Southern Costa Rica

Amazon Adventures

Costa Rica

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

Southern Costa Rica - Away From the Crowds

Day 1 You will be welcomed at the airport by a guide, who will hand over to you the information package including documentation on Costa Rica, a map, brochures of properties and attractions as well as recommendations what to bring and wear to the excursions. As well you will receive your vouchers with this package. The guide will do a general introduction of Costa Rica, pointing out the essential information for first time visitors, including tips, routes and recommendations. Transfer in from International Airport and overnight at hotel Casa Conde.

Day 2 (B,D) San José & Central Valley - Savegre: After breakfast you will depart with your private guide & driver to the Irazú Volcano, just one hour away from San José. Perched at 11,000 feet on the highest peak in Costa Rica's Central Mountain Range, you could see both the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans on a clear day. Besides walking to visit the crater's sightseeing point, you may also wish to wander across a lunar-like landscape. Continue to visit Cartago, the old capital of Costa Rica with its beautiful basilica.

In the afternoon you will visit the Lankester Garden, located near Cartago. This botanical garden is widely known for its collection of epiphytes among which the orchids are the most outstanding. It features more than 800 species of local and foreign orchids, and along the well-maintained trails are many other plants such as bromeliads, heliconias, gingers, ferns, bamboo, cactus and a variety of tree species to discover. Afterwards your driver will take you to Savegre, a beautiful mountain range located about 85 kilometres southeast of San José. Dinner and overnight at Savegre Mountain Lodge.

Day 3 (B,L,D) Savegre: Get up early and hike with a guide through the surrounding rain forest. Right after sunrise is the best time to observe a great number of birds, among them the resplendent quetzal. This colourful bird played an important role in the religious life of Maya and Aztec Indians and can be observed almost all year round in the Savegre area.

Rest of day leisure. For a few additional charge you can rent a bike or walk on the private trails of the lodge. Overnight at Savegre Mountain Lodge.

Day 4 (B,L,D) Savegre - Piedras Blancas: Get deeper into the south! In the morning you will head with your driver to Esquinas Lodge that borders with the Piedras Blancas National Park, where Mother Nature offers an incredible diversity of flora and fauna.
Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of the hotel. Overnight at Esquinas Lodge.

Day 5 (B,L,D) Piedras Blancas: After breakfast take a ride through the valley of La Gamba and proceed to a picturesque waterfall, where you can swim in a natural pool surrounded by virgin rainforest. On the way back to the lodge, we stop to wander around the typical rural Costa Rican village of La Gamba. Alternatively this tour can be operated with mountain bikes. Overnight at Esquinas Lodge.

Day 6 (B,L,D) Piedras Blancas: Today you will start with your guide to a hike into thick jungle of Piedras Blancas National Park. Established by law in 1991 this National Park has grown considerably since then. With the support and the donation of money of more than 13.000 Austrians the country's government has been able to purchase private land bordering the park and donated it to Costa Rica. When hiking through the park keep your eyes open and you might see encountering monkeys, coatis, pacas, or even wildcats.Overnight at Esquinas Lodge.

Day 7 (B) Piedras Blancas - Uvita: After breakfast a driver of Esquinas Lodge will take you to Punta Uvita on the Southern Pacific Coast. The area around Punta Uvita, including the Marino Ballena National Park, is still widely unexplored by tourism but nevertheless has much to offer. Lots of nature, scenic coastal views and lovely beaches as well as whales and dolphins passing by in certain times of the year are the main attractions of this zone. Overnight at Cristal Ballena.

Day 8 (B) Uvita: In the morning you will have a boat ride along the coast of Marino Ballena National Park. From December to April you can observe whales coming down from Alaska, Hawaii and Baja California. Relax at a remote bay, accessible only from the sea side, and snorkel in the clear waters of the ocean. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at Cristal Ballena.

Day 9 (B) Uvita: Today depart with a driver to Hacienda Barú Wildlife Refuge. Hacienda Barú´s 330 hectares (815 acres) have a fantastic variety of habitats, from wetland and secondary forest in the lowlands to primary forest on the highland coastal ridge. Seven kilometers of trails and three kilometers of pristine beach are here to be explored, as well as an orchid garden and butterfly garden. From the birding tower you have the possibility not only to observe some over the over 300 bird species of Hacienda Barú, as well you can enjoy a wonderful view over the Pacific coast line. Overnight at Cristal Ballena.

