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Culture ..Soft ....Nature .Adventure
...........Adventure

Tour of the city: This is an excellent opportunity to learn of the past and culture of Costa Rica. Visit different residential neighborhoods of the capital, parks, the heart of San José, the University of Costa Rica, and some of the government buildings. The tour includes a visit to the National Theater and to the National Museum. San José's foremost architectural showpiece, the National Theater is a source of pride to Costa Ricans everywhere. Inaugurated on October 19, 1897 with a performance of "Faust" by the Paris Opera Company, the building's origins date to 1890 when the Italian opera singer, Angela Pelati, gave a number of performances in Guatemala but refused to come to Costa Rica due to the lack of a proper theater. The members of the country's coffee elite proposed that a theater be built in San José to correct this situation and agreed to contribute five centavos per exported sack of coffee to finance the construction. Some parts of the theater were crafted in Europe and shipped to Costa Rica for assembly, such as the metal framework which was cast in Belgium and many of the statues, murals, and ceiling frescos which are the work of Italian artists that never saw Costa Rica. The stunning baroque design features ample use of 221/2 karat gold overlay and Carrara marble. Best known for the variety of pre-Columbian artifacts on permanent display, the National Museum also has exhibits dedicated to Costa Rican religious art and the history of the country since the Spanish conquest. The building itself has historic significance since it was once a military fortress and after the abolishment of the army, following the Revolution of 1948, was converted into the museum. Departures 8:00 am Morning pick-ups at San José hotels / 1:00 pm Afternoon pick-ups at San José hotels Duration 4 hrs. aprox. Frequency: daily, except Mondays Recommended Camera, comfortable shoes, and light clothing Includes: entrance fee to National Theater and National Museum, transportation and tour guide.

La Paz Waterfall Gardens: Located one hour from San Jose near the Poas Volcano, the visit includes five magnificent waterfalls, largest enclosed butterfly observatory in the world, four kilometers of paved trails with viewing platforms, hummingbird garden, an orchid garden. The butterfly observatory is the largest in the world. The enclosed structure allows butterflies to soar freely while guests walk amid the natural habitat. An on-site laboratory is a breeding ground for the countless fluttering species. It offers an interesting perspective into the stages of development of the most colorful species in Costa Rica. The hummingbird garden attracts more species than any other in Costa Rica. Over 16 different species of hummingbirds call Waterfall Gardens home. Watching the interaction among the various birds, whether they are fighting or playing, is truly a treat. A number of the birds have become very tame and will even land on a feeder while someone is holding it. During the early morning and late afternoon so many hummingbirds converge on the feeder area it sounds and feels like they are swarming. While you are watching the birds you can relax under an umbrella at one of our mosaic tile tables and listen to the sound of our garden water feature. Each guest will have the opportunity to release a newly emerged butterfly Departures opens at 8:30 am and closes at 4:00 pm. The entrance closes at 3:15 pm. 7:00 - 8:00a.m. Morning pick-ups at San José hotels. (Varies according to hotel location). 12:30- 1:30 p.m. Arrival at San José hotels (varies according to hotel location). Duration 6 hours Frequency Everyday Facilities Gift Shop and restaurant Recommended Comfortable shoes, raincoat, jacket, camera Includes guided transportation, entrance fee and lunch.

Café Britt Coffee Tour: Imagine following the journey of a coffee bean on the plantation - from the plant to a cup of gourmet coffee. When you take the Coffee Tour at Café Britt you'll do exactly that! The professional acting troupe, dressed in traditional garb, will escort you through a multi-media, interactive tour through the history of coffee. On a finca, as the plantation is called in Spanish, your day starts on six-acres of coffee fields, tropical gardens and coffee processing facilities. When you arrive, you are greeted by a breathtaking view from the lookout point with two of Costa Rica's most famous volcanoes on one side and a spectacular panoramic view of the Central Valley on the other. You will learn all about coffee cultivation - and not just by giving you the facts - feel free to pick a few ripe cherries to taste their sweetness or take a few of the dried beans home to grow a plant of your own! From the fields, you will be taken into the roasting and packaging facilities where you'll soak in the aroma of roasting coffee and learn all about this magical process that turns a red coffee cherry into a delicious cup of java. Then, in the theater, sit back and watch a multi-media play and presentation of coffee's place in world history. Learn about how deeply coffee culture is woven into the history and people of Costa Rica - and be prepared to have a few good laughs while you're at it. Departures The CoffeeTour at Café Britt runs year-round, seven days a week. From December 15 to April 30, tours run at 11:00AM and 3:00 PM during the rest of the year tours run at 11:00AM only. Duration 6 hours Frequency Daily Facilities Gift Shop and restaurant Recommended Comfortable shoes, raincoat, jacket, camera Includes guided transportation and entrance fee Bring: Camera and comfortable shoes

