Costa Rican. adventure February 24 March 7, days, 11 nights. Book and pay by October 31, 2012 and save $250 per person/$500 per couple!

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1 Costa Rican adventure February 24 March 7, days, 11 nights Book and pay by October 31, 2012 and save $250 per person/$500 per couple!

2 Sarapiquí Arenal/La Fortuna Pacific Ocean Land Route Cruise Route Start/End Point Route is approximate San José C O S TA R I C A Manuel Antonio Average temperature and precipitation ranges in February March (in degrees Fahrenheit) City High Low Precipitation San Jose " Tortuguero " Arenal " Manuel Antonio " Tortuguero Caribbean Sea Costa Rican Adventure February 24 March 7, days, 11 nights This journey covers a swath of verdant Costa Rica from the shining Caribbean to an active volcano to the blue Pacific. Discover the abundant life of tropical ecosystems as you take in the country s natural beauty, glimpsing its history while you discover the amazing plant and animal life that this land sustains. Travel from San Jose to Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast, and from there to farmlands and the realm of Mount Arenal. Explore the flora, the fauna and the Pacific beaches at Manuel Antonio National Park. The trip is designed for you to absorb the pura vida of Costa Rica through all your senses. Taste bananas and pineapples at the source, learn how cacao becomes chocolate. Bathe in the hot springs at Tabacón. Spot the birds and monkeys that frequent the quiet waterways. Tour a family farm and learn to make tortillas and Costa Rican coffee. Go rafting through a rainforest. Every day offers new delights; taken together they leave you with an indelible portrait of a diverse and extraordinary land. l

3 Sunday, February 24 DEPARTURE ARRIVE SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA DINNER Leave the U.S. on your flight to San Jose. Arrive at Juan Santa Maria Airport, where you will be met and accompanied to your hotel. The Aurola Hotel is in an attractive part of the city, across from the Parque Morazán, site of a domed bandstand called the Templo de Música where musicians often perform. The Teatro Nacional, the Catedral Metropolitano and other historic buildings lie within several blocks. Join your group for dinner at your hotel. D white-faced capuchin monkeys in the treetops, toucans and egrets in the air and crocodiles in the waters. Among the abundant wildlife are also freshwater turtles that sun on the riverbanks, lizards, frogs and toads, and several hundred species of birds drawn to Tortuguero s varied habitats. The region s flora are varied as well, with three types of forest environments supporting diverse trees and countless smaller plants. Later in the day, enjoy a walk along the nearby Caribbean shore and join the group for dinner at the hotel restaurant by the Lagoon. B/L/D Monday, February 25 BANANA PLANTATION TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK Travel east through mountains and rainforests toward the Caribbean. The province of Limón, which spans the country s Caribbean coast, is one of Costa Rica s major banana-growing regions. Stop for a tour of a banana plantation and try a freshly ripened banana. Continue to the Caño Blanco Dock, where you begin a guided river journey through the protected wetlands of Tortuguero National Park. The park is the major breeding ground for green sea turtles in the Caribbean, and a wilderness rich in birds, monkeys, sloths and reptiles Arriving at Tortuguero Village, you ll have time to visit the Green Turtle Research Station. Then settle in at Laguna Lodge, between the sea and the Tortuguero Lagoon. Enjoy the pools, the hydro-massage waterfall, and the trails through the surrounding terrain. B/L/D Tuesday, February 26 TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK Tortuguero is an environment best explored by water. Cruise the creeks and lagoons of the park, watching for howler, spider and l

