Costa Rica, the Rich Coast
Looking for an affordable and memorable summer vacation with a little adventure thrown in for good measure? Rumor has it that the rainy season in Costa Rica is from late May to November with the heaviest rains falling in October but what the locals know is that June and July are what they consider to be their "Indian Summer". I recently had a call from two clients who were rethinking their annual Kauai trip and decided (with a little help from me) that Indian Summer in Costa Rica sounded wonderful. What's not to like, besides the beautiful sun drenched beaches, exotic scenery, active volcanoes, mystic cloud forests and tropical rainforests, Costa Rica is the top eco-tourism destination in the world. I haven't even touched on the diverse plant and animal species found there, the culture or the fabulous food. Maybe it is time to find out for yourself just what Costa Rica has to offer.
Below is a 10 night itinerary that one of our top suppliers and I put together for our clients. They will be exploring the historic capital city of San Jose and then driving to the spectacular Arenal volcano for two nights before they head down the coast to the fabulous Manuel Antonio beach area, what a wonderful way to really see this charming country. The price listed below includes air from Los Angeles. Your price may be different depending on where you will be flying from, what you want to experience, and where you want to stay when making an Incredible Journey to the Rich Coast.
Send me an email with your dates and dreams and let's see if we can make it come true.
Vicki Sanders, Central America Specialist
vs@incrediblejourney.net
Airfare Included In Package:
May 31/June 10, 2008
Lacsa Airlines - LAX/SJO
Airfare is based on availability at the time of booking. Depart from Los Angeles International Airport on Lacsa Airlines to San Jose, Costa Rica. Prices are subject to change until tickets have been issued. Once deposit is received, tickets will be issued and they are non-refundable.
Extra Services: U.S. Departure Tax Included.
MAY 31 SAT LR#605
Departure: LAX - Los Angeles 2:25A
Arrival: SJO - San Jose 9:00A
JUNE 10 TUE LR#604
Departure: SJO - San Jose 6:15P
Arrival: LAX - Los Angeles 11:30P
Land Services Included In Package:
May 31, 2008
Arrival transfer from San Jose Airport to Barcelo San Jose Palacio Hotel (2 Pax)
(Approx. 20 minute transfer)
Barcelo San Jose Palacio Hotel - Standard Room For 1 night (May 31/01)
San Jose is located in the Central Valley and inhabited by more than half of the country's 3.2 million people, San Jose is the most cosmopolitan city in Central America. Costa Rica's stable government and Central Valley's climate which averages between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit have attracted people from all over the world. San Jose offers many interesting entertainment attractions such as The National Theater & Gold Museum, churches, parks, elegant gourmet restaurants, casinos, sport bars and much more. From San Jose, you can also visit many of Costa Rica's main attractions such as day tours to the Arenal Volcano, white water rafting down the Pacuare River or taking an Aerial Tram Tour through the Braulio Carrillo National Park.
June 1, 2008
Pachira Lodge - 2N/3D (Boat/Plane) Package
June 01 - Early morning land transfer to Limon located on the Caribbean coast. Admire the biodiversity of an astonishing protected area in Costa Rica as we drive by Braulio Carrillo National Park, a primary forest in 95% of its extension, and enjoy a Costa Rican breakfast en route. Upon arrival, board a comfortable boat and let this extraordinarily exotic paradise enchant you, as you travel along the Tortuguero Canals. Have a one-in-a-lifetime experience in this unique place surrounded by a great variety of flora and fauna of breathtaking beauty. Enjoy a delicious lunch as your welcome to the Pachira Lodge (Standard Room - All meals included) for a two-night stay. B-L-D
June 02 - Discover Costa Rican flavors as you enjoy breakfast at the Pachira Lodge. Afterwards, get ready to travel along (by boat) through the well known Tortuguero Canals and have the experience of your life in this unique paradise of magnificent flora and fauna. Enjoy a delicious lunch at the lodge. Afternoon you can either take your time to enjoy the private trails, or just relax. B-L-D (Entrance to the National Park is not included and costs $8.00 per person).
June 03 - After an early breakfast, transfer to the Tortuguero Airstrip for your schedule flight back to San Jose.
June 3, 2008
1 Suzuki Grand Vitara - Poas Rent A Car (8-24 Hours)
Pick-up: Domestic Airport (June 03)
Drop-off: International Airport (June10)
Arenal Paraiso Resort & Spa - Superior Room (B) For 2 nights (June 03/05)
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.
