Classic Costa Rica Tour

CLASICC Costa Rica 14 days - 13 nights
VALID FROM JANUARY TO NOVEMBER 30 th 2012

Minimum 2 people

Price per person

2012 Rates

Tourist Class Accommodation ( 3 Stars Up )

Price per person US$2970 based on Single occupancy
Price per person US$1978 based on Double occupancy
Price per person US$1769 based on Triple occupancy

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Day 01: Arrival back to top
Meet and greet at Juan Santamaria International airport. Transfer to Aurola Holiday Inn Hotel in San Jose.

It is located downtown San Jose, just in front of Morazan Park, near the main attractions of the capital city. The hotel has 200 nicely decorated rooms, with excellent views of San Jose. All rooms have air conditioning, mini bar, cable TV, coffee maker, alarm clock, iron and iron board, telephone, voice message, hair dryer and bath tub.

Guests can choose among three different restaurant options: El Mirador, on the 17th floor, elegant and sophisticated, with an outstanding view of the Central Valley; Tropicana, well known for its delicious buffet breakfast, and La Palma Bar, on the mezzanine, overlooking the lobby and the Morazan Park. Other facilities included are indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, gym, beauty parlor, souvenirs shop, laundry service, 24 hour room service, money exchange and free parking lot.

Day 02: Poas Volcano − Doka Coffee Tour − La Paz Waterfall Gardens back to top
Breakfast. Guided visit to Poas Volcano, Doka Coffee and La Paz Waterfall Gardens.

To get to the different attractions included during this tour, we will drive by the city of Alajuela passing by the Agriculture Monument, the Monument to Juan Santamaria and the famous Mango Park. First stop will be in Doka, a third−generation coffee plantation to learn how coffee is picked, milled, ground and roasted. Breakfast is included here. As we continue towards the Poas Volcano, we will notice the change in temperature and vegetation; we will see coffee plantations, fern, flower and strawberry farms along the way, creating a colourfull landscape.

The Poas is one of the most spectacular volcanoes of the country, with its enormous crater measuring one kilometer in diameter and 314 meters deep.
The crystal blue sulfur pools will amaze you along with the steam rising from the various volcanic vents. We will also hike to the beautiful Botos Lagoon. The tour continues to discover La PazWaterfall Gardens, a natural park where we will walk through some spectacular trails leading to the White Magic Waterfall. We will also visit the largest butterfly observatory and the impressive hummingbird gallery, the serpentarium, the old house, the bird house and the frogs' exhibit. After lunch we will head back to San Jose.

Day 03: San Jose − Tortuguero back to top
After an early departure from San Jose, driving through the spectacular Braulio Carrillo National Park, stop in Rio Danta private restaurant for a delicious typical breakfast. The bus ride continues through banana plantations to Caño Blanco pier. A two−hour boat ride through the canals will take you to Mawamba Lodge... just in time for lunch. In the afternoon, explore with a natural guide the lodge attractions including the butterfly farm, the frog farm and garden, the ranarium, the aquarium, the biodigestor and gardens. Before dinner, free time to enjoy the pool, the Jacuzzi or just relax in a hammock. Dinner will be served in the pool restaurant from 7:30 pm.

From July to September: Optional night tour available (not included in the package) to observe the turtle nesting.

Mawamba Lodge: Surrounded by beautiful gardens and situated on a sand bar between the Tortuguero canals and the Caribbean Sea, this lodge provides direct access to the beach. The 54 comfortable standard rooms have a ceiling fan while the additional four standard superior rooms, specially designed for honeymooners, feature a king size bed and a spacious bathroom with bathtub and hair dryer. Hotel facilities include a modern fleet of riverboats, swimming pool, jacuzzi, two restaurants, BBQ area, bar, souvenir shop, game room, ranchos with hammocks, a conference room and several optional tours and activities.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

- The order and logistics of the itinerary may change depending on weather conditions.
- Luggage is limited to 25 pounds (12 Kg.) per person.
- Alcoholic beverages, sodas or bottled water are not included.
- Dinner is served at 7:00 pm during nesting season.
- We recommend to use dark color clothes when taking the night tour during nesting season.

Day 04: Tortuguero back to top
After breakfast, departure by boat to the lodge's private trails for a guided walk into the tropical forest. Lunch is included at the pool restaurant. In the afternoon, enjoy a canal boat tour through Tortuguero National Park. Free time before dinner.

Day 05: Tortuguero − Arenal Area back to top

After breakfast, shared boat transfer back to Caño Blanco where the trip will continue by bus. Lunch included in Rio Danta Restaurant.

Transfer from Guapiles to Arenal area according on selected mean of transportation:

1. Shuttle bus transfer
2. Drive your rented car
3. Private transfer

San Carlos offers a landscape of exceptional beauty with its forests, lagoons, fields of crops, rivers with hot springs, and the most active volcano of Costa Rica: Arenal. In other words, sanctuaries where one can breathe peace, purity and the majestic power of nature.

