Costa Rica Flexi Small Group Tour

Program Overview (Costa Rica Flexi Basic Program):

23.03/24.03.24/XNUMX - XNUMX/XNUMX/XNUMX - San José Gran Hotel Costa Rica - including breakfast
24.03/26.03.24-XNUMX/XNUMX/XNUMX – Boca Tapada, Maquenque Eco Lodge - Bungalow including breakfast
26.03/28.03.24-XNUMX/XNUMX/XNUMX – Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna, Arenal Kioro Suites & SPA – Suite including breakfast
28.03/30.03.24-XNUMX/XNUMX/XNUMX - Heliconia Hotel - Gulf View Room, including breakfast and dinner
30.03/31.03.24-XNUMX/XNUMX/XNUMX - Villa Los Candiles - Superior Deluxe, including breakfast

Highlights of our Costa Rica Flexi Basic Program:

• Kayak safari float 
• Arenal Volcano National Park entry and hike (please provide passport details to book entry)
• Night hike Curi Cancha in the cloud forest Monteverde
• Selvatura suspension bridges 
• Dinner at the Treehouse Restaurant

 

In addition, the following four pre- or post-programs can be booked:

• Dream Boutique Hotel Villa Caletas & Isla Tortuga (Extension Option 1)
• Tortuguero National Park (Extension Option 2)
• Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula (Extension Option 3)
• San Blas Islands/Panama/Caribbean, with probably the most beautiful beaches in the world (extension option 4)

 These optional extension programs offer the following highlights:

• The Drake Bay in Corcovado National Park is considered one of the most attractive regions in Latin America with a multitude of beautiful beaches, lush Rainforest and Biodiversity.

• Relaxation in one of the best boutique hotels in Costa Rica, Hotel Villas Calletas near Jacó and excursion to Tortuga Islands.

• Tortuguero National Park features scenic canals, lagoons and rivers that can be navigated by boats, canoes and kayaks to enjoy the wonderful scenery.
• As a follow-up program from 01.04. - 06.04.24 a trip to what are probably the most beautiful beaches in the world on the more than 356 San Blas Islands/Panama/Caribbean is possible on a comfortable catamaran (no swell to minimal swell, 6 days cruise on a comfortable catamaran including full board and all Beverages).

 

 

 

Detailed program (Costa Rica Flexi basic program):

Day , Saturday 23.03.2024
Frankfurt/Main - San Jose, Costa Rica

Brokered transatlantic flight with KLM from German airport (Hamburg, Bremen, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Stuttgart or Munich) via Amsterdam to San José (economy class, upgrade to business class possible on request for a surcharge). You can book this flight yourself or ask us! Many of our customers book the Lufthansa transatlantic flight using mileage credits, for example.

Transfer to the Hotel Gran Hotel Costa Rica in San Jose. Welcome cocktail on arrival and briefing with your experienced local English speaking guide. Rest of the day free to settle in.

SAN JOSE COSTA RICA
March 23-24, 2024

The Gran Hotel Costa Rica is located right in the heart of San Jose, right next to the National Theater and within walking distance of the capital's main attractions. Built in 1930, the Grade II listed hotel is fully renovated and has 79 contemporary rooms with WiFi, mini-fridge, coffee maker and HDTV. All windows are soundproof and the rooms have air conditioning. The in-house restaurant on the top floor serves a fusion of local and international cuisine and the piano bar specializes in premium whiskey and gin from around the world. A fully equipped gym is available to guests who wish to keep fit during their stay.

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The capital, San Jose, is located in the heart of Costa Rica and its metropolitan area, GAM, is home to almost two-thirds of the country's population. With few buildings over a hundred years old, the hilly capital is relatively modern by Latin American standards. Despite this, it offers visitors a considerable amount of culture, art and history. An array of theaters, museums (including the world's largest collection of American jade and pre-Columbian gold artifacts), and streets lined with colorful murals and brightly painted buses, San Jose is an interesting city just waiting to be explored. On the 2nd day of travel there will be a city tour of San José with our experienced, German-speaking guide. In the evening you can have dinner together in a cozy restaurant. meals on the plane

 

MAQUENQUE ECO LODGE | BOCA TAPADA
March 24-26, 2024

Drive by private vehicle to Maquenque Eco Lodge. This charming lodge is the ideal place for nature lovers - located north of Boca Tapada in a 60 hectare nature reserve, surrounded by wetlands and the imposing San Carlos River. The 000 tree house bungalows and 4 bungalows have solar heated water, private bathroom, ceiling fan, wardrobe, balcony, hammock, coffee maker, reading light and have a magnificent view of the lagoon. You can also enjoy the hotel's restaurant, bar and swimming pool, all surrounded by beautiful nature. Minimum age for tree house category: 15 years.

