The Gulf of Nicoya The Gulf of Nicoya is a stunning coastal landscape of wetlands, jagged rocky islands, cliffs and mangroves. The offshore islands protect seabird sanctuaries inaccessible to visitors. However, with binoculars, birdwatching is easily enjoyed by boat. Guayabo is the largest of four known nesting sites for brown pelicans in Costa Rica and is also home to boobies, frigatebirds and falcons at certain times of year. This is not an area regularly visited by tourists - a distinct advantage for those with a keen interest in wildlife! La Ensenada Lodge MID This is a unique opportunity to stay on a working ranch and wildlife refuge. It offers 25 spacious rooms in comfortable ocean- facing villas. Activities include horse- riding and guided birding excursions in the forest and marshes which provide excellent opportunities to see herons, pelicans, parrots, ducks and spoonbills gathering during the dry season. Villa Caletas HIGH Villa Caletas is a luxurious boutique hotel perched in an absolutely stunning location amidst rainforest overlooking the Pacifi c Ocean and the Gulf of Nicoya. Accommodation consists of 52 gorgeous rooms, individual villas and suites. There's a dramatic amphitheatre where concerts are often held. The area is renowned for its fl ocks of colourful scarlet macaws. THE AMERICAS | COSTA RICA 135 ITINERARY Day 1 Depart UK for San Jose Day 2 Travel to Tortuguero National Park for a two night stay at Mawamba Lodge ( BLD) Day 3 Boat journey to see numerous monkeys and prolifi c birdlife ( BLD) Day 4 To Arenal Volcano National Park to see the world's most active volcano ( B) Day 6 Two days exploring Monteverde Cloud Forest - canopy walkways are one of the best ways to explore the region ( B) Day 8 In Rincon de la Vieja you'll enjoy various trail walks and swim in waterfalls ( B) Day 10 After your explorations, there's time to relax on the white sand beaches of Tamarindo from the beach- front Diria Hotel ( B) Day 12 A fi nal night in San Jose, visiting Carara National Park en- route ( B) Day 13 Depart San Jose for UK Day 14 Arrive UK Departure dates 14 Aug - 27 Aug 2010 13 Nov - 26 Nov 2010 18 Dec - 31 Dec 2010 12 Feb - 25 Feb 2011 16 Apr - 29 Apr 2011 13 Aug - 26 Aug 2011 17 Dec - 30 Dec 2011 Flight inclusive cost per person From £ 1999 Land only cost per person From £ 1265 Single room supplement From £ 390 What's included Flights ( fl ight inclusive package only), transfers, meals as indicated, ten nights hotel/ lodge accommodation and two nights in a hacienda Tour code WCRW Max group size 12 COSTA RICA'S NATURAL HIGHLIGHTS Highlights . See prolifi c wildlife in a unique natural environment . Take in the world's most active volcano - Arenal . Relax on tropical, white sand beaches Wildlife abounds on this wonderful trip exploring Costa Rica's natural highlights. You'll discover nesting turtles, monkeys, prolifi c birdlife and much more besides, amidst a tapestry of forests, beaches, lagoons and waterfalls. Exploring by foot, boat and high above the trees on canopy walkways, this tour visits our favourite places, from Tortuguero National Park to Monteverde Cloud Forest and the white- sand beaches of Tamarindo. GROUP TOUR Atlantic Ocean COSTA RICA ARENAL SPRINGS RINCON DE LA VIEJA NATIONAL PARK TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK Carara National Park MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST TAMARINDOSAN JOSE Siquirres Fact! The resplendent quetzal, the sacred bird of the Mayans, is considered by many to be the most beautiful bird in the world, and is regularly seen between January and July in Monteverde Cloud Forest. Or visit us on the web www. wildlifeworldwide. com

136 Arenal Volcano National Park Arenal Volcano National Park is famous for Mt. Arenal, the world's most active volcano. It lay dormant for centuries, erupted in 1968 and has been continuously active ever since, making it one of the world's most explosive cones. The highlight comes after dark when volcanic activity often includes explosions and fl owing lava. The surrounding national park contains a bizarre landscape of lava fl ows, lush natural forest and tropical fl ora and fauna, including howler monkeys, toucans and over 350 species of birds. Arenal Springs HIGH A delightful retreat, designed to give guests the best views of the Arenal Volcano from their rooms. The hotel has lovely gardens, a large swimming pool and spa, so you can treat yourself to a massage. Rooms are air- conditioned and have a terrace. The hotel has a vegetable farm and guests are invited to visit to see how some of the local agricultural product is harvested. Arenal Observatory Lodge HIGH This is a unique property, once a Smithsonian Institute scientifi c research station and located just 1.7 kilometres from the volcano. It is protected from danger by a deep gorge and offers magnifi cent views of the volcano on a clear night. Upgrade to Smithsonian wing rooms or suites, which have huge picture windows for even better views! Tamarindo Tamarindo is the bustling surf capital and tourist centre of Costa Rica's north Pacifi c coast, but besides the stunning beaches it also offers fabulous opportunities to explore the surrounding rainforest reserves, mangrove swamps, estuaries, rivers and volcanoes for wildlife. Tamarindo's broad sandy bay stretches for three and a half kilometres, and is bordered by large river estuaries whose extensive mangrove forests are protected reserves. Leatherback Turtles lay their eggs in the north, howler monkeys swing through trees, parakeets screech as they settle for the night and giant iguanas can be seen downtown! Tamarindo Diria HIGH This is a fantastic hotel located on the white sands of Tamarindo Beach. Many rooms have ocean views and guests can enjoy relaxing in the lush tropical gardens facing the beach. Recommended for its location and style, we're sure you'll enjoy staying here. Jardin del Eden MID A small resort and boutique hotel on a small hill a few minutes walk from the beach. This enchanting hotel consists of fi ve villas with a total of 34 rooms and two fully- equipped apartments. Corcovado National Park Corcovado National Park is wet tropical lowland forest at its best, named ' the most biologically intense place on earth' by Americas National Geographic Society, and it is the last remaining Pacifi c lowland rainforest of a sustainable size in Central America. With 500 species of tree, 104 species of mammal, 367 species of bird, 117 species of amphibians and reptiles and 40 species of freshwater fi sh, this area is a naturalist's paradise. Here amongst the largest trees of Costa Rica, can be found the densest population of tapirs, jaguars and scarlet macaws in the region. The park is also home to ocelots, pumas, giant anteaters and harpy eagles. Other protected species here include howler, spider, squirrel and white- faced capuchin monkeys, great tinamou, silky anteater, poison dart frog, glass frog, bushmaster snake, and leatherback, olive ridley and green turtles. Fact! Wildlife excursions around Tamarindo abound: take boat trips into Las Baulas saltwater refuge to see giant leatherback turtles laying their eggs at night, join monkeys and birds in the trees on a rainforest canopy adventure, visit Palo Verde, a true birdwatchers' paradise, or the unusual Barra Honda National Park, renowned for its vast cave system inhabited by blindfish, salamanders and bats. Talk to an expert 0845 130 6982 Fact! The Tenorio Volcano National Park, 35 kilometres from Arenal, sports one of Costa Rica's most beautiful waterfalls and natural hot springs; clear waters here turn blue because of a unique volcanic chemical reaction. We visit it on our Untamed Costa Rica itinerary, for those who really want to get close to Costa Rica's wild side... See page 134