Scott: 2 Week Sample Itin

Day 1 ---------------------- Arrive drive to Grano de Oro (Grano de Oro)

Quetzal

Today we will meet you at the airport and take you to your first hotel. This is a beautiful place only around 20 minutes from the airport which will give you a chance to rest up after your day of traveling. (Meals: None)

Day 2 -------------------------------- Cerro de La Muerte (Dantica Lodge)


We will leave San Jose after breakfast at your hotel and drive to Cerro de La Muerte. This is an area where we will be spending one night and going for one reason only. The reason is to give you the chance to see one of the most beautiful species of birds in all the America's. In the past Monteverde has been the usual spotting area for the Quetzal but now it is overcrowded with tourists.is a Here at Cerro de La Muerte there are a few small lodges that will give us a 99% chance of seeing this bird and it is well worth it. We even take non-birders to these lodges when it fits in the itin and they never regret seeing the Quetzal. (Meals: Breakfast)


Day 3 --------- Bird in Morning & Drive to Turrialba (Casa Turire)

Today we will drive to the Turrialba area with pictures of the beautiful Quetzal in our cameras and memories of course.  We will arrive at the Casa Turire Hotel which will give you great views of the smoking cone of Turrialba. This is a very nice hotel, small, and pretty good for birding if you want to get up early in the morning. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 4 --------- Raft Pejibaye River (Casa Turire)

Pejibaye River

Today you can sleep in and then we will take the short ride to the Pejibaye river. The Casa Turire Hotel is located on a lake and the Pejibaye runs into this lake so we finish the trip at the hotel. It is a small rapid but very scenic and has some little rapids but it is the kind of river we use for all families with young kids. We will plan on taking our time in the river. All of this is run privately. You will be in your own raft with your own guide throughout all the trip. In the evening you can have time to relax at the hotel or we can take you to a local village and introduce you to some of the local customs or we can have the kids learn how to make tortillas with some other kids if they are up for it. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

Day 5 --------------------------------------------------- Drive to Sarapiqui & Chocolate Tour (La Selva)

Today we will drive to Sarapiqui and get your bird book out because we will be staying here for one night and plan on checking off big list of birds. Today is around a two hour drive and you can sleep a little bit but we will get somewhat of an early start. Today we'll do the Chocolate Tour when we arrive. This is an amazing tour and the best part about it is that it is hands on. You get to eat and eat chocolate but "real" high quality chocolate. (Meals: Breakfast)

Hola Scott

Day 6 --------- Birding in the Morning & Drive to Arenal Volcano (Nayara Resort)


We will get up before breakfast today and get some birding in. This is a great spot and we can bird as long as your heart desires. When we are done we will drive to the famous Arenal Volcano where you stay in the beautiful Nayara Resort which will give you a perfect view of the perfectly cone-shaped volcano. (Meals: Breakfast)


Day 7 --------- Zipline & Visit Danaus Reserve (Nayara Resort)

Arenal Volcano

Let a little of the adventure begin as we take you on a zipline. This is in our opinion one of the best in the country because it has the best views of the Arenal Lake and of course the volcano. Also you see nothing but primary forest under you as you fly over the canopy. After we do the zipline we will go over to the Danaus Reserve. This is a small reserve but one of the best to take a short hike around with your guide. The birding is great here and you'll see many different species of poisonous frogs, three-toed sloths, boat-billed heron, and butterflies. Also the reserve is a great educational stop, proving the importance of reforestation. Just eleven years ago balsa trees were planted here that now look hundreds of years old. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 8 ----------------------------- Hike to La Fortuna Waterfall & HotSprings (Nayara Resort)

Manuel Antonio

Today we will take a hike to one of Costa Rica's most picturesque waterfalls. La Fortuna Falls is absolutely beautiful and a great place for the kids to swim down in the pools at the bottom. After the nice hike we will then make our way to the HotSprings where you have the chance to relax and enjoy a great meal and views of the volcano. (Meals: Breakfast & Dinner)

Day 9 ----------- San Lorenzo Cloud-Forest & Night Hike (Villa Blanca)

Today we will leave the area of the Arenal Volcano and make our way into the cloud-forest. One option would be to go to the Monte-Verde Cloudforest which is a very nice area but if you wanted just a little bit less crowded there is nothing like the Villa Blanca Hotel in the San Lorenzo cloud-forest. This was the property of the former President of Costa Rica and now it is a beautiful hotel where the clouds might literally be joining you for breakfast or dinner. It opens up for a whole new level of flora & fauna. When you arrive we will check you in and it will be time for your night hike. Hiking through the cloud-forest at night is a great experience. With the knowledge of your guide you will be amazed at how much wildlife is out in the cloud-forest at night and just how interesting some insects can be. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 10 --------- Birding at Villa Blanca in the morning and Drive to the Pacific (Arenas del Mar)