2 nights including breakfast at Maquenque Eco Lodge.

Maquenque Eco Lodge Safari by Raft guides tourists through the rainforest rafting to the Tres Amigos River. See the wealth of flora and fauna, and other animals such as crocodiles, turtles, iguanas, monkeys, waterfowl and more. During this 4,5 hour tour naturalist guides will explain paddling and some safety rules as well as interesting information about the region and the species in the area.

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Beautiful and comfortable bungalows where you can enjoy nature with a beautiful view of a natural pond.

Included in the price:

• Rich breakfast is served in our restaurant
• Guided afternoon walk through the rainforest
• Canoeing in the Lagoon
• Visit to the local school of Boca Tapada (during school hours)

 

ARENAL KIORO SUITES & SPA | LA FORTUNA (near the famous Arenal Volcano!)
March 26-28, 2024

On 04.04.23/XNUMX/XNUMX we continue to the Hotel Arenal Kiroro near the famous Arenal Volcano.

Hotel Arenal Kioro has 53 luxurious and spacious suites, each with two terraces and a panoramic view of the Arenal Volcano. All suites are equipped with a private bathroom, jacuzzi, hairdryer, air conditioning and minibar. In addition, the hotel offers two restaurants and two bars, a fitness center, a tennis court, a spacious SPA area, tropical gardens and hot springs on the hotel grounds.

The Arenal National Park encloses the dormant Volcan Chato and the active Volcan Arenal (1.643 m). Easily walkable hiking trails in the national park lead over volcanic sand to the cooled lava fields of the various eruptions. Orchids and other colorful exotic plants thrive on the fertile soil - toucans like to perch on the tall trees. From the cooled lava tongue you have a wonderful view of the volcanic cone and the Atlantic lowlands on a clear day.

2 nights accommodation including breakfast at the Arenal Kioro Hotel.

 

HOTEL HELICONIA | MONTEVERDE
March 28-30, 2024

Our Costa Rica dream trip continues with a drive to Hotel Heliconia, one of the classic hotels in town, located in the heart of the forested mountains of Monteverde. The sprawling 10-acre property offers panoramic views of the nearby cloud forest and the Gulf of Nicoya in the distance. It is built in alpine chalet style and the solid wood combined with local elements spreads a cosy, warm ambience throughout the hotel. The 55 spacious Superior Heliconia Rooms, Garden Family Rooms, Family Suites and Gulf View Suites are equipped with modern amenities such as internet access, flat screen TV, safe and private bathroom. The restaurant, with a beautiful view of the garden, offers a delicious breakfast. In the evening, guests can relax at its bar and share the exciting experiences of the day during happy hour.

Curi Cancha Monteverde:

The Curi Cancha Wildlife Reserve is a wildlife sanctuary in the central mountainous region of Costa Rica that also forms part of the Arenal-Tilaran Wildlife Sanctuary. It protects the cloud forest of the Cordillera de Tilaran, located near the town of Las Juntas. This sanctuary is located about a kilometer north of Monteverde's famous Cloud Forest Reserve. The lower part is drier with fewer epiphytes, but the upper part is full of thick and impressive cloud forest. The most spectacular and magnificent birds can be discovered here, also because the protected area does not consist entirely of dense forest, but also because clearings offer the opportunity to better observe the animal world. This sanctuary is particularly suitable for the magnificent quetzal bird, the most prized bird of the cloud forest. There also find refuge the keel-billed toucan, the motmot, orange-bellied trogon and the three-toed sloth; not to forget the most diverse groups of monkeys. All in all, a wonderful place to experience nature up close, especially after dark on a guided, approx. 2-hour night hike which starts at 17.30 p.m.

2 nights including breakfast at Hotel Heliconia in the mountains of Monteverde.

