Costa Rica Dreams
In 2009 and 2010 we are expecting travel to Central America, and more specifically Costa Rica to be one of the best travel bargains out there. If you haven’t been and want to go I get fabulous rates, and have wonderful itineraries to recommend for all types of travelers.
This is just an example of a ten night upper Deluxe package that we are getting amazing rates for during the months of May, June and September, October 2010. Description of properties is below itinerary...
Land Services Included In Package:
$2494 per person.
Day 01
Private transfer from San Jose to Peace Lodge (2 Passengers) (Approx. 90 minute transfer)
Peace Lodge – 1 Deluxe Room For 2 nights (Day 01 – Day 03)
King Size Canopy Bed, Garden Bathroom with Jacuzzi and Garden Shower, Second Jacuzzi on Balcony, Fireplace.
Day 03
Private transfer from Peace Lodge to Arenal Volcano (2 Passengers) (Approx. 2 1/2 hour transfer)
The Springs Resort & Spa – 1 Vista Guest Room (1st Level) For 3 nights (Day 03 – Day 06)
Arenal Volcano – For 400 hundred years the Arenal Volcano sat dormant just north of San Jose. In 1968 Arenal erupted violently without warning. Since then, it has been one of the most active volcanoes with daily eruptions of lava and ash providing fiery demonstrations that draw people from all over the world. This perfect cone shape mountain puts on its best show at night. On a clear night, you will almost be guaranteed to see lava flow glow a burning red in the dark. Arenal Volcano also offers it's visitors boat tours through the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, hikes in the rainforest, canopy tours, white water rafting tours, fishing in the Arenal lake, and much more.
Day 06
Private transfer from Arenal Volcano to Manuel Antonio Beach (2 Passengers) (Approx. 5 hour transfer)
Arenas Del Mar Resort – 1 Ocean Breeze Suite (Breakfast included) For 5 nights (Day 06 – Day 11)
Manuel Antonio is one of the most beautiful locations in the entire country. It is here where the rainforest meets the Pacific Ocean. This feature creates amazing views from the hills above and an amazing jungle that is home to many forms of exotic wildlife. You can expect to see white-faced and squirrel monkeys, three-toed sloths, purple-and-orange crabs, and many other species of birds, mammals and plant life. Manuel Antonio is home to one of the smallest national parks (1,700 acres) and is by far the most popular in Costa Rica. The nearly perfect sand beaches and the many walking trails to adventure through the rainforest are what make this park so popular. While visiting Manuel Antonio, you can easily venture into the town of Quepos. Here you will find excellent shopping, restaurants, and small bars for night life.
Day 11
Private transfer from Manuel Antonio Beach to San Jose Airport (2 Passengers) (Approx. 3 1/2 hour transfer)
Peace Lodge
Welcome to the Peace lodge, the ultimate awakening of your senses. Here every magical sight, wondrous smell and sensual touch create irreplaceable memories of a journey you wish to take again and again. Each and every room boasts a Jacuzzi tub and stone fireplace along with showers that transform into waterfalls with the turn of a knob. From the handcrafted canopy beds and love seats to the original stained glass and illustrated artwork you will understand the time and care put into the details of each accommodation. To insure your enjoyment of the cool mountain weather and view of the Poas Volcano, we built oversized balconies complete with rocking chairs, hammocks and custom Jacuzzi tubs. The experience continues with your choice of aromatherapy products and our selection of fine quality linens and robes. All guests are welcomed to enjoy the park grounds before it opens and after it closes, the optimal bird and wildlife viewing times. Private walking tours are available, but we suggest booking these at the same time you reserve your room.
The Springs Resort & Spa
With a spectacular view of the Arenal Volcano, natural hot and cold springs, four unique dining experiences, and an impressive full service Spa, The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal promises to overwhelm you in every aspect of quality, service and design.
The resort perches one thousand feet above the Arenal Valley on a mountain ridge just six kilometers north of the active volcano but safely outside the government declared danger zone. Our higher altitude relative to other hotels in the area allows for not only incomparable views of the volcano, the lush valley, and the surrounding towns that sparkle at night, but also access to the area’s famous prevailing breezes. In fact, the name Arenal is an indigenous word meaning "Window of the Wind". With an average daytime high temperature of 80°F in the shade and nighttime lows averaging 70°F you are sure to enjoy countless comfortable hours in your balcony hammock, al fresco dining, or sipping a frothy tropical cocktail in one of our spring pools.
