Day
1 USA / San José, Costa Rica
Depart the USA for San José, Costa Rica. Upon arrival you will be met by a representative of Mayflower Cruises & Tours who will assist with your transfer to the hotel. Flights should arrive by 4:00pm. Relax before the included dinner as your busy schedule eases into Costa Rica’s mystical tropical lifestyle.
Meal: D
Day
2 San José – Arenal area
En route from San José to the
Arenal area, visit the Doka Coffee Estate where members of the
Vargas Ruiz family have been involved with coffee production
for more than 70 years. Tour the plantation, learning how this
famous product of Costa Rica is produced from the harvesting
of the beans to the roasting and packaging processes. And
of course there is a sampling of the final product! Continuing
towards Arenal, with an included lunch along the way, a
sweet treat awaits. Coffee beans aren’t the only ones Costa
Rica is famous for. Discover the ancient secrets of chocolate,
considered a ‘gift of the Gods’, as cacao beans were used for
ceremonial drinks and even currency. During this hands-on
experience at a cacao plantation, learn the whole process of
creating sumptuous chocolate from the fruit of the cacao tree.
The day ends with arrival at the hotel, providing awe-inspiring
views of Arenal Volcano from every room
Meals: B, L
Day
3 Arenal area
This morning, enjoy a gentle walk along
the base of Arenal Volcano, a magnificent natural phenomenon,
during a visit to Arenal National Park. Your Tour Manager takes
you through the forest, over the lava flows, and to the destroyed
area now in the process of regeneration. Return to the hotel
for lunch on your own and the remainder of the day at leisure.
Later this afternoon, depart the hotel for a visit to a local farm for
an educational and culinary experience. Stroll around the farm
with a guide as you see a variety of flora and fauna and learn
about the products being organically grown. Pick tubers and
other vegetables, along with fruits, to be used in the evening
meal. Learn about sugar cane, the milling process, and have a
taste of its derivatives. Learn how to make tortillas and enjoy a
typical local dinner on site. This experience will give you a true
immersion into local life.
Meals: B, D
Day
4 Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
While in the Arenal area, enjoy a full day excursion to Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge, a remote “everglades” type wetlands, teeming with different species of flora, fauna and birdlife. Enjoy a boat ride on the Rio Frio, where you’ll have an opportunity to see a plethora of wildlife: snake-birds, heron, comorants, howler, spider and white-faced monkeys, three-toed sloth, basilik lizards, turtles and much more. This unique experience showcases the natural beauty of Costa Rica. A typical lunch is provided during the excursion.
Meals: B, L
Day
5 Arenal area – Manuel Antonio
After breakfast, travel
to the Manuel Antonio area, famous for its national park. En
route, another ‘local flavor’ awaits as you visit a “Cevichera” and
witness a demonstration of how to make Costa Rican ceviche.
Using the freshest fish from the area and ingredients from local
farmers, this small entrepreneurship shows how collaborating
with the locals supports economic community growth. A
sampling follows, before venturing to a nearby town for lunch
on your own. Upon arrival at the hotel in Manuel Antonio, the
remainder of the day is at leisure until the included dinner.
Meals: B, D
Day
6 Manuel Antonio National Park
Today’s included tour
visits nearby Manuel Antonio National Park, the smallest of
the parks in Costa Rica but one of the most popular. There is
a magic to this park that is hard to explain. Perhaps it’s the
park’s forest, mangroves, lagoons and beach vegetation that
supports 109 species of mammals and 184 species of birds
(with migrants bringing the bird species to some 270) that make
it so amazing. Among the inhabitants that can be easily seen
are sloths, iguanas, agoutis, armadillos, raccoons, coatimundis
and the adorable squirrel monkey. After the excursion, return to
the hotel where the remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy
the beautiful grounds and amenities.
Meal: B
Day
7 Manuel Antonio
This morning, depart by coach for the short journey to the Nauyaca Waterfalls. Upon arrival, board smaller vehicles for a ride through the beautiful landscape and wonders of the tropical rain forest to the lower falls. Take a dip in the water at the base of the falls, or relax as you take in the sights, sounds and smells of this magical area. Return to the hotel in time for lunch and a final afternoon at leisure before the farewell dinner.
Meals: B, D
Day
8 Manuel Antonio / San José / USA
After breakfast, your tropical get-away comes to an end as you return to the San José airport for your flight home. Flights should depart after 1:00 p.m. Fond memories of the beauty of Costa Rica and the warm hospitality of its people are sure to be treasured for a lifetime!
Meal: B
Itinerary is subject to change.