10 Days Costa Rica, Palmar Sur, Corcovado National Park, Caño Island, San Jose, Arenal, Monteverde, San José
Day 01 Arrive Costa Rica
Upon arrival to Juan Santamaria International Airport, our representative will meet you to give you the warmest welcome to Costa Rica. You will be transfered to your hotel. Overnight at Sangildar or Radisson Europa Hotel.
Day 02 Fly to Palmar Sur
This morning one representative will meet you at your hotel to take you to a local terminal where you will take a domestic flight to Palmar Sur. Once in Palmar, another rep will be waiting for you at the airstrip in order to transfer you by land to Sierpe. In Sierpe you will board a boat that will take you to Drake Bay Hotel or Casa Corcovado. After your captain has the luggage packed aboard your boat, you can embark on a one and a half hour ride down the Sierpe River, winding your way through the largest mangrove wetlands system on the Pacific Coast of Central America. You then follow the coast until arriving at the hotel. Overnight at Drake Bay or Casa Corcovado (B-L-D)
Day 03 Corcovado National Park
After a delicious breakfast your adventure begins. Starting out from the lodge with your naturalist guide you journey into Corcovado National Park. The cool morning hours offer a good opportunity to spot wildlife and to observe some of the incredible variety of birds that abound in the park.
The animal life in this section of the National Park is quite vibrant, with frequent sighting of monkeys, coatimundis, squirrels, spiders, macaws, bats, leaf cutting ants, and other animal species. As well, much will be mentioned about the plant and tree species, which is lush, and teeming with life.
Along the trail your guide will have a chance to tell you some of the fascinating stories about life in the rainforest and point many things out to you. Later, coming down through the forest you will find a river and then discover an incredible waterfall. Now is your chance to cool off in one of the shaded pools of the rushing river. Afterwards, you wind your way down the river until reaching the Park Station at San Pedrillo. The San Pedrillo ranger station is the most northern of the four stations. Situated just off shore is Picaros Island, which serves as a refuge for several species of marine birds including the Brown Boobie, Blue Heron and Brown Pelican. At the Station under shade trees on the beach you will enjoy a sumptuous picnic with fresh fruit and ice-cold drinks. After lunch there will be time to explore the beach or to just relax. In the afternoon it’s a short distance along the coastal trail to return to the lodge.. As you watch the sun melt in to the sea you can reflect upon the wonders of the most intricate and intense place on earth, the rainforest of the Osa Península. Overnight at Drake Bay or Casa Corcovado (B-L-D)
Day 04 Caño Island
Directly offshore mysterious Caño Island beckons to the intrepid traveler. Here you can walk in the footsteps of ancient Indian kings and bloodthirsty pirates.
The first visitors to the Island are lost in the mists of time but starting around 1500 years ago the island became an important ceremonial site and burial ground for the pre-Colombian Indians who inhabited the region. Some of the mystifying stone spheres that only this culture produced can still be seen on the Island. Large numbers of tombs have been found with an incredible variety of gold figurines made with the “lost-wax” process so that each one is unique. The natives may have abandoned the Island when men of another sort started to arrive.
The first recorded is, Sir Francis Drake in 1579. He stopped with his ship, the “Golden Hind”, on his way up the Pacific Coast of North and South America searching for the northwest passage during his famous circumnavigation of the globe. The Island was a perfect place for pirates to rest up and to raid Spanish towns and shipping. Another Englishman, Henry Morgan, is said to have used the island or nearby Violin Island, at the mouth of the Sierpe River to stash his treasure after looting Panama City. The treasure is said to be worth 100 million dollars at today’s value.
Yet another Englishman, the rouge Navy captain turned pirate Bennett Graham, was surprised anchored off Caño, captured and sent back to England to hang. Later in the early 1800’s the famous, Benito Bonito of the bloody sword, realized that the waters of Panama and southern Costa Rica were a pirate’s happy hunting ground, and added his name to the legend.
Today Caño Island and its’ surrounding waters have been declared a Biological Reserve.
The Tour starts after breakfast when your guide will help you select snorkeling gear. For those who want to explore the coral reefs around the Island it’s a great opportunity to see a fantastic number of fish, rays and sometimes turtles. This is one of the best dive spots in Costa Rica. On most days there will be a chance to snorkel at the “Coral Garden”, which is an excellent spot for beginners or more experienced guests. Inflatable diving vests are used so that everyone can feel safe and select the amount of floatation they need. After the immersion in these pristine waters it’s time to check-in at the Park Station on the island and check out the beach.
There is a beautiful beach sheltered by coconut palms, which has picnic tables where your guide will spread out a tablecloth and lay out quite a spread for lunch. There will be time to hike up to the burial grounds in the interior of the island or to contemplate awhile at the “viewpoint”. There will also be plenty of time to take a swim, beach-comb or to try your luck at snorkeling in the cove in front of the Park Station. Around mid-afternoon we’ll pack-up and head back to the lodge where you’ll have a chance to rest up before drinks and dinner. I’m sure you will agree with us that the true riches to be found on this mysterious tropical isle are in its’ crystalline waters and on its’ palm shaded beaches. Overnight at Drake Bay or Casa Corcovado (B-L-D)
Day 05 San Jose - Arenal
Today, a boat transfer will take from Drake Bay or Casa Corcovado to Sierpe, a land transportation will take you to Palmar and once there you will take a domestic fligh to San José. When you arrive to the local terminal one representative from Discovery Travel will meet you to transfer you to Arenal Area, the northern region of the country, In this area is where the majestic Arenal Volcano is located. Arenal Volcano is one of the 5 volcanoes that are active in Costa Rica. In a wonderful night, with no clouds you can see the red lava coming down! Overnight at Arenal Paraiso or Montaña de Fuego. (breakfast included)
Day 06 Arenal Volcano and Tabacon Hot Springs
Another “highlight” of the area is Tabacon Hot Springs where you can safely bear witness to nature's most powerful force as Arenal erupts in a display of awesome energy. The best place for a relaxing swim on the thermal waters! Just imagine yourself taking a 45 minute-1 hour bath in the thermal waters and then enjoy a delicious dinner at the restaurant! Overnight at Arenal Paraiso or Montaña de Fuego. (breakfast and dinner included)
Day 07 Transfer to Monteverde
Most famous for being associated with the Monteverde Biological Reserve the tiny community of Monteverde is a small village located near the entrance of the cloud forest. Monteverde which means ‘green mountain’ in Spanish was founded by the Quaker community that migrated from North America to Costa Rica in the 1950’s. Though not an actual village as many of the homes spread out over a large area, this village has now developed itself to cater to the huge number of tourists that pass through here.
