Greentique Family Special

*Includes 2 nights FREE plus added values at both hotels upon arrival

Day 1:  Upon your midday or early afternoon arrival into San Jose, Costa Rica you will be met and transferred approximately 1 ½ hours to the Los Angeles Cloud Forest near San Ramon. This high-elevation forest, literally in the clouds, is a misty dreamlike setting that is great for hiking and wildlife observation. Arrive at the Hotel Villa Blanca for overnight located on a 75-acre Private Biological Reserve.  The hotel offers distinctive and unique accommodations with amenities not commonly found in a Cloud Forest region including 35 Casitas with fireplaces, each with breathtaking views of pristine tropical cloud forest, upscale restaurant, lobby with fireplace, bar lounge, terrace deck, library / game room, private movie theater, Serenity Spa facilities and Regalame II Gift Shop and Art Gallery.  The remainder of the day is free to explore this unique environment or to simply sit back and relax. 

Day 2:  This morning enjoy the El Silencio de Los Angeles Guided Nature Walk - Walk around with your head in the clouds as you step into the heart of the cloud forest with our own nature interpreters who will unveil a secret world of rich tropical life along this 3 kilometer user-friendly trail. Located right on the hotel property, the trail was created by professional nature guides and designed to showcase a variety of tropical flora and fauna as it winds its way throughout this rare and incredibly diverse biosphere. As a part of only 2.5 % of the planet’s remaining cloud forests, this unique forest habitat continues to amaze our hotel guests and guides, as well as the trained research scientists from INBio (The National Institute of Biodiversity), who established the first research station to operate on a hotel property in Costa Rica. 

In the afternoon depart on a Guided Horseback Riding Tour - Explore the vivid green hillsides of Costa Rica’s Central Highlands on this guided horseback tour of Finca Julietta, a working dairy farm just below Villa Blanca. Finca Julietta, owned and operated by the family of former Costa Rica president Rodrigo Carazo, features gentle trails that wind their way through sections of forest, along creeks and across the hillsides that define this charming, rural landscape. Bird watching from horseback is a terrific experience you’ll enjoy as you ride along the trail adjacent to the cloud forest reserve.  Overnight Hotel Villa Blanca. 

Day 3:  Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs Tour (full day): This morning we will depart from Villa Blanca for travel along the continental divide into the San Carlos plains.  Along the way your guide will explain dairy production and the characteristics of different crops located in San Carlos including ornamental plants, pineapple, cassava, papaya and plantains.  Upon arriving in the town of La Fortuna you will learn the growing importance of tourism to this area in recent years.  Next we will take a nature walk to observe the volcano (weather permitting) and discuss its history, including the most important recent eruptions.  After a short walk and photo opportunity we will head to the private thermal hot springs where we will relax in the medicinal waters.  Prior to the drive back to Villa Blanca we will stop at a local restaurant for a delicious campesino style lunch and more spectacular views of the volcano.  Overnight Hotel Villa Blanca.

Day 4:  This morning you will be met and transferred 3 and ½ hours to the Manuel Antonio / Quepos area on the Central Pacific coast at Hotel Si Como No for overnight. This award-winning hotel is an exemplary combination of environmentalism, stunning design and barefoot luxury located in a lush tropical rainforest overlooking the ocean.  The hotel's 60 rooms are distributed on ten acres of protected tropical forest. Each room has well-appointed bathrooms, fully stocked mini-bars, most with private balconies (offering rainforest or ocean views), direct dial telephones, energy efficient air conditioning and security safes. 

Two unique pool atmospheres are offered – a family pool with toboggan slide and an adult pool for guests 18 and over, both contoured into the jungle terraces, with swim up pool bars, whirlpool spas and adjacent open air terraced restaurants.  Enjoy a casual meal at the Rico Tico Bar & Grill (live entertainment nightly) or upscale dining in a casual setting at the Claro Que Si Restaurant (specializing in seafood and authentic Caribbean dishes).  Other features include the Serenity Spa, Regalame Art Gallery, Gift Shop and Internet Cafe, Nature Farm, and Butterfly Garden.  A state-of-the-art cinema (offering nightly movies) is a surprise feature of this jungle paradise.  Remainder of the afternoon is free to explore.   Overnight Hotel Si Como No.

