discover costa rica - grand american adventureslodge included | meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner...

GRAND AMERICAN ADVENTURES 16-17 Grange Mills, Weir Road, London SW12 0NE

UK & Worldwide Sales and Reservations TEL: +44 (0)20 8682 8921

USA Sales TEL: 1 (800) 873 5872 Email: [email protected]

www.grandamericanadventures.com

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Accredited Agent91-2-74330

Discover Costa Rica

HIGHLIGHTS:

Stay in eco-friendly lodges and hotels

Two night stay in Esquinas Rainforest Lodge

Idyllic Pacific coast beaches

Experience rainforest, lava fields and cloud forests

Visit beaches of Tortuguero (optional nesting turtle viewing)

Get up close to a variety of unique wildlife

Guided tropical nature trails visit La Fortuna Waterfall

Hiking trails through lava fields and rainforest

Fresh water swimming opportunities

M E X I C O

C O L O M B I A

V E N E Z U E L A

B R A Z I L

P A N A M A

COSTARICA

NICARAGUA

HONDURAS

EL SALVADOR

GUATEMALA

BELIZE

C U B A

HAITI

JAMAICA

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

PUERTO

RICO

BAHAMA ISLANDS

U N I T E D S T A T E S O F A M E R I C A

CAYMAN

ISLANDS

TURKS & CAICOS

ISLANDS

Ca

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i

Br a

nc

o

Me

t a

G u a v i a r e

Ca u c a

Ap u r e

Co l o

r a d o

C a n a d i a n

Ri o G

r a n de

R e d

Wh i t e

Br a

zo

s

P e c o s

B a l s a s

Mi s

si s

sip

pi

Ma

gd

ale

na

O r i no c o

U r a r i c u e r a

San José

Manuel Antonio NP

Santa Elena

Arenal Volcano NPMonteverde

PACIFIC OCEAN

CARIBBEAN SEA

Tortuguero NP

Piedras Blancas NP

Savegre Valley

TOUR AT A GLANCE:

Costa Rica

Length: 15 days

Departs: San José

Trip code: DCR

Accommodation: 14 hotel/eco lodge nights

Meals: 14 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 6 dinners

Staff: Professional tour leader

Group size: Maximum 16

Transport: Private vehicle and boat

TRIP OVERVIEW

A tropical paradise bursting with wildlife; Christopher Columbus was right to christen Costa Rica the ‘Rich Coast’ when he discovered it in 1502. Home to 6% of the world’s plant and animal species, many endemic, the country’s rich biodiversity is extremely colourful.

Over 850 bird species have been recorded here - far more than found anywhere in North America, Europe and Australia. A cornucopia of exotic flora and fauna, Costa Rica is a nature lover’s delight. Costa Rica has the most enlightened conservation policy in Latin America. As a result, protected areas comprise almost 27% of the country. Specific environments are being carefully preserved, including varied kinds of forests, mangrove swamps, marshes, rafia swamps and coral reefs.

Staying in privately owned hotels and eco-lodges, we travel to each of the diverse habitats of the country; from hot and humid Caribbean seas to dense tropical rainforests, from idyllic beaches to volcanoes. Every area we visit has its own flora and fauna, to fascinate any eco-enthusiast.

Costa Rica is a vivid and politically peaceful country with stunning scenery and a tropical climate - this comprehensive tour offers the perfect introduction to Central America.

Please note: dedicated bird-watching departures are also available with a specific bird guide. Please note the section under the itinerary.

2018 Trip Dossier

ACTIVE HOTELSWILDLIFE

Please see our website for detailed destination information and insider tips.





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ITINERARY AND DETAILS

Day 1: San José Take in the sights of Costa Rica’s cosmopolitan capital, San

José. This is an excellent opportunity to orientate yourself and to try some

of the local cuisine ahead of your adventure into the jungles of Tortuguero

National Park. Free transfers are available for all clients. This evening’s

welcome briefing is the perfect opportunity to meet your guide and get to

know your fellow travellers.

Accommodation: Hotel included

Day 2: Tortuguero National Park Our adventure begins early this

morning, leaving San José behind as you travel to the north-east of

Costa Rica to Tortuguero National Park. Accessible only by boat or light

aircraft, Tortuguero’s vast network of waterways, canals and swamps is

remarkably tranquil, unspoilt and devoid of noise pollution. On reaching

the pier, you’ll board a small motorboat for the one hour fifteen minute

journey to our lodge, which is nestled on a small strip of land between the

Caribbean Sea and the main lagoon. Your afternoon is spent in Tortuguero

village, where it’s possible to visit the Sea Turtle Museum (a donation will

be requested at the entrance). Tortuguero is probably most famous as a

nesting site for the endangered Green turtle, which can be seen arriving

onto the beach to lay eggs from late July to October (as part of an optional

excursion). Hawksbill, Loggerhead and Giant Leatherback turtles also nest

in this region, and during November to January baby turtles start to hatch

and make their way towards the ocean. Today’s travel time will be in the

region of six hours including a break for breakfast.

