| Dear Traveler, Welcome to a great vacation at an affordable price. Your Costa Rica tour is all inclusive with all meals, all activities, all hotels, a great itinerary, all airport transfers, all transportation and excursions. A professional tour director accompanies you for the entire Costa Rica vacation. Purified water at meals. Free bottled water on motor coach. Join the smart shoppers and experienced travelers who have chosen us to book their vacation. |
Costa Rica Natural Paradise
Duration: 10 Days/9 Nights
Accommodation: Hotels
Meals: 9 Breakfasts (B), 8 Lunches (L), 10 Dinners (D)
Travel Dates: Jan. - Dec., 2012
Price from (land only): USD$995pp + Taxes $199
based on two sharing. Call us for the lowest airfares.
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1-800-663-9787
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2012 Departure Dates
Jan |
2*, 4*, 6*, 8*, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 |
Feb |
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 |
Mar |
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 |
Apr |
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 20, 27 |
May |
4, 11, 18, 25 |
Jun |
1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29 |
Jul |
1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29 |
Aug |
3, 10, 17, 24, 31 |
Sep |
7*, 14*, 21*, 28* |
Oct |
5*, 12*, 19*, 26* |
Nov |
2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30 |
Dec |
2, 5, 7, 16**, 17**, 18**, 19**, 20**, 21**, 22**, 23**, 24**, 25**, 26**, 27**, 28, 29, 30, 31 |
*indicates Super Value date
**indicates Holiday Value date
2012 Price Per Person - $U.S.
| Room Type |
Super Value |
Great Value |
Holiday Value |
| Double |
$ 995 |
$ 1,095 |
$ 1,195 |
| Triple |
975 |
1,075 |
1,175 |
| Single |
1,245 |
1,345 |
1,445 |
Plus Taxes and Fees:
Double $199; Triple $197; Single $239
In Latin America, We'll provide transfer between the airport and hotel on the starting and ending dates of your tour.
All Meals Included
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
Hotels - listed by day
1, 2 |
San José
Barcelo San Jose Palacio Hotel, Aurola Hotel |
3, 4 |
Tortuguero Park
Laguna Lodge, Pachira Lodge |
5, 6 |
Fortuna
Lomas del Volcan, Arenal Springs, Arenal Manoa, Magic Mountain |
7, 8 |
Guanacaste, Pacific Beach
J.W. Marriott Resort and Spa |
9 |
San José
Aurola Hotel |
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Begins and Ends: San Jose, Costa Rica
Day 1 – San José, Costa Rica
Welcome to the “rich coast,” friendly land of democracy and rare natural beauty. With naturalist guides, see exotic birds and wildlife, hike in jungle rainforests, view volcanoes, soak in hot springs and cruise through biological reserves. Relax on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. We'll provide transfers from the San José airport to your hotel for a two night stay. Rooms are available for check in after 3:00 p.m. Dine at your hotel, then join us for an 6:00 p.m. welcome briefing. D
Day 2 – Poás Volcano, Cloud Forest
This morning enjoy a drive through Costa Rica’s famous coffee growing region. Next, weather permitting, visit Poás Volcano. You can safely view inside the dramatic crater from an overlook. Next, hike the Escalonia Cloud Forest Trail, home to epiphytes, orchids, ferns and tropical hummingbirds. Cloud forests are like rainforests, but with less rain and more humidity. Lunch. Then, a short walking tour through a small family coffee farm. Enjoy fresh Costa Rican coffee. Then, see San José’s Plaza de la Cultura, Central Park and the National Theatre. Visit the Gold Museum and see pre-Columbian artifacts. Enjoy dinner. BLD
Day 3 – Butterfly Garden, Tortuguero Park
