The Adventure Travel Company GET A QUOTE | CONTACT US | FIND A STORE
DESTINATION OF THE MONTH | TOP 10 TOURS | ADVENTURES BY INTEREST | AGENT PICK OF THE MONTH | RTW AIR | SAMPLE ITINERARIES | TRAVEL TALKS | eNEWSLETTER
Book it NOW
Adventure Tours
Insurance
Accommodation
Transportation
    Go

Quick Links
Current Travel Health Notices
Get our Newsletter
Meet Our People
Our Adventure Blogger
Gift Certificates
Volunteer Abroad
Customized Air and RTW
Doing Our Part
Stuff You Will Need
Groups
FAQs
Hot Specials
Adventures by Interest
Australia on Sale

Family Adventures
Volunteer Abroad
Languages Abroad
Nepal Your Way
  Travel Talks
Check back soon for travel talks in your area
Agent Pick of the Month

Lynn Degen

Name: Lynn Degen
Title: Senior Travel Counselor
Location: ATC - San Diego
Contact: (619) 544-0800
LDegen@ATCadventure.com

Tour: Costa Rica Pass – Independent tour - (GAA)
Duration: 7, 11 or 15 Days
Cost: $510, $710, and $940 USD

"Whether you travel with a group or on your own, Costa Rica is an adventure waiting to happen!! The opportunities for fun are endless in the mountains, rainforests and amazing beaches of this natural wonderland! The Costa Rica Pass is an independent, customized tour option that allows you to do it your way! Visit the most popular mountain, rainforest and beach spots on both the Caribbean and Pacific side of the country. Stay for 1 day or 5 days in each location before moving on---the choice is yours!

The Costa Rica Pass program assures you that your basic travel needs are taken care of, so you can focus on the adventure part of the trip! The flexible pass includes a stay at 3 star hotels all around Costa Rica, as well as hassle free door-to-door shuttle services on the Adventure Bus, and a full breakfast daily. You can even change your mind on the trip with 3 days advance notice! This is a great way to see Costa Rica at your own pace--on your own, or with a friend or two. You will be met by an English speaking guide at the beginning of your trip, who will be happy to answer questions you have as he goes over the details of your trip. If you decide to make changes along the way, one of our Tico friends at the local office will help to make the new arrangements for you and fax the updated itinerary to your hotel. It doesn’t get much easier than that!!

You can easily add a trip to the jungle lodges of Tortuguero, or full day or overnight rafting trip on the scenic Pacuare River to your Costa Rica Pass for some extra adventure! "
Lynn Degen

ITINERARY:
There are so many places to see and things to do that deciding on your itinerary can be the most challenging part of the trip planning!! In order to make the most of their Costa Rican trip, most people want to spend a little time in the rainforest, and finish their trip with some beach time! Some favorite places to visit are:
  • Arenal - where the volcano erupts constantly and the area’s hot springs are not to be missed;
  • Monteverde - home of the cloud forest and some of the best ziplining in the country;
  • Cahuita or Puerto Viejo - casual, laid back Caribbean beach towns with a steel drum atmosphere and warm clear water;
  • Tamarindo - with it’s sunny beaches, and golf courses
  • Manuel Antonio - a great combination of rainforest, beach and monkeys!
  • Jaco and Playa Hermosa – the popular surf town, and world renowned beautiful black sand surf beach
Although you can see a fair amount in 7 days, I recommend the 11 or 15 day pass to see 2 or 3 areas without feeling too rushed. Due to flight arrival and departure times, most travelers spend their first and last nights near San Jose.

Here is a sample itinerary for 11 days:

Day: Description:
1 Arrive San Jose. Meet & Greet at airport and transfer to San Jose area hotel
2-5 Take the morning adventure bus to the Arenal Volcano area. Spend 3 nights at a lodge with a volcano view. Spend days at exploring the volcano, relaxing in the hot springs, or take one of the many optional tours, such as caving, horseback riding, repelling down a waterfall, or a hanging bridges tour of the canopy.
5-7 Head over to the lush Monteverde Cloud Forest, founded by the Quakers. This fertile rainforest is teeming with plant and animal life! Take an optional guided rainforest tour or an adrenaline-pumping zipline tour..
7-10 Take the adventure bus to Manuel Antonio Beach. On the way, you can stop at the Tarcoles bridge to see the huge crocs that live below it, and experience the single lane “Oh-my-God!” bridge before your drive through the palm groves and down the coast. Don’t miss a rainforest hike, picnic, and swim at Manuel Antonio Beach Park. You’re sure to love the curious monkeys that play in the treetops in this area. Optional activities in the area include whitewater rafting, sunset catamaran cruise, butterfly farm, mangrove tours and more!
10 Head back to San Jose this afternoon for your last night in Costa Rica
11 The airport shuttle will take you to the airport in time for your flight home.

If you are a surfer, you may want to substitute the Tamarindo beach area, or Jaco and Playa Hermosa for the Manuel Antonio beach stay. The choice is yours.

If you have 15 days available, I recommend adding a Caribbean beach to your itinerary. Start your trip with a few nights at the laid back rasta town of Cahuita, where the rainforest National Park rivals it’s Pacific counterpart, Manuel Antonio. Or choose the popular surf town of Puerto Viejo a few kilometers south. The English-speaking afro-caribbean locals give this part of the country it’s unique character. And the Jamaican/Tico/Seafood cuisine here is delicious! After spending a few relaxing days here, you can catch the adventure bus to Arenal and continue the trip as above.

Feel free to contact us for suggestions for a custom itinerary that is just right for you!

GET A QUOTE | CONTACT US | FIND A STORE

Top Top

Agent Pick of the Month - Archive

August 07 Morocco
September 07 Nepal
October 07 Australia
November 07 Italy
December 07 Thailand
January 08 India
February 08 Greece
March 08 Egypt
April 08 Romania
May 08 Tango & Samba
June 08 Morocco
July 08 Trans-Mongolian Express Eastbound

About | Plan Your Trip | Travel with Purpose | Responsible Travel | Travel Help | Offers/Specials
Site Map | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | US | Canada
March 11, 2010