Accommodation: Lodge included | Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

included

Day 3: Tortuguero National Park An early morning boat trip enables

you to discover the extraordinary flora and fauna of Tortuguero, passing

serenely along the waterways. At this time of day, wildlife is usually at its

most active and with the help of our expert guide you are likely to encounter

monkeys, caiman, iguanas, butterflies and many of the 300+ bird species

recorded here. You’ll return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast by the river.

The lodge is a tranquil spot to relax this afternoon if you want to take some

time out to enjoy the facilities, or alternatively you can join a second boat

trip or follow a short walking trail through the forest.


included

Day 4: Arenal Leave Tortuguero the same way you arrived by taking

a small boat to the pier. Your bus will be at the pier waiting to drive you

to the region of Arenal, passing huge banana, pineapple and sugar cane

plantations on the way. Arenal was Costa Rica’s most active volcano until

fairly recently, when it entered a resting phase and can no longer be seen

spitting ash, smoke or lava.

However, there is still a lot of geothermal activity in the area and you’ll

have the opportunity to visit one of the excellent hot springs this evening.

In clear weather there are great views of the volcano from our overnight

base in the nearby town of La Fortuna. Today’s travelling time is around

five and a half hours including a lunch stop.

Accommodation: Lodge included | Meals: Breakfast and lunch included

Day 5: Arenal Waterfalls are abundant in the region of Arenal and this

morning you visit La Fortuna Waterfall, a 65 metre cascade of water

plunging into an emerald pool below. A short trail through the rainforest

brings us to a relatively steep set of steps that you must descend to reach

the waterfall and then ascend to the exit - the hike/climb takes around 20-

30 minutes and is within the capabilities of anyone with reasonable fitness.

Reward your efforts with a dip into one of the natural pools punctuating the

foliage to cool off! Alternatively you could visit the lookout point and wait

for the group.

After lunch, you take a short scenic hike within Arenal National Park,

walking through secondary rainforest and passing some of the lava fields

from past eruptions. The high vantage points on this walk allow great

views overlooking Lake Arenal, and the birdlife is plentiful.

Options:

• Ecotermales hot springs (4 hours) approx USD37

• Sky Tram/Sky Trek (zip line) USD70

• Sky Walk (hanging bridges) USD26

• Sky Tram/ Sky Walk USD58

Accommodation: Lodge included | Meals: Breakfast included

Day 6: Monteverde From Arenal, you travel to the Tilaran Mountain Range

in the Central Highlands for our first taste of a Costa Rican cloud forest. The

journey provides breathtaking views of the Gulf of Nicoya and the islands

below as you ascend the hills towards Monteverde, a forest-cloaked region

whose name literally means ‘Green Mountain’. The high altitude supports

a complex eco-system where plants thrive, particularly orchids of which

there are some 400+ different varieties here. Today’s drive is around four

hours- the last 40km of road is gravel and can be bumpy, particularly

following heavy rain.

Optional Activities:

• Sky Walk suspension bridges approx USD32

• Sky tram + Sky trek approx USD63

• Coffee tour USD30

• Canopy Tour USD26

Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals: Breakfast included

Day 7: Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve This morning, you have a guided

walk in Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, one of the first community-

managed reserves in Costa Rica and an area that is world-famous for its

biodiversity. To this day, the reserve is managed by the Santa Elena High

School with funds channelled into protecting the reserve and providing

environmental education classes within the local community. Thanks to its

high elevation, Santa Elena is bathed in thick misty clouds which support a

huge range of flowers, ferns, mosses, vines and orchids. Birdlife thrives in

the cloud forest with over 425 species recorded here. Santa Elena is also

one of the best places to spot noisy Howler monkeys swinging through

the trees!

In the afternoon, it’s possible to join an optional coffee tour to learn about

the importance of this crop to the socio-economic development of the

country, or join a canopy tour to get a different view of the forest.


Day 8: Manuel Antonio National Park Your journey takes a south-easterly

turn today as you follow the Pan-Am Highway along the coastline to Manuel

Antonio, passing African oil palm and teak plantations on the way. Manuel

Antonio National Park consists of a vast marine reserve as well as 1,700

acres of mangrove swamp, primary and secondary rainforest. The forest

vegetation stretches as far as the high-tide line and provides a stunning

backdrop to the expansive sandy beaches, forested islands and dramatic

rocky headlands. Your drive to Manuel Antonio takes around four hours.

