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DAILY ITINERARY (B,L indicates included meals that day ) Depart from Atlanta on Delta Airlines non stop flight to San Jose. After our evening arrival, we will meet Gustavo, our local, bilingual guide, outside the arrivals terminal. Gustavo will be with us for the entire trip and is at your service for any needs or questions you may have. He has been with us guiding our Costa Rica trips since our first visit and he is the most knowledgeable, conscientious and dedicated guide you will meet anywhere. From the airport, we will be escorted on our transfer to the Quality hotel, a new property, complete with fitness center, internet access and restaurant on site. On arrival, our guide will do a general introduction of Costa Rica, pointing out informative facts for first time visitors. Click the links below for more info on this hotel and for online reviews of this hotel from hotel guests http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g1122840-d293395-r26435064-Quality_Hotel_Real_San_Jose-Santa_Ana_Province_of_San_Jose.html#REVIEWS DAY 02: Sunday November 28th 2010 (B,L) A buffet breakfast is served at our hotel. Then, we are escorted by deluxe, air-conditioned motor coach to the Poas Volcano where a view from the observation deck provides stunning looks into the volcanic crater and its deep pools, as well as, on a clear day, a view of both the Pacific and the Caribbean, one of only 2 places in the Americas where both bodies of water can be seen from one observation. This afternoon, we will visit the La Paz waterfalls, butterfly and hummingbird gardens. La Paz offers the largest butterfly garden in all of the Americas, as well as a walking path to view many birds, monkeys and toucans. The waterfall trail, takes us to view 5 beautiful waterfalls amid lush trees. A late afternoon departure from the park takes us by our private deluxe motor coach to Tabacon Hot Springs Resort, one of the most amazing 5 star spa resorts in the world, as you will learn, as soon as you step foot into their myriad of natural hot springs outdoor in a tropical setting overlooking Arenal volcano. At the foot of the majestic Arenal Volcano, lies Tabacón Hotel Springs Spa & Thermal Resort – a true, tropical paradise of nature, adventure and relaxation. Tabacón offers luxurious accommodations and amenities in a picture-perfect and natural setting. Its distinctive facilities are comprised of thermo-mineral rivers, flowing through exotic tropical gardens, forming natural waterfalls and river pools. The Tabacón Hot Springs perfectly combine mineral content, volume and temperature. While there are many hot springs destinations around the world, few offer this special balance set in a splendorous natural paradise.
Proudly awarded membership to The Leading Hotels of the World as of January 2007, Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort is a five-star resort located at the foot of the Arenal Volcano, in the northern region of Costa Rica. A three-time World Travel Awards recipient, the 114-room property offers luxurious accommodations and friendly service in a quaint tropical environment Its distinctive facilities are comprised of thermo-mineral rivers, flowing through exotic tropical gardens, forming natural waterfalls and river pools. The resort also offers a world class Spa facility, featuring a full array of massage services, facials, mud wraps and more. Try the waterfall massage, a soothing massage, in a private bungalow, alongside one of the resort’s waterfall hot springs.
The Tabacón Hot Springs perfectly combine mineral content, volume and temperature. While there are many hot springs destinations around the world, few offer this special balance set in a splendorous natural paradise. http://www.tabacon.com After an early evening check in, enjoy the remainder of the evening at your leisure to savor the natural hot springs, at the resort and its adjacent buffet restaurant, serving delicious dinner items. There are paths that meander from one hot spring to the next, each with its own character. Two have a natural waterfall that passengers can sit under as the warm waters cascade over them. One of the hot springs has a tiki bar adjacent to it from which passengers can take their favorite drink into the hot spring to relax in real comfort, while another hot spring has a built in tiki bar with bar stools, so passengers don’t even need to get out of the soothing waters to enjoy their favorite drinks. Their multiple hot springs are open until 10pm and offer separate changing rooms with lockers for men and for women. Fresh towels are provided to all guests. The feeling of soaking in the hot springs under the night sky is amazing. If you wish, sit and soak under their natural hot spring waterfall, with its own built in seating platform for the ultimate in relaxation to simply let go and unwind in this tropical paradise. At your leisure, you may return to the on site changing rooms/lockers facility, where you can change clothes, return used towels and then walk back to your room (or take the free shuttle right to your room, if the springs relaxed you to the point you want to be pampered with transit back to your room) Overnight at Tabacon Hot Springs Spa and Resort
DAY 04: Monday November 29th, 2010 (B) This morning we will visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges. Just a short 10 minute drive from Tabacon, the Arenal hanging bridges are a unique marvel of nature. Set in a forested domain, we will walk across pathways where are local expert naturalist guide will describe the many indigenous plants and other items that make the forest their home. The highlight of the walk is the several bridges built into the forest. As we cross these bridges, you will gain a wonderful perspective and a panoramic view of the forest. You will even see a waterfall in the forest from one of the bridge overlooks. Arenal Hanging Bridges is one the most beautiful environmentally-friendly projects in Costa Rica. Located in front of the Arenal Volcano and within the corridor followed by migratory birds between North and South America, the project's trails and bridges bring you close to the birds, flowers, and lush vegetation of the primary rainforest. With safe and easy access, the trails allow you to walk right into a beautiful forest. The imposing hanging bridges overlook a dense canopy with volcano views looming in the background.
