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 recently renovated 40-room hotel maintains the warmth and comfort of a private home. Guests delight in the tranquil ambience of tropical plants and flowers found throughout the hotel. Italian tile fountains grace intimate atriums, ensuring that one is never far from the soothing melody of falling water. Additionally a rooftop garden terrace offers relaxing Jacuzzis and a blissful, secluded spot for lounging, sunbathing and stargazing. Once a simple café, the restaurant at Grano de Oro has evolved into one or San Jose’s finest dining establishments, frequented by locals and visitors alike.

Day 2:  This morning, you will transfer by ground approximately 4 hours (with a stop for breakfast) to the private dock for a scenic 2-hour 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. Nestled in the lush rainforest, this is the ideal hideaway for nature lovers and the perfect place to discover the wonders of the Tortuguero National Park.

Guest accommodations consist of 54 comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, hot water, ceiling fans and chairs for a pleasant, relaxing evening. Hotel facilities include two docks on the canals, swimming pool with Jacuzzi, two family-style restaurants with local and international cuisine, bar, souvenir shop, relaxing ranchos with hammocks, natural trails, beach access in walking distance (water is not safe for swimming), sand volleyball court, and conference room where daily lectures on Tortuguero natural history are presented. They recently added an entertainment / game room area that feature pool table, darts, foosball and different table games for adults & children.

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 a tour of the lodge gardens including visits to frog exhibit, butterfly garden and aquarium. 

Day 3:  Today enjoy a hike on a private nature trail to discover the different species of trees, palms trees, heliconias and many other plant species that abound in the Tropical Rainforest.  In the afternoon 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. Optional early morning boat tours and night turtle 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 transfer 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. Its second crater, Botos, is a clear rain-fed lake surrounded by highland jungle and is reached by a half-mile walk through a unique dwarf cloud forest. After exploring the Park continue to Monteverde. Lunch en route at a local restaurant. 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 the Selvatura Walkways: 1.9 miles of trails in with eight bridges of various lengths, which range between 170 feet and 560 feet. This makes the treetop walkways the longest bridge system in Costa Rica. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon, you will hike through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve viewing the misty forest with its dense vegetation and majestic trees. 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 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, 2010