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Punta Islita

Birds & Beaches Featuring Costa Rica's eco diversity and pristine beaches 10 days

Locally Hosted Independent Tour Suggested Departure Day: Any day

ITINERARY (Subject to change without notice):

Day 01 - USA - San Jose:  Upon arrival in San Jose you will met by your local host and driven by private car  some 15km from the airport into the foothills just north of Alajuela to your hotel, Xandari Plantation.

ABOUT XANDARI PLANTATION: Amidst coffee and fruit orchards, overlooking The Central Valley on 40-acres lies this unique property of 17 villas built by architect Sherrill Broudy and his artist wife, Charlene. Designed with meticulous detail, each room is differently decorated, original works of art are found in each villa; each villa also has a terrace and sun area. There are 2-60 foot lap pools, a cozy lobby and a restaurant that serves specialty dishes featuring on-premise grown fruits, vegetables and herbs.

Day 02 - San Jose: Today your private guide will drive you north to the area between Poas Volcano and Juan Castro National Park (about two hours) to Bosque de Paz. There will be a guided walking tour through winding trails on portions of this 3000-acre private reserve owned by the Gonzalez-Pinto family. The rich bio diversity found here can be attributed to its location between Poas and Juan Castro Park on the Continental Divide. Your private guide will point out numerous species of flowers and plants and exotic birds, and you may hear distant sounds of the howler monkey and coyotes. A home cooked typical Costa Rican lunch will be served before your return to San Jose. (B/L)

Day 03 - San Jose - Central Pacific Coast: Your private guide will drive you from the cool central highlands to the warm tropical coast of the central Pacific area and  your hilltop hotel, Villas Caletas. En route, you will stop at Villa Lapas, a hotel and private reserve that is adjacent to Carara National Park.  The reserve is 570 acres of diverse flora and fauna. Here you and your guide will have a “SkyWay” walk along natural trails and hanging/swinging bridges for some 2.5 km in the rain forest of centenary trees. (B)

ABOUT VILLA CALETAS:  Located on an incredible rain forest hilltop, 1150 feet above the Pacific, overlooking the crescent beaches of Jaco, Herradura and Punta Leona, with spectacular a 360 degree panoramic that catches cooling Breezes and reflects incredible sunsets. Combination of French-colonial architecture hotel (7 standard & 5 deluxe rooms) and Victorian home-like villas (8 standard, 5 Jr.suites, 4 suites with their own pool ) dot the hill; all with A/C, ceiling fans, private bath, ocean or garden views, mini-bars. Restaurant serves excellent continental cuisine, open-air bar, infinity pool and a Greek-styled amphitheater that seats 150.

Day 04 - Central Pacific: Day at leisure to bask by the pool, or go down the hill to one of the beaches. (B)

Day 05 - Central Pacific-Quepos:  With your private car and guide you will continue to explore the premier beach areas of the country. Today’s drive will take you to the country’s first and most famous national park area, Manuel Antonio and the hotel La Mansion Inn-Manuel Antonio.  On the way, stop at Carara  Biological Reserve, 4700 hectares of a transitional zone of the dry forest of the north and the tropical rain forests of the south. Numerous mammals reside (coatimundis, white-face capuchin, spider & howler monkeys, two-toed sloths, reptiles (crocodiles, caimans) and 350 bird species including the magnificent macaws. (B)

ABOUT LA MANSION INN-MANUEL ANTONIO: Located on a bluff overlooking the south Pacific, La Mansion has a Mediterranean design, built by Swiss and decorated by Italians, featuring Costa Rican paintings! All rooms are air-conditioned, have ceiling fans, private baths, and views of the surrounding jungle and Pacific. There is a world-class restaurant, landscaped patio with infinity pool and jacuzzi.

Day 06 - Quepos: Your private guide will take you down to the country’s most famous park,  Manuel Antonio for a guided walking tour, pointing out the flora of the secondary & primary forests dominated by cedar, balsa and mangrove swamps; countless raccoons and three species of monkeys, the palm-tree lined white-grey sanded beaches are picture perfect postcards! At the end of the visit, you may stay in the park for swimming at one of the beaches. (B/L)

Day 07 - Quepos-Punta Islita: Today you will be transferred to the airstrip at Quepos (about 25-minutes away) where your private charter small aircraft will be waiting for your flight to the Nicoya Peninsula and the airstrip at Punta Islita. (B/L/D)

ABOUT PUNTA ISLITA: Just above Playa Corozalito (south of Samara), you find a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. There are 20 Santa Fe style bungalows/casitas, some with their own jacuzzi or pool, each has private bath, A/C, ceiling fan, cable TV, mini-bar. The gourmet Palapa restaurant serves international and local cuisine; Cybex equipped gym, infinity pool and their own Barrancho Beach Club by the beach with a lap pool.

Day 08 - Punta Islita: Day at leisure or for a small additional charge, partake in an optional activity such as mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking tours, ATV tours, jeep safari or even fishing; all of which can be arranged by the hotel. (B/L/D)

Day 09 - Punta Islita-San Jose: You will be taken down to the airstrip for your private charter aircraft return to San Jose, where you will be met and transferred to the international terminal for your departure flight. (B)

RATES and DETAILS: