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COSTA RICA PURA VIDA - Budget

Day 1 Transfer from International Airport to San Jose. Overnight at Gran Hotel Costa Rica
Located at 1149 m above sea level, San Jose maintains an average all year round temperature of 24°C and is home to the main museums and cultural centers: the Gold, Jade, National, Contemporary Art and Children's museums, in addition to the maximum architectural jewel of Costa Rica: The National Theatre, built in 1897 through a self-imposed coffee tax and reflecting European cultural influence. Dance halls and discos where tropical rhythms vibrate, as well as fashionable pubs are part of the San José's night atmosphere. San José is also headquarters of the country's government and political life. Cultural activities, such as the theatre and contemporary dance, as well as academic activities are also an integral part of an area that boasts high standards in education and health.
In San Jose's hearth is located the Gran Hotel Costa Rica. Comfortable Hotel walking distance from Plaza de la Cultura, shops, museums. Restaurant, Bar. Rooms with cable TV, Telephone, Private bath, AC. For further information please visit.

Day 2 San Jose. Overnight at Gran Hotel Costa Rica

Day 3 Transfer from San José to Tortuguero. Overnight at Samoa Lodge
Early in the morning a bilingual guide will meet you in your hotel in San Jose. Transfer to Samoa Lodge in luxury minibus, stop for breakfast. Today you are invited to one of the most exotic regions in Costa Rica: The Tortuguero National Park. Rich flora and fauna abound in this park. The park is made up by a system of natural and man - made canals that serve as waterways for transportation and exploration. This tour would generally allow you to admire flora and fauna in their natural habitat, including orchids, birds, monkeys, crocodiles, toucans, etc., as well as the Humid Tropical Forest, where marine turtles like the Chelonia Midas ( green turtle ) lay their eggs. (Seasonal July through September).

Accommodation in Samoa lodge, with beautiful gardens and rustic accommodations. Swimming pool, relaxing ranchos with hammocks, comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, hot water and ceiling fans, and an excellent bar and restaurant service. For further information please visit:

Day 4 Tour to Tortuguero National Park. Overnight at Samoa Lodge
Opportunity to explore the Tortuguero National Park area. Hiking and boat trips are included.

Day 5 Transfer from Tortuguero to Siquirres. Car pick-up. Self drive to Punta Ova. Overnight at Hotel Suerre
After breakfast you will board the boat, then bus back to San José. On the way bus will stop in Siquirres. There you will pick-up the rental car. The town of Puerto Viejo is rustic and charming. Puerto Viejo is renowned for its beautiful beaches. The famous Salsa Brava beach in Puerto Viejo is an excellent surfing spot (experts only!). The harbor after which Puerto Viejo is named is calm and peaceful, with beautiful still blue waters and inviting shores. Several bars and discos are located right on the beach, making this a great spot to hang out at night. Most of the people in Puerto Viejo speak at least some English, as well as Spanish and often Patois (the local Caribbean dialect. Puerto Viejo has managed to maintain its small-town atmosphere and rustic local appeal. The atmosphere is laid back and slow paced. Puerto Viejo is a great place to relax on the beautiful Caribbean shores of Costa Rica.

Day 6 Free day in Punta Uva. Overnight at Hotel Suerre
Experience and live the jungle intimately. The Suerre Caribbean Hotel is located within the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge in Punta Uva featuring 40 rooms equipped with air conditioning, telephone, hot water, security boxes, television, tennis square, jacuzzi and two different pools for kids and adults, beach games, table games.
To reach the beach you will just have to walk a few steps over a trail to be met by a beach of golden fine sand and dark turquoise waters. The beach is almost pristine and unspoiled; perfect to find the peace and quiet needed to relinquish all your stress and worries. The sounds of the rainforest behind you, combined with the soft roar of the waves splashing over the shore, are just glorifying. www.suerre.com

Day 7 Self drive to Sarapiquí. Overnight at Bambu Hotel
Located at the heart of Puerto Viejo in Sarapiquí, and neighbors of the exuberant tropical rain forest, Hotel El Bambú offers its clients the most comfortable and pleasant stay. Visitors will enjoy an exquisite food in the restaurant "a la carte", relax in our beautiful and extensive pool, read in the comfortable deck, or take a few pictures of the most exotic flora & fauna. Then, rest in one of our well-equipped rooms.

Day 8 Selfdrive from Sarapiquí to Arenal. Overnight at Arenal Carmela Hotel
Nothing short of "awesome" is the only way to describe the feeling one has when seeing Arenal Volcano for the first time. Moving through the valleys of the agriculturally rich Northern Zone up through San Carlos and into the towering rain forest, this is one of the most inviting regions in Costa Rica.
Arenal Carmela Hotel offers the best lodge service in the Arenal Volcano National Park area, located in La Fortuna-San Carlos. The Hotel is the best Hotel and resort near La Fortuna Arenal Volcano area.

Day 9 Free day in Arenal. Overnight at Arenal Carmela Hotel

Day 10 Selfdrive from Arenal to Samara. Overnight at Belvedere Hotel
Playa Samara is one of the nicest beaches on the Nicoya Peninsula. Not only is it a wide and beautiful, sandy beach but it is also very safe for swimming as there is a coral reef protecting the coast from waves and currents. Snorkeling, windsurfing and diving are some of the popular water sport activities available in this area. The vacation homes of many wealthy Costa Ricans dot the landscape. Even though Samara is somewhat secluded, you can find and buy anything you might need during your stay. There are restaurants and a few shops as well as a number of tour options.

Day 11 Free day in Playa Samara. Overnight at Belvedere Hotel
The nature surrounding Hotel Belvedere, the chirping of the birds in the trees, the roaring of the howler monkeys and the never ending sound of the sea cause a new experience of relaxation and makes your stay here unforgettable. In only 2 min. walking distance from the beach you'll find the quiet Hotel in a slightly elevate position, surrounded by exuberant vegetation and with a breathtaking view over the whole bay.

Day 12 Selfdrive from Samara to Rincon de la Vieja. Overnight at Hacienda Guachipelín Hotel
The climate in this national park is so diverse that areas with a severe dry season lasting 4 or 5 months are immediately followed by others, near the summit or on the Caribbean side, where there is constant rainfall, which gives rise to a forest mass rich in epiphytes. The differences in altitude and climate play an important role in the distribution of the flora and fauna. Resident species include the resplendent quetzal, three-wattles bellbirds, morpho butterflies, tapir, coatimundis and three kinds of monkeys.

Day 13 Free day in Rincon de la Vieja. Overnight at Hacienda Guachipelín Hotel
Accommodation at Hacienda Guachipelín a typical hacienda located near beautiful waterfalls that can be discovered by horse or hiking. Swimming pool. All of the rooms have private bathrooms with hot water. Hacienda Guachipelín is a cattle farm dedicated to raising beef cattle and work horses. It is also dedicated to the conservation of the dry tropical forest and to commercial reforestation. In the last years it has participated in activities such as eco-tourism, adventure tourism.
As far natural attractions, there are rivers, waterfalls, natural pools, thermal waters, volcanic mud, tropical forests, birds, mammals, reptiles, insects and more. In the National Park exists countless attractions, more rivers, waterfalls, boiling mud pools, vapour vents, thermal waters, sulphur springs, a volcanic crater and a lake on the mountain summit. For further information please visit: http://www.guachipelin.com

Day 14 Self drive from Rincon to Monteverde. Overnight at Cloud Forest Lodge
The Monteverde cloud forest area is known around the world for its conservation efforts and lifestyle centered on respect for nature. Santa Elena is the area's main service center with various shops and tourism companies. Though its main attraction is the Monteverde Biological Preserve, the region also features a variety of natural places, picturesque paths, flora- and fauna-watching opportunities, natural landscapes and more.

