13 days / 12 nights – January 10th to 22nd, 2007
$ 2417.00 per person (Land Portion for 14 participants)
Letter Codes: (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner
(NG) Naturalist Guide
(LG) Local Guide (TG) Transfer Guide
Day 1 – Arrive at San José, Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaría International Airport. After passing through Immigration you will be met by a Costa Rica Expeditions representative who will give you a sticker that will facilitate you clearing customs. When you leave the building after clearing customs, look for a sign that says, “Costa Rica Expeditions” and has your name on it. A Costa Rica Expeditions guide wearing an orange shirt is holding the sign. He or she will take you to hotel Grano de Oro for overnight. No meals included today. (TG)
Day 2 – After breakfast at your hotel, you will depart with your private guide and driver on a city tour in San Jose. You will visit the National Theater and the Gold Museum this morning. The magnificent National Theater, built in 1897, is a historical landmark and one of the country’s architectural jewels. The Pre-Columbian Gold Museum boasts a collection of gold objects that reflect the world view, social structure and gold working techniques of the Pre-Columbian people of Costa Rica. The collection consists of 1,600 pieces of gold work that date from 500 to 1500 AD. Lunch will be included at a local restaurant in San Jose. In the afternoon, we visit the National Museum, located atop a hill that dominates the city of San Jose, in the country’s former army headquarters, vacated in 1949 after Costa Rica abolished its standing army. Here you can witness for yourself the pre-Columbian tools, pottery, burial sites and social past. Return to your hotel late in the afternoon in time for your welcome dinner with your private guide. (BLD) (NG)
Day 3 – Early morning pick up at your hotel by your Naturalist Guide for a transfer to the Caño Blanco dock (via Braulio Carrillo National Park) for your boat to Tortuguero. The boat ride is about 2 hours to Torutuguero. Originally intended to protect a major nesting beach of the Atlantic Green Sea Turtle, Tortuguero National Park now protects 51,870 acres, one of the last large areas of tropical rain forest in Central America. Eleven habitats are found in the park. Three species of monkeys (Spider, Howler, and White-faced), Three-toed Sloths, and River Otters are frequently seen along the natural inland waterways and canals. Caiman, iguanas, river turtles, Basilisk Lizards, and Poison Dart Frogs inhabit the area, along with more than 320 species of birds including all six species of kingfishers found in the new world, three species of toucans, eight species of parrots, and other neotropical species such as the Slaty-tailed Trogon, White-collared Manakin, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, and White-fronted Nunbird. Overnight at Tortuga Lodge. (BLD) (NG)
Day 4 – After breakfast, depart with your guide on a natural history boat tour through the Tortuguero lagoons and canals with your private guide. A total of 6 hours of tours have been scheduled for you in Tortuguero. Overnight at Tortuga Lodge. (BLD) (NG)
Day 5 – After breakfast, cross the main canal with a local boatman and get to the Tortuguero airstrip where you will board a light charter flight* back to San Jose. Upon arrival, your private driver will be waiting for you to depart to Arenal – approximate driving distance is 3 hours. You will stop on the way for a lunch at a local restaurant. Arrival to Arenal in the early afternoon. After check in time to explore the several walking trails on your own or relax before dinner.
This almost perfect cone, which soars 1,633 meters above sea level, has a crater 140 meters deep formed over an ancient caldera. From time to time loud explosions are heard and a mushroom cloud of gray, brown, orange or blue smoke billows out of the top. Although the volcano is capable of inspiring intense fright and awe in visitors, inhabitants of nearby Fortuna, San Carlos and the dairy farms at its base seem to live with relative peace of mind. If you ask, they will tell you with surprising tranquility about the time it erupted. Overnight at Montaña de Fuego Inn. (BLD) (NG)
Day 6 – In the morning, accompanied by your naturalist guide, you will visit the Arenal Volcano National Park. Since Arenal was dormant until 1968, the only people who suspected it was a volcano were those who had scaled it and found a crater and steam vents at the top. Few people listened to them until an earthquake shook the area on July 29, 1968. Twelve hours later, Arenal blew, sending out shock waves that were recorded as far away as the Boulder, Colorado Nuclear Explosion Monitoring Center. All damage was 5 km west of the volcano, where people were knocked down by shock waves, poisoned by gases and struck by falling rocks. Three new craters formed during the eruption, sending down lava flows, which eradicated the town of Pueblo Nuevo. Lunch included at a local restaurant.
