Costa Rica

Amazon Adventures

Coast to Coast / Multisport / Costa Rica Verde / Tropical Adventure / Honeymoon / Jungle Escapade
Southern Costa Rica / Family Adventure / Adventure Self-Drive / Highlights Self-Drive / Up & Down Self-Drive

Costa Rica – Wilderness & Wildlife

Tropical canyons, old-growth rain forests, mighty volcanoes, pristine beaches and abundant wildlife set the perfect stage for this nine-day Costa Rica vacation. Listen for the rumble of Arenal Volcano and watch at night as smoldering red boulders pour from its
mouth. Zigzag through treetops on a jungle canopy tour, coming eye to eye with monkeys and tropical birds. Sea kayak the Osa Peninsula and explore the underwater world of Caño Island, home to the best snorkeling in Costa Rica. Delve into Corcovado
National Park and tackle the Pacuare’s adrenalineinducing Class III-IV rapids. Reward yourself at the end of each active day with a dip in a natural hot spring, a meal of fine local cuisine and a good night’s sleep in an exquisite plantation, lodge or
tent camp.

Day 1: San José
Airport reception in San José by a representative for a short transfer to the charming boutique Xandari Plantation hotel • Dinner on
your own

Day 2: Arenal Volcano
Meet your naturalist guide for one of the most beautiful drives in Costa Rica, winding your way through mountainous farmland and forest to Arenal Volcano • Rising 5,436 feet above sea level, Arenal’s majestic peak is the most active of all Costa Rica’s volcanoes • It booms and rumbles regularly, and its nocturnal pyrotechnics show is a feast for the eyes • Spend the next two evenings in the shadow of the Volcano at the Arenal Observatory Lodge, site of the Smithsonianfunded observatory

Day 3: Zipline in the jungle canopy / hot springs
The Sky Trek jungle canopy tour zigzags via sturdy cables through the rainforest, home to countless monkeys and colorful tropical birds • This afternoon, hike a rugged terrain of solidified lava flow, keeping your eye out for sloths • Relax at the Hidalgo Family
Hot Springs with a soak in a series of four pools, each one progressively hotter as you get closer to the natural source • Dinner is a feast of authentically prepared local flavors from Doña Mireya’s kitchen

Days 4-5: Osa Peninsula / Caño Island / dive into the deep blue
A short domestic flight this morning connects you to another one-hour flight to Palmar airstrip in the southern reaches of the country • Your days on the Osa Peninsula are filled with a variety of activities • Sea kayak the Agujitas River and surrounding Drake
Bay, the perfect place to pause for some relaxing fun in the sun • Snorkel Caño Island, where coral reefs, underwater rock formations and sea life abound • Spend a day exploring idyllic tropical beaches framed by rainforest and hiking trails • Dinners at Casa Corcovado

Day 6: Corcovado National Park
Delve in to the park cited by National Geographic as “one of the most biologically intense places on earth” • Boat to the entrance to the Park where trails meander along pristine beaches, through rich vegetation and past magnificent waterfalls • Take in an incredible array of flora and fauna, including monkeys, tapir, toucans and butterflies • Return by short flight to the Central Valley and on to your hotel, Grano de Oro • The restaurant at the Grano de Oro is one of San José’s finest, serving continental cuisine in a warm, intimate atmosphere

Day 7: Raft the Pacuare River / overnight in deluxe riverside tent camp
Early morning pick up for an hour drive to a familyrun restaurant overlooking the hills of the Caribbean slope • Fuel up for the adrenaline rush to come with a hearty breakfast • Continue on to the put-in of the Pacuare, rated as one of the top five rafting rivers in the world for its high canyon walls and fast-paced Class III-IV rapids • After a safety orientation, begin your descent • Lunch along the River • Hike into the surrounding primary rain forest with your guide before enjoying dinner and a peaceful night’s sleep at
El Nido del Tigre Camp

Day 8: More rafting!
Wake up to the smell of a delicious breakfast before returning to the river • Tackle thrilling rapids and relax as your ride through one of the most beautiful river canyons in the tropics • Return to Hotel Grano de Oro in the late afternoon • Dinner on your own

Day 9: San José
Transfer to the international airport for your flights home

**Trip itineraries are subject to change without notice due to road, weather and other factors outside of our control, for the safety and enjoyment of our guests, as deemed necessary.

Activities
Hiking: Easy to moderately strenuous jungle and cloud forest walks and hikes ranging from 3 to 10 miles.
River rafting: Class III and IV rapids, no experience necessary.
Kayaking: Calm waters, no experience necessary.
Snorkeling: Calm waters, no experience necessary.