You spend the next two nights here, normally in a hotel close to the beach

and the entrance of the national park. Depending on your time of arrival,

you should have time to enjoy various optional activities this afternoon or

enjoy the hotels facilities.






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Day 9: Manuel Antonio National Park A guided tour of Manuel Antonio

National Park this morning should enable you to have some close wildlife

encounters. White-faced Capuchin monkeys play in the trees and are

frequently sighted on the beaches, whilst noisy Howler monkeys are

usually heard moving through the trees and calling to each other before

they are seen. The endangered Titi monkey (Squirrel monkey) are fewer

in number but can sometimes be spotted in this area. Iguanas, agouti and

two and three toed sloths are also commonly sighted in the national park.

Manuel Antonio’s beaches are considered to be some of the most beautiful

in the country and you have all afternoon to enjoy them or try one of the

optional activities available in this region.

Please note that Manuel Antonio National Park is closed on Mondays. If

your visit falls on a Monday, the timing of this activity will be adjusted so

that you visit the park on the previous day, and today will be at leisure to

enjoy the many optional excursions of the region.


• Mangrove boat tour USD58

• Sea kayaking (4 hours) approx USD59

• Horseback riding USD59


Day 10: Piedras Blancas National Park - Golfito Travel four hours south

towards Golfito, a relatively wild and undiscovered region. The dense

jungle here has hardly been explored or researched. The next two nights

are spent in the beautiful Esquinas Rainforest Lodge set in the heart of

primary rainforest and bordered by the newly created Piedras Blancas

National Park and Golfito Nature Reserve. The lodge was originally

financed by the government of Austria as a project combining forest

research, development aid and nature conservation. Most employees are

local and profits are used to help with projects in the nearby village. This

afternoon, you discover our peaceful surroundings and search for the

abundant bird and insect life that resides here.

Accommodation: Esquinas Rainforest Lodge (or similar) | Meals:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 11: Piedras Blancas National Park - Golfito Hike through the

rainforest this morning with your guide and experience all of the sights

and sounds of the jungle. During this activity, you are likely to see snakes,

monkeys and maybe sloths. This hike can be quite slippery after rainfall but

is a real highlight and well worth the effort. This afternoon has been left free

for optional activities - delve deeper into the forest on a 10 mile network of

trails departing directly from the lodge, or simply relax by the stream-fed

pool.


included

Day 12: Savegre Cloud Forest Your journey takes a north-westerly turn

through San Isidro and up and over the Cerro de la Muerte mountain range

to our next destination, the Savegre Valley, located around four and a half

hours away from Golfito. The cloud forest of Savegre is said to be one of

the best places in the whole of Costa Rica to see the beautiful, colourful

and notoriously shy Resplendant Quetzal and you have two nights here to

discover the region. These endangered birds rely on the cloud forest for

their habitat - the males in particular are striking with a green crest, red

breast and tail feathers that can reach a metre in length. A good pair of

binoculars will be helpful for quetzal spotting as these birds camouflage

themselves well amongst the wet leaves of the forest! After lunch, you take

a short walk from your lodge into the cloud forest.


included

Day 13: Savegre Valley Today is free to relax and explore Savegre Valley.

Bring your binoculars to spot some of the 170 bird species, trek through the

tropical cloud forest or simply enjoy the incredible view from the lodge.

For those who are passionate about trekking, an extra optional tour to

Los Quetzales National Park can be arranged to admire the tropical cloud

forest and sub-Andean vegetation of the area (this is a 6-hour tour so would

normally replace other activities today). Birds that may be seen in this area

include hummingbirds, colibri, tanagers and trogons.


• Trekking in Los Quetzales N.P. USD$97 (6 hours, minimum 2 adults)

Accommodation: Lodge included | Meals: Breakfast, lunch and

dinner included

Day 14: San José Visit the village of Copey this morning, to step momentarily

into the agricultural lives of those living in the highlands of the Central

Mountain Range. You take a short walk to the picturesque village before

visiting a local school in this area - the children are very welcoming and

it is a great opportunity to interact with locals. The school visit only takes

place during term time, and the location of the school you visit may vary

according to school schedules, therefore please allow flexibility. Some

snacks will be prepared for us with a local family, which is sure to be a

memorable touch of Costa Rican hospitality! A two and a half hour journey

takes you back to San José, where there is time to explore the modern

capital.

Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals: Breakfast and lunch included

Day 15: San José There’s still plenty left to explore in and around San José. If

you wish to stay on for a couple of nights we can organise accommodation

for you. Otherwise, your tour will come to an end after this morning’s

breakfast. Free transfers to San José airport are available to all clients today.

Meals: Breakfast included

THIS TOUR IS RUN BY OUR TRUSTED SISTER COMPANY.

