ADOBE_UDrive San Jose and Caribbean Coast 8 Night

Katia Enriquez
UDrive San Jose and Caribbean Coast 8 Night
April 23rd - 1st
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Adobe Rent a Car in Costa Rica is the best car rental company
Reservations: (506) 2542-4848
info@adobecar.com, reservas@adobecar.com
San Jose office +(506) 2542-4800

Day 1
Monday 23 May 2016
Settling in San Jose
Welcome to San José, or as the locals call it, Chepe. Costa Rica´s capital is not a main attraction in the country - many tourists try to
escape the flat architecture and honking traffic as quickly as possible. But linger a while, and you´ll find that this metropolis of
1.5+million people, with its historic neighborhoods, world-class restaurants and noble inhabitants, is actually a pretty inspired
place. Should you decide to settle for a night in San José before heading east, you´ll want a relaxing hotel on the outskirts of the city,
or at least somewhere easy to drive to with a safe parking lot.
Here are my top three hotel recs, along with the best stuff to see and eat in the vicinity:
Grano de Oro is a converted Victorian mansion with lavish adornments, bubbling fountains and two rooftop
Jacuzzis. The hotel restaurant is excellent (especially the
signature macadamia nut-encrusted sea bass) but for dinner I recommend venturing over to Park Café, my
favorite dining establishment in the country. The chef there studied under French legend Jöel Robuchon, and
the setting-an alfresco garden of antiques collected from all over the world-is exquisite.
If you have time upon arrival, try to catch a performance at the Teatro Nacional (National Theater), a
neoclassical marvel with towering statues and an opulent upstairs parlor that can be toured by day. For this
excursion, leave your car in the Grano de Oro lot so you can partake in the theater café´s deliciously alcoholic
coffee concoctions. Also - and I can´t stress this enough - get a dulce-de-leche filled churro from the Crispy
Churros across from the theater entrance. Best $3 you will ever spend.
Should you stay at Hotel Don Carlos, the former home of president Tomás Guardia, you´ll be
surrounded by gorgeous murals and cultural artifacts and conveniently located in historic
Barrio Amón, near many attractions and restaurants. If you have time, I recommend exploring
the Museo de Oro (Gold Museum) to get a sense of the region´s pre-Columbian history and
sauntering around in the neighborhood, dipping in an out of art galleries and refurbished
mansions. For hipster-watching and yummy cocktails, head for Café los Deseos, and then hit
Barrio Escalante, the city´s up-and-coming gastronomic district, for craft beers and a farm-totable
meal at Al Mercat or Rávi Gastropub. Staying at the Don Carlos, you´ll also have easy
access to Hwy 32, which is a straight shot to the Caribbean.
For a refreshing evening in the mountains that allows you to avoid downtown all together,head
for Hotel Alta de Las Palomas. This boutique property is tucked away on the old road between
San José´s most affluent suburbs (Escazú and Santa Ana), offering fine dining and spectacular
views of the countryside. If you absolutely can´t wait to try some Caribbean flavors, check out
the nearby Maxi´s by Ricky for dinner, a funky and delicious local favorite that opened a couple
of year ago after a talented chef from Manzanillo decided he was ready for the big city. The
place is tricky to find, but your GPS is there for you. Another super cool, new and out-of-theway
attraction just beyond Santa Ana is Costa Rica Craft Brewing Co. This artisanal brewery
busted up the Imperial-Pilsen empire when it brought craft beer to Costa Rica a few years ago,
and now visitors can tour the new factory and sample the beer. My personal favorite is Malacrianza,
a Scotch Ale named for a killer rodeo bull who is legendary in Costa Rica.
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Day 1
Monday 23 May 2016
Airport to San Jose Hotel Transfer
Today you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in San Jose.
