Early departure (between 6-7am) by motorcoach from San José, passing through misty Braulio Carillo National Park. Depending upon visibility you may be able to see Bara Volcano within the park itself. This wet forested area is filled with ferns, orchids, and bromeliads. From Braulio Carillo you will be dropping down into the tropical lowlands of the Caribbean side of the country. The scenery changes drastically as the road winds through banana plantations, and you notice a different style of local architecture. After a stop at one of the local Tico restaurants for breakfast, continue to the Tortuguero Canal where you will board a boat for a 2 1/2 hour fascinating trip through the meandering waterways to your selected lodge. The Canal, which runs parallel to the ocean, is the water highway from the city of Limon to the northern coastal region. As you motor up the Canal it is possible to see monkeys, tree sloths, and a variety of birds in the dense jungle.

You will arrive at your lodge in time for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Park Museum. Tortuguero National Park is an important breeding ground for the green sea turtles. End the afternoon with a visit to the small village. Return to your lodge for dinner.

After breakfast, depending upon which lodge you are staying in, you will enjoy a morning hike with a naturalist guide in the rainforest. After lunch, there will be an opportunity for further exploration of the Tortuguero channels by boat. Before dinner, enjoy a dip in the pool.

After breakfast, (between 8:30 - 9am) board the boat for the return trip through the Canal. At the dock you will board a motorcoach that will take you to the town of Guapiles. After lunch, continue to San José and then on to your next Avanti destination!