LUXURY COSTA RICA
Itinerary Summary NO. DATE LOCATION DETAILS MEALS HOTEL NTS 1 Day 01 SAN JOSÉ Arrive into San José and transfer to your hotel. - Grano de Oro 1 2 Day 02 TORTUGUERO Transfer to Tortuguero and your next hotel BLD Manatus 2 Day 03 Activities from your Eco Lodge BLD 3 Day 04 ARENAL Transfer to Arenal and your next hotel B Arenal Nayara 3 Day 05 Volcano hike B Day 06 Day at leisure B 4 Day 07 MANUEL ANTONIO Transfer to Manuel Antonio B Arenas del Mar 2 Day 08 Canopy tour B 5 Day 09 UVITA Transfer to Uvita B Kura Design Villas 2 Day 10 Day at leisure B 6 Day 11 GOLFO DULCE Transfer to Golfo Dulce B Playa Cativo 3 Day 12 Day at leisure B Day 13 Day at leisure B 7 Day 14 CENTRAL VALLEY Transfer to the Central Valley B Xandari 1 Day 15 DEPART Transfer to San José & meet your BA flight B - - Day 16 UK Arrive back into London Gatwick - - - 2
Detailed Itinerary 01 Day LONDON GATWICK - SAN JOSÉ Depart London Gatwick South Terminal flying with British Airways. BA2237 Economy Dep: Gatwick (S) 08:20 Arr: San José 14:00 Private transfer on arrival to your hotel. Transfer duration: 25 minutes. Grano de Oro 1 x Deluxe Room on a Bed & Breakfast basis for 1-night Converted from a former Victorian mansion in the heart of the city, the Grano de Oro is one of the finest hotels in the city and offers 40 very comfortable rooms furnished in a tropical Victorian style with wrought-iron beds and rich damask fabrics. The restaurant at the Grano de Oro is one of the best in San José, serving continental cuisine in a warm and intimate atmosphere. The Deluxe Rooms offer spacious accommodation and stylish design. The fine linens add a touch luxury to these delightful rooms, which also feature free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels and desks. You will also find seating areas and minibars, along with coffeemakers, room service is available. 3
Day 02 SAN JOSÉ - TORTUGUERO After an early departure from San Jose you will drive through the spectacular Braulio Carrillo National Park, stopping at a restaurant in Rio Danta for breakfast. Continue your journey through banana plantations and onto Caño Blanco pier, where you will embark on a two hour boat ride through the canals to your hotel. Enjoy a refreshing cocktail and a delicious lunch when you arrive at the lodge. Boat transfer - luggage restrictions: There is an official luggage limit of 12kg per person on the boat transfers. But as luggage is not weighed and the limit is not actually enforced, luggage up to 23kg is acceptable. Shared transfer by road and boat to your Tortuguero Lodge Your drive this morning will take you through the spectacular Braulio Carrillo National Park, along the way admire the biodiversity and keep an eye out for wildlife. Stop for breakfast en-route where you will be treated to a typical Costa Rican breakfast. On arrival at Caño Blanco Pier you will take a boat through the canals until you reach your Lodge. Transfer duration: 5 hours. Manatus Hotel 1 x Standard Room with Full Board & Shared Activities for 2-nights Only few minutes away from the entrance to Tortuguero National Park, this hotel is well located on strip of land between two canals. The 12 stylish bungalows are surrounded by tropical vegetation and all have airconditioning, cable TV, mini bar, a spacious bathroom and a cosy, private patio with an additional outdoor shower. The hotel offers an excellent restaurant, a bar, swimming pool, Spa, internet access, a pool table, laundry service, gym and a small art gallery. Guests can enjoy this wonderful area by aquatic bike and kayak or they can go fishing, try the canopy tour or bird watching as well as observing turtles nesting on the beach during season (July through September). 4
