COSTA RICA HIGHLIGHTS TOUR
January 19-27, 2008
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SATURDAY, January 19
Arrive at Juan Santamaria International Airport in San José, where you'll be met by your friendly Tico guide and driver. Board your private air-conditioned bus and we'll drive a short distance to InBioparque, Costa Rica's National Institute of Biodiversity. InBioparque was created to promote awareness of the value of biodiversity and the importance of its conservation. We'll watch a brief introductory video to Costa Rica, take a guided walk down the trails, and enjoy a stimulating light-show presentation on the country's national parks. While here, you'll also have a chance to explore the park's butterfly garden, lagoon, aquarium, and farm. The farm is a recent addition including 12 plots planted with vegetables, medicinal plants, aromatic plants, flower and foliage, timber trees and fruit trees.
Next we'll have a brief tour of the capital city of San José before checking in to our hotel. Enjoy a "Welcome Dinner" at Tiquicia, a restaurant perched high in the hills with a spectacular view of the city lights below.
Overnight at Occidental Torremolinos Hotel.
SUNDAY, January 20
Typical Costa Rican breakfast at the hotel. This morning we will visit Poas Volcano, which has one of the widest craters in the world. The ecosystem here is cloud forest, but if we're lucky, the clouds won't completely obscure our view of the crater mouth.
We'll continue to La Paz Waterfall Gardens. With over 3.5km of walking trails, there is much to see here! Not only are there five picturesque waterfalls, but the Gardens are also home to the largest butterfly observatory in the world, spanning the length of a football field and reaching heights of 50 feet! In addition, there is a hummingbird garden which attracts some 24 different species of the bird, as well as an orchid house. While here, we'll enjoy a delicious buffet lunch with a four fork rating from the Costa Rica Tourist Council.
We drive back to San José to tour the Gold Museum, then return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
MONDAY, January 21
Breakfast at the hotel, then we'll check-out and drive north into Braullio Carillo National Park for the Rain Forest Aerial Tram Tour. This gondola tour takes place on a modified ski lift which covers a distance of 2.6 kilometers through primary rainforest. The tram ride lasts about an hour and twenty minutes, during which time you will be able to view the sub canopy (middle part of the forest), the upper canopy and its hanging gardens. The rainforest canopy is one of the least seen and most complex communities on the planet. In their eagerness to find light and open space, many plants have colonized the treetops, turning them into highly complex living ecosystems. Colorful flowers and an amazing array of shades of green have created a unique, symbiotic relationship with each other in order to capture precious sunlight. This beautiful world cannot be seen from the forest floor, but it is yours to enjoy from the safely and comfort of the Rain Forest Aerial Tram!
We continue into the Sarapiqui region for an afternoon of Class II and III white-water rafting on the scenic Sarapiqui River. Those who prefer not to hit the rapids have the option to go floating on calmer waters. Picnic-style lunch will be served mid-trip on the side of the river.
Check-in to Selva Verde Lodge and dinner is at the lodge this evening.
TUESDAY, January 22
Breakfast at the lodge, then we check-out and drive to the nearby pineapple plantation belonging to Collins Street Bakery of Corsicana, Texas. On our tour, we'll learn about the journey that a pineapple takes from the field to your local grocery store. Of course the tour would not be complete without our own taste-testing of the freshest pineapples you've probably ever eaten!
We'll hit the road for La Fortuna de San Carlos in the Arenal Volcano area, with lunch en route. Arenal Volcano had lain dormant for years when it surprisingly erupted in 1968, destroying the nearby town of Tabacon and killing some 80 people. Today it remains one of the most active volcanoes in the world with almost daily eruptions. We'll check-in to our cabins at Arenal Paraiso Resort, then head over to the private hot springs resort belonging to the Hidalgo family. Enjoy alternately soaking in the therapeutic waters heated by Arenal Volcano and relaxing in a lounge chair with a refreshing drink (bar on site). A delicious and authentic Costa Rican dinner will be prepared for us in the resort dining area. Rejuvenated and relaxed, we will return to Arenal Paraiso for overnight.
WEDNESDAY, January 23
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant. This morning we'll visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges, a tourist project consisting of paths and bridges built with the objective of maintaining the utmost harmony between man-made structures and nature. The trails, which have a maximum grade of 7 degrees, will take us over eight fixed bridges and six hanging bridges. You will get to see a great diversity of flora and fauna on our guided walk, as you experience the beauty and peacefulness of the rainforest.
We'll have lunch in the area and some free time to explore the small town of La Fortuna de San Carlos. Then we'll return to the hotel and the remainder of the day is free to relax in your cabin, swim in the resort's hot-spring fed pools, or take part in one of the activities offered at the resort (extra cost). There is a Mayan spa, hiking trails leading to waterfalls, and a canopy tour where you zip-line through the treetops. Dinner at the hotel restaurant.
THURSDAY, January 24
Breakfast at the hotel, then check-out and we'll drive south to the Pacific coast and the Punta Leona resort, stopping for lunch en route. Surrounded by 750 acres of lush tropical rainforest, pristine white sand, gold sand beaches and the deep blue waters of the Pacific, you will be swept away by the natural beauty of this private tropical rain forest and beach resort where we will spend the next two nights. Dinner at the hotel restaurant.
FRIDAY, January 25
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant. This morning we will drive a short distance south to Manuel Antonio National Park for a guided hike. Established in 1972, the national park is one of the most beautiful and bio-diverse areas in the world. Although it is the country's smallest national park, the stunning beauty and diversity of wildlife in its 683 hectares is unequaled. Manuel Antonio contains a charming combination of rain forest, beaches and coral reefs. The beaches are the most beautiful in the country, lined with lush forest, and the snorkeling is excellent too. The forest is home for sloths, iguanas, the rare and adorable squirrel monkeys and millions of colorful little crabs. And the trail that winds around Punta Catedral affords some spectacular views. The principal habitants are primary forest, secondary forest, mangrove swamps, lagoons and beach vegetation. There is quite a varied fauna with 109 species of mammals and 184 of birds. The park includes 12 little isles just off the coast; there are a number of dolphins and, at times, migrating whales can be observed.
We'll have some free time to enjoy the beaches and trails, as well as to do some souvenir shopping at the many stands lining the streets. We'll have lunch together at El Avion, a restaurant set on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Then we return to Punta Leona Resort, where the afternoon is free and dinner is in the hotel restaurant.
SATURDAY, January 26
Breakfast at the restaurant and the morning is free. Check-out late morning and we'll drive back to San José with lunch en route. Check-in to Occidental Torremolinos Hotel, relax in your room and pack your bags for the last time in preparation for tomorrow's departure. This evening we'll go to Café Britt for the Coffee Tour, following which you may buy coffee and souvenirs in their nice gift shop. Then we'll enjoy a delicious buffet-style "Farewell Dinner" in their fine restaurant.
SUNDAY, January 27
Breakfast at the hotel, then check-out and transfer to the airport for your return flight home. Don't forget to have US$26 for your departure taxes, and to tip your guide and driver. Gracias y buen viaje!