to Rancho Casa Grande*** and overnight (Junior Suite).

Overnight at: Hotel La Foresta***
Total km today: about 20 km
Total driving time today: about 30 minutes
Included meals today: breakfast

Day 7: Quepos / Manuel Antonio - Carara National Park - San José

On the way back to San José, you have the opportunity to visit Carara National Park (entrance fee US$8 per person) where some rare species of orchids can be observed. But, the main attractions are the large red Scarlet Macaws that live here. Return to San José and drop off of the car.

Total km today: 180 km
Total driving time today: about 4 ½ hours
Included meals today: breakfast

Hotels Used for this Itinerary

	Savegre Lodge**(*)
	Official category:	***
	Total number of rooms:	29
	Location:	Located on the grounds of a 400ha finca, of which 250ha consist of primary forest. Coming from San José via the Pan-American Highway you drive south and up to the Cerro de la Muerte pass on a very twisty road. At km 80 you have to turn right to San Gerardo de Dota. After about 9 more km you reach the village and the lodge.
	Transfer time:	From San José about 2½ hours, from San Isidro about 1 hour 15 minutes.
	Hotel facilities:	The family style, homely lodge has a restaurant serving local cuisine. There is a bar and a conference room. You can explore the rainforest on well maintained trails. Horses can be hired and the hotel offers various activities such as bird watching tours, guided hikes and trout fishing. Catch your dinner, a rainbow trout, yourself and let the chef prepare it for you!
	Room facilities:	Standard Rooms: Simple but nicely decorated, with private bathroom, hot water and heating system. Junior Suites: Large and nice rooms with luxury bathroom, hair dryer, bath tub, sitting area, open fire place, heating system and 2 terraces.
	Our opinion:	An ideal place for bird watching and hiking. We recommend the Junior Suites! At this altitude it can get nippy. Bring some warm clothes.

Package Rate 2012 per person

Notes:

• RATES DO NOT INCLUDE CAR! Please inquire for current rates
• Renting a GPS system (at extra charge) is recommended.
• Prices in US$ per person including meals as per description.
• Rates may vary if standard hotels are not available.
• At Golfo Dulce Lodge, 2 additional dinners and 1 additional lunch are included.
• This tour can't be booked during Christmas, New Years Week (22.12.11 - 04.01.12) and Easter time (01.04.12 - 08.04.12 because of the minimum stay policy at some of the hotels.
• The Tour to the South is not being offered during the month May, June and October, because Golfo Dulce Lodge is closed during this time.On request we can quote the tour with Esquinas Rainforest Lodge instead.
• Parking fee needs to be cancelled directly when leaving the car in Golfito at the restaurant Samoa del Sur.

For further information and booking inquiries please send us and e-mail.