Luxury Costa Rica

• Day 1:

  Upon arrival in San Jose, you will be met and transferred by semi-private service to your hotel. TheMarriott San Jose is a colonial-style deluxe property situated in a 30-acre coffee plantation in the outskirts of San Jose. It features 252 elegant, spacious rooms and suites appointed with colonial motifs and equipped with air conditioning, complete bathroom with hair dryer, mini-bar, bathrobes, cable TV, and balcony. The hotel also offers three restaurants, two bars, 24-hour room service, gourmet coffee house, two swimming pools, garden Jacuzzi, health club, three tennis courts, driving range and golf pro shop, boutiques, beauty salon, chapel, valet parking, complimentary shuttle to downtown, and conference rooms.

• Day 2:

  On this half-day private tour of San Jose, you visit the beautifully restored National Theater originally built by coffee barons in the late 1800's, the adjoining Plaza of Culture and the downtown commercial area. Explore the National Museum, which houses one of Costa Rica's largest collections of Pre-Columbian art. Drive through suburban areas of the capital city and the University of Costa Rica campus before making a stop in Moravia to browse the well-known leather shops.

• Day 3:

  Today, you have a full-day private vehicle tour of Pvt-Poas Volcano & La Paz Waterfalls on your way to your next hotel. First, take a drive up the Pan American Highway, passing plantations of coffee, bananas, mangoes and sugar cane. Climb the 8,878 feet (2,708 meters) to reach the active Poas Volcano. The well-maintained paths surrounding the volcano introduce you to the exuberant vegetation of Costa Rica's cloud forest and secondary forest. On a clear day, look for the lake at the bottom of the crater, whose muddy waters change colors depending on the degree of volcanic activity. At La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park and Wildlife Refuge, you will discover one of the world's largest butterfly farm observatory. The Butterfly Observatory spans the length of a football field and reaches a height of 50 feet (15 meters). This enclosed structure allows butterflies to soar freely while guests walk amid their habitat. Here you can observe 22 different butterfly species in their natural habitat, learning about their intriguing metamorphosis cycle. In addition, there is a fascinating hummingbird garden with 24 different species; a frog pond with nocturnal, diurnal and poisonous frogs; a serpentarium with 30 of the most beautiful snakes of the country and an orchid garden in which stands the national flower. It is recommended to wear light clothing, walking shoes, insect repellent and don't forget binoculars and a raincoat! Located in the outskirts of one of the world's most amazing volcanoes, Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens is the experience of a lifetime. At Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens, you will find a unique blend between the hospitality of the local culture and the warm tropical climate, making your Costa Rican vacation an unparalleled experience that soothes your senses and rejuvenates your spirit. Every room at the Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens has been designed to provide the utmost in comfort and style while maintaining a close connection with the natural surroundings. The rooms are actually large suite-size bungalows separated by lush gardens. Each bungalow has a private backyard with an outdoor shower and a front balcony overlooking the volcano. Each one of its 24 bungalows offers Plasma 27" Cable TV, DVD / CD Player, IPod Stand, Internet Access, Safe Box (Laptop capacity, Air Conditioning, Private bathroom with hot water, Mini fridge and in-room bar service, Coffee Maker. The Altamira Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers an unparalleled vista of the volcano from a hilltop. Altamira has been designed to provide an exclusive dining experience surrounded by lush tropical plants and flowers. The restaurant houses a lounge area to enjoy a drink in a stylish and comfortable ambiance.

• Day 4:

  You will expereince the Penas Blancas Safari Float three-hour tour with transportation & nature guide. Enjoy the sights and the sounds of the rainforest and experience its peacefulness as you quietly paddle the Penas Blancas River with a professional bilingual guide. You will truly appreciate the wonders of the Penas Blancas River as you travel downriver without a motor, quietly rowing and taking photos of animals that could otherwise be frightened away. Your guide will share educational and interesting explanations of the plants and animals you encounter on the float, including monkeys, sloths, iguanas, crocodiles and numerous tropical and migratory birds.

• Day 5:

  Today, you will enjoy the Arenal Hanging Bridges Three-hour Tour. Arenal Hanging Bridges is one of the most beautiful eco-friendly projects in Costa Rica. Located in front of Arenal Volcano, 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 the birds, flowers and lush vegetation of the rainforest. An expert guide will introduce you to the extremely rich biodiversity of Arenal's rainforest and spot wildlife for you with his powerful telescope and binoculars. The entire circuit takes about two and a half hours.

• Day 6:

  You have a morning pickup at your hotel and transfer via microbus to the dam docking area on Lake Arenal. Here you will board a small pontoon boat to cross Lake Arenal arriving at Rio Chiquito in about 30-40 minutes, depending on wind conditions. At Rio Chiquito, you will be picked up by a taxi and transferred to your hotel in Monteverde. The trip is via unpaved road and takes about 90 minutes to 2 hours. Tips to porters at the hotels are not included. Nestled in the lush mountains of Monteverde, Belmar Hotel offers spectacular views and personalized service in a comfortable, rustic atmosphere. The hotel offers 34 rooms with private bathroom and hot water, restaurant, bar, and laundry service.

• Day 7:

  On this four-hour walking tour of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, a special ecological guide will draw your attention to a variety of flora and fauna. Experience elements of the six different ecological communities of plants and animals that compose the forest of Monteverde. Admire some of its more than 2,000 native plant species, more than 320 bird species and more than 100 mammal species. Watch for the resplendent Quetzal, the most beautiful bird on the continent. After your hike, visit the Hummingbird Gallery and nearby dairy collective, which was founded by a group of North American Quakers who settled here during the Korean War as conscientious objectors.

• Day 8:

  See traditional Costa Rica on your three-hour Trapiche Cultural Tour via motocoach! This is your opportunity to experience a taste of Costa Rican lifestyle and hospitality. In an informative, interesting and fun way, the owners of this local farm will show you the traditional methods of growing and processing sugar cane, coffee, bananas and other crops. Join in and pick coffee during harvesting time, run the coffee sorting machine, make your own candy out of the sugar cane. End your tour with a freshly made Costa Rican cup of coffee and other treats, served by the owners. An unforgettable experience!

• Day 9:

  You will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to Guanacaste by private vehicle with a driver. The drive takes about four hours. Capitan Suizo is a small charming hotel situated on Tamarindo Beach. It features 8 thatched-roof bungalows and 22 rooms all with ceiling fans, terrace or balcony. The hotel also offers lush, tropical grounds, free form swimming pool, restaurant, and bar.

• Day 10:

  Spend your day at leisure exploring Tamarindo or just relaxing on the beach.

• Day 11:

  Palo Verde National Park Tour – 8 hour tour with transfers, guide and lunch Visit Palo Verde National Park on your eight-hour tour with transfers, guide and lunch. This area is a reserve for some of the most extensive wetlands in Costa Rica and refuge for thousands of migrant and resident water birds, numerous land birds and many other animals. As your jungle boat slowly cruises along the Bebedero and Tempisque Rivers, watch for crocodiles sunning and monkeys traversing the branches overhead. You will be among scientists from all over the world, as you visit this unique nature sanctuary and learn more about the various species that find shelter here.

• Day 12:

  Spend your day at leisure exploring Tamarindo or just relaxing on the beach.

• Day 13:

  Spend your day at leisure exploring Tamarindo or just relaxing on the beach.

• Day 14:

  Pick-up at your hotel and transfer to the Liberia airport via semi-private vehicle with a driver for your flight to your next destination.

SERVICES INCLUDED

• Accommodation as per itinerary
• Tours and transfers as specified including entry fees
• Airport meet and greet and return airport transfers
• Meals as specified in the above itinerary (drinks are not included)

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED

• International and domestic airfares
• Meals other than specified as included
• Travel Insurance or expenses of a personal nature (tips/gratuities, minibar, phone call, laundry, etc.),
• Drinks or personal expenses or entrance fees for any extra sightseeing or optional activities
• All that is not specifically described in the text is not included