COSTA RICA - VOLCANOES, RAINFOREST &
BEACHES ITINERARY:
DAY 1 ~ Arrive in San José
Arrive in San José, Costa Rica. Your transfer guide will
meet you outside the customs and immigration area at the
airport. He or she will answer questions, brief you on the
immediate arrangements, and escort you to the Melia Cariari
Hotel, a deluxe tropical resort with many amenities, including
open air restaurants, swimming pool and Jacuzzi, golf course,
and full concierge desk. It is located near the airport in the
central valley. Meals on your own. Melia Cariari Hotel or
similar
DAY 2 ~ Arenal National Park
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up and
transferred by private vehicle to Arenal National Park (about 2½
hours north of San Jose on the eastern slope of the continental
divide). Your driver-guide will help you check into your lodge
and help you arrange activities for the Arenal area with the
front desk. Volcano Lodge is a simple and pleasant lodge with
outstanding views of Arenal Volcano. Its tropical gardens,
swimming pool, al fresco restaurant serving up tasty, fresh
cuisine, and quick accessibility for the many activities of the
area make it an ideal place to stay (it has one of the best
ratings for customer satisfaction in the area). Lunch on your
own at your lodge or in town in La Fortuna. The early afternoon
is at your leisure for exploring, hiking, biking, bird watching,
swimming in the pool at the lodge, shopping in town, or
participating in one of the short optional activities of the
area, such as zip lining or the canopy walkway—we'll give you a
full checklist of activities in the area. In the late afternoon,
you'll have a private transfer to the Hidalgo Family Hot Springs
for a soak in the natural hot springs and a special Costa
Rican–style family barbecue dinner and then a private transfer
back to your lodge. If the night is clear, look for the duo
night show of fireflies and Arenal's famous flaming fountain of
boulders showering down the slopes at night, as Arenal is one of
the most active volcanoes in the world—a sight you will never
forget! Breakfast, Dinner...Volcano Lodge or similar
DAY 3 ~ Arenal National Park
You'll have a full day at leisure to enjoy the Arenal area:
wildlife viewing, hiking, biking, visiting La Fortuna waterfalls
for a swim, bird watching, relaxing at the lodge and pool—or
choose from the wide array of additional activities available
through the front desk. We recommend a full day river rafting
trip on the Sarapaqui; a full day wildlife boat trip on the Río
Frio and Cano Negro where caiman, emerald basiliscus lizards,
and water birds such as spoonbills abound; horseback riding in
the countryside; or fishing on Lake Arenal. Lunch and dinner on
your own (full day tours include lunch).
Breakfast...Volcano Lodge or similar
DAY 4 ~ Arenal – San José
The morning is free in Arenal for leisure or optional
activities of your choice. We recommend visiting the canopy
walkway, zipping through the forest on the zip line, or hiking
near the Arenal dam. In the afternoon after lunch, you'll have a
private transfer back to San José and your hotel. Lunch and
dinner on your own. Breakfast...Melia Cariari Hotel
DAY 5 ~ Corcovado National Park
Private transfer to the airport after breakfast and take an
early morning commercial flight from San José to the Osa
Peninsula, flying over the central plateau with volcanoes and
waterfalls and down to the beautiful tropical rainforest and
picture-postcard perfect beaches of Corcovado National Park,
located in the extreme southwestern corner of the country
(45-minute flight). Corcovado sustains eight unique habitats
ranging from mountain forests to surf-pounded beaches and is a
major birding and wildlife refuge. Transfer to your lodge
situated on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean and enjoy
fresh cuisine with tropical fruit. The afternoon is to enjoy at
leisure. Trails from your lodge will take you to the beach or
into the rainforest. Look for hummingbirds feeding on flowers in
the gardens and scarlet macaws and howler monkeys feeding along
the edges of the forest. Enjoy sundowners at the lodge and dine
al fresco under the stars to the sounds of tree frogs, owls, and
the unusual hoots and calls of nocturnal creatures. Howler
monkeys herald the dusk and dawn with a roar that sounds like a
giant teakettle coming to boil! Breakfast, Lunch,
Dinner....Bosque del Cabo or similar
DAYS 6-7 ~ Corcovado National Park
Two full days in the Corcovado area to enjoy nature walks
and wildlife viewing in the rainforest, and swimming and
snorkeling in the ocean. Optional tours may be added on at your
lodge, such as kayaking, horseback riding, deep sea fishing
(should be arranged ahead of time), snorkeling at Isla Caño,
surfing, nature boat trip and tour to the national park, and
mangrove nature and wildlife boat trip. Breakfast, Lunch,
Dinner....Bosque del Cabo or similar
DAY 8 ~ Return to San José
Transfer to the airstrip and take a commercial flight to San
José, arriving mid-day. Private transfer to your hotel with the
afternoon to enjoy at the pool or visit downtown San José for
shopping and sightseeing. Lunch and dinner on your own.
Breakfast...Melia Cariari Hotel or similar
DAY 9 ~ Fly home
Private transfer to the international airport for departure
on homeward-bound flight.
Breakfast...