Butterfly Farm: The tour begins with a 25-minute film that gives an introduction as to what will be seen and discussed with the guide. From the film room, visitors proceed with a knowledgeable guide to the export office. After an explanation on the exportation of butterflies, the tour proceeds to The Butterfly Garden. In an enclosed tropical garden where perhaps over a thousand butterflies live their lives, feeding, mating and laying eggs. Guides may identify the most beautiful of Costa Rica's butterflies, point out the females ovipositing their eggs on host plants and feeding on flowers. The tour then proceeds to view the amazing metamorphosis of the caterpillar forming the pupae where their bodies change from a caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly. The entire cycle of the metamorphosis is shown and the early morning tours may even see the butterflies emerging from their chrysalides and taking off for their maiden flight. Departures Open schedule every day from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Guided tours commence at: 8:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m, 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. Duration 5 hours Frequency Daily Facilities Gift Shop and restaurant Recommended Comfortable shoes and camera Includes guided transportation and entrance fee.

Perfect combination: The tour begins with a 25-minute film that gives an introduction as to what will be seen and discussed with the guide. From the film room, visitors proceed with a knowledgeable guide to the export office. After an explanation on the exportation of butterflies, the tour proceeds to The Butterfly Garden. In an enclosed tropical garden where perhaps over a thousand butterflies live their lives, feeding, mating and laying eggs. Guides may identify the most beautiful of Costa Rica's butterflies, point out the females ovipositing their eggs on host plants and feeding on flowers. The tour then proceeds to view the amazing metamorphosis of the caterpillar forming the pupae where their bodies change from a caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly. The entire cycle of the metamorphosis is shown and the early morning tours may even see the butterflies emerging from their chrysalides and taking off for their maiden flight. After this unique experience, imagine following the journey of a coffee bean on the plantation - from the plant to a cup of gourmet coffee. When you take the Coffee Tour at Café Britt you'll do exactly that! The professional acting troupe, dressed in traditional garb, will escort you through a multi-media, interactive tour through the history of coffee. On a finca, as the plantation is called in Spanish, your day starts on six-acres of coffee fields, tropical gardens and coffee processing facilities. When you arrive, you are greeted by a breathtaking view from the lookout point with two of Costa Rica's most famous volcanoes on one side and a spectacular panoramic view of the Central Valley on the other. You will learn all about coffee cultivation - and not just by giving you the facts - feel free to pick a few ripe cherries to taste their sweetness or take a few of the dried beans home to grow a plant of your own! From the fields, you will be taken into the roasting and packaging facilities where you'll soak in the aroma of roasting coffee and learn all about this magical process that turns a red coffee cherry into a delicious cup of java. Then, in the theater, sit back and watch a multi-media play and presentation of coffee's place in world history. Learn about how deeply coffee culture is woven into the history and people of Costa Rica - and be prepared to have a few good laughs while you're at it. Departures Around noon. Pick up times vary according to the hotel location. Duration 7 hours Frequency Daily Facilities Gift Shop and restaurant Recommended Comfortable shoes and camera Includes guided transportation, lunch and entrance fee.

Tour to the towns of Sarchi and Grecia: We invite you to visit the "cradle of Costa Rican handicrafts". Among the many shops in this town you will be able to find articles of leather, jewelry, toys, as well as accessories of bronze, wood and other materials. This is the ideal place to find wonderful souvenirs of your trip. Your second stop will be made in Grecia, a small town famous for its iron church, friendly people and armony. This will be a great opportunity for you to seat in the central park and talk to the local people. Departures Once a day. Around 8:00 am. Duration 6 hours Frequency Daily Facilities Gift Shop Recommended Comfortable shoes and camera Includes guided transportation, land tour guide

