Grand Tour of Costa Rica Vacation Package (2 for the price of 1)

Welcome to Costa Rica. After clearing immigrations and customs follow to the exit and take the transfer to the hotel, less than 30 minutes away.
Check in to the Barcelo San Jose Palacio.

The Arenal Volcano with Tabacon Hot Springs tour is one of the most popular tours that we offer.
This tour offers the best of both worlds, in terms of the raw untamed beauty of the imposing Arenal Volcano, which is juxtaposed against the lush and soothing thermal waters of Tabacon Hot Springs. All this set against a backdrop of lush vegetation and breathtaking views of the nearly perfect conical shaped lines of the volcano.
Situated in the northern lowlands of Costa Rica and about a 2 hour ride away, the impressive Arenal Volcano is a magnificent natural wonder that attracts thousands of tourists who come to see an active volcano which on clear days allows one to witness white plumes of smoke that emanate from this conical shaped behemoth. It should be noted, that the volcano had previously been assumed to be dormant, until in 1968, when to everyone’s amazement it experienced a major eruption.

Enroute to the Arenal Volcano there will be a stop in the famous town of Sarchi, known as the birthplace of Costa Rica’s Artisans. In Sarchi, you can see many of the handicrafts that Costa Rica has to offer, as well as the possibility of feasting your eyes on the world largest ox cart. The cart is made of cedar and is painted with several coats (4) of orange paint and is multicolored. The design is typical and intricate, indicative of traditional oxcarts. The oxcart is two stories high and took nearly 70 days to construct and paint. For the record, according to the Guinness book of world recorded, the cart is nearly 45 feet long (14 meters) and weighs 4400 lbs (2 tons).

The journey will then continue, traversing diverse plantations with agricultural products, including pineapple farms, and mango groves, ornamental plants and cattle ranches until arriving to the small town of La Fortuna, and stopping to enjoy lunch at a cozy restaurant with a magnificent view of the volcano.

Then you will go on to relax at one of the best hot springs in the area where you will revel in the cleansing and rejuvenating effects of the thermal waters. Tabacon is nestled at the base of mighty Arenal with a view of the Volcano towering in the background. Here, thermo-mineral springs flowing from Arenal run at a soothing 102 F through a maze of pools, waterfalls and exotic tropical gardens. You’ll love exploring the springs many nooks pulsating with these magic hot waters!

Tabacon Hot springs combines the four elements of nature; the heat of the volcano, the flowing waters of the hot springs, the pure air of the rainforest, and the fertile earth of the Fortuna de San Carlos Region, to provided visitors with a first rate experience.

And for a perfect ending, before going back to San José, Tabacon’s signature buffet dinner will be served with a great view of the volcano so that you do not miss any opportunity to look at the magnificently shaped volcano.. Meals BLD

Today we visit San Jose, the capital city of Costa Rica, and the largest city in the country.
Our tour will take you through historical monuments, museums and parks. Along the way, our half-day sightseeing will include the commercial district, San Jose’s Central Park and the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Theater, the National Museum and the Legislative Assembly. Sight-seeing will continue through the University of Costa Rica’s main campus, and then to Moravia, home of leather craftsmen, where you will have plenty
of time to shop at the stores. Meals B

Early in the morning your trip to Tortuguero National Park will depart to Limon crossing Costa Rica from west to east, descending into the lowland tropics of the Caribbean coast. We will stop for breakfast before we continue through a variety of life zones. Here, we board our riverboat for an exciting one hour trip where you will be able to observe various animals and vegetation. Mid-day arrival at Mawamba Lodge in time for a hearty lunch. Afternoon tour to Tortuguero town, starting at the entrance to the beach in front of the hotel. Visit the Caribbean Conservation Corporation Museum and the village. Return back to the lodge walking the beach trail. Enjoy Mawamba’s swimming pool, Jacuzzi, hammocks, nature trails and gardens. Dinner and overnight. Meals BLD

Optional tour available at 6:15am to admire the awakening of the wildlife of Tortuguero.  After breakfast, guided tour of Mawamba Park’s two butterfly farms, frog garden, biodigestor and River turtle area. After lunch, it’s time to explore Tortuguero National Park with a fascinating guided canal tour. Dinner and overnight. Optional night tour during the turtle nesting season (July to September). Meals BLD

After breakfast, depart by boat back to Pavona Dock and board Mawamba’s bus back to San Jose stopping in Guapiles for lunch at Rio Danta. Late afternoon arrival in San Jose for check-in and overnight. Meals BL

Tour Tortuga Island

The Gulf of Nicoya’s archipelago paradise is made up of various islands that are home to nature’s abundance. The area is a sanctuary for marine birds, with white sand beaches and flora and fauna native to our Central Pacific Coast. The world-renowned Isla Tortuga is part of this beautiful archipelago.

Located 12 miles from Puntarenas, Isla Tortuga’s 120 hectares are maintained as a protected forest. The area maintains the Bandera Azul Ecológica, a distinction awarded to certain beaches in Costa Rica for their pure, unpolluted waters. Because of the island’s location, its waves are gentle and its waters turquoise.

OUR NEW CATAMARAN:

If you enjoy cruising, we invite you to experience the pleasure on board our new boat, The Great Bay’s Princess, with a capacity for 190 passengers plus crew.

The Great Bay´s Princess is built using the latest technology, including Cummins Marine motors and satellite navigation, and meets all international security requirements. We are the only boat that has the Stability Certificate issued by the International Register of Shipping, the rating entity recognized worldwide.

Our staff has been trained for emergencies and evacuation plans. Our catamaran meets or exceeds all national requirements defined by the maritime division of the Ministry of Transportation and Public Works. Meals BL

Combo Tour

Coffee, volcano, waterfalls and rainforest come together in this fantastic full day tour. Starting with a drive by the city of Alajuela passing by the Agriculture Monument, the Monument to Juan Santamaria and the famous Mango Park we make our way out of the Central Valley.

As we ascend towards the Poás Volcano we will notice the change in temperature and vegetation, palm trees are replaced by pine and cool air overcomes the lowland heat. We will see coffee plantations as well as fern, flower and strawberry farms along the way, creating a beautiful landscape that paves the way to our next stop, The Doka Estates Coffee Plantation.

Upon arrival at Doka Coffee Estate enjoy a delicious breakfast followed by a coffee tour, in the actual coffee plantation. Here, we will learn about the ancient techniques used by the experts to produce one of the best coffees in Costa Rica. Learn about the careful process involved on the cultivation, harvesting and roasting of the Golden Bean.

Next, we will continue to Poás Volcano where we will not only admire the impressive main crater with its sulfur fumaroles, but also learn about the different ecosystems in this beautiful national park.

Following the visit to the volcano we will continue to La Paz Water Fall Garden for lunch and tour. On arrival to the La Paz, we will walk through a trail, leading to a spectacular waterfall in the middle of the rainforest.   Inside the park we will also visit the largest butterfly observatory in the country, the impressive hummingbird gallery, the serpentarium, the bird house and the frog’s exhibit. Meals BL

Hotel-Airport shuttle transfer to the airport for your return flight to the U.S. Meals B

“Itinerary variations in Tortuguero National Park occur depending on lodge assignment. The itinerary schedule & features displayed here are reflective of Mawamba Lodge.”