Atlas Cruises & Tours tauck-tours.escorteddeluxetours.com
A division of the Atlas Travel Network

Costa Rica
A n  8-Day tour starting from $2,490

Live, experienced travel consultants available:
1-800-942-3301
Monday-Friday 9AM - 6:30PM Eastern Time
9AM - 2PM Saturdays

Tour Length:    8 Days
Tour Type:    Escorted Tour
Tour Category:    NULL
Tour Operator:    Tauck Tours
Tour Code:    Tauck-VJ2010
About This Tour
Naturally inspiring, Costa Rica is all about adventure, whether it is during guided hikes into a wildlife-rich jungle or dancing barefoot on the beach, margaritas in hand, to the lively beat of Costa Rican music. There are wonders to behold at every turn – emerald filled craters that camouflage lunar landscapes, cloud forests that kiss the skies with canopied treetops, plantations ripe with sugar cane, coffee beans and decadent macadamia nuts… beaches that flirt with azure seas… and mangrove forests that welcome brilliantly colored tropical birds of all sizes and plumage. And there are lots of equally wonderful ways to experience them with Culturious… zip-lining, rafting, horseback riding, cruising... 2010 pricing starts at US $2,490 per person double. Maximum group size is 16.
What's Included?
•   Explore volcanic landscapes blanketed in scenic splendor
Sightseeing / Highlights
Naturally inspiring, Costa Rica is all about adventure, whether it is during guided hikes into a wildlife-rich jungle or dancing barefoot on the beach, margaritas in hand, to the lively beat of Costa Rican music. There are wonders to behold at every turn – emerald filled craters that camouflage lunar landscapes, cloud forests that kiss the skies with canopied treetops, plantations ripe with sugar cane, coffee beans and decadent macadamia nuts… beaches that flirt with azure seas… and mangrove forests that welcome brilliantly colored tropical birds of all sizes and plumage. And there are lots of equally wonderful ways to experience them with Culturious… zip-lining, rafting, horseback riding, cruising... 2010 pricing starts at US $2,490 per person double. Maximum group size is 16. 1. Hola San José Tour begins: San José. Touch down in San José, gateway to a treasure trove of riches, past and present. Meet your Culturious representative at the airport for a transfer to the Alta Hotel, the height of scenic luxury in an intimate mountainside hotel, where the views of the valley and sea go on forever. History calls this afternoon on a guided walking tour through the colonial city. Go for Baroque at the architecturally resplendent Teatro Nacional. Gaze at the ancient artifacts of the Museo del Oro, glittering in gold, and step back in time in the Barrio Amon, heart of the historic homes of the city. It’s fiesta time tonight at our welcome dinner, enticing with a taste of Latin American fare. Buenas noches! Meals D   2. From the jungle to the sea It’s up early for a drive into Costa Rica’s forested landscapes as resident wildlife wakes up to a new day in the tropics. Your naturalist guide leads you on a hike through a private natural reserve that showcases the two different ecosystems that thrive here. Exotic animal sightings may include wild pigs, anteaters, monkeys and the elusive jaguar. Your expedition continues on a cruise across the Gulf of Nicoya, home to your beachfront resort, where memories of the popular TV show “Temptation Island” come to life as the show was actually filmed here. Acclimate to paradise with a pisco sour and a Spanish lesson. Meals BLD 3. Horseback riding on the beach Everywhere you look, nature beckons. Experience it on a morning horseback ride into the hillsides and along the beach with a genuine vaquero who shares his views on life in the saddle. Savor it on a picnic, serenaded by the sounds of the Pacific Ocean surf or enjoy it at the spa, where you will truly feel transformed. The choice is yours and the options for Culturious fun are endless! Meals BD 4. Kayak cruise into the mangrove forests Early risers catch the best birds here in Costa Rica, so if you’re game, join us for bird watching this morning before breakfast. Meet your Culturious compadres for a kayak cruise down a lazy river into the wildlife-rich mangrove forests, alive with a chorus of tropical bird songs, before spending the rest of the day pursuing your own flights of fancy. If golf is your passion, play a round or two during your stay; fishermen and boaters may want to head out to the sea on a sailing, snorkeling, deep-sea fishing or diving expedition; or take time out for a good book as you relax on the sun-kissed beach. Tonight kick off your shoes and feel the sand in your toes at a beach party that pulses with the beat of Costa Rican life and delights with some of the best margaritas you've ever tasted. Meals BD 5. The height of discovery at Irazú A private morning flight speeds you back to San José for a hike atop lunar landscapes in nearby Irazú Volcano National Park, home to Costa Rica’s highest volcano. Wait until you see the views from here – panoramic vistas of the valley and emerald-green crater lake are a feast for the soul. Paradise calls again from another gracious Culturious resort. Understated and low key to blend right in with the tropically elegant environment, your home for the next three nights at Casa Turire is tranquility perfected! Meals BLD 6. Challenge your boundaries on a river trip Join us in an optional morning exercise class – a great way to prepare for today’s 3-hour whitewater rafting adventure on the Pacuare River! Be as active as you wish this afternoon, indulging in a massage, a boat ride on the lake or venturing out on a hacienda experience at a local plantation. Learn about the agricultural techniques of a century ago, then take a tasting tour of the fields with local workers who still manually harvest the coffee, sugar cane and macadamia nuts that are grown here. If you’re still Culturious about local life, visit the highlands village of Turialba, a center for woodcrafts and furniture making, to watch the artisans at work. Meals BLD 7.  Zip-lining through a jungle canopy Take an early morning walk to spot the toucans, orioles and parakeets that make their homes here on the resort. Then it’s up, up and away on a zip-lining flight through treetop canopies for a bird’s-eye view of nearby cloud forests. Take off from twelve sky-high platforms connected by zip-lines and if you’re really adventurous, experience two controlled rappelling drops for added thrills. This afternoon is yours to enjoy as you wish. Your Tauck Director can help you with arrangements for kayaking, biking or horseback riding. Or, head for the pool, whirlpool or lake for waterside pleasures. The Hacienda Tayutic is the perfect setting for our farewell festivities this evening, a showcase of breathtaking views and garden delights. Meals BLD 8. Hasta luego Costa Rica Tour ends: San José. A transfer from the hotel to the airport is included for your return flight home and you can fly home anytime today. The extra-Culturious may choose to stay on in San José; ask us about extending your stay! Meals B
