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| Day 1: Los Angeles – Mexico City – San Jose (L) | ||||||
| Take a morning Flight from Los Angeles
to Mexico City, where you will have a long layover before you travel to
Costa Rica. While in Mexico City, you will take a rich cultural tour to
Teotihuacan Aztec Ruins & Shrine of our Lady of Guadalupe. Experience the ancient City of the Gods on a visit to the archaeological site of Teotihuacan. Your guided tour will highlight the complexities of Aztec treasures. You'll have the opportunity to climb the magnificent Pyramids of the Sun and Moon and see the Butterflies Temple, the Avenue of the Dead and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. Book now for a step back in time that you'll never forget! Few cities in the world have been considered worthy of being inhabited by Gods but Teotihuacan is such a city. Thousands of years of civilization, which today can still be felt along its wide avenues projecting out towards the cardinal points of the universe had to pass before this place could be elevated to the ranks of a mythical city. Teotihuacan is one of the most impressive sites of the Aztec World showcasing the complexities of Aztec treasures. You'll also visit the Shrine of our Lady of Guadalupe, the most visited religious site in Latin America. Built in the 16th Century, this Shrine is a wonderful example of Spanish Baroque Art. In 1531, a 'Lady from Heaven' appeared to a poor Indian at Tepeyac, a hill northwest of Mexico City. She identified herself as the Mother of the True God, instructed him to have the bishop build a temple on the site and left an image of herself imprinted miraculously on his tilma. After your tour, you will return you to the airport, take your flight to Costa Rica. Check in hotel. |
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| Day 2: San Jose – Tortuguero National Park – Channel Boat Trip – San Jose (B, L, D) | ||||||
| We will leave early and travel through the Braulio Carrillo National Park where we will pass mountains covered by dense forests, as well as numerous rivers and waterfalls, until we arrive at the Caribbean of Costa Rica. Here, we will cross the banana plantations to board the boat to sail to Tortuguero National Park. An expedition through the dense jungle of one of the most beautiful and scenic regions of Costa Rica. Sail the exotic channels of Tortuguero National Park, famous for its solitary beaches where the nesting of gigantic green turtles takes place.(Jul to Sept) Tortuguero is one of the most important nesting sites of the Green Turtle in the Western Hemisphere. A navigable network of channels and lagoons cross the National Park of Tortuguero, which allows you to be in direct contact with the great variety of flora and fauna. | ||||||
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| Day 3: San Jose – Arenal Volcano – Tabacon Hot Springs (B, L, D) | ||||||
| Today you will begin your journey to
Arenal Volcano, which will be an unforgettable experience. En route, we
will pass by picturesque small villages and beautiful landscapes accompanied
by dairies and agricultural crops along the way. Later on you will visit
La Fortuna, the closest town to the Volcano where on a clear day you will
be awestruck at the majestic colossus. Costa Rica’s most active volcano,
Arenal frequently erupts, rumbling as it sends clouds of smoke and ash into
the sky. Enjoy lunch on the way. You will also witness the spectacle of the Volcano at night, watching the red lava snake down the mountain and illuminate the sky like a magnificent display of fireworks. Your fantastic day will be topped off with some relaxation at the thermal hot springs and naturally heated Jacuzzis at Tabacon Resort & Spa, so close that you will feel he rumblings of the Volcano. Enjoy dinner and the different optional activities offered at the resort before returning to your hotel in San Jose. |
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| Day 4: San Jose City Tour – Cancun (B, L, D) | ||||||
| Start the day with San Jose City tour.We
will board the bus to visit La Sabana Metropolitan Park, heart of the capital
city, and we will continue by the residential area of Rohrmoser. The tour
continues along the Paseo Colón on the way to the National Theater. After a guided visit to this architectural masterpiece, we will take a short walk over the Plaza de la Cultura to visit the Gold Museum and continue through the Central Avenue Boulevard to the Plaza de la Democracia. The walk will continue on the Boulevard Circuito Judicial and on to the Supreme Court of Justice. Here we will board the bus to continue our city sightseeing, taking a close look at the Casa Amarilla, The National Park, The National Library, The Electoral Supreme Court, and the old neighborhoods of San Jose (Amón – Otoya & Toumón). Transfer to the airport, take a flight to Cancun. Check in hotel. Free time in the evening. |
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| Day 5: Coba - Mayan Village (B, L, D) | ||||||
| Past and present come together in magnificent
fashion in this eye-opening combo tour in Cancun. The day starts with a
visit to the ancient Mayan Ruins site of Coba, one of the largest Mayan
cities that flourished on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. Here you can climb the tallest Mayan pyramid in the Yucatan, providing you with an amazing feeling and view. This is one of only ruins sites left where you can still climb the pyramid. After lunch at a traditional Mayan restaurant, we'll visit a real traditional Mayan Village. |
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| Day 6: Deluxe Mayan Ruins Tour (B, L, D) | ||||||
| Visit Chichen Itza, the most important
archaeological zone in the Yucatan, one of the 7 modern Wonders of the World.
The ancient capital of the Mayan Empire was built with extraordinary architectural
beauty in an equally beautiful location. Founded in the year 514 AD, history
abounds in the majestic Observatory, the Sacred Cenote where sacrifices
took place, and the Ball Court, the largest Ball Game in Mesoamerica. At
168 meters in length and 70 meters in width, this location has perfect acoustics.
From The Castle and Pyramid of Kukulcan, priests once looked over the entire
region surrounding Chichen Itzá. Find out for yourself why the Mayan culture was the most advance in the world. "El Castillo" pyramid has 91 steps x 4 sides and the one on top for a total of 365, another example of their astronomical mastery. Visit the "court" for the ball game where the winners only had a one game winning streak as they where then beheaded. The first known calendar, more accurate than the one we use today was, you guessed it, made by the Mayans. We'll also make a stop at Suytun Cenote, one of the most amazing of the sacred fresh-water caverns of the Yucatan, where you can swim in it's cool waters or just take great photos. Your tour guide will pick you up from and return you to your hotel. |
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| Day 7: Cancun – Los Angeles (B) | ||||||
| A free day for further exploration at leisure before transferring to the airport for your homebound flight. You will fly back to Los Angeles in the afternoon. This concludes your 7 Day exciting journey. | ||||||
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APF Travel reserves the right to make any changes to the itinerary or price without notice, due to any unfortunate event such as natural disaster, war, strike, and airline itinerary change or flight cancellation. Copyright APF Travel, Inc. 2010. All Rights Reserved. |
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