Passerini Tanager

Today we will do some birding in the morning and then when you are ready we will make our way to the Pacific Ocean. Our destination will be the Arenas del Mar which is a perfect hotel looking over the waves of the Pacific. It has private beach, unusual in this Manuel Antonio.
(Meals: Breakfast)

Day 11 --------------------  Rainforest Spice Tour (Arenas del Mar)


If you want to learn some interesting stuff and eat some great tasting samples of spices from the rainforest then this is the place. This is a new, very well run educational tour and demonstration of where, how, and what needs to be done to get the spices from the jungles to your spoon. After the tour you can relax at the hotel or on the beach. (Meals: Breakfast)



Day 12 ---------------------------------- Visit Manuel Antonio National Park (Arenas del Mar)

Our Naturalist Guide Eric in Manuel Antoino Park

Today we will make the hike to the Manuel Antonio National Park. If you have not seen all the monkeys you need to see then this is the spot. I still think there are more monkeys than tourists in this park. It is a great spot for the kids to see some mammals upclose such as coatis, white-face capuchin monkeys, and even the endemic squirrel monky. I was in the park last week and saw the Three-Wattled Bellbird which made that trip all worth it for me. (Meals: Breakfast)



Day 13 ------- Visit Poas Volcano Crater Drive back to Airport Hotel Grano de Oro (Grano de Oro)

"Poor Man's Umbrella"

Today we will leave the beach and drive back to the airport hotel which will be the same Grano de Oro you stayed at when you arrived. We will make a day out of the drive back as we visit the Poas Volcano Crater where you will see some of the largest leaves ever and an amazing crater. This is a beautiful crater and a chance to drive through some very scenic countryside towns of Costa Rica. After we visit the crater we will have lunch at the best place in the country which is Freddy Fressas. He makes a strawberry drink that is well worth making a toast to the end of an amazing adventure. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

Day 14 -------- Fly Home!

We will get you the airport a good few hours before you flight and send you on your way. (Meals: Breakfast)

Costa Rica Luxury Adventure Itin

 Day 1 ---------- Arrive and Drive to Casa Turire (Casa Turire)

Today we will meet you at the airport and drive you to the first hotel. This is a beautiful area of Turrialba which is in a valley and you will have a great view of the erupting volcano of Turrialba which has been smoking from the top for the last year. The hotel has a great place to eat and is one of my favorites in the country. (Meals: None)

Day 2 ---------- Raft Pacuare (Casa Turire)

Arenal Volcano

Today we will raft the famous Pacuare River. This is listed as one of the top 5 on the planet by National Geographic and we will have our own private raft and be going at our pace. This is a beautiful day and we will stay at the Casa Turire for a second night being back at the hotel for some time to relax. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

Day 3 ---------- Drive to Arenal (Nayara Resort)

Today we will drive to the Nayara Resort which is located with great views of the Arenal Volcano. This is without a doubt one of the nicest hotels in the area and might even be my favorite in the country. We will drive straight to the hotel as this is a day of travel but we will make some stops along the way to make it interesting. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 4 ---------- Zipline &/or Gandola Ride (Nayara Resort)

Pacuare River

Today we will zipline and for those that are not up for the zipline can go on the gandola ride. This is in my opinion the best zipline in the country and not only the fastest, highest, but also the safest. I take most to all of my groups on this one as it has the best views of the Arenal lake and the Arenal Volcano.  In the afternoon you could have time to relax at the Nayara resort or we could take you to the hotsprings. The hotsprings here in Costa Rica are often very luxurious pool areas just so you know. Many people expect natural hot springs but it often does not look like such. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 5 ---------- Fly to Quepos (Arenas del Mar)

Today we will fly to the beach area and you will be staying at the Manuel Antonio beach. This is quite the touristy area and if you are looking to get off the touristy path I could take you down 40 minutes south from this area to the Cuna del Angel hotel and less crowded beaches. But if you decide you might want to stay in the Manuel Antonio area the views do not get any better than Arenas del Mar. The in-country flights in Costa Rica are very reputable and are often used for cutting driving time way down.  (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 6 ---------- Spice Tour (Arenas del Mar) 

Virgin Rainforest

Today you can have some time at the beach but we will also take you to the Spice Tour. This spice tour is fairly new and the people just love it. It is a tour on the spices of the rainforest and the best part is that you get to snack on the spices. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 7 ---------- Tour Park (Arenas del Mar)

Today we will visit the National Park of Manuel Antonio. This is a great little area that I still think has more monkeys than tourist. It also is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the country.

