Costa Rica New Year’s Adventure Getaway December 26th 2011 – January 2nd, 2012   Back by popular demand, we are pleased to offer another thrilling trip to Costa Rica.  Our trip features a glorious tour offering visits to many exciting sights including Volcanoes, Rainforests, luxurious Hot Springs, scintillating Beaches & much more   Highlights once again: 3 nights accommodations at the fabulous 5 star Tabacon Hot Springs Resort and Spa, featuring several natural hot spring pools, some with swim up or poolside tiki bars, waterfalls and more. 3 nights accommodations at the 4 star Tamarindo Diria Resort, located right on fabulous Tamarindo Beach and just a short walk to several restaurants, shops and nightclubs. An exciting New Year’s Eve celebration poolside at our resort including dinner,  drinks (open bar) and live entertainment poolside plus a midnight celebration to ring in the new year with fireworks 1 night in hopping San Jose Tours of La Paz Waterfall and Butterfly Gardens, Poas Volcano (where you can walk to an observation deck to look down into the steaming hot pools at the base of the volcano) A night viewing excursion to watch the active Arenal Volcano where we will take you to view, from a safe distance, the red hot lava that streams down this still active volcano on a nightly basis.) A walking tour in Arenal National Park, where you can walk on the volcanic rock and enjoy picturesque, panoramic views of the valley. A thrilling Kayaking adventure An exciting visit to Palo Verde National Park to see the indigenous crocodiles and monkeys in their natural habitat environment A relaxing and fun half day sunset sailing and snorkel excursion with all equipment and unlimited free drinks as we sail into the sunset following our snorkeling activity An adventure featuring a forest walk across the Arenal Hanging Bridges A thrilling afternoon at the Arenal Sky Trek Canopy Adventure, where passengers can travel like Tarzan across a specially designed course via a harness and cable system atop the trees of the Costa Rican Rain Forest ·

 

DAILY ITINERARY (B,L indicates included meals that day )
DAY 01: December 26th 2011
Depart on your own arrangement into San Jose Costa Rica.  Airport pickup and transportation to our hotel is included for all flight arrival times.
From the airport, you will be escorted on our transfer to the Quality hotel, a new property, complete with fitness center, internet access and restaurant on site.  On arrival, our guide will do a general introduction of Costa Rica, pointing out informative facts for first time visitors.

Overnight at Quality Hotel, San Jose
 
The Quality Hotel Real, San Jose.

DAY 02:  December 27th, 2011 (B,L)
This morning our group will meet Gustavo, our local, bilingual guide.
Gustavo will be with us for the entire trip and is at your service for any needs or questions you may have.  He has been with us guiding our Costa Rica trips since our first visit and he is the most knowledgeable, conscientious and dedicated guide you will meet anywhere.

A buffet breakfast is served at our hotel. Then, we are escorted by deluxe, air-conditioned motor coach to the Poas Volcano where a view from the observation deck provides stunning looks into the volcanic crater and its deep pools, as well as, on a clear day, a view of both the Pacific and the Caribbean, one of only 2 places in the Americas where both bodies of water can be seen from one observation. This afternoon, we will visit the La Paz waterfalls, butterfly and hummingbird gardens. 
  La Paz offers the largest butterfly garden in all of the Americas, as well as a walking path to view many birds, monkeys and toucans.  The waterfall trail, takes us to view 5 beautiful waterfalls amid lush trees.

 A late afternoon departure from the park takes us by our private deluxe motor coach to Tabacon Hot Springs Resort, one of the most amazing 5 star spa resorts in the world, as you will learn, as soon as you step foot into their myriad of natural hot springs outdoor in a tropical setting overlooking Arenal volcano. 

 At the foot of the majestic Arenal Volcano, lies Tabacón Hotel Springs Spa & Thermal Resort – a true, tropical paradise of nature, adventure and relaxation. Tabacón offers luxurious accommodations and amenities in a picture-perfect and natural setting.
Its distinctive facilities are comprised of thermo-mineral rivers, flowing through exotic tropical gardens, forming natural waterfalls and river pools.
The Tabacón Hot Springs perfectly combine mineral content, volume and temperature. While there are many hot springs destinations around the world, few offer this special balance set in a splendorous natural paradise.

