Experience Natural Wonders

Day 1:   Upon arrival in San Jose, Costa Rica, you will transfer to the Corteza Amarilla Art Lodge & Spa, an ideal destination that perfectly combines city and hacienda styles. From the attractions and amenities of the city, to the rugged beauty of the Central American Wilderness, a true experience awaits. Located just 15 minutes from Juan Santa Maria International Airport, Corteza Amarilla Art Lodge & Spa provides you a tropical atmosphere, surrounded by Costa Rican trees that bloom through the year and all the magic of well-lit and exotic gardens. This lodge is an exclusive refugee of tranquility and peace. This place has the ambiance of a mansion with exquisite details and impeccable attention for the guests.

Day 2:  This morning, you will transfer to the domestic airport in San Jose for the short scenic flight to Puerto Jimenez on the remote Osa Peninsula.  Upon your arrival, you will transfer by ground and boat to the Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge for overnight.  The small size of Playa Nicuesa allows for a more intimate experience with nature. The cabins, guestrooms and the main house are uniquely designed to create a seamless and enjoyable transition between the indoors and outdoors. Three exceptional meals are prepared each day by their chefs. Emphasis is on local cuisine and fresh fish, tropical fruits and vegetables. All cabins and rooms have canopied beds, ceiling fans, private terraces, and private baths with hot water and open-air garden shower. The full-length doors that wrap around your room and private verandas afford panoramic views of your natural surroundings.

Day 3 – 4:Free days to enjoy Golfo Dulce’s 80-degree blue green waters. Kayak right off the beachfront. The water is calm and perfect for swimming. Spend a relaxing hour or a challenging day kayaking and exploring along the coastline and through nearby mangroves. Stop and snorkel along the way! In-shore and offshore fishing guarantee a fresh fish dinner. You can also explore the jungle by hiking the labyrinth of trails that wind through the rainforest canopy, up the mountainside, and connect through the National Park. Listen to the howler monkeys, watch and hear the calls of any one of the 250 species of birds, and end up at a waterfall. Or, just relax in a hammock under the almond tree by the sea and take in the ocean and mountain views while listening to the rhythmic waves.  Overnight Playa Nicuesa Lodge.

Day 5:  This morning, you will transfer by boat and ground to the domestic airport in Puerto Jimenez for the short scenic flight to the Quepos / Manuel Antonio area on the Central Pacific Coast. Upon arrival, you will transfer by ground approximately 1 hour to the Rafiki Safari Lodge for overnight.  Rafiki is a wilderness luxury tent camp and conservation project focusing on adventurous sustainable tourism. The lodge is nestled on 842 acres of pristine jungle along the Savegre River, 30 km south of Quepos and Manuel Antonio in Costa Rica.

Our luxury Safari tents are set atop hardwood decks, each with rocking chairs, so you can sit back and admire the view in privacy.  Imported from South Africa, the tent's design lets you experience nature up close while keeping the insects at bay.  Each unit features its own modern, complete bathroom.  Whether you are on your honeymoon, want to bring a group of friends and family, or business associates, Rafiki provides the perfect atmosphere.  While our property is a nature retreat... it is hardly roughing it!

Day 6: Today you will enjoy an excellent white water rafting tour on the Savegre River. The properties’ ideal location allows you enjoy all the river provides. There are several trips offered, depending on your ability level. The hotel will speak with you in advance to personalize your trip, and try their best to meet your adventure needs, be that the views or adrenaline. You will enjoy hot grilled meals along the river and have access to full bathrooms throughout the day to keep you comfortable on your trip.

Day 7: Free day to relax or plan day excursions.  Guests can enjoy a wide variety of activities such as whitewater rafting, horseback riding to waterfalls, hiking, and excellent birding. Overnight Rafiki Safari Lodge. 

Day 8: This morning, you will transfer by ground approximately 2 ½ hours to Playa Esterillos in between Jacó and Manuel Antonio at Xandari by the Pacific for overnight. This beachfront boutique hotel is a haven for relaxation, tranquility and harmony.  Nine spacious and private villas all feature a large terrace from which to enjoy panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean or lush tropical gardens.  Each villa offers private walled-gardens, sitting area, mini-bar, air conditioning plus fan and luxury amenities such as hair dryer and CD player. The generous bathrooms feature a mosaic-tiled shower that opens to a private garden. Each villa is a separate building, designed by owner and architect Sherrill Broudy, with original paintings, mosaics and tapestries by artist Charlene Broudy.

Day 9 – 10: Free Days to relax on the beach or plan day trips. The property is located along a shell-strewn, long, expansive and scenic beach, perfect for walking, jogging, exploring and sunbathing. Dramatic waves have made this a renowned surfing beach. There is ample shade under the palm and almond trees, plus hammocks and chaise lounges for relaxing, and there is usually a refreshing breeze. The sky at sunset is breathtaking. A wide selection of activities in the area include hiking in Carrara and Manuel Antonio National Parks; canopy tours; whitewater rafting; horseback riding; sea kayaking; snorkeling and scuba diving; surfing; deep sea fishing; catamaran tour to Nicoya Gulf islands; river tours through mangroves; shopping; plus nightlife, bars and restaurants in Jacó. Overnight Xandari by the Pacific.

Day 11:  This morning, you will transfer by ground approximately 3 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.  The hotel offers distinctive and unique accommodations with amenities not commonly found in a Cloud Forest region including 34 new Casitas with fireplaces, formal and buffet dinning rooms, lobby with fireplace, bar lounge and terrace deck, library/game room, Serenity Spa facilities, and Regalame II Gift Shop and Art Gallery.  Remainder of the day is free to explore this unique environment on foot or to simply sit back and relax.  Overnight Hotel Villa Blanca.

Day 12 – 13:  Free days to explore the misty forest at Villa Blanca.  Additional optional excursions with Villa Blanca include cloud forest bird watching tours, cultural/historical countryside tour, horseback riding, nocturnal nature walk, guided tour of “El Silencio de Los Angeles Cloud Forest” Private Biological Reserve, Cloud Forest Quetzal Tour (February – June), Private Tour of Poás Volcano, La Paz Waterfalls, and Sarchi, Private Tour of Arenal Volcano & Hot Springs.  Overnight Hotel Villa Blanca

Day 14:   This morning, you will transfer by ground approximately 1 ½ hours to the international airport in San Jose for departure.

INCLUDES:

• One way San Jose international airport transfer
• 1 night Corteza Amarilla, junior suite – breakfast included
• One way San Jose domestic airport transfer
• One way domestic flight San Jose / Puerto Jimenez *Max 25 lbs baggage per person to avoid excess weight charges*
• 3 nights Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge, 1 bedroom cabin – includes  boat pick up and drop off from town of arrival and departure, 3 meals a day, unlimited self-guided hikes, use of kayaks, windsurfers, snorkeling and fishing equipment
• One way domestic flight Puerto Jimenez / Quepos *Max 25 lbs baggage per person to avoid excess weight charges
• One way private ground transfer Quepos / Rafiki
• 3 nights Rafiki Safari Lodge, standard – includes 3 meals daily and a 1 day Savegre Whitewater Rafting tour
• One way private ground transfer Rafiki / Playa Esterillos
• 3 nights Xandari by the Pacific, beach front prima – breakfast daily included
• One way private ground transfer Playa Esterillos / San Ramon
• 3 nights Hotel Villa Blanca, superior casita – breakfast daily included
• One way private ground transfer San Ramon / San Jose
• ALL HOTEL TAX INCLUDED

Price valid through October 31, 2012