Arenal Springs Resort & Spa is located on the way to Arenal Lake, in a very quiet property, half a mile from the main road. The hotel has 87 standard plus rooms equipped with one king or two queen beds, air conditioning, ceiling fan, minibar, free WiFi access, laundry bag, cable TV, telephone, coffee maker and complementary coffee and tea, safe deposit box, bath amenities, hair dryer. Each room has a private terrace and private parking space. There are also rooms specially designed for disababled guest and connecting rooms for families.

The hotel offers its guests a restaurant, two swimming pools with thermal waters, wet bar, room service, laundry service and wireless internet access in reception and a small souvenir store.

Day 06: Arenal Area back to top
Breakfast. In the morning, natural history walk in Arenal Hanging Bridges.

Located within the corridor followed by birds migrating between North and South America, the trails and bridges of this project will bring the visitor as close as any person could ever imagine to observe the birds, the flowers and the lush vegetation of the primary rainforest.

It is a 250- hectares primary-forest property, made of paths and bridges built to maintain the utmost harmony between man-made structures and nature. The property has impressive views to Arenal Volcano and to the lake that feeds the largest hydroelectric plant in Costa Rica. Hanging bridges and trails are safe and easy to walk. Transfers and guide included.

In the afternoon, see from up close the activities of the Arenal Volcano, its constant emissions of gases, vapors of water and explosions of fireworks. Follow this with a fabulous and healthful bath in the hot springs. This tour leaves around 4:00 pm from the different hotels in the region.

Transfers, entrance fee and dinner included

Day 07: Arenal − Monteverde back to top
After breakfast, transfer to Monteverde according on selected mean of transportation:

1. Boat transfer through Arenal Lake
2. Drive around the lake for car rental option
3. Private boat transfer through Arenal Lake

The town of Monteverde, located at the south end of the cloud forest, had its beginnings in the early 1950s with the impetus of a group of Quakers from the United States, a group that came to Costa Rica attracted by its pacific inclinations and disarmament. They established themselves in the region and devoted themselves to produce milk and quality cheeses. Monteverde is located 172 kilometers northeast of San Jose. The climate is template and humid, with and average of 17oC (60oF). The nights are cool and at times cold when the trade winds blow.

Hotel Heliconia has 47 rooms of different categories. The Mediterraneo Restaurant boasts a mouth−watering, varied menu, including Italian dishes, seafood and delicious traditional foods. Other facilities include room service, laundry service, Spa, bar, meeting room, babysitting service, internet access in the lobby and parking lot.
Day 08: Monteverde back to top

Breakfast. Morning visit to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the area or take optional tours.

Day 09−13: Tamarindo Beach back to top
After breakfast, transfer the North Pacific coast according on selected mean of transportation:

1. Shuttle bus transfer
2. Drive your rented car
3. Private transfer

Days at leisure to enjoy the beach or to take optional tours

4 nights at Tamarindo Diria Hotel, Standard Tropical poolside room, daily breakfast included.

Located in Tamarindo, just 50 minutes away from the Liberia International Airport, this beachfront hotel offers 124 rooms in different categories. All rooms offer air conditioning, cable TV, telephone, coffee maker, mini bar, safety box and hair dryer.

The hotel has restaurant, bar, swimming pool, jacuzzi, wet bar, a tennis court, gift shop, amphitheater, meeting rooms, wireless internet access and parking.

Day 13: Tamarindo − San Jose back to top

Breakfast. Transfer to Tamarindo local airstrip for local flight** to San Jose. At arrival in San Jose, private transfer to Aurola Holidya Inn.

Night at Aurola Holiday Inn, Standard room.

** Luggage is limited to a maximum of 25 pounds per person for local flights.

Day 14: Departure back to top
Breakfast. Private transfer to Juan Santamaria International airport. Check in at airline counter must be done three hours prior to flight departure.

End of the Services.

INCLUDED IN THE FEE

Private arrival transfers with English speaking assistance
Daily breakfast
All meals, tours and entrance to the National Park while in Tortuguero
Guided visit to Doka Coffee Plantation, Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens; lunch included
Natural history walk in Arenal Hanging Bridges
Guided visit to Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs; dinner included
Guided visit to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
3 nights at Aurola Holiday Inn, STD room
2 nights at Mawamba Lodge, STD room
2 nights at Arenal Springs Hotel, STD room
2 nights at Hotel Heliconias, Jr. Suite
4 nights at Tamarindo Diria Hotel, Tropical poolside room
Lodging taxes
Private departure transfers
According on selected mean of transportation: shuttle transfers, 4x4 Daihatsu Bego car rental or private transfers

NOT INCLUDED IN THE FEE

Departure tax (US$28 per person), tips, optional tours, alcoholic beverages, personal expenses, air tickets to/from Costa Rica.

The following services are not included on the car rental option:
Guarantee deposit (mandatory)
Basic daily coverage (mandatory)
Optional daily coverages
Fuel expenses
Other additional services (second driver, GPS, etc.)