      
 Scenes from Tabacon Hot Springs Resort
        
More fun at Tabacon Hot Springs Spa and Resort

 

Proudly awarded membership to The Leading Hotels of the World as of January 2007, Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort is a five-star resort located at the foot of the Arenal Volcano, in the northern region of Costa Rica. A three-time World Travel Awards recipient, the 114-room property offers luxurious accommodations and friendly service in a quaint tropical environment

Its distinctive facilities are comprised of thermo-mineral rivers, flowing through exotic tropical gardens, forming natural waterfalls and river pools.
The resort also offers a world class Spa facility, featuring a full array of massage services, facials, mud wraps and more.  Try the waterfall massage, a soothing massage, in a private bungalow, alongside one of the resort’s waterfall hot springs.

The Tabacón Hot Springs perfectly combine mineral content, volume and temperature. While there are many hot springs destinations around the world, few offer this special balance set in a splendorous natural paradise.   http://www.tabacon.com

After an early evening check in, we will enjoy a private cocktail party featuring hot foods, tempting sweets and cocktails (3 cocktails per person – choice of sparkling wine/champagne, red or white wine, or a non alcoholic beverage)

Enjoy the remainder of the evening at your leisure to savor the natural hot springs, at the resort and its adjacent buffet restaurant, serving delicious dinner items.
There are paths that meander from one hot spring to the next, each with its own character.  Two have a natural waterfall that passengers can sit under as the warm waters cascade over them. One of the hot springs has a tiki bar adjacent to it from which passengers can take their favorite drink into the hot spring to relax in real comfort, while another hot spring has a built in tiki bar with bar stools, so passengers don’t even need to get out of the soothing waters to enjoy their favorite drinks.
   Their multiple hot springs are open until 10pm and offer separate changing rooms with lockers for men and for women.  Fresh towels are provided to all guests.  The feeling of soaking in the hot springs under the night sky is amazing. 

If you wish, sit and soak under their natural hot spring waterfall, with its own built in seating platform for the ultimate in relaxation to simply let go and unwind in this tropical paradise.   

At your leisure, you may return to the on site changing rooms/lockers facility, where you can change clothes, return used towels and then walk back to your room (or take the free shuttle right to your room, if the springs relaxed you to the point you want to be pampered with transit back to your room)

Overnight at Tabacon Hot Springs Spa and Resort

DAY 04: December 28th, 2011 (B)
This morning we will visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges.  Just a short 10 minute drive from Tabacon, the Arenal hanging bridges are a unique marvel of nature.  Set in a forested domain, we will walk across pathways where are local expert naturalist guide will describe the many indigenous plants and other items that make the forest their home.   The highlight of the walk is the several bridges built into the forest.  As we cross these bridges, you will gain a wonderful perspective and a panoramic view of the forest.  You will even see a waterfall in the forest from one of the bridge overlooks.

Arenal Hanging Bridges is one the most beautiful environmentally-friendly projects in Costa Rica. Located in front of the Arenal Volcano and within the corridor followed by migratory birds between North and South America, the project's trails and bridges bring you close to the birds, flowers, and lush vegetation of the primary rainforest. With safe and easy access, the trails allow you to walk right into a beautiful forest. The imposing hanging bridges overlook a dense canopy with volcano views looming in the background.

After our tour, we will return by our chartered coach, the short 10 minute ride back to the Tabacon Hot Springs, where we will enjoy free time at leisure to relax, have lunch or visit the hot springs to soak in its many pleasures.  From the hot springs by day, you can often see another unique view of Arenal volcano with smoke protruding from its top almost each day.

  Pictured is normal daytime Arenal volcano activity taken in May of 2006.
The afternoon is at leisure to relax back at Tabacon.
You may wish to have dinner at Tabacon or join us as we head into the nearby town of la Fortuna where our local guide will pick a restaurant for all to enjoy dinner at their leisure.  For those that do join us for dinner on the town, you will also have the option to join us for an outing to a nightclub after dinner to listen or dance to local musical favorites. 

On our return to the hotel, we will enjoy a special night volcano watch outing.  This annual favorite takes us by our chartered coach to an overlook, just 5 minutes from our hotel, where, on a clear night, you will see the red lava flowing down the always active Arenal volcano.  This volcanic activity occurs every night and can be seen when the sun is down each night. 

 It is a memorable sight to see and one you won’t forget !