Optionals & Add-Ons
NULL
Your Itinerary
Day 1: Hola San José
Tour begins: San José. Touch down in San José, gateway to a treasure trove of riches, past and present. Meet your Culturious representative at the airport for a transfer to the Alta Hotel, the height of scenic luxury in an intimate mountainside hotel, where the views of the valley and sea go on forever. History calls this afternoon on a guided walking tour through the colonial city. Go for Baroque at the architecturally resplendent Teatro Nacional. Gaze at the ancient artifacts of the Museo del Oro, glittering in gold, and step back in time in the Barrio Amon, heart of the historic homes of the city. It's fiesta time tonight at our welcome dinner, enticing with a taste of Latin American fare. Buenas noches! Meals D
Overnight: The Alta Hotel – San José, Costa Rica
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: From the jungle to the sea
It's up early for a drive into Costa Rica's forested landscapes as resident wildlife wakes up to a new day in the tropics. Your naturalist guide leads you on a hike through a private natural reserve that showcases the two different ecosystems that thrive here. Exotic animal sightings may include wild pigs, anteaters, monkeys and the elusive jaguar. Your expedition continues on a cruise across the Gulf of Nicoya, home to your beachfront resort, where memories of the popular TV show “Temptation Island” come to life as the show was actually filmed here. Acclimate to paradise with a pisco sour and a Spanish lesson. Meals BLD
Overnight: Tango Mar – Tambor, Costa Rica
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Horseback riding on the beach
Everywhere you look, nature beckons. Experience it on a morning horseback ride into the hillsides and along the beach with a genuine vaquero who shares his views on life in the saddle. Savor it on a picnic, serenaded by the sounds of the Pacific Ocean surf or enjoy it at the spa, where you will truly feel transformed. The choice is yours and the options for Culturious fun are endless! Meals BD
Overnight: Tango Mar – Tambor, Costa Rica
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Kayak cruise into the mangrove forests
Early risers catch the best birds here in Costa Rica, so if you're game, join us for bird watching this morning before breakfast. Meet your Culturious compadres for a kayak cruise down a lazy river into the wildlife-rich mangrove forests, alive with a chorus of tropical bird songs, before spending the rest of the day pursuing your own flights of fancy. If golf is your passion, play a round or two during your stay; fishermen and boaters may want to head out to the sea on a sailing, snorkeling, deep-sea fishing or diving expedition; or take time out for a good book as you relax on the sun-kissed beach. Tonight kick off your shoes and feel the sand in your toes at a beach party that pulses with the beat of Costa Rican life and delights with some of the best margaritas you've ever tasted. Meals BD
Overnight: Tango Mar – Tambor, Costa Rica
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: The height of discovery at Irazð
A private morning flight speeds you back to San José for a hike atop lunar landscapes in nearby Irazð Volcano National Park, home to Costa Rica's highest volcano. Wait until you see the views from here - panoramic vistas of the valley and emerald-green crater lake are a feast for the soul. Paradise calls again from another gracious Culturious resort. Understated and low key to blend right in with the tropically elegant environment, your home for the next three nights at Casa Turire is tranquility perfected! Meals BLD
Overnight: Casa Turire – Turialba, Costa Rica
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Challenge your boundaries on a river trip
Join us in an optional morning exercise class - a great way to prepare for today's 3-hour whitewater rafting adventure on the Pacuare River! Be as active as you wish this afternoon, indulging in a massage, a boat ride on the lake or venturing out on a hacienda experience at a local plantation. Learn about the agricultural techniques of a century ago, then take a tasting tour of the fields with local workers who still manually harvest the coffee, sugar cane and macadamia nuts that are grown here. If you're still Culturious about local life, visit the highlands village of Turialba, a center for woodcrafts and furniture making, to watch the artisans at work. Meals BLD
Overnight: Casa Turire – Turialba, Costa Rica
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Zip-lining through a jungle canopy
Take an early morning walk to spot the toucans, orioles and parakeets that make their homes here on the resort. Then it's up, up and away on a zip-lining flight through treetop canopies for a bird's-eye view of nearby cloud forests. Take off from twelve sky-high platforms connected by zip-lines and if you're really adventurous, experience two controlled rappelling drops for added thrills. This afternoon is yours to enjoy as you wish. Your Tauck Director can help you with arrangements for kayaking, biking or horseback riding. Or, head for the pool, whirlpool or lake for waterside pleasures. The Hacienda Tayutic is the perfect setting for our farewell festivities this evening, a showcase of breathtaking views and garden delights. Meals BLD
Overnight: Casa Turire – Turialba, Costa Rica
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Hasta luego Costa Rica
Tour ends: San José. A transfer from the hotel to the airport is included for your return flight home and you can fly home anytime today. The extra-Culturious may choose to stay on in San José; ask us about extending your stay!
Overnight:
Meals Included: Breakfast

Dates & Prices

To speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301.

Airfare Disclaimer
A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation.

Documents
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date

       
Starting Date
Ending Date
Land Only
Land + Air
11/29/2010
12/7/2010
$2,490
Call (800) 942-3301
12/6/2010
12/14/2010
$2,490
Call (800) 942-3301
12/13/2010
12/21/2010
$2,490
Call (800) 942-3301
Specials

Tauck Tour Deals

Traveling with a group of friends or family can add to the joy of any journey.

Book a group of 10 on any Tauck land journey or cruise and the 11th guest travels FREE.

Book a group of 8 on any Tauck Bridges family adventure and the 9th guest travels FREE


Tauck Single Specials

For those seeking singles tours, we are pleased to offer special values on select departures to our guests who choose to travel solo. You can travel with peace of mind, knowing that you are among like-minded travelers and will have all the day-to-day details handled for you! While everyone is welcome, on these select dates we offer special arrangements to those traveling solo at a reduced cost.

Tauck Single Specials in North America

Best of the Canadian Rockies

Michigan's Lakes & Mackinac Island

Charleston/Savannah

Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia

San Fransisco, Sonoma & Napa Valleys

Tauck Single Specials in Europe

A Week in Ireland

A Week in Spain

Mediterranean Discovery

Istanbul and the Black Sea

Treasure of the Mediterranean

Cruising Mediterranean Shores

The Blue Danube

Holland Belgium in Spring

Strasbourg to Prague Serenade

The Rhine and Moselle

Budapest to Amsterdam by Riverboat

Budapest to the Black Sea

Classic Italy

Bellissima Northern Italy

Italian Lakes, Venice, Florence and Rome

A Week in Paris and Provence

Tauck Singles Specials in Latin America

Panama Canal & Costa Rica


Important Note:
All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing.