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Day 9 & 10 -- Tarcoles Cruise, San Jose
2/3/20113:01:20 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Costa Rica, Land Tour, River Cruise

Day 9:

This morning drive through the cattle ranches of Guanacaste. Cattle ranching was a primary source of revenue to the area in the 16th and 17th century. After years of struggle the economy recieved a boost in the 1950s and 60s as the United States and North America in general desired more and more cheap beef. I don't know how direct the correlation is or if there is one, but fast food places like McDonald's began in the 40s and Wendy's first opened in the 60s.Who likes hamburgers? I know that I do.

Break for lunch.

When lunch is over you will go on a cruise on the Tarcoles River. It is a habitat for crocodiles and birds with it's marshy banks and lush foliage. The river run's adjacent to the Carara Biological Reserve, which is a rainforest and very popular amongst tourists. On your cruise you will pass through a mangrove reserve. You might even get to see the scarlet macaw for this one of the largest regions where it nests. The area is home to many mammal species as well as bird, amphibian, and reptile, though spotting them may be difficult through the density of the greenery.

As the day winds down, so does this Costa Rica Natural Paradise tour. After your river cruise you will return to San José and partake in a farewell dinner.

Day 10:

Enjoy one last breakfast in your hotel this morning. It begins at 6:30 AM. Caravan provides transfers to the Juan Santamaria International Airport at 5:00 AM, 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, and 11:30 AM. Adios and chau!

Call (321) 632-5610 * (800) 950-5610

Visit us at www.travelbyginny.com for all your travel needs!
Day 8 -- Pacific Coast, Guanacaste
1/28/201111:46:43 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Costa Rica, Land Tour

The Hacienda Pinilla is a large sprawling Costa Rica resort with all sorts of fun things to do. Today is a short day featuring a drive to and hike of one of Hacienda Pinilla's nearby natural trails. Here you will have another chance to see and take pictures of the the fun-loving howler monkey.

After your hike, it's time for lunch. Once you have the rest of the day is yours to explore and schedule as you like. You could play on the 18 hole golf course, visit the clubhouse, go horseback riding, see the stables, shop the boutiques, take a leisurely walk along the grounds, play a game of tennis, swim in the infinite pool, go beachcombing... Your possibilities are endless. You could even take a nap if you so chose before heading down for dinner. This is a day truly about you and set aside to give you the opportunity to do activities outside of the tour.

Learn more about the resort by visiting their website: http://haciendapinilla.com

Call (321) 632-5610 * (800) 950-5610

Visit us at www.travelbyginny.com for all your travel needs!
Day 7 -- Hanging Bridges, Guanacaste
1/28/201111:34:42 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Costa Rica, Land Tour, Rainforest
Today you will get to explore the famous Hanging Bridges. The whole circuit takes about two hours to walk at a slow and reasonable pace. Your tour will hike across six of these suspension bridges. Along the way you will have spectacular views and see all sorts of wildlife and vegetation. There are around sixty species of birds in the area, which is great for birdwatchers.To get an idea of the Hanging Bridges, I have found a video from YouTube for you to watch:

Isn't it just gorgeous? How could you not want to go there? When you do go you should bring with you a camera, set of good binoculars, and a video camera if you're regular camera doesn't take videos. That way you can't miss documenting anything of this beautiful place.

After your trip through the rainforest canopy, you wil take a scenic drive around Lake Arenal. As before on this type of excursion, you will want to make sure your camera is prepare to take photos while moving to minimize any blurring shots.

At this time you will have lunch. If you didn't know yet, all your meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) are included on this trip. It makes the experience even more affordable!

When lunch is over you will go to the Guanacaste province. This area is the only dry tropical forest in Costa Rica. It features quite a few volcanoes that tourists can hike all the way up to the summits. It's home to many endangered species, both plant and animal. The name of the region comes from the word quahnacaztlan, which stands for the guanacaste tree.

