- 7 days/6 nights
- guaranteed departure with a minimum of 2 persons (to the actual participants)
- weekly departures every Monday
- guided throughout in English
- on seat-in basis

Day 1, Monday:                    San José - Carara National Park - Quepos/Manuel Antonio
We start our journey driving through scenic landscapes via Atenas and Orotina to Carara National Park. Thanks to the transitional climate conditions, evolution has developed an interesting jungle here. It is a mix of tropical rainforest and tropical dry forest, something that doesn't exist in many places on earth. That's also why some endemic plants and animals can be found here. Rare Orchids and bromelias can be admired and, regarding to the world of birds, the large Scarlet Macaw can be observed here as one of the main attractions. We continue via Jacó to Quepos. Check-in at Hotel Rancho Casa Grande***(*). This beautiful hotel is owned and managed by a costarrican family and they also protect a 75 ha rainforest right next to the lodge. The hotel is located 5 km land inside from Quepos. Manuel Antonio National Park is located just 6 km south of Quepos. Your guide will take you to a walk in the private reserve of the hotel. You have the chance to observe many species of birds and butterflies. Monkeys are also very usual here. We return to the hotel, where you still have some time to relax at the swimming pool or in the jacuzzi. Dinner and overnight.
Included meals today: lunch and dinner

Day 2, Tuesday:         Manuel Antonio National Park & Beaches
Today we will visit the famous Manuel Antonio National Park. Although it is one of the smallest in Costa Rica, it is also the most visited all over the country. The park protects a rainforest and some beautiful beaches, where vegetation almost reaches to the water. On the trails inside the park we have the chance to observe birds and some mammals. It's almost guaranteed that we will also meet the Tití monkeys, which are in extreme danger to die out. There are only two places left on earth, where this nervous monkey lives. Manuel Antonio is one of these spots. The other one is Corcovado National Park, a bit more south. After our walk in the jungle, you will have enough time at leisure to enjoy the beautiful beaches inside the park. Return to hotel Rancho Casa Grande***(*), dinner and overnight.
Included meals today: breakfast, dinner

Day 3, Wednesday:      Quepos - Monteverde
After breakfast we head north and drive via Orotina and Puntarenas to Las Juntas, where we reach the bumpy 35 km road up to Monteverde, located at a level of about 1'400 meters. Check-in at Hotel Heliconia***.
Included meals today: breakfast

Day 4, Thursday:                 Santa Elena/ Monteverde Reserve – Suspension Bridges In The Canopy Of The Jungle
Early in the morning we will enjoy a walk in the famous Santa Elena/Monteverde Reserve, a beautiful cloud forest. All trees are covered with moss and allot of epiphytes are living on them, too. It is the natural habitat of over 250 species of birds and we have a great chance to observe many of them. With a little bit of luck, we will also see the Quetzal, a shy and colorful bird that already has been admired by the Mayas and other Indian populations. In the afternoon, we will enjoy a very special way to observe the canopy of the cloud forest, visiting Selvatura, a system of suspension bridges which allows to see the jungle from another point of view. Your experienced guide will explain the interesting ecosystems up there. All bridges have an easy access. We return to Hotel Heliconia***.
Included meals today: breakfast

Day 5, Friday:             Monteverde - Palo Verde - Rincón de la Vieja
We drive back to the Panamerican Highway and then head north to the Gulf of Nicoya. Here we find the Palo Verde National Park that protects a large mangrove forest. Mangroves are growing in areas where rivers flow into the sea. Palo Verde is an important habitat for many species of birds and reptiles and we are looking for them on our boat trip today. We later arrive to the small village of Bebedero, where our bus is waiting again. Our journey continues via Liberia to the area of Rincón de la Vieja Volcano. The last 20 km we drive on a gravel road, but we will safely reach Rincón de la Vieja Mountain Lodge**(*) in the afternoon.
Included meals today: breakfast, dinner

Day 6, Saturday:        Rincón de la Vieja National Park
The slopes of this massive volcano are covered by a very interesting jungle, which is protected by Rincón de la Vieja National Park. We will go for a walk inside the park today and it's usual to observe mammals and birds here. Thanks to the near volcano, we also will find volcanic activity in the middle of the jungle. Hotprings, geysirs and boiling mud holes will convert our walk into the highlight of our roundtrip. Then we return to Rincón de la Vieja Mountain Lodge, where the remaining afternoon is at your leisure. You can rent a horse and enjoy a ride over the large fields further down the volcanic slopes, from where you also enjoy a spectacular view over the Nicoya peninsula. Dinner and overnight at Rincón de la Vieja Mountain Lodge**(*).
Included meals today: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7, Sunday:           Rincón de la Vieja National Park - San José (or connection)
We end this roundtrip with the transfer back to San José. We will drop you off at the hotel of your choice or at the airport, where you reach international flights with a scheduled departure up from 17h00. You can also connect other programs as follows:
a) Beach holidays in Tamarindo
We drop you off at Liberia, where you can connect to the collective bus to Tamarindo, Papagayo, Jacó or Quepos/Manuel Antonio (at extra charge).
b) Programs in the area of Arenal Volcano
We drop you off at Cañas, where you can connect to the collective bus to La Fortuna/Arenal Volcano (extra charge).
Included meals today: breakfast

 

 Included Services Roundtrip Pacifictour

• Transportation as per description by car, microbus or bus and by boat.
• Overnights in the hotels mentioned above or in similar hotels, rooms with private bathroom.
• Meals as per description.
• 1 non-alcoholic drink per included meal.
• English speaking guide for the whole roundtrip.
• All entrance fees and taxes (excluding departure tax, currently US$ 26.— per person)
• Documentation with information about the country in English (the actual travel program has to be provided by the travel agency).

Not included

• Tips.
• Alcoholic beverages with included meals.
• Departure tax, currently US$ 26.— per person.

Departure dates:
Every Monday starting 05 th November 2007 . If you have 4 clients traveling together, we also operate the tour any other day of the week.

Date	Participants	Date	Participants	Date	Participants
05.05.08		04.08.08		03.11.08
12.05.08		11.08.08		10.11.08
19.05.08		18.08.08		17.11.08
26.05.08		25.08.08		24.11.08
02.06.08		01.09.08		01.12.08
09.06.08		08.09.08		08.12.08
16.06.08		15.09.08		15.12.08
23.06.08		22.09.08		22.12.08
30.06.08		29.09.08		29.12.08
07.07.08		06.10.08
14.07.08		13.10.08
21.07.08		20.10.08
28.07.08		27.10.08

Information:
This is a seat-in tour for the English speaking market. Please inform your clients, that there might travel other clients from all over the world with them during the whole roundtrip.