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COSTA RICA
ITINERARIES |
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COSTA RICA EXPLORER -
10 Days |
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Day |
Itinerary |
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Featuring
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve & Butterfly Garden, a walk on a
canopy walkway with views of the active Arenal Volcano, and remote
Tortuguero National Park with boat trips through the rain forest
at very affordable prices. |
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1 |
Arrive
San José |
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Arrive at
San José Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaría International Airport.
After passing through Immigration you will be met by our
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 has your name on
it. A guide wearing an orange shirt is holding the sign. He
or she will take you to your hotel in San José. Overnight
San José Hotel (No meals)
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2 |
San José /
Monteverde Cloud Forest |
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After a welcome orientation breakfast, pick-up by service
guide for a 4–1/2 hour drive to Monteverde. The first 2–1/2
hours are on the Pan-American Highway and the last 2 hours are
on a winding gravel road. Arrive at Monteverde hotel in time
for lunch. Visit the Ecological Farm in the afternoon. This
small private reserve provides the chance to see flora, birds
and mammals. Dinner and overnight are at
Hotel Sapo Dorado or similar (Cool climate).
(Lodging may occasionally be upgraded to
Monteverde Lodge
at no extra cost.)
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3 |
Monteverde Cloud Forest |
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After
breakfast, guided excursion in the Monteverde Cloud Forest
Reserve. Founded in 1972, the Reserve extends down both slopes
of the Tilarán Mountains (elevation 2,300 to 5,600 ft.),
encompassing six different ecological life zones and
protecting more than 100 species of mammals, 400 species of
birds and 1,500 species of plants. From January to July,
depending upon your luck and patience, you may observe in its
natural habitat the resplendent quetzal (occasionally a dozen
or more individuals at once). Other species include the Three-wattled
bellbird, the Emerald toucanet, and White-faced and Howler
monkeys.
Return to the hotel midday for lunch. Afternoon visit the
Butterfly Garden where butterflies and other insects are
raised and displayed in shade cloth enclosures with tropical
gardens.
Overnight Hotel Sapo Dorado or similar. (B,L,D)
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4 |
Monteverde/ Arenal Volcano |
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Midmorning, drive with your guide approximately 4 hours from
Monteverde to your hotel in the Arenal area, passing around
the north end of Lake Arenal and near the Arenal Volcano,
which has been active since 1968.
Arrive at
your hotel in time for an afternoon rest. In the evening,
weather permitting, view the volcanic activity, which may
include explosions and lava flows.
Overnight Volcano Lodge (B)
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5 |
Arenal
Volcano |
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After
breakfast, depart with your Guide for a morning hike in the
Arenal hanging bridges. This project sits within a 250-hectare
(618 acre) reserve of fully recovered secondary rain
forest. A visit to Arenal Hanging Bridges consists of
traversing 15 bridges from 5 to 100 meters long that cross the
rain forest and a 3 km circuit of interpretive trails built
with paving blocks to prevent slipping. The bridges are made
of aluminum, galvanized steel and concrete, and ensure maximum
security for visitors. In you afternoon you visit the
Hidalgo Family Hot Springs. Overnight is at
Overnight Volcano Lodge (no meals)
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6 |
Arenal
/ Tortuguero |
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After an early morning breakfast, drive 5 hours to the Caño
Blanco dock, where you will meet the boat for the 1 ½-hour
ride to Tortuguero. The last part of the drive, will take
you through banana plantations. Until the 19th
century, Costa Rica was very poor with an economy based on
subsistence agriculture. Then the introduction of coffee
provided a product suitable for export. Bananas followed
coffee; both remain two of the most important crops in Costa
Rica today. Upon arrival you will be transported to Mawamba
Lodge. Rest of the afternoon is free.
Dinner and overnight are at
Mwamba Lodge (L, D)
or similar. (L,D)
lodging may occasionally be upgraded to
Tortuga Lodge (L, D)
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7 & 8 |
Tortuguero |
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Two full
days to explore the Tortuguero area including two boat
excursions with local Tortuguero guide, and a visit to the
Caribbean Conservation Corporation (CCC) Museum to learn about
the Atlantic Green sea turtle. 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 forests in
Central America. Additional boat trips are available at extra
cost. There will also be time to wander on the deserted
beach (swimming is discouraged for safety reasons) where
thousands of green sea turtles come to nest from June through
October (there are special night excursions available in this
season).
