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Coast to Coast in Costa Rica
Friday, August 1 – Friday, August 8, 2008
Sponsored by
Ouachita International Travel
Tour Host: Bill Dixon
Frequent Questions
(See below for itinerary)
What is the cost? $1795* per person (double occupancy). Single supplement is $250. *Airline taxes and fuel surcharges were figured as of January 15, 2008 and are subject to change. That change, if any, will be added to the above cost.
What is included? Round trip air fare from Little Rock to San Jose, seven nights of lodging in 4-star hotels or lodges, hotel and sales taxes, meals as indicated each day (B,L,D), a private, air-conditioned coach for the entire tour, an English speaking guide, all entrance fees as stated above, and gratuities for guides, drivers and hotel personnel.
What is not included? Travel to Little Rock, air taxes and surcharge (assessed by the airlines at the time the ticket is purchased), variations from the above itinerary, personal items like phone calls and laundry, and medical and cancellation insurance (required) which costs $8.20 per day for 8 days or $65.60. A passport is required for reentry to the USA.
Reservations may be made by sending a $300 deposit to: Bill Dixon, Ouachita International Travel, 106 N. 5th Street, Arkadelphia, AR 71923 or you may pay by credit card (call 870-246-7271 or 870-245-8804). The tour will be limited to 18 people. We reserve the right to make slight alterations to this itinerary to accommodate schedule conflicts, delays, or closures.
Local arrangements are handled by Mr. Oscar Sandoval, Marbella Tours, San Jose, Costa Rica
Itinerary
Friday, August 1
Depart Little Rock on Continental at 7:55 a.m. Arrive in San Jose via Houston at 11:55 a.m. Upon arrival we will be met by our guide and private tour bus that will be with us for the entire trip. We will check in at the Hemingway Inn, formerly a coffee plantation estate, and now owned by a Ouachita graduate.
Saturday, August 2 (B,L,D)
We will depart on our private bus at 7:00 a.m. for a full day visiting the Poas Volcano National Park, the famous LaPaz Waterfall, the Selva Verde tropical gardens (where we will have our buffet lunch). In the afternoon we will take the Sarapiqui River boat tour and will return through the Braulio Carrillo National Park to the Hemingway Inn. At 7:00 p.m., we will go the Princesa Marina Seafood Restaurant on LaSabana Boulevard for a wonderful Welcome Dinner.
Sunday, August 3 (B,L,D)
There will be an early departure at 6:00 a.m. We will have a breakfast buffet on the way at the Suerre Hotel at Guapiles as we pass through the Braulio Carrillo National Park. We will stop at a banana plantation, then take an extended boat ride from Cano Blanco Marina through the Canals to Tortuguero Village. On this ride one can generally see lots of beautiful jungle birds, sloths, Tucans, monkeys, crocodiles and turtles. This is a day to have your camera to see all types of tropical wildlife and plants. We will overnight at the Evergreen Lodge, arriving there in time for a short hike for those who want to absorb some more of the beauty of the tropics. Tortuguero Village is a typical Caribbean fishing village which is very interesting because it is between the Caribbean beach and the Tortuguero Lagoon. Dinner will be at the Lodge. Since the original itinerary was priced, we have learned that this time will likely be the time of the migration of the green turtles who lay their eggs on the beach. (Optional night tour is $30. Arrangements can be made at the hotel).
Monday, August 4 (B,L,D)
After breakfast there is a boat exploration tour before we proceed to the Arenal area. We will have lunch enroute. We will go to Baldi Hot Springs to view the Arenal Volcano, and there will be time for bathing in the natural springs before dinner. After the long drive through the Caribbean lowland of Guapiles, Sarapiqui and San Carlos counties, nothing is more relaxing than the mineral hot springs of the Baldi Spa! After some relaxation here, we will return to Lavas Tacotal Lodge where we will have dinner as we watch the volcanic fireworks of the night.
Tuesday, August 5 (B,D)
After breakfast, we will have the morning at leisure to enjoy the beautiful gardens and tropical volcanic landscapes before departing for the trip from Arenal to Monteverde. Upon our arrival, we will visit the famous Monteverde cheese factory, established by a Quaker group. Here we can shop before making our way to the Biological Reserve of Monteverde. In the afternoon, we will have the Monteverde Sky Walk Tour where you can see the flora and fauna of the rain forest from a series of bridges at the tree-top level. This is a view of the rain forest that is available in few other places in the world. Our overnight accommodations will be at Hotel de Montana, but our dinner will be in one of Monteverde’s main central avenue restaurants.
Wednesday, August 6 (B,D)
After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for the spectacular drive westward to the Central Pacific Coast. After some stops along the way, we will arrive at the Best Western Jaco Beach Resort Hotel – Irazu. Before dinner there will be time to walk along the beach or swim in the pool, or just relax in the tropical setting.
Thursday, August 7 (B,D)
After breakfast and a last walk on the beach, we will board our private coach heading toward San Jose. We will stop at the coffee village of Sarchi and visit the large ox cart factory and handcraft market for the best shopping for handcrafts. There should be time to visit the National Museum of San Jose. We will include a folkloric show with live music and a typical dinner in San Jose. The shows begin at 7:00 p.m. and is gorgeous. Overnight accommodations will be back at the Hemingway Inn.
Friday, August 8 (B)
After a leisure morning, we will check out and make our way to the international airport for our departure at 2:55 p.m. to Houston and to Little Rock, arriving at 10:13 p.m.
For additional information about these tours, please contact the tour director, Bill Dixon at dixonb@obu.edu or at 870.245.5310.