Essential Costa Rica I
13 Days / 12 Nights |
Moderate Accomodations:
Deluxe Accommodations:
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Itinerary Summary
1 night - San Jose
2 nights – Tortuguero National Park
3 nights – Arenal Volcano
2 nights – Monteverde Cloud Forest
4 nights – Manuel Antonio/Beach |
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Day 1 – ARRIVAL
Arrival in Costa Rica. Transfers included
from San Jose International Airport to your hotel. |
Overnight accommodation at Hotel Grano de Oro or similar (deluxe category) or
Hotel Fleur d' Lys or similar (moderate category).
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Hotel Grano de Oro (left) is a charming boutique-style property located in San José on a quiet street near many restaurants, theaters and shops, and is an easy walk to the bustling city center. It's just 20 minutes from the International Airport .
Hotel Fleur d'Lys is s ituated in the cultural district and within easy reach of the Pre-Colombian Gold and Jade Museums , National Theatre, downtown shopping and business areas. The property is a beautifully restored Victorian mansion, offering 31 rooms, individually decorated and furnished with exquisite taste, guaranteed to please even the most demanding traveler. |
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DAYS 2 and 3 – TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK
Early morning transfer included from your hotel in San Jose to your hotel in Corcovado/Osa Peninsula.
Early morning pick-up from your hotel for the Land/Boat transfer to Tortuguero National Park with two (2) night accommodations at Pachira Lodge along the canals. All three meals included daily.
Enjoy two 2-hour boating trips (included) through the canals with a local guide to observe the flora and fauna. Expect to see beautiful shorebirds, monkeys and sloths. |
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On your own you may wish to hire a boat for additional exploration, or just hike along the beach & visit the village of Tortuguero . The lodge is strategically located only 5 minutes away from the extraordinary Tortuguero National Park , and right across the main."canal" facing the town of Tortuguero . Surrounded by a network of very scenic canals, this is considered one of the most exotic regions of the world, characterized by its richness in flora and fauna.
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Day 4 – TRANSFER TO ARENAL VOLCANO
After breakfast return by plane to San José to meet the driver for a private transfer to your hotel in Arenal.
Three (3) nights accommodations with daily breakfast at: Hotel Lost Iguana or similar (deluxe category) or Hotel Arenal Paraiso or similar (moderate category.)
Just beneath the Volcano at the Hotel Lost Iguana (left), your view of this mountain of fire is supreme from every corner of the hotel property. |
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ARENAL AREA ACTIVITIES:
While staying in the Arenal area there are many optional activities to explore such as:
• Rio Frio/Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
• Venado Caves
• La Fortuna Waterfall
• Hike to Cerro Chato
• Horseback riding
• Mountain biking
• River rafting
• A paddling safari float trip
• Arenal Hanging Bridges Sky Tram/Sky Trek and
• Tabacon Hot Springs (a must for a relaxing night under the volcano in the rivers of hot mineral water). |
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DAY 5 – ARENAL – Morning Waterfall Rappel Tour
Pure Trek Waterfall Rappel/ Canyoning Tour
(morning tour - lunch included)
Join Pure Trek Canyoning as we explore the secrets that lie hidden in the depths of a Rainforest canyon. Since 2002 Pure Trek has been leading the new multi-sport adventure “Canyoning” by rappelling and hiking in the spectacular canyon. You will rappel down some of the most spectacular waterfalls in Costa Rica ! You will be moving through a “slot” canyon in a rainforest jungle hidden in the mountains above the small town of La Fortuna below the famous Arenal Volcano.
”…a big rush…this tour is wet and adventurous!” Frommers Costa Rica 2005
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DAY 6 – ARENAL – Day at Leisure
Enjoy optional activities of your choice (view our Day Treks section for La Fortuna ) or just relax. |
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| DAY 7 – TRANSFER TO MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST Jeep-Boat-Jeep transfer crossing Lake Arenal from your hotel in Arenal to your hotel in Monteverde Cloud Forest. |
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2 nights accommodations with breakfast at: Hotel El Establo or similar (deluxe category) or Hotel El Sapo Dorado or similar (moderate category).
El Establo (left) is situated in the heart of the touristic zone of Monteverde 7 kms from the Santa Elena Rain Forest and 4 kms from the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Quaker friendship awaits you in this hotel, set in a private 150 acres farm (50% protected primary forest) adjacent to the Monteverde Reserve. |
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DAY 8 – MONTEVERDE – Day at Leisure
While staying in Monteverde you may explore many optional activities (at your own expense) such as:
• Hiking in the Monteverde Reserve
• Night tours of Monteverde Reserve
• The private reserve of Sendero Tranquilo
• Finca Ecologica
• Skywalk
• Skytrek
• Butterfly Garden
• Ranario - a frog exhibit
• CASEM-the Women's Co-op
• Monteverde Cheese Factory, and
• Various art galleries and village shops.
