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Photo courtesy of J B -
Photo courtesy of Adam Baker -
Photo courtesy of Phillip Ritz -
Photo courtesy of Richie D. -
Photo courtesy of Mike Goren -
Photo courtesy of Mike Goren -
Photo courtesy of Mike Goren -
Photo courtesy of Richie D. -
Photo courtesy of Phillip Ritz -
Photo courtesy of Richie D. - Difficulty Rating:
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Tour Description
Costa Rica is practically synonymous with eco-tourism - travel that incorporates education about the environment and promotes preservation of natural resources. Costa Rica boasts a large number of national parks and nature preserves with a rich array of birds, mammals, reptiles and rain-forest plants. Here, you will explore the incredible beauty of one of the world's most biologically diverse countries - where unique varieties of plants and animals thrive and multiply.
Itinerary
Day 01: San Jose, Costa Rica
Welcome to Costa Rica! You are met at the San Jose airport and transferred to your hotel for check-in and overnight. Xandari Resort & Spa is a tropical paradise of 22 individually designed villas nestled on a 40-acre plantation overlooking the Central Valley of Costa Rica. Enjoy the evening at leisure
Xandari Resort & Spa
Day 02: San Jose - Arenal
Morning transfer to La Fortuna, home of the Arenal Volcano. Upon arrival check-in to your hotel. This afternoon, you will join a scheduled tour of Arenal Hanging Bridges, where you will enjoy a natural history walk accompanied by a local naturalist guide. Return to your hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening and witness the spectacular lava flows and eruptions from the volcano.
Breakfast
Lost Iguana Resort
Day 03: Arenal - Monteverde Reserve
Transfer via combined land and boat transportation to Monteverde. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Arenal Volcano from the lake. Arenal is the largest and most important lake in Costa Rica. It was man-made in 1974 to provide hydroelectric power to the country. Upon arrival check in to your hotel. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore the area and get ready for tomorrow's adventures! Located in the Tilarán Mountain Range at 4,600 ft. above sea level on the edge of the world's best-known mid-elevation cloud forest, Monteverde the ultimate lodging experience for the discerning nature traveler. Optional activities (fees may apply) from the lodge include; bird watching, canopy tours, hiking, wildlife observation, a visit to the butterfly farm and gardens, coffee plantation tour.
Breakfast
Hotel Fonda Vela
Day 04: Monteverde Biological Cloud Forest Reserve
Transfer to Monteverde Biological Cloud Forest Reserve. This morning's walk will take you along easily negotiable trails, which lead past majestic trees laden with dew-dripped bromeliads, orchids, mosses and ferns. The forest is home of the legendary resplendent quetzal and melodious bellbird. The spectacular Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is a very important and popular ecotourism destination in Costa Rica. With its unique cloud canopy, this biological reserve located is one of the most stunning and breathtaking nature reserves in the entire world. Return to your hotel and enjoy the afternoon at leisure.
Breakfast
Hotel Fonda Vela
Day 05: Monteverde Reserve - Manuel Antonio
Depart this morning to the Pacific coast town of Manuel Antonio. Upon arrival check in to your hotel. Manuel Antonio National Park contains three of the country's most beautiful beaches and trails that wind through the rainforest 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. Enjoy the day at leisure relaxing on the beach or arrange one of the many activities offered through the hotel (fees may apply.)
Breakfast
Hotel Parador Boutique Resort & Spa
Day 06: Manuel Antonio National Park
Transfer to Manuel Antonio National Park for a guided nature walk on the park's trails. Located just south of Quepos, the park is home to over 100 species of mammals and 184 types of birds. You are likely to have close-up encounters with monkeys, sloths, coatimundis, and scarlet macaws. This afternoon, return to your hotel and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure.
Breakfast
Hotel Parador Boutique Resort & Spa
Day 07: Manuel Antonio - San Jose
Transfer to Quepos local airstrip and board your domestic flight to San José. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check in. Enjoy the evening at leisure.
Breakfast
Xandari Resort & Spa
Day 08: San Jose - Depart
Transfer to the Juan Santamaría International Airport for you home bound flight.
Breakfast
Departures
Depart any day! Contact an iExplore Adventure Consultant for details.
Pricing Information
2011 Prices:
To April 30, 2011*
$2,250 per person double occupancy.
$3,850 Solo Traveler.
$910 Single Room Supplement.
May 1 to November 14, 2011
$2,060 per person double occupancy.
$3,500 Solo Traveler.
$775 Single Room Supplement.
Prices are not applicable over Christmas/New Year's- December 15, 2010 to January 5, 2011 and Easter Week- April 16 to 24, 2010
Prices for your dates of travel may vary- please contact iExplore for an exact quote. Quoted prices are based on current rates of exchange, tariffs and taxes as of July, 2010. iExplore reserves the right to increase tour prices to cover increased costs, tariffs and taxes received after prices are published, and to reflect fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. iExplore is under no obligation to give breakdown costs involved in any package.
Inclusions:
Transfer from/ to the International Airport and local airstrips
2 nights at Xandari Resort & Spa (Ultra Plus Villa) including continental breakfast
One-way private land transportation from San Jose to Arenal accompanied by a driver only
1 night at The Lost Iguana Resort (standard deluxe room) including breakfast
Pre-scheduled Natural History Walk at the Arenal Hanging Bridges. Including round-trip transportation, entrance fee, and local bilingual guide
Pre-scheduled one-way land/boat/land transfer from Arenal to Monteverde (accompanied by driver only)
2 nights at Fonda Vela Hotel (junior suite) and breakfast.
Half-day private walk at Monteverde Biological Reserve. Includes: round trip transportation, entrance fee and local bilingual naturalist guide
Scheduled one-way land/boat/land transfer from Monteverde to Arenal volcano area (accompanied by a driver only)
One-way private land transportation from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio area (accompanied by a driver only)
2 nights at Hotel Parador (garden room) including breakfast
Pre-scheduled guided visit to Manuel Antonio National Park including round trip transportation, entrance fee, and local bilingual naturalist guide.
One-way domestic flight from Quepos/Manuel Antonio to San Jose
Meals as indicated (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Exclusions:
International airfare or airport taxes
Transportation and meals not specified
Personal expenses
Optional tours and entrance fees not specified.
Gratuities
Travel insurance
Visas (if required)
Holiday surcharges
All prices are in US dollars and do not include international airfare, unless otherwise noted.
Prices displayed are based on the lowest season base price and assume double occupancy. Prices are shown in U.S. dollars and may or may not include administrative fees, taxes, meals, airfare (where applicable) and Single Supplements. Cancellation penalties, blackout dates and other restrictions may apply.