Lankester Gardens and Orosi Valley: About an hour's drive southeast of San José, just beyond the town of Paraíso, lies this splendorously scenic valley. Taking the road towards Orosi will bring you to a lookout point on the valley rim that is well worth a stop for the panoramic view of the valley below Some 600 of the country's 1,400 native orchid species are kept in this 11 ha. garden administered by the University of Costa Rica. This was one of three orchid collections amassed during the early part of the 20th century by Charles Lankester, a British coffee plantation supervisor who was duly impressed by the tremendous variety of orchids he found on the trunks and branches of forest trees that were being felled to make way for more coffee plantations throughout the interior valleys and slopes. Although he did nothing to protect the forests (nor did anybody else in those days), his orchid collections formed a basis for the study and appreciation of these beautiful plants. Departures Once a day. Around 8:30 am. Duration 7 hours Frequency Daily Recommended Comfortable shoes, light jacket and camera

Visit the town of Sarchí: We invite you to visit the "cradle of Costa Rican handicrafts". Among the many shops in this town you will be able to find articles of leather, jewelry, toys, as well as accessories of bronze, wood and other materials. This is the ideal place to find wonderful souvenirs of your trip.

The Pueblo Antiguo Experience (Old Town): "Pueblo Antiguo" was conceived with the idea of providing permanent economic support to the Costa Rican National Children´s Hospital. This is an authentic attraction with professional actors that are going to transport you to a Costa Rica of the turn of the century. The inspired words of great political leaders and the insighful comments of everyday people recreate the spirit of independence, patriotism, democracy and religion that have shaped this country. Come to learn about the roots of Costa Rican traditions, myths, legends and amusing idiosincracy in an entertaining one hour long presentation of theater, music and dance. Here in Pueblo Antiguo the story of our past is told with the pride and friendship in hope that these remembrances of paths traveled will help lead us on the road to a brighter future. Departures Tour operates from Wednesday to Sunday 10:00am to 2:00pm Duration 5 hours Frequency Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday only Facilities Gift Shop and restaurant Recommended Comfortable shoes, and camera Includes guided transportation and entrance fee

Costa Rican Nights at Pueblo Antiguo (Old Town): "Pueblo Antiguo" was conceived with the idea of providing permanent economic support to the Costa Rican National Children´s Hospital. Come and enjoy an unforgettable night in Pueblo Antiguo surrounded by the evocative scenes from the Costa Rica of yesterday. Enjoy our delicious typical cuisine and the folkloric show. This play is made up of folkloric dances and songs that reflect our customs and beliefs, and what is best: the way of life of the Costa Rica of yesterday surrounded by an atmosphere and humor which takes the spectator to the intimate roots of its people. Share a different night with us and enjoy a Pueblo Antiguo style evening. Departures Tour operates Saturday and Sunday from 6:00pm to 9:00pm Duration 5 hours Frequency Saturday and Sunday only Facilities Gift Shop and restaurant Recommended Comfortable shoes, light jacket and camera Includes guided transportation, dinner and entrance fee.

Irazú Volcano: At 3,432 meters above sea level, Irazú Volcano is the highest point in the Central Volcanic Cordillera. The gently sloping southern flank with its patchwork pattern of potatoes, cabbages, and other vegetable crops, replaced by bucolic dairy farms at higher elevations, belies the violent past of this sleeping behemoth that looms above the city of Cartago.

Poás Volcano: Like the other volcanoes in the Central Volcanic Cordillera, the silhouette of Poás Volcano as seen from the Central Valley gives no hint of the power and pent-up fury below the surface. But once at the summit and standing on the crater's rim, it becomes easier to understand the forces that have shaped this region of the planet. With a diameter of 1.5 km., the active crater is reportedly the widest of any volcano in the world. If it is clear enough to see to the bottom of the 300-meter deep crater, you will surely observe some type of activity ranging from fumaroles to bubbling emissions on the surface of the small rain-filled lake to actual geyser-type eruptions, but it is constantly changing. During the early 1990s, there was enough geyser activity to cause the lake to lose its water by the end of the dry season (April/May); this resulted in increased gaseous emanations that forced the park to close on a few occasions. Departures Around 7:30 am. Pick up times vary depending on the hotel location Duration 5 hours Frequency Daily Facilities cafeteria Recommended Comfortable shoes, light jacket, long pants and camera Includes guided transportation, lunch and entrance fee.

