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| TORTUGUERO
3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS - MAWAMBA LODGE
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TORTUGUERO is one of the
most beautiful and scenic sites of Costa Rica. A trip from San Jose to Tortuguero
shows the richness of the most exuberant vegetation in the country ( Caribbean
slope and lowlands ), as well as the most of wildlife that you can easily see
in a short trip! Transportation and tours are mostly done by boat, so this nature
experience is recommended to all ages! You will have great chances to see caymans,
crocodiles, toucans, kingfishers, monkeys ( 3 different types ), sloths, iguanas,
turtles and poison arrow frogs and many others! Do not miss it!
This package is operated by Mawamba Lodge
and it runs daily picking clients up at the main hotels in San Jose. The pick
up times are fixed at most of the hotels. If the hotel is not included on the
list, clients should make their own way to the hotels where Mawamba will pick
up their clients. During the whole trip an english speaking naturalist guide
will escort the group.
On this trip to
Tortuguero you are only allowed to take 30 pounds of luggage per person due
to the space limitation on the boat transfers. If you are not coming back to
San Jose, you are allowed to take all your luggage without any problem. You
can also fly in or fly out from Tortuguero, or combine one way by boat and land
and one way flying. ( Please quote the flights separately! )
If you fly in our out you are strictly allowed to take only 25 pounds of luggage
per person.
Mawamba Lodge is
located between the ocean and the river, with walking access to the beach. Swimming
in the river or in the ocean is not recommended. The lodge has a beautiful pool
surrounded by a tropical vegetation. Having front beach is a great advantage
in general and a great plus during the laying of eggs of the green sea turtle
( Chelonia mydas ). The tour starts right at the beach of the hotel. ( Season:
July to September ) If you are planning to take this optional tour it is important
to wear dark clothes ( black ). Photos or videos are strictly prohibited!
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| FIRST
DAY |
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On
the first day the Mawamba bus will pick you up at your hotel to take you to
the province of Limon crossing the Braulio Carrillo National Park and the continental
divide until reaching the Rio Danta Restaurant
for a typical breakfast in the Caribbean lowlands. After breakfast the trip
will continue across banana plantations to Caño
Blanco Dock ( 1 ½ hours drive ). From there the journey will continue
by boat to Tortuguero Town and Sandbar. It is a breathtaking trip on calm water
using many different rivers. The boats have canopies and rain ponchos for the
passenger. During the trip the guide will point out birds and animals and will
be explaining the natural history of the area. If the clients require vegetarian
food, tell us in advance, so that we can make the arrangements. On arrival to
Mawamba, lunch will be served. Meals are served on a menu basis, at indicated
hours, offering a wide variety of excellent cuisine.
In the afternoon your tour guide will take you on a tour to see the main highlights
of the lodge, consisting in a butterfly farm ( species that feed on fruit ),
a bio-digestor, a frog farm ( red eye frogs ), the acuarium ( local fish ) and
the lodge gardens. Very soon the tour will include a new butterfly farm ( species
that feed on nectar ), a garden of hidroponia and an iguana farm with fresh
water turtles.
New!
Dinner will be at Mawamba Lodge. The lodge has a swimming
pool, beachfront, the Tortuguero river, beautiful gardens, a natural trail,
hammocks, a bar with music, television room and a restaurant. Swimming at the
beach or river is not recommended due to the strong currents, but the spectacle
of the wild Caribbean is outstanding. During the turtle nesting season ( from
July to October ) you will have the opportunity to take the Turtle Night Walk
Tour to see the Green Turtle laying eggs at the beach of Tortuguero ( optional
).
Floating Restaurant
with a la carte menu! Very
soon!
Overnight in Mawamba Lodge.
By bus and boat
6:30 - 7:00 a.m. Pick up in the San Jose Metropolitan Area at the Hotel or indicated
place.
8:15 a.m Breakfast at Rio Danta Restaurant ( located in Guapiles )
11:00 a.m Arriving to Caño Blanco dock for the boat transfer (Caño
Blanco / Mawamba Lodge)
1:00 p.m. Welcome Cocktail at the Hotel upon arrival
Hotel Check-in
Lunch at the Hotel’s Restaurant
3:00 p.m. Tour to see the attractions in the lodge
7 :00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Dinner at the Hotel’s Restaurant.
By air
Pick up at the Tortuguero
air strip at 7:00 a.m.
7:00 a.m to 8:30 a.m. Breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant
Midday: Lunch at the hotel’s Restaurant
3:00 p.m. Tour to see the attractions in the lodge
7 :00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Dinner at hotel’s restaurant.
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| SECOND
DAY |
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After breakfast you will have a natural history
hike with your tour guide in the forest trails from Mawamba Lodge.
Lunch and dinner are at Mawamba.
In the afternoon you will have a boat tour through
the narrow canals of the National Park in the search of caymans, sloths, toucans,
turtles and monkeys. You will be delighted and comfortable while enjoying nature
at its best! The boats are small without a canopy for a better view. Please
have in mind that you have to pay the entrance fee to the Tortuguero National
Park. ( currently US $ 10.00 per person ) ( Only cash is accepted )
Overnight in Mawamba Lodge.
| THIRD
DAY |
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On the third day, breakfast will be at 7:30 a.m. and you will
leave the hotel at 9:00 a.m. After reaching Caño
Blanco around 11:00 a.m., you will be able to use the restrooms and then
continue your trip to the Rio Danta Restaurant
to have lunch. If some passengers are going to the Caribbean beaches, we can
organize a transfer from the Caribbean Dish Restaurant in Siquirres. In Caño
Blanco a parking lot for rented cars is available. A rented car drop
off also can be arranged. Lunch at Rio Danta is included and afterwards, the
bus will take you to back to San Jose.
The bus will leave you at the different hotels in San Jose between 3 and 4 p.m.
From Rio Danta we can make an easy connection with the Arenal Volcano. The passengers
will reach Rio Danta around 1:30 p.m. At 2:30 p.m. the guests may leave from
there to reach the Arenal Volcano area around 4:30 p.m. A private transfer or
a rented car can also be arranged at Rio Danta or at the Caribbean Dish Restaurant
in Siquirres Town..
The rooms at Mawamba are standard or superior, all with private bathroom, hot
water and a ceiling fan. There are no phones, TV or air conditioning. The water
is safe to drink and to brush your teeth. Mineral water is always available
for guests at the main restaurant.
By bus and boat
Between 7:30 a.m to 8:30 a.m. Breakfast at the Hotel’s restaurant.
8 :30 a.m. Check out.
9:00 a.m Departure by boat.
11:00 a.m. Arrival to Caño Blanco.
1:00 p.m. Lunch at Rio Danta Restaurant ( Located in Guapiles ).
3:30 p.m. Arriving to San Jose.
By air
6:00 a.m. Light
Breakfast.
6:20 a.m. Check out.
6:30 a.m. Drop off at the Tortuguero air strip.
| SERVICES
INCLUDED |
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2 nights in Mawamba Lodge with meals ( 3 Breakfast, 3 Lunches
and 2 dinners )
Transportation, 2 boat tours, english speaking tour guide
Bus transportation roundtrip from San Jose
| NOT
INCLUDED |
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Drinks excepting what is offered during meals
Entrance fee to the Tortuguero National Park ( US $ 10.00 per person )
Optional Tours and the Turtle Nesting Tour during the season ( US $ 30.00 per
person )