Scenic morning drive through Braulio Carrillo Park. Look for cascading waterfalls. Visit a butterfly garden. See a banana plantation. Then, cruise through rivers and canals to the 47,000 acre Tortuguero National Park. Tortuguero is home to more than 300 species of birds. Look for toucans, parrots, kingfishers and the rare green macaw. Enjoy lunch. Afternoon visit to the Green Turtle Research Station. Learn about efforts to protect the turtle’s nesting habitat, eggs and young hatchlings. Walk along the Atlantic turtle nesting beaches with a naturalist guide. Next, to Tortuguero village. Meet Costa Rican school children on your visit to a local school (when in session). Enjoy a two night stay at your lodge. Dinner. BLD
Day 4 – Tortuguero Park, Canal Cruise
Cruise this morning with naturalist guides along canals lined by raffia palm, habitat of howler and white-faced monkeys, green iguanas and tropical birds. Look for white and snowy egrets and the amazing nests of the montezuma oropendola. Then, enter the mysterious reflecting waters of Caño Palma wildlife reserve. Return to your lodge for lunch. Free time to enjoy the swimming pool and tropical flower gardens at your lodge. Next, an afternoon boat excursion into the canals of Tortuguero Park. Look for otters, turtles and manatees. Listen to the joyful sounds of the jungle. Dinner. BLD
Day 5 – Pineapple Tour, Fortuna
Morning cruise on Tortuguero River. Enjoy lunch. Visit a pineapple plantation. Sample Costa Rica’s famous sweet organic pineapples. Next, through scenic countryside to the San Carlos Valley for a two night stay in Fortuna. Dinner. BLD
Day 6 – Caño Negro, Hot Springs, Arenal
Head north this morning, passing through sugar cane, teak and orange plantations. Then, cruise on the Rio Frio which runs through the world famous Caño Negro wildlife refuge, home to many migratory birds found nowhere else in Costa Rica. Look for whistling ducks, roseate spoonbills, cormorants, anhingas, blue heron, and northern jacanas. Watch for caimans, crocodiles, spider monkeys and web-footed, water-walking lizards. Lunch. Return to Fortuna. Then, enjoy a relaxing soak in the volcanic hot springs. Weather permitting, see nearby Arenal Volcano’s softly glowing lava flow. Enjoy dinner. BLD
Day 7 – Hanging Bridges, Guanacaste
This morning enjoy an unforgettable adventure in the heart of the rainforest at the Hanging Bridges, rated one of Costa Rica’s top tourist attractions. Hike on six suspension bridges, through lush tropical rainforest canopy. Enjoy views of a waterfall and look for tropical birds. Later, a scenic drive around Lake Arenal. Enjoy lunch. Next, enter the Guanacaste province. Drive through the only tropical dry forest in Costa Rica. Stop in Liberia. Then, to Costa Rica’s beautiful Pacific Coast for a two night stay. Dinner is at your resort. BLD
Day 8 – Pacific Coast, Guanacaste
This morning drive to the nearby Natural Trail of Hacienda Pinilla. This tropical bird and wildlife sanctuary is home to the playful howler monkey. Lunch. Enjoy a carefree leisurely afternoon. Time to beachcomb or swim the pristine beaches of your resort. Dinner. BLD
Day 9 – Handicrafts, San José
Morning drive through the cattle ranches of Guanacaste. Stop at the Monteverde Cooperative. Sample delicious Monteverde Cheese. Continue en route to the Central Valley, time to shop for colorful handicrafts, including painted oxcarts. Enjoy lunch. Return to San José. Farewell dinner. BLD
Day 10 – San José
Your tour ends after breakfast this morning at your hotel. We'll provide transfers throughout the day to the San José airport. Thanks for vacationing with us. ¡Hasta la vista! B
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Hotels
Accommodations in the hotels and lodges are rooms with two beds and private bath or shower. A limited number of single rooms are available. Triple rooms are usually two beds, sometimes with a cot or rollaway. On your Costa Rica tour, we'll often use more than one hotel or lodge in a given area. Although each property is wonderfully different and may have many unique features, Our goal is to offer a comparable overall selection so that you can experience the same enjoyment regardless of which property combination you find on your actual tour departure. Scheduled sightseeing will be the same from all the hotels.
