Tropical Honeymoon

Day 1:  Upon arrival in San Jose, Costa Rica you will transfer about 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. 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 2:  Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs Tour (full day): Morning departure from Villa Blanca traveling along the continental divide into the San Carlos plains, passing the lush tropical and cloud forest habitats.  Along the way your guide will explain the characteristics of different crops located in San Carlos, including ornamental plants, pineapple, cassava, papaya, plantains and dairy production.  Upon arriving in the town of La Fortuna, you’ll learn about the importance of tourism to this area in recent years.  Then we’ll observe the volcano (weather permitting) and discuss its history, including its origins and its most important recent eruptions.  After a short walk and photo opportunities, we will then head to the private thermal hot springs and relax and enjoy the medicinal waters.  After leaving the hot springs, we’ll visit a local restaurant where you’ll have views of the volcano and its eruptions.  Transfer back to the Hotel Villa Blanca for overnight.

Day 3:  This morning, you will transfer by ground about 1 ½ hours to the San Jose Domestic Airport for the short flight to Palmar Sur, on the remote Osa Peninsula. Upon arrival, you will transfer to the Sierpe River for a scenic boat ride through the river, estuary and into the Pacific. Arrive at the Aguila de Osa Inn, located in Drake Bay, for overnight. The lodge is located between the tropical rainforest and the Pacific, offering comfort and seclusion with a touch of elegance. Each room features hardwood floors, ceiling fans and tile bathroom. The rest of the afternoon is free to hike, kayak to a deserted beach, beach comb, horseback ride, or just relax in a hammock overlooking the ocean. Tonight enjoy happy hour at the bar and meals served family style in the open-air restaurant.

Day 4:  Full day guided hike of Corcovado National Park: This morning take a boat ride to the entrance of Corcovado National Park, which protects over 100,000 acres and many of the country’s endangered species. National Geographic ranks this park as one of the best in the world and describes it as "the most biologically intense place on earth". Traverse through the virgin tropical rainforest to see an abundance of tropical birds (including toucans, scarlet macaws, parrots and hummingbirds), butterflies, insects, and several species of monkeys, sloth and more. Have a refreshing swim in a waterfall before the return to Aguila de Osa Inn for overnight.

Day 5:  Snorkeling Tour of Cano Island Biological Reserve: This small piece of paradise is covered with evergreen forest that pushes against a curve of white sand beaches ringed with warm turquoise waters and acres of coral covered rock reefs. Said to be a pre-Colombian cemetery and refuge for pirates at one time, the island is now a popular destination for scuba diving and snorkeling among the big fish (including white tip sharks and bull sharks). Spotted dolphins sometimes play in your boat's wake and flying fish sail off the top of the ocean swells. Visitors often encounter schools numbering in the hundreds that literally block the sun's rays in the clear waters (visibility ranges from good to excellent year round). Between December and April, 40-ton humpback whales come from their Alaskan feeding grounds and manta rays with 15 to 20 feet wingspans are spotted from February to June. Overnight Aguila de Osa Inn. (Or certified divers can substitute a full day Scuba diving tour at additional cost)

Day 6:  This morning, boat and ground transfer to the Palmar Sur airstrip for the short flight to the Manuel Antonio / Quepos area on the Central Pacific coast. Upon arrival, transfer to the 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 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 hiking with naturalist guides for wildlife observation, adventure canopy tour, sport fishing, sea kayaking, scuba diving, mountain biking, ATV tours, Dolphin Watch boat tour, 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:   This morning you will transfer to the local airport in Quepos for the short flight back to San Jose.  Upon arrival, transfer to the International Airport for departure.

INCLUDES:

• Roundtrip private ground transfers from San Jose to San Ramon
• 2 nights Hotel Villa Blanca, superior casita – includes breakfast daily
• Arenal Volcano / Hot Springs Guided Tour – includes transfers, guide, entrance fees and lunch
• One-way flight from San Jose to Palmar Sur *Max 25 lbs of baggage per person to avoid excess weight charges
• 3 nights Aguila de Osa Inn, standard double room – includes roundtrip ground and boat transfers, 3 nights lodging, all meals, and guided tours of Corcovado National Park and Cano Island
• One-way flight from Palmar Sur to Quepos *Max 25 lbs of baggage per person to avoid excess weight charges
• Roundtrip Quepos Airport Transfers
• 3 nights Hotel Si Como No, superior double room –breakfast daily included
• One way flight from Quepos to San Jose *Max 25 lbs of baggage per person to avoid excess weight charges
• One way San Jose International Airport Transfer
• ALL HOTEL TAX INCLUDED

Price valid through October 31, 2009