Getting there. Combinations

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1 Costa Rica Perfecty positioned between the warmth of the Caribbean and the vastness of the Pacific, Costa Rica is the compact heart of an extraordinary range of experiences. Where ese in the word coud you seek out scaret macaws and capuchin monkeys in a rain forest, overook a smoking vocano, raft down a tumutuous river and aze on a rugged beach, a within the space of a few days? TURTLE PROTECTION Santa Rosa Nationa Park Guanacaste Nationa Park Rincon de a Vieja Nationa Park Liberia GUANACASTE Caño Negro Widife Reserve Lake Arena Fauna Sivestre Barra de Coorado Nationa Refuge Tortuguero TURTLE PROTECTION AREA Tortuguero AREA La Seva Puerto Viejo Nationa Pao Verde Monteverde Bioogica de Sarapiqui Park Nationa Park Coud Forest Station & Tamarindo CARIBBEAN SEA Private Reserve Rara Avis Bridge s Private Reserve NICOYA Abangaritos Vocan Poas 2704m PENINSULA & Nationa Park Paya Ostiona Brauio Carrio Nationa Park s Vocan Turriaba Nosara Aajuea TURTLE Puntarenas 3329m Puerto Limón PROTECTION AREA Heredia s Samara Ferry San Jose n Vocan Irazu 3432m Paya Bejuco Escazu Tarcoes Carara Bioogica Reserve Turriaba Curú Cahuita Jacó Nationa Nationa Park Paya Tambor Widife CENTRAL Puerto Banca Refuge Paya PACIFIC San Gerardo Viejo Nature Reserve Quizaes de Dota COSTA Quepos Manue PACIFIC OCEAN Antonio RICA Nationa Park PANAMA Dominica Guf of Nicoya NORTHERN MOUNTAINS s Arena Vocan 1633m NICARAGUA Sarapiqui R CENTRAL VALLEY Reventazón R Pacuare R At a gance Dry season December to Apri, athough most areas can be visited a year round Idea for sef-drive itineraries Perfect for both honeymooners and famiies Amazing seection of widife incuding turtes, macaws, caiman, basiisks, monkeys, armadios and soths Stunning fora incuding 8,000 species of orchid 25% of country is Nationa Park or Protected Area Junge, rainforest, coud forest, vocano and beach Exceent boutique hotes and remote junge odges Getting there Direct fight from London Gatwick to San Jose with British Airways. Fights from London Heathrow to San Jose via Madrid with Iberia. Aso fights from London Heathrow to San Jose via the United States Miami, Houston or Newark) with American Airines or United. KLM and Air France aso offer a service to San Jose via Amsterdam and Paris. Any fights via the US require an ESTA appication. Severa regiona departures incuding London City, Manchester, Cardiff, Birmingham, Humberside, Leeds-Bradford, Edinburgh and Bristo are avaiabe on request. Prices from 2,306 per person 2 sharing) for a 10 night trip COCOS ISLAND Bahia Punta Agujas Chatham Bahia Wafer Barreto Lione Dampier + Isa de Coco NP Atrevida Drake Bay Pamar Sur Casa Corcovado Corcovado Caño Isand Nationa & Reserve Park OSA Luna odge PENINSULA Piedras Bancas Nationa Park Boquete Gofito Puerto Jiménez Tiskita Junge Lodge Combinations Combine the widife of Costa Rica with the fascinating indigenous communities of Panama or the rich and coourfu cutures and archaeoogica sites of Guatemaa and Mexico. Costa Rica 17

2 San Jose & Centra Vaey Tortuguero Nationa Park The great gift with which Costa Rica rewards the traveer is accessibiity to so many diverse environments, and nowhere is this more true than in the Centra Vaey. A short distance from the country s capita of San Jose are 4 vasty different habitats, offering vocanic peaks, junge waterfas, punging gorges, coud forests and the argest butterfy observatory in the word! So whether your interests ie in the thris of white water rafting aong the Pacuare River, a more eisurey visit to the suphurous steaming waters at Poas vocano, or perhaps mere astonishment at the dazzing dispay of butterfy ife at La Paz Waterfa Gardens, you wi have the opportunity to pursue them a. Visit the vocanic peaks of Irazu, Turriaba and Poas Raft down the mighty Pacuare River Expore La Paz Waterfa Gardens, which incude the word s most spectacuar butterfy dispay and a serpentarium with 30 different species of snake Horse-ride aong tropica trais Xandari Near Aajuea Centra Vaey) BB Xandari is buit on a coffee pantation overooking the Centra Vaey. A except one) of the unique