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Call toll-free 1-877-306-5595
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Looking for the perfect balance of activity and leisure? Choose
Costa Rica for your next adventure vacation! We’ve used our
years of experience to create an amazing itinerary for optimal
fun in the best places. Based in the dramatic setting of Arenal
Volcano and the surrounding pastoral countryside, you’ll have
opportunities to hike, bike, swim, bird watch, and soak in
thermal hot springs—a virtual hotspot for varied activities! A
morning or afternoon canopy walkway, zipline, horseback riding,
fishing on Lake Arenal, or a full day river rafting on the
Sarapaqui River can easily be added on. Then, wind up at the
“jewel” of Costa Rica’s national parks and our favorite area in
the country—Corcovado on the Osa Peninsula. You’ll stay at one
of Corcovado’s prime lodges where rainforests edge long pristine
beaches, scarlet macaws and howler monkeys skirt the edge of the
forest, and humpback whales and pods of dolphins may leap from
the Pacific. You’ll never want to leave!
Trip Highlights
- Exclusive itinerary to Corcovado and Arenal—two of Costa
Rica’s best national parks
- Daily nature walks, canopy walkway, thermal hot springs,
swim under a waterfall and in the Pacific Ocean
- Wildlife galore—monkeys, sloths, caiman, iguanas,
basilisk lizards, and a bevy of tropical beauties (hummers,
toucans, motmots, quetzals, and more!)
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TOUR
DETAILS |
Activity Level
Mountain Travel Sobek trips are designed for flexible,
energetic people who like to be active and have a spirit of
adventure and a positive attitude. This trip involves optional
easy to moderate walks and nature hikes in beautiful natural
areas, with plenty of time to enjoy swimming and other water
activities in Corcovado (depending upon the site). It's an
adventure that will be enjoyed by anyone who has a deep interest
in seeing Costa Rica's scenic beauty and wildlife, and can be as
active or laid-back as you want it to be.
If you want to undertake a pre-trip fitness program, we suggest
some moderate aerobic activities (hiking, jogging, bicycling)
for at least 30 minutes a session at least three times a week
for about a month before you go. Check with your doctor before
undertaking any new fitness program.
Logistics & Accommodations
You can expect that the logistics will be well taken care of
for your getaway to Costa Rica. You will have private transfers
to and from airports and airstrips and friendly English-speaking
driver-guides who will help you check into your lodge and get
situated with activities in the area. You can expect excellent
accommodations that are our favorites after years of visiting
Costa Rica, and accurate pre-trip information that will help you
plan your tropical vacation. The lodges we have chosen have
friendly and service-oriented staff who look forward to
welcoming you to their country. You can expect a local
naturalist guide at your lodge in Corcovado who is knowledgeable
about the wildlife and an array of activities to choose from at
each lodge.
Seasonal Considerations
Costa Rica is blessed with a tropical climate throughout the
year, varying between lowland tropical rainforests, cloud
forests in the mid-zone and oak and pine forests in the
highlands. There are two main seasons: the "dry" season from
mid-November through April and the "second spring" from May to
mid-November. Average daytime temperatures year-round range in
the 70s and 80s; nighttime temperatures generally remain in the
70s in the lowland rainforest. In May, June, July, and August,
birds start courting, flowers bloom, sea turtles come ashore to
breed, and showers refresh the day; this is a favorite time for
many travelers. The rainforest is generally not as hot as you
might expect, but it is humid, and of course you can expect a
tropical shower any day of the year (usually lasting from five
minutes to an hour). We don't recommend travel in the height of
the rainy season in September and October.
What's Included
accommodations internal flights (roundtrip San José/Osa
Peninsula, Days 5 & 8) airport transfers on Days 1, 5, 8,
9
ground transportation local transfer guides local guide at your
lodge in Corcovado entrance fees to Hidalgo Family Thermal Hot
Springs basic medical and evacuation insurance
What's Not
International airfare to San José and return; optional
activities at each lodge; entrance fees to reserves and parks;
optional tips to local drivers and guides; insurance other than
basic medical and evacuation insurance noted above (we strongly
recommend you purchase the supplementary trip insurance offered
by Mountain Travel Sobek, which includes trip cancellation
insurance); excess baggage charges; airport taxes (if any); cost
of medical immunizations; and items of a personal nature (sodas,
alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.). Unused transportation
to/during the tour will not be reimbursed.
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DATES & RATES |
Activities: Wildlife viewing, nature walks,
hiking, bird watching, swimming, snorkeling; other optional
activities (at extra cost)
Best Time to Go
January–August, November–December
Land Cost
2008 Prices $2,895 per person, double occupancy
$100 child discount (age 11 and younger)
$550 single supplement
$3,895 solo traveler
$300 internal airfare
Note on Dates: Holiday Supplement will apply for December
reservations (amount to be advised). We recommend making your
reservations at least 4-9 months in advance because of the high
demand for our favorite lodges.
Note on Prices: Rates quoted are per person, based on two
people traveling together and sharing double accommodations. The
Single Supplement fee will apply for all single accommodations.
Triple accommodations are not available in many of the
destinations we visit.
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