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GLOBUS 2012: NATURAL WONDERS OF COSTA RICA W/ PRE & PST EXT. (SRY)
16 days from Guatemala City to San Jose or 16 days incl. travel
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 Grab your camera and get ready for a wonderful vacation to Guatemala and Costa Rica! In Antigua, Guatemala, step back in history as you explore the ruins of churches and monasteries along with restored colonial buildings. Perhaps pick up a unique Guatemalan handicraft to bring back home. In Costa Rica, witness bountiful wildlife in their natural habitat, enjoy relaxing dips in ecothermal hot springs, and learn about the Costa Rican culture. Among the many highlights of this tour is Tortuguero National Park, where you'll take a boat ride along remote, unspoiled sections of the park to view wildlife. Your guide will look out for the wildlife-including freshwater turtles, egrets, toucans, and monkeys-so you can sit back, relax, and take plenty of pictures. Another tour highlight is the Arenal Volcano, considered one of the most active volcanoes in the world. You may witness the red lava streaming down the sides and hear the volcano's grumbling as you soak in the ecothermal hot springs. In Monteverde, visit the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, home to forest fauna such as jaguars, resplendent quetzal, monkeys, ocelot, and many species of birds-not to mention the large diversity of plant species. Also spend a couple of days in Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the lushest places in Costa Rica. Spend time on its white-grey sand beaches lined with tropical forest, walk the park's trails, take a sea kayak, or enjoy a canopy tour. The park has a vast diversity of wildlife, and it's not uncommon to see iguanas and white-faced monkeys on the beach. So be sure to grab your swimsuit and prepare yourself for the trip of a lifetime-a trip filled with wildlife, scenic waterways, tropical rainforests, spectacular beaches, and knowledgeable guides to help you learn about Guatemala and Costa Rica.
HOTELS
ANTIGUA Porta Antigua (F), LAKE ATITLAN Porta del Lago (F), GUATEMALA CITY Hotel Barcelo Guatemala City (SF), SAN JOSE Doubletree Cariari (SF), TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK Pachira Lodge (BA), TILAJARI Tilajari Resort Hotel (F), MONTEVERDE El Establo (F), QUEPOS El Hotel Parador (F)
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| Details | | Globus | | Offer valid through 3/31/2012 | | | | Day | Destination | Description | | Day 1 | Antigua | Upon arrival, meet your Local Host and transfer to Antigua, Guatemala's 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-colored buildings, wide cobblestone streets, and a beautiful natural setting ringed by three volcanoes. (D) | | Day 2 | 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. (B) | | Day 3 | Lake Atitlan | Today, reach the whitewashed highland town of Chichicastenango to visit the colorful, 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) | | Day 4 | Guatemala City | This morning, CRUISE across Lake Atitlan. Visit the Indian village of SANTIAGO ATITLAN, and meet the Tzutuhil people, one of Guatemala's indigenous tribes. This afternoon, head back to Guatemala City for your Guatemalan farewell dinner. (B,D) | | Day 5 | San Jose | Fly to San Jose. Upon arrival you will be met by your Tour Director, who will help you check into your hotel. (B) | | Day 6 | 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) | | Day 7 | 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) | | Day 8 | 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) | | Day 9 | 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) | | Day 10 | Monteverde | After breakfast, continue to MONTEVERDE, where you will enjoy two days in 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) | | Day 11 | 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 12 feet of rain per year. Later, visit the family-owned TRAPICHE FARM, where you will enjoy a homemade lunch. While here, learn about the production of sugar cane, 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) | | Day 12 | San Jose | En route to San Jose, visit SARCHI Village, known as the center of Costa Rican handcrafts and where you will see the artists in their workshops making the famous oxcarts. Next stop is 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) | | Day 13 | Quepos | Take a morning drive to the Pacific Ocean to the town of Quepos, gateway 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) | | Day 14 | Quepos | Enjoy two days at leisure. (B) | | Day 15 | Quepos | Enjoy two days at leisure. (B) | | Day 16 | San Jose | Transfer back to the San Jose airport for your homebound connections. Please do not schedule your return flights before 2:30 pm. (B) |
| | US$ Price Details
Dates and Prices do not include air travel. Participation in this tour requires purchase of the following flights from Globus, not included in pricing: (1) roundtrip air from your U.S. gateway and intra-tour air segments, starting at $1109 (based on Miami, departure in March, 2012); or (2) intra-tour air segments only. Required intra-tour air segment is Guatemala City/San Jose. Air prices were effective on August 10, 2011 and their availability is limited. At the time you purchase your tour, air prices may be higher. Prices based on double room occupancy.Single Room Supplement: $990Triple Room Reduction per person: $188Extra Nights per person in Antigua:in single room $130; in twin room $80; in triple room $59.Extra Nights per person in Quepos:January-April & July-August: in single room $254; in twin room $132; in triple room $106.May-June & September-December: in single room $217; in twin room $114; in triple room $94.2013 prices and itineraries are subject to change. Details will be available in August 2012.
Our Volume Buying Power Saves You Money!
-We may be able to provide you with flight arrangements from your gateway city.
-Additional accommodations before or after your vacation may be available at our low prices.
Additional Information:
-Departure/arrival taxes and fares from other cities will be advised at the time of booking.
-Vacation departures, itineraries and prices are subject to change.
Guaranteed air-inclusive prices:
Air is only available to passengers traveling from the United States and only available when booked in conjunction with a land vacation. An additional $250 non-refundable deposit is required for air booked in conjunction with any land vacation (i.e., air-inclusive vacation.) However, once your airfare is confirmed and Avalon Waterways has received your full air and land deposit, your air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed.
We also accept your reservation on a land-only basis:
While booking your vacation air-inclusive gives you various advantages, you can also choose the land-only option. But remember, airlines' special fares generally apply to very brief periods. (Our low air-inclusive fares apply throughout the year.) Plus, to get these 'deals' you often are required to pay full fare at the time of booking.
Taxes & fees
Taxes and fees are subject to change and are not guaranteed until full land and air deposit are received.
Applicable Taxes and Fees (Airfare & Charges Not Included in the Price)
Air-Inclusive Vacations
Air-inclusive prices provided online include a September 11th fee up to $10, passenger facility charges of up to $18, Federal domestic flight segment fees of up to $3.50 per segment and U.S. and International arrival and departure and other government imposed fees between $200-$375 depending on your itinerary. The total airfare price, the base airfare price, and the applicable government taxes and fees are broken-out line-by-line and shown while booking online and on the invoice after your travel is booked.
Not Included In Your Vacation Price (Air-Inclusive, Land-Only or Cruise-Only)
Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities: port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Tour or Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ships' crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); additional excursions and activities not listed as 'included' in the itinerary; airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection premiums; excess baggage fees; and all other items of a personal nature. |
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