As a former Peace Corps Volunteer in Costa Rica, Sandra effectively combined her knowledge and superb organizational skills with her great love for the country and its people
COSTA RICA TOURS, LTD.
COSTA RICA VARIETY TOUR
THIS TOUR IS AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
NEXT OPEN-ENROLMENT ESCORTED GROUP TOUR IS JANUARY 14-21, 2004
DAY ONE: Upon arrival in Costa Rica you will be transferred to your hotel. Later in the afternoon, you tour SAN JOSE and stop to visit the magnificent National Theater and Jade Museum. You the evening you can enjoy the art galleries and restaurants at El Pueblo, only one block from the hotel.
DAY TWO: On your way to Tamarindo on the Pacific coast, you stop to visit Las Pumas Refuge where they are nursing back to health jaguars, cougars, ocelots, margays, and pumas injured in the wild. In the afternoon, you enjoy Costa Rica's most stunning beach, just a few steps from your room, or relax around the hotel pools. From the hotel's outdoor lounge, you can watch the sun set over the ocean and the horseback riders on the beach. During December through February, you can view the giant leatherback turtles on your Turtle Nesting Tour in Las Baulas National Park.
DAY THREE: Another glorious day in Tamarindo at the beach. More relaxing at the hotel, or play golf (optional) nearby at the championship 18-hole course designed by Robert Trent Jones II. In the afternoon, you can take a guided boat trip through the mangrove estuary of the Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge. Here you will see a variety of water fowl and the boisterous howler monkeys.
DAY FOUR: You travel to the cloud forest of Monteverde, a community founded by American Friends
(Quakers) in 1950. You visit a Butterfly Farm and shop at a crafts cooperative of 150 local artisans. You
may attend a performance of the Monteverde Music Festival, if scheduled.
DAY FIVE: In the morning you are invited to attend a Friends Meeting. Afterwards, your naturalist guide leads a Sky Walk over trails and suspension bridges through all levels of the cloud forest. You can also take a Sky Trek (optional) across the canopy of the rainforest on steel cables.
DAY SIX: You travel to ARENAL to see the smoldering Arenal Volcano. You relax at Tabacon Hot Springs, a bathing resort set in lush landscaped gardens with water in the multiple pools and waterfalls heated by the volcano. You can enjoy a massage and other treatments (optional) at the spa.
DAY SEVEN: On the way to San Jose, you stop in Zarcero to see the town's church and its topiary. Next, you stop in Sarchi, Costa Rica's crafts center and the birthplace of the painted ox carts, the country's national symbol. There is a variety of gifts one can buy - miniature ox carts, ceramics, wood carvings, gold and silver jewelry with pre-Columbian motifs, and hand-carved leather rocking chairs that can be packed to take with you. (On the Escorted Group Tour in January 2004, in the evening you are invited to the home of Costa Rican friends for your farewell dinner).
DAY EIGHT: You will be transferred to the airport for your return to the U.S., or you may wish to continue on
the Tortuguero Extension Tour or Panama with Canal Transit Tour.
COST:
The Costa Rica Variety Tour (8 days) price is $1670 per person in double occupancy. Includes 7 nights at best-quality hotels at each location, 13 meals, airport transfers and airport tips, ground transportation, all activities in the itinerary, a full-time Costa Rican naturalist guide. The January 2004 tour includes a U.S. Tour Escort with experience in community development in Costa Rica.
COMMENTS FROM OUR COSTA RICA TOUR PASSENGERS . . .
"We had a wonderful, exciting, adventurous trip. The trip was all we expected and more. We saw things and places we hadn't seen or experienced on our first trip to Costa Rica. The Sky Walk in the Monteverde Cloud Forest and Tabacon Hot Springs were our favorites." The trip was well-arranged and we liked all the hotels." Lou and Carol Handelsman, accountant and community volunteer
"Our visit to Costa Rica was filled with the beauty of nature and the enjoyment of education, as well as a sense of adventure, and some special creature comforts. Costa Rica Tours, Ltd. did a great job of creating it all from the guides to the fellow guests. It was a great trip to a great place. Thanks again for the wonderful experience." Tom Ferrer and Marnie Ferrer, insurance executives
"Even though I had lived there for seven years, I learned much about the country, its history, its efforts in environmental preservation and economic growth. Sandy and crew made every day a memorable experience." Dorothy Donahoe, former Peace Corps staff spouse
"We got much more from our trip than possible with any other commercial tour leader. It was the many small things like gathering us together to toast the sunset on the beach in Tamarindo, and giving mini-Spanish lessons with laminated index cards. Sandra went well beyond the responsibility of a tour escort, and became instead a friend." Dennis and Gail Bates, Human Services professionals
"As a former Peace Corps Volunteer in Costa Rica, Sandra effectively combined her knowledge and superb organizational skills with her great love for the country and its people. The addition of an outstanding naturalist guide resulted in a uniquely satisfying experience that left this traveler wanting to return to enjoy more." Barbara Hiestand, staff at Wing Haven Garden and Bird Sanctuary
"Going out three times on the boat through the canals was the best part of Tortuguero. We all watched for birds and found all kinds! We loved seeing the turtles, frogs, monkeys, eyelash viper (our favorite), butterflies and gorgeous flowers and trees. The Costa Ricans were very warm, polite and charming." Jeanne Kaiser, retired
"The tour was an unforgettable learning experience. Highlights were the rainforest hike and the visit to the rural school in Venecia. The full-time naturalist guide continually provided useful information." Stephanna Tewey, former Assistant Superintendent, Brunswick County (NC) Schools; business owner
"The trip was a perfect combination of excitement and relaxation. Seeing the nesting of the giant leatherback turtles was awesome. It was a poignant, magical night, a once in a lifetime experience." John and Lillian Kortheuer, retired engineer and retired counselor
"It was our pleasure to be part of an exceptionally nice and interesting group of travelers. A visit to Costa Rica is a must!" Jerry and Charlotte Miller, retired business owners
"We got to see things that tourists would not ordinarily see because of Sandy's knowledge of the country. This trip changed our life attitudes. We had never seen such a pure ecologically natural environment." Roz Greenspon and Marty Birnbaum, entrepreneurs
"Sandra's knowledge of the Costa Ricans and their culture opened new vistas for us that would not have been possible on any other tour. I would recommend this tour to others without reservation - it is an opportunity of a lifetime." Barbara Guller, therapist
"We found Costa Rica a beautiful place to visit. Sandra's personal touch made all the difference between an ordinary tour and a warm welcome by the people she lived and worked with for many years." Dr. Robert Yudell, retired ophthalmologist
"This was one of the best trips I have ever experienced." MJ Garner, meeting planner
"As a person with a physical disability, I was pleasantly surprised that things I had resolved I would not be able to do, were, in fact, doable, including experiencing the Cloud Forest by using their new handicapped accessible suspension bridge. I never felt uncomfortable for one moment in Costa Rica. I can't speak highly enough about the trip." Karen Gaddy, former educator/school board member
"Going to Costa Rica with Sandra was an adventure. She puts so much energy into every aspect of the trip. We felt very well taken care of. It was a unique experience." Dr. Gerson and Wilma Asrael, retired physician and retired therapist
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