You will travel in newly modeled mid sized sedan with A/C and bilingual driver
that knows the city like no one else! Just ask him anything you want to know
and I guarantee he will have an answer for you. Please note that all airport pick
ups are done at the Malinche Restaurant located on the lower level of the
terminal about 30 meters to the right of the exit, the driver will have a sign with
your full name on it
Manuel Acuna Transfers
Alta Hotel
Deluxe Room
Check in 23 May
Check out 24 May
Duration 1 night
Alta las palomas is the only first class Boutique Hotel with spectacular views of the sun valley within the San Jose Region. Our unique collection
of 23 rooms and suites offers elegant lodging accommodations and is the ideal location and environment for romantic getaways &
honeymooner as well as business travelers.
Along with acclaimed La Luz gourmet restaurant bar & Lounge, our smoke-free hotel has an outdoor pool with whirlpool and free access to
a small gym with sauna. We offer complimentary breakfast, rooms service, free WiFi in public areas and rooms, free self-parking and Valet
Parking Service. Other amenities include a library area with complimentary coffee and filtered water, rooftop terrace, business center and
conference rooms.
Rooms & suites are designed and handcrafted with filament lamps, black and white pictures of 1920's life in costa rica's rich european
inspired coffee culture. Furnished with italian tobacco colored artisan leather chairs and appointed fabrics. all rooms and grand suites
includes balconies and lush tropical gardens. Deluxe rooms have either 2 queens or1 king bed, private balconies or gardens and 400+ Indian
thread count bedding all designed to give the best night of relaxation anywhere in the city!
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Day 2
Tuesday 24 May 2016
SAN JOSE to SIQUIRRES
Important: If your Day 2 falls on a Saturday, and you are still in San José, you
must GPS yourself to Feria Verde. This weekly farmer´s market and its live
music, diverse produce and innovative breakfast offerings draw all the crunchy
locals (and their dogs) for the city´s most iconic event. From here, you are just
a few minutes from Hwy 32, which will take you toward your next destination:
an decidedly non-touristy agrarian town called San Isidro de Heredia.
Here, the wild flowers are abundant, the climate is mild and the rainbows are
frequent. If you see somebody selling pipa (young coconut water) on the side
of the road, pull over and try that. After exploring countryside, make for Sibö
Chocolate, an adorable little chocolate- making business where you 2268-1335
or email info@sibuchocolate.com to reserve).
For an intro to Costa Rica´s wildlife, the next stop is Toucan Rescue Ranch, a non-profit animal rehab
center hidden in the hills, where an American expat nurses injured wild cats, sloths, owls, toucans
(obviously) and some less common animals (tours run Mon-Sat, starting at 9am and 2pm, and must
be booked in advance by calling 2268-4041 or emailing info@toucanrescueranch.org). Another
excellent stop, particularly for travelers who have mobility issues, is Rainforest Adventures. The
highly accessible park has an aerial tram within Braulio Carrillo National Park, and there´s also a
short trail where many visitors often encounter the tapir -an enormous and strange hybrid of
anteater, horse and pig.
Well before the sun sets you´ll want to be on your way to Siquirres - a humid lowland town that
serves as a gateway to the Caribbean Coast and a base for the country´s best white water rafting. If
you need a snack or a meal on the way, your best bets are Bromelias del Rio, a delicious, riverfront
bakery and restaurant on the way out of San Isidro, or Rancho Robertos in Guapiles, a palapa-topped
family restaurant with good service and tasty casados (these traditional dishes come with beans,
rice, salad, plantains, and a choice of beef, chicken or fish). Just before you hit Guapiles, the Frutería
Las Delicias is ideal for grabbing some guanabana (known as sour sop, this spiky green fruit has
sweet and pliant white flesh on the inside) or coconut water.
Upon arrival in Siquirres, check into the rustic but enthralling Centro Turistico Las
Tilapias, a collection of cabins over a manmade lagoon teeming with wildlife. The
owner, a passionate naturalist named Chito, became famous for training and
performing with a 12- foot crocodile named Pocho. The croc died a few years
back, but Chito now takes guests on a tour of the property´s canal, which is
reminiscent of what you´d see in Tortuguero. Other overnight options in the area
include the high-end Pacuare Lodge, which you can raft in and out of (leaving
your car in Siquirres), and Finca Maquengue Falls, a collection of lovely houses
just outside the picturesque town of Alegria.