bungaows have a arge terrace with panoramic view and a waed-in patio for privacy. A 24 bungaows have very coourfu modern furnishings and private faciities shower). The hote has a beautifu spa offering massages, Jacuzzi and yoga. The sma, informa restaurant has dramatic sweeping views over San Jose. There are three swimming poos and a private trai and waterfa. Superb property and one of our firm favourites. Bougainviea hote San Jose BB The Bougainviea hote is situated in a quiet residentia area just 40 minutes from the internationa airport. This is a great mid-range property with ten acres of beautifu and mature botanica gardens at the rear of the hote. There are 82 spacious rooms with views of either the mountains or the San Jose skyine. There is aso a restaurant, bar, tennis court and swimming poo. Once an archipeago of vocanic isands, Tortuguero turte pace ) burs the distinction between the sea and dry and. The Nationa Park consists of agoons, wetands, beaches and canas, which demand to be expored by boat. Traveing by aunch or for the more energetic in canoes or kayaks, you coud encounter any of the 50 species of freshwater fish, Spectaced Caiman and Southern River Otters, or watch the Spider and Hower monkeys in the junge that fringes the beaches. Magicay, you can be guided in Juy and August on moonit nights to watch the turtes abouring their way onto the beaches to ay their eggs an extraordinary sight you wi never forget. Hire a canoe to get cose and persona with the otters Foow the turtes as they ay their eggs under the night sky Spot the Jesus Christ Lizard waking on water Mawamba Lodge Tortuguero FB incudes activities) Situated on a thin strip of and between the canas and the Caribbean sea. This rustic odge has 58 simpe wooden cabins no TV or airconditioning), a with private faciities shower) incuding four honeymoon suites. The suites have a private terrace, king size bed and corner bath. Faciities incude a restaurant, bar, swimming poo and a jacuzzi. There is a aso a frog garden and butterfy sanctuary on-site. From the odge it is ony a short wak to the viage and to Tortuguero Beach, the nesting pace of Green Turtes. Manatus odge Tortuguero FB incudes activities) One of the most comfortabe odges in Tortuguero. The 12 spacious rooms are a furnished to a high standard. A rooms feature air-conditioning, mini bar, TV, en suite bathroom, terrace and mosquito nets over the beds. The restaurant named Ara Macaw focuses on Afro-Caribbean favours combined with fresh ingredients and ocay caught seafood. There is a gym, sundeck and a ovey poo overooking the cana. For additiona odges, pictures and genera information on Costa Rica pease visit 18 Costa Rica Costa Rica 19

3 Arena Manue Antonio Nationa Park San Gerardo de Dota Monteverde Dominated by the spectacuar Arena vocano as it rises out of the tropica rainforest. Hower monkeys, macaws and briiant butterfies fourish among the heiconias and cascading waterfas. Taking fu advantage of the unique habitat, there is a vast range of activities on offer. Whether your interests ie in a guided exporation of this natura wonderand of fora and fauna, or you wish to connect more energeticay with the environment through zip-ining, swimming in hot springs and crossing hanging bridges, your expectations are ikey to be surpassed. From the centra mountain range, the and fas away westwards down to the drier, warmer Pacific side of the country. The attractive yet compact nationa park of Manue Antonio is bessed with picturesque beaches fringed with tropica dry forest. The ramshacke resort of Quepos, with its shops, bars, hotes and restaurants, has fourished aong the ength of this rocky outcrop. It is a three hour drive from San Jose. This is an exceent centre for a variety of activities such as deep sea sport fishing. The road to San Gerardo may not be for the faint-hearted, but the rewards are immense especiay for those fascinated by birdife. Here in the surrounding coud forest is the primary habitat of the dazzing Respendent Quetza, aongside woodpeckers, fycatchers and hummingbirds. In the narrow vaey, aong the Savegre River, there are trais in the ush forest - idea for waking and horse-riding. San Gerardo offers a compete oasis to the buste of San Jose. The reward for the arduous car-ride to 1400 metres high Monteverde is to find yoursef immersed in the ife-giving moisture of a tropica coud forest. Founded by American Quakers in the 1950 s. The constant soft mist nourishes a bountifu environment in which a manner of species fourish the numbers are truy astonishing: 100 species of mammas, 400 species of birds, 420 species of orchids. You might even catch a gimpse of divinity in the form of the Respendent Quetza! Arena Manoa Parador Manue Antonio BB Situated on a ciff it commands exceent views of the sea beow. A reguar minibus service to the nearby beach is provided, and there is aso a path from the hote to another beach. Amenities incude three swimming poos, games room, tennis court, spa, restaurant and bar. A rooms have private faciities and are air-conditioned. Good vaue for money. Savegre San Gerardo de Dota FB There are 51 rooms consisting of standard and junior suites dotted around the grounds. The restaurant serves homey food and there is a cosy ounge bar. The spa provides treatments, sauna and a jacuzzi. There are severa waking trais incuding one to a waterfa. A very friendy famiy-run odge in a secuded spot. Monteverde odge Monteverde BB Located just 15 minutes from Monteverde Coud Forest Reserve. The hote provides comfortabe accommodation surrounded by attractive mature gardens and trais. The hote amenities incude a soar heated swimming poo, jacuzzi, E Jardin Bar and restaurant. There is aso a butterfy and hummingbird garden. There are 28 en-suite bedrooms with either a forest or garden view. Arena BB The property enjoys a wonderfu ocation with incredibe views of the Arena vocano. It is surrounded by ovey gardens. The rooms have a been designed so that each one offers a panoramic vista of the vocano. Rooms are bright and modern in bungaowstye buidings. Faciities incude a swimming poo, restaurant and jacuzzi. Exceent vaue. Swim and reax in the hot springs at Ecotermaes Wak the Hanging Bridges over the Arena rainforest canopy Zip-ine in oca reserves Fish for Rainbow Bass on Arena Lake Foow trais around Los Quetzaes Nationa Park Enjoy the crisp freshness of the mountain air Seek out the Respendent Quetza most evident during the breeding season of Apri-May) Enjoy some of the best zip-ines in the country Canopy Tours and Suspended Bridge Waks Guided horseback tours Get to know about rea coffee on a pantation tour For additiona odges, pictures and genera information on Costa Rica pease visit 20 Costa Rica Costa Rica 21

4 Tempisque River A unique and specia area encompassing the wetands, dry tropica forest and mangroves of the Tempisque river in Guanacaste. The private ecoogica reserve of Rancho Humo is naturay fooded in the wet season, ony partiay drying out in the dry season. It is set over 2640 acres incuding parts of Pao Verde Nationa Park. Jaribou, storks, spoonbis, herons and cormorants are just some of the exampes of the varied birdife. There are aso hower monkeys, iguanas, coatis, oceots and American crocodies in the area. Pacuare River Nationa Geographic rates the Pacuare as among the top river trips in the word. The river punges down the Caribbean sope through a series of spectacuar canyons surrounded by tropica rainforest. On your fina day at Pacuare Junge odge you wi raft through the ast section of the river, riding through Cass III-IV rapids. Pease note that we do recommend a certain eve of fitness and an abiity to swim. Pease ensure your insurance covers you for rafting up to cass IV). Chidren under 12 are not permitted. Piedras Bancas Nationa Park This deightfu nationa park was created in 1993 and has 35,000 acres of tropica rainforest and mangroves. The area was being expoited for wood products, but has been steadiy purchased with hep from the Austrian government and private interests, notaby the cassica Austrian vioinist Michae Schnitzer. The and has been subsequenty donated to the Costa Rican government. It is tucked away in the south-west corner of the country across the bay from the Osa Peninsua and Corcovado Nationa Park. Together they form and safeguard an important and ecoogicay diverse corridor in the Gofo Duce. It protects some of the ast remaining stretches of undisturbed owand primary rainforest. Rancho Humo estancia Tempisque River Puerto Humo) FB This smart estancia has ten rooms which feature shower, air conditioning, compimentary wifi, fat screen TV, coffee maker and safe deposit box. Junior suites have baconies. Faciities incude a bar, dining room, poo and iving room. Guests can expore the area on a boat or jeep safari to view the impressive widife. A specia widife safari in a tranqui environment. Pacuare Junge Lodge Pacuare River FB Reaching this odge by raft is a part of the experience! Each of the bungaows have a private terrace, en-suite faciities and views to the ush garden or the river. There is a bar and restaurant. Excursions payabe ocay) incude a canopy tour through the rainforest, horse riding, hike to a Cabecar Indian community. A unique and specia pace. Paya Cativo Piedras Bancas Nationa Park FB Paya Cativo is an eegant odge accessibe ony by boat. It is ocated in an idyic setting on the shores of the Nationa Park. Each room has a view of either the ocean or rainforest and window mosquito screens. There is a restaurant, freshwater outdoor swimming poo, ibrary and organic farm. The beautifu and ush gardens are abundant with butterfies, birds, sma mammas and exotic pants. There is an exceent choice of activities incuding waking, kayaking, hiking, fishing, stand up paddeboarding and yoga. Highy recommended. 22 Costa Rica For additiona odges, pictures and genera information on Costa Rica pease visit Costa Rica 23

5 Osa Peninsua Corcovado Nationa Park) A peninsua on the Pacific coast, it has been described by Nationa Geographic as the most bioogicay intense pace on earth, and it is one of the few remaining sizeabe areas of primary owand rainforest in the whoe word. Here exist 13 separate ecosystems, amost 1000 species of trees, neary 400 species of birds, aongside tapirs, jaguars, red-eyed tree frogs, monkeys, iguana and sea-turtes. There is an opportunity to snorke among the cora reefs and perhaps catch sight of dophins and the occasiona passing whae. There are various trais in the Nationa Park. There are a number of airstrips dotted around the peninsua depending on your fina choice of odge). Bosque de Osa Peninsua FB Bosque de is a reaxed and secuded hideaway surrounded by a 300 acre forest reserve. Located at the southernmost cape of the peninsua, it is reached by fying into Puerto Jimenez and taking a 60 minute 4x4 transfer to the odge. Hikes can be taken on marked trais through the forest to the ocean and a waterfa. There are two standard and eight deuxe bungaows. A have a terrace area with hammocks and easy chairs aong with modern bathrooms and unique outdoor showers! The attractive swimming poo is naturay fied by a spring and has a pooside bar. This sma and intimate odge is suitabe for both coupes and famiies. Luna odge Nr Carate FB This secuded odge is ocated in the Carate river vaey adjacent to Corcovado Nationa Park. The odge is the vision of the owner Lana Wedmore. Once she came across the Osa peninsua she knew she wanted to estabish her own eco-odge and a dream was born. The odge is spread over 60 acres of primary and secondary rainforest. There are breathtaking views from the restaurant and yoga deck. There are eight bungaows with a high thatched-pam roof. Each have en-suite faciities and a private deck from which you can enjoy the junge dawn chorus. There is a ovey poo and a sma treatment room offering massages. Excursions incude guided hikes, kayaking, horse-riding, bird watching and guided tours to Corcovado Nationa Park payabe ocay). Fy to Carate charter) or Puerto Jimenez foowed by a 4X4 transfer. A rea hidden jewe. Casa Corcovado Junge Lodge Corcovado Nationa Park FB Normay cosed 1 September-31 October) This unusua Lodge is a 170 acre private reserve bordering Corcovado Nationa Park. There are no roads eading to the odge so access is ony by motor aunch. The journey to the odge is great fun but sometimes the sea crossing can be rough. It is a wet anding at a nearby beach so you be up to your thighs in water! This is foowed by a tractor transfer to the top. The accommodation consists of simpe, tied foor bungaows with shower and ceiing fans. Pease note that none of the bungaows have ocean views. There is a restaurant/bar and two poos. Your stay incudes a guided fu day tour to the Nationa Park and a trip to Cano Isand. For additiona odges, pictures and genera information on Costa Rica pease visit Be prepared for unusua modes of transfer! motor aunch, tractor) Snorke at Cano isand Experience a sense of inner peace in the junge Wak the trais in Corcovado and try and spot a puma or jaguar! 