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Days 1, 2 – San José
Barcelo Palacio, Aurola Hotel
San José is located in the central highlands of Costa Rica, midway between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. With an elevation of around 4000 feet, San José has a temperate year-round climate. San José is Costa Rica’s largest city and is the country’s seat of government.
Barcelo San Jose Palacio Hotel
The Barcelo San Jose Palacio Hotel is located 1 mile from downtown San Jose, amidst beautifully landscaped gardens in a quiet residential area. This five star hotel features two indoor restaurants, two bars, a casino, a large swimming pool and pool bar and restaurant, spa with Jacuzzi, steam bath, sauna, tennis and squash courts, massage therapists, hairdresser, and gift shops. Your hotel is fully air-conditioned. Internet access is available in the lobby internet cafe for a fee.
Aurola Hotel
The Aurola Hotel is located in the heart of downtown San José and is only a stroll across the park from museums, nightlife, shopping and Costa Rica’s financial and government centers. This San José landmark has just completed a multi-million dollar renovation and is updated with all the modern amenities. The Aurola’s spacious, tastefully decorated rooms offer views of the city and mountains beyond. The hotel has two restaurants, a casino, lounge, a swimming pool and a small gymnasium. The hotel is fully air-conditioned. Internet access is available 24 hours daily in the hotel lobby for a fee. |
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Days 3, 4 – Tortuguero Park
Laguna Lodge, Pachira Lodge
Tortuguero National Park is located on the remote and beautiful northeastern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. Tortuguero is a top Costa Rica highlight and is considered to be one of the world’s great natural treasures. Both of the Tortuguero lodges are surrounded by lush tropical rainforests and offer easy access to the Park’s network or lakes, rivers, canals and navigable channels for optimum wildlife viewing.
Laguna Lodge
Laguna Lodge is located on Tortuguero Beach on the Atlantic Ocean. Tortuguero Beach is home to the foremost nesting site for the green turtle in the western half of the Caribbean. Laguna offers beautiful grounds, a dock on the canals, a restaurant, two bars, a swimming pool with outdoor Jacuzzi, and an open butterfly garden. All of the guest rooms have fans. Internet access is available for a fee at the Internet cafe in the nearby village of Tortuguero.
Pachira Lodge
Pachira Lodge is located on Tortuguero’s main canal. The lodge features a restaurant, bar and swimming pool and other resort style amenities. All of the guest rooms have ceiling fans and are tastefully decorated. Internet access is available for a fee at the Internet cafe in the nearby village of Tortuguero. |
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Days 5, 6 – Fortuna
Lomas del Volcan, Arenal Springs, Arenal Manoa, Magic Mountain
Fortuna is a small town located at the base of picturesque Arenal Volcano in northcentral Costa Rica. The hotels and lodges used are located in and around Fortuna. All of the properties are within easy viewing range of Arenal Volcano.
Lomas del Volcan
Lomas del Volcan Lodge is located in the countryside on the outskirts of Fortuna. The lodge sits in the foothills at the base of majestic Arenal Volcano, with excellent nature trails on its 300 acre reserve. Don’t be surpirsed if you are serenaded during your stay by the sounds of birds and monkeys in the adjacent tropical forest. The hotel offers comfortable and spacious air-conditioned “chalets” each with a terrace and a refrigerator. The hotel has a restaurant, beautiful jacuzzi, and swimming pool, all with volcano views. Intenet access is available in the Internet cafes for a fee in the nearby village of Fortuna.
Arenal Springs
Arenal Springs is a new hotel located in the countryside on the outskirts of Fortuna. This well-designed, modern hotel features colonial style “chalets", each with a view of Arenal Volcano. Every room is air-conditioned and has its own terrace, ceiling fan, refrigerator, telephone, security box and other modern amenities. Each room’s bathroom shower shares space with a skylight covered indoor mini-garden. The hotel has extensive grounds with lush gardens and a swimming pool. Internet access is available in the Internet cafes for a fee in the nearby village of Fortuna.
