Day 1 – Thursday, April 7, 2011 Welcome to San Jose, Costa Rica!
San Jose & Surroundings
San Jose is the capital city of Costa Rica, and by far, the largest city in the country. This is a cosmopolitan city complete with entertainment and nightlife.
Group members will arrive at San Jose’s Juan Santa Maria International Airport throughout the day. Upon clearing immigration and customs, our representative will escort arriving passengers to the Crowne Plaza Corobibi Hotel Shuttle for the 20-minute drive to our hotel. After check-in, relax at the hotel or take a trip into downtown San Jose to explore. This evening, we gather together for our Group Welcome and Orientation, followed by dinner. (D)
Day 2 – Friday, April 8, 2011 San Jose – Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio National Park is the most popular area in Costa Rica with beautiful white sand beaches surrounded by emerald waters and jungle. You will get a feel for the history and geography of the area as well as viewing firsthand sloths, monkeys, birds and many different kinds of animals.
Quepos is one of the most beautiful areas in Costa Rica. It is the home of the world famous Manuel Antonio National Park. This park combines the rain forest and breath-taking white sand beaches. Manuel Antonio has become a Mecca for the jet set and Hollywood celebrities that come to enjoy the serenity of the place, combined with an active nightlife that includes restaurants, bars and discotheques. The place has received plenty of coverage in travel magazines, which have listed it as one of the 10 most beautiful scenic places in the world.
This morning, we’ll board our air-conditioned coach and travel 3½ hours to Manuel Antonio. This beautiful drive will take us west of the central valley to the town of Atenas. We’ll continue down the southern mountains of the central valley towards Orotina, home to some of the country’s top fruit producers. We’ll stop at one of the fruit stands and taste some of the local tropical delicacies, some not found outside of Costa RIca. The drive will continue towards the beaches of the Central Pacific, driving past Herradura, Jaco, Hermosa, Esterillos and Parrita en route to Quepos, a fishing town near Manuel Antonio. We continue to the resort and National Park region. After checking into our Garden and Jungle Rooms at Hotel Parador, we have the rest of the afternoon to enjoy the amenities of the hotel, including three swimming pools, a wonderful spa, tennis courts and two bars. We’ll have the opportunity to hike downhill to the beach or explore the region. In the evening, we will have a Shabbat service, followed by a group dinner at the Hotel Parador. (B, D)
Day 3 – Saturday, April 9, 2011 Manuel Antonio
We’ll begin our day with a tour of the renowned Manuel Antonio National Park. A naturalist guide will lead this tour through the park and point out interesting wildlife including three species of monkeys; sloths; iguanas and myriad species of birds. Upon conclusion of the tour, a picnic lunch will be served at the beach in the National Park. Choose to spend the rest of the day on one of the country’s most beautiful and undeveloped beaches, or board the bus for the return drive to the hotel. For those choosing to stay at the park, the bus will come back for you at closing time (4:00 pm) for the drive back to Parador. This evening, be our guest for Monkey Hour, an evening of music, monkeys and a magical sunset! We’ll take you to our favorite bar, high up in the treetops. As the sun sets, the monkeys come “home” to the trees, and you can watch them grooming each other, mommy monkeys interacting with their babies and young monkeys being playful as they run from tree to tree. Although we can’t promise what the monkeys will do, we can promise you some wonderful drinks, and an opportunity to “hang” together in the treetops. After, join us across the street for an optional dinner with local music. (B, L)
Day 4 – Sunday, April 10, 2011 Manuel Antonio
Following breakfast, we’ll be going to the Damas Island Estuary Tour. Our group will board boats and move through acres of a protected, pristine Costa Rican estuary. We’ll have the opportunity to look for caimans, sloths, crocodiles, stunning rainbow boas, white face monkeys, egrets, and so many more species of wildlife, as our boat leisurely winds its way through the mangrove channels along the gentle currents of the coastal tides. Upon completion, lunch* will be served at operation center (*note, depending on tides and departure time, breakfast may be served instead of lunch). This afternoon can be spent relaxing on the beach, swimming, or enjoying this resort property and the beauty of this beach area or embark on an optional half-day activity in the region. (B, L)
Day 5 – Monday, April 11, 2011 Manuel Antonio – Monteverde
Monteverde
Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve, founded in 1972 and privately owned by the nonprofit Tropical Science Center, covers more than 10,500 hectares. Guided hikes or maps for do-it-your-selfers give access to the well-marked trails, waterfalls, rivers, and the observation area. No one should leave Monteverde without having at least tried seeing a “Quetzal”, one of the most beautiful birds in the world. Monteverde holds the largest variety of butterflies and moths in the world. Visitors will see an amazing variety of flora and fauna.
Monteverde Cloud Forest has a special meaning to Americans, since it was founded by American Quakers; people who came to Costa Rica in the early 50’s looking for a quiet and peaceful place. This cloud forest has become one of the most visited and praised areas in all of Costa Rica.
Following breakfast, we’ll board our coach for the 4½ hour drive to the Monteverde Cloud Forest region. This scenic drive heads up the Central Pacific coastline, past the port of Puntarenas and then onto the InterAmerican Highway heading north. Shortly after, we begin the climb to the Cloud Forest Region to an altitude of over 6,900 feet above sea level. This drive features breathtaking views of the mountains as the vegetation changes from tropical rainforest to high altitude cloud forest. We’ll arrive in the region and check into our hotel.
