INN EXPLORER Highlighting Charming Country Inns of Costa Rica 10 Days

Locally Hosted Independent Tour Suggested Departure Day: Any Day

ITINERARY (Subject to change without notice):

DAY 1 - USA – San Jose - Vara Blanca: Depart your USA gateway for flight to San Jose. Depart your USA gateway for flight to San Jose. Upon arrival, meeting and assistance with pick-up of your rental car - a Toyota Rav-4 or similar: manual shift; includes unlimited mileage and local taxes but does not include insurance, gas & maintenance. After the paper work, you will drive yourselves for about one and half hours to the area of Vara Blanca and the Peace Lodge for two nights.

The Peace Lodge is located on the grounds of La Paz Waterfall Gardens, near Poas Volcano. All rooms are about 800 sq.ft,  have a fireplace, Jacuzzi and “waterfall” shower, balcony and scenic vista of Poas volcano. Activities that can be done are horseback riding, rafting, coffee plantation and a zip-line.

DAY 2 - Vara Blanca: Explore the area on your own or take one of the optional activities offered by the lodge. (B)

DAY 3 - Vara Blanca - Arenal: Today drive further north and west to Arenal Lake through scenic countryside vistas for about 3-4 hours until you reach your hotel overlooking the Lake, La Mansion-Arenal. (B)

La Mansion Arenal is located amidst tropical gardens and just minutes from the Arenal Volcano and Tabacon Hot Springs. The hotel has 16 individual cottages and 2 suites, restaurant specializing in Tropical/European specialties and spring-fed, lake-view "infinity" swimming pool. Hotel also has its own stable of 12 horses, offers canoeing and fishing on the lake as optionals

DAY 4 - Arenal: Explore the surrounding area - the hotel has a variety of optional excursions available or you can drive to nearby Tabacon thermal waters, visit Croter Lake or Arenal Volcano and there are a variety of other excursions and activites available in the area.(B)

DAY 5 - Arenal - Monteverde: Today you will drive about 3-hours through mountainous countryside to the famed area cloud forest area know as Monteverde and your hotel for the night, Fonda Vela. You will have this afternoon and tomorrow morning to explore the wonders of the cloud forest. Visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest or Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserves. Other activities available include the Butterfly Garden and various forms of canopy tours. (B)

Fonda Vela is at 1400 meters above sea level on 35 acres, just a 15 minute walk to the entrance of the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Family run, it has 20 standard rooms and 18 junior suites scatteredamong 9 buildings; some rooms have wheelchair access. Within its grounds it has 1-kilometer of hiking trails; and can arrange for horseback riding.

DAY 6 - Monteverde - Playa Herradura/Villa Caletas: Today you will drive down to the Pacific coastal area between Punta Leona and Jaco, a drive of some 3-4 hours, to Villa Caletas - situated on a cliff with a magnificent panoramic vistas of the Pacific Ocean - for two night stay. (B)

Villa Calletas is perched atop a hill with a 360 degree panorama of the Gulf. There are 5-standard and 5 deluxe rooms in the main building near the restaurant, bar, pool, reception. The 14 villas are “scattered” along the mountain side, all have terraces with either ocean or garden views. The 7 junior suites also have Jacuzzis. Other accommodations throughout the property consist of 2 suites, 1 superior suite with plunge pool and 3 master suites each with Jacuzzi and pool.

DAY 7 - Playa Herradura: Today you can relax poolside, visit nearby beaches or drive to the Carara Biological, or take an excursion to the Pacific Aerial tram. (B)

DAY 8 - Playa Herradura - Quepos: Today you will continue driving even further south (about 2-hours) to the area of Quepos for two night stay at the charming boutique Hotel La Mansion-Manuel Antonio. (B)

La Mansion-Manuel Antonio is perched on a hillside overlooking the Pacific. This owner/operated hotel consist of 12 deluxe rooms and 6 suites, each with outside sitting/lounging area, most overlooking the ocean. Each accommodation has it’s own décor as well. Facilities include bar, pool with swim-up bar, gourmet restaurant and wireless internet available in the lounge,

DAY 9 - Quepos: Day at leisure to bask in the sun poolside, explore nearby beaches or Manuel Antonio National Park; kayaking, fishing are also available in the area. (B)

Day 10 - Quepos - San Jose - USA: Today you will drive to the local airport in Quepos where you will drop-off your car and board scheduled air on small aircraft for flight to San Jose; where you will be met and transferred to the international airport for your flight home.  (B)

RATES and DETAILS: