Volcanoes, nature and culture
(9 Days / 8 Nights) Price from: $ 835.00
Inquire NowThis vacation package gives you a good taste of what Costa Rica has to offer. This itinerary contains plenty of exciting activities mixed in with ample opportunity to experience nature in some of the most amazing locations throughout Costa Rica.
San José, Poás Volcano, Grecia & Sarchí, Sarapiqui Rainforest & Arenal Volcano
Day 01: Arrival at San Jose, Costa Rica.
Hotel Bougainvillea. Garden Room.
Transfer to hotel in San Jose. After passing through Immigration you will be met by one of our representatives. He will take you to your hotel and give you your welcome kit. Overnight in San Jose City. Whether you visit us for business or for pleasure, you will experience a taste of Costa Rica in an elegant setting. Located just 10 minutes from San Jose, Hotel Bougainvillea offers far more than just accommodations. Our 82 guest rooms have unique furniture made of Costa Rican hardwoods and views of our beautiful gardens, of San Jose and the Central Valley.
Day 02: Tour to Poás Volcano, Grecia and Sarchí included. Overnight in San José.
Hotel Bougainvillea (B)
We take the Pan-American Highway towards the city of Alajuela. In route we will go to visit the Agriculture Monument, the Monument to Juan Santamaria and the famous Mango Park. As we ascend towards the volcano we will stop for a brief explanation on our golden bean the coffee, and then continue our trip through fern, flower and strawberry farms. There is a noticeable change in temperature and vegetation, preparing us for the pleasure of the exuberant cloud forest of Poas Volcano. At the Volcano we will have time to enjoy the impressive main crater with its sulfur fumaroles, and hike on a trail to the beautiful Botos Lagoon as we learn about the different ecosystems in the park. After visiting the volcano, we will have time to enjoy a delicious lunch in at Doka Estate. Our third stop is beautiful Grecia. Considered one of the cleanest towns of Latin America, it is home of the only Metal Church in Central America and a national monument that fills its inhabitants with pride. In order to catch a glimpse of local lifestyle we will also visit the central market area. Our last stop is Sarchi, known as the Cradle of Costa Rican Artisans because of its fine workshops. Here we will have time to enjoy the artistic work of the local artisans as they create the famous typical oxcart and you will be able to shop for that special souvenir to take home.
Day 03: Transfer to Tortuguero.
Pachira Lodge. Standard Room (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
Early in the morning a bilingual guide will meet you at the Hotel. A unique combination in the area: the comfort and luxury of rooms and facilities, a delicious restaurant with an international and gourmet cuisine offering caribbean fusion food and the excitement of a variety of adventure tours, all a few steps from the worldwide famous Tortuguero National Park. Tortuguero National Park is one of the most varied within the park system, has 11 ecological habitats, from high rainforest to herbaceous marsh communities. Fronting the sea is the seemingly endless expanse of beach. Behind that is a narrow lagoon, connected to the sea at one end and fed by a river at the other, which parallels the beach for its full 35-km length. Back of the lagoon is a coastal rainforest threaded by an infinite maze of serpentine canals and streams fed by rivers flowing from the central mountain ranges and by the rains that fall in the area. On the periphery of the forest lies a complex of swamps.
Day 04: Programmed activities in Tortuguero.
Pachira Lodge, Standard room (B, L, D)
The park has a great biological variety, due to the existence within the reserve of eleven different habitats, including rainforest, swamps, beaches, and lagoons. The park is located on the Caribbean coast, and its beaches are key nesting ground for endangered sea turtles, such as Hawksbill, Loggerheads, Green and Leatherbacks. The rivers within the park are home to sensitive populations of manatees, as well as caimans, crocodiles, and Tropical Gar, which is considered a living fossil. The forests are home to jaguars, three-toed sloths, and three of Costa Rica's four species of monkey. Basilisk lizards and poisonous frogs also inhabit the area, along with 375 species of birds including kingfishers, toucans, blue herons, peacocks, and parrots. There are more than 400 species of trees and approximately 2,200 species of plants.
Day 05: Transfer to Sarapiquí.
Sarapiquis Rainforest Lodge. Deluxe Room (B).
A prime site for scientific investigation, Sarapiquí is one of the most visited districts in the region with lush lowland areas rich in biodiversity and one of the last strongholds of endangered species such as the great green macaw. Sarapiquí is a well-known place and popular due to the huge populations of Trogons. These are beautiful birds containing also the quetzal. Mountains, plains, volcanoes, lakes, rivers, forests, fruit farms and cattle ranches form a colorful diverse mosaic in this region of Costa Rica.
Day 06: Transfer to Arenal Volcano.
Hotel Arenal Springs. Junior Suite (B).
The Arenal Volcano National Park lies within the Arenal Conservation Area, protecting eight of Costa Rica's 12 life zones and 16 protected reserves in the region between the Guanacaste and Tilarán mountain ranges, and including Lake Arenal. Arenal Volcano has been constantly active since it woke up after 400 years. One of the world's most active volcanoes, Arenal produces huge ash columns, explosions and glowing red lava almost every day. Fascinating fauna and flora exist here in amazing quantities making this a prime location for viewing many different species of both plants and animals.
Day 07: Free day at Arenal Volcano.
Hotel Arenal Springs. Junior Suite (B).
Optional tours: Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, Tour To the Arenal Volcano and Tabacón Resort Hot Springs, Sport Fishing in the Arenal Lake, Arenal Volcano Hike Tour, Mountain Biking, Venado Caves Tour, horseback Riding to Arenal Volcano, Peñas Blancas Safari Float.
Day 08: Transfer to San José.
Hotel Carlson Country.
Day 09: Transfer out to International Airport.
Includes:
- Personalized information, maps, brochures, vouchers.
- Airport transfers upon arrival and departure.
- Local Travel Program Support, 24 hours emergency service.
- 8 nights lodging at hotels indicated at the preceding itinerary. Breakfast and local taxes.
- All meals, transfers by boat and bus, guide and tours in International company – (SIB) in Tortuguero.
- Shuttle transfers between destinations in international company: San José – Sarapiquí, Sarapiquí – Fortuna, Fortuna – Monteverde, Monteverde – San José.
- Tour to Poás Volcano, Grecia & Sarchí (Transportation, bilingual guide, entrance fees, lunch).
Excludes:
- Other meals than indicated as included.
- National Park Entrance fees, US$ 10,00 per person,
- Other excursions tours and activities indicated as optional or not included.
- Airport taxes (US$ 28,00 per person not included).
- International Flights.
- Personal expenses.
- Tips.
Price Conditions:
High Season
November 01, 2011 - April 30, 2012
July 01 – August 31, 2012
=>USD$ 835.00 per person
Green Season
May 01 – June 30, 2012
September 01 - October 31, 2012
=> USD$ 835.00 per person
Child
November 01, 2011- October 31, 2012
=> USD$ 360.00 per child
Price per person in US dollars based on double occupancy; includes local taxes.
Additional cost might apply if traveling between Dec 20 – Jan 05 or Easter week (Apr 01-08) 2012
Important Note:
What makes us different? You can customize your trip to fit your exact needs. Maximize fun time and minimize hassles, mistakes and travel time. Every detail from airport pick-up to adventure tours and activities are arranged by us to make sure the only thing you have to worry about is having fun. Use our quick and easy trip customization form and find out how affordable your dream Costa Rica vacation can be! With CRS you don´t just vacation in Costa Rica, you experience it!
What To Bring:
The most important things to bring are your travel documents: a valid passport, flight and hotel information, health insurance card and driver's license (if you plan on renting a car in Costa Rica). We advise you to make three copies of these documents. Put one copy in your carry-on bag, one copy in your suitcase and leave one copy at home.
Basic Tropical forests, colorful wildlife and spectacular beaches are part of daily life in Costa Rica. The climate varies depending on where you are, so pack accordingly.
1 Prepare for hot, humid summers. Shorts, T-shirts, sundresses, skirts and tank tops in lightweight fabrics should keep you cool. Take a sweater for evenings at a higher elevation.
2 Bring plenty of sunblock. Also include insect repellent, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and a swimsuit.
3 Take rubber-soled sandals or hiking boots for journeys into the rain forests. Flip-flops and sandals are great for resorts and hanging out by the beach.
4 Pack separate clothes for evenings. Simple dresses are great for women, while men will do well in long shorts and a button-down shirt.
5 Prepare for cool winters, particularly in the northern regions and at higher elevations. Long pants and long-sleeved shirts are a must, while a fleece jacket or a sweater is advisable.
6 Take an umbrella if you plan to travel between May and November - Costa Rica's wettest period. A rain slicker will come in handy while hiking.
7 Take an electric converter and adapter.