In the evening, visit the Hidalgo Family Farm and Hot Springs. The Hidalgo's are a Costa Rican family from the San Carlos area who made their fortune raising cattle for beef. Several years ago, they discovered a hot spring at one of their ranches on the skirts of the Arenal Volcano and built a swimming pool using water from the spring. They have now built nice pools where you enjoy a natural massage from the small cascade of hot spring water and spectacular views of the Arenal Volcano (weather-permitting) in the tradition of local hospitality. Dinner will be specially prepared by your hostess, Doña Mireya. Overnight at Montaña de Fuego Inn. (BLD) (NG)
Day 7 – After breakfast, departure to the area of Carara, near the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Lunch will be included en-route. After a pleasant 2-night stay in the Arenal area, arrive to your all-inclusive hotel in time for check in, relax, swim, and enjoy dinner. Villa Lapas Hotel. (BLD) (NG)
Day 8 – Morning guided visit to the Carara Biological Reserve. Hot and humid Carara is a region of mountain ranges, marshes, forests, swamps, rivers and ravines., as well as important archaeological sites. This small reserve of 4,700 hectares (11,614 acres) is located 4 km Southwest of the city of Orotina, in the lower river basin of the Tarcoles River, which feeds the Central Occidental or Western Valley. It ranges from the rolling alluvial lowlands to the steep slopes of volcanic and sedimentary hills that rise 634 meters above sea level. The forests on the slopes are composed of species such as the Espavel, Wild Fig, Silk Cotton, Quamwood and Purple Heart. The forest mass on the lowland has little diversity although palm trees are abundant. Their frequently seen stilt roots are signs of occasional floods. The gallery forests that grow along the riverbank are thick and tall, with few species, mainly the Espavel, but their appearance likens them more to a rainforest type of growth. The marshes are covered with Water Hyacinths, a plant that typically grows in shallow waters rich in nutrients or in polluted lakes. The predominant species in the altered areas are deciduous, mainly Quamwood and thorny Viscoyol Palms. Return to the hotel for lunch and free afternoon to relax by the pool. Overnight at Villa Lapas, all-inclusive. (BLD) (NG)
Day 9 – Today, you will visit the Villa Lapas Sky Way. This is a series of nature trails and hanging bridges throughout a rain forest of 100-year-old trees. It is located in Villa Lapas private reserve, close to Carara National Park. The trail is 2.5 km (1.55 miles) with descending slope. This attraction consists of four 100-meter-long bridges and one 50-meter bridge, all built in metal and joined by metallic towers. Lunch at the hotel and for those of you wishing to return to the Carara Reserve, you could coordinate this with your guide, or have another free afternoon in your hotel just to relax before you depart back to San Jose on the following day. Overnight at Villa Lapas, all-inclusive. (BLD) (NG)
Day 10 – After breakfast, depart to San Jose – approximate driving distance is 2 hours. Before checking in at your hotel, you will visit Plaza Esmeralda, in the location of Pavas where you will have the opportunity to do some shopping. Costa Rican arts and crafts are common here as well as other nice souvenirs. Lunch will be included at a local restaurant. Afternoon arrival to Xandari Plantation for check in and overnight. Dinner tonight is on your own. (BL) (NG)
Day 11 – Full day with your guide and driver for a visit to the Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens. You will have a hearty breakfast at your hotel and then, depart to your first stop, the Poas Volcano. Poás is one of the deepest active volcanoes in the world. Having last erupted in September 1978, Poás emits a continuous flow of steam from vents adjacent to a lake deep within the main crater. Among the 80 species of birds reported, several are unique to this unusual habitat. Continue on to La Paz Waterfall Gardens. The site is designed around five waterfalls accessed by three kilometers (1.8 miles) of paved trails and viewing platforms . It also includes the largest enclosed butterfly observatory in the world with a beautiful collection of tropical species and a hummingbird garden. The altitude in the park ranges from 4,300-5,000 feet and includes both cloud and rain forest. Lunch is served buffet style. The restaurant offers a view of the Poas Volcano Mountain Range and the La Paz River Valley. Late afternoon return to your hotel for overnight. Dinner on your own (BL) (NG)
Day 12 – Today, you will have the oppportunity to visit the Sarchi Oxcart Factory which is about an hour driving distance from your hotel on the way to Zarcero town, an interesting small town which we will also have the opportunity of visiting briefly. Sarchi is famous for its arts and crafts. Here you will have time to shop and have lunch. Sarchi is most famous for the traditional hand-painted ox-carts, which are the internationally recognized symbol of Costa Rica. Myriad other souvenirs and wood products are also available. Those not wishing to make these visits may choose to spend the day enjoying Xandari. Farewell dinner will take place at Xandari Plantation tonight at 7 p.m. (BLD) (NG)
Day 13 – Departure transfer to the San Jose international airport for your flight out of the country. (B) (TG)
When flying light charter flights, a maximum luggage of 25 pounds is allowed per person. Excess luggage will be stored at no extra cost at CRE’s San Jose office during Tortuguero visit and returned to group members before you head to Arenal.
