Note: Arrival and Departure Transfers are not included in package pricing and 30 days prior to departure Gutsy Women we will secure all air arrangements and advise cost of group transfer and times or women have option to secure a private transfer with Gutsy Women Travel or transfer on their own.

DAY 1 - January 15, 2011 - SAN JOSE

Upon arrival at the Juan Santa Maria International Airport, our fully bilingual representatives will be holding a sign with your group’s name for easy identification and porters will be available to assist with your luggage. Our specially selected tour manager will greet you and brief you on itinerary details and general information on Costa Rica en route to your hotel.

Next, you will be transferred to the charming eclectic harmony found at one of Costa Rica’s best small luxury hotels. It combines the natural splendor of Costa Rica with old-world luxury. In a relaxed atmosphere of understated elegance, guests will always receive the finest in personalized service while enjoying Alta’s royal accommodations, extensive facilities, thoughtful amenities and fine cuisine.
OVERNIGHT: San Jose - The Alta Hotel
MEALS: Dinner

DAY 2 - City Visit/ Gourmet Coffee Tour at Plantation/ Chachagua Rainforest & Night hike!

At around 7:00AM, you will begin your day with a short tour of San Jose’s most important sites. First you will visit Costa Rica’s Gold Museum; the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum has an extraordinary collection of gold objects that reflect the world view, social structure and gold-working techniques of the Pre-Columbian peoples of Costa Rica. The exhibition showcases the use and function of the pieces, the technology of their fabrication, and their relationship to the natural world and the daily life of these societies. It consists of 1600 pieces of Pre-Columbian gold pieces that date from 500 AD to 1500 AD. Next, we take a leisurely stroll from the Gold Museum to the National Theater. Its construction began in 1891, opened to the public in 1897 with a performance of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's Faust. The National Theater is the maximum representation of economical stability of the nation, in a period of time when coffee exports were an all round success. The façade is beautiful and our guide will explain some important aspect of its architecture. While the theater is closed on Sundays, The building itself is considered the finest historical building in the capital and is known for its exquisite architecture, which features statues of Calderón de la Barca and Ludwig van Beethoven.

Back on our bus we begin the drive out of the Central Valley towards the coffee producing area of Naranjo for a visit to a gourmet coffee farm. The main objective of the Coffee Tour is to learn about the process that growing coffee involves. The tour takes you throughout the plantation and coffee mill.

Your coffee guides will share the history of this coffee farm, it's owners, it's geographic location, the traditional coffee growing methods, and also the coffee brewing tradition of 'chorrear', which is simply the most delicious way to enjoy Costa Rican coffee.

Once the tour is concluded enjoy an outdoor lunch before we continue driving through the mountains until we reach the fertile plains of San Calros. Driving time from here is approximately 2 hours. Arrival at Chachagua Rainforest Hotel. Check in to your rustic but comfortable accommodations embraced by the rain forest. As evening approaches join us in the “Olle De Carne” Rancho for our selected seminar with a tropical cocktail prepared by our rain forest chefs!. Enjoy dinner al fresco. Tonight an optional night hike is in store for our group. A surreal experience characterizes this night hike. As you get deeper into the forest the sounds seem to come to a crescendo as if the forest’s creatures were performing orchestra.
OVERNIGHT: Chachagua Rainforest Hotel
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3 - Bird watching nature hike / Cooking Class/ Arenal Volcano hike on El Silencio Trail and Tabacon Hot Springs Visit

Early riser coffee service and bird watching tour though the Chachagua Rainforest. Enjoy an organic breakfast followed by a cooking class: theme learn to make tropical jams, jelly and high energy natural fruit juices. Most of the day is free. Enjoy the cool mountain spring fed swimming pool or just relax with a book on the deck of your private cabin.

