Experience it all on this 10 day Costa Rica vacation during the prime tine of year to visit this natural paradise.
With temperatures at their best, little rainfall and cool breezy nights February is definitely prime time for Costa Rica. This well paced package includes stays in the top 4 areas of interest. You'll stroll through a coffee plantation, stare down into the crater of the world's widest rimmed volcano, energize yourself in Arenal with adventure activities and relaxing hot springs before hiking the famous mystic trails in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, a place like no other, more shades of green here than a box of crayons! End the trip on the pacific coast with a fun all inclusive stay at Occidental Tamarindo. Not only is it located on a great Blue Flag Beach, it's also just next door to the lively surf side pedestrian friendly town of Tamarindo.
1ST DAY • US / SAN JOSE
Welcome to Costa Rica. After clearing immigrations and customs follow to the exit and take the transfer to the hotel, less than 30 minutes away.
Check in to the Barcelo San Jose.
2ND DAY • POAS VOLCANO -DOKA COFFEE ESTATES & LA PAZ WATERFALLS GARDENS
Coffee, volcano, waterfalls and rainforest come together in this fantastic full day tour. Starting with a drive by the city of Alajuela passing by the Agriculture Monument, the Monument to Juan Santamaria and the famous Mango Park we make our way out of the Central Valley.
As we ascend towards the Poás Volcano we will notice the change in temperature and vegetation, palm trees are replaced by pine and cool air overcomes the lowland heat. We will see coffee plantations as well as fern, flower and strawberry farms along the way, creating a beautiful landscape that paves the way to our next stop, The Doka Estates Coffee Plantation.
Upon arrival at Doka Coffee Estate enjoy a delicious breakfast followed by a coffee tour, in the actual coffee plantation. Here, we will learn about the ancient techniques used by the experts to produce one of the best coffees in Costa Rica. Learn about the careful process involved on the cultivation, harvesting and roasting of the Golden Bean.
Next, we will continue to Poás Volcano where we will not only admire the impressive main crater with its sulfur fumaroles, but also learn about the different ecosystems in this beautiful national park. The volcano's active crater is one of the largest in the world. Poás Volcano National Park protects a spectacular cloud forest that offers tempting trails that lead you through the exotic flora of this unique environment.
Following the visit to the volcano we will continue to La Paz Water Fall Garden for lunch and tour. On arrival to the La Paz, we will walk through a trail, leading to a spectacular waterfall in the middle of the rainforest. Inside the park we will also visit the largest butterfly observatory in the country, the impressive hummingbird gallery, the serpentarium, the bird house and the frog’s exhibit. La Paz has five magnificent waterfalls with nine viewing platforms allowing visitors an up close and personal view of the falls and the spectacular La Paz River.
Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch at the terrace dining room before we return back to San Jose and your hotel, Barcelo San Jose Palacio. Meals BL
3RD DAY • SAN JOSE/ARENAL TABACON HOT MINERAL SPRINGS & ARENAL VOLCANO
After breakfast, check out and be ready with your luggage for your departure to Costa Rica's heartland.
The Arenal Volcano with Tabacon Hot Springs tour is one of the most popular tours that we offer.
This tour offers the best of both worlds, in terms of the raw untamed beauty of the imposing Arenal Volcano, which is juxtaposed against the lush and soothing thermal waters of Tabacon Hot Springs. All this set against a backdrop of lush vegetation and breathtaking views of the nearly perfect conical shaped lines of the volcano.
Situated in the northern lowlands of Costa Rica and about a 2 hour ride away, the impressive Arenal Volcano is a magnificent natural wonder that attracts thousands of tourists who come to see an active volcano which on clear days allows one to witness white plumes of smoke that emanate from this conical shaped behemoth. It should be noted, that the volcano had previously been assumed to be dormant, until in 1968, when to everyone’s amazement it experienced a major eruption.
Enroute to the Arenal Volcano there will be a stop in the famous town of Sarchi, known as the birthplace of Costa Rica’s Artisans. In Sarchi, you can see many of the handicrafts that Costa Rica has to offer, as well as the possibility of feasting your eyes on the world largest ox cart. The cart is made of cedar and is painted with several coats (4) of orange paint and is multicolored. The design is typical and intricate, indicative of traditional oxcarts. The oxcart is two stories high and took nearly 70 days to construct and paint. For the record, according to the Guinness book of world recorded, the cart is nearly 45 feet long (14 meters) and weighs 4400 lbs (2 tons).
