The Central Valley & Manuel Antonio Costa Rica
9 Days - 8 Nights
- Based on Double Occupancy
Discover the combination of modern luxury travel and tropical wonder in Costa Rica.
Our Costa Rica adventure begins in the middle of lush coffee plantations and tropical fruit orchards overlooking the Central Valley at the exclusive Xandari Resort & Spa. For your first two full days you will have the services of a dedicated private guide and driver.
On your first full day ascend into the forested highlands of the Poas National Park, a steaming volcano with hot, turquoise lake that continues to impress visitors from all over the world!
You will also visit the renowned La Paz Waterfall Gardens; among its facilities you can find butterfly and hummingbird gardens, aviary, rescued animal zoo, serpentarium, live frog exhibit, orchid exhibit and of course visit the five unique and beautiful waterfalls.
On the following day your private driver/guide will take you to the banks of the Sarapiquí River for your journey down the scenic river of Costa Rica’s tropical rain forest to practice the exciting whitewater rafting adventure.
Finish your vacation at an upscale luxury resort at one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful national parks on the Pacific coast – Manuel Antonio – famous for its tropical beaches and wealth of rainforest wildlife such as white-faced monkeys and slow-moving sloths.
Lost World Adventures itineraries can be tailor-made according to your plans and preferences: budget, hotel selections, travel dates, optional excursions, length of trip, etc.
Day 1 : San Jose
You will be met upon arrival at the San Jose International Airport and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight at the luxurious Xandari Resort & Spa, 2-Bedroom Star Villa, daily breakfast included – 3 nights. Xandari is located on a secluded coffee plantation minutes from the airport. Each spacious Villa has a panoramic view terrace and private patio. The Plantation includes two lap pools, horses for hire, fitness equipment and miles of private scenic trails.
Day 2 : Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens
For the next two days you will have the services of a private guide and driver. Your vehicle will be a comfortable van with ample room for passengers and luggage. Snacks and refreshments will be provided..
Poas Volcano National Park Tour
The drive to the 9,000-foot peak of Poas Volcano National Park is a scenic journey through coffee plantations, strawberry fields and lush dairy farms. The unusual vegetation in the park is the result of high elevation weather and acidic gases emitted from the main volcanic crater.
From behind a fence you look into the crater to see the hot steam vents and gray-green crater lake. In contrast to the constant activity in the main crater, a ½-mile trail through a gnarled dwarf forest will bring you to an overlook above the extinct crater of Lake Botos which is surrounded by dense forest along the circular crater rim.
Enjoy a leisurely stop at the La Paz Waterfall Gardens. With over 2 miles of walking trails, you can enjoy 5 waterfalls, cloud forest and rain forest, safe hiking trails, an aviary with 40 species of birds, a toucan feeding station, marmoset monkeys, an insect exhibit, serpentarium, orchid exhibits, butterfly observatory and butterfly gardens.
The area is home to two-toed sloths, Capuchin (white-faced) monkeys, black-handed spider monkeys, 26 documented species of hummingbird, ocelots, jaguarundi, margays and even oceltos and pumas. To stop here is to really indulge yourself in Costa Rica! Lunch and entrance fees are included.
Day 3 : Sarapiqui River Rafting
You will be picked up early in the morning at your San José hotel, followed by a two hour drive to the Sarapiquí River. This river hosts an incredible array of wildlife including toucans, river otters and blue morpho butterflies.
This trip is recommended for beginners seeking the thrill of white water rafting, featuring class II-III rapids. Expect to spend about 2 1/2 hours on the river. This tour includes transportation, rafting equipment and professionally trained, bilingual rafting guides. Lunch is included.
Day 4 : San Jose – Manuel Antonio
You will be met in San Jose (airport or hotel) and be transferred to Quepos / Manuel Antonio. Driving time is around 3 1/2 hours.
Overnight at Arenas Del Mar – 1 Ocean Breeze Suite + 1 Garden Superior Room, daily breakfast included – 5 nights.
Arenas Del Mar is a beachfront resort situated on the beach of Manuel Antonio, designed and built with an ambitious combination of deluxe accommodations coupled with the highest level of certified sustainability.
This beach and nature resort is located adjacent to Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The resort caters to guests that are looking for more than just another high end resort experience.
Arenas Del Mar Hotel offers a luxurious lodging experience in harmony with Costa Rica’s nature in a spectacular beach and rainforest setting. Guest rooms, apartments and suites offer spectacular ocean views, upscale dining in two hotel restaurants with a focus on fresh local products and personalized service that exceeds expectations.
Arenas Del Mar is the perfect base from which to explore the area around Manuel Antonio and Quepos on the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Tours and activities offered in the area include whitewater rafting, mangrove kayak and boat tours, guided rainforest hikes, ocean kayaking, catch and release sport fishing, Canopy Tours and horseback riding excursions.
Sustainability is a key component of the concept at all levels of the operation and the Certification for Sustainable Tourism-a program designed by the Costa Rican Tourism ministry-served as a guide for the building and continues to drive the operation of the hotel.
Arenas Del Mar minimizes the impact on the surrounding nature, while maximizing the positive economic impact on the local community through employment and support for schools and Costa Rican culture.
Other hotel facilities include a luxurious spa located below the main restaurant with breathtaking views of Manuel Antonio National Park and the Pacific Ocean, a gift shop featuring local art and souvenirs and a state of the art business center near the hotel lobby.
Day 5 : Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio Guided Park Tour
You will be picked up at your hotel and transfer to Manuel Antonio National Park. This national park is one of the most famous in the country due to its wide variety of flora and fauna specimens.
The park itself boasts 3 different trails that vary in grade from flat to very steep. On this Manuel Antonio tour you will be accompanied by a nature guide who is knowledgeable about everything you will see. The trail you will take is flat and picturesque and loops through the park making your course approximately 2 miles long.
Throughout the hike your guide will stop and explain the different nature specimens that can be observed, you can take photographs or just admire the view. Duration: 2½ hours.
Days 6 -8 : Manuel Antonio
Days at leisure. Optional activities and excursions include: canopy tours, coastal estuary and mangrove sea kayaking, paddle-boarding, whitewater rafting, dolphin tour, horseback riding, fishing.
Day 9 : Manuel Antonio – San Jose
At the appropriate time you will be met at your hotel and transferred by private vehicle to the San Jose Int’l Airport. Optional domestic flight (at additional cost).
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