Each Guest Room and Villa at The Springs Resort and Spa includes a Private Terrace with Balcony and Picturesque Volcano View, Hammocks, Rocking Chairs, Central Air Conditioning, Luxurious Marbled Bathrooms with Jacuzzi Tubs and Multiple Head Showers, Satellite Television with 37" Flat Screen TV, Surround Sound Stereo with CD/DVD Player and IPOD/MP3/USB Connectivity, Telephone, Wireless Internet Access, Wet Bar, Safe, Mini-Bar Refrigerator and Coffee Maker.
The resort has Natural Hot & Cold Springs, Pools & Waterfalls, an Old Fashioned Swimming Hole & the Arenal River. Our eighteen freeform, landscaped pools provide our guests with great views of the volcano and a multitude of options. With temperatures ranging from 76°F to 103°F and environments that vary from raging waterfalls to tranquil forest experiences our guests can find the perfect pool for their mood and the current weather conditions. Tests of our hot mineral springs reveal an ideal natural combination of high bicarbonate and high chlorides with relatively low sulfur content to provide a safe and clean soaking experience.
Las Lagunas (The Lagoons) Located at the base of the reception building this area encompasses two acres of lush landscaping and an assortment of multi-level sun and shade terraces surrounding twelve pools. Four of the pools are fed directly by water pumped from our Hot Mineral Springs and the other eight are chlorinated but heated to various temperatures by our Hot Springs through a heat exchange system. These pools range in temperature from 83 °F to 103 °F.
Perdido Springs (Lost Springs) is a connected system of trails and seven spring fed pools located within a forest canyon just a short 100 meter walk from the lowest level of the Las Lagunas pools. The trail to these Hot and Cold Springs, called the Heliconia Walk, is lined with 150 different species of flowering Heliconias along with beautiful rainforest trees, plants and vines. In the center of these pools is a small jungle bar called Los Perdidos (The Lost Ones) along with a water flume called the Monkey Slide. These pools range in temperature from 76 °F to 98 °F.
In the fall of 2008 we hope to open a second phase of twelve pools down in the valley overlooking the Arenal River as well as a creek-fed, old fashioned, swimming hole near the river with hot springs percolating up from the sand below. Of course, the kilometer of river frontage on the property lends itself to a variety of activities including swimming, inner-tubing, kayaking, fishing and hiking.
The Springs Spa and Fitness Center Our fourteen thousand square foot full service Spa encompasses one entire level of our reception building and reflects our serious commitment to provide a complete treatment experience to replenish your mind, body and soul. Massages, facials, body wraps, manicures and pedicures are offered in a luxurious and holistic setting administered by trained professionals with the latest technology. Our treatment menu utilizes tropical botanical ingredients indigenous to the country as well as a variety of lab-tested, therapeutic volcanic clays harvested on the property near the hot springs. Please ask about our unique treatments including the "floating water massage" offered in our mineral springs.
For our guests who enjoy staying in shape while on vacation we offer a comprehensive collection of the latest technology cardiovascular and strength equipment. To enhance your workout experience the cardio room features an inspirational view of the volcano and surrounding valley.
Our Spa facilities include a common lobby with spectacular views where both male and female guests can enjoy lunch or a relaxing break together between treatments as well as separate Ladies and Men's relaxation areas for added privacy between treatments. Of course, the locker rooms are equipped with steam and sauna rooms as well as private shower and changing accommodations.
Restaurants & Bars We are pleased to present a varied selection of dining options sure to please even the most discriminating palates. Whether you crave a chopped filet mignon hamburger served poolside at Treetops Grill or a Seared Yellow fin Tuna Steak prepared with a unique Costa Rican/Asian fusion sauce at our fine dining restaurant Las Ventanas, we are sure to satisfy your culinary desires.
Las Ventanas (The Windows)
Lunch 12:00 Noon to 3:00 PM
Dinner 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Enjoy the finest dining in our incredible restaurant Las Ventanas where the only thing better than the view is the food. Be careful to avoid the window seats if you are afraid of heights because the windows are angled out to allow you to look almost straight down a thousand feet to the river below! At night the distant mountains twinkle with the lights of cities thirty miles away. Be sure to dine here at least once during the day and once during the evening to capture the complete experience.