 

Upon returning to Tabacon Hot Springs Resort, enjoy, if you wish, a night dip in the thermal waters of the natural hot springs at Tabacon
December 29th, 2011 (B)
This morning, those interested in a scenic walk, can join us for an optional short excursion into Arenal National Park.  Just a short 10 minute ride from Tabacon, the park offers a most scenic excursion.  We will enjoy a guided walk across hardened lava rock formations, derived from a lava flow many years ago.  The walk is approx. 2 hours round trip with a stop at a fabulous overlook providing panoramic views.  The walk is suitable for all with no experience needed.    The views from the overlook are beautiful.  The return segment of our walk will take us through a primary forest trail where it is common to spot howler monkeys and toucans in the wild before we return to Tabacon on our coach.   

Later this afternoon, we will enjoy a late afternoon tour to the Arenal Sky Tram and Trek Canopy tour.  The tour location is less than 30 minutes drive from our resort.
The tour is the ideal way to get both a bird’s view of the lush tropical forest, as well as enjoy a thrilling, safe, adventure ride high above the forest.
The tour begins with the leisurely paced Sky Tram gondolas that will provide a smooth ride through the rain forest, with endless views along the way, so you can appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds you on your way to the top. Once at the at the observation deck, you will be able to enjoy the most magnificent views of the volcano’s south face for as long as you desire.
  The Sky Tram Gondolas at the Arenal Sky Tram/Sky Trek.

From the observation deck, you will have two options for returning to the base. The first option is to ride back down the same way you came up, on the Sky Tram. On the ride you will be able to notice how the vegetation varies as the altitude changes once again.
The other and more exciting option is that you can zip your way to the bottom along the fast moving Sky Trek Canopy Tour (also called the Zip Lines), the best option for those seeking a rush of adrenaline. 

The zip line canopy tour takes you across several cables constructed between the tree tops.  Standing on the first of several tree top platforms, you will be placed in a safety harness that is then attached to the 1st cable.  Then you will literally “Zip” from one platform to another across the cable.  You will enjoy the thrill of gliding from one platform to the next, with views of the forest, the volcano and scenic Lake Arenal.  Gliding high above it all, you will effortlessly go from one platform to the next, as you make your way, naturally back down to the base of the mountain.
 
A passenger glides in a harness across one of the cables on the Sky Trek Canopy (“Zip Line”) tour with one of the platforms pictured in the background.

Upon our return to Tabacon, the evening is at your leisure to relax and enjoy the hot springs one more memorable time.
Overnight at Tabacon Hot Springs Resort

DAY 05:  December 30th, 2011 (B, L)
Enjoy a full breakfast buffet at the hotel.  Then, we will check out and head in our deluxe private coach to Tamarindo beach on the pacific coast of Costa Rica.  We will stop along the way to enjoy our thrilling White Water Rafting excursion on the Tenorio River.  The rapids are class 3 and 4, providing excitement for all, whether you are a beginner or an experienced rafter.  All rafts have an experienced local guide for the safety of all passengers.  Lunch is included on our rafting excursion. 

Following our excursion, we will have the change to change clothes at the changing facility provided by the rafting company and the, we will continue on our chartered coach to drive to Tamarindo beach, arriving in the middle of the afternoon at the beautiful 4 star Tamarindo Diria beachfront hotel, where we will spend the last 3 nights of our tour.

Read more about the Tamarindo Diria by clicking the links to the following websites for pictures, details and reviews of the hotel.

http://centralamerica.com/cr/hotel/diria.htm
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-hotel-324260-hotel_tamarindo_diria-i
Hotel Tamarindo Diria boasts modern amenities and luxurious accommodations featuring minibar & safety deposit box.  The hotel also offers  e-mail service and a full laundry service and is walking distance from many restaurants, shops and nightclubs.  Our passengers will all enjoy ocean view rooms at this fine property, situated right on the vibrant Pacific Ocean sands.

Tamarindo Beach Resort is located on the north pacific coast, it is an ideal place located in the heart of TAMARINDO, recognized as one of the country’s nicest beaches with all the amenities of a Costa Rican beach town

      

 

 

 

 

 

 The pool at Tamarindo Diria hotel    

                       
     
 

 

 

 

 

Sunset over Tamarindo beach

 

 

 

 

 

Day  6 December 31st, 2011 (B, L)

This morning we enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then a morning at leisure to relax, enjoy the beach, or the hotel's lounge chairs, idyllically located under the cool breezes of swaying palm trees.

