GT-603 – DISCOVER COSTA RICA

ITINERARY

DAY 1: Arrival in San Jose

Arrival transfer from Juan Santamaría International Airport to your hotel in San José.
Overnight accommodations at Sleep Inn Hotel, Standard double room.

DAY 2: San José – Arenal Volcano and Tabacón Hot Spring (B, L, D)

Breakfast in the hotel. Arenal Volcano and hot spring tour and transfer.
Few sites in Costa Rica inspire more respect and admiration than the Arenal Volcano. Located in the northern region, this impressive volcano is a natural phenomenon that attracts many tourists, thanks to its permanent and trusted volcanic activity. Sometimes lava can be seen flowing down the sides of the volcano and, if Mother Nature permits, you may have the pleasure of seeing a spectacular eruption. However, its upper part is often covered with clouds. On the way to La Fortuna, a stop is made in Sarchi, the country’s most famous crafts and souvenir town. As the trip continues, we will pass by different plantations of tropical crops and ornamental plants and also cattle ranches. Lunch is taken in a cozy restaurant with an excellent view of the volcano. After lunch, a visit to the Arenal Lake is made. To end the afternoon, relax in one of the best thermal water places in the area where you can enjoy a healthy and relaxing soak.

Hot springs are considered a natural expression of Earth’s energy. Geologically, Tabacon Resort’s thermal natural springs are 97% rain-based and 3% magma-based. Rainwater enters the earth through fissures on the surface and is then heated by magma found in the earth’s core. Once heated, the waters rise to surface, taking with them minerals found in the earth’s rocky stratus. Tabacon is a completely natural resort. There are five different springs in the property, with temperatures ranging from 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit) to 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit). Water flows by gravity throughout the property, forming in-river pools, waterfalls, and cascades. Hot springs provide many benefits thanks to various chemical, physical and biological effects; the most notable is a sensation of wellbeing coming from relaxing tense and tired muscles.
Overnight accommodations at Arenal Springs Resort Hotel – Standard double room (B/L/D)

DAY 3: Arenal (B)

Sky Walk – Hanging Bridges
Breakfast. Morning visit to Sky Adventure for a Sky Walk, guide and transfers included.

Sky Walk + Plus, is a guided tour perfect for nature lovers. It is the perfect combination between a hike through the lush rainforest of the Arenal area and the adventure of the suspended bridges. Until recently, little was known about life in the tropical forest canopy layer, as it was nearly impossible to reach. Early explorers used ropes and pulleys or ladders carved into the trees’ trunks to make their way up. Today, biologists use towers, suspension bridges and construction cranes to make the investigations. The sun that barely reaches the forest floor, strikes treetops, fueling the photosynthesis process. As a result, there is an abundance of leaves, fruit and seeds that attract many animals. Biologists now know that about 90% of all organisms live in the canopy. Costa Rica’s rainforests have some of the world’s most complex ecosystems. The Sky Walk gives visitors the unique chance of observing this complex ecosystem up close.
This walk is not strenuous or muddy, as the trails are well maintained and generally very flat. Along the way, which is 3.6 km long, visitors can observe three waterfalls of 30 meters each; a beautiful place where to take a break, admire de landscape, take pictures and recover the strength.
Overnight accommodations at Arenal Springs Resort Hotel – Standard double room (B)

DAY 4: Arenal – Manuel Antonio (B)

Breakfast. Morning shuttle bus from Arenal to Manuel Antonio. The Central Pacific possesses the beaches closest to the capital city. Among the most popular are Herradura, Jaco, Dominical and the ones at Manuel Antonio National Park. They enjoy the characteristics of a very hot and humid climate, with a season of brilliant sunshine from December through the end of April and warm waters all year long.
Hills covered with green forests compose the common landscape of the area. Some of the features, which have made Manuel Antonio one of the places most preferred by the tourists, are the white sand beaches, cliffs, rivers, rain forests, the large variety of animal life and climate. The Manuel Antonio National Park is home of the White Faced, Mantled Howler and Red-backed Squirrel monkeys, Two and Three Toad sloths, among other mammals, as well as a number of species of birds. Punta Catedral (cathedral point), the bay of Puerto Escondido (hidden port), and the beautiful beaches with blue green waters represent some of the main attractions of this park.
Overnight accommodations at El Parador, Garden Room double (B)

DAY 5: Manuel Antonio (B)

Breakfast. Day at leisure to enjoy the beach or to take an optional tour.
During your stay, take a shared guided visit to Manuel Antonio National Park:
Watch sloths and monkeys moving through the tree canopy, hunt for nocturnal silky anteaters, surprise iguanas resting on a tree and listen to the songs of the various birds. And if you are lucky, you might spot one of the 1,000 remaining endangered Mono Titi or squirrel monkey that live in Manuel Antonio National Park biological corridor. See how many different kinds of flora and fauna you can spot just in the span of a 2 ½ hour nature walk and enjoy some local fresh fruits and refreshments at the end of the trail. If you like, you can hike additionally through the trails and enjoy unspoiled, un-crowded, pristine beaches after or you can stay at the beach for a relaxing afternoon once the tour is over.
Overnight accommodations at El Parador, Garden Room double (B)

DAY 6: Manuel Antonio – San José (B)

Breakfast. Morning at leisure to enjoy the area. In the afternoon, share shuttle transfer back to San Jose.
Overnight accommodations at Sleep Inn Hotel, Standard double room. (B)

DAY 7: Depart San Jose (B)

Breakfast. Transfer from the hotel to the Juan Santamaría International Airport to take your flight to your next destination. (B)

RATE PER PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY: $880.00

INCLUDED:

Arrival and departure transfers   Daily breakfast   Shared tour to Arenal Volcano area and Tabacón Hot Springs. Lunch, dinner and transfers included.   Sky Walk Tour. Guide and transfers included.  Guided visit to Manuel Antonio National Park. Fruits and transfers included. Two nights at Sleep Inn, STD room  Two nights at Arenal Springs Hotel, STD room  Two nights at El Parador Hotel, Garden Room  All ground share transfers  Hotel taxes

NOT INCLUDED:

International air between USA and San Jose. Quoted separately on request. Meals and beverages not mentioned in the program. Optional tours or ground services not specified in the itinerary. Tips to tour guides & drivers. Personal and/or medical expenses. Costa Rica departure tax (US$29,00 per person).