Costa Rica 2012
8 Days · 12 Meals
Passport Required
The limitless possibilities, that include extensive rainforests, volcanoes, rivers traveling through the mountains, beaches and natural resources safeguarded by an important organization of national parks and forest reserves will unfold before your eyes on this amazing holiday in Costa Rica.
Highlights
- Tour begins with arrival in San José and transfer to your hotel
- Welcome dinner
- Breakfast at your hotel
- Visit to Poas Volcano and Doka Estate Coffee Tour followed by lunch
- Continue to the Arenal area known for its famous and active volcano
- Breakfast at your hotel
- Depart for Arenal Volcano National Park where we enjoy extraordinary views of the Arenal Volcano on a gentle hike along the base of this marvelous "Mountain of Fire"
- In the afternoon, enjoy a healthy and relaxing soak at the Tabacon Grand Spa and Thermal resort with dinner included
- Breakfast at your hotel
- Excursion to Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge where you will see a great variety of birds, monkeys, iguanas, sloths, turtles and Caymans. Lunch is included during this excursion.
- Breakfast at your hotel
- Drive from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio National Park area
- Ride the Pacific Aerial Tram for breathtaking views of the rain forest and hanging gardens
- Continue to Manuel Antonio
- Breakfast at your hotel
- Day at leisure to enjoy the local beaches or relax by the pool
- Breakfast at your hotel
- Visit to Manuel Antonio National Park
- Farewell dinner
- Breakfast at your hotel
- Transfer to San José Airport for flights home
- 12 Meals (7 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 3 dinners)
- Airport transfers when air is provided by Mayflower
- $40 in Mayflower Money
Itinerary
Tropical Paradise
Costa Ricans have a lot to smile about – secluded palm-sheltered beaches, lush rainforests, lava-shooting volcanoes, tropical rain and cloud forests, an abundance of wildlife, fine coffee and a peaceful society. Discover the best of Costa Rica!
San José
Our journey begins in the historic capital of San José at a delightful casino hotel. You have time for a swim or massage before dinner as your busy schedule fades into Costa Rica’s mystical tropical paradise.
Poás Volcano
Enroute from San José to La Fortuna, visit Poás Volcano, one of the most spectacular volcanoes in Costa Rica. Poás has a long history of large eruptions, producing a cloud of hot ash five miles high in 1910. Look down from its mile-wide rim to a gigantic boiling cauldron of steaming geysers. Then continue to the Doka Coffee Estate for a tour followed by lunch
Arenal - Room with a View
A volcano in the front yard? That’s what the village of La Fortuna boasts. So you can see its awe-inspiring cone first thing in the morning and the last thing at night, as your room for three nights has a private terrace with a view of the Arenal Volcano. In addition to the volcano, the area is rich in natural wonders. On our arrival day, we see hot springs and beautiful waterfalls, hike easy, fragrant trails, swim or just dangle our feet in shady pools fed by waterfalls and surrounded with lush, tropical greenery. The village of La Fortuna is ringed by mountains and inhabited by friendly folk whose little shops may offer the perfect memento.
There are few places on earth where you can observe an active volcano, and we will spend a day near Arenal Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the Americas. Since it erupted 400 years ago, it has continued to light up the night sky. From our observation point, we feel the ground tremble and see smoke that billows from the earth’s molten core rise to join the clouds.
After a day of adventure, relax at the Tabacon Grand Spa followed by dinner with lovely views of the resort’s hot springs, lush tropical gardens and Arenal Volcano. While in La Fortuna, we will enjoy a full day excursion to Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge, a remote “everglades” type of wetlands teeming in different species of flora, fauna and birdlife. Truly a unique experience.
An Aerial View
We move on to the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. An aerial tram tour in a gondola gives us an eagle’s eye view of the rainforest and the lush hanging gardens of one of the most interesting and exuberant forests in the Americas. Tropical flowers, scenic views of waterfalls, streams, the Pacific and glimpses of wildlife combine to give you the total rainforest experience in comfort and safety.
Manuel Antonio and the National Park
Our resort for three nights is El Parador Boutique Resort & Spa situated on a majestic bluff with panoramic views overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The resort is also ideally situated just minutes from the most pristine and tranquil area of the world famous Manuel Antonio National Park and the small fishing village of Quepos. Its elegant Mediterranean-style architecture, modeled after the traditional Spanish Paradores and quaint European “boutique hotels,” has made the resort one of a kind.
Spend a day at leisure - you may choose to relax on the beach, stroll through the forest or join new companions on an excursion. There will be time to swim and snooze in the sun, time to snorkel or enjoy magical sunsets. One morning, visit nearby Manuel Antonio National Park, the smallest of the parks in Costa Rica but one of the most popular. The park’s forest, mangroves, lagoons and beach vegetation support 1,009 species of mammals and 184 species of birds, with migrants bringing the bird species to some 270. Among the inhabitants that can be easily seen are sloths, iguanas, agoutis, armadillos, coatimundis, raccoons and the adorable squirrel monkey.
Accommodations
Day One
Herradura Hotel, San José
Days Two through Four
The Arenal Manoa Hotel and Resort or Hotel los Lagos, La Fortuna area
Days Five through Seven
El Parador Boutique Resort and Spa, Manuel Antonio
Dates & Rates
| 2012 Departure Dates | Per Person Twin | Single Room Add |
|---|---|---|
| February 5 | $1,655 | $665 |
| October 15 | $1,545 | $595 |
Call for air rates and schedules between your city and San Jose, Costa Rica
Destination Map
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Passport & Visa
Each U.S. citizen must have a valid passport. Expiry date of passports should be at least 6 months after the return date of tour. If you don't have a passport, call our office and we'll tell you how to apply for one. Some countries require visas for entry by U.S. citizens. We will send visa applications and instructions if a visa is required for your tour. Holders of non-U.S. passports should contact their nearest consulate and inquire about the necessary passport or visa documentation required for entry into the countries visited. NOTE: Due to airline security measures, your passport name must match your airline ticket name and your tour reservation name or you may be denied aircraft boarding.
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