This afternoon we will enjoy an excursion to the fabulous Palo Verde National Park.
Palo Verde National Park has a uniquely dichotomous character.  It’s simultaneously a spectacular wetlands and one of the best examples of tropical dry forests remaining anywhere in the world.

You may spot Variegated Squirrels, Howler Monkeys, White-nosed Coatis, White-tailed Deer, White-throated Capuchin Monkeys, white-face monkeys, iguanas, Collared Peccaries and many more.

Palo Verde is also known as a bird-watchers' paradise. More than 300 bird species have been recorded, not least great curassows and the only permanent colony of scarlet macaws in the dry tropics. At least a quarter of a million wading birds and waterfowl and jabiru storks, the largest storks in the world, flock here in fall and winter. Lunch is included at the park.
After our tour, we will return to our hotel. 

Tonight we will enjoy an exciting New Year’s Eve celebration, poolside at our hotel.
Our NYE celebration starts with a buffet dinner poolside.
An open bar is included from 8pm until 2am, to add a festive touch to our NYE celebration.
There will be live entertainment tonight providing music and an opportunity for poolside dancing.
If you wish, take a swim in the pool and enjoy the swim up bar, also on an open bar included basis.
At midnight, we will enjoy a fireworks display to ring in the New Year!
If you wish, continue partying with our open bar, music, dancing and fun until 2am.
Overnight at Tamarindo Diriá Hotel

 

 Day 7 – January 1st, 2012 (B)

This morning we enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then a morning at leisure to relax, enjoy the fabulous beach, or the hotel's lounge chairs, idyllically located under the cool breezes of swaying palm trees, providing shade, while overlooking the ocean.

This afternoon we will enjoy a private catamaran sailing excursion. The excursion will offer our passengers the chance to relax on deck, with outdoor deck space for laying out under the sun, as well as covered seating space for those wishing the comfort of the shade.

We will enjoy plentiful appetizers and drinks (both soft drinks and alcoholic drinks will be provided at no cost by our private chartered captain and his crew sailing us on a course to some of the best snorkeling in the area (snorkeling equipment is provided for those wishing to go snorkeling, as are kayaks, each at no cost).

As our sailing excursion returns, we will enjoy a spectacular sunset at sea, with an open bar and service provided by the boat’s crew.
Tonight, enjoy the evening at leisure to stroll the many restaurants and hopping nightlife all walking distance from our hotel.

Day 8 – January 2nd, 2012
This morning you will be transferred to the Liberia Costa Rica airport to meet your own flight home.  Transportation from the hotel to the Liberia airport is included in your tour package.  Passengers should book their own return flights from Liberia airport.

TRIP PACKAGE INCLUDES:
· Air conditioned motor coach transportation throughout Costa Rica with individual reclining seats onboard
· Services of a Bilingual local guide escorting the group over the entire duration of the trip.
· Services of an ALLSINGLESTRAVEL.COM representative escorting the group for the entire trip duration
· 1st class Lodging as indicated in the itinerary - based on double occupancy with free roommate matching provided
          3 nights at the 5 star Tabacon Hot Springs Resort including breakfast daily & welcome reception with drinks and hot appetizers
          3 nights at the 4 star beachfront Tamarindo Hot Springs Resort with breakfast daily
          New Year’s Eve Celebration poolside at Tamarindo Diria resort including buffet dinner, open bar, live entertainment, dancing and midnight fireworks display.
          1 night at the Quality Real Hotel in San Jose with breakfast

Tours included on our trip:
          La Paz Waterfall Gardens including lunch
          Poas Volcano National Park
          Arenal Hanging Bridges
          Sky Trek Zipline Adventure
          Palo Verde National Park including lunch
          Blue Dolphin Catamaran sailing excursion including appetizers and drinks

Trip cost: $1999 per person with free roommate matching based on age, sex and smoking or non smoking preference
                Optional single supplement for anyone not wishing our free roommate matching:  $889

A $200 deposit is due 7 days after booking; Deposits are refundable if cancelled by August 1st.
 Balance payments are due Oct. 1st and are non refundable .