ARRIVE IN GUATEMALA CITY, GUATEMALA - ANTIGUA. Upon arrival, meet you Local Host and transfer to Antigua, Guatemalas' capital from 1543 until a devastating earthquake in 1776 when it was moved to Guatemala City. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Antigua is one of the Americas' oldest and most beautiful cities, with pastel-coloured buildings, wide cobblestone streets and a beautiful natural setting ringed by three volcanoes. (D)
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ANTIGUA Our morning TOUR of this magnificent highlands city, known for its 16th-century Spanish Colonial architecture, includes lively Plaza Mayor flanked by the impressive Catedral de San Jose and Palace of the Capitanes Generales. We also see the ruins of churches and monasteries, some with hidden underground passages, destroyed by the earthquake of 1776; and take a tour of a JADE FACTORY
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ANTIGUA - CHICHICASTENANGO - LAKE ATITLAN. Today, reach the whitewashed highland town of Chichicastenango to visit the colourful, open-air INDIAN MARKET and the Catholic CHURCH OF SANTO TOMAS to witness ancient Mayan ceremonies that have long been practiced there. Continue to the shores of Lake Atitlan, surrounded by volcanoes and indigenous villages. (B,L)
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LAKE ATITLAN - GUATEMALA CITY. This morning, CRUISE across Lake Atitlan, Visit the Indian village of SANTIAGO ATITLAN, and meet the Tzutuhil people, one of Guatemals's indigenous tribes. This afternoon, head back to Guatemala City for a tour and a Guatemalan farewell dinner. (B,D)
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GUATAMALA CITY - SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA.. Fly to San Jose to join Day 1 of the Costa Rican portion of your vacation. (B)
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SAN JOSE - TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK. Journey east to the Caribbean shore and TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK. On the way, stop at a BANANA PLANTATION. Later, board a motor launch for your CRUISE along the Tortuguero Canals, waterways crisscrossing a national park dedicated to the protection of endangered turtles. The trained eyes of your guide and boatman help you spot freshwater turtles, caymans, herons, toucans, egrets, and monkeys. An afternoon at leisure lets you explore Pachira Lodge until you meet for an informative slideshow presentation on the area. (B,L,D)
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TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK TOUR & CANAL CRUISE. Your Tour Guide accompanies you on a leisurely BOAT RIDE along remote, unspoiled sections of the park's waterways, explaining the bountiful flora and fauna. Enjoy a fascinating stroll through an accessible portion of the nearby RAINFOREST. During the peak nesting season, from mid-July to mid-October, you may be lucky enough to observe an endangered green turtle laying her eggs under the starlight on an optional tour. (B,L,D)
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TORTUGUERO - TILAJARI RESORT. A morning boat transfer begins your journey to the San Carlos area. First, tour the CORSICANA PINEAPPLE FARM to learn about the history, cultivation and industry of pineapples. Continue through TILAJARI RAINFOREST RESERVE. After settling in, experience the magic of the resort's BUTTERFLY GARDEN and consider a walk in the nearby tropical rainforest in search of 300- to 400-year-old trees, poisonous frogs, monkeys, birds and possibly small animals native to the reserve. (B,L,D)
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TILAJARI RESORT. During your morning at leisure you may wish to go on an optional horseback ride or float trip. Or, you can take advantage of Tilajari's amenities by walking along the shaded trails of the private, 750-acre tropical forest. Later this afternoon, enjoy a walking tour of the town of La Fortuna de San Carlos, offering spectacular views of the active Arenal Volcano. Next, drive to nearby ECOTERMALES HOT SPRINGS for a dip in the curative and relaxing pools. This evening, view ARENAL VOLCANO, hoping to see lava glowing on its sides. (B,D)
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TILAJARI RESORT - MONTEVERDE. After breakfast, continue to MONTEVERDE, where you will enjoy two days at the cloud forest. This afternoon, take a guided tour on the SKYWALK hanging bridges, which combines trails and suspension bridges through the canopy of Monteverde Cloud Forest, to search for flora and fauna. Later, visit the FROG POND, where you can admire more than 25 species of frogs and other amphibians and learn about the various species indigenous to the area. (B)
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MONTEVERDE This morning visit SANTA ELENA CLOUD FOREST RESERVE for a walking tour. Located on the Continental Divide of Costa Rica, the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve comprises an area of 765 acres and is home to forest fauna, such as the Resplendent Quetzal, Jaguars, Ocelots, monkeys and numerous species of birds. With almost 100% humidity throughout the year, the cloud forest experiences almost 3.6 metres (12 feet) of rain per year. Later, visit the family-owner TRAPICHE FARM, where you will enjoy a homemade lunch. While here learn about the production of sugarcane, coffee and the traditional ways of cultivating bananas, arracache (a local legume), avocado, macadamia nuts as well as other products. The remainder of your day is at leisure. (B,L)
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MONTEVERDE - SARCHI-SAN JOSE. En route to San Jose visit SARCHI Village, known as the centre of Costa Rican handcrafts and where you will see the artists in their workshops making the famous oxcarts. Next stop in Grecia Village to see the metal church that was imported from Belgium to Puerto Limon in 1897. The church was transported by oxcarts to its present day location but sat in the plaza for 10 years before being reconstructed. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner ending an unforgettable discovery of Costa Rica. (B,L,D)
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SAN JOSE - QUEPOS. Take a morning drive to the Pacific Ocean to the town of Quepos, getaway to Manuel Antonio National Park. Dense mangrove swamps sheltering a variety of wildlife back up to the pristine beaches in this area. It is not uncommon to see iguanas and white-faced monkeys on the beach. For the more active, there are jungle hikes suited to all levels. Other local activities include canopy tours, deep-sea fishing, diving, sea kayaking and mountain biking.(B)
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QUEPOS. A full day at leisure. (B)
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QUEPOS. A full day at leisure. (B)
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QUEPOS - SAN JOSE. Transfer back to the San Jose airport for your homebound connections. Please do note schedule your return flights before 2.30 pm. (B)
TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK: Guided cruise through the canals to view wildlife; guided walk through the rainforest
SARAPIQUI: Tour a working pineapple plantation
TILAJARI RESORT: Tilajari Rainforest Reserve; visit the Butterfly Garden, Ecotermales Hot Springs, and Arenal Volcano
MONTEVERDE: Visit the Sky Walk hanging bridges; frog pond; Santa Elena Cloud Forest; Trapiche Farm tour
SARCHI: Shop for souvenirs
SAN JOSE: Farewell dinner
GUATEMALA EXTENSION: Sightseeing in Antigua and Guatemala City; visit a jade factory; stop in Chichicastenango to visit an open-air Indian market and the Church of Santo Tomas; take a cruise on Lake Atitlan; visit Santiago Atitlan; farewell dinner
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable
MEALS: American breakfast daily (B); 5 lunches (L); and 5 three-course dinners (D), including a special farewell dinner in San Jose. Guatemala Extension: 7 addittional meals as per itinerary. Manuel Antonio Extension: breakfast daily (B)
Meals Breakfast - 15 Lunch - 6 Dinner - 7
Optional Excursions
To help plan your leisure time, as well as your pre-tour budgeting, here is a list of optional excursions that may be offered on this tour.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, group interests, and general feasibility for your tour. Please note prices may be based on the previous year and are subject to change. Full terms and conditions are contained in the important travel documents.
Optional Excursions