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Day 2
Tuesday 24 May 2016
Car Rental
SUV Intermedio 2WD ST Hyundai Tucson 2WD o similar
Pick Up 24 May from San Jose Alta Hotel at 8:00 a.m.
Drop Off 1 May to San Jose Trapp Family Lodge at 8:00 a.m.
Hire period 7 days
Hyundai Tucson 2WD ST including GPS and LWD
Adobe Rent a Car in Costa Rica is the best car rental company option for your trip since 1990. It is the largest
local car rental company, that offers cars with less than 24 months and the most comprehensive insurance
available in the market. We are glad to offer you the best cars to rent during your vacation or for business
in Costa Rica, for a day, a weekend, a week, a month or long term rentals.
Our fleet includes mini, economy, compact and intermediate sedans; mid-size cars, SUV's 2WD and 4WD,
four wheel drive cars, pick up and minivans; and with the best car brands such as Hyundai, Suzuki,
Daihatsu, Kia and Toyota. In Adobe Rent a Car, our rates include unlimited mileage.
For this trip, we have selected the Hyundai Tucson 2WD ST so you can enjoy your traveling in a comfortable
and reliable car, which will get you everywhere you need or want to go.
Centro Turistico Las Tilapias
Check in 23 May
Check out 24 May
Duration 1 night
As the friendship between Chito and Pocho born.
A beautiful story of friendship between the two. Born 20 years ago where, Chito is the dying crocodile in the Parismina River in the Caribbean, after a rancher
had shot by eating their calves on the shore.
The fisherman, who was then 34 years, got into his boat and took him to his house to take his hide, but as the days passed without the animal died decided to
heal him and feed him. It was then, Chito gave him a home and assured their support. He prepared a small pond for Pocho, next to his house. Although the
crocodile never gave war, it was not until years later that the fisherman dared to touch it. Soon they became friends. Chito he recalls especially the first time you
bathed him: "I was standing there, like inviting me to come," he confessed. "I entered as a vacilón without machete, even with a stick, not really scared me and
I did not think," said Chito. In fact, Chito was the only person who was swimming with Pocho. Every Sunday afternoon did a show for tourists and unbelieving
people, who came from all over Costa Rica to check the skill of this "Tarzan Tico ', stage name Chito, was real or a trick. Pocho measured four meters and weighed
445 kilos.
The departure of Pocho
Pocho died in the early hours of Wednesday 12 octurbe 2011 for unknown reasons.
Crocodile Pocho was a star. Not only he did not bother him act with Chito, but enjoyed it. He loved especially applaud him: Chito account says that the last
performance was great. The crocodile acted as if he were saying goodbye to his followers.
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Day 3
Wednesday 25 May 2016 Puerto Viejo
SIQUIRRES to PUERTO VIEJO
While other travelers are waking up at 5am to catch their shuttles, you can relax and then save $10 a person transporting yourself to the Exploradores
Center in Siquirres.
(Note: this day can be done either on your way to the Caribbean, or one your way back to San José it all depends on whether you want your
biggest thrills at the beginning or end of the trip).
Regardless, you´ll leave your car at the center around 8am, have breakfast and a safety lesson, and begin your white-water rafting trip. With its
harrowing class III and IV rapids (and V in certain advanced areas) the Pacuare is the most fun you can have in Costa Rica. My adrenalin has
never kicked so hard as when I was tossed again and again through insane rapids and over waterfalls, paddling for my life. Anybody with some
guts can do this.
Assuming you raft on your way to the Southern Caribbean, you be back on the road around 3pm, headed for a dynamic cultural melting pot
with funkier accommodations, spicier food and more diverse people than its Pacific counterpart.
The drive will take you past homes on stilts, by children riding oversized bicycles and through vast banana plantations with the fruit protected
in bright blue bags. If you find yourself craving a snack as you past the port town of Limón, GPS yourself to Soda Patty, where people line up for
the countrys most coveted patía Caribbean turnover stuffed with meat, onions and sometimes fruit. As you continue south along the coast,
don t be surprised if you have to stop at some point for a bunch of cows to cross the road.