After our tour, we will return by our chartered coach, the short 10 minute ride back to the Tabacon Hot Springs, where we will enjoy free time at leisure to relax, have lunch or visit the hot springs to soak in its many pleasures. From the hot springs by day, you can often see another unique view of Arenal volcano with smoke protruding from its top almost each day.
The afternoon is at leisure to relax back at Tabacon. You may wish to have dinner at Tabacon or join us as we head into the nearby town of la Fortuna where our local guide will pick a restaurant for all to enjoy dinner at their leisure. For those that do join us for dinner on the town, you will also have the option to join us for an outing to a nightclub after dinner to listen or dance to local musical favorites. On our return to the hotel, we will enjoy a special night volcano watch outing. This annual favorite takes us by our chartered coach to an overlook, just 5 minutes from our hotel, where, on a clear night, you will see the red lava flowing down the always active Arenal volcano. This volcanic activity occurs every night and can be seen when the sun is down each night. It is a memorable sight to see and one you won’t forget ! Upon returning to Tabacon Hot Springs Resort, enjoy, if you wish, a night dip in the thermal waters of the natural hot springs at Tabacon Tuesday November 30th, 2010 (B) This morning, those interested in a scenic walk, can join us for an optional short excursion into Arenal National Park. Just a short 10 minute ride from Tabacon, the park offers a most scenic excursion. We will enjoy a guided walk across hardened lava rock formations, derived from a lava flow many years ago. The walk is approx. 2 hours round trip with a stop at a fabulous overlook providing panoramic views. The walk is suitable for all with no experience needed. The views from the overlook are beautiful. The return segment of our walk will take us through a primary forest trail where it is common to spot howler monkeys and toucans in the wild before we return to Tabacon on our coach. Later this afternoon, we will enjoy a late afternoon tour to the Arenal Sky Tram and Trek Canopy tour. The tour location is less than 30 minutes drive from our resort. The tour is the ideal way to get both a bird’s view of the lush tropical forest, as well as enjoy a thrilling, safe, adventure ride high above the forest. The tour begins with the leisurely paced Sky Tram gondolas that will provide a smooth ride through the rain forest, with endless views along the way, so you can appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds you on your way to the top. Once at the at the observation deck, you will be able to enjoy the most magnificent views of the volcano’s south face for as long as you desire. From the observation deck, you will have two options for returning to the base. The first option is to ride back down the same way you came up, on the Sky Tram. On the ride you will be able to notice how the vegetation varies as the altitude changes once again. The other and more exciting option is that you can zip your way to the bottom along the fast moving Sky Trek Canopy Tour (also called the Zip Lines), the best option for those seeking a rush of adrenaline. The zip line canopy tour takes you across several cables constructed between the tree tops. Standing on the first of several tree top platforms, you will be placed in a safety harness that is then attached to the 1st cable. Then you will literally “Zip” from one platform to another across the cable. You will enjoy the thrill of gliding from one platform to the next, with views of the forest, the volcano and scenic Lake Arenal. Gliding high above it all, you will effortlessly go from one platform to the next, as you make your way, naturally back down to the base of the mountain. Upon our return to Tabacon, the evening is at your leisure to relax and enjoy the hot springs one more memorable time. DAY 05: Wednesday December 1st, 2010 (B, L) Enjoy a full breakfast buffet at the hotel. Then, we will check out and head in our deluxe private coach to Tamarindo beach on the pacific coast of Costa Rica. We will stop along the way to enjoy our thrilling White Water Rafting excursion on the Tenorio River. The rapids are class 3 and 4, providing excitement for all, whether you are a beginner or an experienced rafter. All rafts have an experienced local guide for the safety of all passengers. Lunch is included on our rafting excursion. Following our excursion, we will have the change to change clothes at the changing facility provided by the rafting company and the, we will continue on our chartered coach to drive to Tamarindo beach, arriving in the middle of the afternoon at the beautiful 4 star Tamarindo Diria beachfront hotel, where we will spend the last 3 nights of our tour. Read more about the Tamarindo Diria by clicking the links to the following websites for pictures, details and reviews of the hotel. http://centralamerica.com/cr/hotel/diria.htm Hotel Tamarindo Diria boasts modern amenities and luxurious accommodations featuring minibar & safety deposit box. The hotel also offers e-mail service and a full laundry service and is walking distance from many restaurants, shops and nightclubs. Our passengers will all enjoy ocean view rooms at this fine property, situated right on the vibrant Pacific Ocean sands. Tamarindo Beach Resort is located on the north pacific coast, it is an ideal place located in the heart of TAMARINDO, recognized as one of the country’s nicest beaches with all the amenities of a Costa Rican beach town
