“If you need a guided tour to Costa Rica, you can’t do better than with Caravan Tours.” September 2007 See what Arthur Frommer says about us in his syndicated Budget Travel column. Caravan provides transfers to the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San José, Costa Rica arriving at 5:00 a.m, 7:00 a.m, 9:00 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. Your tour ends after breakfast this morning at your hotel. Enjoy your hotel's pools and rooftop terrace, or visit nearby artisan shops. (Tours beginning on Mondays will visit the adjacent public beach instead due to park closures.) The rest of your morning is at leisure. Hike through rainforest and along spectacular beach coves. Dinner.Įarly morning visit to world famous Manuel Antonio National Park, a natural habitat for the white face monkey, the rare squirrel monkey, and the three-toed sloth. You'll stay at the only hotel next to the National Park, conveniently located directly at the entrance. This tropical bird and wildlife sanctuary is a nesting site for the scarlet macaw. Look for white and snowy egrets and the amazing nests of the montezuma oropendola. Enjoy bird watching and crocodile spotting. Next, cruise on the Tarcoles River, adjacent to the Carara Biological Reserve.
This morning, drive though the cattle ranches of Guanacaste. Time to beachcomb while strolling your resort’s pristine beach. Visit the elegant spa or swim in your hotel’s infinity pool, the largest in Central America.
The remainder of the day is free to enjoy your magnificent world class beach resort. Learn about Costa Rica's efforts to protect this endangered giant. The leatherback is the largest marine reptile in the world, weighing over 1,500 pounds. Morning visit to Leatherback Turtle National Park. Marriott Guanacaste Resort and Spa for a relaxing two night stay. Then, to Costa Rica’s beautiful Pacific Coast. Next, enjoy a scenic drive around Lake Arenal. Weather permitting, enjoy views of majestic Arenal Volcano. With a naturalist guide, hike the suspension bridges. This afternoon enjoy a relaxing soak in the volcanic hot springs. Watch for caimans, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, green iguanas, and water-walking lizards. Look for black turtles, whistling ducks, roseate spoonbills, cormorants, anhingas, blue heron, and northern jacanas.
Then, cruise on the Rio Frio, gateway to the world famous Caño Negro wildlife refuge, home to many migratory birds found nowhere else in Costa Rica. Head north this morning, passing through sugar cane, teak, pineapple, and orange plantations. Continue to Fortuna in the San Carlos Valley for a two night stay. Here, injured animals are rehabilitated for release back into the wild. This morning, drive by San Jose’s Plaza de la Cultura, Central Park, and the National Theatre. Then, return to Costa Rica's capital, San José. Costa Rica's climate and rich soil help create exceptional coffee. Enjoy a guided tour at a coffee plantation. Continue through Costa Rica's famous coffee growing region. Considered the national symbol of Costa Rica, oxcarts were historically used for the transport of coffee beans and supplies. Visit an oxcart factory where oxcarts are hand-painted with elaborate designs. Here you can shop for colorful, traditional Costa Rican handicrafts. Stop at the artisan village of Sarchi, nestled on the slopes of the Central Mountain Range. This morning, head through Costa Rica's Central Valley.
Rooms are available for check-in after 4:00 p.m. Caravan provides transfers from the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San José, Costa Rica to your hotel for a two night stay. During your Costa Rica vacation, you'll see exotic birds and wildlife, hike in jungle rainforests, view volcanoes, soak in hot springs and cruise through biological reserves. Welcome to the “rich coast,” friendly land of democracy and rare natural beauty.