Day 10 (B) Uvita - Carara: After breakfast a private driver will drive you to Villa Lapas near the Carara National Park on the Central Pacific Coast. In the afternoon you will experience the Sky Walk, located in the private reserve of the hotel. The tour combines hanging bridges with walks along nature trails running through tropical forest that is typical of the area. It consists of 5 hanging bridges that range between 27 and 45 meters in height (89 - 147 feet) The views are very scenic as, from here, you can see the Pacific Ocean, the beach and the mountains.
Overnight at Villa Lapas.

Day 11 (B) Carara - San José: Depending on your flight time you will be picked up at Villa Lapas for the transfer to the International Airport that less than two hours away.

Prices per person in US$
high season (Nov. 1 2007-April 30 2008) - US$1866 per person double occupancy, $1452 triple occupancy
low season (May 1-Oct. 31 2008) - US$1770 per person double occupancy, $1349 triple occupancy

(please note - this is a sample itinerary and can be shortened or amended in other ways)

Includes:
Accommodation
" 1 night at Casa Conde, San José, Suite
" 2 nights at Savegre Mountain Lodge, Savegre, Standard room
" 3 nights at Esquinas Lodge, Piedras Blancas, Standard room
" 3 nights at Cristal Ballena, Uvita, Suite
" 1 night at Villa Lapas, Carara, Standard room

Meals
As described in the program (B -Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner)

Private transportation
" Transfer in from International Airport to hotel in San José
" San José - Irazú - Cartago - Lankaster - Savegre
" Savegre - Esquinas Lodge
" Esquinas Lodge - Uvita
" Uvita - Hacienda Barú - Uvita
" Uvita - Carara
" Carara - San José

Tours
" Tour to Irazú Volcano National Park, Cartago and Lankaster Garden with private English-speaking guide
" Birdwatching tour at Savegre with English-speaking guide
" Tours at Esquinas Lodge as described in the program, with English-speaking guide
" Boat tour through Marino Ballena National Park with English-speaking guide
" Hike through Hacienda Barú
" Sky Walk at Villa Lapas with English-speaking guide

Entrance Fees
" Entrance to Irazú Volcano National Park
" Entrance to Lankaster Garden
" Entrance to Piedras Blancas National Park
" Entrance to Marino Ballena National Park
" Entrance to Hacienda Barú Wildlife Refuge

Information Package & Map

Meet & Greet

HOTEL DESCRIPTIONS

CASA CONDE APARTOTEL & SUITES, SAN JOSE & CENTRAL VALLEY
Located just 5 minutes from San José and 30 minutes from the Juan Santamaría International Airport, Casa Conde Apartotel & Suites offers the most sophisticated and modern installations for a demanding local and international market.

Whether for business, study or pleasure, the Apartotel offers security, comfort, and a friendly environment - at an affordable price. Casa Conde offers 110 fully-furnished two-bedroom luxury apartments, equipped with kitchen, dining room, sofa bed, 25-inch Television with DVD player, home theater system and air conditioning. Hotel services include room service, laundry services, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna. Furthermore the hotel services include parking, 24-hour security, laundry service, and a computer center equipped with Internet access, fax, photocopy machine and scanner. Transportation to the popular and centrally located Mall San Pedro is also available.

For special events and business meetings, guests are welcome to use the modern Conference Room, equipped with the latest in business presentation technology. Dine in the gourmet Restaurant Rincón del Conde, specializing in fine international cuisine and classic Costa Rican dishes, with buffet-style breakfasts and full-menu lunch and dinner.

EXPERT'S EYE: This is a well-located hotel in San Jose next to Parque de la Paz, equipped with modern, comfortable, colonial style apartments, which provide a cozy, home away from home atmosphere.

SAVEGRE LODGE, SAVEGRE VALLEY
This lodge is located 90 km South of San José in the mountainous region of San Gerardo de Dota (a 2 hour drive from San José on a mountain paved road that turns). Savegre is set in the foothills of a mountain in the southern Central Valley, at an altitude of 2200 m/7300 feet. During both the dry season (from mid November to mid May), and the rainy season (from mid May to mid November), the average temperatures are 22°C/71°F.

The lodge has 31 rooms, 21 standard rooms and 10 Junior Suites all equipped with private bathroom, hot water, telephone, a furnace, and safety deposit box. The Junior Suites have an additional fireplace. There are no televisions in the rooms. Other facilities include a restaurant serving homemade Costa Rican and International meals, laundry service and currency exchange. Some activities in the area include horseback riding, guided bird watching tours, fishing, and walking along the forest trails. Birds such as quetzals and trogons are common in the area. A very popular activity is trout fishing at the nearby river (about 50 meters/170 feet from the lodge).