INBIO Park: As an introduction to biodiversity and its wonders, our guided tour starts with an audiovisual presentation: Sit back and enjoy this 15-minute audiovisual presentation. It will show you the way biodiversity has been utilized in Costa Rica. Who knows? You will probably learn something about Costa Rica that you did not know before! Following this presentation your friendly guide will take you next to an unforgettable journey through our four ecosystems. Feel free to enjoy INBioparque's wonders! Have the delight of feeling what it is like to go through Costa Rica's native forest of the Central Valley, the Humid Forest, the tropical Dry Forest, and the Wet Land. Walking along the trails might turn out to be an adventure as you may be able to see white-tailed deer, three-toed sloths, green iguanas, snapping turtles, Hoffmann's woodpeckers, blue-gray tanagers, rufous-tailed hummingbirds, and even more… The adventure does not stop there! Along the trails are several stations with permanent live exhibits, including poisonous dart frogs, tarantulas, stingless bees, bullet ants, orchids, and bromeliads. Going through a Wetland! INBioparque's lagoon is one of its most attractive sites! Here, you will enjoy looking at the different species in the lagoon through its underwater glass viewer. We also have several fish tanks to show you the most common and native fresh water fish that live in Costa Rica's wetland. Beautiful butterflies will flutter around you as you appreciate their colors and sizes. As you go through our butterfly garden our tour guide will show you the different species of butterflies and their metamorphosis cycle. After you experience what biodiversity is all about you will want to know more about Costa Rica… Your tour will end with a sound and light presentation of Costa Rica's wild protected areas. This presentation may even motivate you to know and explore more about our country! This is a unique experience where you'll learn how many species of a certain group are in Costa Rica as compared to the rest of the world. Through interactive designs we'll show you the world distribution of major biomes and their characteristics. Departures Mornings and afternoons Duration 4 hours Frequency Daily Recommended Casual clothing, comfortable shoes, and camera Includes transportation, tour guide and entrance fee

Canopy in the mountains of Heredia: Enjoy nature while you have the adventure of your life traveling through the treetops. Just 45 minutes from the capital city, and on the slopes of Barva Volcano in San José de la Montaña, let your adrenaline flow sliding from one platform to the next. Includes snack. Departures Mornings and afternoons Duration 5 hours Frequency Daily Recommended Walking shoes, long pants and camera Includes transportation, tour guide, snack and entrance fee.

Sarapiqui Canopy Tour and Rain Forest: A naturalist guide will pick you up at your hotel early in the morning to star your journey of 1 ½ hours to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui passing through one of the most exuberant National parks in Costa Rica. You will be able to enjoy the scenic views as we travel. Once in Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, you will board a boat to discover the richness of Costa Rica nature along the river. The boat ride will last two hours, where you will have the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent rain forest and it habitants, such as toucans, monkeys, sloths, crocodiles and many other species. Then you will arrive to a private reserve where you will have the choice of reaching the Canopy starting point by horseback or hiking. The Canopy starts with an explanation of the basic principals needed to make this experience an enjoyable and safe one. This is the adventure that lets you roam around the treetops leaping from platform to platform, in a special system of steel cables using professional climbing gear. Each trip between the 15 platforms and the suspension bridge is a unique experience in itself. After such an adrenaline packed two hours, you will be able to enjoy a home-style lunch At the private reserve. Departures Around 6:30 am. Pick up times change depending on the hotel Durantion 9 hours Frequency Daily Recommended walking shoes, light clothing including long pants, camera, and insect repellent Includes naturalist guide, 1 ½ hours Boat ride, lunch, horse back ride, Canopy, home - style lunch, coffee break, visit to the frog sanctuary, transportation in air-conditioned buses.

Rain Forest Aerial Tram: The Rain Forest Aerial Tram is a unique ecotourism and research facility which opened in October of 1994. Visitors from around the world ride the Tram on a fascinating excursión through the rain forest canopy and its hanging gardens of plants and animals hidden at the tops of tall tropical trees. Home to two-thirds of all rain forest species, the rain forest canopy is a little-known world of tremendous beauty and extraordinary biological diversity. Our park, (adjacent to Braulio Carillo National Park and only an hour from San Jose), possesses one of the richest canopy communities in the world. The canopy is full of both known and unknown plant and animal species. Visitors will be able to see canopy life close-up for the first time, and scientists will discover new things about the ecology of the rain forest. Due to its inaccessibility, little scientific work has been done concerning life in the tops of tropical trees. The tram, by being the best access tool in the world, has become a center for canopy exploration and research. Departures You can choose the morning tour or the afternoon tour. The morning tour will pick you up at your hotel (or near by) between 5:15 and 6:15 a.m. and returns by 1:00 p.m. The afternoon tour has pick-up times between 10:40 and 11:50 and returns by 7:00 p.m. Duration 6 hours Frequency Daily Facilities Restaurant, souvernir shop, and cafeteria Recommended Light-weight, casual clothes, sneakers (or other comfortable rubber-sole shoes), rain gear (just in case), and camera Includes all admission fees for the Rain Forest Aerial Tram, either breakfast or lunch, the Tram ride, 45 minute hike (optional), transportation to/from San Jose, transportation within the Park, and tax.

