SOUTH AMERICA
NATURAL WONDERS OF COSTA
RICA 9 DAYS FROM $1,669 US Details below or
click here for more information INQUIRY FORM Phone: 1-888-682-6449/1-303-670-5640 Fax: (425) 984-7676
This incredible
vacation lets you sample the scenic beauty of Costa Rica. Your trip
begins in San José, the capital of Costa Rica, with a city tour;
visit the National Theater and the National Museum. Tour a banana
plantation before reaching Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica’s
national park dedicated to protecting endangered turtles. During your
stay, cruise through the Tortuguero Canals, view amazing flora and
fauna in a remote section of the park, and enjoy a guided walk through
the rainforest. Your guide will help you spot freshwater turtles,
herons, toucans, monkeys, and more. Next, transfer by boat to Sarapiqui
and tour the Corsicana Pineapple Farm. Travel through Tilajari
Rainforest Reserve en route to Tilajari Resort, your home for two
nights. Here, experience the Butterfly Garden, relax in the pools of
the Ecotermales Hot Springs, view Arenal Volcano, or walk in the nearby
tropical rainforest in search of 300- to 400-year-old trees, poisonous
frogs, monkeys, birds, and possibly small animals native to the
reserve. Then on to Poas Volcano National Park to see the magnificent
La Paz Waterfall and Poas Volcano, where you have up-close views of the
enormous crater with its deep, green lake. Learn about coffee
production at the Doka Coffee Plantation before returning to San
José for the final night of your unforgettable Costa Rica
vacation. Day 1 Arrival in San José, Costa Rica (Sat.) Upon your evening arrival you
will be met by your Tour Director who
will help you check into your hotel.
Day 2 San José (Sun.) This morning, enjoy a San
José city tour that will introduce you to the capital’s most
important sights. Driving through Paseo Colon, visit the heart of the
city to admire the pride of the ticos, the NATIONAL THEATER. This
architectural jewel was designed as the opera house at the beginning of
the 19th century. Visit the NATIONAL MUSEUM, a faithful witness to
Costa Rican history, then enjoy sightseeing at Central Park, the
cathedral, the Congress Building, and the Justice Court. Continue to
the town of SARCHI, for centuries a production center of Costa Rica’s
famous hand-painted oxcarts, to have an included lunch and shop for
unique souvenirs. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner hosted by your Tour
Director at the hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 3 San José–Tortuguero National Park (Mon.) Journey east to the Caribbean
shore and TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK. On the way, stop at a BANANA
PLANTATION. Later, board a motor launch for your CRUISE along the
Tortuguero Canals, waterways crisscrossing a national park dedicated to
the protection of endangered turtles. The trained eyes of your guide
and boatman help you spot freshwater turtles, caymans, herons, toucans,
egrets, and monkeys. An afternoon at leisure lets you explore Pachira
Lodge until you meet for an informative slideshow presentation on the
area. (B,L,D)
Day 4 Tortuguero National Park Tour & Canal Cruise (Tue.) Your Tour Guide accompanies
you on a leisurely BOAT RIDE along remote, unspoiled sections of the
park’s waterways, explaining the bountiful flora and fauna. Enjoy a
fascinating stroll through an accessible portion of the nearby
RAINFOREST. During the peak nesting season, from mid-July to
mid-October, you may be lucky enough to observe an endangered green
turtle laying her eggs under the starlight on an optional tour. (B,L,D)
Day 5 Tortuguero–Sarapiqui (Wed.) A morning boat transfer begins
your journey to the Sarapiqui area. Along the way, enjoy views of the
passing rainforest. Arrive at your resort hotel for time to relax. (B,L)
Day 6 Sarapiqui–Tilajari Resort (Thu.) This morning, tour the
CORSICANA PINEAPPLE FARM to learn about the history, cultivation, and
industry of pineapples. Continue through TILAJARI RAINFOREST RESERVE.