Arenal Manoa
The new Arenal Manoa Hotel is located in the countryside on the outskirts of Fortuna. All rooms are air conditioned with satellite television, telphone, refrigerator, and a terrace with a panoramic view of Arenal Volcano. Guests can enjoy the restaurant, wet bar, swimming pool and jacuzzi. The Arenal Manoa has spacious gardens, walking trails and the opportunity to experience the daily operations of a Costa Rican family dairy farm. Internet access is available at internet cafes in the nearby village of Fortuna for a fee.
Magic Mountain
Magic Mountain Hotel and Spa is located on the northern end of Fortuna. All rooms have either a balcony or a terrace with a view of Aernal Volcano. Magic Mountain has a restaurant, sports bar, swimming pool with pool bar and two jacuzzis. The deluxe spa specializes in a variety of treatments including volcanic mud wraps, massages, facials, pedicures and manicures. Internet access is available in the Internet cafes for a fee in the nearby village of Fortuna. |
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Days 7, 8 – Guanacaste, Pacific Beach
J.W. Marriott Resort and Spa
The elegant, new JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort and Spa is located on Costa Rica's northwestern coast. This oceanfront resort is on a pristine secluded beach surrounded by a natural sanctuary with extensive landscaped gardens. The resort has a full service spa and the largest pool in Costa Rica (over 25,000 square feet) with a sunken swim-up bar. The spacious guest rooms are each furnished with a private balcony or terrace. Guest rooms feature luxury bathrooms with a separate deep soaking bathtub and shower. |
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Day 9 – San Jose
Aurola Hotel
The Aurola Hotel is located in the heart of downtown San José and is only a stroll across the park from museums, nightlife, shopping and Costa Rica’s financial and government centers. This San José landmark has just completed a multi-million dollar renovation and is updated with all the modern amenities. The Aurola’s spacious, tastefully decorated rooms offer views of the city and mountains beyond. The hotel has two restaurants, a casino, lounge, a swimming pool and a small gymnasium. The hotel is fully air-conditioned. Internet access is available 24 hours daily in the hotel lobby for a fee. |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in the tour price?
Virtually everything! Hotels, all meals, all of the activities described in the itinerary pages, airport transfers, gratuities to hotel porters, restaurant staff and local guides. Professional Tour Directors conduct every land tour from start to finish. They are fluent in English, experienced and fun, ensuring a worry free vacation.
What is not included in the tour price?
Prices do not include air travel, country entry or departure fees, airport porters, visas, phone calls, valet, laundry, all items of a personal nature, extra food and beverages not on the regular menu, and tips to the Tour Director and Driver. General fees and taxes are additional and listed separately beneath each tour’s price.
Can your tours be enjoyed by all age groups?
Usually, you find a mix of different age adult travelers on a Tour. Most tours will be joined by adults of all ages. Children age five (5) and over are welcome, and children usually join tours offered during Christmas holidays, summer vacation and spring break vacation.
Do your tours include any evening activities?
Yes. Tour includes an evening nature talk in Tortuguero, and evening visit to the hot springs by Arenal Volcano. Great for single travelers!
How long will each day be?
A well paced and unhurried itinerary is our goal, after all, you are on vacation! Touring days begin and end at reasonable hours and include frequent stops. While the occasional early morning departure is necessary, we do our best to ensure a leisurely vacation and you will arrive at your hotels between 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. each day.
How large will my group be?
Group sizes will vary depending on the reserved rooms at the hotels and lodges and the capacity of the boats and motorcoaches used. Usually, group sizes range from 30 to 44 passengers.
Are meals included?
All meals are included on your Costa Rica tour. Included meals for each tour are listed at the end of each day. Meals are shown by B (breakfast), L (lunch) and D (dinner). Full, buffet, or deluxe continental breakfasts are included everywhere. Bottled water is provided free on the motorcoach and purified water is provided at the meals. Alcoholic beverages are not included unless specified. |
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