Costa Rica May 20-29, 2014 $1,400 per person PACKAGE INCLUDES*: Airport handling tips Private English speaking Guide throughout the trip Private Coach A/C 9 night accommodation (based on single, double or triple occupancy). Tours and visits as itinerary Hotel taxes. As part of our sustainable standards, one Oxo-biodegradable bottle of water per person *Prices are subject to change without notice, according to fuel increases, taxes, and hotel availability. If there is any physical problem for any of the clients, we will appreciate if you could let us know in advance to make the necessary adjustments. In case of using domestic fights or boat transportation (Tortuguero, Corcovado, Lago Arenal), the maximum weight allowed per person is 25 pounds (12 kilos). DO NOT INCLUDE: Round trip air tickets to and from Costa Rica Tips for guides, drivers, bellboys and maids TC free of charge Departure taxes us$ 28, per person Meals not specified Optional tours Personal expenses Day 1: Private transportation from international to the hotel. Dinner included at the hotel. Hotel El Sesteo in San José
Day 2 Breakfast included at the hotel. Morning departure on private transportation from San José to Sarapiquí including visit to Poas Volcano National Park and La Paz Waterfall Gardens The Poas Volcano is one of the world s largest geysers with an awesome crater, over 1.5 km. wide! The volcano is active, but completely safe for viewing. This tour begins with a beautiful drive through the lush coffee plantations and flower farms of the area. In addition to the volcano, the Poas National Park is a 9,884-acre reserve with rich tropical vegetation and animal life. The tour includes a hike through the surrounding forest that is teeming with typical plant life and exotic birds. If weather and time permits, the hike concludes at a restful, emerald green, tropical lagoon. - Lunch on your own Located only one hour from San Jose and just north of Poas Volcano, this attraction provides more than 70 acres of natural preserve, wildlife and forest to explore. The property allows the visitor to wander through 2 miles of paved trails which take them to five awesome waterfalls. Guests can learn about the rich Costa Rican flora and fauna in a butterfly observatory, an aviary, a hummingbird garden, serpentarium, frog exhibit and in an orchid garden. The Casita de la Paz is a reproduction of a typical rural house and shows how life was a hundred years ago. All attractions are surrounded by lush nature and luxuriant gardens and guests will always find a nice place where to relax or just enjoy the ambience. Dinner included at the hotel. Selva Verde Lodge in Sarapiqui
Day 3 Breakfast included at the hotel. Morning departure on Sarapiquí River Boat Tour Monkeys, sloths, iguanas, crocodiles and numerous tropical birds await us! Our professional bilingual guide will share with you educational and interesting explanations of the plants and animals we encounter on the float. - Lunch included at the hotel - Night departure on bat tour Did you know that bats represent 50% (110 species) of Costa Rican mammals? We invite you to enhance your education, dispel myths you may have heard about these wonderful mammals, and enjoy this adventure into the world of the bats. TRC will provide a multi-media presentation on the history of bats, their classification system, diversity, adaptations, reproduction methods, threats, and more. And for the most popular part of the Bat Tour, a trained guide will provide visitors a safe opportunity to touch, feed and release safely captured bats. Visitors can also take a short guided walk (15 30 min.) to see the mist nets used to gently catch these creatures. The bats are kept for less than 2 hours and the professional methods used assure the well-being of the animals. Dinner included at the hotel. Selva Verde Lodge in Sarapiqui
Day 4 Breakfast included at the hotel. Morning departure on ground transfer from Sarapiquí to Arenal incuding Pineapple Tour 100% of the 3000 acre organic plantation is certified. The tourist will appreciate the company s achievements through a ride across the pineapple fields on a comfortable trailer, specially designed to make the best of the activity. Then, we head back to the facility to see the strict process and packing, which guarantee that only the finest pineapple will leave our shipment port. We have created a great experience in harmony with the environment, showing the history and morphology of the fruit. Thus, assuring the tourists direct contact with an operating pineapple farm. - Lunch on your own - Night visit to Eco Termales Hot Springs including dinner Eco Termales hot springs is a family project and has been built over time and years of hard work. The 4 pools vary in temperature, the coolest one is 91 degrees Fahrenheit and the hottest one is 105 Fahrenheit. One of the pools has a cascading waterfall with misty water that is quite refreshing. Eco 4hermals is geared toward privacy and relaxation and does not accept more than 100 visitors at a time. Visitors are invited to enjoy the beautiful environment as guests of the Hidalgo family not as walk in tourists. The restaurant is now is 18 years old and used to be a house for the Hidalgo family. Today the restaurants still maintains its colonial architecture in which the family prepares meals on the first floor and sleeps on the second floor. Dinner included at the hotel Catarata Ecolodge in Arenal Day 5 Breakfast included at the hotel. Morning departure on Arenal Hanging Brides Half Day Tour The hanging bridges are located within the corridor followed by birds migrating between North and South America, the trails and bridges of this project will bring you as close as you could ever hope to get to the birds, the flowers and the lush vegetation of the primary rain forest. You will be able to walk right into the forest, thanks to the imposing hanging bridges and the beautiful trails that are safe and easy to walk on.
Lunch and Dinner on your own. Hotel Catarata Ecolodge in Arenal Day 06 Breakfast included at the hotel. Private ground transfer from Arenal to Samara Beach. Rest of the day at leisure to enjoy hotel facilities Lunch and Dinner on your own. Giada Hotel in Samara Beach Day 07 08 Breakfast included at the hotel. Days at leisure at the beach to enjoy hotel facilities (vehicle and guide will be available) Lunch and dinner on your own Day 9 Breakfast included at the hotel. Private transportation from Samara Beach to San José including visit to Zarcero Park & Sarchí Artisans Center On the way to Arenal, you will find the village of Zarcero, a farmer s village and its Central Park with different garden figures which makes these park a very charmed place! Sarchi, the country's most famous artisan town. Upon entering Sarchi, countless souvenir and handicraft stores begin emerging from both sides of the road, each offering handmade artifacts. These include elaborately painted bowls and trays, natural wood serving utensils, tables, furniture, jewellery boxes and carvings. It's time to fill any remaining empty spaces in our suitcases! - Lunch on your own. Dinner included at Tiquicia Restaurant with Folkloric Show
In addition to a breathtaking view of almost the entire Central Valley Tiquicia offers hight quality tradicional food. Located practically in the clouds of San Rafael de Escazú, this restaurant has a rich history that makes it a popular tourist destination and is recognized by many in Costa Rica. From the dining rooms, typically decorated, diners can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire city of San Jose. Tiquicia has a bar and offers special events with national flavor. Hotel El Sesteo in San José Day 10 Breakfast included at the hotel. Private transportation from your hotel to Juan Santamaría International airport Consider that due to security reasons, group must check in at airline counter three hours prior flight departure time. A c t i v i t i e s i n c l u d e d Poas Volcano National Park La Paz Waterfall Garden Boat tour at Sarapiquí River Bat tour Pineapple tour Eco Termales Hot springs Arenal Hanging Bridges Zarcero Park Sarchi Oxcart factory Tiquicia typical dinner Contact Details ubcalumni@travelcuts.com 42U-6138 Student Union Blvd, Vancouver BC V6T 1Z1 604-822-0128 Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm Thu 9:30am - 5pm Closed Weekends