4 I N C L U S I O N S Escorted airport-hotel transfers (if purchasing trip with air and arriving with the group) Eleven nights accommodations in Superior First Class and similar hotels, and in rural lodges in forest environments Twenty-one meals 11 buffet breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners Tea, coffee and bottled water with all meals Program of guided visits and activities as listed in the itinerary, including: River journeys and canal cruise through Tortuguero National Park Tours of banana and pineapple plantations Chocolate tour in Tirimbina Reserve Afternoon at Tabacón Hot Springs Rafting adventure on river near Arenal Cultural visit to farm Casona Rio Fortuna, including cooking lesson and school visit with folkdance demonstration Tour of Manuel Antonio National Park with naturalist guide Travel by private air-conditioned motorcoach throughout the trip Services of an English-speaking professional guide and a Cross-Culture tour manager Gratuities for porters, hotel staff, and restaurant staff at included meals Pre-departure materials with country information, reading lists and packing suggestions Luggage handling for one bag throughout the trip All local taxes NOT INCLUDED Airport transfers when purchasing land tour only or not arriving with the group Airline and governmental taxes, fees and surcharges Personal expenses such as telephone, laundry, Internet use, and other items not listed as included Excess baggage fees Passport fees Travel or health insurance Airport departure tax of approximately $30 (U.S. dollars or equivalent in Costa Rican colones) Gratuities for your guide and driver(s) Wednesday, February 27 SARAPIQUÍ: ORGANIC PINEAPPLE FARM AT FINCA CORSICANA Return by boat to the Caño Blanco dock and enjoy a guided ride inland to the Sarapiquí area with a stop for lunch. Visit Finca Corsicana, location of the world s largest organic pineapple plantation, owned by Collin Street Bakery in Corsicana, Texas. Learn how the fruit is grown, selected and packed for its journey to market, and sample fresh pineapples at the source. Arrive at La Quinta Sarapiquí, a small country inn. This hotel holds a five-leaf rating, the highest, from Costa Rica s Center for Sustainable Tourism, whose goal is that tourist services and visitors coexist with the environment and do it no harm. La Quinta s ten-acre property encompasses old-growth forest by the Sardinal River, a reforested area with native trees, regenerating agriculture and tropical gardens. After your morning s journey you may be drawn to the rocking chairs, the gardens, the spa and the restaurant, where some dishes are prepared with La Quinta s own produce. Tomorrow there will be time to explore the environs. B/L Thursday, February 28 SARAPIQUÍ: CHOCOLATE TOUR IN TIRIMBINA RESERVE Visit a chocolate-making facility in the Tirimbina Biological Reserve, a center for the study of the biodiversity and conser- Book and pay by October 31, 2012 and save $250 per person/$500 per couple!

5 vation of the rainforest. The tour takes you across a suspension bridge and through the forest to a former cacao-growing plot that is now used as a model of growing practices. Learn the histories of pre-colonial and postcolonial chocolate, observe the transformation of cacao fruit into chocolate as we know it, and enjoy samples. Have lunch on your own and the afternoon at leisure, with time to walk the trails or watch butterflies and frogs in their respective gardens. La Quinta provides information on the area s flora and fauna, and routes for a self-guided walking tour of the environment with its many species of birds, amphibians and other creatures. Activities offered at La Quinta range from tubing on the Sardinal River (through Class I and II rapids, on a tube with handles and a stabilizing cover) to boat rides to visiting the La Selva Biological Station. B Friday, March 1 GUIDED DRIVE TO MOUNT ARENAL TABACÓN HOT SPRINGS A guided drive this morning takes you from Sarapiquí, in Heredia Province, past pineapple and sugar plantations to Arenal Volcano National Park, part of the larger Arenal Conservation area in neighboring Alajuela. About half the land animals in Costa Rica can be found in this area, but the main feature is the active volcano itself. Since a major eruption in 1968 Arenal has released ash and lava almost daily. If you do see volcanic activity, it s more likely to be at night, from the large bay window of your hotel room only a few miles away. This afternoon, take advantage of the volcano s underground activity that produces the hot springs at Tabacón! The ample rainwater of the region, heated by magma in the earth s interior, rises to the surface as mineral-rich springs. At Tabacón they flow through a series of terraced pools, with cascading falls and tropical gardens. Enjoy the pleasant and relaxing waters and the bar in the largest pool, if you wish before drying off and continuing to your hotel just northeast of Arenal. B/D Saturday, March 2 ARENAL: RAFTING THROUGH THE RAINFOREST Today we ll go rafting on one of the rivers fed by waters from the volcano. Tropical A C C O M M O D A T I O N S L I S T Accommodations listed below may be substituted with equivalent. C I T Y A C C O M M O D AT I O N S R AT I N G (Hotel & Travel Index) San Jose Aurola Holiday Inn Hotel Superior First Class Tortuguero Laguna Lodge not rated Sarapiquí La Quinta de Sarapiquí Country Inn not rated Arenal Arenal Springs Resort, and Spa not rated Manuel Antonio La Foresta Nature Resort not rated

