Tropical Costa Rica
October 14 – 22, 2024 | 9 days
$2749 per person, double occupancy
- Itinerary
- Pricing
- Optional Jungle Adventure Pre-Tour Extension
- Optional Excursions
- Payments & Cancellations
- Terms & Conditions
Lush forests and stunning waterfalls… rumbling volcanoes and endless coastlines… Costa Rica is a paradise teeming with exotic plants and incredible animals. Enjoy the tranquil views of Arenal Volcano from your hotel. Explore part of the 20,000-acre nature preserve of Cano Negro on a riverboat adventure. Spend two nights in Monteverde’s lush cloud forest. Experience the forest canopy on your choice of a hanging bridges nature walk or an exhilarating zip lining tour. Luxuriate at a resort for two nights at Playa Carrillo, Guanacaste, known for its breathtaking beauty and fine sandy beaches. You will find a slice of paradise and so much more.
9 Days | 14 Meals | 8 Breakfasts | 1 Lunch | 5 Dinners
HIGHLIGHTS:
- San Jose
- Coffee Plantation
- Arenal Volcano
- Cano Negro Refuge
- Lake Arenal Cruise
- Farm Tour and Lunch
- Monteverde Cloud Forest
- Choice on Tour
- Guanacaste
ITINERARY AT A GLANCE:
Day 1 Doubletree Cariari Hotel, San Jose
Days 2 – 4 Mountain Paradise Hotel, Arenal
Days 5, 6 El Establo, Monteverde
Days 7, 8 Nammbu Beachfront Bungalows, Guanacaste
On some dates alternate hotels may be used.
DAY 1 | SAN JOSE
Your trip to Costa Rica opens in the colorful capital city of San Jose, the perfect place to relax and soak up the sights as your adventure begins.
DAY 2 | ARENAL
Welcome to the Central Valley. Begin with a tour of a local coffee plantation highlighting the history and cultivation of this driver of the Costa Rican economy. This afternoon, check in for a leisurely 3-night stay at a lodge overlooking the majestic Arenal Volcano. Get to know the Costa Rican culture this evening.
DAY 3 | ARENAL
Embark on a Cano Negro guided riverboat trip in a covered canoe known as a panga. These 20,000 acres are home to the largest viewable collection of indigenous wildlife in all of Costa Rica. Go in search of caimans, river otters, sloths, monkeys, river turtles, exotic birds and rare butterflies. Later, return to Arenal for the chance to relax at your resort.
DAY 4 | ARENAL
Today, explore a family-owned farm, getting a peek into the daily lives of the locals. During a tour of the gardens, learn how the plants are organically grown through the concept of sustainability. The farm considers itself a “classroom without borders.” Taste the exotic fruit harvest and experience the traditional way to process sugar cane. Enjoy a sip of cane liquor before engaging in a culinary demonstration and a farm-to-table lunch.
DAY 5 | MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST
Enjoy a delightful cruise on Lake Arenal, Costa Rica’s largest and most important lake. Then, it’s off to the secluded Monteverde Cloud Forest, a place you have to see to believe, where trees grow to heights of 100 feet! Set off on a nature walk through this spectacular ecosystem, where you’re sure to encounter many incredible species of flora and fauna.
DAY 6 | MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST
It’s your choice! This morning, join an expert for a leisurely paced “Hanging Bridges” walking tour to gain a different perspective of the cloud forest’s lush ecosystem -OR- take an exhilarating ride on one of the longest canopy zip line tours in Costa Rica. No matter what you choose, we all come together to explore one of the world’s largest butterfly gardens before lunch. Your afternoon is at leisure, or, if you would like to do both the hanging bridges and the zip line tour, you may purchase the second as an option on tour.
DAY 7 | GUANACASTE
Today we make our way to breathtaking Guanacaste, known for its fine sandy beaches. Settle in for a relaxing 2-night stay at your resort and take in the mesmerizing ocean views.
DAY 8 | GUANACASTE
Fun in the sun is in store today as you explore the nearby beaches, or simply relax by the pool and take advantage of your resort’s lovely amenities. This afternoon, visit the delightful beach town of Samara for some local culture. Return to your hotel in time to catch a Costa Rican sunset and soak in the spectacular colors as the sun illuminates the natural landscape before your final dinner.
DAY 9 | GUANACASTE
Today you depart for home with fabulous memories of your Costa Rican adventure.
“Book Now” Rates
Double – $2749
Single $3249
Triple $2719.
After 5/14/24, rates increase $50 per person.
Note: Book Now rates are valid on air-inclusive packages only.
PRICE INCLUDES
Round Trip Economy Airfare from DFW
8 breakfasts, 1 lunches, 5 dinners
Air taxes and fees/surcharges
Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
Travel insurance, visas and items of a personal nature
Expense of any required PCR or Antigen tests
**Travel insurance is recommended**
OPTIONAL 4 Days 3-NIGHT JUNGLE ADVENTURE PRE-EXTENSION
Per Person Rates: $849.00 USD double, $999.00 USD single, land & air inclusive
Day 1 | SAN JOSE
Arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital city for an overnight stay.