24 Costa Rica Costa Rica 25

6 Nicoya peninsua The ferry trip across the Guf of Nicoya from Puntarenas is an opportunity to enjoy the views or aternativey take the bridge ocated further north). The privatey owned Curu reserve fringed with white sand beaches protects a wide variety of fora and fauna. The Banco Reserve occupies the entire southwest tip of the peninsua. Here you can find monkeys, squirres, soths, agoutis and a variety of snakes! With a four-whee drive in the dry season can be impassabe in the rainy season) it is possibe to head north to Paya Bejuco and Nosara. The Ostiona coastine 25 minutes from Nosara) is the word s argest nesting ground for the Oive Ridey turte between Juy and December. There are fights from San Jose to Nosara and Tambor. Punta Isita Nicoya Peninsua BB This upmarket resort hote is situated on a hitop on the west coast. There are severa room types incuding deuxe, suites, casitas and vias. The casitas and vias have their own garden and punge poo. There is a stunning infinity poo, restaurant, beach cub with poo), gym and spa. For the thri-seekers, there is zip-ining, surfing or kayaking and for those ooking for some sport, you can pay tennis, do a spot of sport fishing or go for a round of gof at the 9 hoe course. There is a reguar shutte bus to nearby viages. Lagarta odge Nosara BB This eegant boutique hote is beautifuy situated on a hitop overooking two rivers Nosara and Montana), verdant subtropica vegetation and the Ostiona coastine. There are 26 rooms across 3 rooms types - 7 For Banca ocean view), 8 Panorama partia ocean view) and 11 Junge junge/forest view). On the bacony or terrace) there is a tabe and chairs and hammock or uxury sofa. There are mosquito screens on the bacony doors and in the bathroom. There are two infinity swimming poos, jacuzzi and spa. The attractive Chirriboca restaurant and Gecko bar enjoy stunning views of the surrounding scenery and sunsets. The hote owns and maintains its own private 90 acre bioogica reserve which is situated beow the property with direct access - steep steps down). This specia property shoud not be missed and comes highy recommended! Tango Mar Paya Quizaes BB Tango Mar is ocated 3km south of Tambor viage, a 40 minute drive from the ferry termina. This is an attractive, romantic and wecoming beachfront resort. The extensive faciities incude an attractive swimming poo, ninehoe par 3 gof course, two foodit tennis courts and stabes. There is a spacious restaurant and bar area. It has a variety of beachfront rooms, different suites and arge vias good for famiies) with air-conditioning, ceiing fans, sateite TV, mini-bar and safe deposit box. The tropica suites share a poo and sundeck. The property is surrounded by tropica gardens and pam trees. Pease note the tide can be strong here so pease check before swimming in the sea. There is a good choice of activities and viages nearby with restaurants. Charming hote and exceent vaue. 26 Costa Rica For additiona odges, pictures and genera information on Costa Rica pease visit Costa Rica 27