Day 8 ---------- Fly Home!

Today we will make the drive on the new highway to the airport which is only around a 2 hour drive now.

Honeymoon Adventure Costa Rica

Waterfall Rappel

Day 1 -------- Arrive and Drive to Pacific Coast (Cuna del Angel)

Today we will meet you at the airport. We will then drive to the Pacific coast and stay at a beautiful hotel for just one night which will put us in position for the amazing adventure of day 2. (Meals: None)

Day 2 -------- Enter Cave (Sleep in the Cave)

Today we drive into the mountains for one hour and then take it off road for a bit as we make our way to the base camp to where we begin the hike into the Diamante ridge. This is a hike that will take us to a waterfall that we rappel and then we end up sleeping behind the waterfall for the night. This is an amazing experience and all your meals and everything are done for you. There is a bathroom and shower and it is not roughing it by any means. We will also make our way to visit the Diamante falls which will put us at the top of a 600ft edge which will give you a few butterflies in the tummy.  (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

River Hammocks and Camp Site

LEARN ABOUT THE CAVE WE VISIT

LAST WEEKS GROUP IN THE CAVE

Day 3 -------- Leave Cave & Drive to Turrialba (Casa Turire)

Today we will leave the cave and drive to Turrialba which is a beautiful drive over Costa Rica's tallest mountain range. We will first spend the morning hiking around the cavern some more where we will visit some pools and jump off a 30ft waterfall. This is a great way to end our stay here and then we get lunch and hike out. You will be staying at the Casa Turire Hotel which is the perfect honeymoons spot. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

Day 4 -------- Enter River (Camp at River)

View from River Camp

Today we will take the bumpy road to the put in that is bit farther up stream than the normal put in and that is because we plan on doing a 2 day rafting trip. We will be rafting for around 2 hours on day 1 and will be camping at a beautiful camp-site where all you need is the hammock that is strung there with great veiws of the river downstream. Again this is not roughing although you will be in a tent you have great bathrooms, we cook the meals, and it is truly a special spot waking up in the virgin rainforest. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 5 -------- Leave River Drive to Arenal (Nayara)

Today we hit some of the largest rapids on the river. We will plan to get an early start and make our way down the Pacuare canyon. This is a beautiful run and there should be a nice water level coming in November. After we take out we will make the drive to the Nayara Resort where you will absolutely love. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

Day 6 -------- Zipline & Nature Reserve (Nayara)

Arenal Volcano

If the adventures before were not enough than you hanging from a cable that is 700ft high with views of the rainforest below might do the trick. This is a great day of zipping on 8 different cables with unbeatable views. After the zipline we will take you to a small private nature reserve to test our luck finding some wildlife in the area. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 7 -------- Canyoneering  (Nayara)

This is growing to be one of the more popular adventures. The canyoneering in Costa Rica is a fun sport that actually takes you rappeling but the best part is when you use your hands and feet to make your way down the canyon jumping over rocks, jumping into pools, and just making a day out of being in the jungle. After this adventure we can head back to the hotel to relax or find something else to keep the excitement going. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

Canyoneering Adventure

Day 8 -------- Fly Home!

Pacuare River

Costa Rica Honeymoon Adventure

Day 1 -------- Arrive and drive to Casa Turire Hotel (Casa Turire)


One of the finest hotels in the country and surely the best in the area of Turrialba. This is a beautiful small hotel located on a lake with views of the active volcano of Turrialba. We will meet you at the airport and drive you out to Casa Turire Hotel which will put you close to the Pacuare River for you day 2 of Rafting.

Pacuare River

Day 2 --------- Raft Pacuare River (Casa Luna Lodge)

Today we will raft the pacuare river. This will be a privately operated tour and you will have the chance to go at your own pace. We will bring an extra rower as there will only be two of you. I am sure your father can fill you in on the beauty of the river as it is a no-brainer if you are looking for lush rainforest beauty. After the river we will make the drive to the active volcano of Arenal. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

Day 3 ---------- Zipline & Reptile Visit (Casa Luna Lodge)

Today we will take you on the best zipline in Costa Rica. Your father again can fill you in on the fun of this zipline. It will be eight different cables that are strung up to 700ft high above the ground. After this adventure we will make our way to visit the reptiles and amphibians which gives you an upclose look at the many different species of the rainforest. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 4 ----------- Visit Danaus Nature Reserve & HotSprings (Casa Luna Lodge)

Today is a day to relax in nature as we visit the Danaus Nature Reserve. We will take our time as we look for some different species of birds, sloth, and whatever else decides to jump out at us. In the evening we will make our way to the Hotsprings where you can just relax and enjoy the thermal waters. (Meals: Breakfast & Dinner)

