COSTA RICA 2015 HIGHLIGHTS 2

COSTA RICA 2015
HIGHLIGHTS 2
TRAVEL DETAILS

Edventure Highlights 2: 20 nights, 21 days.

Our rates are in US$

Your flight to Costa Rica is not included in our offer

Meet & greet with Edventure in San Jose on your first day
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The Edventure team is 24/7 available for questions and/or emergencies
TRAVEL SCHEDULE
Day
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Destination
San Jose
San Jose
Tortuguero
Tortuguero
Sarapiqui
Sarapiqui
Arenal
Arenal
Rincon de la Vieja
Rincon de la Vieja
Samara
Samara
Samara
Monteverde
Monteverde
Monteverde
Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio
San Jose
Departure
Hotel
Rincon de San Jose
Rincon de San Jose
Laguna Lodge
Laguna Lodge
Hacienda La Isla
Hacienda La Isla
Rancho Margot
Rancho Margot
Aroma de Campo
Aroma de Campo
Las Ranas
Las Ranas
Las Ranas
Valle Campanas
Valle Campanas
Valle Campanas
Espadilla Cabinas
Espadilla Cabinas
Espadilla Cabinas
Trapp Country Inn
Package on website
Downtown San Jose
Downtown San Jose
Tortuguero
Tortuguero
Maquenque
Maquenque
Explosive Arenal
Explosive Arenal
Birds and Clouds
Birds and Clouds
Groovy Guanacaste
Groovy Guanacaste
Groovy Guanacaste
Sparkling River
Sparkling River
Sparkling River
Central Pacific
Central Pacific
Central Pacific
Welcome to Costa Rica
All hotels are subject to availability when confirming your reservation. In case the
requested rooms are not available we will offer an alternative in close consultation with
you. Any price difference will be taken into account when calculating the final amount of
your trip.
Costa Rica Highlights 2, Edventure 2015, 21 days
Costa Rica Highlights 2, Edventure 2015, 21 days
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Meals
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In Tortuguero all meals are included, 8 in total.
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At Rancho Margot all meals are included, 6 in total.
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At the other hotels your breakfast is included.
Tours
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In Tortuguero 2 tours are included. A guided boat tour through the canals of
Tortuguero and a guided walk in the jungle and a tour of the village
(park fee is not included; US$15 pp).

Rancho Margot offers its guests a ranch tour and you can take part in their daily
yoga classes (all for free).
Transport included
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Transport from the airport to your hotel on your day of arrival in Costa Rica.
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From San Jose to Tortuguero by bus and boat.
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From Tortuguero to Guapiles by boat. In Guapiles your rental car will be
delivered.
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Rental car with basic insurance, check further down this document for more
details.

Transfer from your hotel to the airport on the day of your departure.
Costa Rica Highlights 2, Edventure 2015, 21 days
TRAVEL DESCRIPTION
Day 1 Arrival Costa Rica
Today you will be picked up at the airport by our taxi and go to your first hotel in the city
centre. Depending on the traffic, this will be a ride of some 40 minutes.
Day 2 San Jose
San Jose is the capital of Costa Rica and is located in the Central
Valley in the centre of the country. The city has a compact city
centre and the few monuments such as the National Post Office
and the National Theatre are all within walking distance of each
other. In the centre you also find a couple of nice markets which
offer traditional Costa Rican souvenirs and products like coffee. Do
stop for a typical lunch at one of the many local 'soda's' which offer
delicious and cheap meals.
You stay the night in a small hotel at walking distance from the bustling centre. There
are some excellent restaurants and nice little boutiques close by.
From San Jose you can make various daytrips in the region. You can visit for instance
the Poas Volcano, surrounded by a beautiful national park. The volcano crater is 1,5 km
wide and the Poas is one of the most famous volcanoes in the world.
Another recommendation is the La Paz Waterfall Gardens. The
impressive waterfalls and the beautiful butterfly, bird and snake garden
make it a worthwhile visit.
If you decide to stay in town, go and explore
the 'barrio' or neighborhood close to your
hotel with its boutiques and art galleries or
visit one of the museums or the National
Theatre.
Day 3 and 4 Tortuguero
Laguna Lodge, www.lagunatortuguero.com
This national park is also known as the ‘small Amazon’ because it’s just as spectacular as
the Amazon rainforest in Brazil. Tortuguero is renowned for its lush rainforests and
exotic wildlife; here you can find a large number of
birds, monkeys and alligators. Tortuguero actually
means ‘turtle hunter’ and refers to the period when it
was legal to hunt turtles. Now it’s forbidden, the beach
of Tortuguero is protected and the most important
nesting area where sea turtles like the green turtle,
leatherback, loggerhead and hawksbill are coming to
lay their eggs. In season (July to September) you can
go to the beach after dark with a guide to see the giant
sea turtles lay their eggs, a once in a lifetime
experience! In the village of Tortuguero with its many colorful houses you find friendly
people, delicious food and that typical, relaxed Caribbean atmosphere.
Costa Rica Highlights 2, Edventure 2015, 21 days
In the middle of the jungle your home is a comfortable lodge where the howler monkeys
will wake you up in the morning! The rooms of the lodge are surrounded by a lush
tropical garden with beautiful flowers where toucans and small parrots are regularly
spotted by the guests. Take a dive in the pool, relax in
a hammock and above all enjoy the peaceful area.
Early in the morning, when the jungle wakes up, you
have the best chances to spot animals. It’s still
pleasantly cool and the birds are busy looking for their
breakfast. You will make a guided tour in the jungle. In
the afternoon you go on a boat trip through the narrow
canals of Tortuguero and hopefully you will see some
of the many birds and alligators which are living in this
area. Tortuguero is one of the few places in Costa Rica
where the endangered green macaw still lives in his natural environment. Also the pink
spoonbill that spends the winter in Costa Rica is spotted regularly on the shore. You can
also spot kingfishers, snake-necked birds and a lot of herons. Besides, there are good
chances you’ll find monkeys, sloths, iguanas and river turtles.
Day 5 and 6 Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui
Hacienda La Isla, www.haciendalaisla.com
Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui was originally a small port village located on the
Sarapiqui River. Recently, this region has become more popular among
tourists looking for adventure and nature; here you will not find mass
tourism. Around Puerto Viejo you will find a lot of cacao, coffee, pineapple,
banana and palm oil plantations. A tour to an organic pineapple farm is a
must!
You will spend the night in an eco-hotel built like a traditional Hacienda
where currently an ancient herb garden is being replanted in all its former
splendor. The friendly Belgian owner is very committed to the preservation
of the indigenous culture in Costa Rica, so don’t hesitate to ask him for more
information!
You can raft on the river Sarapiqui (up to category 4), but
there are also more quiet parts where you can make a
relaxing boat trip in search of howler monkeys and crocodiles.
Via a 300 meters long suspension bridge over the Sarapiqui
River, you enter the Tirimbina reserve. Here a guided evening
tour to discover the jungle wild life in the dark is a great
experience.
At Hacienda La Isla itself you can book the ‘Sura Chocolate
Tour’, a great way to get to know about the cultural heritage of cacao, its rich history
and taste!
Costa Rica Highlights 2, Edventure 2015, 21 days
Day 7 and 8 Arenal/La Fortuna
Rancho Margot, www.ranchomargot.com
The Arenal volcano used to be a very active volcano and nearby
town La Fortuna grew into one of the largest tourist attraction in
the country. Unfortunately the Arenal has been silent for over a
year, but that doesn’t at all influence your stay
at your next destination.
You’ll be staying in a luxurious and comfortable
bungalow at Rancho Margot, an impressive
ranch, located, literally, at the end of the road. This little paradise is
surrounded by the so-called ‘Children’s Eternal Rain Forest’ and
situated on the shores of Lake Arenal and the valley of the Caño
Negro river. Because of its location, the Rancho has its own unique
microclimate that provides a comfortable temperature throughout
the year. At the Rancho everything is produced on its own
land and completely organic, so the freshness of everything
you eat and drink is guaranteed
Rancho Margot offers various activities; you can try
rappelling (abseiling from a waterfall), participate in the
complementary yoga classes, relax in the gorgeous, heated
pools or go kayaking. Before enjoying a lavish buffet dinner
you might want to book a relaxing massage!
Costa Rica Highlights 2, Edventure 2015, 21 days
Day 9 and 10 Rincon de la Vieja
Aroma de Campo, www.aromadecampo.com
Today you will drive to the beautiful region of the Rincon de la
