Costa Rica Riding Tours

Highlights of Costa Rica

What:

Guided (9 days/8 nights) of Costa Rica designed for nature lovers. Ideal for families with small children, honeymooners and individuals looking for natural discovery including world-famous Arenal Volcano, Monteverde and it's renowned cloud forest, La Paz Waterfall, a canopy tour, a crocodile boat tour, and visits to some of the most pristine coastal regions and beaches in the Central Pacific area of Costa Rica.

Dates and Rates:

2009 GUARANTEED SET DEPARTURES		RIDE DETAILS	2-8 Riders	Single Sup.
Ride Starts on	Ride Ends on	Length	Rates	Rack
Thu 22^nd January, 2009	Sat 31^st January, 2009	10D/09N	$2,285	$345
Thu 12^th February, 2009	Sat 21^st February, 2009	10D/09N	$2,285	$345
Thu 5^th March, 2009	Sat 14^th March, 2009	10D/09N	$2,285	$345
Thu 26^th March, 2009	Sat 4^th April, 2009	10D/09N	$2,285	$345
Thu 23^rd April, 2009	Sat 2^nd May, 2009	10D/09N	$2,285	$345
Thu 7^th May, 2009	Sat 16^th May, 2009	10D/09N	$1,995	$295
Thu 28^th May, 2009	Sat 6^th June, 2009	10D/09N	$1,995	$295
Thu 18^th June, 2009	Sat 27^th June, 2009	10D/09N	$1,995	$295
Thu 16^th July, 2009	Sat 25^th July, 2009	10D/09N	$1,995	$295
Thu 20^th August, 2009	Sat 29^th August, 2009	10D/09N	$1,995	$295
Thu 10^th September, 2009	Sat 19^th September, 2009	10D/09N	$1,995	$295
Thu 22^nd October, 2009	Sat 31^st October, 2009	10D/09N	$1,995	$295
Thu 5^th November, 2009	Sat 14^th November, 2009	10D/09N	$2,285	$345
Thu 26^th November, 2009	Sat 5^th December, 2009	10D/09N	$2,285	$345
Thu 24^th December, 2009	Sat 2^nd January, 2010	10D/09N	$2,495	$435

General Description: Costa Rica is a warm and gracious country to visit, so gracious in fact that a surprising number of tourists are now making their primary or secondary homes here. Costa Rica is a delightful country with wonderful food, friendly people, clean, comfortable accommodations and a wide range of natural attractions. These tours are designed to offer visitors maximum variety, including diverse animal life and an amazing variety of birds, waterfalls, active volcanoes, cloud forests, gallery forests, rain forests and a pristine Pacific Coast line. We have avoided over-scheduling our tours and modifications can be made to customize your adventure. Lunches and evening meals are left to choice in order to provide you with maximum freedom and an opportunity to sample a variety of dining alternatives. Meals generally run under $10 for lunch and dinner prices are only slightly higher. You could eat comfortably for under $15 per day since all breakfasts are included, as is all transportation, accommodations, park entrance fees and the various scheduled activities. Costa Rica is an ideal holiday destination for folks seeking a relaxed atmosphere, a stimulating environment, entertaining activities, and warm friendly people.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Getting There* :

Holidays begin and end at San Jose hotels and airport transfers can easily be arranged upon request for a small additional charge

Room and Board* :

Guests will spend 2 nights in San Jose, 2 nights in Arenal, 2 nights in Monteverde, and 2 nights at a hotel on the Pacific Ocean coast. Accommodations include ensuite bathroom facilities. Triples are available. Hearty Costa Rican breakfasts are always included and lunch is included at two locations. Otherwise, lunch and dinner may be purchased at hotels or at local restaurants.

Weather:

The weather is pretty much constant in this region of Costa Rica all year ‘round, with afternoon temperatures generally between 70° to 80° Fahrenheit and dropping into the 60s at night. Temperatures in the Monteverde cloud forest are somewhat lower due to ever-present clouds, and more frequent showers. There is a dry season and a green season in this area of Costa Rica, each with its own highlights. During the green season afternoon rain is a daily occurrence resulting in a brilliant display of flowers, orchids and verdant fields.

ITINERARY

I- TOUR FACTS:

Tour Code: DV-HL09

Overview: A discovery trip designed to provide an educational nature experience while allowing time for relaxation. This tour is designed for nature enthusiasts who want to visit the main attractions and most popular sites of Costa Rica in comfort and style. Great for families, couples, and individuals interested in experiencing the natural beauty and diversity of Costa Rica with options for light adventure.

Departures: See set departure dates for guided tours above . In addition, unescorted weekly departures (Saturday to Sunday) with a minimum of 2 people can be arranged upon request – subject to availability.

Meeting Point: Designated San Jose hotel or Juan Santamaria International Airport if airport transfers are requested.

Group Size: 2 to 16

Guides: Bilingual escort guide.

