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COSTA RICA PURA VIDA

Day 1 Transfer from International Airport to San Jose. Overnight at Amon Park Plaza Hotel
Located at 1149 m above sea level, maintains an average all year round temperature of 24°C .
An intimate hotel of distinctive Costa Rican character and style, the Amón Park Plaza is dedicated to providing personalized service and attention. Situated in San José's historic Amón district, the Amón Plaza Hotel is conveniently located in the heart of central city's cultural, shopping, entertainment and business venues. Only 15 minutes from the Juan Santamaría's International Airport. AMON PLAZA HOTEL has a select restaurant, the "Danubio", which offers the palate a sophisticated menu of international and Costa Rican cuisine.

Day 2 Free day in San Jose. Overnight at Amon Park Plaza Hotel

Day 3 Transfer from San José to Tortuguero. Overnight at Pachira Lodge
Early in the morning a bilingual guide will meet you in your hotel in San Jose. Transfer to Pachira Lodge in luxury minibus, stop for breakfast in Hotel Suerre Restaurant. 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 Pachira lodge, with beautiful gardens and rustic accommodations. Swimming pool, Jacuzzi, 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 : http://www.pachiralodge.com

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

Day 5 Transfer from Tortuguero to Siquirres. Pick up the rental car (4X4 Toyota RAV4) self drive from Siquirres to Puerto Viejo. Accommodation at Cariblue Hotel (Standard Bungalow)
After breakfast you will board the boat, then bus back to San José. On the way bus will stop in Siquirres for lunch. Here you will be picked up by a shuttle bus that will take you to Puerto Viejo.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 Puerto Viejo. Overnight at Cariblue Hotel (Standard Bungalow)
Cariblue offers the finest lodging among Puerto Viejo hotels. Lodging at Standard bungalow. Hard wood bungalows few steps from white sand beaches, nestled in a lush tropical garden surrounded by uncontaminated beaches and wild tropical jungle. Spacious rooms in palm-thatched duplex bungalows, with private bathrooms decorated in mosaic, hot water, ceiling fans, mosquito nets, and inviting porches with hammocks. For further information please visit: http://www.cariblue.com/

Day 7 Self drive from Puerto Viejo to Horquetas de Sarapiqui. Overnight at Sueño Azul Hotel
Located in Horquetas of Sarapiqui, about 70 km from San José, near the boundaries of the well known Braulio Carrillo National Park.
Sueño Azul is set on a 500 ha property including primary rain forest and surrounded by the San Rafael and Puerto Viejo rivers. The private rain forest reserve offers an immense variety of birds, such as toucans, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, herons, the resplendent quetzal, and green macaws. Insects, amphibians, reptiles and mammals are also found on the premises. Set amid lush gardens, the Sueño Azul's rustic-style rooms feature two queen-size beds, private bath/shower, hot water, hair dryer, ceiling fan and a private terrace overlooking the lake, mountains and river.

While at the Sueño Azul Resort, guests may sunbathe by the pool, soak in a soothing hot tub, visit the spa for a relaxing massage, or book an individual yoga session. For further information, please visit www.suenoazulresort.com

Day 8 Self drive from Sarapiquí to Arenal. Overnight at Montaña de Fuego (Deluxe Room)
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.
Montaña de Fuego Resort and spa is located in La Fortuna, San Carlos, the hotel takes advantage of the natural beauty of the area and emerges as a peaceful oasis within a magnificent vegetation and diverse fauna. The best and most spectacular view of the Arenal Volcano. Its spacious and comfortable rooms offer you all the facilities to rest and relax. Besides, you will have the opportunity to choose among different tours full of adventure and specially for nature lovers.
Accommodation at Deluxe Bungalows: With a spectacular view of the Arenal Volcano, spacious and comfortable rooms, with private bathroom with hot water, and private porch. For further information please visit: http://www.montanadefuego.com/

Day 9 Free day in Arenal. Overnight at Montaña de Fuego Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Day 10 Self drive from Arenal to Samara. Overnight at Villas Kalimba 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 Samara Beach. Overnight at Villas Kalimba Hotel

The Hotel is located just a few steps from one of the most beautiful beaches on the Pacific Ocean. It has six villas surrounding the tropical garden and a wonderful swimming pool fully equipped with a bubbling waterfall cascading into an inviting jacuzzi. Each villa is totally independent with uniquely tiled bathrooms with hot water, a kitchen unit and a large wrap-around terrace. All six villas are gems set in a tropical garden. The perfect place to relax with the soothing music of the ocean surf. www.villaskalimba.com

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 exist countless attractions, more rivers, waterfalls, boiling mud pools, vapor 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 Transfer from Rincon de la Vieja to Monteverde. Overnight at El Establo Hotel (Deluxe Room)
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 El Establo Hotel (Deluxe Room)
El Establo Hotel is located in Monteverde in one of the nicest places of Costa Rica. From the balconies you will experience sunsets and a breathtaking view. At El Establo Hotel and in mid if the Monteverde Mountains you will find the Green Leaf Spa. At the Spa you will leave your daily stress behind and relax yourself. www.elestablo.com

Day 16 Selfdrive from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio. Overnight at El Parador Hotel (Jungle Room)
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.
Hotel Parador "Boutique Resort & Spa", is located on Punta Quepos in the most pristine and tranquil area of Manuel Antonio, yet within minutes from the World Famous Manuel Antonio National Park, the small sport fishing town of Quepos, and the local airport.

It's elegant Mediterranean - style architecture, modeled after the Traditional Spanish Paradores and quaint European "boutique hotels", has made the resort one of a kind. With 108 rooms and suites, we offer all the expected amenities of a four - plus resort, with European refinement and a warm tropical touch! www.hotelparador.com

Day 17 Free day in Manuel Antonio. Overnight at El Parador Hotel (Jungle Room)

Day 18 Selfdrive from Manuel Antonio to San José. Car drop off. Overnight at Carlsson Country Inn & Suites

Day 19 Transfer from Hotel to the International Airport

DOUBLE OCCUPANCY + 1 Rav 4 OR SIMILAR

Rate High Season 2008
(£1055 per person)
( November 1, 2007 - April 30, 2008 )
Local taxes included. Rates based on double occupancy. Subject to availability

Rate Special Season 2008
(£945 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 2007
(£955 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 Rav 4 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 year old.
Ø The rental car company will freeze US $ 750.00 to cover eventual damages.

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