As an alternative to the Hotel Heliconia, we recommend the following hotel for a surcharge:

https://www.sendamonteverde.com/photo-gallery/

HOTEL VILLA LOS CANDILES | SAN JOSE
March 30-31, 2024

Head back to San Jose to Hotel Villa Los Candiles, located in Santa Ana, a quiet and safe suburb of the capital San Jose. The warmth and elegance of its Victorian-inspired architecture are perfectly complemented by the comfortable and modern facilities. The hotel offers 28 rooms (Standard Deluxe, Superior Deluxe, Junior Suite and Master Suite), all equipped with air conditioning and private bathroom. The hotel's Veinti5 Bistro restaurant offers a wide range of dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as creative cocktails. The hotel also has a small pool in the garden area, free WIFI and a partially covered private car park. The city center with supermarkets and other shops is only a 10-minute walk away.

1 night including breakfast from April 30th to 31.03.2024th, XNUMX at the Hotel Villa los Candiles.

With regard to our dream trip to Costa Rica, the following 4 optional pre-programs or extension programs are possible:

 

Fantastic boutique hotel Villa Caletas near Jacó on the Pacific coast and Isla Tortuga (extension option 1)

 

4 days/3 nights:

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After a leisurely breakfast, the private transfer takes place in a car/minibus (local English-speaking driver), driving time approx. 1 ½ hours from San José via the expressway heading west. Arrive at one of the most beautiful, spectacular boutique hotels in Costa Rica, called Villa Caletas.

In this fantastic boutique hotel Villa Caletas you can relax wonderfully. There are 3 overnight stays. On the 4th day early in the morning car transfer to Punta Arenas, ride with a ferry about 45 minutes to the paradisiacal Isla Tortuga, where you can relax under palm trees on a white sandy beach. In the afternoon boat trip back to Puntarenas and car transfer back to your "base" hotel in San Jose.

Top image: Isla Tortuga, Costa Rica

4 days/3 nights boutique hotel Villa Caletas near Jacó on the Pacific coast and Isla Tortuga (extension option 1)

Price in the room category Standard de Luxe double room including breakfast pp from € 1.299

Included in the price:

• Transfer by car/minibus from/to the base hotel in San José to the boutique hotel Villa Caletas (journey time approx. 1 1/2 hours)
• 3 overnight stays double room standard de luxe in the wonderful boutique hotel Villa Caletas
• Transfer from Hotel Villa Caletas by car and boat transfer to Isla Tortuga
• Snack and soft drinks on Isla Tortuga island
• Transport by boat and car back from Isla Tortuga to San José
• local, English-speaking tour guide on the Islas Tortuga
• Driver in the transfers English and Spanish speaking

 

Not included:

• Personal expenses, alcoholic beverages and tips

Tortuguero National Park (Extension Option 2)

 

 

4 days/3 nights (Tortuguero National Park, extension option 2):

From your base hotel in San José there is a 5-hour, private car transfer (local, English-speaking driver) to the wonderful Tortuguero National Park in the east of Costa Rica. The 3 nights are optionally in the Mawamba Lodge, Laguna Lodge (including afternoon boat tour) or in the slightly cheaper Turtle Beach Lodge (including morning boat tour)

Arrival day schedule:

• Departs San Jose approximately 6.30:XNUMX am
  Arrive Guapiles for breakfast around 8:00 am
• Departure to La Pavona around 09.00/09 am
• Boat to Tortuguero around 11:00 am
• Arrive in Tortuguero around 12:15 p.m
• Lunch

The following wonderful excursions are planned:

Cruise through Tortuguero National Park, home to many monkeys, sloths, crocodiles, birds, and the endangered green sea turtle, on a boat tour. See along the cloud forests and waterfalls of neighboring Braulio Carrillo National Park, and fuel the safari adventure with a typical Costa Rican lunch. Full day tour to Tortuguero National Park, from San Jose you will drive through the beautiful Braulio Carrillo National Park and visit one of the best places in Costa Rica to see green sea turtles. Includes a traditional Costa Rican buffet lunch.

Price in double room pp from 969 euros (e.g. in the Mawamba or Laguna Lodge)

Included in the travel price:

• International group transfer from/to base hotel in San José to Tortuguero National Park
• Breakfast and lunch en route eg at Guapiles, Restaurant Rio Danta
• 3 nights at Mawamba or Laguna Lodge
• Full board including soft drinks
• local English speaking tour guide
• Including 3 tours

Not included: Personal expenses, alcoholic beverages and tips.