Our master chef has created a menu blending the latest fusion concepts and the finest ingredients found on Costa Rica's farms and in its two oceans. The menu is a well balanced combination of beef, seafood, pork, and homemade pasta as well as vegetarian fare. The incredible desserts are prepared using some traditional French cooking methods combined with the natural flavors of Costa Rica.
Tres Cascadas (Three Waterfalls)
Breakfast 6:30 AM to 10:00 AM
Lunch 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Dinner 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Our gourmet buffet restaurant would be appropriately described as a "Tasting" experience. Here you will sample to your heart’s content a complete salad bar with our signature dressings, hot and cold soups of the day, assorted fresh baked breads, and a selection of hot entrée items of which a few will be specially prepared for you right at the buffet. The menu changes daily and may tend toward Italian one day to Asian the next. Our dessert bar offers small bite size portions to minimize your guilt while sampling them all and, of course, maybe returning for an extra piece of your favorite. Fresh fruit juices, tea and coffee are included. Even though it is a buffet you will have a waiter attending to your every need. We like to refer to it as a "Full Service Gourmet Buffet".
Ginger Sushi
Open 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Whether you just want an afternoon or late night sushi snack or an entire meal, Ginger Sushi is your ideal option. You can dine under the stars or under roof in our festive open air Casino and Games Level. Our fish arrives fresh daily straight from Costa Rica’s fertile fishing grounds where they consistently catch Yellow fin Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Sea Bass and Snapper along with an assortment of other tasty seafood delicacies. If it is on the menu it is fresh! What better place to have a light, healthy snack while enjoying the view of the Volcano and perhaps a game of chess, checkers or backgammon.
Treetops Grill
Open 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
We are not sure whether to describe the experience as poolside, cliff-side or tree canopy dining. It all depends on which way you turn because you are surrounded by five waterfall pools, while overlooking the tree canopy, down a slope which falls one thousand feet below, while the prevailing breezes rustle the palm fronds shading you from above. Add great food from the grill, an informal dress code, and some Jimmy Buffet music to the equation and you might realize that you have found the definition of the word "vacation". Bathing attire is not only permitted its suggested. Even better, if you don't want to leave the comfort of your poolside chaise lounge, we will bring the menu to you. Because after all, we think this is what your vacation is all about.
Heliconia Bar
Open 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Located on the fourth floor of the reception between Las Ventanas and Tres Cascadas, this bar is perfect for a relaxing drink before or after dinner or for an afternoon cocktail. The seating presents a magnificent view of the volcano. The music is a mellow Latin jazz and the feeling is casual elegance. The bar is decorated daily with cut Heliconia flowers from our on site collection of 150 species. The flowers are so magnificent you have to touch them to make sure they are real.
La Laguna Bar (The Lagoon Bar)
Open 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Located in the center of our largest pool named La Laguna (The Lagoon), this swim up bar boasts 12 dry and 30 wet seats. This unique pool has multiple waterfalls and contains chlorinated water that is heated to a more than comfortable 88 °F by a heat exchange system using the hot water pumped from our natural hot springs. Another unique feature of this bar is the warm curtain of micro-bubbles emanating from its base that creates the sensation of sitting atop a flowing spring.
The Ranchito Bar (The Little Rancho)
Open 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Located next to Canyon Falls, we believe this bar boasts the most beautiful setting in the reception pool area. Its higher location on the upper level of the Cascada Grande Pool allows you to see out towards the volcano, down over Playa Piedra Pool and Lower Laguna Pools, back towards the largest waterfall of Cascada Grande and out over the La Laguna pool and down to the valley below. There is also a heated Jacuzzi a few steps away. This bar is also well suited for small private parties of 25 persons or less.
Los Perdidos Bar (The Lost Ones)
Open 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Located at the nexus of the trails within Perdido Springs (Lost Springs), this is a rustic palm thatch jungle bar that seats about eight people surrounded by hot spring waterfalls on three sides and gardens on the other. There will be waiter service to all seven of the Perdido Springs Pools from this bar. This is a great place to watch the adventurous take a ride down our water flume the Monkey Slide.
Ginger Sushi Bar and Games Lounge
Open 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Located on our Casino and Games Level this bar is not only for sushi but is a great place to watch sports on Satellite TV and perhaps play a game of pool, darts or backgammon. Don't forget to come to the Sunset Terrace located just steps away from the bar for happy hour cocktails.
Casino & Games LevelGames
In addition to Ginger Sushi, the Games side of our Casino level features old fashioned parlor games such as billiards, darts, chess, checkers, cards and backgammon as well as a few high tech video games. Also, a rocking chair on the Sunset Terrace is a great place to not only watch the sun set behind the volcano but also to enjoy the distant city lights glimmering at night.
