2. Costa Rica Highlights

3. Costa Rica Hotels

An extensive tour of Costa Rica's natural beauty spots taking in Wildlife reserves, cloud forests, national park and the rarely explored splendour of the Caribbean coastal region.

Day 1- (Sun or Mon) Depart London for San Jose in Costa Rica. On arrival transfer to the
            Melia Cariari Hotel & Country Club to overnight.

Day 2- Fly to Tamarindo. Check - in to the Tamarindo Diria Hotel for the next 3 nights. The
           afternoon is at Leisure.

Day 3-A day at leisure to unwind by the beach. From Oct to Apr: there is an optional evening
           tour to watch turtles nesting at the Las Baulas Marine Wildlife Refuge (pay US $30
           locally per person).

Day 4-A morning tour of Tamarindo’s Las Baulas Marine National Wildlife Refuge, famous as
           a sanctuary for the giant leather back turtle, is rounded off with a boat  trip through the
           nearby mangroves. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 5- Travel to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, with lunch en-route, passing  through
           the plains and dry forest of the Nicoya Peninsule. Arrive in the afternoon. Spend the next
           2 nights at the Belmar Hotel.

Day 6- Start the day with a guided tour of the Cloud Forest Reserve, on of the few areas in
           Central America where the resplendent Quetzal finds sanctuary. Later visits will be
           made to the area's other attractions such as the Humming bird Gallery and a local
           cheese factory.

Day 7- Leave Monteverde after breakfast. Travel to the breathtaking Arenal Lake and admire
           the majestic volcano in the Arenal National Park. Lunch by the lake. Dinner and
           overnight Chachagua Rain Forest Resort.

Day 8-A morning at leisure. In the afternoon visit the hot water springs at Tabacon where it
           is possible to bathe and in the evening visit the active Arenal Volcano to  hopefully
           view some volcanic activity. Return to the Chachagua Rain Forest  Resort for dinner.

Day 9- Morning visit to the famous artisans centre in Search before heading for San Jose,
            through the central Volcanic range with its coffee plantation and hamlets. Overnight at
            the Melia Cariari Hotel & Country Club.

Day 10- Depart early into the Central Mountain Range arriving in the Braulio Carrillo National
             Park where you will ride on the Rain forest Aerial Tram. A 90 minute  journey takes
            you through the Rain forest canopy with hanging gardens of  otherwise hidden plants and
             wildlife. Afterwards head for the south Caribbean  coast following a scenic route to
             Puerto Viejo. Continue to the Punta Cocles Hotel  for the next 2 nights. Arrive in time
             for lunch and and an afternoon at leisure.

Day 11- Explore nature trails in the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge and the Indigenous
             People Reserve, snorkel or go kayaking. Afternoon at leisure followed by dinner in the
             hotel.

Day 12- Leave for Puerto Astua on the Matina River to board your boat for a scenic ride
             through the Tortuguero Canals. Arrive at the Mawamba Lodge for lunch and the next
             2 night.

Day 13-After breakfast take a guided tour of the smaller canals in the Tortuguero National
             park, one of the most important nesting grounds for the Green Sea Turtle in the
             western Caribbean. An optional evening tour (US$20 per person payable locally) to
             hopefully view the nestling turtles is available between July and September.
             Overnight at the lodge.

Day 14-After breakfast leave Tortuguero by boat for Puerto Astua. Stop for lunch in
            Guacimo and afterwards return to San Jose and the Cariari Hotel & Country Club.

Day 15-(Tue or Sun) Transfer to the airport for your flight home. Alternatively Take a short
             flight to Quepos for a week on the beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park or fly
             to Liberia and the Ocotal Beach Resort.

Opinion:- A spectacular journey through some of the most dazzling scenery in Central
                America. Prices bases on Bed & Breakfast (lunch on days 5,9 & 14; lunch &
                dinner on days 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 & 13).
 

2. Caribbean Highlights
 

This7 night tour provides the key to unlocking some of the finest treasures on the Caribbean coast.

Day 1-(Tue or Sun) Depart London for San Jose in Costa rica. On arrival transfer to the
           Cariari Hotel & Country Club to overnight (or Marriott - supplement payable).

Day 2-Depart early into the Central Mountain Range arriving in the Braulio Carrillo
          National Park where you will ride on the Rainforest Aerial Tram. A 90 minute
          journey takes you through the rainforest canopy with its hanging gardens of
          otherwise hidden plants and wildlife. Afterwards head for the south Caribbean coast
          following the scenic route to Puerto Viejo (lunch en-route). Check-in to the Punta
          Cocles Hotel for the next 3 nights. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 3-A day at leisure to take optional excursions or to relax.

Day 4-After breakfast set off for the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife refuge and the
          Indigenous People Reserve. Explore this important refuge which protects the
          indigenous wildlife and has some last remaining primary forest in the region (lunch
          included) . In the afternoon return to the hotel for dinner.

Day 5-Leave for Puerto Astua on the Matina River to Boat for a scenic ride through the
          Tortuguero Canals. Arrive at the Mawamba Lodge for lunch, dinner and the next 2
          nights. An afternoon at leisure.