The journey will then continue, traversing diverse plantations with agricultural products, including pineapple farms, and mango groves, ornamental plants and cattle ranches until arriving to the small town of La Fortuna, and stopping to enjoy lunch at a cozy restaurant with a magnificent view of the volcano.
Then you will go on to relax at one of the best hot springs in the area where you will revel in the cleansing and rejuvenating effects of the thermal waters. Tabacon is nestled at the base of mighty Arenal with a view of the Volcano towering in the background. Here, thermo-mineral springs flowing from Arenal run at a soothing 102 F through a maze of pools, waterfalls and exotic tropical gardens. You'll love exploring the springs many nooks pulsating with these magic hot waters!
Tabacon Hot springs combines the four elements of nature; the heat of the volcano, the flowing waters of the hot springs, the pure air of the rainforest, and the fertile earth of the Fortuna de San Carlos Region, to provided visitors with a first rate experience.
And for a perfect ending, before checking in to your Arenal area hotel, Tabacon's signature buffet dinner will be served with a great view of the volcano. Back on board for your drop off at The Montaña de Fuego Hotel. Check in and overnight. Meals BLD
4TH DAY • ARENAL
Full day in Arenal, Costa Rica's adventure capital. Choose from a huge array of exciting optional tours. Rafting, sky trams, zip lines, hanging bridges, volcano hikes, ATV tours, horseback riding and more!
Optional Tour: Sky Trek & Tram: $118 p.p
After breakfast, if you join today's optional tour. We are off for a great adventure! After a short drive, we will arrive at Sky Adventure Park.
Here we will embark on the Sky Tram. The Tram is.a series of gondolas that rise smoothly through the rainforest, offering up endless views during its mountainous ascent. This tour is perfect for people who want to take a different approach on admiring nature, without much physical effort but still be on spot where nature exhibits all its magic. On tour you will be attended by a bilingual guide who will point out different characteristics of the flora and fauna and other interesting facts. The Sky Tram travels up the mountain to arrive at a wide observation platform on the highest point of the reserve. Once there, enjoy the indescribable view. And of course, get ready for the thrilling Sky Trek portion of today's tour, the ultimate Zip line experience!
Sky Trek is a thrilling zip line circuit that directly follows the Sky Tram starting at the observation platform. Here, all geared up and in harness & helmet, you will start riding down on a zip line track stretching across canyons and in between treetops, the exhilarating adventure of zip lining down the mountainside begins; ultimately returning you to the starting point at the main building. This is the most thrilling zip line in the country. It's something you probably never thought you would do...but sure glad you did!
Return to hotel with great memories of an amazing day!
Overnight at your hotel. MEALS B
5TH DAY • MONTEVERDE
Early in the morning travel between Arenal and Monteverde via crossing on the country's largest man made lake, Lake Arenal. Once on the other side, we continuewith an adventurous drive up the mountain to reach the town of Monteverde. Check -in to the lovely but simple Los Jardines Monteverde Hotel. Welcome to the Cloud Forest! Overnight. Meals B
6TH DAY OPTIONAL TOUR: MONTEVERDE BIOLOGICAL RESERVE
After breakfast day free to enjoy all that Monteverde has to offer on your own or take today's optional tour, The Monteverde Biological Reserve Guided Tour.
Optional ($86): The Monteverde Biological Reserve Guided Tour
Tour departs in morning for a visit to the Monteverde Biological Reserve, a cloud forest rich in tropical flora and fauna. It stretches from the lush ferns and mosses which blanket the ground to the dark canopy formed from the tallest trees. It is composed of six different, highly diversified ecological communities of plants and animals. Then a visit to the Hummingbird Gallery to view nature photography at its best. Afternoon at leisure. Enjoy Monteverde's quirky town vibe and check out the many restaurants and bars just near the hotel. Overnight at Los Jardines de Monteverde Hotel. Meals B
7TH - 9TH DAYS • LANGOSTA BEACH, GUANACASTE
After breakfast, depart from Monteverde for a scheduled shuttle transfer to Guanacaste and the beautiful all inclusive beach hotel, Occidental Tamarindo. Check-in for a relaxing 3 night stay. Meals All Inclusive
10 TH DAY • LIBERIA (GUANACASTE)/U.S.
Morning transfer to the Liberia International Airport (LIR) for your departure flight. Meals BF
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