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| Tortuguero National Park |
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| Pick up time: 6:00 a.m. |
Depart from San Jose accompanied by your bilingual naturalist guide. Driving first past coffee plantations, we'll head into the mountains of Braulio Carrillo National Park where steep slopes are covered with thick cloud forest and beautiful waterfalls can be seen from the road. Just after Braulio Carrillo National Park, we stop for a typical Costa Rican breakfast, fresh fruit, coffee, eggs and the popular Gallo pinto.
Following breakfast, we continue to a Banana Plantation, where we visit a Banana Packing Plant. Your guide will explain the process of growing and exporting that fruit.
We later abandon our bus and embark on the most exiting part of this tour: the boat trip into the jungle on the Caribbean Canals to the world famous Tortuguero National Park.
We will enjoy a hearty, typical lunch to please the hungriest of appetites. After lunch we will take a tour to Tortuguero Town where you will have a chance to interact with the local people as you walk on the beach. Returning to the bus, we head back to San Jose, making a rest stop along the way and arriving around 6:30pm
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| Gold & Jade Museum |
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Costa Rica's Jade Museum is home to an abundance of centuries-old artifacts as well as the world's largest collection of Pre-Columbian jade.
Jade, gold, ceramic, and stone objects are accompanied by graphics and textual explanations. Reading the placards, however, can be irksome because the English translations are peppered with grammatical mistakes. Maps, less prone to phrases lost in translation, also assist in showing the importance of jade and other materials in various regions of Costa Rica throughout history.
The significance of these objects in day to day living, as well as ceremonial practices, is explained in depth and in a historical context. Being only five rooms, the museum is rather small and can be explored in under an hour. Walking through the quiet halls is peaceful, and the soothing sound of a fountain can be heard from the main room. Dim lighting in the galleries makes the softly illuminated displays all the more welcoming. If you feel like you need a short reprieve from the clamor and heat of the city, the Jade Museum is waiting for you with a calming atmosphere and cool air.
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| Parque National Volcan Poas |
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Pick up time: 8:30 a.m. approximately.
Duration: .5 hours
The Poas Volcano is one of the world's largest geysers with an awesome crater, over 1.5 km. wide! The volcano is active, but completely safe for viewing. This tour begins with a beautiful drive through the lush coffee plantations and flower farms of the area.
In addition to the volcano, the Poas National Park is a 9,884-acre reserve with rich tropical vegetation and animal life. The tour includes a hike through the surrounding forest that is teeming with typical plant life and exotic birds. The hike concludes at a restful, emerald green, tropical lagoon.
Suggested Equipment: sweater, camera, binoculars, comfortable shoes and rain coat.
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| Arenal Volcano by Night & Hot Springs (ONE DAY) |
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Pick up time: 8:00 a.m. approximately
Duration: 11 hours
Our most popular tour! The Arenal Volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in the Americas. From our observation point, you will feel the ground tremble and see the night sky explode with ash and lava in a natural display of fireworks. Next, we will visit the hot springs of the volcano, where you can relax in the soothing waters and be caressed by the cool night air while observing the stars and the incredible night sky above the volcano. At a convenient time after your arrival, we will treat you to a splendid dinner.
This is absolutely an evening you will not want to miss in Costa Rica!
On this tour we will also visit the town of Sarchi, well known for the beauty of the handcrafts that they produce. (Lunch and dinner included).
Suggested Equipment: swimsuit, comfortable walking shoes (if there is good weather), sweater, insect repellent, and a towel (optional). |
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| Isla Tortuga (Pacific Island Cruise) |
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Pick up time: 6:30 a.m. approximately
Duration: 11 hours |
Costa Rica is famous for its romantic day cruises to its exotic Pacific Islands!
After a comfortable ride to the Pacific coast, you will board a luxurious yacht for the Pacific Island adventure. Our final destiny, the Tortuga (Turtle) Island which is famous for pristine white sand beaches, crystal clear water and superb snorkelling. A wonderful buffet will be served on the beach. You will not want to miss this island paradise adventure! (Includes snack & lunch).
Suggested Equipment: sweater, camera, binoculars, swimsuit, sun block and towel. |
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| Pacific Aerial Rain Forest Tram
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Created to raise the world's consciousness as to the importance of the tropical forests, the New Rain Forest Aerial Tram - Pacific allows visitors to discover the hidden secrets and hanging gardens of the Transitional Tropical Rainforest from a totally different perspective.
The Rain Forest Aerial Tram - Pacific is a new eco-tourism project with 222 acres of forest. The property offers not only one of the most interesting and exuberant forests in the Americas, but also showcases small waterfalls and scenic views of the Pacific Coast, which visitors can enjoy during the Tram ride.
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| Irazu Volcano
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Pick up time: 8:00 a.m. approximately
Duration: 5 hours
The trip begins ascending the breathtaking summit of the Irazu Volcano for a view of the massive crater. On a clear day you can actually see the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans!
After an exciting tour at the volcano, we will descend to the historical city of Cartago. Here we will visit the mysterious ruins of the old Parish and view the beautiful Basilica of our "Virgen de los Angeles" with rich displays of carvings, statues and art.
Suggested Equipment: sweater, camera, binoculars and comfortable shoes.
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| National Museum
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Costa Rica's National Museum is a great place to spend a couple of hours learning about the country's history and taking in sweeping views of downtown San Jose.
Costa Rica's Museo Nacional has reopened its Pre-Colombian Room after a year of restoration. Some 800 pieces are being exhibited in a freshly remodeled room at this museum on the eastern edge of San Jose. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday; from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. Tickets cost 1,000 colones for residents, $6 for foreigners. Wednesdays are free for Costa Rican residents, and children under 12, students with an ID and senior citizens are always free.
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| National Theather
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The National Theater, located on 2 Ave, was modelled after the art deco style of Paris' Opera House. It is decorated with Belgian ironwork, Baroque and Italian renaissance flourishes and 22.5 karat gold leaf. Its construction was completed in 1897, and has only undergone one major renovation since, in 1991. In 1965, the National Theater was declared a national monument.
Legend has it that the theater was built after the world-renowned prima donna Adelina Patti refused to perform in Costa Rica, citing its lack of a proper theater. In the wake of this rebuff, Costa Rica's 19th century coffee barons commissioned the theater's construction, financing it with a small tax on every bag of coffee.
The theater was finished in 1897 and inaugurated that same year by the French Opera Company, which was invited to help celebrate its opening |
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| San Jose City Tour (morning or afternoon) |
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Pick up time: 7:40 a.m. or 12:40 p.m.
Duration: 4 hours
This tour immerses you in the rich Costa Rican culture and history by experiencing the beautiful museums and historical sites of San Jose. It begins with an orientation and drive through the beautiful Sabana Park. Next, we will take a walking tour through the historic National Theater. Completed in 1897, the theater is a masterpiece in art and architecture. Afterwards we will visit one of the many unique museums of Costa Rica.
We will continue heading to the University of Costa Rica, the Supreme Court and various sites of interest. A brief stop will be made in a beautiful art craft shopping store allowing you to browse through it before returning to your hotel and why not, buy some souvenirs for those who are expecting you back at home. |
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