Costa Rica Adventure

The excitement of whitewater rafting, hiking and soothing hot springs combined with your choice of tropical beaches or cloud forest adventure

An ideal trip for those who want a little adventure, beautiful sights and some time to just plain kick back on the beach. Enjoy the excitement of whitewater rafting on the Pacuare River, hiking and soothing hot springs at Arenal Volcano, Choose from the palm-fringed beaches on the Pacific Coast, or the bio-diverse Monteverde Cloud Forest. From one side of Costa Rica to the other, an exciting and fun way to get a good taste of this diverse country and enjoy some relaxing holiday time.

2007 Departure Dates: Jan 13-20, Jan 27-Feb 3, Feb 17-24, Mar 10-17, Apr 7-14, May 12-19, Jun 9-16, July 14-21; Aug 4-11; Sep 8-15; Oct 13-20; Nov 17-24; Dec 24-31

2008 Departure Dates:  Jan 26-Feb 2; Feb 16-23; Mar 1-8; Apr 26-May 3' Jun 7-14; July 27-Aug 3

We will open a new date with a minimum of 4 people

2007 price: $1100 per person, based on double occupancy

• Note: Surcharge for holiday departures (underlined above): $120 per person
• Valid until Oct 31, 2007

Note: This is a fully escorted tour with specific departure dates. Private tours and trip extensions can be arranged on request.

Itinerary

Day 1:   Arrive to San Jose.  Transfer to local hotel for trip briefing and overnight.

Day 2:   Begin two day/1 night white-water rafting on the Pacuare river.  This is a class III and IV paddle raft trip that takes you into the rainforests of the Caribbean lowlands of Costa Rica.  1.5 - 2 hours of rafting (10 kms)"Camp" in platform tents along the riverside at our established campsite.  Time to hike & explore the rainforest before dinner.  (B, L, D)

Day 3: Continue downriver 3-5 hours of rafting (17kms).  Lunch on the side of the river.  Side hike up a creek to a great swimming hole.  After the rafting trip the trip you drive to the Arenal Volcano area and check-in to your hotel.  (B, L)

Day 4:   Hiking to a spectacular 120-foot waterfall and a swim in the pool followed by a hike to a lava flow from a major 1992 eruption. Time to relax at the Tabacon Hot Springs Resort and if the night is clear, we get the unique opportunity to see the red glow of the volcano’s molten lava. (B, L, D)

From Arenal you have two options:

Option #1: MANUEL ANTONIO BEACH AREA

Days 5 & 6: (Exploring the Coastal Area). We drive to the area of Quepos and Manuel Antonio and its National Park and beaches. Along the way we pass through spectacular countryside and small villages with a chance to see the local life. For the next few days you are free to enjoy this coastal area on land and/or water either relaxing or in a more energetic way with a choice of different activities that are available in the area. (B)

Day 7:  BEACH / SAN JOSE. The morning is free to spend a few more hours enjoying the beach. At mid-day a local flight takes you back to San Jose. (B)

OPTION #2 : MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST

Day 5: ARENAL TO MONTEVERDE (Horseback Riding) A 4 hour scenic horseback ride from Arenal to Monteverde Cloud Forest with spectacular views of the volcano and the lake. (B)

Day 6: MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST. There are a variety of optional activities in Monteverde: guided or solo hike through Monteverde or Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, Canopy Tour, a walk around the galleries and coffee houses of Santa Elena, or tour of local cheese factory. (B)

Day 7: MONTEVERDE /SAN JOSE. Free time in Monteverde in the morning before a three and half hour drive to San Jose. The evening is free to explore San Jose. (B)

B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner

Trip Notes:

• Passengers traveling alone can share accommodations (same sex) for the same rate as double occupancy. If you prefer/request a single room, there is an additional charge.
• We can easily add additional nights at the beaches of Manuel Antonio, or in the Cloud Forest of Monteverde at the end of your trip
• Latin American Escapes, Inc. offers special contract airline rates to Latin America from most cities in the US, as well as special airpass rates for tickets with-in Latin America.  Please ask for a quote based on your trip itinerary.
• No camping equipment is needed for this trip for your stay on the Pacuare River as all bedding is supplied for you.  You will receive a complete list of recommended clothing and equipment necessary for this itinerary when you have paid a deposit and are confirmed on a trip.

To confirm reservations:

A deposit of $300 per person is required to confirm reservations. In addition, the following payment procedures apply:

Payment for airline tickets is due at the time tickets are issued, but no later than time of final payment.

Last Minute Bookings: Last minute reservations (less than 30 days before departure) will be accepted, subject to availability, if payment has been received, and documents can be delivered. Any special communication costs and delivery charges will be at the client's expense.

Revision Fee: Revision fees will apply once the initial deposit has been received. Charges will vary based on itinerary, and extent of changes, with a minimum charge of $50. Changes requested after documents have been issued (generally with-in 30 days) will incur a minimum $100 change fee, plus additional services requested.

International bookings: We gladly accept bookings from passengers outside the US. However, an additional surcharge of $50 per booking is applied to cover additional shipping charges.

CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS--At the time we receive written notification that you must cancel your trip, money will be returned less the following cancellation fees:

Trip Documents: Trip documents will be forwarded approximately 3 weeks prior to travel, and once all payments and completed application forms have been received.

Risk and Responsibility

In arranging these trips, Latin American Escapes, Inc. acts only as the agents for the owners, contractors and suppliers actually providing tour services for these trips with whom Latin American Escapes, Inc. has no legal connection or joint ownership. These local tour operators attempt to conduct these trips as described in the preceding itineraries. However, it is possible that due to transportation schedule changes, weather, delays and unforeseeable acts of God, humans or nature, itineraries may vary from what is described. Participants are responsible for extra costs due to travel delay or itinerary changes for reasons beyond our control and assume all risks, whether identified in advance or unforeseen, as described under Limitation of Liability, and Trip Member Responsibility, located in our Terms and Conditions, which all travelers agree to sign. Traveler's insurance is not included, but is offered, and is strongly recommended. CST # 2023695-40.