Distinctive Accommodations
Night 1: Xandari Plantation
Xandari Resort & Spa is a tropical paradise of 22 individually designed villas nestled on a 40 acre plantation overlooking the Central Valley of Costa Rica, only 20 minutes from the San José International Airport. At an elevation of 3,900 feet, Xandari enjoys a near–perfect year round temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Nights 2 & 3: Arenal Observatory Lodge
Treat yourself to a once-in-a-lifetime adventure at the Arenal Observatory Lodge. This volcano hotel, perched high on a ridge only 1.7 miles from Arenal, boasts the area’s most stunning views of the volcano and Arenal Lake.
Nights 4-5: Casa Corcovado
Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge, tucked away in the trees and naturally air-conditioned by a cool Pacific Ocean breeze, is a 170-acre private reserve bordering Corcovado National Park. Carefully designed, this unique lodge offers accommodations constructed with the highest concern for conservation and harmony with the landscape and environment. The Lodge is home to countless scarlet
macaws and provides the ideal base for your Costa Rica rainforest experience.
Night 6 & 8: The Grano de Oro
Situated on a shady street just off Paseo Colón, San José’s main thoroughfare, Hotel Grano de Oro is a true oasis – a sanctuary in the heart of a bustling city. Converted from a Victorian mansion, the hotel maintains the warmth and comfort of a private home,
including lush, tropical planting and a rooftop deck with Jacuzzis – the perfect refuge for secluded sunbathing.
Night 7: El Nido del Tigre Camp
Nido del Tigre Camp, built to reside in harmony with the rain forest, features platform tents on a 40-acre nature preserve at the edge of the Pacuare River. All of the tents are situated on raised platforms and offer comfortable mattresses, sheets and pillows. Local
spring water is used for showers and flush toilets.

Meals
All meals: breakfasts, lunches, snacks, dinners, refreshments and receptions – except one dinner on your own – are included.
Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities are not included in the trip price.

Arrival and Departures
Your trip begins with your arrival in San José at Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaría International Airport. After passing through Immigration you will be met by a representative who will give you a sticker to facilitate clearing customs. When you leave the
building after clearing customs, look for a guide holding a sign with your name on it • Your guide will take you to the Xandari Plantation. Your trip ends with a drop-off at the San José airport no later than 12:00 pm.

Included in the Trip Price
• Double occupancy rooms with private baths. Rooms often accommodate 3 or 4 people.
• All meals: breakfasts, lunches, snacks, dinners, refreshments and receptions – except one dinner on your own.
• Fully trained, first-aid certified, professional guides and knowledgeable local partners.
• Bikes, helmets and other necessary equipment – all safe and well maintained.
• Vehicle support and land transportation during the trip.
• T-shirt, water bottle, luggage tags and luggage service.
• Pre-departure and packing information.
• Incidental expenses such as taxes, dining and housekeeping gratuities, local partner and expert gratuities and national
park entrance and permit fees.

Not Included in the Trip Price
• Gratuities to guides.
• Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities.
• One dinner during the trip.
• Pre-and post-trip accommodations and associated expenses.
• Air and land transportation to/from host cities.
• All types of personal insurance.
• Personal expenses.

Pre-departure Information
After receiving your reservation and deposit, we’ll send you a pre-trip planner with general information about the area
you’ll be visiting, a packing list, exercise guidelines, a guest information questionnaire and a liability release agreement for you to sign and return within 10 days.

Trip Price $2,398 ($385 single supplement) Children from $2,198 (minimum age 12)

2008 Dates - July 12-20, August 9-17, December 20-28

Trip Reservations
Reservations, Deposits and Balances Due
To make a reservation, contact us with your choice of trip and dates. A $500 per person deposit is required to confirm your reservation. Full payment is required at the time of booking if your trip departs within 90 days.

Room Occupancy, Single Supplements, and Shared Room Assignments
All trip prices are based on double occupancy. Each additional person in a room over the age of 15 receives a 10% discount (not combinable with other discounts). Single rooms are available for an additional charge, referred to as a “single supplement.” If you’re traveling alone and wish to share a room, make the request at the time of booking. We will attempt to find a suitable roommate for you. If we’re unable to do so, you will only be assessed 50% of the customary single supplement charge.

Child Age and Pricing
This adventure is suitable for children 12 years old and up. Children who share a room with one or more adults receive reduced rates.

Cancellations and Refunds
The following cancellation policies and cancellation fees are in effect:
Cancellation 91 days or more before trip departure: Full trip payment less a $100 cancellation/administration fee is refunded.
Cancellation 61 to 90 days before trip departure: Full trip payment less the $500 deposit is refunded.
Cancellation 60 to 31 days before trip departure: 50% of the trip payment is refunded.
Cancellation 0 to 30 days before trip departure: No refund is given.