6 rivers wind through a canyon filled with dramatic scenery, then continue downriver. Halfway through the journey, stop on the riverbank to relax, stretch and enjoy some tropical fruit in spectacular surroundings. After your time on the river, approximately 2 1/2 3 hours, a dry towel and a cold drink await you. A short ride brings you to a spot where you can change into dry clothes and enjoy a typical Costa Rican lunch. Return to the hotel in the afternoon. You might arrange for a spa treatment, swim in one of the pools or the thermal river, walk the trails, or sit on your private covered porch in a leather rocking chair enjoying the view and a book. Have dinner on your own in one of the hotel restaurants. B/L Sunday, March 3 CASONA RIO FORTUNA GUIDED DRIVE TO MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK The Casona Rio Fortuna invites you to share the culture and history of rural Costa Rica. The family that now manages the house as an inn welcomes visitors to spend a morning learning about traditions from food production to folk dance. Stroll through the orchard and gardens by this country house, see how sugar cane was once processed, and climb aboard a comfortable tractor-drawn roofed trailer for an excursion across plantations of pineapple, papaya, plantain and cassava. Learn to prepare Tico-style (Costa Rican-style) coffee and traditional corn tortillas. We ll also visit the elementary school in nearby Sonafluca and watch students in traditional dances of the region. Enjoy lunch at Casona Rio Fortuna before the drive to Manuel Antonio National Park. You ll pass through some of the misty cloud forest, where a steady 100% humidity sustains a rich, diverse habitat. Descend to the Pacific coast and arrive at La Foresta Nature Resort, set in a large tract of virgin rainforest not far from the Manuel Antonio beaches. The well-kept forest trails lead you to outstanding bird-watching spots, and you re likely to find troops of titi (squirrel) monkeys as well as many other species of mammals. There s also a butterfly garden. Have dinner on your own at La Foresta s restaurant, which offers local and international dishes, and seating that allows wildlife viewing while you dine. B/L Monday, March 4 EXPLORE MANUEL ANTONIO N.P. TIME FOR BEACH OR OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS Manuel Antonio National Park is a place of stunning white sand beaches and evergreen tropical forest. Like Tortuguero on the Caribbean side, it extends out into the sea. Though Manuel Antonio is Costa Rica s smallest national park, it claims over 100 species of mammals and 184 species of birds, including toucans and scarlet macaws. Walk with one of the park s naturalist guides, who are equipped with portable telescopes strong enough for viewing a bird, sloth or monkey high in the trees. Your route will traverse rainforest and shoreline, with frequent stops for viewing. You are very likely to spot the capuchin monkeys that claim the great spreading trees by one of the beaches, but the guides are expert at finding more remote and hidden creatures, often high in the forest. You may return to the hotel for lunch on your own and spend an afternoon at the pool and the Jacuzzi, or on the nature trails. l

7 You may also remain at Manuel Antonio to explore more of the trails there and enjoy the several beaches. The hotel provides a free shuttle from a site near the National Park entrance in the late afternoon. B Tuesday, March 5 DAY AT LEISURE FOR NATURE WALKS IN MANUEL ANTONIO, BEACH OR OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS This day is open for whatever ways you d like to explore your environs. You may return to Manuel Antonio National Park for more nature walks and beach time, or relax on the hotel grounds, enjoying the pool and perhaps the spa. Part of the resort s 180 acres is devoted to the Titi Canopy Tour, a series of zip-line cables (the longest almost 1,500 feet) that allow you to experience the rainforest canopy close-up as you soar between trees and pause on the platforms. On a two-hour journey your guides will alert you to the creatures in the treetops, perhaps Titi and other monkeys, sloths, iguanas and toucans. However you spend your day within or above the forest and waters, join your group in the evening for the farewell dinner. B/D Wednesday, March 6 GUIDED TRANSFER TO SAN JOSE The roads from Manuel Antonio to San Jose in the Central Valley traverse rainforest and mountains. Return to the capital, check in at your hotel and have lunch on your own. You may have time to visit one of the nearby museums or historic sites, such as the impressive neoclassic Teatro Nacional, built in 1890 of Italian marble and decorated with murals of coffee harvest scenes. The theater is about four blocks from your hotel and close to other San Jose landmarks including the Baroque-style Teatro Mélico Salazar and the Museum of Precolombian Gold. Have dinner on your own with friends old and new, and prepare for your departure in the morning. B Thursday, March 7 RETURN TO U.S. Transfer to Juan Santamaria International Airport for your return flight to the U.S. B Book and pay by October 31, 2012 and save $250 per person/$500 per couple!