Overnight
at Mawamba Lodge. (B,L,D)
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9 |
Tortuguero/San José |
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This
morning you depart from Mawamba Lodge for a 30-minute flight
to San José. Upon arrival optional shopping tour in the city
of San José, included in the price. Optional tours are
available at extra cost. Lunch today is on your own. After
lunch, land transfer to your hotel in San José, rest of the
day free. Farewell dinner tonight. Overnight at your
San José area hotel (B,D)
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10 |
Depart
San José |
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Transfer
to the international airport approximately two hours before
your flight’s scheduled departure time.
(No meals) |
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RATES -
Season A |
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$1,769.00
per person double occupancy |
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$139.00
per person – subject to change – internal air |
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$379.00
single room supplement
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PRICE INCLUDES |
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Accommodations: As featured in the itinerary or similar (9
nights lodging). |
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Meals: 17
meals, as indicated in the itinerary. (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch,
D=Dinner) |
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Transfers: Included in Fixed Departure programs, on arrival and
departure. When arriving and departing on the first and last
scheduled days of the tour. For all other tours, transfers are
included as indicated. |
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Porterage:
The handling of two bags per person. Baggage and personal
effects are at the owner's risk throughout the tour. |
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Taxes &
Entrance Fees: Hotel taxes, entrance fees to National Parks,
museums and places of interest in effect at the time of booking
are included unless otherwise specified. Tax increases or new
taxes charged for services that were not taxed in the past will be
charged to the client. |
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Sightseeing:
As specified in the itinerary. |
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PRICE EXCLUDES |
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Costs of obtaining passports, visas or tourist cards |
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excess
baggage fees |
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personal
expenses such as room service, beverages and laundry |
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gratuities to
tour escort |
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guides or
driver |
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personal
communications charges |
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International
airfare and airport departure taxes, tax increases or new taxes
charged for services that were not taxed at the time the booking
was made. |
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Excess
mileage carried out at the request of the passenger
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Sightseeing
or meals not specified in the itinerary |
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Personal
insurance coverage (strongly recommended). |
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CANCELLATION
PENALTIES |
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If
cancellation is received up to 130 days prior to departure, 20% of
the total tour price is forfeited |
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If
cancellation is received 129 – 90 days prior to departure, 35% of
the total tour cost is forfeited |
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If
cancellation is received 89 – 60 days prior to departure, 40% of
the total tour cost is forfeited |
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If
cancellation is received 59 to 30 days prior to departure, 50% of
the total tour cost is forfeited |
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If
cancellation is received 29 days or less before departure, 100% of
the total tour cost is forfeited |
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AVERAGE TEMPERATURES & ALTITUDES
San José:
69°F; 3,500 ft.
Poás: 61°F; 8,865 ft.
Monteverde: 65°F; 5,000 ft.
Arenal: 65°F; 5,000 ft.
Tortuguero: 79°F; sea level
Note regarding arrival and departure transfers: Transfers
are available by previous arrangement through Costa Rica Expeditions
for participants not arriving or departing on the stated arrival/
departure dates of the tour. The cost, per person, per transfer is: 1
person=$50, 2 people=$25, 3 people=$20, 4 people=$15 and 5 or more=$12 |
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Hotel
Descriptions |
El Sapo Dorado
“El Sapo Dorado is one of the area’s finest hotels.” The
New Key to Costa Rica.
Ullysses Press.
Located on the Monteverde road just minutes from the
Monteverde reserve, this hotel offers 20 large rooms arranged in 10
stone and timber duplex cabins. The cabins are arranged to afford
seclusion and all have private baths. The gourmet restaurant offers
health conscious food with many vegetarian choices and pizza. Trails
lead into a private reserve and horseback rides and local tours can be
arranged. Cool climate.
Hotel telephone: 001 (506) 645-5010
Volcano Lodge
“The appointments
are simple but the rooms get plenty of light from big picture
windows.” Frommer’s Costa Rica 2001, IDG Books Worldwide, Inc.
Located 10 minutes from La Fortuna town, the Lodge has a
collection of 10 duplexes, each has a private bath and small terrace
for volcano viewing. There is a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, and
Continental breakfast is provided. The restaurant offers a variety of
local and international meals. Warm Climate. Hotel telephone: 011
(506) 460-6080
Mawamba Lodge
“Nestled between the river and the ocean, Mawamba is the
perfect place to kick back and relax.” Fodor’s Costa Rica 2001,
Fodor’s Travel Publications.
Located about 500 meters north of the village of Tortuguero,
there are 54 rustic units with private baths and covered walkways. A
restaurant serves family-style meals. There is a bar, swimming pool
with waterfall, Jacuzzi, volleyball court, and an air-conditioned
conference room with nightly presentations by the resident,
multi-lingual biologist.
Hot climate. Hotel telephone: 011 (506) 710-7282 |
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