We will have on site therapists for massages in natural settings for those who would like to take advantage of them (great value a 50 min. massage here costs ½ of what it does anywhere else Costa Rica!) At 4:00 PM departure for the Arenal Volcano hike which is followed by entrance to Tabacon with a wonderful buffet dinner. This is a tour you'll never forget! We depart on a 30 minute ride to Fortuna. Here we make our way to the active side of the Arenal Volcano to observe the tumbling lava rocks and spewing gases. As the evening approaches and your sense of hearing heighten, the hike takes on a surreal quality due to the amazing sounds the volcano makes in the distance. As you experience this tour, your well-trained bilingual guide will teach you a great deal about the activity and history of the volcano. Next, head for a bit of rest and relaxation at the luxurious Tabacon Resort! The indescribable hot springs and exotic tropical gardens will soothe your body and soul. We arrive there when the sun sets and the show begins with the grace of clear skies permitting, and the sight of red-hot lava boulders rolling down the volcano as you soak in the springs, will stun you. A lovely buffet dinner awaits us on the terrace overlooking the springs. Back to Chachagua for a good night sleep.
OVERNIGHT: Chachagua Rainforest Hotel
MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 4 - Chachagua / MONTEVERDE

Today we depart Chachagua early and just after breakfast. We head off to Monteverde Cloud Forest. Admire the transition of the rain forest to the cloud forest where you will reach an altitude of 3600 feet (1200 meters) above sea level. Here you can see perhaps the best view of the Monteverde Cloud Forest and the amazing panoramic views of the Arenal Volcano.

After check in at El Establo, we enjoy lunch in the hotel’s main dinningroom. Your Tour Manager will be doing the sign-ups for the afternoon activity options. Choose between these activities: Selvatura Zip Line Canopy, Tree Top Walkways or butterfly Farm. Evening free for rest or enjoy the fun “pueblo” town spirit located steps from your hotel.
OVERNIGHT: El Establo
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 5 - MONTEVERDE BIOLOGICAL RESERVE

After an early breakfast (7:30AM) enter one of the most scenic reserves in Costa Rica. Monteverde Cloud Forest. This area was originally founded as a Quaker village, which produced cheese and milk for the area. It is also very well known for its biological reserve, a paradise for researchers and nature lovers due to the variety of flora and fauna in this magnificent reserve. Walk along in the magical environment of the cloud forest to the Continental divide, where the vivid blues and greens of the plant life and the rainbow-colored flowers and birds combine in the mist to form a living picture. This is the perfect place for direct contact with nature and enjoy the beautiful scenic views of the Tropical Cloud Forest of Monteverde. Here monkeys are one of the must see creatures (and you will see them!) Afternoon is free.
OVERNIGHT: El Establo
MEALS: Breakfast

DAY 6 - MONTEVERDE / TAMBOR

After breakfast, depart for Tambor via a special ferry crossing. Here we make our way across the blue waters of the Gulf of Nicoya, bringing us to the Peninsula of Nicoya. Arrival at Tango Mar. Welcome reception and lunch.
OVERNIGHT: Tango Mar
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 7 - TAMBOR

After breakfast, you will travel to a nearby beach for a yoga session. Here, the tropical paradise of Tambor and the Pacific open before you as you rejuvenate your body and mind. The rest of the day and evening is at leisure. Optional: Tonight venture with your Tour Manager to the hip “hippie” community of Montezuma whose town is filled with art, cafes and trendy people.
OVERNIGHT: Tango Mar
MEALS: Breakfast

DAY 8 - TAMBOR / SAN JOSE

This afternoon we check out of Tango Mar and head back to Costa Rica’s Central Valley, San Jose. Our base for the night is a trendy and eclectic boutique! Stay where Mel Gibson stays, this is a well kept secret with lovely guestrooms with hand painted accents and luxury bedding surrounded by a proliferation of eclectic art and charming terraces. The Corteza Amarilla Art Lodge is home to one of the country’s top restaurants, and is the stage for tonight’s farewell reception and gourmet dinner. Here a fusion of flavors come together like the art that surrounds you.
OVERNIGHT: Corteza Amarilla Art Lodge & Spa
MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9 - SAN JOSE

You will be picked up today for your departure home. A 25 minute transfer will bring you to the San Jose International Airport in time for your flight.
MEALS: Breakfast

Chachagua Rainforest Hotel

El Establo Hotel

Tango Mar Hotel & Resort

Corteza Amarilla Art Lodge & Spa

The Alta Hotel