Vieja volcano. This unusual definition refers to Curubande, the
daughter of an Indian chief who lived the last years of her life as
medicine woman on the flank of the volcano which now is called
Rincon de la Vieja. The volcano had no less than nine craters, it’s
still active and known for its bubbling mud pools at its foot.
You stay in a charming bed & breakfast. Among the activities you
can do here are horseback riding, canopy tours, tubing or hiking
around the Rincon de la Vieja National Park.
Day 11, 12 and 13 Samara
Las Ranas, www.lodgelasranas.com
Samara is located in Guanacaste province which borders the north to Nicaragua.
Historically, Guanacaste was the territory of the Chorotega Indians and later on belonged
to Nicaragua. Once the Spanish colonization ended, in 1824, the inhabitants chose not to
be part of Nicaragua any longer, but to join Costa Rica. This important event is still being
celebrated every year throughout the country, but mainly in
the villages and towns in Guanacaste. The Indian influences
you still hear and see in today’s music, literature and dance.
Economically, cattle breeding has been important and the
landscape at times looks distinctly European with all the
cows! Today many pastures are being replanted and given
back to nature.
Guanacaste’s unique climate with a long, dry period from
November to April and a moderate season from May to
October resulted in a very specific flora and fauna; the so-called ‘dry tropical forests’. In
Guanacaste you can visit no less than 7 National Parks and in combination with the
beautiful beaches the region has developed in a favorite tourist destination.
Samara is a nice little town with a large choice of hotels, restaurants and bars. The pearl
white beach you’ll find only a few steps from your hotel and the beautiful coral reef is a
must for snorkel fans.
Day 14, 15 and 16 Monteverde
Valle Campanas, www.vallecampanas.com
The evergreen nature reserve of Monteverde is known worldwide for its unique
ecosystem. It’s a cloud forest on 1400 meters above sea level and part of the mountain
range that forms Costa Rica’s natural boundary between the Caribbean and Pacific
coasts. Monteverde is one of the few breeding grounds of the resplendent quetzal, a rare
bird nowadays in Central America and since Mayan times an important sacred symbol.
Monteverde was founded in 1951 by Quakers, a Protestant religious group from Alabama
(USA). They’re breeding cows and are making Costa Ricas best
cheese, known as Monteverde cheese (you can see this process
when taking a tour of the factory). The Quakers have always
been in strong favor of nature conservation and Monteverde is
an excellent example.
You will spend the night just outside the little village of Santa
Elena, a few miles away from the Monteverde reserve. Santa
Elena used to be a small farming village with ‘tough’ guys riding
horses, now the village is more developed and has some small
Costa Rica Highlights 2, Edventure 2015, 21 days
restaurants and shops. Your hotel is owned by a Costa Rican family and exudes a warm
atmosphere and charm.
Exploring the Monteverde Cloud Forest by foot is a mystical and
impressive experience. Take a tour with a guide who knows the
most beautiful spots and will tell you unique stories about the
local flora and fauna. It’s also possible to explore the jungle via
a treetop walk over suspension bridges high up in the trees.
Furthermore, a twilight walk is a must. In small groups armed
with flashlights and a guide you go out into the rainforest to
discover its nightlife. If you’re lucky you’ll see snakes, moths,
golden hares, tarantula’s, sloths and maybe a porcupine!
You can explore the area around Santa Elena by horse or quad. But it’s also possible to
go on a canopy tour, you will be secured to a cable pulley and fly from one platform to
another between the tree tops. Fly like a bird above the jungle, an incredible experience!
Day 17, 18 and 19 Manuel Antonio
Espadilla, www.espadilla.com
Manuel Antonio is a small and one of Costa Rica’s most stunningly beautiful national
parks*. Tourists have discovered this gem and the park has become one of the most
popular destinations in Costa Rica. Avoid the hordes by visiting the park in the early
morning or afternoon, preferably not in the weekends, and you still can get up and
personal with some marvelous wildlife. Do keep an
eye on your bag though while relaxing on the beach,
the monkeys are not afraid of anything and very fast!
Manual Antonio has turned into a dazzling collection of
hotels, restaurants and
bars and the once sleepy
village now has a bustling
nightlife. You will stay in a
comfortable hotel near the
entrance of the national park and the beach.
There’s plenty to do here; rafting horseback riding, sailing
(to spot whales and dolphins!), and of course that visit to the
national park.
*Please take into account when planning your trip, that the park is closed on Mondays.
Day 20 San Jose/Alajuela
Trapp Country Inn, www.trappfamilycostarica.com
Today you drive back to San Jose and spend your last night in
Costa Rica at a nice hotel near the airport.
Day 21 Departure
Mapache will pick up your rental car at the hotel and at the hotel
reception you can arrange your transfer (free of charge) to the
airport.
Costa Rica Highlights 2, Edventure 2015, 21 days
CAR RENTAL
EDVENTURE offers its clients a 10% discount on a rental car with Mapache.
For more information go to: www.mapache.com
Please find the additional information regarding your rental car (for 16 days) below. If
you prefer another type of car, please let us know and we will adjust our offer.
Car type
Drop off date
Drop off time
Drop off location
Daihatsu Bego 4x4
Day 5
1 PM
Guapiles, restaurant Selva Tropical
Pick up date
Pick up time
Pick up location
Day 21
1 PM
Hotel San Jose / Alajuela
Basic insurance
Ja (compulsory) $18 per day
The car type mentioned above is subject to availability. In case this car is not available we
will offer an alternative in close consultation with you.
RATE
Our rate for this trip (including hotels, transfer in, rental car with basic
insurance and meals as indicated) will cost per person based on double
occupancy:
Rate per person
From US$ 1885,-*
*Please check the Euro-Dollar exchange rate via: www.xe.com
Edventure works with the exchange rate on the day of payment.
CONTACT
www.edventure.biz / [email protected]
Costa Rica Highlights 2, Edventure 2015, 21 days