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Hotels San José Doubletree Cariari by Hilton (D), Tortuguero National Park Pachira Lodge (BA), Sarapiqui La Quinta de Sarapiqui Lodge (F), Tilajari Tilajari Resort Hotel (F); Guatemala Extension: Antigua Porta Antigua (F), Lake Atitlán Porta Del Lago (F), Guatemala City Biltmore Express (SF); Manuel Antonio Extension: Quepos El Hotel Parador (F) Meals American breakfast daily (B), 6 lunches (L), and 8 three-course dinners (D), including special welcome and farewell dinners in San José.
Day 1:
Arrival in Guatemala City, Guatemala–Antigua. (Tue.) Upon arrival, meet your Local Host and transfer to Antigua, Guatemala’s capital from 1543 until a devastating earthquake in 1776 when it was moved to Guatemala City. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Antigua is one of the Americas’ oldest and most beautiful cities, with pastel-colored buildings, wide cobblestone streets, and a beautiful natural setting ringed by three volcanoes. (D) Day 2: Antigua. (Wed.) Our morning tour of this magnificent highlands city, known for its 16th-century Spanish Colonial architecture, includes lively Plaza Mayor flanked by the impressive Catedral de San José and Palace of the Capitanes Generales. We also see the ruins of churches and monasteries, some with hidden underground passages, destroyed by the earthquake of 1776; and take a tour of a JADE FACTORY. (B) Day 3: Antigua–Chichicastenango–Lake Atitlán. (Thu.) Today, reach the whitewashed highland town of Chichicastenango to visit the colorful, open-air INDIAN MARKET and the Catholic CHURCH OF SANTO TOMÁS to witness ancient Mayan ceremonies that have long been practiced there. Continue to the shores of Lake Atitlán, surrounded by volcanoes and indigenous villages. (B,L) Day 4: Lake Atitlán–Guatemala City. (Fri.) This morning, CRUISE across Lake Atitlán. Visit the Indian village of SANTIAGO ATITLÁN, and meet the Tzutuhil people, one of Guatemala’s indigenous tribes. This afternoon, head back to Guatemala City for a tour and a Guatemalan farewell dinner. (B,D) Day 5: Guatamala City–San José, Costa Rica. (Sat.) Fly to San José to join the Costa Rican portion of your vacation. (B) Day 6: San José. (Sun.) This morning, enjoy a San José city tour that will introduce you to the capital’s most important sights. Driving through Paseo Colon, visit the heart of the city to admire the pride of the ticos, the NATIONAL THEATER. This architectural jewel was designed as the opera house at the beginning of the 19th century. Visit the NATIONAL MUSEUM, a faithful witness to Costa Rican history, then enjoy sightseeing at Central Park, the cathedral, the Congress Building, and the Justice Court. Continue to the town of SARCHI, for centuries a production center of Costa Rica’s famous hand-painted oxcarts, to have an included lunch and shop for unique souvenirs. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner hosted by your Tour Director at the hotel. (B,L,D) Day 7: San José–Tortuguero National Park. (Mon.) Journey east to the Caribbean shore and TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK. On the way, stop at a BANANA PLANTATION. Later, board a motor launch for your cruise along the Tortuguero Canals, waterways crisscrossing a national park dedicated to the protection of endangered turtles. The trained eyes of your guide and boatman help you spot freshwater turtles, caymans, herons, toucans, egrets, and monkeys. An afternoon at leisure lets you explore Pachira Lodge until you meet for an informative slideshow presentation on the area. (B,L,D) Day 8: Tortuguero National Park Tour & Canal Cruise. (Tue.) Your Tour Guide accompanies you on a leisurely BOAT RIDE along remote, unspoiled sections of the park’s waterways, explaining the bountiful flora and fauna. Enjoy a fascinating stroll through an accessible portion of the nearby RAINFOREST. During the peak nesting season, from mid-July to mid-October, you may be lucky enough to observe an endangered green turtle laying her eggs under the starlight on an optional tour. (B,L,D) Day 9: Tortuguero–Sarapiqui. (Wed.) A morning boat transfer begins your journey to the Sarapiqui area. Along the way, enjoy views of the passing rainforest. Arrive at your resort hotel for time to relax. (B,L) Day 10: Sarapiqui–Tilajari Resort. (Thu.) This morning, tour the CORSICANA PINEAPPLE FARM to learn about the history, cultivation, and industry of pineapples. Continue through TILAJARI RAINFOREST RESERVE. After settling in, experience the magic of the resort’s BUTTERFLY GARDEN and consider a walk in the nearby tropical rainforest in search of 300- to 400-year-old trees, poisonous frogs, monkeys, birds, and possibly small animals native to the reserve. (B,D) Day 11: Tilajari Resort. (Fri.) During your morning at leisure you may wish to go on an optional horseback ride or float trip. Or, you can take advantage of Tilajari’s amenities by walking along the shaded trails of the private, 750-acre tropical forest. Later this afternoon, enjoy a walking tour of the town of La Fortuna de San Carlos, offering spectacular views of the active Arenal Volcano. Next, drive to nearby ECOTERMALES HOT SPRINGS for a dip in the curative and relaxing pools. This evening, view ARENAL VOLCANO, hoping to see lava glowing on its sides. (B,D) Day 12: Tilajari–San José. (Sat.) Get an early start this morning to POAS VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK. On the way, see LA PAZ WATERFALL, one of the five falls in the area. Arrive at POAS VOLCANO for close-up views of the enormous crater with its deep, green lake; perhaps you will even see one of its sporadic geyser-like eruptions. Next, stop at the DOKA COFFEE PLANTATION where you will see firsthand the entire production process—from seedlings to your cup! Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner at a local restaurant, ending an unforgettable discovery of Costa Rica. (B,L,D) Day 13: San José–Quepos. (Sun.) Take a morning drive to the Pacific Ocean to the town of Quepos, gateway to Manuel Antonio National Park. Dense mangrove swamps sheltering a variety of wildlife back up to the pristine beaches in this area. It is not uncommon to see iguanas and white-faced monkeys on the beach. For the more active, there are jungle hikes suited to all levels. Other local activities include canopy tours, deep-sea fishing, diving, sea kayaking, and mountain biking. (B) Day 14: Quepos. (Mon. & Tue.) Enjoy two days at leisure. (B daily) Day 15: Quepos. (Mon. & Tue.) Enjoy two days at leisure. (B daily) Day 16: (Wed.) Transfer back to the San José airport for your homebound connections. Please do not schedule your return flights before 2:30 pm. (B)
City Highlights San José: City sightseeing; visit the National Theater, the National Museum, and a banana plantation; tour Doka Coffee Plantation; welcome dinner; farewell dinnerSarchi: Shop for souvenirsTortuguero National Park: Guided cruise through the canals to view wildlife; guided walk through the rainforestSarapiqui: Tour a working pineapple plantationTilajari Resort: Tilajari Rainforest Reserve; visit the Butterfly Garden, Ecotermales Hot Springs, and Arenal VolcanoPoas Volcano National Park: View La Paz Waterfall; visit Poas VolcanoGuatemala Extension: Sightseeing in Antigua and Guatemala City; visit a jade factory; stop in Chichicastenango to visit an open-air Indian market and the Church of Santo Tomás; take a cruise on Lake Atitlán; visit Santiago Atitlán; farewell dinnerAll Intra-Tour FlightsNote:
Price Details US Land-only price includes intra-tour flights, and must be purchased with this vacation.Single Room Supplement: $1160. Triple room reduction per person: $158. Extra nights per person in San Jose: In single room $190; in twin room $110; in triple room $100. Extra nights per person in Antigua: In single room $105; in twin room $70; in triple room $60. Extra nights per person in Quepos: Jan-Apr & Jul-Aug: In single room $250; in twin room $140; in triple room $120. May-Jun & Sep-Dec: In single room $210; in twin room $120; in triple room $105. 2010 prices and itineraries subject to change. Related Tours SR| Natural Wonders of Costa RicaSRQ|Start Your Vacation in GuatemalaSRE|Add Manuel Antonio to Your Vacation CURRENT SPECIALS: Standard Offers and Specials provided by Globus Share the pleasure of a Globus vacation with your children and grandchildren and take advantage of a 10-percent discount on the land-only price. For eligibility, children must be under 18 years of age on the departure date and must be accompanied by an adult. On escorted vacations we don’t accept children under eight years old because we have found that they are too young to enjoy these vacations.
Pay less for your second vacation We charge you vacation price for your first vacation in 2008, but for every additional Globus vacation you take in the same year, you pay US$35 under list. Our vacations are designed and scheduled so you can combine them almost any way you want. It’s fun to play the add-a-vacation game yourself or talk to your travel agent.
Triple room reduction On most Globus vacations you receive a reduction when three people travel together and share the same accommodations. Triple room reductions, when available, are listed on the itinerary pages. A word of caution: Triple rooms usually are no larger than twin rooms and the third bed, if there is one, is often a rollaway put in a twin-bedded room.
Avoid the single room supplement We do not take reservations on a “share” basis because we have found that strangers rarely enjoy sharing a room for the duration of their vacation. Avoid the single room supplement by traveling with a friend. It’s less expensive and much more fun!
Right now when you book a 2009 vacation between 5 and 7 people before December 31, 2008, each passenger will save $75
*Book a 2009 Globus vacation for five, six or seven travelers to receive the $75 off per person offer. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between Jun 4 and Dec 31, 2008 for travel through December 31, 2009. Individuals must be traveling together from the same origination point to receive the discount. Not valid with any other offer and applies to new 2009 bookings only. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply. |
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Note: All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing.
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