SPECIAL DEPARTURES

If you want to make sure you’re right in the heart of the action at the absolute

best time to be there, then why not book one of our Special Departures.

Bird Watching Special Departures

For keen birders, we have designated a number of departures that will

be accompanied by a specialist bird-watching guide. Walks and visits to

national parks will be led with the intention of seeing as much bird life as

possible. Book trips departing 2018 - 10 and 24 January, 7 and 21 February,

16 April, 7 and 14 November.

Departure date 22nd December 2018

For this departure we cannot stay in Manuel Antonio and instead will

stay in Dominical at the Villas Rio Mar. This enables us to have peaceful

accommodation away from the incredibly busy tourist areas of Manuel

Antonio. There will be a slightly longer drive to get to/from Manuel Antonio

(it is about 1 hour away), but you will still spend the same amount of time in

the national park.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

There are many opportunities for optional activities during your tour. Your

tour guide will organise these on your behalf and you will pay locally in cash.

You’ll find the main optional activities listed above under each itinerary day

description, along with guideline prices. It may not be possible to do all

optional activities listed on each tour.





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PHYSICAL RATING/PREPARATION

Active

Our active tours are suitable for people of all levels of experience and

fitness. Active tours are about exploring the places you visit so whether it’s

sightseeing, hiking, or wildlife spotting you’ll be out discovering the area.

You’ll also be able to choose from a whole range of optional activities, and

with everything from Sea canoeing to horse riding, depending on your

interest, budget and ability. There are several included and optional walks

on the itinerary which occasionally involve walking on rough paths. These

are suitable for most levels of fitness and usually last from two to three

hours. During times of heavy rain, trails can be muddy and slippery and

extra care should be taken. Many of the areas visited on the trip are hot

and humid and there is the chance of heavy rain year-round - this is why

Costa Rica is so green!

TOUR ITINERARIES

Although each tour follows an itinerary, there is a certain amount of

flexibility and from time to time our tour guide may suggest changes. This

may be due to road conditions, weather or a visit to a special attraction

or event that happens to be in progress. Flexibility is key and often a side

diversion will be a highlight of the tour. Hikes and optional activities cannot

be guaranteed and may vary depending on ability, group interest, local

weather conditions and time of year.

Driving distances are not very long and most of the roads that we travel on

are of good quality. However, the road which leads to the river on the way

to and from Tortuguero and the road into and out of Monteverde have poor

surfaces and this can result in slow driving times, particularly following

heavy rain.

All details are provided in good faith. Due to the nature of travel, this

information can change and should therefore be taken as an indication

only and not as a contractual obligation on the part of Grand American

Adventures. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Please ensure that you download an up-to-date copy of this dossier before

you depart to ensure you have the most up-to-date information. Our

itineraries are occasionally amended in response to customer feedback or

for operational reasons.

This dossier is valid for all tours departing in 2018. Itineraries may be

subject to change with the publication of our 2019/20 brochure in Autumn

2017, at which point revised 2019 dossiers will be made available.

CUSTOMER FEEDBACK

“A truly amazing trip which surpassed my high expectations. Everything

was perfect, the accommodation, the food, the guide, Giovanni, the local

guides, the itinerary which included close contact with lots of amazing

wildlife and chance to become familiar with some of the culture of Costa

Rica with a visit to a coffee plantation, a school and an appetising lunch with

a lady who makes delicious cheese.” – Dianne Rooks

Please see our website for more customer reviews from independent

reviewer Feefo.

BEFORE YOU DEPART

FLIGHT ARRANGEMENTS

For anyone leaving from the UK we would be pleased to book your flight

in conjunction with your tour. Please contact us for competitive prices on

flights departing from most UK airports.

If you are booking your own flights, you are free to arrive at any time on

day one but it is advisable that you arrive in plenty of time to reach your

joining hotel and attend your welcome meeting.

Please note that we cannot be held responsible for any delays, cancellations,

changes to your flights, or any missed flights. We are unable to delay a tour,

or finish a tour early due to your flight times.

Please make sure if booking your own flight to San José, please be sure to

book a flight into San José, Costa Rica, and not one of the multiple San José

destinations.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must be insured against

medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs, air

ambulance and helicopter rescue service). You will be asked to provide

details of your insurance policy, including insurer, policy number and

phone number before embarking on the trip.





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We offer an insurance policy that is designed specifically to cover the

potential risks on our tours - particularly the many optional activities

offered. If you do not take our policy, you must ensure that the policy you

do take offers an equivalent level of protection and covers you for the

activities involved - be aware that some policies do not include, or restrict,

coverage for this type of travel. There may be cheaper policies available,

but this does not mean it may be better value - we strongly advise you

check fully what will and won’t be covered. Any claims concerning matters

for which you are insured must be directed to your insurers.

Please note: We can only offer cover for passengers residing within the

European Union.

PASSPORT AND VISAS

All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid for 6 months

beyond the intended length of stay. It is your responsibility to have

the correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is

necessary, in accordance with the regulations of the country you are to

visit. The information below is primarily for UK passport holders, and

other nationalities should check with their travel agent or the relevant

embassies. We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration

and customs officials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any

subsequent effects.

Holders of British, US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and most EU

passports can enter Costa Rica for a stay of 90 days without a visa. Proof of

onward travel may be required when entering Costa Rica - we suggest you

take a print out of your flight details in case officials ask to see them.

All passengers flying via the USA will have to clear immigration during

transit. Prior to travel you must apply for an Electronic Travel Authority

(USD14) under the Visa Waiver Programme. If you are not a UK citizen

please check with your local U.S. Embassy.

Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current

regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required.

If you are travelling via the USA and are eligible to transit under the Visa

Waiver Programme (most British and western European citizens with

a machine readable passport are), you are now required to register in

advance for an Electronic Travel Authority (ESTA). There is a US$14 charge

for the ESTA, which is only payable online with a credit card. All other

nonresidents passing through the US must get a visa in advance. Check

with your local embassy or consulate for more details on how to obtain a

visa.

DEPARTURE TAX COSTA RICA

There is an international departure tax on leaving San José at the end

of the trip; this was USD29 at the time of writing, but this is subject to

change and isn’t applicable for all airlines. At the time of writing, United

and American Airlines include this tax in the cost of the ticket.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS AND VACCINATIONS

There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended

vaccinations are: Hepatitis A.

The risk of malaria is slight but you may wish to consult your GP or travel

health clinic for further advice.

Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease

spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or

prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention

is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to

avoid mosquito bites.

Zika fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease and a known risk in places

visited on this trip. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available

and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We

recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. The

symptoms and impact of the disease is not serious, but a significant risk

to foetus development has recently been highlighted. Therefore, if you

are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant you should seek additional

advice from a health professional.

Travel health can often be something people forget about before going

away, but a little preparation and knowledge can go a long way to help you

stay fit and healthy while abroad.

The above information can change at short notice; as we are not qualified

to answer all your questions about travel health we strongly recommend

you contact your Medical Professional or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8

weeks prior to departure for up-to-date information.

WHAT YOU NEED FOR YOUR TOUR

SPENDING MONEY

Currency Information

The national currency of Costa Rica is the Costa Rican Colon (CRC), with an

exchange rate at the time of publication of approximately 750 to the UK£

and 576 to the US$.

It is best to take US dollars to Costa Rica, as sterling is difficult to exchange

and the rate can be poor. In practice, US dollars are widely accepted as

payment in Costa Rica.

ATM availability

ATMs are widely available in Costa Rica, particularly in the main tourist

areas. A flat fee of up to USD3 and a small commission usually applies with

debit card withdrawals. MasterCard and Visa are quite widely accepted

in the bigger hotels, restaurants and tourist shops, though not, of course,

in rural areas. Always check the handling fee when paying by credit

card as it can be high. Travellers cheques (in US dollars also) can be quite

difficult to change, especially outside the capital. It is certainly much more

convenient to carry as much of your money in cash as possible, so long

as you are security conscious. We recommend that you bring some small

denomination notes (USD1 and USD5 notes) since getting change is often a

problem when paying for small items.

EXTRA EXPENSES & SPENDING MONEY

It is best to take US dollars to Costa Rica, as sterling is difficult to exchange

and the rate can be poor. In practice, US dollars are widely accepted as

payment in Costa Rica.

You should allow extra to cover the cost of meals not included in the price

of the holiday. Snack lunches are approximately USD15-18 and evening

meals USD25-32 per meal (excluding drinks).Average costs for drinks are

USD1-2 for mineral water or soft drinks, USD3-4 for a bottle of beer and

USD4-5 for a glass of wine.

There is an international departure tax on leaving San José at the end of

the trip (approx USD29) but this is subject to change and isn’t applicable

for all airlines. At the time of writing, United and American Airlines include

this tax in the cost of the ticket, however, British Airways do not and so if

you are travelling with BA you will be expected to pay the tax at the airport.





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PRE-PAID CURRENCY CARDS

It is personal preference as to how you take your money and it’s

recommended to take some cash with you for arrival. Grand American

Adventures recommend FairFX prepaid credit cards, as these can be a cost

effective and safe way to take funds overseas. Please ask one of our sales

consultants or visit www.fairfx.com/refer/grandamericanadventures

to find out how to receive a FREE currency card, worth a retail value of

£9.95.

TIPPING

Our local staff are paid well and fairly for their work with us. However, it is

usual for groups to tip guides and drivers and it would be reasonable for

each group member to contribute about USD3 per day for this purpose,

although you may wish to tip more if travelling in a small group. Porters at

the airport and hotels are normally tipped about USD1 per piece.

LUGGAGE ALLOWANCE

At time of writing the standard weight limit for hold baggage on the

recommended international carrier for this trip is 20kg. We recommend

packing only one piece of checked baggage.

As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold luggage

is subject to change, you should contact your airline carrier to confirm

luggage restrictions prior to departure.

For the boat to and from Tortuguero, the maximum luggage allowance is

25lb (11kg) per person (one piece). You can take a travel bag with the items

you need for the trip and leave the rest of it in the luggage room of the

San José hotel. Your main luggage will be collected by our local partners

and returned to you on day four when you are met off the boat from

Tortuguero. This restriction is often relaxed locally - please ask your tour

guide for current information.

TEMPERATURE CHART

Costa Rica is located 10º north of the equator and has a tropical climate. The

average temperature range is 10ºC - 13ºC in the highlands, and from 22ºC -

26ºC in the lowlands. There is a rainy season from May to November when

there are daily downpours, though these are usually quite short and there

is still plenty of bright sunshine, so midsummer is not necessarily a bad

time to go. December to April is the driest time of the year but you should

still expect some rain.

HIGH / LOW TEMPERATURES IN CELSIUS (ºC)

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

San José HIGH 24 24 26 26 27 26 25 26 26 25 25 24

LOW 14 14 15 17 17 17 17 16 16 16 16 14

Monteverde HIGH 31 32 33 33 31 30 30 30 31 29 30 31

LOW 21 22 23 23 23 22 22 23 23 22 22 21

Arenal HIGH 23 26 24 26 27 24 23 23 21 23 23 24

NP LOW 21 21 19 20 23 21 20 20 19 20 20 21

Tortuguero HIGH 29 29 30 30 30 30 30 30 31 31 29 29

NP LOW 21 21 22 22 23 23 23 23 23 23 22 22

Manuel HIGH 31 31 32 32 32 31 31 30 30 30 30 30

Antonio NP LOW 21 21 22 22 22 22 21 21 22 22 22 21

C / F Conversions: -10ºC = 14ºF 0ºC = 32ºF 10ºC = 50ºF 20ºC = 68ºF

30ºC = 86ºF 40ºC = 104ºF

PACKING TIPS

CLOTHING

Please keep in mind that our dress tends to be informal. It is advised that

you take a practical selection of clothes for both warm and cool climates to

suit the season. Please see the temperature guide showing the highs and

lows that can be expected in key locations that your tour visits. However,

please remember that this is just a guide and you may encounter a wide

variety of temperatures en route due to altitude and unforeseen weather

conditions - so it’s best to be prepared!

• Sunglasses

• Sunhat

• Sunscreen

• Waterproof poncho or waterproofs

• Warm sweater (for cloud forest)

• Shorts

• Swimming gear

• Umbrella

• Camera with zoom lens

• Binoculars

• Flashlight

• Small daypack for walks

• Universal sink plug

• Insect repellent

• Sandals or flip-flops

• Camera / binoculars

• Small flashlight / torch

• Travel power adaptor (optional)

• Toiletries / personal medicine

• 2 x 1 litre water bottles (ideally metal or reusable Nalgene due to trail

restrictions)

• A lightweight quick-drying towel

• A small sewing kit with safety pins

• Cold water detergent or laundry soap (biodegradable)

• Personal music player / books etc. for the long drives

Plastic bottles are a big issue in many countries where recycling isn’t

yet widely available; they often end up in landfill sites or get burnt, both

processes are harmful to the environment and we would like to reduce

our impact here. For your trip we have decided to include drinking water

in order to reduce the amount of plastic used. This means that safe filtered

drinking water will be available throughout which means all you need to do

is bring a bottle to re-fill along the way.

Please note airlines have various rules on what can be carried in your

luggage - if in doubt check with your airline before travelling.





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FOOTWEAR

We recommend walking shoes/boots, as comfortable shoes with good ankle

support will make all walking more enjoyable. If you do not own a pair, then

sports trainers will suffice although this is very much a personal choice.

Don’t forget your flip flops too! It is best to bring weather-proof shoes.

CLOTHES WASHING

You will have the opportunity to wash your clothes whilst you are on tour,

and this can often be done at the hotel or in a local town. Ask your tour

guide for local information.

BATTERY CHARGING

Many of our travellers bring mobile phones, music devices and cameras

that require frequent battery charging during a tour. Your hotel rooms will

have an electrical outlet (just remember your international adaptor!) You

may want to consider bringing extra batteries to avoid missing out on that

amazing photograph.

EMERGENCY OUT OF HOURS ASSISTANCE

In the event of an emergency or if you wish to report a problem on tour

please do not hesitate to call our 24-hour emergency contact number.

Remember, if we don’t know about it we won’t be able to do anything about

it. Phone number for family to contact you:

Phone number for family to contact you in case of emergency:

Tel: +44 844 326 7041

JOINING YOUR TOUR

TOUR AND ACCOMMODATION VOUCHERS

A tour voucher will be emailed to you once your balance has been paid in

full. Vouchers for any hotel nights you have booked before or after your

tour as well as any additional day tours will also be sent to you. You can

print off the PDF vouchers or download to your smartphone. For those

without email access your vouchers will be posted. Please make sure that

these vouchers are correct.

PRE/POST TOUR HOTELS

Grand American Adventures tours begin and end at our gateway hotels,

which are conveniently located in the departure and arrival cities. We offer

you the option to book additional hotel nights before or after your tour

however, they should be booked prior to departure with our reservations

team. See below for joining and end hotel details.

Please note some hotels may take a debit or credit card as a deposit at

check in. They may also take an amount to cover incidentals. Funds can

be held until check out at which time the amount actually incurred will be

charged. Please clarify with the hotel when you check out that all deposits

will be refunded as promptly as possible.

JOINING POINT

San José can be very busy during the main tourist season and for this

reason the joining hotel can change. Please see your tour voucher for

hotel details.

Airport transfers are included for anyone booked to fly into San José . It is

important you advise us of arrival and departure flight details no later than

one month prior to departure to secure you free transfers. If you decide

to take a taxi from the airport, this will cost approximately US$30 with a

duration of about 25 minutes.

ARRIVAL COMPLICATIONS

Sometimes the unexpected can happen; your plane may be delayed or

you may even miss it! If you have missed your tour departure, first check

with the hotel to see if your tour guide has left you a message. If not, call

the relevant emergency number and speak to our staff who will be happy

to help you catch up with the group. Please note that you are responsible

for any extra travelling expenses incurred due to you missing your tour’s

departure, so please be on time.

FINISHING POINT

This tour ends on the morning of day 15 in San José. If you require

accommodation for the last night, it is essential that you book this before

your tour departs.





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ABOUT OUR TOURS

TRANSPORTATION

We travel in air-conditioned buses and also boats in Tortuguero. Depending

on the group size, we either use a 16 seater coaster minibus or a 24 seater

Senior bus. All vehicles are air-conditioned. There is a shared transfer to

Tortuguero on Day 2 of the itinerary in a larger coach.

ACCOMMODATION

14 nights spent in hotels and eco-lodges, all with en suite facilities and most

with swimming pools. We use fairly small, family run establishments:

wooden lodges set in tropical gardens or eco-lodges nestled in the

rainforest. The highlight of this trip will no doubt be our stay at Esquinas

Rainforest Lodge, a 100% carbon neutral property within Piedras Blancas

National Park - wake up surrounded by the sound of birds!

OPTIONAL SOLO SLEEPER

The accommodation on our tours is based on twin-share, so if you’re

travelling on your own, you’ll share a room or tent with a fellow

passenger of the same sex. However, if you would prefer your own

space we offer a Solo Sleeper option where you can have your own

room for an additional fee.

On this tour, we are able to provide the option of pre-booking a guaranteed

single room for every night of the tour. Please note that the number of

single rooms we can offer per tour is limited, so it’s best to book early if you

would like this option. Please see our website or call us for the for the Solo

Sleeper option cost.

SECURITY

No matter where you find yourself in the world, you need to look after your

valuables. In general, the safest place for items such as passports, flight

tickets and cash is on your person or in a hotel safe where available, and do

not leave valuables in the vehicle. When in doubt consult your tour guide.

We would like to remind you that you are ultimately responsible for your

safety and well-being. Whether you are taking public transport, going

for a hike or taking part in an optional activity, we request that you carry

yourself in a mature and responsible manner - not only for your own

personal safety, but for that of the group and other travellers.

MEALS

All breakfasts, 8 lunches and 6 dinners included.

Hotel breakfasts are normally buffet style, and lunches and dinners

at Tortuguero and Esquinas Rainforest Lodge are also buffet style.

Vegetarians are well catered for but please inform us before departure of

any special dietary requests.

Costa Rican specialities include ‘Gallo Pinto’, a black bean and rice dish

considered to be a staple part of the local diet. Soups and stews are also

common, and fresh fruit is abundant and will no doubt be one of the

highlights of your time in the tropics.