June 5, 2008
La Mariposa Hotel - Standard Ocean View Room (B) For 5 nights (June 05/10)
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.
B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner
Package Price:
Per Person: $1,864.00
Total Package Price: $3,728.00
Description of Services:
Barcelo San Jose Palacio Hotel
The Barcelo San Jose Palacio is a luxury accommodation in every sense of the word. Barcelo San Jose Palacio is located just 10 minutes from the airport and only 10 minutes from downtown San Jose in a quiet residential neighborhood. Barcelo San Jose Palacio is the ideal place for combining pleasure with business, located close to the Braulio Carrillo National Park. Located in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, the Barcelo San Jose Palacio has all the advantages of being in a large city which has numerous museums, parks and theaters in its urban areas and with the benefits to be offered by a 5 star Barcelo hotel in a typical and uniquely European style. The Barcelo San Jose Palacio maintains its status as the deluxe hotel in San Jose. At Barcelo San Jose Palacio dining possibilities are varied, there is the poolside El Rancho grill, the lobby piano bar, the cafeteria, the formal restaurant El Bosque Bar and live music and entertainment. On the grounds of the Barcelo San Jose Palacio you will find an outdoor swimming pool, children's pool, gym, spa, sauna, Jacuzzi, massage, 2 tennis courts as well as 3 racquetball and squash courts. For your convenience and pleasure there is a casino, boutique and gift shop, jewelry shop, leather shop, hair salon, 24-hour room service, laundry service and airport transfer service every 30 minutes.
Pachira Lodge
Pachira is located in the northeastern corner of Costa Rica, 5 minutes by boat from Tortuguero National Park and accessible only by air and water. Hidden amongst giant trees and luxuriant gardens, on the forest banks of the Tortuguero Canals, Pachira Lodge is the epitome of a tropical jungle retreat with every modern convenience. It is a comfortable complex of wooden thatch-roofed cabins, raised on stilts in the local style and surrounded by broad verandas with furniture for sitting and contemplating the surroundings. From the delicate crosshatching of the gabled docks, to the elegantly appointed restaurant, complete with indoor garden, to wide torch lit pathways under the tropical night, everything about this lodge is geared toward the comfort and relaxation of the guests. Pachira offers 44 rooms in 10 modules all but two connected by elevated covered, wooden walkways joining the wide verandas. All rooms are large and airy, with high ceilings and lots of windows. Hotel Features: Phone, Cell phone, Fax, Fully screened restaurant with seating for up to 100 people in two lovely salons, Bar, Game room with billiard table and ping pong, Swimming pool.
Suzuki Grand Vitara
- Standard Transmission
- 5 Doors
- 5 Seats
- 2000 c.c.
- Gasoline
- Electric Functions
- Radio Cassette
- Air Conditioned
Arenal Paraiso Resort & Spa
Located in the northern region at only two and a half hours from San Jose at the Arenal Paraiso hotel you can enjoy a peaceful and quiet atmosphere with the best view of the majestic Arenal Volcano. From a height of 1633 meters above sea level, the volcano erupts rocks, fire, and lava over its upper slopes. Here the natural beauty of the rain forest with its great variety of exotic plants, animals and birds of tremendous beauty, merges with the magnificence of one of the most active volcanoes in the world. A wonderful place to enjoy peace and nature Arenal Paraiso Hotel offers 79 comfortable rooms, 25 are type standard and 54 superior. Each room is located strategically with its respective balcony and one of the best views to the Arenal Volcano, surrounded by exuberant tropical gardens. The hotel offers special swimming-pools with 100% natural volcanic hot springs which will take you into a relaxing and healthy ambience.
La Mariposa Hotel
Hotel La Mariposa is an award-winning accommodation best known for its stunning 360-degree views of the Pacific Ocean, Manuel Antonio National Park, and surrounding tropical vegetation. With its Spanish-Mediterranean architecture and 56 well appointed rooms, La Mariposa is magnificent, yet intimate. Hotel features include: Fine dining at the restaurant, 'Le Papillon', featuring panoramic vistas and renowned haute cuisine. At the 'Sunset Bar and Lounge' watch Manuel Antonio's legendary sunset while enjoying a tropical cocktail Three swimming pools with stunning ocean views Meticulously landscaped tropical gardens featuring walkways and trails Private, secure parking with 24-hour security Free shuttle service to and from Manuel Antonio National Park, 'La Mariposita' gift shop - handcrafts, jewelry and quality souvenirs .