Barring serious bovine delays, you should arrive in the Southern Caribbean before sunset and check into the fabulous Banana Azul, a romantic,
boutique retreat north of Puerto Viejo. Youl be welcomed with a tropical cocktail, which you can enjoy on a virtually private, chocolate-sand
beach just steps from your room. Take dinner at the hotels excellent open-air restaurant, or head to town to see and be seen at Koki Beach,
swanky place with elaborate works of art, electronic music and a to-die-for dishes. Save room for the maracuyá (passion fruit) crème brulee.
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Day 3
Wednesday 25 May 2016 Puerto Viejo
Pacuare River Rafting 1Day Tour
Pacuare is world famous for its sheer beauty. A true river gorge, it is flanked by steep, green walls. Here you enjoy the feeling of total isolation
from urban life and the realness of being connected with nature. You see waterfalls cascade into the river from both sides as colorful, tropical
birds fly right over your head.
Amazing views of this virgin tropical rainforest area, appear before your eyes as you descend this true exploratory land. Wildlife is abundant,
with sloths, toucans, parrots, coatis, morpho butterflies and colorful frogs being common sights.
The white water that is equally exciting. It is not an overly challenging river, but it has a lot rapids, therefore giving you an adventure filled with
lots of fun. The 18 mile one day run includes a total of 52 rapids. Few rivers in the world can offer you so many.
Upon arrival to the river we will gear you up with a life jacket, helmet and paddle and then brief you with a full safety orientation talk. Finally,
it is time to take off down the rapids! The first 4 miles consist of fun class II-III rapids which is a perfect time to test your new river skills and
gain confidence in your team. Here you can find pockets of secondary growth forest that is extremely beautiful. After about 40 minutes we will
enter the famous Pacuare River Gorge, which is 5 miles of some of the best white water Costa Rica has to offer.
The rapids here are Terciopelo snake Double drop Upper and Lower Huaca Pin ball toname a few. You will also see the Huacas watefall, a 150
foot dramatic drop into the river.
After the gorge the rivers opens up to a 5 mile stretch on the Valle del Pacuare, where the river has a different character. It is wide open, which
gives you the opportunity to rest a bit and take the opportunity to do some wildlife spotting. The main rapids here are Cimarrones The Play
Hole El Indio and Magnetic Rock The forest remains just as lush, and the rapids just as fun. We finish in Siquirres, where you can take a shower,
change and enjoy the gardens and terrace while having a beer or two and reflecting with your new friends about the great adventure you just
shared.
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Day 3
Wednesday 25 May 2016 Puerto Viejo
Pacuare River Rafting 1Day Tour (continue)
Difficulty: Class III-IV
Distance: 30 kms/18 miles
Number of rapids: 38
Approximate river time: 4 hours
Minimum age: 12 years
Approximate Itinerary for Our Pacuare River Expeditions
6:00-6:30 am Pick- Ups in San José and Southern Caribbean Coast. In Arenal Pick-Ups start earlier, approximately 5:20 - 5:40 a.m.
6:30 - 8:15 am In route to Exploration Center (Siquirres)
8:15 - 9:00 am Breakfast at Exploration Center
9:00 - 9:30 am In route Exploration Center River Access
9:30 - 10:15 am Preparation for the Descent (safety orientation, paddle practice)
10:15 - 2:15 pm River Descent (including lunch)
2:15 - 3:00 pm Return toour Exploration Center with time to shower, change and enjoy a beverage.
3:00 - 5:30 pm In route Exploration Center San José, Southern Caribbean Coast and Arenal Volcano Area
Note: Pick Ups in Cahuíta would be at 6:50 am.
Banana Azul Hotel Ocean Room
Check in 25 May
Check out 28 May
Duration 3 nights
Beachfront Hotel Banana Azul is built out of local hardwoods that has 14 beautiful guest rooms, all with private bath and free wireless internet
to accommodate adventurous travelers looking for a comfortable, tranquil place to stay while visiting the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica.