Carara National Park and Villa Lapas Sky Walk: The 4,700 ha. Carara Biological Reserve occupies a unique position at the transition zone between tropical moist forest and tropical wet forest in the Pacific lowlands. Though most of the vegetation in the reserve remains evergreen and is characteristic of the wet forest life zone, there are a number of species that lose their leaves during the dry season, showing their affinity to the drier climate found north of the reserve. However, Carara's main attraction for most visitors is its wildlife, and star billing goes to the Scarlet Macaw. These large, raucous members of the parrot family add a bright splash of primary colors to the overall green of the rain forest, although at times it is amazing how difficult they can be to see in a leafy tree. It is estimated that about 150 of these blatant birds feed and nest in the reserve. When not brooding eggs or young, they roost in mangroves several kilometers away. In addition to this and other colorful tropical species, the forest is home to many somber-hued bird species that often travel together in mixed flocks that are a true delight (and challenge!) to birdwatchers. Of the many kinds of birds that can be found in such flocks, a few of the more common ones are the Black-hooded Antshrike, Dot-winged Antwren, Long-billed Gnatwren, Chestnut-backed Antbird, and Lesser Greenlet. "Villa Lapas Sky Way" is a union of natural trails and hanging bridges (hammocks) throughout a wonderful rain forest of centenary trees. It is located in our own private reserve very close to the Carara National Park. Depending on the hour at which you take this tour, you can see many species of birds and animals. This trail has a length of 2.5 km with a descending slope. This tour is very accessible for children and adults of all ages offering total security from any kind of danger. Departures Around 6:30 am. Pick up times change depending on the hotel Duration 10 hours Frequency Daily Recommended walking shoes, light clothing, camera, insect repellent, and a light jacket Includes: transportation, tour guide, lunch and entrance fees.

San Lorenzo Canopy Tour: The best way to get a close up look of nature from the bird's perspective over the trees. The Canopy Tour starts with the explanation of the basic principles to make it a safe and enjoyable adventure; our trained guides will inspect your equipment before and after every run to guarantee their efficiency and your safety during the 1:30 hours of the tour. Sliding down from one platform to another,across the 13 platforms and 8 steel cables of this canopy tour throughout the private reserve, each trip between platforms is an experience full of adventure. Our location includes 3 platforms based on trees (each one on a different type of tree) and 9 on the ground and one more on a tower. Each platform includes a scenery full of nature.The San Lorenzo canopy tour is located at the Valle Escondido Hotel, only 1:45 hours from San Jose, where you'll have a nice 10 minutes walk to the platform. Departures Around 8:00 am. Pick up times vary depending on the hotel location Duration 9 hours Frequency Daily Recommended Ligh jacket, walking shoes, long pants, binoculars, and Includes: transportation, tour guide, entrance fee and lunch.

San Lorenzo Reserve horseback riding: An easy way to get to know the most beautiful & hidden sites of this reserve. The tour begins with a small explanation of the lushness of the place and while we head towards the Rio La Balsa, we have the opportunity to observe picturesque sceneries, Oropendola Nests, &, crops of ornamental plants. Our horses are very meek &, easy to mount thus allowing you to observe toucans, tagaras, 'gavilanes", &, hummingbirds. If it has rained recently you may possibly observe some amphibians as we travel on the rugged path on the side of the river where we can occasionally see the river valley and a small waterfall. Finally, we will visit the surroundings of the farm and the pond where we can fish for 'tilapia" and enjoy the quiet & peace of the place. Departures Around 8:00 am. Pick up times vary depending on the hotel location Duration 9 hours Frequency Daily Recommended Ligh jacket, walking shoes, long pants, binoculars, and Includes: transportation, tour guide, entrance fee and lunch.

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