After breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up in a shared transfer to San Gerardo de Dota, in the Los Quetzales National Park, a cloud forest reserve where the iconic quetzal bird lives. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to explore the area on your own or join an optional activity. Visiting the Guayabo Monument is a fantastic choice. Veiled in the shadow of the Turrialba Volcano, like a mythical lost city from a storybook, lies a mysterious ancient city that was home to over 10,000 people who seemed to have mysteriously vanished just before the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century. This area, known as Guayabo National Monument, is Costa Rica’s most important archaeological site and its only named national monument. A guide will walk you through the park while explaining the findings of the excavations and the history of the people that once lived there. Another great activity is the Tropical Biking Tour at CATIE. This tour takes place in and around the plantations and botanical gardens of CATIE. The topography of the trails used on this tour is for all levels of bike riders and children over eight years old. As you go along, your naturalist guide will explain the great diversity of forest and fruit plantations, which can include coffee, cocoa, sugar cane, citrus, plantain, bananas, macadamia, pineapple, mangosteen, mango, avocado and many other exotic species from tropical countries all over the world. Thanks to the diversity in flowers and fruits, the plantation is also an ideal site for the observation of birds, mammals and some reptiles. The Canyoneering and Canopy Tour is another memorable activity availed today. Canyoning involves rappelling and descending cliffs and waterfalls within the canyon. Begin this exciting tour with an introduction of our guides and the equipment, as well as with a safety speech, to help you familiarise with the activity. Your guide will make sure you know the mechanisms and procedures for canyoning, ensuring you a safe and fun experience. You are off on a 2-3 hour adventure, rappelling down four waterfalls, zip lining down four canopy cables, and walking across a 40m hanging bridge – all giving you an unforgettable adrenaline rush! The optional activities mentioned are not included.
Overnight in San Gerardo de Dota.