8 Costa Rican Adventure February 24 March 7, days, 11 nights P R I C I N G Tour Code: KUCR Land only $2,999 With airfare from SLC $3,399 Airfare available for other cities please call for details Single Supplement $495 Bonus Savings Book and pay by October 31, 2012 and save $250 per person/$500 per couple! Book and pay by October 31, 2012 and save $250 per person/$500 per couple!

9 12 White Pine Road, Amherst, MA (fax) A deposit of $500 per person is required to confirm your reservation for Costa Rican Adventure. The applicable deposit is being paid by: the enclosed check for $ my credit card for $ (If paying by credit card, please complete the credit card information at right) Traveler One NAME ADDRESS CITY I prefer a single room, at additional cost. I would like to share a twin room, if a roommate is available. I understand that my single supplement will be refunded if a share is found. Shares are not guaranteed. I authorize Cross-Culture to charge the applicable deposit per person, per program or segment of combination programs to the following credit card: CREDIT CARD NUMBER EXPIRATION DATE SECURITY CODE (Our bank requires the embossed digits plus the last three digits printed in the signature box on the back of your card) STATE ZIP CARD HOLDER S NAME (as it appears on the credit card) HOME PHONE SIGNATURE TRAVELER ONE BUSINESS PHONE Traveler Two SIGNATURE TRAVELER TWO By making a deposit and enrolling in a Cross-Culture travel program, I am indicating that I have read and understand and agree to the General Terms and Conditions included in this package and on our website(s). NAME ADDRESS CITY Please send a copy of the most recent Cross-Culture catalog(s) to the person(s) whose name and address I have written below. I understand that I am eligible for a referral bonus if the names provided are not already on Cross-Culture s mailing list. STATE HOME PHONE BUSINESS PHONE Preferred departure city: ZIP NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP TRAVELER ONE NAME TRAVELER TWO I/we would like to request an upgrade on our flights: Economy Plus Business Class First Class ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP

10 Terms and Conditions RESERVATION, DEPOSIT REQUIREMENT & FINAL PAYMENT SCHEDULE The quickest and best way to make a reservation is to call us at between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. You may also request a reservation online at or Early registration is strongly recommended for the following reasons: Group size is limited (24 on Cultural and Family Journeys; 20 on President s programs; we use small-ship cruise lines with a small number of cabins choice cabins ALWAYS sell out quickly; single accommodations are subject to availability; some trips require additional preparation time and airlines restrict seat inventory. THE FOLLOWING ARE THE DEPOSIT REQUIREMENTS: Land tours: $500 per person, per program Small-ship cruises: $1,000 per person, per program Pre or post-tour extension: $250 per person, per program Privately chartered cruise have varying and specific payment schedules as listed below: PRIVATE CHARTER PAYMENT SCHEDULE: Initial deposit: $1,000 Second payment: 50% of the cruise price at 225 days prior to departure Final payment: 180 days Your deposit can be charged to a MasterCard or Visa credit card or paid by check. If you make your reservation after the final payment date, payment in full will be required at the time of the booking. Final payment for land tours is due at least 95 days prior to departure. Make your check payable to Cross Culture Journeys and send it to: 12 White Pine Road, Amherst, MA The final payment for small-ship cruises is due at least 120 days prior to departure. If final payment is not paid when due, Cross Culture reserves the right to regard the reservation as cancelled. If the trip is fully booked when we receive your deposit, we will return your payment, or with your authorization, we will retain your deposit and place your name on a priority waiting list in case other participants cancel. CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS If it becomes necessary for you to cancel your trip (or any portion thereof), you must notify Cross Culture in writing, by , or by fax immediately. The effective date of your cancellation will be the date that we receive your notification. Cross Culture will assess a cancellation charge to cover loss of nonrefundable advance payments we may have made on your behalf to including, but not limited to: ground operators; cruise lines; airlines; government agencies; communication expenses; and the loss of time. The cancellation charge applies regardless of the reason for cancellation, such as State Department travel warnings. Cancellation charges per person are as follows: FOR ALL TOURS (INCLUDING PRE/POST TOUR EXTENSIONS) Days prior to departure Charge 95 days or more: $250 (plus $125 for extensions) days: 50% of tour price days: 75% of tour price 45 days or fewer: 100% of tour price (no refund) Any changes to reservation: FOR CRUISES (INCLUDING PRE/POST TOUR EXTENSIONS) Days prior to departure $150 administrative fee Charge 120 days or more: $500 (plus $125 for extensions) days: 50% of cruise price days: 75% of cruise price 60 days or fewer: 100% of cruise price (no refund) Any changes to reservation: $150 administrative fee FOR PRIVATELY CHARTERED CRUISES (INCLUDING PRE/POST TOUR EXTENSIONS) Days prior to departure Charge Name changes are considered a cancellation, and the above-listed charges apply. If you are a no-show, if you cancel your trip after the departure date, or if you leave a trip already in progress, you will not receive any refund for any unused portion of your trip. Note: Air refunds, if any, are determined by the individual airlines. Cross-Culture, may, in order to take advantage of schedules and competitive pricing, purchase airlines tickets in advance. These tickets are non-refundable within 95 days of departure. TOUR PRICING & INCLUSIONS Tour prices quoted are guaranteed through December 31, 2012, and include accommodations based on double occupancy; airfare from your gateway city (when purchasing tour with airfare), meals, performances, admissions and scheduled group excursions as noted in the itinerary, hotel taxes, airport transfers for group flights, baggage handling for one bag per person, services of a Cross-Culture Travel Guide (if applicable), gratuities to hotels (does not include gratuities for the guide and driver or for shipboard staff), restaurants, and local guides (does not include gratuities for the guide and driver). Please note that air upgrades, airline taxes, fuel surcharges, departure fees, governmental fees and port charges are subject to change. NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR TOUR PRICE Passport and visa fees; airfare from your hometown to your gateway city; airline and governmental taxes, fees and surcharges; personal expenses such as telephone, communication charges, laundry, beverages, room service, and meals not specified; excess baggage fees, departure, airport and port charges (which will be listed as separate items on your invoice; independent transfers when purchasing a land-only package; gratuities to program guide and driver, and to shipboard staff, optional activities or shore excursions; flights connecting two or more programs and cancellation, travel and health insurance. PASSPORTS & VISAS A valid passport is required for all Cross-Culture programs. A visa may be required for some of our programs. As we continue to add new destinations, it is your responsibility to check with the appropriate country for their visa requirements. Cross-Culture is not responsible in any way for providing you with information related to passport and/or visa requirements. Cross-Culture does not accept any responsibility in your failure to secure the necessary documentation for your trip. HEALTH & WALKING Participants in all Cross-Culture programs should be in good physical condition and prepared to enjoy walking, often over uneven cobblestones. We ask you to appraise your own capabilities honestly. And, we ask that you be considerate of the other group members and do not delay the scheduled group activities. We do not provide assistance if you require the use of a wheelchair or have other personal needs; in such cases a companion who will assist you must accompany you. Cross-Culture reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any participant should such person s health or deportment impede the operation of the trip or enjoyment of any other participant. If Cross-Culture decides not to retain a participant during the trip, Cross-Culture assumes no financial responsibility for any unused portion of the tour or for any incidental charges therein. TRAVEL INSURANCE WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR INVESTMENT IN CASE YOU HAVE TO CANCEL OR INTERRUPT YOUR VACATION. This coverage will offset cancellation charges in the event of illness before or during your trip. Trip Cancellation/ Interruption, Medical Expense/Emergency Assistance, Baggage and Personal Effects, and Baggage/ Travel Delay are some of the benefits of the Preferred Benefits Travel Insurance. Details and an insurance application will be sent along with your confirmation packet. PHOTOGRAPHY ON TOUR Cross-Culture reserves the right to take photographs or video during the operation of any tour or part thereof, and to use the resulting images or video for promotional purposes. By booking a reservation with Cross Culture, you agree to allow your image to be used for such purposes, without compensation. If you prefer that your image not be used, you must identify yourself to the guide at the commencement of the tour. For full Terms and Conditions please contact days or more: $500 (additional $125 for pre/post tour extension) days: 25% of cruise price days: 50% of cruise price days: 75% of cruise price 120 days or fewer: 100% of cruise price (no refund) Any changes to reservation: $150 administrative fee

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