10 Day / 9 Nights 10 Day Mixed Adventure Package w/Private Transportation & Car Rental
San Jose – Poas Volcano – La Paz Waterfall Gardens – Arenal Volcano – Canyoning Tour - Arenal Volcano Hike Tour & Tabacon Hot Springs – Jeep boat Jeep Arenal to Monteverde – Sky Trek & Tram Tour ( Canopy Experience) – Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve – Don Juan Coffee Tour – Mal Pais Beach - San Jose
Day 1
You are greeted outside of the San Jose airport and helped with your bags for the comfortable and short drive to your hotel in San Jose downtown. There we will give you all the necessary documentations and instructions for your trip. Then a short drive to your hotel in the area of San Jose, where you are welcome to unpack, unwind and settle in for your first night in our tropical paradise.
Situated on a shady street just off Paseo Colón, San José's main thoroughfare, Hotel Grano de Oro is a true oasis, a sanctuary in the heart of a bustling city. Converted from a Tropical Victorian mansion, the hotel maintains the warmth and comfort of a private home. The hotel's charming atrium terrace and corridors have sparkling fountains and lush tropical plantings, and rooftop deck offers soothing Jacuzzis and a spot for secluded sunbathing. The restaurant at the Grano de Oro is one of San José's finest, serving continental cuisine in a warm and intimate atmosphere. The gardens at Grano de Oro are both inside and out. A rooftop terrace offers relaxing Jacuzzis and a spot for secluded sunbathing and stargazing.
Day 2
After breakfast you will start exploring the country. You will be picked up and driven in between coffee plantations to reach Poas Volcano National Park. After getting there, you will walk through this magnificent Tropical Cloud Forest to reach the edge of the Biggest Geyser Type Crater in the World and its gorgeous view. You will keep going and enter the Central Volcanic Mountain range driving north. You will visit La Paz Waterfall Gardens which is absolutely spectacular! You will be able to visit their World's largest butterfly observatory, the Hummingbird Garden, the Orchid Gardens, with perfectly designed safe trails along the La Paz River with 5 of the largest and most beautiful waterfalls in the rain forest. After all these activities, we will pause for a delicious typical lunch and then we will head northwest for a 2 hour drive to the Arenal Volcano area where you will spend the night.
The Mountain Paradise Hotel has a privileged location in the Arenal Area. Only 6 kilometers from downtown La Fortuna and 800 meters from the main road, with a direct, uninterrupted panoramic view of the Arenal Volcano from any where in the property. The Mountain Paradise Hotel is a small project with only 15 rooms; however, the Mountain Paradise hotel distinguishes itself from some of the larger resort hotels in the area by placing a strong emphasis on personalized service and guest privacy. Besides a wonderful ambient environment around the property and inside your room, additional personalized services can be arranged. One such service is the ‘Real Service' in which your meal will be prepared and served by a chef at your room.
The accommodations at Mountain Paradise are top notch and enable guests to experience the awesome Arenal Volcano in the luxury and comfort they would expect at a world class resort. All rooms come with a king size bed, private Jacuzzi pool with direct volcano view , a waterfall shower, a traditional shower with temperature control, flat screen televisions, wireless internet and international phone service. The Master Suites have a kitchen and wine bar, an additional bedroom with two single beds and bathroom as well as a private Jacuzzi in the master bathroom. Some of the personalized services offered by Mountain Paradise include breakfast served in your room upon request.
Day 3
Your day will begin with a delicious breakfast in view of the Arenal Volcano. Then your trip begins with a 30 minute 4x4 drive into a tropical Rainforest outside the town of La Fortuna, in the Arenal Volcano. You will see many different indigenous plants and animals along the way. You then trek through the forest on magical trails that lead to some of the most spectacular waterfalls in Costa Rica, a place very few people get to experience. Along the way you will have the chance to see monkeys, toucans, sloths, parrots and discover the secrets that lie hidden deep in the canyon. When you arrive at the waterfall, you will rappel from the top down into the beautiful pristine canyon below. After trekking through the canyon you will rappel down more waterfalls that will take you to the tranquil pools where do some bird watching, or just relax in this unspoiled paradise. At the end of the tour you will enjoy lunch and you will be dropped back at your hotel.
Then around 3:00 pm you will be picked up to enjoy the most extraordinary view of the Arenal Volcano on a gentle Hike along the base of this marvelous “Mountain of Fire”. The Hike begins on the active side of the volcano, and takes you through the forest over recent lava flows and to the destroyed area now in the process of regeneration. This is a 2½ hour trail and gets as close as five hundred meters from the lava flow. After this exciting tour you will be dropped Tabacon Resort and Hot Springs where you will experience one of the world's most amazing offerings. Here you will relax in Mother Nature's enormous hot tub. The hot springs are fed by an underground river heated naturally by the Arenal Volcano to the perfect temperature of 101 degrees. Our previous guests refer to this as their personal visit to the "Fountain of Youth." After a great buffet dinner, you will be driven back to your hotel for your wonderful night of rest.
The Tabacon Hot Springs perfectly combine mineral content, volume and temperature. While there are many hot springs destinations around the world, few offer this special balance set in a splendorous natural paradise. Near the base of the active Arenal Volcano on the north side of Costa Rica, world renowned Tabacon Resort provides you a relaxing and unparalleled experience with its natural hot springs and thermo mineral water pools, its tropical and exuberant surroundings and its famous Iskandria Spa. This extraordinary setting, combined with exceptional service, warm smiles and outstanding facilities, assures their guests an unforgettable time in Costa Rica.
Day 4
Enjoy another great, healthy breakfast and following it you will be driven to Arenal Lake where you will board a boat that will take you across the lake for an amazing trip to Monteverde. At the other side of the lake, a vehicle will be waiting to transfer you to Monteverde and your hotel. Check into your hotel and if you wish, you’ll grab a quick snack and then it’s off to zip through the Rain Forest, high above the ground, on giant cables flying from tree to tree just like the Toucans do on a Canopy Tour. The Sky Trek is a system of zip lines attached to steel structures and with professional climbing equipment you will slide from one platform to another “flying” over the cloud forest of Monteverde. This will be an experience you’ll never forget! You then will be driven back to the resort for some free time. Watch TV or just take in the view and relax with the sunset overlooking the Nicoya Gulf. You can also explore the gastronomy of this little town.
The Fonda Vela Hotel is located in beautiful Monteverde, famous for its Resplendent Quetzals, Three-wattled Bellbirds, an abundance of orchids, and a gorgeous cloud forest. The climate is refreshing, many times referred to as "eternal spring". The views of the Gulf of Nicoya from the hotel’s 1,400 meter elevation are spectacular. Monteverde is an ideal destination for relaxing and enjoying the wonders of the tropics. New wooden and concrete buildings have been built along the mountainside and are surrounded by gardens, birds and sunlight. Their rooms are cozy, yet elegant and spacious. Each one is designed with the environment in mind and large windows help to bring the outdoors inside. They also have a conference hall, a lounge, Canopy Bar and their own stables for horseback riding. Their restaurant prepares typical Costa Rican and international meals, which you can enjoy in the sun-lit dining room or on the balcony.
Monteverde is not only the name of a small town but the name is also used to describe the whole zone. There are three communities in the "urban area": Santa Elena is the largest, with a bank, shops and the local high school, and then next along the road is Cerro Plano and finally, Monteverde. Besides the natural beauty of the place, the tiny, progressive community of Monteverde is itself worth a visit. Quakers from North America came here in 1951, drawn by Costa Rica's disarmed environment. They set up a business that now makes some of the finest cheese in the country. The Quakers bought milk form neighboring farmers and invited them to become shareholders - today there are about 430, including milk producers, employees and neighbors.
Day 5
You will enjoy another wonderful breakfast and off you go again. We’ve hired a professional Naturalist Guide to escort you through an incredible part of the Monteverde Cloud Forest. This tour is an easy, guided hike where you will receive information about the interesting things that are there for you to witness up close and personal. After this tour you will dropped off at your hotel
Then after lunch, you will be picked up to enjoy a 2 hour Coffee tour. You will enjoy an excellent cup of coffee and its history, part of Costa Rican’s culture, as you will receive an explanation of the whole process of how the coffee follows from the plant to the cup. You will see coffee germination beds, coffee plantations, de-pulping machines, sun dryers, pealing machines, roaster and packing and also a comfortable coffee bar. So this is the perfect place to taste one of the best coffees in the world. You will also be able to visit their souvenir shop. Then you will be taken back to your resort for a wonderful night of rest.
Day 6
Again, early in the morning you will be picked up by your private transportation to start a wonderful trip, which should take about 5 hours, through the countryside. The scenic drive will take you to the Central Pacific Coast to reach Puntarenas area. Then you take a ferry across (included) the water and after that, you will be driven through small towns to reach to Mal Pais Beach. Then your car rental will be delivered at your hotel.
You will check into your hotel, Esencia Hotel and Villas which is located at Santa Teresa-Mal Pais Beach on the Nicoya Peninsula. The hotel offers ten marvelous, independent and private villas. The architecture of the units contains elements of Mediterranean style, with lots of lights, spaciousness and comfort. All villas have their own terrace with garden view, bathroom, hot water and safety box. They differentiate through theme colors, handcrafted aromatic candles, incense and essences, stimulating the senses. Each villa is fully equipped with living-dining room, kitchen, one or two bedrooms and corresponding implements. Breakfast will be served on the terrace. The hotel includes a beautiful irregular shaped pool, out of blue ceramic tiles. It is surrounded by lush trees and perfect terrace for sunbathing. During the day a snack bar is available offering a selection of drinks and a menu of light meals. Close by there is an abundance of attractive bars and multicultural restaurants. An ideal place to enjoy Nature!
Day 7 & 8
Those will be open days to enjoy the beach in a tropical paradise. Santa Teresa-Mal Pais Beach is one of the most virgin and beautiful regions of Costa Rica. Endless miles of soft, white sand beach perfect for swimming and surfing. You could drive for about 20 minutes and go to the famous Montezuma.
Day 9
Today you will drive back to San Jose for your last night in Costa Rica. This trip can last about 5-6 hours because it includes a stop in Puntarenas where you must take a ferry (not included) in order to cross the beautiful Gulf of Nicoya (The ferry schedule is every 2 hours in High Season). In San Jose explore the wonderful gastronomy that the city offers and your last night in our tropical paradise. In order to reduce the driving time, you could return your can rental in Mal Pais and take a domestic flight to San Jose that last 25 minutes. Total time 1 hour (not included)
You will check back into Hotel Grano de Oro, which is where you stayed the first night. Their service is paramount and the perpetually smiling staff welcomes guests home time and again.
Day 10
Today you will drive back to the airport at the appropriate time to return your rental car and catch your flight back home (approximate time 3 hours prior to your flight). It’s time to say goodbye to the new friends you have made in Costa Rica.
Pricing 2009:
High Season 2009: US $ 1,745 per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement US $ 1,110
Valid from 11/16/08 thru 04/30/09
Green Season 2009: US $ 1,665 per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement US $ 1065
Valid from 05/01/09 thru 11/15/09
Notes:
- Price does not apply to New Year’s or Easter week and is subject to availability of hotels and tours.
- Depending on the hotels, July and August are considered High Season
Package includes:
- 2 nights of lodging at Grano de Oro Hotel (4 stars) in a Double Standard room.
- 2 nights of lodging at Mountain Paradise Hotel (4 stars) in a Double Premium Suite Room.
- 2 nights of lodging at Fonda Vela Hotel (4 stars) in a Double Junior Suite room
- 3 nights of lodging at Esencia Hotel (3 stars) in an Open Space Villa.
- Private transportation from Grano de Oro Hotel to Poas Volcano, La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Mountain Paradise Hotel in an A/C van with a bilingual driver.
- Poas Volcano National Park, including entrance fee and guide.
- La Paz Waterfall Gardens, including entrance fee, lunch and guide.
- Canyoning Tour, including transportation, equipment, lunch and specialist guides.
- Arenal Volcano Hike & Tabacon Hot Springs including transportation, entrance fee, dinner and guide.
- Jeep Boat Jeep Arenal to Monteverde.
- Sky Trek & Tram Tour including transportation, equipment, entrance fee and specialist guide.
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve Hike including transportation, entrance fee, slide show and specialist guide.
- Don Juan Coffee Tour including transportation, entrance fee and guide.
- Private transportation from Fonda Vela Hotel to Esencia Hotel in an A/C van with semi-bilingual driver.
- Meals as described above (9 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 Dinner)
- 4 days Daihatsu Terios car rental manual small 4WD (for one driver), including unlimited mileage and SLI insurance (additional insurances available but not mandatory, $750 deposit apply on a credit card).
- Detailed route map and directions to get the different destinations by your own.
- Meet and greet at the airport at your arrival with VIP Service inside the terminal.
- Transfer from the airport at your arrival.
- 24 hour travel assistance.
Not included:
- Airfare & Airport tax at your departure US $ 26 (cash only).
- Fuel and other car expenses.
- Ferry fee around $10 (cash only).
- Meals and other services not mentioned above.
- Gratuities for guides and providers based on quality of service.
