Costa Rica

"Harley Style"

Meals: All meals are included where noted by the following Codes. This tour includes daily hot breakfasts, six lunches, & six dinners with a Special Dinner at Tabacon Resort, and Farewell dinner in San Jose.  Meals are indicated as follows. WD=Welcome Drink, B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner SP=Special Dinner FD=Farewell Dinner

Costa Rica, "Elks Style"

Tour Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Depart Tucson, AZ for San José, Costa Rica ~ San Jose Casino Resort ~ Welcome Drink
Your tropical adventure begins with an included AM departure from Tucson. We will connect in Houston with time for lunch and duty free shopping prior to our international flight. Evening brings our arrival in San Jose Costa Rica, where transfers are provided from the San José airport to your San José Casino resort. Walkabout and Travel Excellence welcomes you to Costa Rica, meaning “rich coast,” a friendly land of democracy and rare natural beauty. Enjoy a complementary “Welcome” drink upon check-in with a brief introduction from our guides. Restaurants will remain open late to accommodate you for dinner. For the night owls there is both a bar, and popular casino within the hotel. WD (Welcome Dinner)

Day 2: Tuesday, February 12th, 2008 - San Jose City Tour ~ National Gold Museum ~ Cariari Golf Option ~ Xandari Plantation Option
We begin our first full day in Costa Rica with and included breakfast at our resort in preparation of a morning City Tour that includes the National Theatre and splendid Gold Museum. Lunch is available from a myriad of restaurants in the downtown area. Options include remaining downtown for a short walking tour of the mansions and interesting parks including a stop at the Don Carlos hotel, and Café Mundo, and the famous Key Largo Bar. For those who want to golf, transportation and discounts are provided at the Cariari Country Club, considered Costa Rica best long-standing course, swimming, and tennis are also available at Cariari For those who want to truly self indulge, you may want to spend the afternoon at the Xandari Plantation, with it’s wonderful grounds and built-in botanical gardens complete with a day spa, pools, and waterfalls, and easy hiking trails throughout this stunning property. Originally a coffee plantation, it has been transformed by an American couple one and architect, and one and artist to provide a wonderful setting. Also unique is the fact that everything provided in the restaurant is grown organically on the property. Tonight is at your leisure to enjoy the many restaurants in or near our resort.  Don’t forget the Casino and amenities waiting for us at our resort as well. B

Day 3: Wednesday, February 13th, 2008 ~ Banana Plantation ~ Tortuguero River Cruise ~ Tortuguero Jungle Lodge
We depart San Jose via the tunnels entering the scenic rural jungle surroundings of Brauilio Carrillo National Park. Cascading waterfalls, and brightly colored landscapes abound, as we stop for an included breakfast and ample time to come face to face with the jungle canopy. Then we climb down from the tree tops to sea level, with a short stop at a Banana Plantation, before we cruise through the rivers and canals of the 47,000 acre Tortuguero National Park. Tortuguero is home to more than 300 species of birds. Look for toucans, kingfishers, parrots and the rare green macaw. The day’s journey ends at a secluded deluxe all inclusive jungle lodge located on a lovely stretch of land between the Caribbean Ocean and the Tortuguero Canals. Tonight enjoy dinner in the open-air dining room, and join us for a brief talk about the area’s flora and fauna. BLD

Day 4: Thursday, February 14th, 2008 ~ Valentines Day ~ Cano Palma Reserve ~ Green Turtle Beach ~ Deep Sea Fishing
Breakfast at the Jungle lodge begins another day of exploring Tortuguero Park. This day is officially at your leisure, but an Optional Deep Sea Fishing Derby has been arranged as a strongly suggested option. You may do battle the mighty Tarpon and other deep sea sport fish.  Deep Sea Fishing in Costa Rica is truly world class, and this is one of the best opportunities available to try your luck. Closer to land, you can cruise by boat with guides along canals lined by raffia palm, habitat of howler and white-faced monkeys, green iguanas and tropical birds. Then, continue into the mysterious reflecting waters of Caño Palma wildlife reserve. Another possibility is a visit to the Green Turtle Research Station. Learn about efforts to protect the turtle’s nesting habitat, eggs and young hatchlings. Walk along the Atlantic turtle nesting beaches. You may also want to travel by boat to Tortuguero village, and can return to your lodge for an included lunch. Time is set aside today to enjoy your surroundings in a variety of ways. A final Dinner is included tonight at our lodge, with a Valentine’s cocktail, as we prepare to return to the highways and byways beyond. BLD

