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DESCRIPTION of TOURS - COSTA RICA
One Day Tours in San José City
As we travel through the Costa Rican capital, we will discover many great
attractions: the majestic National Theatre, built between 1890 and 1897
and the National Museum, a former garrison for the now nonexistent army.
Further East, we will visit the campus of the University of Costa Rica,
one of the most prestigious institutes in Latin America.
Irazu Volcano
The Irazu Volcano in the province of Cartago, offers many scenic and beautiful
sites of impressive contrast. Such is the case when we visit the ruins of
a church destroyed in the earthquake of 1910. The ruins presently house
a tropical garden. In Cartago the Church of the Virgin of Los Angeles (La
Basilica), the Patron Saint of Costa Rica. Our objective is to ascend to
the summit of majestic Irazu Volcano, to an altitude of 3,432 meters. The
crater of the volcano is similar to a lunar landscape.
Orosi Valley
Orosi Valley is a place with marvelous views which can be appreciated all
along the course of the valley. The 300 foot waterfool, Bride's Veil is
a wonderful sight. Inside the valley we will see the Ruins of Ujarras, the
Cachi Dam which causes the formation of the lake which is a major feature
of the Valley. There is also a colonial era church built by Franciscan monks
in the seventeenth century. The church is called San Jose de Orosi and is
now restored to function as a museum of religious objects and paintings
of the colonial period. On our return to San Jose we will climb to a perfect
vantage point that will allow us to see the entire valley.
Charles H. Lankester Botanical Gardens
The Lankester Botanical Gardens is located in Dulce Nombre, in the province
of Cartago. These wonderful gardens was the creation of the noted English
botanist Charles Lankester. The gardens show a natural setting in which
flora and fauna develop freely. Orchids are a major attraction at the Gardens.
More than 800 species are found there. The main flowering months are March,
April and May, although some species flower throughout the year.
Whitewater Rafting
One of the most exciting experiences in Costa Rica! Our route will take
us by the old capital of Costa Rica, Cartago, where a visitor can observe
the colonial beauty of that city and the ruins of the Cathedral. A delicious
Costa Rican breakfast will be waiting for us this city. After breakfast,
we will drive through beautiful valleys, rich in coffee, sugarcane and heart
of palm. We will arrive at the small town of Tucurrique, next to the Reventazon
River. Professional guides will teach us the basics of safe whitewater rafting
and put us through the paces before heading down the river. The guide will
then take you down to shoot the rapids in the wildest ride of your life!
We will stop halfway for a cold lunch served buffet style surrounded by
beautiful rainforests. And then back we go for more action! This is one
great day and probably the most exciting way to enjoy Costa Rica's natural
wonders.
Sarchi - City of Crafts
The folkloric city of Sarchi, with its mountains, plantations of sugarcane
and coffee is a mecca for woodcrafts and leathercrafts lovers. The route
there will reward us with wonderful countryside views. Once there we can
appreciate the fine tradition of craftmanship that dates to the times when
oxcarts "carretas" were built as the major form of transportation
in Costa Rica.
La folcklórica ciudad de Sarchí, montañas, plantaciones
de caña de azúcar y café son parte de los atractivos
turísticos que han hecho famosa a Costa Rica y son estos escenarios
los que tendremos la oportunidad de contemplar en esta ruta. Sarchí
es un pueblo dedicado a la agricultura y reconocido por sus artesanías
multicolores en madera, tradición que se inició a pricipios
del siglo, cuando un talentoso campesino pintó su carreta con diseños
geométricos y colores muy vivos debido ha esto se ha incrementado
la industria a nivel familiar de artículos típicos.
Poas Volcano
The Poas Volcano National Park is at an altitude of 2,708 meters and is
considered one of the largest and spectacular in the country. It is considered
moderately active and white fumaroles that contrast with the minerals in
the lagoon in the crater. Although this volcano is not as high as the Irazu
Volcano, we will be able to observe the Northern parts of Costa Rica and,
visibility permitting, the Lake of Nicaragua. Their is a trail in the park
that will lead us to the Lagoon of the volcano, which is surrounded by a
beautiful cloudforest with giant ferns.
Arenal Volcano
Northeast of San Jose, a picturesque journey will lead us through the beautiful
forests and a great number of ecosystems as we pass Zercero, Laguna, Tapezco
and Zapote. Our final destination will be San Carlos, which is a cattle
ranching area. The Arenal Volcano is located here. It boasts an almost perfect
cone. It is presently active and it is possible to hear the eruptions and
see them too. At the foot of the volcano there is the Arenal Lagoon, which
was man-made. Fishing and windsurfing are popular activities here. Later
we will relax in the thermal waters of a beautiful stream heated by the
nearby volcano.
The Braulio Carrillo National Park
The Braulio Carrillo National Park is one of the most abundant and exhuberant
areas of rainforest in Costa Rica. The park is named after a former president
of Costa Rica who tried unsuccesfully, to open a passage between San Jose
and the Atlantic Coast. The park has two active volcanoes, the Cacho Negro
and the Barva. The Park is virgin in its majority and has over 6,000 species
of plants. We will also visit two plantations, one of banana and the other
of cocoa beans. We will enjoy a Costa Rican lunch in the Atlantic Port city
of Limon where the natural beauty of the country is evident.
In PUNTARENAS
Carara Biological Reserve
We will drive along the old Spanish route that since 1606 will lead us to
the Pacific Coast. Beautiful scenery will accompany us on the way. The Carara
Biological Reserve is a protected area that covers 4,700 hectares. It is
comprised of two climate zones, the Arid North Pacific and the Humid South
Pacific. There are a great number of avian species that can be readily observed.
In addition, reptiles and amphibians such as the crocodile, the iguana and
multi-colored frogs are very common. Flora is equally interesting and abundant.
We will travel to Hotel Jaco Beach at the popular tourist destination of
the same name to enjoy a delicious lunch. After a rest we will visit other
interesting areas of the Reserve. We will return in the afternoon to San
Jose.
Cruise to Tortuga Island (Gulf of Nicoya)
We will travel in a luxury bus from San Jose to the Pacific port of Puntarenas.
We will stop along the way for a snack. Once we get to Puntarenas we will
begin our cruise. The Gulf has many islands that provide great scenery and
there are also many marine birds and aquatic life to see. The islands of
San Lucas, Guayabo, Aves and Negritos are all protected and offer refuge
to many different species of birds and sea life species. As we arrive to
Tortuga Island we will be able to see why it's crystal clear waters are
so famous. The white sand beach and the calm water make it perfect for swimming,
snorkelling or just relaxing. Live music will accompany us in a buffet style
lunch on the beach. We will return to San Jose in the afternoon after this
marvelous journey.
In LIMON
Tortuguero National Park (Canals)
Our adventure to the Atlantic Zone will begin on a trip to the Port of Limon.
There we will travel through the inland waterways to get to the Tortuguero
National Park. In the park, we will be able to observe a natural system
of navigable canals and lagoons of great scenic beauty that cross the park
from Southeast to Northeast. Wild animals in the park include 7 species
of land turtles, which can be seen sitting on logs or on islands of floating
vegetation. The endangered manatee is another of the species in the park.
A great diversity of crustaceans and 30 other species of freshwater fish,
including the garfish, the eagle and the bullshark. Over 309 species of
birds have been observed here.
July to September has the added wonder of the seaturtles' egglaying. A nightwalk
on the beach will reward you with this spectacle of nature.
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Hotel tariffs are per night per room.
1995 - 96 NT&T
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National parks galore - 27% of Costa Rica is protected
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