Upon your arrival in Monteverde you will find that much of this village remains untouched by modernity, and most of the people here still lead rural lives. In town, which is actually Santa Elena, there is a bank, where you can exchange your money and travelers checks, as well as withdraw cash. There is also a pharmacy, local hospital, book store, gas station, ATM machine, police station, and post office in the area as well. A number of supermarkets, internet cafes, restaurants, and bars have also opened up; mostly to sever tourists who pass through town.
As the weather here is quite chilly and misty, due to the village being high up in the Tilaran Mountain Range, do bring some thick clothes and a light jacket to stay warm. A lovely and peaceful place perfect for those who enjoy nature, the village of Monteverde is actually a dairy farming community that makes some of the best cheeses in Costa Rica. When here, do remember to try out the delicious local cheeses, which are a treat to eat.
If you are a bird watcher, this village offers some lovely bird watching opportunities, even though you are not in the cloud forest itself. However, if you prefer to do the more touristy thing, visit the local craft centers, the women's co-op center, the butterfly garden and the Hummingbird Gallery in town. Overnight at Belmar or Sapo Dorado Hotel (Breakfast Included)
Day 08 Monteverde Reserve
The spectacular Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is a very important and popular ecotourism destination in Costa Rica and is one of the most stunning and breathtaking nature reserves in the entire world.
This biological reserve sits at an elevation of between 1,200 m to 1,600 m, and is surrounded by a misty cover that supports a fantastic diversity of flora and fauna. Often creating a surreal environment, this reserve is considered to be among the most exceptional wildlife sanctuaries in the New World Tropics.
When exploring the forest you will come across a variety of birds and animals including, bellbirds, guans, toucanets, jaguars, pumas and monkeys, as well as the golden toad, a toad species that is only known to exist here the in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.
This unique landscape is also the habitat of more than 300 species of orchids and 200 species of fern. With views of both the Pacific and Caribbean Oceans, this reserve is filled with a huge array of lofty and soaring trees laden with stunning epiphyte plants. The Monteverde Cloud Forest has excellent trails for hiking and exploration. However, this reserve is not meant for the weak at heart Overnight at Belmar or Sapo Dorado Hotel (Breakfast Included)
Day 09 San José
Today you will be transfered to the capital of Costa Rica for your last night in Costa Rica. Overnight at SanGildar Hotel or Radisson Europa Hotel. (breakfast included)
Day 10 Depart San Jose
Our representative will pick you up at your hotel in order to transfer you to the International Airport. (breakfast included)
3 STAR HOTELS: SAN GILDAR (SAN JOSE) + DRAKE BAY (CORCOVADO) + ARENAL PARAISO (ARENAL) + BELMAR HOTEL (MONTEVERDE)
NET RATE PER PERSON
DOUBLE
SINGLE
Jan 10 to April 30, 2008
C $ 2036
C $ 2468
May 01 to June 30, 2008
C $ 1850
C $ 2210
01 July to Aug. 31, 2008
C $ 2036
C $ 2468
Sep. 01 to Nov 30, 2008
C $ 1850
C $ 2210
4 STAR HOTELS: RADISSON (SAN JOSE) + CASA CORCOVADO (CORCOVADO) + MONTAÑA DE FUEGO (ARENAL) + SAPO DORADO (MONTEVERDE)
NET RATE PER PERSON
DOUBLE
SINGLE
Jan 10 to April 30, 2008
C $ 2165
C $ 2700
May 01 to August 31, 2008
C $ 2050
C $ 2567
Note: Price Per Person in group service with minimum of 02 People Casa Corcovado is closed from September 01 to November 14 due to rainy season
Tour Cost Includes:
• Transfers Airport – Hotel - Airport;
• Inside Airport assistance;
• 2 nights at San Jose (San Gildar Hotel 3* or Radisson 4*);
• 4 days / 3 nights package at Casa Corcovado Hotel/Drake Bay. Includes: boat transportation, full board, hotel local guide, Corcovado National Park tour and visit to Caño Island (snorkelling);
• 2 nights at Arenal (Arenal Paraiso 3* or Montaña de Fuego 4*);
• 2 nights at Monteverde (Belmar Hotel 3* or Sapo Dorado 4*);
• All are standard rooms;
• Guided tours: Arenal Volcano + Tabacon Hot Springs and Monteverde Reserve;
• Meals specified in chart;
• Transfers: San Jose to Arenal, Arenal to Monteverde, Monteverde to San Jose;
• Flights: San Jose – Palmar Sur/Drake – San Jose. Include airport transfers (round trip);
• Hotel taxes;
Tour Cost Does Not Include:
• Roundtrip international airfare with tax;
• Tax departure $35.00;
• Travel Insurance;
• Personal expenses;
• Tips to guide and driver;
Air fares: Please call us at 1-800-898-2638 for International Airfares from your departure city
Costa Rica Untouched