Day 5:  Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike: Costa Rica’s favorite national park is tiny Manuel Antonio, featuring three of the country’s most beautiful white sand beaches bordered by dense rainforest and trails abundant in wildlife. Follow a professional naturalist guide for a moderate walk through the park. Keep your eyes and ears open to soak in the wonders of this tropical rainforest and its natural history. The animal life is diverse, with some 109 known species of mammals and 184 species of birds.  Expect to spot two or three species of monkeys, sloth, white-nosed coatimundis, agoutis, colorful butterflies, iguanas and various birds. Bring a bathing suit and towel to enjoy the beaches after the tour. Overnight Hotel Si Como No. 

Day 6:   Rural Mountain Adventure Combo Tour – Start the day with an amazing ride through the local palm plantations, farm fields and river crossings as you ascend the picturesque mountain road.  First stop is Canopy Safari Zip-line for a 90 minute tree top adrenaline rush on the regions wildest canopy tour.  You’ll have all the thrills you can handle plus the confidence that comes from zip lining with one of Costa Rica’s premier canopy operators. Then it’s a short ride up to Santa Juana. In this remote mountain village you’ll see the traditional “Trapiche” sugar cane process still powered by massive farm oxen and take hikes with knowledgeable guides on beautiful, jungle shrouded hillside user-friendly trails to learn about exotic birds, insects, reptiles and animals native to the Fila Chonta Mountain Range. There is also a tranquil horseback ride plus the opportunity for swimming in a hidden jungle river pool beneath a pristine waterfall.  You will also see traditional farming, go fishing in ponds filled with Tilapia, receive a tree adoption certificate and enjoy a delicious Campesino lunch, served family style in a beautiful village farm house.   Overnight Hotel Si Como No. 

Day 7 – 8:  Free days to take the complimentary shuttle down to the beach or plan day trips. Manuel Antonio National Park contains three of the country’s most beautiful beaches and casual trails that wind through the rainforest where it grows to the water’s edge.  Other attractions and tours include sport fishing, sea kayaking, mountain biking, horseback riding, bird watching, Butterfly Farm Tour, exploring the Isla Damas Estuary by kayak or boat, Rainmaker Reserve and suspension bridges, Sunset Sailing and whitewater rafting. Guided excursions at additional cost can be pre-booked or arranged upon arrival.  Don’t forget to visit the fun shops and restaurants in the old United Fruit Company town of Quepos. Overnight Hotel Si Como No.

Day 9:   Morning transfer 3 hours to the international airport in San Jose for your afternoon return flight home. 

Price:  $1850.00 per adult / double occupancy / land package
$527.00 per children ages 6 – 12 (MAX 2 children)
(valid for travel from May 1 – Nov 14, 2011)
Based on a family of 4 traveling together in 2 rooms at the LA Cloud Forest and 1 room in Manuel Antonio

Includes: 

• One way private ground transfer San Jose / San Ramon. 
• 3 nights Hotel Villa Blanca, 2 superior casitas.  Breakfast daily included.  *3rd night is FREE!
• Los Angeles Cloud Forest Hike.  Guide included. 
• Horseback Riding Tour.  Guide included.  
• One way private ground transfer San Ramon / Manuel Antonio. 
• 5 nights Hotel Si Como No, 1 deluxe suite.  Breakfast daily included.  *5th night is FREE!
• Manuel Antonio National Park Tour.  Includes:  transfers, guide, entrance and snack. 
• Rural Mountain Adventure Combo Tour (Canopy Safari & Santa Juana).  Includes:  transfers, guide, entrance, equipment and lunch. 
• One way private ground transfer Manuel Antonio / San Jose. 
• ALL HOTEL TAX INCLUDED. 

Receive these added values upon arrival: 
-Complimentary Wellness Center (gym, Jacuzzi & Sauna) – at Villa Blanca
-Gift voucher for 15% any premium bottle of wine - at Villa Blanca
-10% discount coupon at El Sendero Restaurant – at Villa Blanca
-Access to INBio, Biological Research Station – at Villa Blanca
-Free entrance to self guided nature trail – at Villa Blanca

-50% discount on butterfly gardens walking tour – at Si Como No
-15% discount at Rico Tico & Claro Que Si Restaurant Menus – at Si Como No
-Serenity spa specials of the month – at BOTH hotels