You will stop in Liberia before going onto the Pacific Coastline for a two night stay. Have a lovely dinner at your resort.

Call (321) 632-5610 * (800) 950-5610

Visit us at www.travelbyginny.com for all your travel needs!
Day 6 -- Cano Negro, Hot Springs, Arenal
1/18/20111:01:12 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Costa Rica, Hot Springs, Land Tour, Rainforest, River Cruise, Volcano

Your morning will start with a scenic drive through several types of plantations. Along the way you will see plantations for sugar cane, teak, and oranges. Which are your favorite?

Up next you will get to cruise on the Rio Frio River. This river goes through luscious Caño Negro wildlife refuge. Here you will find many migratory birds not readily found anywhere else in Costa Rica. It is sure to delight birdwatchers who will get to see whistling ducks, cormorants, roseate spoonbills, anhingas, northern jacanas, and blue heron.

Besides birds, there’s plenty more to see on the river cruise. You will find many native species to Costa Rica among the trees and foliage. Watch for caimans, spider monkeys, crocodiles and web-footed, water-walking lizards. Those guys are cool. Have you ever seen one upclose?

After the river cruise you will break for lunch and then return to Fortuna.

In the afternoon you can enjoy a relaxing soak in the Tabacon, Tabaconcito, Ecothermales, or Baldi Hot Springs. These volcanic hot springs are a great way to unwind after a long day spent exploring. When you visit you'll get to relax among the beautiful waterfalls and tropical flora and fauna.

At night if the weather is clear, you might get to see the glowing orange lava flow running down the Arenal Volcano. Be sure to have camera equipment and film that can take night photos of this stunning vista.

Call (321) 632-5610 * (800) 950-5610

Visit us at www.travelbyginny.com for all your travel needs!
Day 5 -- Pineapple Tour, Fortuna
1/18/201112:50:52 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Costa Rica, Land Tour, Rainforest, River Cruise, Volcano

Today will be another great day for photography and birdwatching as you will start your day off with a morning cruise on the Tortuguero River. What do you think you are most looking forward to taking pictures of today? I'm hoping to spot some howler and spider monkeys. Be sure to take a range of macro shots and wide shots for your photo albums. The flora and fauna are just as beautiful as the animal life.

After enjoying a good lunch you will get to visit a pineapple plantation. The pineapple is indigenous to South America but can be found worldwide in similar climates. Did you know that a pineapple was once the term for a pine cone? I don't think that would be very appetizing to eat now, do you? Talk about a crunchy and bark-covered difference! Before you leave the pineapple plantation you will get to sample some of the organic fruit. Costa Rica is famous for it's sweet pineapples. Is your mouth watering yet? I know mine is!

Next you will head out with your tour guide on approximately an hour long scenic countryside drive to the San Carlos Valley. Taking pictures through the bus might be a little difficult so make sure you have your camera set for a fast shutter speed to ensure quality images. Here you will stay for two nights in La Fortuna de San Carlos or more simply known: Fortuna.

Fortuna is the gateway to the Arenal Volcano, the country's most active volcano. The Arenal Volcano is Costa Rica's most fantastic sight to behold. You will almost certainly get to see it smoking. It is also the home to Caño Negro wildlife refuge and some fabulous hot springs, all of which you will get to visit tomorrow. Now it's time for dinner and leisurely pursuit... We highly suggest the spas! It is a great way to relax. You deserve to pamper yourself.

Call (321) 632-5610 * (800) 950-5610

Visit us at www.travelbyginny.com for all your travel needs!
Day 4 -- Tortuguero Park, Canal Cruise
12/23/20102:17:03 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Costa Rica, Land Tour, Rainforest, River Cruise

Yesterday you explored the Tortuguero Park in large open-air boats (25-40 passengers) but today you will set out in small open-air boats (15 passengers). Your tour will be guided by a naturalist. You’ll want to bring your camera to get those great souvenir photos. You could be lucky enough to capture a howler monkey on film!

From there you will go through the canals and lagoons of Caño Palma Wildlife Reserve. Caño Palma means Palm Canal and is lined by its namesake on both sides of the canal for a truly lush feel. The reserve is the best example of a lowland tropical wet forest and is a perfect spot for birdwatchers. Be on the lookout for caimans (a type of alligator) as they are known to swim in these waters.

Near the reserve are world famous nesting beaches for the endangered green sea turtles. You’ll make a visit to the Green Turtle Research Station. Here you can explore and learn about the efforts involved to protect these magnificent creatures and take a guided walk of the beaches.

The Green Sea Turtle’s name comes from the color of fat found beneath their shell. Like other sea turtles they migrate vast distances between where they feed where they hatch their babies. Costa Rica is one of the major nesting grounds in the Caribbean. In the wild Green Sea Turtles have been recorded living eighty some years.

After your excursion with the sea turtles you’ll go to Tortuguero village where you will visit a Costa Rican grade school if it’s in session and meet some of its students.

It’s lunch time now which you will enjoy back at your hotel.

In the afternoon you can go on another boat excursion to Tortuguero Park to learn more about the region and take lots of photos of wildlife and fauna. When you’re done the rest of the day is yours to plan as you’d like. If you’re brave you can go zip-lining or if you’re looking for more leisurely activities you can golf or tour the Lankaster Gardens.

Call (321) 632-5610 * (800) 950-5610

Visit us at www.travelbyginny.com for all your travel needs!
Day 3 -- Butterfly Garden, Tortuguero Park
12/21/201012:26:20 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Costa Rica, Land Tour, Rainforest

You have an exciting day planned starting with a trip through Braulio Carrillo Park. This scenic drive on the eastern side of the Central Volcanic Cordillera Conservation will be the sight of many waterfalls so have your cameras ready! The park is home to many dormant volcanoes and quite a few crater lakes. It features a combination of rainforest and cloud forests with lush foliage and many species of animals. Elevation is 9,532 feet above sea level.

Now it's time to wander in a butterfly garden. For those who have never had the pleasure, seeing these beautiful diurnal or day-time flying insects are in for a treat. You shouldn't be without your camera or a sketchbook. Take the time to really look at the butterflies. How many types can you document? If you stay very still you might even have the pleasure of one landing on you.

Break for lunch.

Up next is a tour of a banana plantation. Costa Rica is one of the top 4 leading producers for bananas in the world. The other three are Columbia, Ecuador, and the Philippines. Bananas are an excellent crop to grow in hurricane regions because they recover quickly from natural disasters. You may not know this but growing bananas is very labor intensive and they grow quick. A banana plantation is responsible for providing a lot of jobs.

After your visit to the banana plantation you'll get to cruise through Tortuguero National Park. It's the best way to see the park because of all the rivers and canals bisecting it. Tortuguero means turtle catcher and turtles are the biggest attraction. Beware the Hawksbill turtles! They aren't good for turtle soup as they are highly poisonous and there's no known cure. Tortuguero is also perfect for the ornithologists and birdwatchers in the group as the park is home to over 300 species of birds. Among them are green macaws, Amazon kingfishers, oropendolas, violet sabrewings, toucans, egrets, herons, northern jacanas, and sunbitterns.

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy in the pool, eat dinner, shop, play, and explore.

Call (321) 632-5610 * (800) 950-5610

Visit us at www.travelbyginny.com for all your travel needs!
Day 2 -- Poas Volcano, Cloud Forest
12/17/201010:08:39 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Costa Rica, Land Tour, Rainforest, Volcano

Coffee production is an important part of Costa Rican economy. The San José province is one of the country’s largest production areas. On your way to Poás Volcano you will get to drive through this famous coffee growing region.

The Poás Volcano is an active volcano. It’s considered a stratovolcano which means it was built up through several layers of lava, volcanic rock and ash. You can always pick out a stratovolcano by its steep profile and periodic explosive eruptions.

The Poás Volcano has erupted 39 times over the years since 1828, the last one in 1954. Stratovolcanoes never spread very far because of its thick viscosity. Weather permitting you will get to see inside the crater from an overlook. This is an excellent place to take perfect Screen Saver pictures for your computer.

Afterward the tour continues with a hike of the Escalonia Cloud Forest Trail. Cloud forests are like rainforests, except they have less rain and more humidity. They are formed by tradewinds crossing mountains slopes whose angles push the winds into higher elevations. As cool air can’t hold as much moisture as warm air the sudden excess of humidity forms the mists and clouds. It’s called horizontal precipitation because it doesn’t fall as rain. This explains why cloud forests don’t have much rainfall.

There’s a break for lunch between the cloud forest and the rest of your itinerary.

After lunch, you will go on a brief walking tour on a family run coffee farm where you will get to enjoy fresh hot Costa Rican coffee. It should be noted that Costa Rican coffee has more caffeine than regular coffee. The extra caffeine means that sometimes the coffee is mixed with inferior blends to cut it down.

The rest of your day will be spent exploring the San José’s Plaza de la Cultura, Central Park, the National Theatre and the Gold Museum.

All days during the tour end between 1:30 PM and 5:30 PM at which point you’ll be back at your hotel and able to spend the rest of day on your own exploring your hotel or downtown San José.

Next up the Butterfly Garden, Tortuguero National Park! Learn more on Tuesday!

Call (321) 632-5610 * (800) 950-5610

Visit us at www.travelbyginny.com for all your travel needs!
Day 1 -- San Jose, Costa Rica
12/14/20102:09:45 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Costa Rica, Land Tour, Rainforest

Why suffer the extreme cold of the winter months when you can enjoy the warm temperatures of a tropical paradise? The Southern Hemisphere and the Northern Hemisphere run at opposite seasons. When it’s wintertime in the United States places like Costa Rica are enjoying their spring and summer months.

Now is the perfect time to book a Costa Rica Natural Paradise tour. This 10 day holiday package starts in San José, the capital of Costa Rica and the country’s largest city. All of your meals, hotels, gratuities, and itinerary activities are included in the price of the packages. Travel during January and enjoy super savings.

San José benefits from a year-round temperate climate. January and February months are mild with temperatures in the low 70s during the day and high 50s at night. The reason for this is because of Costa Rica’s high elevation at about 4,000 feet. This means you can enjoy the rainforest without having to suffer the cloying heat usually associated with South American tropics.

San José hosts roughly one third of the country’s population. The country uses Costa Rica Colone (CRC) for currency. Exchange rates are favorable: 1 USD equals approximately 500.46 CRC. Please note this is an estimate as rates frequently change.

The tour offers choices in hotel accommodations. You can room at the Barcelo San José Palacio Hotel which is situated near downtown San José. It’s 5 Stars and is fully air-conditioned. There are many activities you can enjoy at this hotel from enjoying the spa to hitting the squash courts to gambling at its casino to taking a leisurely swim in the pool. There is internet down in the lobby for a small fee.

The Aurola Hotel is located in downtown San José at the heart of city life. It’s situated a short promenade from all the sites and landmarks. In fact, the Aurola Hotel is considered a San José landmark. This hotel has been recently renovated so that its guest can enjoy all of today’s modern amenities including air-conditioning. You can gamble at its casino, eat at its restaurants, and swim in its pool. It also has internet access in the lobby for a fee.

On day one you will be arriving at the Juan Santamaria International Airport. The tour includes transfers to your hotel where you will check in, relax, enjoy dinner, and meet your tour guide for a welcome meeting at about 8 PM.

Tomorrow you’ll go to Poás Volcano, Cloud Forest. Check back on Friday to learn more about Day 2.

Call (321) 632-5610 * (800) 950-5610

Visit us at www.travelbyginny.com for all your travel needs!

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