Day 5: Friday, February 15th, 2008 - Scenic Water Transfer ~ Scenic Drive ~ Caribbean Beach Resort ~ Puerto Viejo ~ Manzanillo Beach
An early morning breakfast is provided at our jungle lodge, before transferring to Tortuguero village and beyond. One final trip down the lush canals takes us to the pier where we reunite with our Travel Excellence guides and motor coach. We take a scenic drive into and around the Limon area before heading down the Coastal Road to our beachfront resort. Check out the little oceanfront villages of Puerto Viejo, Manzanillo, and others this afternoon, or just let us drop you off to enjoy the delightful surroundings of our Caribbean Beachside Resort. Tonight join us for Dinner and an informational meeting concerning tomorrow’s arrangements for our Special Coast 2 Coast ~ Sunrise 2 Sunset Journey. BLD

Day 6: Coast 2 Coast Event~ Saturday, February 16th, 2008 - Atlantic Sunrise 2 Pacific Sunset ~ Coast 2 Coast Event in Costa Rica
Atlantic Sunrise Breakfast starts off this ”once in a lifetime” day. A group photo will be taken for all the early risers, as our event officially begins at sunrise. Just after sunrise breakfast is waiting at our resort to bid us farewell. Let the Coast 2 Coast in Costa Rica begin, as we settle in and head out from the Atlantic Ocean traveling cross-country to a Sunset Beach Party on the Pacific Ocean. We will travel by scenic back roads to Irazu Volcano, climb to the rim, and see the green lagoon, before descending nearly 2500 feet to the valley floor below and beyond. Next is historic Cartago town, and lunch near San Jose. This afternoon begins with a chartered scenic flight from San Jose to Quepos, and the Pacific Ocean waiting on the horizon. The scenic tour continues over farmland and plantations as we cross the divide towards the Pacific. Soon the Pacific Ocean will appear in the distance as we descend to the waters edge near Jaco Beach on the Pacific Ocean, and weather permitting, a wonderful aerial view of Pacific Coast and Manuel Antonio National Park included in this special charter flight. Truly a day to remember, as we make our final destination Manuel Antonio Beach, considered one of the top ten beaches in the world! We will quickly check-in at our resort, freshen up, before heading straight to the beach to let the celebration begin. This marks the official end of the line for our Coast 2 Coast adventure, with the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean. We will take a final group photo at sunset, before enjoying free drinks and finger food at the local hangout, just across the street from the beach at Marlins restaurant. One last boarding of the bus will take us to the premier resort overlooking beautiful Manuel Antonio Beach now shimmering in the moonlight as we call it a Coast 2 Coast Day. BLD

Day 7: Sunday, February 17th, 2008 - El Parador Resort ~ Manuel Antonio Nat. Beach Park ~ Guided Trail Walk ~ War Plane Special Dinner
Breakfast is included at the El Parador Resort, before a short transfer down the hill to the entrance of Manuel Antonio National Beach Park. This morning we will take a guided walking tour along the trails of jungle and beach, hopefully with views of toucans, monkeys, and many ofther animals that call Manuel Antonio home.  This is truly a day at the beach as our tour ends at the world-class beaches of Manuel Antonio. Manuel Antonio National Park features three pristine beaches, rated among the top ten in the world. The park has easy hiking trails that wind through one of the last natural habitats of the playful & rare squirrel monkey. You may stay as long as you like to go shelling, swimming, sunbathing, or hiking inside the park. After a morning in Manuel Antonio, You may just want to rest and relax at the resort, as this day is totally at your leisure, and lunch is on your own. You may also consider an action packed afternoon parasailing, white water rafting, jet skiing, or body surfing, but please save some energy for this evening, as we have a special included dinner inside a captured U.S. Army Cargo Plane left behind from Noriega-Iran-Contra Era. It has been strategically placed on a hillside overlooking Manuel Antonio and the Pacific Coast, and a fitting farewell to this jewel of the Pacific B,SD (special dinner)