This afternoon, we’ll take you on a hike to the surrounding area, looking for plants and animals that are indigenous to this area. In the evening, we’ll have dinner together at El Establo. (B, D)
Day 6 – Tuesday, April 12, 2011 Monteverde
Our day will begin early as we start with a hearty breakfast, before embarking on our Sky Walk. Our naturalist guide will lead us through a series of hanging bridges with the opportunity to explore the Cloud Forest from three different perspectives: from the ground level, from the mid section and from above. From these vantage points, we can spot various species of flora and fauna, which inhabit the different levels of the forest.
Deep green mosses, gigantic Jurassic sized ferns, and ancient orchids cover the surrounding area. Families of howler monkeys can pass over our heads while we explore this magical wonderland.
Enjoy the Sky Tram as we take you up to the Continental Divide and observe amazing flora and fauna of the Cloud Forest below. Weather permitting, you’ll be able to see the Pacific Ocean and the volcanoes of Costa Rica in the distance.
Our day continues with participation in one of Costa Rica’s signature adventures: the Sky Trek Canopy Tour. After reviewing safety instructions and receiving the required gear, our group will subdivide and participate in this adventure. Embark on one of Costa Rica’s top canopy adventures as you glide down multiple zip lines for a total of over 1.5 miles of cable. This is a fantastic way to experience the Cloud Forest and the magnificent scenery of the parks.
The rest of the afternoon is yours to relax in the hotel pool, walk around the grounds or enjoy the surroundings of Monteverde. (B)
Day 7 – Wednesday, April 13, 2011 Monteverde – Arenal
Arenal Area
The Arenal volcano is the main attraction here as this volcano has been active since 1968, and erupts 3 to 4 times every 60- minutes! This assures visitors a grandiose spectacle that cannot be matched by any other volcano in the world.
Following a leisurely breakfast, we’ll check out of our hotel and board vans. Driving 2½ hours down the mountain from the Cloud Forest Region, we arrive at the shores of Lake Arenal. After reaching the lake, we board a boat for a short ride across, where we’ll be met by our drivers who will take our group to Tabacon. From here it’s a 15-minute drive to Tabacon Grand Spa Resort, our hotel for the next three nights. Upon arrival, we’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the Hot Springs and pools that make this resort famous throughout all of Costa Rica. You’ll have the opportunity to book spa treatments and stroll the manicured tropical gardens on the property.
This evening, enjoy “free drinks” as we enjoy an Amazing Journeys Happy Hora. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy dinner in the town of La Fortuna, or spend leisure time at the resort. (B)
Day 8 – Thursday, April 14, 2011 Arenal
Following breakfast, we will offer an opportunity to choose between two tours, showing us the beauty of this area. The first option is a Horseback Ride to La Fortuna Waterfall, and the second tour option is Canyoning.
Those choosing the La Fortuna Waterfall Tour by horse will be transported to the stables where horses will be assigned. Ride through pastureland, rolling hills, and tropical rainforest until reaching the upper part of the falls. Leave the horses and hike down to the cascading La Fortuna Waterfall. Enjoy a swim in the fresh water pool or hike around in the forest. After time in the falls, the group will return to the stables on horseback. Upon completion of tour, lunch will be served at a local restaurant and then it is back to Tabacon to enjoy the resort.
The second tour option is Canyoning. We’ll be transported to a remote waterfall canyon where we rappel down 5 routes into the water below. Rappels range from 20-50 meters–this activity is sure to get your blood flowing! Upon completion of the tour, enjoy lunch at the canyoning operations center before returning to Tabacon to enjoy our spectacular resort. (B, L)
Day 9 – Friday, April 15, 2011 Arenal
After breakfast at our resort, we drive to Arenal Volcano National Park where we begin this tour. Our hike begins in the rainforest and takes us over areas that were previously destroyed by volcanic activity and are now in the process of regeneration. The hike will end at the base of the volcano where participants will learn about the history of the volcano. Magnificent views of the volcano and the region surround us on this gentle hike.
Upon conclusion, we return to Tabacon and enjoy the last evening at the hot springs. At sundown, we’ll have a Shabbat Service and dinner – Jewish traditions and Costa Rican grill cooking will blend to make this a unique experience. (B, D)
Day 10 – Saturday, April 16, 2011 Arenal – San Jose
This morning is free to relax and enjoy the resort and hot springs. Later this morning, we will check out of Tabacon Resort and board the bus for the 2½ hour drive to San Jose. We’ll travel through the San Carlos flatlands, one of Costa Rica’s most productive regions. The landscape will feature cassava (yucca), pineapple, orange and papaya plantations and large cattle farms. We arrive at the Crowne Plaza Corobici. This evening, enjoy our Amazing Journeys Farewell Event, followed by an incredible group dinner at a quaint restaurant overlooking the Central Valley. (B, D)
Day 11 – Sunday, April 17, 2011 San Jose – Home
Throughout the day, group members will be transferred from our hotel to the San Jose International Airport for their flights back home. (B)
Your Costa Rican Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1 Crowne Plaza Corobici, San Jose
Day 2-4 El Parador, Manuel Antonio
Day 5, 6 Hotel El Establo, Monteverde
Day 7-9 Tabacon Grand Spa Resort, Arenal Volcano
Day 10 Crowne Plaza Corobici, San Jose
Please Note: Hotels listed above may change without notice. While on tour, the order of days may change. Due to early arrival times in some cities, rooms may not always be ready for immediate check-in. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed with the exception of visits to wildlife parks.