Day 6-After breakfast take a guided  tour of the canals and trails in the Tortuguero
          National Park, one of the most important nesting ground for the Green Sea Turtle
          in the western Caribbean (lunch included). An optional evening tour (US$20 per
          person payable locally) with the aim of viewing the nestling turtles is available
          between July and September. Overnight at the lodge.

Day 7-After breakfast depart Tortuguero by boat for Puerto for Astua Stop for lunch in
          Guacimo and afterwards set off on the return journey to San Jose and the Cariari
          Hotel & County Club (or Marriott - supplement payable).

Day 8-Transfer to the airport for your return flight to UK.

Opinion: A fascinating 7 night: uncovering a multitude of the hidden treasures along the
    Caribbean coastline. Prices based on Bed & Breakfast (lunch on days 2, 3, 4, 5,
    6 & 7; dinner on days 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6). 

 Hotels
1. Hotel si como No;

Location; Located on a terrace section of rain forest just above the beaches and national park lands of manuel antonio, around 15-minutes from the airport at quepos.
Accommodation; Each standard room has a queen sized bed, ceiling fan, air conditioning, kithenette, safeybox, living room, a privite bathroom and an ocean or forest view from the balcony.
Superior; Have two king sized beds, ceiling fan, air conditioning, full kithenette, safety box, living room, a privite bathroom and an ocean view from the balcony.
Facilities; 2 restaurants, a bar and a swimming pool & jacuzzi which over look the jungle and the percific coast line. The hotel offers a variety of activities including guided excursions into manuel antonio park , kayaking, fishing and white water rafting.
Opinion; It's exotic location make this elegant hotel a unique base from which to explore manual antonio's lush forest or enjoy its impressive beaches.

2. Ocotal Beach Resort

Location:On the Pacific coast at Ocotal beach, a calm, sandy stretch of coastline about
                1/3 miles in length which is ideal for swimming, diving and other beach
                 activities. Approx.60 minutes from Liberia Airport.

Accommodation: 40 rooms with two queen-size or one king-size bed, air-conditioning,
      fridge, ceiling fan, telephone, safe deposit box, coffee maker, satellite
      T.V and a private bathroom. All rooms have a terrace and an ocean view.

Facilities: The main restaurant, Father Rooster’s restaurant & beach bar serving drinks
       and light meals, 3 swimming pools, a Jacuzzi and a gift shop. For the active there is a  floodlit tennis court, kayaks, surfing, sport fishing and a dive school & shop. Local excursions, horse riding and car hire can be arranged. A short drive from the shops and restaurants of Playa del Coco.

Opinion: El Ocotal beach resort is a small luxurious hideaway where visitors can relax
      and enjoy the quite easy going pace of this scenic location or indulge in the exciting watersports.

3. Barcelo playa Tambor

 Location;Set on a 4 mile long beach at Tambor, on the Nicoya Peninsula, in the midist of  landscaped gardens which are surrounded by lush wooded hills and about 10 minutes from the nearby airport.

Accommodation;There are 402 air-conditioned rooms decorated in Carribbean style, each with 2 double beds, satellite t.v, safe small fridge, telephone, privite bath & shower and a terrace or balcony.

Facilities;3 restaurants (`El Rancho' is a la carte), ` Cocobolo' lounge bar with dance floor & stage, swim- up bar, large free - form swimming pool, jacuzzi, disco, theatre, casino, shops, beauty & massage parlour, watersports ( see what's included below), 3 floodlit tennis courts, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, aerobics, lawn chess and croquet. There are daily actitivities and a nightly entertainment programme for adults and children. Between 1 Jun - 23 Dec guests are entitled to free green fees twice a week at a nearby 9 holf golf course. Excursions to local attractions can be arranged. Diving and water-skiing are available at an extra charge.

Opinion;A beautiful setting and a comprehensive `all-inclusive' package make this an excellent place to sample the hospitality of Costa Rica.
 

What's Included;
* All meals & snacks, * All drinks (wine, local beers, sprits & cock- tails), * Watersports: sailing, windsufing, boogie boards & kayaking, * tennis, aerobics, * Daily activities, * Nightly entertainment

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4. Blue Bay Village Papagayo

Location;On Costa Rica's Pacific Coast overlook-ing the Gulf of  Papagayo, in the midst of 78 acres of tropical vegetation some 40 minutes from liberia airport.

Accommodation;All rooms are air-conditioned and have 2 queen-size beds or a king-size bed, cable t.v, telephone, privite bathroom with shower and a verandah.

Facilities;Papagayo restaurant, Da Vinci's specialist restaurant (reservations required), Rainforest snack bar, Susana's bar, swim-up bar, 2 swimming pools, disco, spa offering treatments, sauna, massage & gym, tennis, table tennis, archery, watersport (for free watersport -see` what's Included'), dive shop, kid's club (4-12 year olds), daily activities and nightly entertainment.

Opinion;A well equipped hotel offering plenty of action for the energetic and a tranquil and charming location for those wishing to relax.

What's included at Blue Bay Village;
* All meals & snacks,  * Unlimited domestic and select international spirits, wine, beer & soft drink,
* disco 10pm-1am (drinks included), * non- motorised watersports (windsurfing, hobie cats, kayaks, & snorkelling, * complimentary scuba lesson in pool, * tennis, * use of the gym, steam room & sauna at the spa, * children's programme, * daily activiities, nightly entertainment.