Day 6 Thursday December 2nd, 2010 (B, L) This morning we enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then a morning at leisure to relax, enjoy the beach, or the hotel's lounge chairs, idyllically located under the cool breezes of swaying palm trees. This afternoon we will enjoy an excursion to the fabulous Palo Verde National Park. You may spot Variegated Squirrels, Howler Monkeys, White-nosed Coatis, White-tailed Deer, White-throated Capuchin Monkeys, white-face monkeys, iguanas, Collared Peccaries and many more. Palo Verde is also known as a bird-watchers' paradise. More than 300 bird species have been recorded, not least great curassows and the only permanent colony of scarlet macaws in the dry tropics. At least a quarter of a million wading birds and waterfowl and jabiru storks, the largest storks in the world, flock here in fall and winter. Lunch is included at the park. After our tour, we will return to our hotel. Enroute to the hotel we will make a special stop for most special dinner. We will enjoy an included dinner at a beachside restaurant, where the tables literally sit on the sand under a protected canopy above. Overnight at Tamarindo Diriá Hotel
Day 7 – Friday December 3rd, 2010 (B) This morning we enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then a morning at leisure to relax, enjoy the fabulous beach, or the hotel's lounge chairs, idyllically located under the cool breezes of swaying palm trees, providing shade, while overlooking the ocean. This afternoon we will enjoy a private catamaran sailing excursion. The excursion will offer our passengers the chance to relax on deck, with outdoor deck space for laying out under the sun, as well as covered seating space for those wishing the comfort of the shade. We will enjoy plentiful appetizers and drinks (both soft drinks and alcoholic drinks will be provided at no cost by our private chartered captain and his crew sailing us on a course to some of the best snorkeling in the area (snorkeling equipment is provided for those wishing to go snorkeling, as are kayaks, each at no cost). As our sailing excursion returns, we will enjoy a spectacular sunset at sea, with an open bar and service provided by the boat’s crew. Tonight, enjoy the evening at leisure to stroll the many restaurants and hopping nightlife all walking distance from our hotel, or if you wish, enjoy a “Costa Rican Luau” at Captain Suizo, a hotel on the beach, walking distance from our hotel, where you can enjoy live entertainment with marimba music, dancing and a beachside BBQ.
DAY 08: Saturday Dec. 4th, 2010 (B) Our final day in Costa Rica is a free day to relax on the beach, relax under a shaded palm tree or along the poolside deck and tiki bar, or sign up for optional excursions, such as horseback riding, golfing, or deep sea fishing. Those wishing a little excitement and awe, will have the opportunity to be taken on a full day optional tour of surprising and quite amazing Nicaragua. Our tour will take us to witness the most active volcano in Latin America, plus a quaint colonial town. Lunch is provided and return to our hotel, the Tamarindo Diria for our final night is also provided.
Day 10 Sunday December 5th 2010 (B) After breakfast at the hotel, we will check out of our hotel this morning and then board our coach for the short transfer to the Liberia airport for a morning nonstop Delta flight to Atlanta and connections to home cities from there. TRIP PACKAGE INCLUDES: Trip cost: $1699 + $98 tax based on double occupancy with free roommate matching based on age, sex and smoking or non smoking preference Optional single supplement: $899 Passengers that wish to take advantage of our optional group air may also do so at the rate of $729 + taxes of $79. Air is round trip from Atlanta to San Jose, returning from Liberia Costa Rica to Atlanta. A deposit of $200 is due within 7 days of making your reservation Deposits are refundable if cancelled by June 25th and non refundable if cancelled thereafter. Balance payments are due August 25th and are non refundable
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The Sky Tram Gondolas at the Arenal Sky Tram/Sky Trek.
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