Come discover the Magic of Costa Rica February 3-10, 2011 with Magic 100.7! By traveling to both coastlines of the country, you will become familiar with the combination of ecology and culture that is unique to each coast.

This trip will transport you into the pristine rain forest and Afro-Jamaican communities of Tortuguero on the Caribbean coastline. As you travel throughout the central part of the country, beautiful mountains and volcanoes will connect you with the real flavor of the Costa Rican culture. The last part of the trip will offer a chance to relax on the Pacific Coast in a beautiful all-inclusive resort.

Click here to register for the Magic of Costa Rica tour.

MAGIC OF COSTA RICA PRICING

$1,699 per traveler (double occupancy)

Payments, insurance, and cancellation details


INCLUDED

Activities:

• Boat trip through Tortuguero canals
• Hike at Tortuguero National Park
• Natural Hot Springs
• Arenal Volcano National Park and Lava Hike
• All-inclusive hotel on Pacific Coast

Meals:

• 6 Breakfasts
• 4 Lunches
• 4 Dinners

Transportation:

• Airfare from Chicago O'Hare to San Jose, Costa Rica
• Air-conditioned private ground transportation
• Boat transportation to and from Tortuguero

MAIN ITINERARY

Day 1 - Arrive to San Jose, Costa Rica
The group will be received at the international airport by the Natural Expeditions Tour Guide, who will be with the group at all times. The group will go from the airport to the hotel to get accommodated in the rooms and meet for a general briefing about the upcoming tour activities. (Hotel Bougainvillea or similar)


Day 2 – San José to Tortuguero
Begin your adventure with an early ride to the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. The group will have the chance of driving across the city of San Jose and experiencing the early start of this very populated area. Upon leaving the city, the landscape will become a combination of active volcanoes, which are located in the central mountain range, and large areas of coffee plantations. Suddenly, the scenario will transform into the most beautiful and unsuspected proportion of pristine forest, the Braulio Carrillo National Park. This is a tropical forest in the back yard of San Jose, and this first visual contact with the rain forest will come accompanied with an explanation of how the geological formation of the country took place. As the journey continues, the scenery will include farm land where banana, pineapple, and ornamental plantations will show part of the everyday activity of the Costa Rican economy.

The ground transportation will be exchanged for water transportation as you prepare to enter Tortuguero. The boat trip will take you directly to the lodge. The boat will stay at all times in fresh water, a combination of lagoons and rivers where the scenery and wildlife will give you a reason to be using your cameras constantly until you reach the remote location of Tortuguero. (La Baula Lodge or similar)

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.


Day 3 – Tortuguero National Park
Explore the beauty of the Tortuguero National Park by boating through the canals in the middle of the rainforest. Keep an eye out for monkeys, iguanas, and caimans, which are plentiful in this area of the country. Experience a breath-taking natural wetland established all around the location of the hotel. The first thing you have to expect in this area will be rain, as well as the chance to see a diverse amount of tropical fauna.

During the afternoon, enjoy a chance to relax at the swimming pool of the lodge, or if you rather, explore the beautiful botanical gardens of the area. This is also a good opportunity to visit the Caribbean Conservation Corporation (CCC) and learn about the program of sea turtles and the sustainable project this unique community has.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.


Day 4 – Tortuguero, Arenal Volcano Region
Catch the boat again and travel back to the ground transportation to begin a visit to one of the most famous regions of the country - Arenal Volcano. This area is one of the most prosperous regions of the country where the locals have seen the positive side of living by an active pyroclastic mountain through its effect on the richness of the volcanic soil. You will pass by many small villages along the way, which will demonstrate the constant movement of an active society and a wide variety of cultural groups.

During the evening, relax at the base of the Arenal Volcano while you enjoy the warmth of the natural hot springs. Be sure to watch the volcano while at the hot springs location - it’s a great place to observe some of the constant activity from the main active crater of this smoking giant. (Magic Mountain Hotel or similar)

Breakfast and lunch are included.


Day 5 – Arenal Volcano National Park
In the morning, you can purchase an optional excursion for one of the most exciting experiences we have in Costa Rica – the canopy tour. In order to explore the treetops and enjoy the rain forest from a different perspective, the canopy ride has become an interesting way of getting to know that specific area of the forest which was limited to scientists for a long time. “Swinging” through the forest by way of platforms and transversals is part of what most visitors consider the most memorable times while being in Costa Rica. If your touristic preferences do not lean toward the adventurous side, you can spend the morning strolling through the shops and immersing yourself in the culture of Fortuna, San Carlos.

After lunch, your Tour Guide will take you to a beautiful trail just by the volcano in Arenal Volcano National Park where you will have the chance to learn about the different volcanic aspects of the country. Enjoy the active giant from its base as you hike to the lava rock that is left from the 1992 eruption.

Breakfast is included.


Day 6 – Guanacaste Region (Pacific Ocean)
Say goodbye to the volcano as you depart for the Pacific Coast. Guanacaste, the province where you will spend the last days of your adventure, is considered to have the most gorgeous beaches of this latitude. The windy ride will convert into a very flat, straight road where cattle farming will be the predominate activity of the area. Enjoy the view as the topography of this country will show many differences in a short distance, making your trip an unforgettable memory.

During the afternoon there will be time to relax on the Pacific Coast, where wildlife will be present as well. Take your camera and go for an evening stroll or simply enjoy the view of the Papagayo Gulf - the same view that has inspired many famous Hollywood actors to choose this area as a private paradise to relax. (Sol Papagayo Resort or similar)

Breakfast and dinner are included.


Day 7 - Guanacaste Region (Pacific Ocean)
Do you want to lay by the pool all day? Do you love bird watching? How about deep sea fishing, or maybe snorkeling or even diving? Do you want to go to an indigenous market to experience the local culture or take a daily tour for sightseeing? There are many different options according to your preference. These additional possibilities can be arranged in advance with your Tour Guide or with the front desk of the resort. Whatever activity you choose, you'll find that Guanacaste has a lot to offer.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.


Day 8 - Depart from Liberia, Costa Rica
In the morning, your guide and driver will transport you to Liberia International Airport, located approximately 40 minutes from your resort.