Fees Included: La Paz Waterfall Gardens; Arenal National Park; Arenal Hot Springs and Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

Activities & Tours: Boat ride across Arenal Lake, Canopy Tour, and Crocodile Boat Safari.

Meals: As indicated on the sample itinerary.

Transportation: Transportation provided by air-conditioned minibus or 4X4 vehicle on days 2 to 6 and includes transfer to San Jose on Day 8.

Arrival & Departure Transfers: Not included, but can be arranged for a small additional charge.

Keys: B= Breakfast; L= Lunch; D= Dinner; LG= Local Guide; BG= Bilingual Guide; T= Transfer

II- DAY BY DAY SAMPLE TOUR ITINERARY:

Day1:	Arrival in Costa Rica Arrival at Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose. Overnight at San Jose hotel.
Day2:	San Jose – La Paz Waterfall - Arenal Volcano Leave for the northern slopes of Costa Rica, driving through some of the country's most picturesque countryside en route to visit La Paz Waterfall Gardens and continue on to La Fortuna at the base of Arenal Volcano - Costa Rica's most impressive, and currently one of the world's most active, volcanoes. Overnight at a hotel in Arenal. (B & L) (BG)
Day3:	Arenal Volcano - Hotwater Springs Morning visit to Arenal Volcano National Park heading towards the Lava Site, an area formed by the 1968 eruption. Spend some time at the Hotwater Springs - fountains of thermo-mineral water running down from the heart of the volcano, forming cascades and natural pools surrounded by exotic tropical gardens. Overnight at an Arenal hotel. (B & L) (BG)
Day4:	Arenal Lake Boat Trip - Monteverde Enjoy a boat ride across Arenal Lake and then continue through the town of Tilaran and finally up into Monteverde. This region is bewitching place with emerald green foliage surrounded by whirling mists, perched on the edge of the Tilarán Mountains and home to an amazing variety of wildlife. Overnight at a Monteverde hotel. (B) (BG)
Day5:	Monteverde Reserve & Canopy Tour Exploration of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve which supports six different life zones and is home to over 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, 120 species of amphibians and reptiles, and 2,500 species of plants (including 420 different kinds of orchids). The afternoon's adventure is a canopy tour that will provide a great opportunity to explore the forest from an eagles-eye view while riding from tree-top platform to tree-top platform via a series of zip line cables. Overnight at a Monteverde hotel. (B) (BG)
Day6:	Monteverde – Quepos Drive down to the Central Pacific region, taking the Crocodile Boat Safari on the Tarcoles River, home of one of largest colonies of crocodiles in Costa Rica, with specimens ranging between 10 to 23 feet in length. The area where the river merges with Guacalillo estuary and blend into the ocean is a great place to see water-birds such as pelicans, herons and even tropical scarlet macaws. Overnight at Manuel Antonio Hotel. (B) (BG)
Day7:	Quepos Day at leisure to relax, visit Manuel Antonio National Park trails (fee not included) and enjoy some of the Park's attractive beaches. Alternatively, a variety of soft adventure activities, such as white-water rafting, ocean kayaking, snorkeling, horseback riding, or a visit to the local town of Quepos for a bit of local life or a meal, can be arranged . Overnight at Manuel Antonio Hotel. (B)
Day8:	Quepos – San Jose Morning at leisure. Afternoon ground transfer (3 ½ hours) to San Jose. Alternatively, a local flight (30 minutes) out of Quepos and into San Jose may be arranged to avoid the drive back. Overnight at a San Jose hotel. (B) (PT) *Note:* You may choose to add an extension (e.g., Corcovado National Park) or lengthen your stay in Quepos at the Manuel Antonio Hotel.
Day9:	Return Home Departure from Juan Santamaria International Airport. (B)

IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a sample itinerary, planned several months in advance. Accordingly, arrangements (routes or facilities) are subject to change depending on local conditions and hotel choice may vary due to availability. Also, the tour may be arranged in different order than is described above.

III –SERVICES INCLUDED:

· Travel throughout, including airport transfers as feature on this itinerary (To and from San Jose hotels).

· Luggage Transfers throughout the journey.

· Tack, horse-bags, ponchos & torches

· All rides as described in the itinerary, 7 days riding.

· 9 nights in Tourist Class, based on twin accommodation.

· Bilingual guiding service of a professional escort guide throughout the trip and local horse master during all rides.

· Meals as specified in the itinerary.

· Entrance fee to Selvatura Park & Hanging Bridges & Hot-water Springs.

One litre of water a day (additional water is available for purchase at all locations)

IV–NOT INCLUDED:

a) International Airport departure tax of $26 p/p. payable in San Jose upon exit.
b) Extras at hotels (telephone calls, room service, laundry, alcoholic drinks, etc.)
c) Tips & discretionary gratuities for Guide, Driver, local guides and service providers.
d) Personal and/or medical expenses and insurance.
f) Any incidentals out of pocket.

g) Extra or optional Tours

RIDE DETAILS