Day 5 ------------- Drive to Manuel Antonio (Espadilla Hotel)

Arenal Volcano

Today we will drive to Manuel Antonio where you will be at one of the most beautiful beaches in all of the Pacific Coast. The best part about this beach is that it is home to the National Park of Manuel Antonio which is filled with wildlife and if you have not seen monkeys yet then be sure that you will see plenty here. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 6 -------------- Tour National Park (Espadilla Hotel)

Today your naturalist guide will take you on a tour of the national park of Manuel Antonio pointing out the many different species of plants and animals in the area. In the afternoon you can relax at the hotel pool or just chill at the beach. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 7 -------------- Free Day to Relax at the beach or optional Tours (Espadilla Hotel)

Today is your day to relax at the beach. There are a number of optional tours in the area if you are interested or you can just enjoy the sun. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 8 --------------- Drive to San Jose Airport!

Fly Home and start planning 5 year anniversary trip!

Gregory & Marisol Sample Itin

Feb 5th ----------- Arrive (Grano de Oro Hotel)

Today you will arrive and we will take you to the Grano de Oro Hotel. This happens to be one of the best hotels in all of the Central Valley. It is a great place to rest after a day of travel. It is located 15 minutes from the airport. (Meals: None)

Feb 6th ----------- Visit Irazu Volcano Crater (Casa Turire Hotel)

Today we will make our way to the Irazu Volcano. This is the highest volcano in all of Costa Rica and opens itself to some of the best views. We will be over 10,000ft. This is a short hike when we get to the top and a chance to look into the crater. After the visit to the volcano we will then make our way to the valley of Turrialba where you will be staying at the Casa Turire Hotel. This also is one of my favorite hotels in the country. The hotel is located on a lake and you will have a view of the active volcano of Turrialba. We stay here for the night to put us in position for rafting the Pacaure River. (Meals: Breakfast)

Feb 7th --------- Raft Pacuare River & Drive to Arenal Volcano (Casa Luna Lodge)

Don't Fall Out Gregory!!!

National Geographic has this river listed as one of the top 5 rivers to raft on the planet. You will have your own private raft and go at our pace allowing us to make stops along the way as we make our way down the rainforest on the three hour river run. After the river we will then make the drive to one of the ten most active volcanoes on Earth and that is the Arenal Volcano. We will be staying at Casa Luna Lodge which is located just infront of the Arenal Volcano and you will have amazing views of the volcano day and night. On this evening you will have a very nice dinner at the hotel. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Feb 8th ---------- Zipline & La Fortuna Falls (Casa Luna Lodge)

Arenal Volcano

If rafting was not enough for you then hanging from a cable that is strung 700ft above the rainforest floor with perfect views of the boulders rolling down the side of the volcano. This is one of those activities that you cant believe you did after you did it. Heck your boss Joe Brecko did it and we plan on making him the poster guy of this tour for 2011. After the zipline we will head to town where you can souvenir shop or I will take you to some of the interesting local spots if you are in the mood and also visit one of them most beautiful waterfalls in all the tropics, La Fortuna Falls. (Meals: Breakfast)

Feb 9th ----------- Canyoneering & HotSprings (Casa Luna Lodge)

Canyoneering
(Marisol is gonna get wet!)

Today is canyoneering which is another amazing adventure. You will make your way down a canyon that is located in the middle of the rainforest and is home to 3 different waterfalls 2 of which are over 160ft. When you make it to these waterfalls you will have to rappel to make your way down. In the afternoon we will take you to one of the most relaxing places you can imagine which is the thermal waters from the volcano. You will also enjoy another very nice dinner here. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Feb 10th ---------- Drive to Manuel Antonio (Espadilla)

Today is a travel day but we will leave after breakfast so you have time to enjoy the beach after lunch. We will be taking you to the Pacific Coast of the Manuel Antonio area which I consider the nicest beach in the country because it is where the jungle meets the ocean. (Meals: Breakfast)

Feb 11th ----------- Tour National Park (Espadilla)

La Fortuna Falls
(Great for a Pic of Gregory & Marisol)

One of the most amazing parks in the country and guaranteed all the monkeys you can handle. The hotel we have you at is located near the park and walking distance to the beach and the best part is at 4pm the squirrel monkeys make there way to the park through the hotel grounds. This species is absolutely adorable and people come to Costa Rica just to see it because this is the only area on the planet where you can find it. What many people dont know is that they pass through Espadilla everyday. The will be a great experience with one of our naturalist guides giving you a private walk through the park. The afternoon you can enjoy on the beach. (Meals: Breakfast)

Feb 12th ----------- Fly Home!