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Fun and Sun in Costa Rica

8 night / 9 day Costa Rica Vacation Package
Central Valley – Monteverde – Guanacaste Beach

Spend the first half of your Costa Rica vacation having fun in the Central Valley Mountains and the Monteverde Cloud Forest. The second half will take you to the sunny beaches of Western Nicoya Peninsula, in isolated, small and personal resorts. This package will give your family the opportunity to enjoy adventures in nature, unique volcanoes and sites, followed by relaxing times at the beach. This balanced vacation in Costa Rica is ideal for families looking to explore the sites near San Jose but allow time under the sun in secluded and unique resorts.

Day 1: Arrive at the San Jose International Airport. After clearing immigration exit airport and meet your driver. Enjoy the drive up the mountains to your hotel. This is one of the country’s prime coffee plantation regions, known also for the strawberry and ornamental plant production. Check into your hotel.

Day 2: Enjoy the hotel and the activities available in region. While at the Mountains of the Central Valley (optional activities, not included):

Take full advantage of the La Paz Waterfall Gardens Park. Enjoy the magnificent hikes, view the spectacular waterfalls, and visit the hummingbird gallery and butterfly farm.

Visit the Poás Volcano National Park and hike up to the crater’s edge, one of the largest on earth. Complete your visit with a 30-minute hike to the lagoon, located near the crater.

On the way down from the mountains, visit the Doka Coffee Plantation to learn about the process that produces the world’s best coffee.

Go rafting on the Sarapiquí River. The river has Class III and IV rafting for adventure aficionados and Floating Safari Class II rafting for slower-paced, nature lovers. Both are excellent tours featuring amazing scenery, interesting wildlife and thrilling adventure.

Overnight in your Central Valley mountain hotel.

Day 3: Check out of the hotel. Board the van and start the transfer to Monteverde Region. This beautiful drive starts at an altitude of 1,100 meters over sea level in San Jose, and as you travel west on the Interamerican Highway, you will drive past the towns of Grecia, Naranjo and Palmares reaching the outskirts of the city of San Ramon. Here you will start descend to Puntarenas at close to sea level, and continue northwest through the Guanacaste savannah. Veer north and start the climb to the Cloud Forest Region, to an altitude of over 1,400 meters (4,200 feet) over sea level. Arrive at the region and check into a room at your Monteverde hotel.

Day 4: Enjoy the hotel and the many activities available in the region. While at Monteverde (optional activities, not included):

You must visit the Cloud Forest National Parks of Monteverde and Santa Elena. Both parks have short and long hiking trails, which take from two to six hours to climb. As two of only a few unspoiled cloud forests on earth, they are truly a unique experience.

Visit the famous Monteverde Cheese Factory. The Monteverde region was founded by Quakers, and early on, they established this factory as one of their only industrial activities. Tour the facility to learn the process of producing different cheeses. Taste the products and the superb hand-dipped ice cream at the end of the tour!

Experience the Sky Walk/Sky Trek or the Canopy Tour. Costa Rica boasts over 50 canopy tours, but two of the originals are in Monteverde. The mist of the cloud forest makes this the most magical canopy experience in Costa Rica.

Learn about the coffee growing and processing industry on the Monteverde Coffee Tour. Taste some of Costa Rica’s best coffee as you learn about one of the country’s most important and traditional agricultural products.

Tour the Cloud Forest private reserves on guided horseback or ATV -- a more adventurous way to enjoy this unique eco-system.

Overnight in Monteverde.

Day 5: Following breakfast you will be picked up for the drive to your south Guanacaste beach hotel. At the Interamerican highway, veer North. Continue to the bridge over the Tempisque River (also signs to Tamarindo and Samara). At the intersection to the bridge, make a left turn and continue. Drive over the bridge and follow signs to Nicoya and Santa Cruz. Head south down the Nicoya peninsula through dry tropical forest, rustic towns, and cattle ranches. Check into your beach hotel.

Day 6 - 8: Enjoy the hotel and the many activities available including hiking, fishing, horseback riding, canopy tour and surf school. While at the Nicoya Peninsula (optional activities, not included):

Go sport fishing! Boats with experienced crews and great service can be hired at most resorts. Whether you choose the half day in-shore or the full day off-shore expedition, you are guaranteed fun and excitement. Bring the catch of the day back to the hotel for the chef to prepare for dinner.

Explore this unspoiled area on horseback or ATV and visit the tropical dry forest, virgin beaches, mangroves, and waterfalls. There are many sites to be re-discovered all around the Southern Nicoya Peninsula.

Overnight at the resort in Guanacaste beach.

Day 9: At a time to be determined, board the van for the short transfer to the local airstrip. Board the flight back to San Jose. Upon arrival meet and board the van for the short private transfer to the San Jose International Airport. Check in for your flight back home.

This 9 day / 8 night itinerary for 4 guests includes:

2 nights in a Mountain Hotel
2 nights at Monteverde
4 nights at the beach
Private transfer San Jose International Airport – Mountain Hotel
Private transfer Mountain Hotel - Monteverde
Private transfer Monteverde - Beach Hotel
Flight: Guanacaste Beach town – San Jose
Shuttle transfer Hotel - Local Airstrip
Daily breakfast at all hotels
Sales & hotel taxes

Family of four:

Staying at Villa Blanca + Fonda Vela + Tango Mar
May 1 - Nov 15, 2010: from $ 2,595 per family in one room
May 1 - Nov 15, 2010: from $ 3,650 per family in two rooms

Staying at Xandari + El Establo + Punta Islita
May 1 - Nov 15, 2010: from $ 4,350 per family in one room
May 1 - Nov 15, 2010: from $ 5,140 per family in two rooms

For travel during peak holiday season, including Christmas and Easter, please contact our Costa Rica vacations experts at (888) 928-3688

Book your Fun in the Sun Costa Rica family vacation or call us to modify the package to your needs. This itinerary is ideal for families that wish to stay at top Costa Rica hotels and resorts and want to experience a mix of rain and cloud forest, waterfalls and spend time at the beach. Please email us at info@memorablecostarica.com or call us toll free at (888) 928-3688 to book your Costa Rica family vacation.