Kaleidoscope
Colorful Costa Rica
January 19 – 28, 2007
THE COLORS OF PARADISE
First time visitors to Costa Rica may feel like they stepped into the
middle of rainbow. From every angle the world is flooded with vibrant
hues. Flowers of dazzling red, green, gold, orange, pink and purple
are matched only by the brilliance of the tropical birds nesting in
the branches. Exotic Morpho butterflies flit past adding the most vibrant
flashes of neon blue. The brown cone of an active volcano glows at twilight
with a fiery orange mantle of molten rock adorning its flanks. Coffee
plants herald their presence with a million dots of lustrous red. The
sea and sky blend together faraway along the horizon in an ethereal
gradation of blue.
Visitors can be so blinded by all the
visual stimuli that they seem to forget what is perhaps Costa Rica’s
most attractive feature. The sheer diversity of its landscape makes
Costa Rica a veritable playground, with a wide range of activities to
suit every taste. Whether you want non-stop action or quiet reflection,
Costa Rica is a place you just have to experience.
For more than a decade, Toto Tours has
enticed hundreds of people on more than 25 tours to this beautiful country,
and this will be one of our most action-packed. Thrill to whitewater
rafting down a jungle river. Take your horse for a ride along beaches,
tidal pools and coconut groves. Cross into Panama for snorkeling at
the beautiful Bocas Del Toro islands. Make like Tarzan swinging through
the jungle treetops on an exciting Canopy zipline traverse. At Arenal
Volcano, keep a keen eye trained on the mountain for signs of an eruption
and enjoy natural sulphur hot springs.
Toto Tours provides your passport to the
very best that Costa Rica has to offer. If you’ve never been to
Costa Rica, then experience it with Toto Tours, the Costa Rica experts.
If you haven’t been back in a while, return with us to see what’s
new. You’ll discover why we return, year after year, to this very
popular gay destination!
ITINERARY
Friday, January 19, 2007
Arrival in Costa Rica
Arrange your international flight to arrive in San José, the
capital of Costa Rica, by 6pm today if possible. Please consider arriving
a day early if your flight will arrive after 6pm. We will reserve an
additional night for you at our hotel. You will be met at the airport
and transferred to our conveniently located hotel in the city center.
Tonight we host a Welcome Dinner at Café Mundo, a favorite of
the gay community. Then we’re off to La Avispa, a local gay disco
where you won’t believe the dancing! Overnight in San José. (Dinner
Included)
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Tortuguero
This morning, transfer by motorcoach toward the country’s Caribbean
coast. We’ll drive as far as possible, then board specially designed
boats capable of navigating the sometimes shallow Tortuguero Canals.
View many exotic species of bird, monkeys, crocodiles and tropical plants
as the boat cruises to the front door of our remote jungle lodge. We
arrive in time for lunch, then walk to the nearby village of Tortuguero
for a visit. This afternoon and evening are free to enjoy the pool and
walk along the beach. Overnight in Tortuguero. (All
Meals)
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Tortuguero National Park
Early this morning, while the wildlife is most active, we tour the
lagoons and jungle waterways of Tortuguero National Park. These remote
canals are the most important nesting grounds in the Western Caribbean
for the green sea turtle. This afternoon take an invigorating hike up
Tortuguero Hill, the highest point in this area, for views of the canals.
Optional kayaking or fishing excursions can be arranged at our jungle
lodge. Overnight in Tortuguero. (All
Meals)
Monday, January 22, 2007
Caribbean Beaches
After breakfast transfer to the lush South Caribbean coast of Costa
Rica, an area of untold natural riches, unique culture and traditions.
Stop briefly in the port city of Limon for a quick city tour, then continue
on to Puerto Viejo for lunch. After lunch drive the short distance to
spectacular Cocles Beach, one of the country’s best (awarded the
“Blue Flag” by the government for its cleanliness). Check
in to our thatched roofed bungalows at the edge of the jungle near a
seaside village. The remainder of the day is free to relax and explore.
Dinner and overnight at our Cocles Beach bungalows. (All
Meals)
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Beach Horseback Riding
After breakfast, walk to the nearby stables and pair up with an appropriate
horse for each person’s riding ability. We learn about horse handling
and terrain conditions. Once everyone is comfortable with their animal
we head to the beach.
We begin with a gentle walk along the white
sands of Cocles Beach to the coral elevated Cocles Point, where we ride
over green grass through a beautiful coconut grove. There we see the
beginnings of the magnificent tide pools which lie along the turquoise
sea shore.
Pass by the petite and exclusive Playa Chiquita
beaches and observe the wonders of inter tide zone bird life on our
left, and the edge of a blooming jungle on our right. Ride over driftwood
logs and across creeks and rivers to reach Punta Uva, rated as one of
the top 5 beaches in the world by Travel & Leisure Magazine.
Punta Uva’s first point extends about
300 meters out to sea. It is made from coral, and covered with old growth
almendro trees which are at times full of howler monkeys. At its tip
is a tunnel going from one side to the other. It is a perfect spot to
swim and relax before our return
On our way back, depending on your riding skills
and comfort level, you can canter or gallop your horse along the beach
back to Cocles. There we cool off with a freshly squeezed lemonade before
returning to our bungalows. The afternoon is free for relaxation, to
enjoy the beach or do an optional tour. This evening we enjoy dinner
together at a local restaurant. (All
Meals)
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Bocas del Toro
After breakfast we cross the border into the Caribbean zone of Panama
for a visit to the Bocas del Toro islands. This area is known for its
great cultural and biological diversity, for its many islands and islets,
and for the great expanse of coral reef that surrounds them. It is one
of the few places on the planet where you can snorkel almost every day
of the year.
This excursion to Bocas del Toro includes transportation
from Costa Rica, an immigration pass, snorkeling gear, lunch, a local
guide, and a tour of the town of Bocas del Toro and two nearby islands—Bastimento
and Zapatilla—for snorkeling. We spend the night at a hotel in
Bocas del Toro. (All Meals)
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Starfish Beach
After breakfast we visit to another beautiful white sand beach for
swimming and exploring, and perhaps doing some optional kayaking in
the crystal clear waters. After lunch we take a water taxi back to Costa
Rica and transfer to the Sarapiqui area of Costa Rica. Upon arrival,
the rest of the day is free. Overnight at a Sarapiqui jungle lodge.
(Breakfast/Lunch)
Friday, January 26, 2007
Whitewater Rafting / Arenal Volcano
The Sarapiqui River is one of the most pristine rivers in Costa Rica.
Thrill to Class II & III whitewater rapids, paddling 7½ miles
through a magnificent forest setting with high cliffs, waterfalls, and
an array of tropical birds and other exotic wildlife. Enjoy lunch before
continuing on to Arenal Volcano, one of the world’s most active.
Take a rejuvinating dip in the EcoThermales Hot Springs, followed by
dinner. After dinner we travel a short distance to a lodge with magnificent
views of the volcano for an evening of volcano-watching. Overnight at
Arenal. (All Meals)
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Canopy Adventures
Start another amazing day with a Canopy Sky Trek, swinging like Tarzan
above the dense, tropical ecosystem and gliding hundreds of feet between
treetop platforms. (If this isn’t your idea of fun, you also have
the choice to the the Arenal Rain Forest Sky Tram.) After lunch, travel
back to San Jose, arriving in late afternoon. You will have enough time
to freshen up before we celebrate the conclusion of our tour with a
special Farewell Dinner. (All Meals)
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Departure
The tour officially ends after breakfast, so you can arrange your return
flight home for any convenient time today. We provide your transfer
to the airport. (Breakfast)
|
