Join us for a wonderful journey to sun drenched beaches and lush rainforests of this amazing country with the richest biodiversity on earth! Did we mention that we are going in January! Let it be your New Year resolution to join us in this warm wonderland of volcanoes, mangroves, forests, and yes, coffee and chocolate! On our circular route starting and ending in the capital of San Jose, we will make our way from national park to national park to enjoy all they have to offer from the ocean to the cloud forests! A great air schedule tops off this first getaway of the new year! In this peak season space is limited. Please book now or enjoy the liquid sunshine of home! Reserve now online at: Railandsail.com or call (800) 576-4905!
Included in your fully escorted travels:
· Round-trip flights in coach from Seattle, SFO, LAX*
*Other gateways by request
· 9 days/8 nights Deluxe Hotel & Lodges
· All sights and entrances as described
· Group transfers and motorcoach transport
· San Jose city tour
· Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio National Parks
· EcoTermales Hot Springs Excursion
· Coffee, Sugar, Chocolate farm tour
· Mangrove jungle cruise and crocodile quest
· Guided walks and excursions
· Meals as described
· Professional guide of Costa Rica
· Experienced USA Tour Manager
· Caring and professional travel arrangements
· Limited space (really) Reserve now at: Railandsail.com
· Rail & Sail Insurance quotes: (800) 576-4905
Day 1 — Wednesday Jan 1—Depart for Costa Rica! Make your way to your gateway airport. Check in for our included flights to San Jose, Costa Rica. Arrive in the evening and check-in to our luxurious hotel. Get a great night of rest! Overnight: San Jose (in flight services)
Day 2 — Thursday Jan 2 — Welcome to San Jose After a hearty breakfast we tour the capital city of Costa Rica and it’s heritage sites on a guided motorcoach tour including the National Theater and Gold Museum. After our included lunch we continue on to the edge of Arenal National Volcanic Park. From our beautiful hotel for 2 nights we enjoy this protected area in northern Costa Rica. It’s known for its hot springs, active Arenal Volcano and wildlife, including jaguars and tree frogs. Las Coladas Trail winds through forest to a cooled lava field. Rainbow bass inhabit the waters of Lake Arenal, which is popular for water sports thanks to its reliable winds. Southeast, the crater of dormant Cerro Chato Volcano features a lake. (breakfast, lunch) Overnight Arenal
Day 3 — Friday Jan 3 — Explore Arenal Volcano National Park (breakfast, lunch) Today we enter the park to enjoy the thermal volcanic waters and their healing properties. The local waters with naturally occurring bicarbonates and magnesium are said to have analgesic and anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxing properties. These healing waters are (90°F to 106° F) and naturally refresh and renew every 45 minutes leaving you with the finest and cleanest mineral baths ever! As you enjoy the park facilities, enjoy a lovely on-site lunch before we retire back to out lodge when we have been healed and rejuvenated. (breakfast, lunch) Overnight Arenal
Day 4 – Saturday Jan 4 — To Monteverde An exciting day as we make our way overland with several boat transfers to the beautiful Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Located at 4500 feet above sea level our home for 2 nights will be a lovely lodge with scenic views, nature trails, and all the comforts of home. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, is one of the most famous conservation areas in Central America. It is a tropical rain forest but because of its altitude it's called a Cloud Forest. A cloud forest is a highland forest characterized by nearly 100% humidity throughout the year. Here in Monteverde, warm north-easterly trade winds, filled with moisture, blow in from the Atlantic. As the winds sweep up to the Continental Divide, they cool and condense to form clouds, bathing the forest in a constant soft mist. The cloud forest receives an incredible four meters of rain every year- over twelve feet! It is home to rare and unusual wildlife, such as jaguars and pumas, and over 450 species of birds including the world's largest population of quetzal birds. (breakfast, lunch) Overnight Monteverde
Day 5 — Sunday Jan 5 — Coffee, Chocolate, & Sugar Cane Tour The tour begins with the coffee tour, where we learn its wonderful history in the world as well as its importance in the development of Costa Rica. We will see all the processes involved in coffee, from the seed to the delicious final product. On the chocolate tour, we will have an experience between aromas and history, where you will participate in the chocolate process, which consists of tasting and preparing the different stages from the seed to the drink. Before finishing the tour, we will go to the sugar mill where we will learn the origin of sugar cane, see the plantation, and the processes to produce sugar cane derivatives. We will also enjoy the experience of extracting the delicious and sweet cane juice by hand. (breakfast) Overnight Monteverde
Day 6 — Monday Jan 6— Monteverde to Manuel Antonio Today we visit the Estuary of Guacalillo and the Tarcoles River enroute to Manuel Antonio. Today on our jungle cruise through the mangrove estuaries we will have the opportunity to see up close crocodiles up to five meters long in this wild habitat. The mangroves also host a population of over 250 different birds such as kingfisher, roseate spoonbills, Basiliscus heron, anhingas, Blue Heron. nocturnal birds and more. The Tarcoles River is one of the most important feeding sites for resident and migratory birds, and an important meeting place for mating and shelter for mammals and reptiles. (breakfast, buffet lunch) Overnight Manuel Antonio
Day 7 – Tuesday Jan 7 — Manuel Antonio Enjoy a morning of choice and leisure at our destination resort. Enjoy walking paths, swimming, and activities arranged by our local guide in this beautiful resort and lovely beach. (breakfast) Overnight Manuel Antonio
Day 8 — Wednesday Jan 8 — Manuel Antonio Park Today we enter the park to enjoy the nature paths and unspoiled tropical beauty of it’s forests, mangroves and beaches. Our local guide will organize our day searching for wildlife, photos, and memories to last forever. In the afternoon we enjoy a beautiful lunch before making our way back to San Jose for a final night in this beautiful country. (breakfast, late lunch) Overnight San Jose
Day 9 – Thursday Jan 9 — Farewell! A hearty breakfast and morning at leisure before afternoon flights home. (breakfast, inflight service)