Itinerary

Day 1 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Depart U.S./Fly to Panama City, Panama/Transfer to Resort

Your flight departs from the U.S. for Panama early this morning. The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed with your flight itinerary and airline tickets. Upon arrival, a VBT representative meets you and helps you transfer to your resort. En route to the resort we take a brief tour of Panama City and the Panama Canal's Miraflores Locks. VBT provides you with City Information included in your Final Travel Booklet containing recommendations on what to see during your independent stay at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort. Take the afternoon to settle into your accommodations and to start your exploration.

Please Note: There is a $5 immigration fee upon arrival at the Panama airport.

Day 2 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Independent exploration

Participate in any number of optional activities today. You may wish to contact the resort prior to travel for information about activities available during your stay. Additional information and tour reservations are available on the resort's website:
www.gamboaresort.com/activities/index.cfm

Day 1 of BIKE TOUR Depart U.S./Fly to San Jose, Costa Rica/Warm-up ride/Welcome reception

VBT No-Air Package guests: Meet your VBT Trip Leaders and the rest of the group at Xandari Resort & Spa at 11 a.m. Please contact the hotel if any travel delays or changes; the staff will pass the message on to your VBT Trip Leaders.

VBT Air Package guests: Upon arrival at the San Jose airport, claim your luggage and clear customs. VBT's local representative will be holding a VBT sign and will meet you curbside outside the customs area of your arrival terminal. He or she will help you transfer by minibus (approximately 30-60 minutes) to Xandari Resort & Spa where you begin your trip.

VBT Pre-Trip Extension guests: This morning you will fly from Panama to Costa Rica and join the other guests. Upon arrival at the San Jose airport, claim your luggage and clear customs. VBT's local representative will be holding a VBT sign and will meet you curbside outside the customs area of your arrival terminal. He or she will help you transfer by minibus (approximately 30 - 60 minutes) to Xandari Resort & Spa where you begin your trip.

Lunch is included today. This afternoon, participate in a safety and bike-fitting session, followed by a brief warm-up ride. Get to know your fellow travelers over a welcome reception and dinner tonight.

REMINDER: It can be cool in the evenings and on cloudy days at the elevations visited on this trip. You will want to have a lightweight layer of warm clothing for travel in any month of the year. You may wish to have a pair of water shoes or casual sandals for the rafting trip.

Day 2 of BIKE TOUR Coffee/Poás Volcano/Doka Estate Coffee

This morning a shuttle transports us to Poás Volcano, which has seen only occasional eruptions since 1828. We have time to explore before cycling down its slopes on smooth paved roads to the charming farm town of Poasito.

Here, we stop to visit a family-owned fruit stand where we'll taste some of Costa Rica's sweetest strawberries and discuss local agricultural practices with the farmers. Then shuttle to Doka Estate Coffee Farm, Costa Rica's largest family-owned coffee plantation. The estate is located in Costa Rica's “Coffee Capital,” Sabanilla de Alajuela. We enjoy a tour of the award-winning farm and mill, learning about the coffee-brewing tradition of chorrear and tasting some of the estate's fresh-roasted coffees.

Return to our resort by bicycle or shuttle, arriving in time for dinner on your own.

Day 3 of BIKE TOUR Cycle through northern lowlands to foothills of Arenal Volcano

We begin the day with breakfast, then shuttle to the small farming community of Bajos Rodriguez. From here we cycle through the northern lowlands close to the Arenal Volcano. Arenal is also the youngest volcano in Costa Rica; it erupted for the first known time around 7,000 years ago. We cycle through small towns on paved paths and across rushing rivers to the foothills of Arenal Volcano, which are dotted with yucca, pineapple and papaya farms.

After dinner tonight, put on your dancing shoes and learn some local dances during a dance performance with children. Later, you may wish to spend some time in the lodge's beautiful tropical gardens, its open-air Jacuzzi, or on your terrace: every room at the lodge has been designed to provide a view of the volcano's towering cone. Please note that Arenal's eruptions are unpredictable and it therefore may not be active during your visit.

Day 4 of BIKE TOUR Lake Arenal ride/Soak in Ecotermales Hot Springs

Costa Rica's largest lake, Lake Arenal offers scenic riding and an especially picturesque shore. The lake is a popular destination for windsurfing, fishing, kayaking and boating, as well as shoreline hiking, horseback riding and cycling.

We shuttle from the lodge to the lake, and enjoy a relaxing mid-morning boat excursion. From the lake we'll admire rolling fields and forests, and get a different perspective of the towering Arenal Volcano.

Though you might never know by its appearance, Lake Arenal is crucial to Costa Rica's energy production, providing almost 70% of the country's electricity. The Lake Arenal hydroelectric dam, completed in 1979, tripled the lake basin's size to about 33 square miles.

We cycle back along the lake's scenic northern shore. This afternoon, we visit the exclusive and beautiful Ecotermales Natural Hot Springs. Here, we take a soak in any of its six pools or two water cascades, surrounded by lush native trees and plants. Dinner tonight is on your own, at the lodge or one of several area restaurants.

Day 5 of BIKE TOUR Morning ride/Peñas Blancas River wildlife safari

Today, we cycle to a boat launch for a peaceful river-rafting safari on the Peñas Blancas River, where we'll be on the lookout for some of Costa Rica's diverse wildlife. The crystal-clear waters of the Peñas Blancas are fed by surrounding cloud forests in adjacent Monteverde. We'll drift by lush rainforest, volcanic hot springs and cascading waterfalls.

We always find this to be a mesmerizing journey. The sights and sounds of the natural world embrace us as we float through the rainforest. Our river guide points out examples of Costa Rica's abundant and varied creatures such as lizards, sloths, monkeys, toucans, herons and kingfishers, as well as native plants. This is an ideal opportunity to photograph wildlife, plants, and even butterflies up close. Before we return to land, you'll understand more fully that Costa Rica's landscape and wildlife are among the most biodiverse on Earth — and so valued that more than a quarter of the country's land has been set aside for conservation.

Later in the day, we take a shuttle to the Los Angeles Cloud Forest and the conservation-focused Villa Blanca Resort, one of the elite “Green Hotels of Costa Rica.” Villa Blanca strives for absolute guest comfort while maintaining the highest standards of respect for its natural surroundings. Villa Blanca was given a “5-leaf” rating by the Certification Board of Sustainable Tourism, their highest score. Tonight, we enjoy a satisfying dinner at El Sendero, the resort's restaurant.

Day 6 of BIKE TOUR Zip line through Rain Forest Canopy

This morning we enjoy the thrill of a canopy tour, ascending high into the treetops and soaring through their heights on a secure zip-cable line. It's an experience unlike any other, and a great way to get a magnificent bird's eye view of life in the rainforest.

After lunch you will have the option to either ride or shuttle to Villa Blanca. Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon exploring the hotel trails or relaxing in the resorts spa.

This evening we gather for a festive farewell dinner at our resort.

Day 7 of BIKE TOUR Depart for U.S./Begin optional Pacific Coast extension

After an early breakfast, we join expert naturalists on a guided bird-watching expedition through the Los Angeles Cloud Forest. Costa Rica is home to an estimated 840 bird species, so we will be treated to a variety of unusual sightings, such as the brown pelican, toucan and macaw. We might even spot the elusive resplendent quetzal.

In the late morning, we begin our drive back to the Central Valley, stopping in San Ramon to visit this small farming city. San Ramon is set amidst a dramatic landscape of mountains, and is a close-knit place with strong community ties.

After lunch, we will transfer to the San Jose airport for your late afternoon flight back to the U.S.

NOTE: There is a departure tax that needs to be paid upon departing Costa Rica. The tax must be paid at the airport in US dollars, or by credit or debit card. The current tax is US $28/per person. VBT recommends that this be paid in cash as using a debit or credit card will incur additional fees.

VBT No-Air Package and Air Package guests: We will assist you to the San Jose airport, and you'll fly back to the U.S. late this afternoon. Flight departures from San Jose airport prior to 5 p.m. are not recommended; those departing earlier must make transfer arrangements from the last hotel at their own expense.

VBT Post-Trip Extension guests: If you have chosen the optional Post-Trip Extension, you will fly from San Jose to Quepos on the Pacific Coast. Please note that you are only allowed ONE piece of carry-on luggage weighing no more than 30 pounds. Additional luggage may be stored in San Jose with a VBT local partner until you return for your flight home. Upon landing in Quepos you will transfer to your hotel overlooking Manuel Antonio National Park. VBT provides you with City Information included in your Final Travel Booklet to help you explore on your own. It includes information and recommendations for your independent stay at the Si Como No Resort & Spa.

Please note: VBT transfer times and departure points are finalized in advance and cannot be modified for individual guests. If you extend your stay beyond the scheduled program dates, return transportation to the airport will be at your own expense.

Day 2 of POST-TRIP EXTENSION Independent exploration of Pacific Coast

You have the day to relax and enjoy the beauty of this unique place. Numerous options exist for activities, including guided excursions to Manuel Antonio National Park, horseback riding, rafting, sea kayaking, and hiking. Or you may choose to just relax and enjoy the serenity of the resort's location.

Day 3 of POST-TRIP EXTENSION Depart for home

Enjoy the tranquility of the resort and beach this morning. Transfer from Manuel Antonio to the airport in San Jose this afternoon, for your flight to the U.S.

Please note: VBT transfer times and departure points are finalized in advance and cannot be modified for individual guests. If you extend your stay beyond the scheduled program dates, return transportation to the airport will be at your own expense.

NOTE: There is a $26 USD departure tax that needs to be paid upon departing Costa Rica.

Adventure Costa Rica! 2012

Pre and Post Trip Extensions

Pre-Trip Extension

Panama 2012 - 2 nights for only $345

Immerse yourself in Panama’s wonders, both natural and man-made. During your transfer to the Gamboa Rainforest Resort, you will have the opportunity to see the sites of Panama City on an included city tour and visit the Miraflores Locks where you will learn about the Panama Canal’s role in history.

Your base for independent exploration is a comfortable resort located on the edge of Gatun Lake in the heart of a lush rainforest. The resort offers Panama’s only aerial tram as well as several restaurants, a full service spa, and facilities for arranging local activities. The resort offers an array of optional tours such as a walk into primary rainforests within nearby Soberania National Park; kayaking the Chagres River, spotting iguanas, caimans and birds; and a boat excursion to Monkey Island.

Available only with the Air Inclusive Package.

Note: Single supplement for this extension is $225.

Post-Trip Extension

Manuel Antonio National Park 2012 - 2 nights for only $445

Relax and unwind in the tropical luxury of the Si Como No Resort & Spa, in peaceful Manuel Antonio National Park, where the rainforest meets the beach. Manuel Antonio may be small, but it is considered Costa Rica's most stunning national preserve. The park offers three pristine beaches, a magnificent setting with a view to the islands offshore, a network of lush rainforest trails, and wildlife at every turn. You are almost guaranteed a close-up visit with sloths, coatimundis, scarlet macaws and monkeys. See it all, or just kick back and relax.

Available only with the Air Inclusive Package.

Note: Single supplement for this extension is $245.

Accommodations

Gamboa Rainforest Resort

The Gamboa Rainforest Resort is located on the Panama Canal, in the heart of Panamanian rainforest, approximately 35 minutes from Panama City on the Pacific Coast, and 30 minutes from the Colon Free Zone on the Caribbean. Within the Soberania National Park, the Resort sits along the banks of the treasured Chagres River and Gatun Lake, the main water sources for the Panama Canal. The Resort’s careful design provides a variety of educational and adventure experiences.

Xandari Resort & Spa

Xandari Resort & Spa is a tropical paradise of 22 individually designed villas nestled in a 40 acre plantation overlooking the Central Valley of Costa Rica. At an elevation of 3900 feet (1200 meters), Xandari enjoys a near–perfect temperature of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit all year.
Spa. Enjoy a massage, mud wrap, facial, and various exotic body treatments with a distinctive Costa Rican flavor. Xandari Resort & Spa was named by World Travel Award as Costa Rica’s Leading Spa Resort.
Dining. An indoor/outdoor restaurant features a healthy continental and Costa Rican menu. Many of the fruits and vegetables are from the resort’s organic greenhouse, orchard and gardens. Dine in intimate and elegant simplicity while enjoying a panoramic view of the Central Valley.
Swimming. Swim in one of the resort’s two 60ft. long lap pools and sunbathe on the pool terraces
Gardens and Trails. Hike over 4 kilometers of private scenic trails to intimate river vistas and dramatic waterfalls. Visit our orchid house and greenhouse.

Lost Iguana Resort

A premier retreat nestled in the jungle, the Lost Iguana Resort boasts rooms with large, private balconies overlooking the Arenal Volcano and Arenal River Gorge. You’ll wake each morning to the peaceful serenity of the jungle and the playful sounds of toucans and howler monkeys. Plan your day’s activities over coffee on your private balcony, with views of the majestic volcano and abundant wildlife. All rooms are spacious and well-appointed with first-class furnishings, artwork and full amenities (including air-conditioning, telephone, satellite TV, pillow-top mattresses with 100% Egyptian cotton sheets, safe-deposit boxes, coffee service and more).

Villa Blanca Cloud Forrest Hotel & Spa

This venerable old hotel has received a major facelift. Formerly owned and operated by an ex-president of Costa Rica and his family, this lodge is now part of a new group of "Green Hotels." Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel & Spa includes 35 well-appointed, renovated adobe casitas. Each one features a fireplace and overlooks 3,000 acres of dairy pastures and pristine tropical cloud forest. Hacienda House rests on the main hilltop, where you can snack on freshly baked breads and pastries at El Cafe del Bosque or play a game of chess or billiards in El Mirador de Los Angeles salon. The charming restaurant, El Sendero, offers fine country-style dining.

Si Como No

Located in Manuel Antonio National Park, a veritable treasure-chest of natural beauty, Si Como No is surrounded by lush tropical rainforest, inviting soft sand beaches and rivers well suited for rafting. The hotel enhances its guests’ experience by offering a full array of activities -- guided excursions into Manuel Antonio National Park, mangrove and ocean kayaking, horseback riding, tours to its nearby butterfly and private nature refuge (“Fincas Naturales”), world-class sportfishing, and white-water rafting. The hotel’s 58 rooms are distributed within 10 separate terraces located on 10 acres of protected tropical forest. Each room has a well-appointed bathroom and fully stocked minibar. Most rooms also have private balconies, direct-dial telephones and energy-efficient air-conditioning.

Rating Level

Moderate

This tour offers a combination of rolling terrain mixed with moderate hills. Our VBT van support shuttle is always available for those who need assistance. Ideal for energetic beginners to experienced cyclists.