 

Drake Bay, pure nature and secluded beaches (extension option 3)

Upper images: Casa Corcovado Lodge, Drake Bay

4 Days/3 Nights Drake Bay (Extension Option 3):

Directly after breakfast, transfer to the airport in San José and arranged propeller plane flight to Drake (airline distance approx. 154 km, flight time approx. 50 minutes) Transfer to the Hotel Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge. Pure jungle awaits you in the Corcovado National Park with the most species-rich flora and fauna in Costa Rica!

Corcovado National Park:

One of the national parks that is unique in terms of biodiversity. Here you can experience the flora and fauna in their original form and, in addition to sloths, monkeys, iguanas and bats, you will always discover the wonderfully colorful Ara Macaw parrots that flutter over your heads. The lunchtime snack will be served on the beach before taking the boat back to the hotel. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure by the pool or on the beach.

The national park rules are very strict and must be observed. The following excursions are possible:

• Snorkeling around Caño Island 
• Diving
• Birdwatching in the rainforest
• Trekking in Corcovado National Park

Important: The excursions must be booked at least 2 months before arrival (current price of the excursions on request).

Price per person in a double room for 4 days/3 nights including full board and domestic flight from/to San José:  ab pp 1.998 euros 

Included in the travel price:

• Airport transfers (from/to base hotel)
• Arranged propeller plane flight from/to San José to Drake
• Transfer to Hotel Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge
• 3 nights including full board (excluding alcoholic beverages), day trip to Caño Island (local English speaking tour guide)

Not included:

• personal expenses, alcoholic beverages gratuities.

 

Important: We need your passport number for the booking!

 

San Blas Islands/Panama/Caribbean (Extension Option 4)

Experience probably the most beautiful beaches in the world on the San Blas Islands!
6 days/5 nights on a comfort catamaran with Panama City the day before and an additional visit to the pearl island of Contadora!

 

31.03.2024/XNUMX/XNUMX: In the afternoon, optional post-program in Costa Rica or Panama, e.g. post-program Panama with a trip to what are probably the most beautiful beaches in the world, the San Blas Islands. Transfer to San Jose Airport, Costa Rica, non-stop flight to Panama City, where you will stay at the wonderful Colonial Central Boutique Hotel (including breakfast buffet).

Catamaran dream cruise from April 01 - 06.04.2024, XNUMX with charter flights (propeller aircraft) from Panama City to the island of Corazon de Jesús (San Blas Island).

Return flight from Panama City via Amsterdam with KLM to Frankfurt/Main, arrival in the evening on 07.04.24.

Detail program:

 

31.03.2024/XNUMX/XNUMX: Partial transit of the famous Panama Canal

Get to know the so-called 8th wonder of the world on a boat tour from Panama City (Pacific coast) to Gamboa. In the morning you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the port, where your 3,5 to 4 hour partial crossing of the legendary Panama Canal will begin. You will cross the Miraflores castles, the Miraflores lake, the Pedro Miguel castles, the Gaillard cut to the Gatun lake. This tour leaves a lasting impression on each of your participants. From Gamboa the bus goes back to Panama City.
The tour can also run in reverse, starting in Gamboa and ending in Panama City.

Duration: about 7 hours

Important note: This partial transit is very interesting for technically interested travelers. The passage through the locks, however, takes a lot of time, so that participants also have the option, for example, of only visiting the main lock at Miraflores and, for example, undertaking an additional city tour in the modern part of Panama City or booking a hiking program outside of Panama City (visit from the main lock and an additional city tour in the modern part of Panama City as an alternative program for the same price.

Accommodation: Central Hotel Panama * * * *+,
Meals included: breakfast, lunch (B/-/-)

 

Upper pictures: Old town area of ​​Panama City, where our Boutique Hotel Central is located.

 01.04.2024/06.04.2024/6 – 5/XNUMX/XNUMX: Panama City - Guna Yala (San Blas Islands) / start of the sailing tour (XNUMX days/XNUMX nights)

Note: The sailing tour will probably start from the island of Corazón de Jesus (note: airstrip!) on the San Blas Islands! Because of the coordination with the Kuna Indians, it can also be a different place where the trip starts!

Experience the most beautiful beaches in the world!