After settling in, experience the magic of the resort’s BUTTERFLY
GARDEN and consider a walk in the nearby tropical rainforest in search
of 300- to 400-year-old trees, poisonous frogs, monkeys, birds, and
possibly small animals native to the reserve. (B,D)
Day 7 Tilajari Resort (Fri.) During your morning at leisure
you may wish to go on an optional horseback ride or float trip. Or, you
can take advantage of Tilajari’s amenities by walking along the shaded
trails of the private, 750-acre tropical forest. Later this afternoon,
enjoy a walking tour of the town of La Fortuna de San Carlos, offering
spectacular views of the active Arenal Volcano. Next, drive to nearby
ECOTERMALES HOT SPRINGS for a dip in the curative and relaxing pools.
This evening, view ARENAL VOLCANO, hoping to see lava glowing on its
sides. (B,D)
Day 8 Tilajari–San José (Sat.) Get an early start this
morning to POAS VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK. On the way, see LA PAZ
WATERFALL, one of the five falls in the area. Arrive at POAS VOLCANO
for close-up views of the enormous crater with its deep, green lake;
perhaps you will even see one of its sporadic geyser-like eruptions.
Next, stop at the DOKA COFFEE PLANTATION where you will see firsthand
the entire production process—from seedlings to your cup! Tonight, your
Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner at a local restaurant, ending an
unforgettable discovery of Costa Rica. (B,L,D)
Day 9 (Sun.) Your homebound flight arrives
the same day. (B)
INCLUDED
FEATURES
San José: City sightseeing;
visit the National Theater, the National Museum, and a banana
plantation; tour Doka Coffee Plantation; welcome dinner; farewell dinner
Sarchi: Shop for
souvenirsTortuguero National Park: Guided cruise through the canals to
view wildlife; guided walk through the rainforest
Sarapiqui: Tour a working pineapple
plantation
Tilajari Resort: Tilajari
Rainforest Reserve; visit the Butterfly Garden, Ecotermales Hot
Springs, and Arenal Volcano Poas Volcano
National Park: View La Paz
Waterfall; visit Poas Volcano
Note:
* Maximum
elevation on tour: 9,000 ft.
INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special
features are shown in the description, including admission charges when
applicable.
MEALS
American breakfast daily (B),
5 lunches (L), and 6 three-course dinners (D), including special
welcome and farewell dinners in San José.
SUPERIOR HOTELS
San José Doubletree
Cariari by Hilton (D), Tortuguero National Park Pachira Lodge (BA),
Sarapiqui La Quinta de Sarapiqui Lodge (F), Tilajari Tilajari Resort
Hotel (F); Lake Atitlán Porta Del Lago (F), Guatemala City
Biltmore Express (SF)
DEPARTURE DATES
February - May
July
September - December
PRICES
from approx $1,669 US per
person, based on double occupancy
More Tours and Cruises Available For more information please complete the INQUIRY
FORM
This incredible
vacation lets you sample the scenic beauty of Costa Rica. Your trip
begins in San José, the capital of Costa Rica, with a city tour;
visit the National Theater and the National Museum. Tour a banana
plantation before reaching Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica’s
national park dedicated to protecting endangered turtles. During your
stay, cruise through the Tortuguero Canals, view amazing flora and
fauna in a remote section of the park, and enjoy a guided walk through
the rainforest. Your guide will help you spot freshwater turtles,
herons, toucans, monkeys, and more. Next, transfer by boat to Sarapiqui
and tour the Corsicana Pineapple Farm. Travel through Tilajari
Rainforest Reserve en route to Tilajari Resort, your home for two
nights. Here, experience the Butterfly Garden, relax in the pools of
the Ecotermales Hot Springs, view Arenal Volcano, or walk in the nearby
tropical rainforest in search of 300- to 400-year-old trees, poisonous
frogs, monkeys, birds, and possibly small animals native to the
reserve. Then on to Poas Volcano National Park to see the magnificent
La Paz Waterfall and Poas Volcano, where you have up-close views of the
enormous crater with its deep, green lake. Learn about coffee
production at the Doka Coffee Plantation before returning to San
José for the final night of your unforgettable Costa Rica
vacation.