Located on the top floor, Ocean Rooms are the hotel's most popular room with spacious adjoining decks, featuring side views of the beach,
hammock and hardwood furniture. Each room has a queen bed with the option of adding a twin for a third person or separate beds.
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Day 4
Thursday 26 May 2016 Puerto Viejo
5 Beaches Tour
Most people rent cars in foreign destinations so that they may have a certain freedom to roam and explore the the places that most tourists
never see, this also allows you to stay as long as you like in one location and enjoy all the amazing sites for as little or as long as you like. In an
effort to help you do this we have created some amazing one day tours that can be done on your own or with a guide. The 5 Beaches tour listed
below is only $57.00 p/p and includes a 1 day rental of Hyundai Tucson 4X2 with basic insurance, GPS, and guide.
In the Southern Caribbean, I recommend lazing your way up the Caribbean Coast, hitting any or all of the five distinct beaches that become
infinitely more accessible by car.
Begin by GPSing yourself down to Punta Uva, 8 kilometers south of Puerto Viejo. This soft-sanded shore and its turquoise water is the Southern
Caribbean’s most picturesque spot, and is ideal for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and hiking a nearby coastal trail up a promontory to a
breathtaking viewpoint. Across the street from the entrance there’s a convenience store where snacked can be procured, and a beachfront
restaurant serves excellent fruit smoothies and fresh ceviche. Kayaks can be rented to paddle around the point to an arch, through which surf
rushes in and out.
Grab a hammock strung between two coco palms and read your favorite novel or take a mid-morning nap. The next seashore to the north is
Playa Chiquita, which is my personal favorite. This is the toughest one to find, but use your GPS to direct yourself to Restaurante Equilibrio,
where you can grab an empanada or a beverage right at the long, narrow entrance to the beach.
(Alternatively, the pitas at Pita Bonita are incredible.) This beach is my favorite for its secluded vibe and graham-cracker-colored sand. The
stretch of palm-covered and winding coastline allows visitors to feel they’ve discovered a natural paradise (thankfully, the Caribbean has no
high-rises or megaresorts). An offshore reef means makes swimming and snorkeling advisable at Playa Chiquita.
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Day 4
Thursday 26 May 2016 Puerto Viejo
5 Beaches Tour (continue)
If you’re still undaunted on the five-beaches challenge, jump back in the car and head for Caribeans, a fantastic little café and chocolate shop
where you can park and grab refreshments (or sign up for the area’s best chocolate farm tour, which leaves at 9am and 2pm each day). The
long, sunbaked shore of Playa Cocles is directly across the street, and actually my favorite time to visit this beach is when the sun begins to set.
If you are celebrating a special occasion on your trip, here’s what I’d do: pack some champagne, chocolate and cheese from Duende Gourmet
(back in Playa Chiquita) and take it on a hike hike through the palms, parallel to Playa Chiquita. When the path leads up a cliff, follow it, and
you’ll come to rocky outcropping with panoramic views of the crashing sea and its occasional bioluminescence. It’s ideal for a toast.
Continue the party at Puerto Viejo’s Salsa Brava, a beachside bar named for the Caribbean’s fiercest wave (which is within view). This gnarly
reef break is also known as “the cheese grater” for it’s tendency to rough up all but the experts. In a town where the nightlife often seems
unrefined and sketchy, happy hour and reggae night at this bar are relatively chill. During the day, it’s an ideal spot to grab fish tacos and watch
wipeouts.
Playa Negra, the northernmost beach in this fabulous five, is right outside your front door. The a long and mostly deserted stretch is ideal for a
sunset cocktail from Banana Azul’s beach bar or a relaxing day of reading on a lounge chair beneath a thatched palapa. Book the best massage
in town at Banana Azul’s front desk, and receive it in an open-air, beachfront hut.
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Day 5
Friday 27 May 2016 Puerto Viejo
Caribbean Hidden Treasures
Most people rent cars in foreign destinations so that they may have a certain freedom to roam and explore the the places that most tourists
never see, this also allows you to stay as long as you like in one location and enjoy all the amazing sites for as little or as long as you like. In an
effort to help you do this we have created some amazing one day tours that can be done on your own or with a guide.