Day 15 Free day in Monteverde. Overnight at Cloud Forest Lodge
Accommodation at Cloud Forest Lodge, which offers you the opportunity to enjoy a quite and comforting time in our rooms. All rooms offer private bath, amenities, hot water and a patio where you can appreciate the tranquil beauty of our surrounding gardens and forest. With in minutes of the Cloud Forest Lodge are a variety of natural attractions. The Monteverde Cloud forest Preserve, the Santa Elena Rain Forest Reserve, the Bajo del Tigre Trail, the Canopy Tour, slide shows, the Butterfly Garden and the Serpentarium. In addition to these are horseback riding, mountain biking, the local Cheese Factory Tour, artist's studios and gift shops featuring items handmade by local artisans.
An excellent trail alternative is the private Sendero Tranquilo which borders the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve and specializes in personalized guided tours. Binocular rental available. In addition El Sapo Dorado offers you the luxury and convenience of five kilometers of self-guided trails adjacent to the hotel where you can explore both primary and secondary forests, open pastures and panoramic views of the Gulf of Nicoya. These trails are reserved for the exclusive use of our guests and offer a quiet alternative to the larger reserves. For further information please visit: www.cloudforestlodge.com

Day 16 Selfdrive to Manuel Antonio. Overnight at Hotel Pacifico Lunada
Manuel Antonio National Park. In this 682 - hectare national park you will see beaches, islands offshore, lush rainforest with good trails, and may have close - up encounters with monkeys, sloth's and lots of birds. Between beaching, you can explore the park's network of wide trails, which lead into a swatch of humid tropical forest. Manuel Antonio National Park attracts with tropical jungle that borders white sand beaches and blue-green waters... A splendid combination of nature experience and beach fun.

Day 17 Free day in Manuel Antonio. Overnight at Hotel Pacifico Lunada
www.pacificolunada.com

Day 18 Self drive to San Jose. Overnight at Gran Costa Rica Hotel

Day 19 Transfer to International Airport

DOUBLE OCCUPANCY + 1 Bego OR SIMILAR

Rate High Season 2008
(£640 per person)
(November 1, 2007 - April 30, 2008)
Local taxes included. Rates based on double occupancy. Subject to availability

Rate Special Season 2008
(£545 per person)
(May 1 - October 31, 2008 except July and August)
Local taxes included. Rates based on double occupancy. Subject to availability

Rate Green Season 2008
(£545 per person)
(July 1 - August 31, 2008)
Local taxes included. Rates based on double occupancy. Subject to availability

Additional fees apply in bookings within December 21, 2007 & January 2, 2008
And within March 17-23, 2008

Includes:

1. Personalized information, maps, brochures, vouchers etc.
2. 18 nights lodging at hotels described at the preceding proposal (depending on availability), Breakfast included.
3. Tortuguero Package: ground and boat transportation San José - Lodge - Siquirres. Full American plan (B, L, D) in lodge, including the breakfast on road day 3, natural drinks, bilingual guided regular tours (English speaking guide). Tours and transfers in international company in Tortuguero.
4. Airport transfer upon arrival and departure
5. 14 days rental car Daihatsu BEGO or similar, free mileage, BASIC INSURANCE NOT INCLUDED (US $ 18.00 per day)

Does NOT include:

1. Excursions indicated as optional or as not included
2. National Parks entrance fee ($ 7.00 pp) not included.
3. International flights, airport taxes, personal expenses, alcoholic drinks, tips.

Terms and conditions rental car Costa Rica:

Ø Standard hiring includes: free mileage, local taxes and a Costa Rica map (simple).
Ø Not included: gas, mandatory basic insurance CDW (Collision Damage Waiver - damage to the car) and LDW (Theft Protection) $ 750.00 deductible and Damage to third parties 20% with a cost of US $ 18.00 per day.
Ø Valid credit card required holder head driver (VISA / MasterCard / American Express, Diner's club)
Ø Recommended valid credit card secondary driver.
Ø Available Zero Deductible additional insurance (Total Insurance), including CDW (without own risk), without damage to third parties. With a cost of US $ 10.00, the rental car company will freeze US $ 100.00 from your credit car refundable once the rental car is returned.
Ø Optional second driver charge (US$ 2.00 per Day).
Ø Minimum rental car days: 3 days; Minimum age: 21 years old.
Ø The rental car company will freeze US $ 750.00 to cover eventual damages.

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