YOUR TOUR GUIDE

Your tour leader will take care of all the planning and organisation

throughout your tour, they will drive the van taking you from A to B and

make sure everything runs smoothly. Your tour leader is there to make

sure you get the most out of your tour; organising activities, providing

information and answering any questions you may have as well as sorting

out any queries or problems you may encounter. If you have any particular

interests or things you would like to do on your tour, then please let your

tour leader know at the beginning of the tour and they will do their best

to help you. We will also use specialist tour guides in certain locations,

to provide in depth information. If for any reason you have an issue

and do not feel comfortable raising this with your leader, please contact

[email protected].

THE GROUP

The maximum group size is 16 passengers. Passengers come from a range

of countries worldwide (average of four nationalities per group) and many

will be solo travellers. You will find you have many things in common

with your fellow travellers, including a passion for discovery and a strong

interest in culture and exploring new places.

Grand American Adventures tours are designed for adults over 16 years

old (anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian 18+). While most

passengers are aged 25-55, every year we get many people both above and

below this age range. All travellers over the age of 70 will be requested to

complete a self-declaration of fitness form prior to travel.

Our tours are a unique holiday experience and much of your enjoyment

will come from the team spirit of your group and the fun you’ll have

together, as well as from the local setting. We cannot stress strongly

enough the importance of bringing a positive attitude with you on tour; a

sure guarantee to enjoying each and every moment, even in the adversity

of the odd rainstorm!

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the NHS has up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad. For more on security, local laws, plus passport and visa information, see https://travelaware.campaign.gov.uk/ Keep informed of current travel health news by visiting www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk For all latest travel information about your holiday, please visit us at www.grandamericanadventures.com/travelaware The advice can change so check regularly for updates.





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Grand American Adventures travellers will join our trusted sister

company for this tour.

RESPONSIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL

We are committed to offering low impact tours that benefit the places and

communities we visit as well as our travellers. It is important for us all to be

aware of the delicate balance that exists in the variety of natural wonders

you will visit. National parks and monuments, archaeological sites and

other sensitive areas should and must be treated with respect.

We are proud supporters of Bay Area Wilderness Training (www.bawt.org)

a charity based in Oakland California which works to connect disadvantaged

children in the local urban area with the great outdoors. Their work helps to

provide these young people with life changing experiences which they can

apply to everyday life. Everyone booking with Grand American Adventures

has the option to donate £1/$1/€1 to support this well-deserved charity and

we will match this donation.

Whenever possible, we use local accommodation and activity providers.

We also shop locally for groceries, eat in small family-run restaurants and

visit local shops whenever possible. This all brings economic benefit to the

local communities that we visit.

Responsible Tourism on Discover Costa Rica...

With its abundant natural diversity, Costa Rica has a world-renowned

tradition of conservation. On this trip we visit national and private

parks, including the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, one of the

first community-managed reserves in the country. Entrance fees

directly support conservation efforts in the areas we visit. We also

visit a typical rural school to meet the children and deliver a gift of

educational supplies (donation included within the trip cost).

The majority of accommodation that we use is in family-owned

lodges. An example of eco-friendly accommodation on this trip is the

Esquinas Rainforest Lodge, a model project combining conservation,

environmental research and community development in a rural area. It

is 100 % carbon neutral and helps to fund local healthcare and education.

AFTER YOUR TOUR

FEEDBACK AND REVIEWS

We want to hear about your experience and stories from the road, so

please feel free to e-mail us any comments, feedback or reviews whilst

you are on tour or when you return home to:

[email protected].

We value your feedback and tour reviews, which help us in developing and

improving our programme. Input and suggestions from travellers like you

has helped make Grand American Adventures what it is today.

WE WANT YOUR PHOTOS!

We can always use your holiday snaps and short videos to better

depict and promote all the fascinating places we visit. Whether

it’s hiking the trails or enjoying a great meal, there’s no better

way to share your Grand American Adventure. So if you want

to send over a couple of your best shots (max 10MB) please

e-mail them to [email protected].

You know what they say, a picture’s worth a thousand words!

HOW TO BOOK

Contact us by telephone, email or via our website to check availability

for the tour you are interested in. We can normally hold a seat on

‘option’ for up to three days to allow you time to finalise your travel

arrangements. In order to secure your place we require a deposit

(full payment within eight weeks of travel) and an agreement from

you to our terms and conditions. Check availability early to avoid

disappointment: www.grandamericanadventures.com

FURTHER QUESTIONS

Please contact our UK Sales team on:

Tel: +44 (0)208 682 8921

Fax: +44 (0)208 675 0551

Enquiries: [email protected]

This dossier was last updated 02 Nov 2017

discover costa rica - grand american adventureslodge included | meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner...

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