This is the best day you’ll spend in the Caribbean, because it’s the day you’ll do things most people don’t even hear about. You’ve got a few
options, some of which can easily be combined, and all of which require a car.
For those curious about Costa Rica’s indigenous heritage, head for to Bribri and the surrounding reserves. (Be sure to book this visit ahead and
bring a guide, as the villages are difficult to access). After passing through the shopping town of Bribri and perhaps grabbing some gallo pinto
at Restaurante Bribri, make for the first stop – Bribri Waterfall, by following the GPS instructions for the Bribri Waterfall turn and Bribri waterfall
parking, which is really just some guy’s house. Ask for detailed directions if you don’t have a guide – it’s tricky to find.
From there, shop for masks and other indigenous crafts at Artesania Okkua, a small souvenir hut just after the paved road ends. Continue on
to Shiroles, where you can observe the Mujeres de Chocolate operation, then, if you’re curious about day-to-day life, visit the dock in Suretka.
It’s a center of commerce, where villagers boat in to trade agricultural products and drink fruit juice out of plastic bags. From here, cross the
river, admire the verdant hills, and follow signs for Bambu, the launching point for visiting the remote and pristine Yorkin village (this overnight
trip needs to be booked in advance with a guide). On your way back east, stop at the unassuming Casa de Fran Vazquez. He’s self-taught artist
whose acrylic landscape paintings are well-known in San José.
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Day 5
Friday 27 May 2016 Puerto Viejo
Caribbean Hidden Treasures (continue)
The other option is to head north for the day, to a little-known biological research station where trails are poorly maintained and wildlife is
rampant. The drive to Reserva Biological Hitoy-Cerere brings you through old banana towns and dusty countryside, and takes about 1.5 hours.
When you arrive, a park attendant will be there to greet you, collect $5, and send you on a 9-kilometer hike to a waterfall. Definitely wear hiking
boots – the vegetation here is thick, and pit vipers have been known to hang out near the trails, along with opossums, weasels and monkeys.
From here, direct yourself through the bamboo forest to the Bocuare Jungle Adventure, a nearby park with hanging bridges, horseback riding,
nature trails and an old trapiche (sugar mill). You can grab a meal or coffee in the quaint open-air restaurant before heading back toward the
Southern Caribbean.
For your off-the-beaten-path evening adventure, sign up for a night hike with the Jaguar Rescue Center at its La Ceiba Reserva Natural. This is
the wildlife sanctuary where the center releases its injured sloths, wild cats, monkeys and other critters, and where plenty of nocturnal frogs,
owls and snakes can be spotted after dark. The tour includes a meal and an experienced wildlife guide. In case all these hidden and exotic gems
have you craving a good old-fashioned hamburger and a craft beer, The Point Bar and Grill near Banana Azul is a super friendly expat hangout.
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Day 6
Thursday 26 May 2016 Puerto Viejo
PUERTO VIEJO to TURRIALBA
If you haven’t gone rafting yet, this is the other opportunity to do it. The best part is that it’s on your way to your next destination, the gorgeous
mountain town, Turrialba. And again, since you’ll be driving yourself, you get to leave for the Exploradores center in Siquirres on your own time,
rather than with a 5am shuttle. Although you can opt to stay this evening at Centro Turistico Las Tilapias, Pacuare Lodge, or Macquenque Falls,
I suggest continuing on to Turrialba, a hidden gem of a mountain town that many tourists never see.
The other advantage of continuing on to Turrialba is that you get to drive one of the most jaw-dropping stretches of blacktop in the country,
and it’s a total secret. (I only found out about it recently, while doing the research for this itinerary.) The 415 – a mountain road connecting
Alegria to Guayabo National Monument – snaked over rocky rivers and through verdant valleys of wild flowers and blossoming orange trees,
and the crisp air necessitated open windows. On the whole hour-long drive, I saw two other cars.