Casino
Due to some recent changes in the Costa Rican Government’s rules and regulations regarding the permitting of casinos in the country we are not entirely certain of when we will be able to open the casino. Our best estimate is February to April of 2009. We plan to have 60 gaming machines including typical slots, video poker and video blackjack as well as 4-8 Blackjack tables, a Roulette table, Small Stakes Poker, Caribbean Stud Poker and a Craps table.
The Springs Wildlife Preserve
In conjunction with the MINAE (Ministry of the Environment and Energy) we operate a preserve for Costa Rican wildlife that has either been confiscated from poachers or donated by other private preserves or individuals. We currently care for seven ocelots, twenty three margays, and two jaguarundis, along with Capuchin monkeys, Squirrel monkeys, sloths, scarlet macaws, wild turkeys and assortment of other animals. Their new homes are currently under construction and we plan to open them to our guests in the months ahead.
Recreational Activities On-site Activities
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Afternoon Bird watching (as Available)
Inner Tubing or Inflatable Kayaking (Coming Soon)
Fishing on the Arenal River (Coming Soon)
Off-site Activities
Waterfall Rappel
Costa Rica Sky Adventures Tours
Canopy Tour
Rafting
Hanging Bridges
Venado Caves
Lake Arenal Pontoon Boat Fishing and Sightseeing
ATV Tours
Arenas Del Mar Resort
Perched atop Costa Rica's Pacific coast rim and built to blend with its rainforest surroundings, Arenas Del Mar Beach and Nature Resort combines luxury lodging and certified sustainable practices to create a unique and spectacular tropical experience. Catering to tourists who seek more than just another high-end resort stay, Arenas Del Mar offers world class comfort within a extraordinary natural setting. Stunning ocean-view guestrooms and suites, two upscale hotel restaurants El Mirador and Playita, an intimate spa and gift shop are included in the list of deluxe amenities found at the resort.
The perfect base from which to explore the neighboring Manuel Antonio National Park and the rustic town of Quepos, Arenas Del Mar invites its guests to step outside of their room and immerse themselves in the nature and culture of Costa Rica's pacific coast. Whitewater rafting, horseback riding, ocean kayaking and canopy tours are among the vast selection of exciting activities offered at the resort. Arenas Del Mar has a commitment to Costa Rican culture, history and the environment and will be happy to assist you in taking advantage of all this marvelous area has to offer.
Set in 11 acres (5 hectares) of pure tropical nature, Arenas Del Mar is a unique resort featuring private nature trails and beautiful sand beaches. However, connecting with nature does not mean leaving comfort behind; Arenas Del Mar offers state-of-the-art facilities including high-speed Internet access, world-class cuisine and exceptional personalized service. Property Location On the western end of Espadilla Beach, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica.
Arenas Del Mar features two restaurants located next to the two pools of the resort. The first is the formal restaurant El Mirador serving breakfast, lunch and dinner situated in the tree tops overlooking the Manuel Antonio National Park. Serving nouvelle Costa Rican cuisine El Mirador combines the great variety of vegetables, fruits, sea foods and meats with local spices and techniques. The second restaurant, Playita is more informal and serves lunch and snacks next to the resort's lovely private beach. The focus is on simple but fresh ingredients such as tuna wraps and pannini sandwiches using typical Costa Rican flavors.
Discover and experience firsthand the sensuous and pampering environment of luxurious Las Brisas Spa, located below the main restaurant with breathtaking views of Manuel Antonio National Park and the gentle breezes off the Pacific Ocean. The Mirador Bar offers a comfortable atmosphere where guest can relax beside the pool and immerse themselves in spectacular ocean views while enjoying natural fruit drinks and cocktails.
A gift shop featuring local arts and crafts and souvenirs and a state of the art business center are both located near the hotel lobby.
Boasting 38 beautiful guestrooms, Arenas Del Mar believes that maximum comfort should blend easily into its surroundings. Built around existing trees, all rooms offer stunning views either of the Pacific Ocean or lush Manuel Antonio Rainforest. Equipped with all of the amenities one would expect in a modern, luxury resort, Arenas Del Mar features ceiling fans, air-conditioning, cable television, high-speed Internet, mini-bar, coffee maker, hair dryers, microwave and irons in all guestrooms.