7 Suggested itineraries Pease find some suggested itineraries which can be taiored to suit individua requirements. They are simpy exampes of what is feasibe within different timeframes. There are additiona itineraries on our website or pease speak to us for further guidance. They are aimed at individua traveers NOT group escorted tours). Tours incude an Engish speaking guide. Prices are a guideine ony pease contact us for an exact quote. Pease note that we are abe to quote for and ony arrangements no fights) but we require a minimum of 7 nights. Guide prices incude Internationa economy return fights from the UK see the itinerary for specific airine detais) Accommodation - standard room uness stated otherwise Private transfers and tours uness indicated otherwise) Interna fights as featured in the itinerary) Meas as outined in the itinerary) Board basis key BB Bed and Breakfast HB Haf-Board FB Fu Board AI A incusive Cassic Costa Rica - 12 nights Based on British Airways direct fight Guide price per person 2 sharing) 2,683 San Jose 1 night BB Tortuguero 2 nights FB Arena 2 nights BB Monteverde 3 nights BB Nicoya peninsua 4 nights BB Day 1 Upon arriva transfer to hote in San Jose. Bougainviea Hote for 1 night. BB Day 2 Eary morning group transfer to Guapies, continue by boat to the odge in Tortuguero. Mawamba Lodge for 2 nights. FB Day 3 Group guided widife cana boat trips and guided wak. Day 4 Boat and and transfer to Arena. Arena Manoa Resort junior suite with vocano view) for 2 nights. BB Day 5 Haf day guided tour of Arena Hanging Bridges. Day 6 Transfer to Monteverde incuding a ake crossing. Trapp Famiy odge mountain suite) for 3 nights. BB Day 7 Haf day guided visit to Monteverde Coud Forest. Day 8 Day at eisure. Day 9 Transfer to Nicoya peninsua. Tango Mar beachfront room) for 4 nights. BB Days Days at eisure. Birdwatching itinerary - 10 nights Based on British Airways direct fight Guide price per person 2 sharing) 3,200 San Jose 1 night BB Tortuguero 2 nights FB Sarapiqui 2 nights BB Osa 3 nights FB San Gerardo de Dota 2 nights FB Day 1 Upon arriva transfer to hote in San Jose. Bougainviea Hote for 1 night. BB Day 2 Eary morning group transfer to Guapies, continue by boat to the odge in Tortuguero. Mawamba Lodge for 2 nights. FB Day 3 Group guided widife cana boat trips and guided wak. Day 4 Boat and and transfer to Sarapiqui. Seva Verde for 2 nights. BB Day 5 Haf day guided birdwatching tour. Day 6 Transfer to San Jose airport. Fy to Puerto Jimenez. Transfer to Luna odge for 3 nights. FB Day 7-8 Days at eisure. Day 9 Transfer to Puerto Jimenez. Fy to San Jose and transfer to San Gerardo de Dota. Savegre odge junior suite) for 2 nights. FB Days 10 Group guided haf day birdwatching tour. Day 11 Transfer to San Jose airport. Return fight to the UK. Honeymoon itinerary - 12 nights Based on British Airways direct fight Guide price per person 2 sharing) 4,988 Centra Vaey 2 nights BB Pacuare River 2 nights FB Arena 2 nights BB Piedras Bancas Nationa Park 3 nights FB Nosara 3 nights BB Day 1 Upon arriva transfer to hote in Centra Vaey. Xandari prima pus via) hote for 2 nights. BB Day 2 Guided fu day Poas vocano and La Paz waterfas tour. Day 3 Eary morning group transfer to Pacuare River. Raft to the odge. Pacuare Junge odge for 2 nights. FB Day 4 Day at eisure. Day 5 Raft out from the odge foowed by a and transfer to Arena. Nayara Resort for 2 nights. BB Day 6 Haf day guided tour of Arena Hanging Bridges. Day 7 Transfer to San Jose airport. Fy to Puerto Jimenez or Gofito). Transfer by boat to Paya Cativo for 3 nights. FB Day 8-9 Days at eisure. Day 10 Transfer to Puerto Jimenez airstrip. Fy to San Jose - connect with onward fight to Nosara. Transfer to Lagarta odge for 3 nights. BB Day Days at eisure. Day 13 Transfer to San Jose airport. Return fight to the UK. Famiy fun itinerary - 10 nights Based on British Airways direct fight Based on a 2 bedroom unit or 2 rooms at each property Guide price per person 4 sharing) 2,306 Centra Vaey 3 nights BB Tortuguero 3 nights FB Manue Antonio 4 nights BB Day 1 Upon arriva transfer to hote in Centra Vaey. Xandari hote for 3 nights. BB Day 2 Guided fu day Poas vocano and La Paz waterfas tour. Day 3 Day at eisure. Day 4 Eary morning group transfer to Guapies, continue by boat to the odge in Tortuguero. Mawamba Lodge for 3 nights. FB Day 5-6 Group guided widife cana boat trips and guided wak. Day 7 Boat and and transfer to Manue Antonio. Parador hote for 4 nights. BB Day 8-10 Days at eisure. Day 11 Transfer to San Jose airport. Return fight to the UK. Day 13 Transfer to San Jose airport. Return fight to the UK. 28 Costa Rica Costa Rica 29