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DAY 9 – TRANSFER TO MANUEL ANTONIO
Private transfer included from your hotel in Monteverde to your hotel in Manuel Antonio.
Four nights accommodations at: Hotel Si Como No or similar (deluxe category) or Hotel Costa Verde or similar (moderate category.) Breakfast not included. Hotel Si Como No (left) is inspired by the natural beauty of Manuel Antonio National Park . It's not unlikely to run into a white-faced monkey or sloth around the hotels here, so keep your eyes peeled.
"Si como no" captures the magical nature of Costa Rica's incredible ecological diversity, creating a vacation experience deeply rooted in the culture and pace of this special nation. Even the name "Si como no", which means "Yes, why not?" reflects the warm and engaging personality of Costa Ricans, people blessed with easy-going charm and optimism.
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MANUEL ANTONIO AREA :
While staying in Manuel Antonio, you may explore many optional activities such as:
• Whitewater Rafting
• Horseback Riding
• Sunset Sail w/ snorkeling
• Fishing
• Surfing
• Sea Kayaking and
• Visits to The Manuel Antonio Nat'l Park where you will see monkeys, sloths and iguanas to name a few. This Nat'l Park is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica . |
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| DAY 10 – MANUEL ANTONIO – All Day Sailing Tour |
Sail and Snorkel Tour
Your adventure aboard our sail-ships begins as you sail down the scenic coast, past the beautiful beaches and islands of Manuel Antonio National Park.
As the boat glides quietly under sail you'll probably see dolphins, which frequently swim in the boat's bow wake.
Occasional whales and giant sea turtles are a special thrill, and even the most avid wildlife enthusiast enjoys the ever-present abundance of sea birds. Your professional crew will guide you through this aquatic paradise while attending to your safety and comfort.
They will personally serve you plentiful portions of delicious food, in the tradition of the great cruise ships but with a homemade touch. Good cooled beer, long drinks and soft drinks are included. |
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DAY 11 – MANUEL ANTONIO
Morning Kayak Tour Kayak at Isla Damas ( lunch included)
Quietly explore the protected estuaries of Damas Island . Easily paddle the lush mangroves to watch the abundant wildlife which includes hundreds of birds, coatis, and silky ant eaters. Immerse yourself in indescribable beauty, where nature reveals its flawlessness. In the mangrove, everything flows harmoniously; the blend of fresh and salt water, the diversity of the most extraordinary plants and the wildlife in all of its splendor. This tour will show you nature's unparalleled wonders, just 10 minutes from Manuel Antonio. |
The canals lead you on a ride through nature and time... let the current carry your kayak through this miraculous experience! Paddle protected inland waterways, a perfect place to learn this magical way of exploring coastal mangrove areas and seeing wildlife. None of this trip is in the open ocean and the pace of this trip is according to your capabilities. |
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Day 12 – MANUEL ANTONIO – Day at Leisure
This day is yours to relax and explore the Manuel Antonio area. |
DAY 13 – TRANSFER TO SAN JOSE and DEPARTURE
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Enjoy the views from your Nature Air flight from Quepos/
Manuel Antonio to San Jose.
Self transportation from your hotel in Manuel Antonio to the airport in Quepos. Then board your included flight on NatureAir Costa Rica National Airline - the chosen airline of the most prestigious hotels and lodges in Costa Rica , Nicaragua , Panama and some of the best-known outbound operators worldwide. |
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DAY TREKS: To view and book additional day treks,
CLICK HERE, or visit our Day Treks page. To modify day treks included in this itinerary, please utilize the “Comments” section of the booking form and we will contact you to accommodate your request.
IMPORTANT: A $200 deposit per person is required to hold your reservation , and the remaining balance is due 45 days prior to departure. Your reservations are not confirmed until either deposit or balance due is paid .
INCLUDED IN THIS RATE QUOTE: Accommodations as indicated based on double occupancy including all applicable taxes, day treks as indicated, meals as indicated, and all transfers as indicated.
NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RATE QUOTE: Costa Rica airport departure tax ($26.00 USD), meals not specified in the itinerary, alcoholic beverages, personal equipment, extras in hotels (i.e. laundry, phone calls, room service), gratuities, and other items not specifically indicated in the itinerary.
Terms and conditions: www.puretrekcostarica.com/termsconditions.html |
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