Driving this road especially makes sense if Guayabo is on your list, and I do recommend Costa Rica’s most important archaeological site. Though
it’s not as striking as say, Chichen Itza, the site dates back to 800 AD and features petroglyphs, residential mounds, and a pretty impressive
ancient aqueduct. If history isn’t your thing, bypass Guayabo and head for Finca La Florita, an artisanal cheese farm where guests learn how
the nation’s most famous queso is made.
From there, it’s just 15 minutes to my favorite lodgings in the area – Wagelia Espino Blanco Lodge. This retreat has just a handful of wellconstructed
cabins in the woods, numerous hiking trails, and an open-air restaurant in the trees. I also recommend Turrialtico Lodge, a
wonderfully homey and traditional stay that’s also great for a romantic dinner overlooking the valley. If those option are full, check out Villa
Florencia or Casa Turire. Also, at some point during your stay near Turrialba, drop into the Maracuyá Café for the best drink this caffeine addict
has found in CR: the maracuyá-flavored frozen coffee.
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Day 6
Thursday 26 May 2016 Puerto Viejo
PUERTO VIEJO to TURRIALBA (continue)
Wagelia Espino Blanco Lodge
Check in 28 May
Check out 29 May
Duration 1 night
Located in the Biological Reserve that bears his name, on behalf of the tree which is endangered.An exclusive for those who enjoy the contact
with nature, immersed in the beautiful mountains of Turrialba concept.Characterized by the unique treatment of our staff, who are trained to
provide the best care.It belongs to the group Wagelia hotels & lodge with more than 25 years of experience and pioneers in the area of
Turrialba.Private bath with hot water supplied by gas.
Free Internet in public areas: bar, restaurant, reception and amphitheater. Lighting by rechargeable lamps.
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Day 7
Sunday 29 May 2016
TURRIALBA to OROSI
To start the day, grab coffee some flower-shaped butter cookies for the road from Pasteleria Merayo, then hit CATIE, the Center for Tropical
Agronomy Research & Education. It’s the world’s foremost research facility on tropical botany, and guided tours of the laboratories, greenhouses
and the library are available, as well as self-guided tours (admission is $10 for adults, $8 for students. Visit www.catie.ac.cr or call 2556-
2700 for more.) For something truly he grounds at Hacienda Tayutic, which include a labyrinth, a 300-year-old chapel and a traditional trapiche
(sugar mill).
(Tours require at least five people, include lunch, and can be booked by calling 2538-1717.)
Next stop: the Orosi Valley. Like Turrialba, this place isn’t in the brochure. A little over an hour from Turrialba, this clandestine dale offers mountain
vistas, hot springs and nearby, well-paved loop through cultural and historical treasures galore.
If you’re ready for a stay within civilization, Orosi Lodge is the town’s best B&B, and their breakfast – a skillet of eggs, tomato and thick bacon
sprinkled with secret spices – kills it. Also delicious: the organic coffee served at Orosi Lodge is grown right up the street at Coffee Cristina,
which roasts portion just for the hotels guests and also gives highly engaging tours.
I’m not a huge fan of the local hot springs – they’re really just lukewarm community pools. So if you arrive in Orosi with some time on your
hands, I’d recommend taking your car for a spin on the 32-kilometer loop around the nearby, manmade Cachí Lake – my second favorite drive
in the country. Start your journey by GPSing the town of Ujarras, which is a bit northeast of Orosi. Here you’ll find the crumbling walls of a 1693
church, and a darn good picnic spot. Next, get back to the main loop and GPS the Cachi Dam, the Central Valley’s main source of electricity and
a reliable place to buy pejibaye (peach palm fruit).
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Day 7
Sunday 29 May 2016
TURRIALBA to OROSI (continue)
I once brought the fruit to Hotel Quelitales, a smattering of fancy cabins hidden up a mountain in the forest. The chef, who looked like a Tico
Richard Gere, prepared it as a traditional appetizer with mayonnaise, and he also turned it into a dreamy soup. Continuing on around the lake,
you’ll hit the most famous attraction in the area – Casa del Sonador. This log cabin houses hundreds of statuettes carved from coffee root by
the sons of a very famous artist, and they make for excellent souvenirs.
