13
nights 14 days - San Jose/Arenal/Monteverde/Nicoya/Manuel
Antonio/San Jose
£1,499*
per person (double occupancy)
Remember
all packages are customisable, want more days here less
day there, just let us know.
Day
1: Fly to the San Jose International airport
(SJO). As soon as you step off the aircraft you
will be met by one of our representatives, where
your itinerary will be explained and any questions
you have will be answered. The representative will
provide you with a pouch that contains vouchers
and information about your trip. From the airport
you will be privately transported to the Grano
de Oro hotel in central San Jose. The Grano
de Oro is a wonderful hotel to start your tour of
Costa Rica as it is very Colonial Costa Rican and
in a great part of San Jose. The rooms at the hotel
are very comfortable and the hotel is one of 5 hotels
as part of the small exclusive hotels of Costa Rica.
Enjoy your dinner and breakfast in the beautiful
garden restaurant. Eat as the hummingbirds fly over
head.
Day
2: Arise to a fresh full day in Central
America. The great thing about self drive holidays
is the fact that everything is done at your own
pace. After breakfast your 4x4 hire car will be
delivered. You will start your drive up to the Arenal
Volcano whenever you like. You will drive through
San Jose and up towards the mountains of San Ramon
and Naranjo. The drive to the volcano is about 3
hours however there is so much to see around every
bend. When you arrive in Arenal you will stay at
the Tabacon
Hot Springs Resort.
Day
3: When you wake up in the morning you
will look out your window and see one of the world's
most active volcanoes. Arenal is the 3rdmost active
in the world and it erupts every 48 minutes on average
so you will be in for a performance, especially
at night. Feel free to explore the area on your
own, take a drive around the volcano and see it
from different angles. Currently the lava flow is
on the Tabacon side of the volcano however the Observation
lodge has a great restaurant view. Relax in the
hot springs
Day
4: You have the option if you wish to climb
the south face of the Arenal Volcano over the old
lava flow and through the rainforest on the Arenal
Observation Hike. Stay at Tabacon.
Driving
in Costa Rica is something that is not for the faint
hearted as driving is very aggressive and we would
highly suggest thinking twice about driving. It
is said that driving in Costa Rica should be with
one foot on the brake and your hand on the horn.
The roads in Costa Rica are known for being pot
hole infested and very bumpy. Apart from this driving
in Costa Rica will allow you the freedom to see
what you want and also to see a lot of wildlife.
Day
5 : Today you will drive around the man
made lake of Arenal. The Lake was formed when the
Costa Rican's built a dam at the end of the lake
for energy purposes. This allowed the land to flood
and also old Arenal which lies below the water.
It will take you about 2.5 hours to drive to Monteverde
where the Santa Elena and Monteverde Rainforest
await. The area of Monteverde is true 4x4 exploration.
You will stay at El
Establo in the reserve of Santa Elena.
Day
6 : Monteverde is the best place in Costa
Rica to do the Canopy tour as it is adrenaline packed
and full of wildlife. You will play Tarzan as you
fly through the rainforest. The final cable is 600m
long and goes over a massive valley. Stay at El
Establo.
Day
7 : After breakfast you will head back to
sea level and across the Peninsula down to the area
of Tambor and Montezuma. These areas are great as
they are not highly touristy and still have a virgin
feel to them. You will stay at the Tango
Mar resort which is on the beach.
Day
8- 10: With the 4x4 you can explore the
whole Peninsula and drive to Montezuma, Mal Pais,
Santa Theresa and even go up to Nosara if you want.
If you like to snorkel or surf this area is great
for it.
There
are some of Costa Rica's most pristine beaches in
the Nicoya Peninsula and most of the time you will
not see a single person on them. There is also a
great lagoon with a waterfall which is Costa Rica's
finest swimming and picture spot. The beach out
the front of the Tango mar hotel has been awarded
the blue flag which is Costa Rica's Ecological program
award and is founded on the importance of clean
beaches, education and information about the environment.
So feel safe in the knowledge you are on a clean
Costa Rican beach.
Day
11: Start your journey South down the Pacific
Coast, but not before you have taken the ferry across
to Puntarenas. The drive down the coast is very picturesque
and stop at the Tarcoles bridge to see the crocodiles
below. When you arrive in manuel Antonio you will
know as the view is one of the top in the world. Stay
at La Mariposa
Hotel.
Day
12-14 : Manuel Antonio is a protected
area that has a marine park and a National
park. The National Park is a must visit for
everyone as the beaches are some of the finest
in Costa Rica. Imagine walking on trails with
the monkeys above and macaws in the trees.
There are miles and miles of trails in the
park and most of them lead to isolated bays
and deserted beaches. The wildlife in manuel
Antonio is outstanding and at the right time
of year you will be able to see a variety
of whales and dolphins as they migrate. Make
sure to visit El Avion restaurant: a plane
perched on the cliff.
Day
15: Drive back to San Jose and take
your flight home!!
*Prices
are subject to change without notice. The price
you are quoted by our Travel Consultants will be
100% accurate based on the exact time of your inquiry.
Price per person, double occupancy accommodation
and includes domestic transportation, hotel accommodation,
tours and all taxes and charges. International airfare
is not included.
Phone:
(in Costa Rica) + 506-296-7715 Fax: +506 296-7203 UK Number: 0207
193 3930 US Number: 1-800-606-1860
