Costa Rica - Tropical Nature in Style - Central America,
10 days
This 10-day tour departs any day of the year, subject
to availability. Freedom to choose daily activities,
while staying in luxurious accomodations and enjoying
splendid isolation, what a magnificent way to see Costa
Rica! Prices may vary during holiday seasons.
Tour Highlights:
- Stay at Costa Rica's finest boutique hotels, including:
- a suite with private plunge pool at Guanacaste's
ultimate resort hideaway, the Punta Islita; - the famously
scenic Villa Caletas on the central Pacific coast;
- Makanda by the Sea, an exclusive paradise on the
beaches of Manuel Antonio; and - the artfully-designed
Xandari Plantation in the coffee estates of the Central
Valley.
- Connoisseurship in dining, including gourmet dinners,
fine wines, and fresh local specialties.
- Naturalist-guided wildlife hikes in Carara and Manuel
Antonio National Parks.
- A romantic escape for honeymoon couples and upscale
travelers seeking splendid isolation in extraordinary
settings, with the freedom to choose each day's activities.
- Alluring optional activities include horseback riding,
nature hikes, ATV or jeep excursions, watersports,
mountain biking, boating, sportfishing, and spa activities.
- * Please note that participants on this tour must
be over 16 years of age.
Day 1: Arrive San Jose, Costa Rica
- Central Valley -
A burst of greenery fills your view as you arrive in San Jose. Here our
representative whisks you through airport formalities to your distinguished
country villa just minutes away. Perched on a hillside in the perpetually
springlike Central Valley, Xandari's clean, contemporary design was created
by its architect/artist proprietors with the ultimate satisfaction of
its guests in mind. Your day is at leisure here, capped by a special
dinner accompanied by fine wine at Xandari's celebrated restaurant, looking
out over the lights of the Central Valley.
Accommodations : Xandari Plantation (Ultra Villa)
( D )
Day 2: North Pacific Coast - Punta
Islita -
A scenic flight delivers you to a remote stretch of coast on the southern
Nicoya Peninsula, to the private airstrip of Punta Islita, the essence
of luxury in a secluded hilltop setting. Here your suite features a private
plunge pool and scenic terrace viewing the silver beaches below. Enjoy
the peaceful ambiance of this tropical oasis, and complete the day with
a romantic dinner and a bottle of fine wine at the celebrated "1492" restaurant.
Accommodations : Hotel Punta Islita ( B D )
Day 3: Punta Islita -
Your time at Puna Islita is unscheduled, with many options for tailoring
your activities according to your interests. Ride horseback through
the forest, or try out the spa, fitness center, or driving range. A
fresh, tropical breakfast is included each morning.
Accommodations : Hotel Punta Islita ( B )
Day 4: Punta Islita -
Another day at leisure to enjoy this resort. Optional jeep tours, ATV
riding, and many types of watersports can be arranged, and nature trails
through a private dry forest reserve invite exploration.
Accommodations : Hotel Punta Islita ( B )
Day 5: Central Pacific - Carara -
Depart this morning on a flight to San Jose, where you are met by your
driver. Then set off on a 90-minute drive along the scenic coastal
highway to your clifftop resort, one of Costa Rica's finest. Every
room on the property has a spectacular view and stylish decor, from
the stately reception mansion to the antique-furnished guest rooms
and villas, to the acclaimed French restaurant, and infinity pool whose
waters seem to merge with the blues of the ocean beyond. All buildings
plus a small Greco-style amphitheater are scattered over beautiful
hillside, and connected by well-lit paths. Celebrate your stay in this
elegant oasis with a candlelight dinner tonight.
Accommodations : Villa Caletas ( B D )
Day 6: Carara National Park -
A private hike with a naturalist-guide presents the transitional forests
of Carara, a unique environment that is home to birds and animals from
both the dry forests typical of the north, and the wet forests of the
south. Chances are good for viewing scarlet macaws, crocodiles, iguanas,
butterflies, and more. Later today, optional arrangements can also
be made for visiting the beaches, hiking to a waterfall, horseback
rides, and boating or fishing trips.
Accommodations : Villa Caletas ( B )
Day 7: Manuel Antonio National Park
-
Travel two hours down the coastal highway to your intimate oceanside
hideaway amid the beautiful beaches of Manuel Antonio. Here your elegant
villa is nestled amid 14 hilly acres of forest and Japanese gardens,
a short stroll to a secluded beach.
Accommodations : Makanda by the Sea (Villa) ( B
D )
Day 8: Manuel Antonio National Park
-
With its beautiful scenery of white sand beach sloping gently from lush
rainforest and bluffs to the sea, Manuel Antonio is Costa Rica's most
popular park. So we've timed your arrival for this morning, so you can
begin your visit at the park's quieter time of day. Your naturalist-guide
will take you to crescents of beach where dolphins and the occasional
migrating whale may be sited, and through luxuriant forest affording
exceptionally close views of rare squirrel monkeys, howler and white-faced
monkeys. Search for sloths high up in the cecropia trees, coatimundi
and agouti hiding in the lush vegetation, squawking scarlet macaws and
sea birds along the coast. After your hike, the day is yours to further
enjoy the splendid setting.
Accommodations : Makanda by the Sea (Villa) ( B
)
Day 9: Central Valley -
After a leisurely morning, transfer to the local airport for a short
flight back to San Jose. Continue to your villa amid the coffee estates
of Alajuela, arriving in time for a horseback ride or perhaps a hike
to the waterfall.
Accommodations : Xandari Plantation (Ultra Villa)
( B )
Day 10: Depart San Jose -
Rejuvenated by your experience of Costa Rica's peaceful and unspoiled
places, you are driven to the airport and assisted to your homebound
flight ( B )
Prices are per person, double occupancy.
Tour operates with minimum 2 persons.
Tropical Nature in Style
Dates of Season |
Land-only |
International
Air (sample fare) |
Internal Air |
Single Supplement |
Jan-01-04
Apr-30-04 |
$2995 |
$450 |
N/A |
N/A |
May-01-04
Jun-30-04 |
$2745 |
$450 |
N/A |
N/A |
Jul-01-04
Aug-31-04 |
$2995 |
$450 |
N/A |
N/A |
Sep-01-04
Oct-31-04 |
$2745 |
$450 |
N/A |
N/A |
Nov-01-04
Dec-31-04 |
$2995 |
$450 |
N/A |
N/A |
International airfare quoted
from Miami. Air Taxes not included. All airfares
are subject to penalties and seasonal surcharges
and based on availability. Fares also available
from other major USA Cities. |
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THE TOUR COST INCLUDES:
- Any internal flights within Costa Rica as specified in the itinerary
- Indicated accommodations or those of similar quality, inclusive of
hotel taxes
- Meals as indicated (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner)
- Local English speaking guide(s) services during included excursions
- Park Fees and entrance fees to indicated sights of interest and national
parks
- Airport transfers as indicated
- Ground transportation as specified in Costa Rica with driver
- Pre-departure destination travel planning guide
- Attractive Big Five in flight bag, document wallet and luggage tags
NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR COST:
International airfare to Quito, Ecuador. Departure Tax of approx $25
per person payable locally, Passport and visa fees. Travel insurance.
Excess baggage or shipping charges. Items of personal nature such as
gratuities to guides and drivers, rental of snorkeling equipment aboard
some vessels, telephone / telex / fax charges, laundry, beverages, meals
and services not specified.
Departure Dates:
This tour departs on a daily basis.
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