Things close early in the Orosi area, so be sure to show up back in town at Restaurante Coto before 9pm. The standout dish at this old wooden
Tico eatery is the whole fried fish, and the blackberry juice is thick and tart. Tuck in early and you may just have the energy to visit Tapantí
National Park in the morning. This secluded and often empty park is just 11 kilometers from the town and offers excellent waterfall hikes and
legendary birding.
If you fall in love with his place, stay an extra night at Kiri Mountain Lodge. They’ll let you catch and cook your own trout!.
Orosi Lodge
Check in 29 May
Ceck out 30 May
Duration 1night
DOUBLE ROOM
Orosi Lodge offers you cozy rooms; each with a queen size bed with orthopedic mattress, private hot water bath, ceiling fan, fridge and coffee
maker. Upper floor rooms have shared balcony with a stunning view of Irazu and recently active Turrialba volcanoes; ground floor rooms have
shared terrace with a nice garden view.
Complimentary organic coffee in your room.
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Day 8
Monday 30 May 2016
OROSI to SAN JOSE
It’s always a good idea to book your last night within an hour of the airport – you just never know in Costa Rica. If you’ve got a super early flight
and want to deal with as few hassles as possible, the Trapp Family Country Inn is a hacienda-style lodge just a coconut’s toss (well, 2 kilometers)
from the international airport. There’s a nice pool and the property is replete with fig and bougainvillea trees.
If your flight isn’t until, say, 3pm, there are actually a bunch of great Central Valley hotels in neighboring suburbs and even in the mountains –
particularly in the Poás region. My top choice here is Peace Lodge and Waterfall Gardens, an imaginative land of cloud forest, rescued animals
and waterfalls with interior design straight out of a fairytale.
Every villa offers a Jacuzzi tub on the balcony, and the cave-like showers have a waterfall option. While you’re in the Poas region, you can also
visit the Poás Volcano, which only requires a short hike to its enormous, water-filled crater (go early in the morning for the best chance for a
cloudless view). And the best lunch spot, a French place called Colbert Restaurant, serves up homemade paté and creamy pastas.
Trapp Family Country Inn
Check in 30 May
Check out 31 May
Duration 1 Night
The Trapp Family Country Inn is located only 1 mile from Juan Santamaría International Airport. We offer comfortable accomodations along with genuine
family service in a peaceful atmosphere. This colonial style hotel is surrounded by beautiful gardens with centenary fig trees.
From the private balcony of your room, in the terraze or by the pool, you will enjoy nature and relax with the musical sound of the birds. A true oasis in the
middle of the city.
• Two queen size bed.
• Private balcony overlooking the pool and gardens.
• Private bathroom with bathtub and hair dryer.
• Cable TV.
• Spacious rooms.
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Package Details
Package Details:
Duration: 9 Days/8 nights
Cost Per Person
From $780.00 per person, Low season
Includes
-Airport to San Jose Hotel Transfer
- 1 Night lodging at Alta hotel
•Breakfast
- 7 Day Car rental with LWD and GPS
- 1 Night lodging at Centro Turistico Las Tilapias
- Pacuare Rafting trip
•Breakfast at Exploration Center
•Lunch
•Beverage
- 3 Nights lodging at Banana Azul
•Breakfast
- 5 Beaches Tour
•Guide
- Caribbean Hidden Treasures Tour
•Guide
- 1 Night lodging at Wagelia Espino Blanco Lodge
•Breakfast
- 1 Night lodging at Orosi Lodge
•Breakfast
- 1 Night lodging at Trapp Family Country Inn
•Breakfast
- Taxes and service charges.
San Josè
Guápiles
Siquirres
Turrialba
Orosi
Puerto Viejo
Not Included
-National park entrance fees
What to Bring
Shoes or sandals that can get wet for rafting trip, sunscreen, pants, insect repellent, hiking boots/shoes, bathing suit, sunglasses, towel,
Passport and onward ticket leaving Costa Rica
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