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| Day 1: Los Angels - San José City (Costa Rica) | ||||||
| The flight takes off at midnight, arrives
in early morning. Discover the rich history and culture of Costa Rica on
this comprehensive sightseeing tour of San Jose. You will learn about all
the popular monuments as your guide tells you about the architecture and
history of the downtown area. Then, you will travel along Paseo Colón
on to the magnificent National Theater. Completed in 1897, this cultural
landmark represents an important era in history, and is the pride and joy
of Costa Rica. After admiring this architectural masterpiece, you will take
a short guided walk through Culture Plaza to visit the Gold Museum. Continuing
through Central Avenue Boulevard, you will arrive at Democracy Plaza and
see the outside of the National Museum, an old military fort. Your tour guide will then lead you to the Judicial Boulevard and the Supreme Court of Justice where you will board our bus for more city landmark sightseeing the Yellow House, the National Park, the National Library, the Electoral Supreme Court, and the traditional residential neighborhoods of San José (Amón, Otoya & Tournón). Finally, you will be able to enjoy a a delicious lunch at local restaurant. |
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| Day 2: Poás Volcano National Park - Doka Estate Coffee Tour & Sarchí Handicraft Town | ||||||
| Admire the majestic and imposing crater of Poás Volcano at 2.708 meters, high and enjoy a magnificent view of the central valley and its enormous crater, considered one of the greatest in the world. After admiring this national park, we will visit Doka Estate we will guide you through all the coffee production stages in a breathtaking atmosphere you will have the opportunity to closely observe and understand how a first choice bean turns into a fabulous cup of coffee. You will walk through the planted fields, see our “beneficio” (coffee mill) and smell the aroma emitted a typical lunch will be serve, then continue to the town of Sarchí, cradle of Costa Rica crafts and the construction and painting of the typical oxcarts. | ||||||
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| Day 3: Manuel Antonio National Park | ||||||
| This national park is considered
to be one of the most beautiful of the country. It is a combination of a
paradisaical beach of crystalline waters with coral reefs, bordered by exuberant
vegetation and the natural captivation's of the tropical humid forest. Its
beaches are counted among the best of the country, where the snorkelling
and the surf are very popular. On the way to Manuel Antonio along the coastal
line, you will enjoy nice views and will be crossing plantations of African
palm and picturesque villages along the Pacific coast, until you reach the
port of Quepos and few minutes after the National Park. At our arrival we
will hike to the park, crossing a creek to access the park, since this park
is closed to vehicles. Once at the park, it is possible to simply enjoy the beach, take a sun bath, or a nature walk though the park’s trails, which will allow you to observe the abundant flora and fauna of the park, especially several species of monkeys, iguanas, birds, and maybe, the three toe sloth. One of the trails borders Cathedral Point from where the sight of the park and the sea is spectacular. |
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| Day 4: Jungle Crocodile Safari Tour | ||||||
| Come and visit a unique tourist destination in Costa Rica just two hours away from San José. Jungle Crocodile Safari offers a tour specially designed for adventurers and bird watchers, yet safe for the whole family. The adventure takes place on the Tárcoles River, one of four rivers flowing out into the Nicoya Peninsula, and home to one of the world’s largest crocodile populations in the wild with individuals up to fifteen feet long. In addition to the crocodiles, over fifty different kinds of birds can be seen on site, including the very rare scarlet macaw and a great variety of resident and migrant waterfowl. Iguanas and Jesus Christ lizards are very common as well. Jungle Crocodile Safari’s tour time is two hours. Our bilingual tourist guide offers expert orientation about the crocodiles and other associated wildlife. On the way downstream, the boat heads along the Guacalillo estuary, a most awesome mangrove ecosystem that features four different species of mangrove trees. | ||||||
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| Day 5: San José City - Guatemala | ||||||
| At the specified time, transfer
from the hotel to the airport for your flight to Guatemala. Upon arrival
to Guatemala City you will be met by STP GUATEMALA staff, to begin the City
Tour. Guatemala City is a charming city both in the modern part as well as in the historical downtown. Visit to the National Museum of Archaeology, where you will admire one of the most important collections of pre-Hispanic ceramics, stone carved monuments, and the jade hall. We will continue to the historical downtown for a Panoramic visit of the city. |
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| Day 6: Pacaya Volcano | ||||||
| In the morning we head towards
the pacific coast to climb the Pacaya Volcano. The Pacaya Volcano (2,500masl)
is an impressive active volcano, Strombolian type. We start climbing from
the San Vicente de Pacaya village, and can be ascended in approximately
1 hour 30min. If necessary, horses are available for rent on site (see supplement). After walking around the lava invaded skirts of the volcano, we descend and return to Guatemala City. |
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| Day 7: Chichicastenango Indigenous Market + Iximché Archaeological Site | ||||||
| Departure to Chichicastenango,
where you will see the most colorful and picturesque outdoor market in Guatemala.
Every Thursday and Sunday locals from the region, gather to buy and sell
fruits, vegetables, flowers, grains, animals, textiles and handicrafts.
Relevant is the visit to the Santo Tomás Church, where the Maya-Quiché
pray to their gods according to the old Maya Traditions. On the way back to Guatemala City we will visit Iximché, an archaeological site located in the town of Tecpán. Iximché was the former capital of the Maya-Cakchiquel, place where in 1524 was founded Guatemala´s first capital by the Spanish conqueror Pedro de Alvarado. After the visit we return to Antigua. |
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| Day 8: Antigua City Tour – Los Angeles | ||||||
| Visit to Antigua’s Historic Center. Antigua was declared by UNESCO “Cultural Heritage of Humankind”. Present-day Antigua´s focal point is the lovely Parque Central, surrounded by the Cathedral, the Captain-Generals Palace, the City Hall and the Portal de las Panaderas. You will also visit La Merced Church, Capuchinas Convent and Casa Santo Domingo Museum. In the afternoon transfer to Guatemala City Airport for your homebound flight. | ||||||
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| Day 9: Los Angeles | ||||||
| Today your homebound flight will bring you back at midnight to complete this pleasant trip! | ||||||
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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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