Don’t delay! Join Focus Travel Club and Costa Rica Expeditions on this in-depth exploration of this ecological paradise!
Payment Policy: All payments for this tour should be by credit card to CRE.
See Credit Card Authorization Form on page 10 following.
Tour Cost $2417.00 per person in double room
Reservation Deposit $ 500.00 per person Due: As soon as possible
Second Payment $1000.00 per person Due: August 30, 2006
Final Payment $ 917.00 per person Due: November 01, 2006
Single Supplement: $_______
Note: This tour begins and ends in San Jose, Costa Rica. This allows participants to book their own round trip flights and to use frequent flier miles if wished. This also allows participants to extend their stay if wished. Focus Travel Club will investigate the possibility of securing round trip group fare from Denver and will advise if this becomes possible. Costa Rica Expeditions (CRE) will be provided with a list of participant names, arrival flights and times. All group members will be met, assisted, and transferred to our San Jose hotel by CRE.
NO SPACE CAN BE CONFIRMED UNTIL TOUR REGISTRATION DEPOSIT IS RECEIVED BY COSTA RICA EXPEDITIONS. EARLY REGISTRATION IS ENCOURAGED. Tour cost is based on a minimum of 14 participants. There will be a per person surcharge should these numbers not be reached.
YOUR TOUR INCLUDES: 12 nights accommodations at hotels mentioned in the itinerary, all meals as specified, services of a professional bilingual naturalist guide throughout, guide’s and driver’s expenses and lodging, all local taxes, entrance fees and tours as indicated, all local flights and transfers.
YOUR TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE: International airfare, extras at hotels, Mini-Bar, hotel souvenirs, items of a personal nature, meals not indicated in the itinerary above, new taxes or taxes increase charged for services that were not charged at the time the booking was made, alcoholic beverages (except for hotel Villa Lapas), departure tax ($26 per person), gratuities / tips for guide and driver.
Hotel Descriptions
Grano de Oro.
“This gracious turn-of-the-century mansion turned thoroughly modern hotel...exudes charm and superlative service...” Costa Rica Handbook 2001, Moon Publications.
Located on a residential street near Sabana Park in downtown San Jose, there are 35 rooms, each with private bath, a rooftop suite and a garden suite, both with Jacuzzis. All rooms are non-smoking. The restaurant serves meals in an outdoor garden patio.
Tortuga Lodge.
" The most atmospheric and appealing place in Tortuguero..."Costa Rica Handbook, Moon Publications. Set on a private rain forest reserve bordering Tortuguero National Park on the north Caribbean coast, the lodge’s 26 deluxe room and 1 Junior Suite have solar heated private baths. There is a non-chlorine purified swimming pool, botanical gardens lead into the forest, and wildlife is abundant with 320 species of birds, myriad forest mammals and reptiles. The restaurant offers family style fare based around the fresh fruits and seafood of the region.
Montaña de Fuego Inn.
“These individual cabins have wonderful volcano views from their spacious, glass-enclosed porches.” Frommer’s Costa Rica 2001, IDG Books Worldwide, Inc.
Located 5 miles out of La Fortuna on the road to Tabacón, this hotel is a collection of air conditioned cabins, each with hot water private baths and enclosed porches. Jr. Suites have refrigerators. A restaurant at the hotel serves international cuisine. Surrounded by gardens and nature trails, horseback tours are available. Children under ten stay free.
Villa Lapas
“One of the more attractive hotels along the Pacific Coast, named for the macaws in the vicinity…” Costa Rica Guide, Open Road Publishing.
Located on the banks of the Tárcoles River at the edge of the Carara Reserve, this all-inclusive resort has 47 adobe-style rooms with private baths. An open-air restaurant and bar has a deck overlooking the river, and there is a swimming pool, mini-golf, a butterfly garden, hiking trails and horses are available for rent. There is a trail to a jungle waterfall and a 280-hectare private reserve with abundant wildlife, and a canopy walk is featured.
Xandari Plantation.
“Xandari Plantation is yet another architecturally stunning small hotel not far from the airport.” Frommer’s Costa Rica 2001, IDG Books Worldwide, Inc.
Set high above the city near Alajuela, this resort provides views of the Central Valley and surrounding coffee fields. 19 spacious villas designed by the architect/owner, have private baths and terraces where they will serve your breakfast. Lap pools and an outdoor gym provide exercise opportunities, and the restaurant serves health conscious meals. There are natural pools with waterfalls on the wooded grounds.