Day 2 | TORTUGUERO
This morning set out for an exciting soft-adventure jungle experience in Tortuguero, the Amazon of Costa Rica, in search of wildlife such as macaws, sloths, monkeys, falcons and other native species. Depart your San Jose hotel via private transportation for a transfer to the dock where you board an open-air boat with other travelers to journey into Tortuguero’s unspoiled paradise. Check into an eco-lodge built in harmony with nature using the best sustainability practices – where fans create breezes instead of air conditioning and meals feature locally sourced ingredients prepared with Caribbean flair.
Day 3 | TORTUGUERO
An early morning bird watching excursion* is offered so you may learn about the variety of local species and migratory birds that flock to this area. Join your fellow lodge guests on a spectacular boat cruise through the various canals and be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife including howler monkeys, sloths, toucans, aquatic birds, bats and caimans, as well as exotic flora. Tortuguero National Park is a study in rainforest, freshwater, and marine biology. It protects over 350 species of birds and mammals including green macaws; 57 species of amphibians; 111 species of reptiles; and 60 mammal species, including 13 of Costa Rica’s 16 endangered species including jaguars, tapirs, ocelots, cougars, river otters and manatees.
Day 4 | TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK
Depart Tortuguero National Park today to return to San Jose. Upon arrival, meet your Tour Manager and fellow travelers for the start of your Tropical Costa Rica tour.
MONTEVERDE’S CLOUD FOREST CANOPY ADVENTURE – $75PP
Experience the unique sensation of flying through nature! For nature lovers, the greatest adventure of all is to take a Zip Line Canopy Adventure Tour. Selvatura Adventure Park and Canopy Tour is one of the best soft adventures in Costa Rica. Canopy Tour guides start by outfitting you with the appropriate equipment; then they take you through each of the 12 cables and 19 platforms and through the Tarzan Swing (optional). Selvatura Park is one of the longest Canopy Tours in Costa Rica, and is the only zip line canopy tour located inside the actual virgin cloud forest of Monteverde. Feel pure adrenaline and excitement of flying up to 35 miles per hour, viewing magnificent landscapes. Zip lines ranging from 120 to more than 2,000 feet in length and 60 to 400 feet in height let you experience the cloud forest from a whole new perspective. The tree top canopy tour not only offers a great adventure but also an opportunity to observe wildlife in its natural habitat. Trained personnel (accredited by the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism) accompanies you throughout the tour. If you are looking for a fun adventure and amazing rides, this canopy tour is your best choice.
Please note: This option must be booked at least 30 days prior to departure and is non-refundable within 15 days of departure. This adventure is NOT recommended for clients who have high blood pressure, back or heart problems or women who are pregnant.
Duration: Approximately 3 hours.
Please note a minimum of 2 passengers is required. Transportation is included.
MONTEVERDE HANGING BRIDGES – $75PP
Explore the cloud forest reserve in the heart of Monteverde from up above as you walk among the treetops with a local expert. Embark on a guided walking tour high above the forest floor on a leisurely paced “Hanging Bridges” tour and gain a different perspective of the cloud forest’s unique ecosystem, its mammals, birds, plants and flora. Admire the forest floor bursting with natural wonders, wildlife, and take in the amazing vistas. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to get up close to the indigenous wildlife in their natural habitat as your local expert shares stories of this incredible landscape and the ecology of the cloud forest.
Duration: Approximately 2.5 hours.
Please note a minimum of 2 passengers is required. Transportation is included.
MANGROVE KAYAKING ON THE ORA RIVER – $55PP
Branches reaching out into the swamp, creatures bustling through the undergrowth, and long-necked birds wading into the cloudy water. The mangroves of Costa Rica are not only essential to the larger ecosystem but also function as an ethereal waterway that will make you feel as if you’ve been transported to another world. Mangrove trees live in swamps where salt water meets fresh water, creating a flourishing home for a wide variety of animals. On your kayak, discover an intimate look at the local wildlife as you gently paddle six miles down the Ora River. Keep an eye out for playful monkeys and explorative iguanas scurrying up the trees. Follow your guide as you coast along the water, making your way along the winding river and taking in the nature all around you.
Availability is based on river or sea conditions and cannot be guaranteed. This tour often runs at the same time as the Dolphin & Snorkel Adventure due to the tide schedule. Therefore, you can only book one of these optional tours, not both.
Duration: Approximately 3 hours.
Please note a minimum of 10 passengers is required. Transportation is included.
DOLPHIN WATCHING AND SNORKEL EXPERIENCE – $65PP
Get a different perspective of the Costa Rican wildlife when you venture into the natural habitat of a dolphin family. With a guide, get a firsthand look at these elegant creatures and watch as they play along the water’s surface. Home to an abundance of animals, keep an eye out for other creatures as well. If you’re lucky, you may even spot some whales or turtles! Afterwards, try your hand at fishing as you cast your line into the blue waters of the Pacific. You’ll also get a chance to swim and snorkel in the warm waves along the coast, getting a closer look at the sea life. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.
Activity is dependent on ocean and weather conditions. This tour often runs at the same time as the Mangrove Kayaking on the Ora River due to the tide schedule. Therefore, you can only book one of these optional tour
Duration: Approximately 4 hours.
Please note a minimum of 10 passengers is required. Transportation is included.
PAYMENTS: A non refundable deposit of $698 per person is due with reservation. Deposit is non-refundable after May 14, 2024. Final payment is due August 15, 2024. Payments may be made by check, cash, or zelle. If paying with a credit card, a 5% fee is assessed. (We accept MC, VI & AX).
CANCELLATIONS: If cancelled on or after 8/15/24, package is totally non refundable. INSURANCE IS HIGHLY RECOMMENED.
FULL LEGAL NAMES: must be given as stated on PASSPORT. Please send us a copy of your passport.
INSURANCE: Insurance is highly recommended. Please contact Sharon Carr Travel for a quote. SCT can book the insurance for you after your trip deposit is made. Please note “cancel anytime” insurance must be done at the same time as the deposit. It does have restrictions and only repays 80% of the trip cost. Insurance does not cover a pandemic.
The overall activity level of this tour is a level 3. This means you’re an on-the-go traveler. You don’t want to miss a thing, so walking and standing for longer periods of time (2-3 hours) isn’t a big deal. A moderately paced two-and-a-half-hour walking tour, covering several miles, hills, and uneven surfaces, is no problem for you. Walking four miles over the course of a day is very doable, as is climbing into and out of various modes of transportation (tuk-tuk, cable car, zodiac, etc.). You can climb three flights of stairs easily and handle altitudes between 6,000 and 9,000 feet. Expect some longer days with early mornings or late nights balanced with free time to recharge or set out on your own adventure. The roads in Costa Rica are notoriously poor and impacted by heavy rains each season making them bumpy and requiring lower driving speeds. In order to experience all that we have included on this tour, we will spend an average of 4-5 hours on your coach to travel to your next stay. You can expect winding and some unpaved roads along the way. Many accommodations can be spread out and you should be prepared to walk a variety of terrain to get to public spaces like resort lobbies and restaurants; you may need to access your room through outdoor pathways. This level is not a fit for travelers who require mobility assistance devices.
SHARON CARR TRAVEL IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR WEATHER-RELATED OR MECHANICAL DELAYS.
Any out of pocket expenses caused by airline delays are the sole responsibility of the client and any refunds due are at the sole discretion of the airline. Client must contact the airline directly for any reimbursement. Once again, INSURANCE IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
RESPONSIBILITY: Sharon Carr Travel/Journey House offers retail travel services to customers, which are provided by separate and independent vendors of travel services. Sharon Carr Travel/Journey House does not operate, control, or otherwise provide the services of the independent travel vendors. Hence, customer agrees that Sharon Carr Travel/Journey House acts only as agent for the client in acquiring transportation, hotel accommodations, sightseeing, and other privileges, or services for the clients’ benefit, and on the express condition that Sharon Carr Travel/Journey House shall not be responsible for any loss, accident, injury, delay, defect, pandemic, omission or irregularity which may occur or be occasioned, whether by reason of any act, negligence or default of any company or person engaged in or responsible for carrying out any of the arrangements, or otherwise in connection there with. The suppliers reserve the right to make minor adjustments to the itinerary. Sharon Carr Travel /Journey House will not be held responsible should any of these suppliers fail to provide the travel services purchased, whether through default or any other cause. Sharon Carr Travel /Journey House is not responsible for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air schedules or other causes. All such losses or expenses will be the responsibility of the member of the tour. Sharon Carr Travel /Journey House is not responsible for any loss or damage to luggage during the tour. Also, Sharon Carr Travel /Journey House is not liable for any illnesses contracted during or after travel, is not liable for medical care or the adequacy of any care that may be rendered during or after travel. Acceptance of the Tour Contract will serve as a Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk Agreement. This agreement is binding on your heirs, legal representatives and assigns. If, for some reason, a trip must be rescheduled due to any of the above reasons, participants are bound by the new dates of travel, and can only obtain a refund if insurance has been purchased and insurer is contractually bound. SHARON CARR TRAVEL IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR WEATHER RELATED OR MECHANICAL DELAYS.
NOTE TO TRAVELER: The traveler assumes and understands that there is a risk involved with travel and travel activities and/or excursions. The traveler is responsible for reading and abiding by all Health and Safety protocols of the vendor & the destination prior to travel, has reviewed the travel itinerary for accuracy, has been advised of all applicable fees imposed by Sharon Carr Travel/Journey House Travel and the suppliers, and has been offered the option of purchasing trip cancellation/interruption insurance. The traveler also understands that discounted fares and vacation packages typically involve restrictions and that changing any aspect of any travel arrangements may result in the payment of additional money.