 

After a leisurely breakfast, transfer at around 12:00 p.m. to the local Albrook Airport in Panama City and the approximately 13-minute flight takes place at around 00:40 p.m Frobeen Erlebnisreisen chartered propeller plane Eg Kodiak Quest 100 or Islander to the San Blas Islands (Corazón de Jesus airtrip, watch out for the runway!). A short excursion takes place on the island of Corazon de Jesus, inhabited by the Kuna Indians. Then boarding on the catamarans at around 14:30 p.m. Start of the unique 6 days/5 nights sailing trip! Experience the truly beautiful homeland of the Kuna Indians from the deck of a sailing ship. Get to know the 365 islands of the San Blas archipelago and the interesting culture of the Gunas. 

Transfer to the two comfort catamarans. The islands are among the most colorful and beautiful regions in the country. Wonderful hours on the catamaran are waiting for you. You will stop on a couple of islands where you can relax, snorkel or swim. Among other things, you will visit the villages of the Kuna. The kuna are one
of the few primitive cultures in America that were barely touched by the colonial era and its aftermath. Here you will encounter centuries-old traditions and lifestyles.

Note: On the comfort sailing catamaran Salinas 48 called Zenith there is room for 8 adults in 4 double cabins. On the second catamaran VIP One 500 there is also space for 8 people in 4 double cabins.

 

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Note: April swell is minimal on the San Blas Islands! (partly against zero waves, as protected by reefs)

 

06.04.2024: Return flight in the evening from Panama City to Frankfurt/Main with KLM, end of a dream trip with arrival in Europe the following day April 07.04.2024th, XNUMX. (meals on the plane)

A day trip to the pearl island of Isla Contadora can then optionally be booked with the return flight with Eurowings-Discover (LH) to Europe one day later on April 07.04.2024th, 08.04.2024 (with arrival in Frankfurt/Main on the following day, April XNUMXth, XNUMX).

 

Day 15: (06.04.2024)
San Blas Islands Isla Contadora Panama City

End of the fantastic sailing tour, transfer to the airstrip at around 7:30 a.m. At around 8:00 a.m. there is a propeller plane flight from the San Blas Islands to the Pacific island of Isla Contadora, there "all you can eat" (e.g. fresh lobster: attention must be ordered in advance, including soft drinks and coffee/tea, excluding alcoholic beverages ), tour of the small island possible by Kawasaki vehicle. A room is available in a hotel for changing and showering. In the afternoon return by public ferry to Panama City. On this boat trip we can marvel at the skyline of Panama City. From the docking station in Panama City, return by bus to our "Base Hotel Central". Overnight in Panama City. (B/L/-)

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Top image: Kawasaki companions are waiting for us to explore the small island of Contadora.

 

Day 16: (07.04.2024/XNUMX/XNUMX)
Panama City / Europe
Day at leisure in Panama City. In the early evening return flight with Eurowings Discover (Lufthansa subsidiary) or KLM to Europe, arrival in Europe on the following day, Monday April 08.04.2024th, XNUMX. (B/-/-) Meals on the plane

Travel price per person in a double room from € 4.998 

Included in the travel price:

• Transfer from base hotel in San Jose Costa Rica to San Jose International Airport
• Arranged flight e.g. with Copa Airline from San José to Panama City in economy class (per person 20 kg baggage allowance)
• Transfer from Panama City International Airport to the colonial boutique Hotel Central in Panama City
• 2 nights' accommodation in the Boutique Hotel Central in Panama City Double room including breakfast buffet
• Half-day excursion of your choice in Panama City, e.g. to the Miraflores main lock with a local, English-speaking guide
• Charter flight in a propeller plane from the local, small airport Albrook in Panama City to Isla Corazón de Jesus (San Blas Islands),
  Return flight from the island of Corazon de Jesus via the pearl island of Contadora (approx. 6 hour stop with excursion) to Panama City (Allbrook Airport)
• 6 days/5 nights dream cruise in the archipelago of the San Blas Islands with a catamaran for max. 10 people, English-speaking skipper, Full board including drinks (including alcoholic ones such as wine and beer)
• Half-day stop on the pearl island of Contadora (in the Pacific) including lunch eg lobster (on request, please order!) and soft drink
• Rental fee for golf car use on the Isla Contadora
• Insolvency insurance (R + V insurance)

 

Not included:  Personal expenses, San Blas Islands immigration tax zZP$24 USD, gratuities and international transatlantic flight. We would be happy to quote you, for example, the Eurowings Discover flight. Many customers use Miles & More credit to organize their international flights, for example.

We will tailor your dream trip to you individually: Please email your wish list to the Costa Rica expert Christian Frobeen: info@frobeen.de