EXPERT'S EYE: Ideal for birdwatchers, and naturalists that enjoy wilderness, as well as the cold, misty, and rustic atmosphere of the mountains.

ESQUINAS RAIN FOREST LODGE, GOLFITO
Immersed in the lush vegetation of the South Pacific Coast, and bordering Piedras Blancas National Park, 6 hours away from San José and 30 min from Golfito Airport, Esquinas aim is to preserve the natural diversity of the area and to promote the community's development. The lodge offers 14 wooden and rustically Cabins, with 1 single and 1 double bed, or three single beds, private bath, hot water, fan and terrace. An open thatched ranch houses a restaurant that offers visitors an impressive variety of dishes. There is also bar service 24 hours a day, a natural pool - fed by water straight from the mountains-, safe-deposit boxes and free transportation from Golfito to the lodge. Activities such as horseback riding, visit to the botanical garden, kayaking and walks in the national park's trails are available from the lodge. The funds raised by the lodge are used for the upkeep of National Park's trails.

EXPERT'S EYE: Ideal hideaway for visitors with a genuine interest in nature and conservation projects. It's also a great place to relax and enjoy the wildlife.

CRISTAL BALLENA, DOMINICAL & UVITA
The Cristal Ballena Hotel Resort is located in Playa Ballena at the Ballena Marine National Park, 25 km/15.5miles south of Dominical and 7 km/4miles south of Uvita. It is a 3½ - 4 hour drive from San Jose and 30 minutes from the Palmar Sur Airport, south of the Manuel Antonio National Park. The hotel, with a bar, restaurant, 19 fully equipped and spacious suites, 4 Adventure Lodges and a huge 400 square meter (1,300 square foot) pool, is situated in a 12 hectare (30-acre) garden area on a hill between the Pacific Ocean and a rainforest-covered mountain. Each room has breathtaking ocean views, and the area offers a wide range of outdoor activities.

The 14 spacious, connectable suites and 5 master suites, feature a balcony and breathtaking ocean views. All rooms have air conditioning in addition to a ceiling fan, hot water, private bathroom, hairdryer, satellite television, telephone, refrigerator and safety-deposit box. The 4 charming Adventure Lodges are situated in a colorful garden, surrounded by exuberant tropical forest with a terrace, separate tiled bathroom, king size bed, electricity and ceiling fan. The café-style bar and "Pura Vida!" restaurant, located next to the swimming pool, features international and Costa Rican cuisine and serves a variety of refreshing cocktails and beverages. The multipurpose conference room accommodates groups of up to 60 people, and can be used for a variety of activities, such as seminars, meetings, weddings and conferences.
Snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, surfing, bird and whale watching, walking tours, horseback riding, ultralight flying tours and boat tours are some of the tour options available at Cristal Ballena.

EXPERT'S EYE: Recommended for those looking for an upscale, secluded hotel amidst nature, with the possibility of activities and tours as well as relaxation. The location has a wonderful view of the South Pacific coast.

VILLA LAPAS, JACO, HERRADURA & PUNTARENAS
This hotel is located on the Pacific Coast, approximately 2 hours from San José, 25 minutes away from Jacó Beach, one hour from Manuel Antonio and just 5 minutes from the Carara Biological Reserve. It is a standard international hotel with 47 standard rooms, of which 40 have queen size beds and 7 king size. Two of the rooms are equipped with facilities for the disabled. All rooms have air conditioning, a safety deposit box, direct telephone line and private bathroom with hot water. The rooms are decorated with bright, cool colors that are very fitting for the area's warm climate. The hotel offers a spacious restaurant adjacent to the river running through the property.

The restaurant has a beautiful view and excellent ventilation, as it is open to allow for a greater appreciation of the landscape. There is also a bar, swimming pool, 2 Jacuzzi, souvenir shop, and 2 conference rooms that cater for up to 30 people each. The hotel's location allows for a wide range of activities that can be coordinated on the premises. Visitors may tour the Carara Biological Reserve or take a ride on horseback to an amazing waterfall 5km away. However, there are also entertainment options at the hotel such as: mini golf, the butterfly farm, Canopy Tour and the Sky Way made up of 5 hanging bridges ranging from 27 to 45 meters high (89' - 147'), and an eight-platform canopy.

EXPERT´S EYE: this hotel is ideal for bird watchers or nature lovers as it has its own nature trails and, given its proximity to Carara, has easy access to this reserve. It is also a good option for families wishing to relax in a warm climate close to San José, with the necessary modern conveniences.