Taste of Costa Rica

Day 1: Upon arrival in San Jose, Costa Rica, you will transfer to the Hotel Grano de Oro for overnight. Situated on a shady street just off Paseo Colón, San José's main thoroughfare, Hotel Grano de Oro is a true oasis, a sanctuary in the heart of the city.  Converted from a Tropical Victorian mansion, the hotel maintains the warmth and comfort of a private home. The gardens at Grano de Oro are both inside and out. A rooftop terrace offers relaxing Jacuzzis and a spot for secluded sunbathing and stargazing. The restaurant is one of the most renowned in Costa Rica.

Day 2: Early this morning, you will be picked up for an approximate 4 hour ground transfer (with a stop for breakfast) to the private dock for a scenic 2 hours boat ride to Tortuguero on the northern Caribbean coast. Arrive at the Mawamba Lodge, located on a sand bar between Tortuguero Lagoon and primitive beaches of the Caribbean, for overnight. The lodge offers comfortable rooms, a private dock on the canals, 2 family style restaurants and swimming pool with bar. The lodge is a good base for exploring Tortuguero National Park's (pay entrance upon arrival) slow moving jungle canals and tropical lowland forest. This afternoon take an optional tour of the village of Tortuguero and/or visit the Caribbean Conservation Corporation Museum.

Day 3: Today tour the canals by boat with local guides to observe the flora and fauna of the area. Look for beautiful shore birds, lizards, toucans, monkeys, caimans, and sloth. You will have the opportunity to hike the jungle trails to an amazing vista overlooking the ocean and forest or walk into town. Optional night boat tours are available at additional cost (turtle nesting is from July to October). Overnight Mawamba Lodge.

Day 4: This morning transfer to the local airstrip for a short flight back to San Jose. Upon arrival, you will meet with a driver / guide and travel to the Poás Volcano. This volcano’s colorful main crater is one of the widest and deepest in the world! You may stand on the edge and look down into its cauldron. It’s second crater, Botos, is a crystal clear rain-fed lake surrounded by highland jungle and is reached by a walk of about a half-mile through a unique dwarf cloud forest. After exploring the Park, you will continue to Monteverde. Arrival in Monteverde is in the afternoon. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, one of the most diverse and richest tropical cloud forests in the New World is best known as home to the Resplendent Quetzal but has hundreds of other birds, mammals and plant species. Overnight in Monteverde at Hotel Fonda Vela.

Day 5: In the morning visit Selvatura's Canopy zip line tour. Considered one of the longest of its kind it is located inside the actual virgin cloud forest of Monteverde The tour starts with a safety talk by the guides and getting fitted with the appropriate equipment, then the adventure begins through each of the 15 cables and 18 platforms, at the end you may choose to take the optional Tarzan Swing. Tour usually takes between 2.5 and 3 hours. In the afternoon hike through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve viewing the misty forest with its dense vegetation and majestic trees. Overnight Monteverde at Hotel Fonda Vela.

Day 6: After breakfast, mid morning departure for the drive about 5 hours via ferry to the Tango Mar Beach Resort for overnight. This is a small, intimate and secluded resort located within a tropical beachfront reserve. It offers restaurants, swimming pools with waterfalls, isolated white sand beaches, and horse stable. The standard beachfront rooms offer spectacular views, air conditioning and satellite TV. A private balcony opens out to the ocean breeze and is steps from the white sand and soothing surf. Remainder of the day is free to enjoy the beach, pool and surrounding gardens or challenge the 9 hole golf course. 

Day 7 – 8: Free days to relax on the beach. Other optional activities include jungle hiking, sport fishing, sailing, kayaking, horseback riding, tennis courts, and golfing. Guided tours are available at additional cost include Tortuga Island for swimming & snorkeling, Curu Nature Reserve, Montezuma Village & Waterfalls and Cabo Blanco National Park. Overnight Tango Mar Beach Resort.

Day 9: Today, you will transfer to the domestic airport in Tambor for the short flight to San Jose.  Upon arrival, you will transfer to the Hotel Grano de Oro for overnight.  This remainder of the day is free to explore San Jose or to do some last minute shopping.

Day 10: This morning you will transfer to the International Airport for departure.

INCLUDES:

• Roundtrip San Jose international airport transfers
• 2 nights Hotel Grano de Oro, standard double room
• 2 nights Mawamba Lodge, standard double room – includes ground and boat transfers, all meals and local tours (Park Entrance fees not included)
• One way domestic flight Tortuguero / San Jose *Max 25 lbs baggage per person to avoid excess weight charges
• 2 nights Poás Volcano / Monteverde Package – includes transportation with driver / guide, 2 nights at Hotel Fonda Vela (standard), 2 meals and tours of Poás Volcano, the Monteverde Reserve and Selvatura Canopy Tour.
• 3 nights Tango Mar Beach Resort, standard double room, includes breakfast daily
• One-way Tambor Airstrip Transfer
• One-way flight from Tambor to San Jose *Max 25 lbs of baggage per person to avoid excess weight charges
• One-way San Jose Domestic Airport Transfer
• ALL HOTEL TAX INCLUDED.

Price valid through October 31, 2009