HotFamTrips.com by Sunny Land Tours, Inc.  Copyright 2001- 2011.   All rights reserved.  

Day 01 San Jose / Arenal

Welcome to Costa Rica! Arrive today any time before 12:00 Noon to the San Jose International Airport. upon arrival at the San Jose International Airport and after passing through immigrations and customs, you’ll need to proceed to the airport exit to locate the Best Western Irazu shuttle bus. This short 15 minute shuttle will bring you to the Best Western Irazu Hotel where your will enjoy lunch before our group departure transfer to the San Carlos-Arenal Region

Transfer time approximately 2 ½ hour’s drive to Chachagua Rainforest. A favorite stop along the way to Arenal is the roadside “Pulperias”. Look for signs saying “Queso Palmito” which is sold at these little establishments. This is a fresh cheese braided into a ball, some have a creamy consistency much like fresh mozzarella and other varieties have a saltier taste and firmer texture.

Upon arrival at Chachagua we will check in, enjoy a welcome cocktail, an authentic Costa Rican dinner and overnight in the lush tropical rainforest. See for yourself why Pat Schultz includes Chachagua Rainforest Hotel in her New York Times best seller, The 1,000 Places to See Before You Die. The weather in the area is generally hot and humid. A sweater at night is important as well as a flashlight, good insect repellant and sturdy closed shoes. Meals: L, D

Day 02 Rainforest at Chachagua & The Arenal Volcano Optional Visit to Tabacon Hot Mineral Springs (must preregister)

When you waken this morning you will quickly realize why Pat Schultz included Chachagua Rainforest Hotel in her New York Times bestseller, 1,000 Places You Must See Before You Die.. Chachagua is like no other hotel in the San Carlos -Arenal region, with over 160 acres of just nature! It’s the only hotel around the Arenal area which is immersed in a primary forest, where the visitor will enjoy the most vivid contact with nature. Chachagua is Built on a 90 Hectares farm and primary rainforest 20 minutes away from the active Arenal Volcano and is truly is a dream place; it captures nature in the most principle fashion. Embraced between the forces of nature; rushing rivers cool mountain spring waters and primary rainforest teeming with wildlife coupled with the active Arenal Volcano and its surrounding hot springs, Canopy tours, aerial tram, trek and zip line adventures, white water rafting, kayaking, canoeing trips and horseback riding.

This morning enjoy the resort’s Sustainability Tour, and if you are lucky meet Costa Rican legend, Don Carlos Salazar. Carlos is renowned throughout Costa Rica as the grand daddy pioneer of tourism in the country. A horse lover and amazing chef, Carlos brings travelers closer to the real roots of Costa Rican culture history and tradition through his food, folklore and laughter. Those lucky enough to meet him will walk away knowing why the Ticos are amongst the world’s friendliest and humble people. The hotel has an excellent location to be used as operations center to visit all the neighboring attractions of the area, with its particular ambiance of peace and relaxation.

Meet the Rain Forest chefs in the wonderful Restaurant, a rustic place with exuberant views of the forest and the pool, offering international cuisine with that special homely touch and that unique Costa Rican flavor. We guarantee you will be delighted. Here we offer our clients the most special rainforest experience with an outstanding level of service and fresh delicious home cooked meals. Real life "cowboys" will help you explore the Trails and sustainability project which has made its home here thanks to ecologists and volunteers.

A short Sunny Land product presentation follows and then lunch . Next, get ready because at 2:00 PM we depart to the Arenal Volcano National Park for a 45 minute hike on the El Silencio Trail. The Arenal Volcano is the only volcano in Costa Rica constantly active since it woke up after 400 years with the big 1968 eruption. The volcano today produces ash and smoke columns, small explosions & glowing red lava. On our hike this afternoon smoke from Volcano can easily be seen and on a clear night we will see the glowing beauty of this majestic Volcano... After our hike return to Chachagua for dinner and overnight or continue on with the amazing visit of famous buffet at Tasbacon Hot Mineral Springs Option:

Tabacon Hot Mineral Springs preregistered participants instead will be taken to the famous Tabacon hot Springs. Participants will enjoy the maze of thermal waters flowing through cascades, pools, waterfalls followed by a sumptuous buffet dinner and return transfer to Chachagua for overnight. You must preregister for this option; make sure you ask for it at time of reservation. This is the region’s # 1 attraction!Meals: B, L, D

Day 03 Arenal / Palo Verde National Park and the Rancho Humo Experience/ Guanacaste Costa Rica's Gold Coast

Enjoy Chachagua's organic breakfast before your check out from the hotel for departure to Costa Rica's north pacific coast. We will drive by Arenal's most popular area attractions like: Balsa River, Canopy Tour, Hanging Bridges, Rio Fortuna waterfall, Sky Tram, Trek & Butterfly Garden center as these attractions are the most frequently requested by travelers.

We arrive late morning to Palo Verde National Park. Palo Verde National Park, located in the low riverbank of the Tempisque River, is made up of an ecosystem of flooded plains, bordered by rivers and by a chain of limestone fiords. Palo Verde is one of the places with the highest biodiversity in the country; there are approximately 15 different habitats, as a result of the varied topography that includes flooded areas, drainages, and the influence of tides. We will have a chance to see much of this on our guided boat exploration through the park.

Among the habitats, wetlands can be found: lagoons and swamps of salty and fresh water. These ecosystems are declared of world priority. In addition, you can see mangroves, pastures, small forests across the plains, tropical dry forests, flooded forests, and evergreen forests.

Lunch compliments the experience in the Rancho Humo’s fine visitor facilities. Next we are off to the beach. Sit back and relax on the 3 hour drive to the beautiful beach located at Tamarindo, which is hands down Costa Rica’s most lively beach community!

This charming four-star hotel is located on the Northwest Pacific coast of Costa Rica Tamarindo Diria Beach & Golf Resort sets its self apart from all others as the only hotel located on the white sand of the world famous Tamarindo Beach. This hotel is a Tamarindo´s classic! The resorts premier lodging facility offers the best location in town.

Tamarindo Diria Beach & Golf Resort is a mixture of tradition and contemporary style and architecture and is surrounded by exotic and beautifully maintained lush tropical gardens that offer guests the natural beauty of Costa Rica right outside their doors. The majority of rooms offer incredible ocean views, providing picturesque sunsets, and access to Tamarindo Beach just a few steps from your hotel room.Meals: B, L, D

Day 04 & Day 5 Tamarindo Beach

Two full days to explore Tamarindo. This is a pedestrian paradise, you can walk to virtually everything! Visit the local bakery famous for chocolate filled croissants, stroll and admire the fabulous array of great stores and boutiques or just relax at the beach and watch the surfers ride some of the most famous breaks in the world. Overnights at Tamarindo Diria Hotel Meals B, D daily

Day 06 Guanacaste/ USA

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast. Departure transfers will be provided in accordance with your International departure flight leaving Liberia International Airport (LIR)located just 45 minutes away from Tamarindo Meals: B

HotFamTrips.com by Sunny Land Tours, Inc.  Copyright 2001- 2011.   All rights reserved.