CONT SAN JOSÉ - TORTUGERO Shared excursion to Tortuguero Town and the Green Turtle Information Centre Tortuguero is a unique, beautiful village with a rich culture. Because there are no cars, you will walk worry free. Sandy trails and raised cement walkways wander through the town. You'll see a lot of typical Caribbean architecture and artwork, as well as get a glimpse into the lives of the local people. The Green Turtle Information Centre is located at the far north end of the village. Here you will find a small museum where you can learn about the nesting cycle of the turtles and about the other wildlife that calls this National Park their home. The staff are friendly and helpful and will answer any questions you have. Day 03 TORTUGERO After breakfast you will have a guided walking tour through the trails, followed by an afternoon visit to Tortuguero National Park exploring the canals in small, open boats to allow greater visibility for wildlife sightings. Granted national park status in 1970, Tortuguero (which translates as Land of the Turtles ) is one of the world s most important turtle breeding grounds and is therefore of major environmental significance. Turtles can be found here throughout the year; however the summer months of July to September see the greatest activity. Venture inland and there is a good network of walking trails along with a series of waterways that allow great access to the rainforest. Over 300 species of bird have been recorded and there are a great number of brightly coloured frogs and toads along with mammals such as sloth, anteater and tapir. 5
Day 04 Breakfast at the Lodge. TORTUGUERO - ARENAL Shared boat transfer to Caño Blanco pier where you disembark and take a road transfer to Guapiles and stop for lunch. After lunch you will board a shuttle transfer to Arenal and your hotel. Transfer duration: 5 hours. Arenal Nayara Hotel Spa & Gardens 1 x Deluxe Casita on a Bed & Breakfast basis for 3-nights This luxury boutique hotel enjoys a fantastic location right on the edge of the Arenal Volcano National Park. Each of the 50 spacious casitas (bungalows) feature a secluded garden with an outdoor shower and a beautiful terrace with a private, intimate Jacuzzi for two. The four restaurants include international and local cuisine, a pool bar and a wine and tapas bar. The Spa at Nayara is incomparable, perched on a cliff overlooking the forest it is the perfect place to truly unwind. Additional facilities include beautiful gardens and a pool. The freestanding Deluxe Casita captures the exotic character of Costa Rica by showcasing the outdoor rainforest in a secluded and comfortable room. With sweeping views of the volcano or the jungle canopy, it offers privacy, wooden floors and a quiet garden with an outdoor shower. Rooms have either King beds or double beds. 6
Day 05 ARENAL Shared half day hiking tour of Arenal Volcano Although currently in a resting phase, Arenal remains Costa Rica s most active volcano for the past 43 years. Its history is charged with eruptions - both major and minor - that have intimately affected the region and the people who live here. This tour will allow you to enjoy the most extraordinary views of Arenal Volcano during a gentle hike along the lower slopes. The walk begins in one of the trails close to the volcano and continues through the forest until reaching the area destroyed in its first eruption, back in 1968. Day 06 ARENAL Day at leisure. Lomas del Volcan is strategically located in the heart of Costa Rica s prime eco-tourism area. In all of Costa Rica, La Fortuna is indeed a fortune-ate spot, from which you can explore rainforests, waterfalls, and of course volcanoes, and enjoy easy access to the Caño Negro Wildlife Reserve, Venado Caves, San Juan River and Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. La Fortuna activities include birdwatching, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, sailboarding and river rafting, to name just a few. Alternatively if you wish to relax why not sample the thermal hot springs that the area is world famous for. 7
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Day 07 ARENAL MANUEL ANTONIO Private transfer to Manuel Antonio and your next hotel. Transfer duration: 4 hours. Arenas Del Mar 1 x Superior Ocean View Room on a Bed & Breakfast basis for 2-nights The Arenas Del Mar is a beach and nature resort located overlooking the Manuel Antonio National Park, the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding rainforests. It boasts 38 guest rooms with large private decks, all having breathtaking views. The Las Brisas Spa offers treatments and relaxing massages and the resort has access to the stunning Playa Espadilla and Playitas beaches. The hotel s private beach offers a beach club service. There are a total of seven Ocean View Superior Rooms located next to the Ocean View Premium Suites, offering the same amazing unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean from their private decks. This is an ideal option for couples who want both stunning views of the Pacific Ocean as well as luxurious accommodations. 9
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Day 08 Day at leisure. MANUEL ANTONIO Costa Rica is famous for its flora, fauna and wildlife and Arenas Del Mar is the perfect base from which to explore Costa Rica s natural treasures. The hotel is nestled in 11 acres of rain forest and is a short trip to Manuel Antonio National Park. The views from the hills overlooking Manuel Antonio are spectacular, the beaches are idyllic, and its jungles are inhabited by howler, white-faced, and squirrel monkeys, two and three toed sloths, tropical birds and other forms of exotic wildlife. Arenas Del Mar is nestled in a rainforest with wildlife aplenty, including a vibrant bird population for birders. To ensure you get the most out of your tours, the hotel has two resident naturalist guides available at all times to answer your questions and take you out into nature to make sure you get the most out of your experience. Manuel Antonio National Park: Closed Mondays. 11
Day 09 MANUEL ANTONIO UVITA Private transfer to Uvita and your next hotel. Transfer duration: 1 hour. Kura Design Villas 1 x Infinity Suite on Bed & Breakfast basis for 2-nights Built on an impressive mountain ridge overlooking the whale tale shaped sandbar of Uvita de Osa, Kura Design Villas is an exclusive boutique hotel on the South Pacific Coast. Here, the Osa Peninsula rainforest covered mountains tumble on to pristine beaches. Featuring six luxury villas, each one features tropical minimalist décor, sliding glass door facades, free wireless internet and stunning ocean views. Facilities here include an infinity salt water pool, a spectacular outdoor poolside lounge and Spa area. Your stay: Your 2-night stay includes daily breakfast, arrival and departure transportation by private car from and to Uvita and a daily scheduled shuttle up or down the ridge. With stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and the Whale s Tale the Infinity Suites feature expansive glass walls and extra-wide terraces. Ideal for wildlife viewing or just relaxing. The suites are located just a short walk through our tropical gardens from the restaurant and pool area. 12
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Day 10 UVITA The Spa, with its serene setting and magnificent view to the sea, offers a selection of wellness and beauty treatments including facials, massages, body wraps, scrubs and deep tub soaking. Half day whale watching or snorkelling tours are offered, depending on the season. You might see the pilot whales or bottlenose and spotted dolphins which are residents of the Uvita coast. For day trips, the hotel is close to both Manuel Antonio and Corcovado National Parks. Ballena National Marine Park and its beaches are all within a 15 to 25 minute drive. The small village of Uvita is located between Dominical, a world-class surfing spot, and Ojochal, a town known for its exquisite culinary tradition. The Kura Design Villas experience is recommended only for adults. 14
Day 11 UVITA GOLFO DULCE Road & boat transfer on arrival to lodge. Transfer duration: 2 hours. Playa Cativo Eco Lodge 1 x Premium Room with Full Board for 3-nights Experience a taste of paradise and unimaginable wildlife adventure at this extraordinary first-class Costa Rican destination. Accessible exclusively by boat, Playa Cativo Eco Lodge is nestled in the tranquil waters of Golfo Dulce, in southern Costa Rica. Playa Cativo is a beachfront boutique hotel offering an unparalleled experience set on 1,000 acres of private rainforest, surrounded by the Piedras Blancas National Park, a former extension of the Corcovado National Park. All the rooms offer majestic ocean views, all of the elegant guest rooms are just a few steps from the beach. Facilities at the Playa Cativo include a restaurant, an outdoor pool with bar, a library and stunning gardens. Activities from the lodge include snorkelling, walking, kayaking and birdwatching. Your stay: Your 3-night stay includes scenic boat transfers, local airport transfers, three à la carte, multi-course meals per day (in-room dining also available), freshly brewed specialty coffees and teas, refillable spring water bottle, use of kayaks, stand-up paddle boards and snorkelling gear, self-guided hiking trails and your choice of one selected on-site guided tour, concierge services and Wi-Fi in your room and social areas. Premium Rooms are the most spacious rooms in the lodge, they feature incredible panoramic views of the jungle or the ocean, the luxury amenities, mini-bar & fridge (complimentary daily refill), double-sink bathroom vanities. 15
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Days at leisure. Days 12-13 GOLFO DULCE Choose from an array of activities and tours available here. One complimentary tour is offered per guest during their stay. You can choose from a tour of the organic farm, alternative energy or artisanal fishing. There are also other tours you can book, payable locally. This park offers you the chance to encounter rare and fascinating creatures, including all four species of monkeys found in Costa Rica (capuchin, howler, spider and squirrel), white-nosed coatis, two species of deer, kinkajous, agoutis, peccaries and sloths. Although rarely seen during the day, the Park is home to five species of cats: jaguars, pumas, ocelots, margays and jaguarondis. 17
Day 14 GOLFO DULCE CENTRAL VALLEY Private transfer to the Central Valley and your next hotel. Xandari Resort & Spa 1 x Prima Room on a Bed & Breakfast basis for 1-night This chic resort style hotel is set on a ridge and enjoys commanding views over the Central Valley. Located in the foothills of Poas Volcano it is a short drive from the town of Alajuela. All 24 Villas are set in stunning landscaped gardens and offer spectacular views over the Central Valley and the hotel s gardens. Designed with relaxation in mind they feature private terraces and private gardens. The Terrace Restaurant offers Costa Rican and International specialities, whilst those wishing to unwind can make the most of the on-site Spa. Additional facilities include swimming pools, a bar, four kilometres of nature trails and on-site yoga lessons. Day 15 CENTRAL VALLEY SAN JOSÉ OVERNIGHT FLIGHT Private transfer to San José airport to meet your return flight with British Airways. BA2236 Economy Dep: San José 15:45 Arr: Gatwick (S) 08:45 (Day 16) Day 16 GATWICK Arrive back into London Gatwick South Terminal. 18
HOLIDAY COST 5,495.00 per person Suggested Itinerary This is an estimated price based on low season rates & air fares. The price may vary depending on exact dates. This is a suggested itinerary which we can amend to fit your exact requirements. Includes International flights as listed. All pre-payable airport departure taxes. Hotel accommodation as listed. Transfers as listed (on a shared basis unless specified as private). Meals as listed. Excursions as listed (on a shared basis unless specified as private). Excludes Local departure taxes where applicable. Tips and gratuities. Any future currency surcharges. Any future airline fare, tax or fuel surcharges.* *In the event of airfare /tax increases you will have the option to pay for your airfare in advance to avoid these increases. Please Note The cost of this itinerary is based on 2 passengers sharing one room. All flights, accommodation and services are subject to availability at the time of booking. Air fares, taxes, schedules and routings are subject to change until ticket issue. All transfers are below 2 hours in duration unless otherwise stated. Half day tours are 5 hours or under in duration, full day tours are 6 hours or above. Booking Conditions Usually a deposit of 20% is required to secure a booking. The final balance would be due 10 weeks prior to departure. You can review our full booking conditions at: www.distinctiveamericas.com Financial & Consumer Protection When you book with Distinctive World Travel you are safe in the knowledge that we are fully bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority and hold an Air Tour Operators Licence (ATOL 9027). www.caa.co.uk/atol 9027 We are a member of AITO (Association of Independent Tour Operators) which represents the UK s 140 top specialist tour operators and prides itself on providing the highest level of customer satisfaction by concentrating on: Choice, Quality and Service. www.aito.co.uk For more information or to discuss this quote please contact us on: t: 01242 890 555 e: sales@distinctiveamericas.com www.distinctiveamericas.com 19