Day 8: Monday, February 18th, 2008 - Jaco City Stop ~ Arenal Volcano Hanging Bridges Canopy Tour ~ Tabacon Hot Springs Dinner & Soak
Breakfast is included at the resort complete with a final view of Pacific paradise, before we follow the coast to Jaco Beach and a brief shop stop. Departing Jaco we leave sea level behind for the misty mountain tops and lush forests surrounding Volcan Arenal. Along the way we will pass by the Carara Biological Reserve and its transitional tropical forest, also home to the scarlet macaw and crocodile. Lunch will be provided en-route with photo stops. The climate and forest lushness around Arenal Volcano is absolutely magical, and this afternoon we will have special inclusion that allows everyone a bird’s eye view of the surrounding canopy. Arenal Volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in the Western Hemisphere, with constant small eruptions, and actually glows on a clear night. Tonight we hope for just such a view, as we soak in the thermal waters of Tabacon Hot Springs. This four star resort features an absolute one of a kind, hot springs river and multiple pools in exquisite natural tropical surroundings. Full Buffet Dinner is included in this very special night out. We  added time for added soaking with return transfer at your leisure to our Volcano View Resort. BL, SD

Day 9: Tuesday, February 19th, 2008 - Arenal View Resort ~ Options Galore! ~ Cano Negro Wildlife Croc. Cruise ~ Fortuna Village & Waterfall 
Inclusive breakfast provided at our Arenal view Resort, with a complete day at your leisure to enjoy the natural wonders of the area. You may choose to head north for a full day, passing by sugar cane, teak and orange plantations to take a unique cruise on the Rio Frio inside the world famous Caño Negro wildlife refuge, home to many migratory birds found nowhere else in Costa Rica.  Watch for caimans, crocs, spider monkeys and web-footed water-walking Jesus lizards. You can also mount up right at your front door and explore the slopes of Arenal Volcano spotting monkeys and toucans by horseback. At the observatory deck you can actually hear the small eruptions of Arenal. Maybe just do your exploring in the charming village of Fortuna. Still to mention, are canopy tours, zip-line tours, rafting, fishing, & 4 X 4 Tours. There is also Butterfly Pavilions and Reptile Houses. We mentioned options galore, and we will be there to help you have a great day. This evening is free for you to explore the Arenal area’s local cuisine, Disco, or another visit to the various hot springs nearby. B

Day 10:  Wednesday, February 20th, 2008 - Poas Volcano National Park ~ Poas Waterfall ~ Sarchi Shop ~ Grecia ~ Coffee Plantation ~ San Jose
A final breakfast included and a final view of Vulcan Arenal, as we board our coach for a day of sight seeing. After a few days of life at the base of a volcano, we will head straight to the very rim of Poas Volcano for a much different view. This volcano features a lime green lagoon within the crater and a new steam vent forming near the lagoon. Next is a stop to admire Poas waterfall and the misty cloud forest atmosphere that forms by late morning in the area. As we wind our way down the slopes of Poas, we will stop and visit a few of the more unique towns of the area. Lunch is available in Sarchi, the undisputed capitol of handicrafts and known for their ornamental ox carts. Other stops include Grecia, and the metallic church. We will stop for the freshest cup of coffee on earth, and to see how coffee beans are processed and harvested. Tonight features a farewell Dinner night out at a local restaurant as we say “Hasta Luego” to one and all in San Jose. B,FD (Farewell Dinner)

Day 11: Thursday, February 21st, 2008 - San Jose Golf Resort ~ Last Minute Souvenir Shopping ~ Airport Transfer ~ Return  Flight to USA
Our final day includes breakfast at your resort, before a leisurely transfer to San Jose Intl. Airport, where we will say Adios to our guides and drivers. This is your last chance to shop and stock up on coffee before we head back to the good old USA. An exit fee of $26.00 will be needed to leave the country, before boarding our plane from paradise back to the dry country. Flights will have you home by late on Thursday. If you wish to remain in paradise a bit longer, please read the four-day extension planned for this tour. If you feel like you missed something, Walkabout is pleased to custom design a tour extension for you. B

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