Costa Rica Culture Tour

Introduction

Most people to go Costa Rica for the pristine beaches, exotic jungles, ecological preserves and adventure activities available everywhere. But Costa Rica is rich in history and culture as well, a paradise filled with warm and very happy people.

Discovered by Christopher Columbus 1502, Costa Rica literally means "Rich Coast" in Spanish. Archaeologists know that civilization existed for thousands of years in Costa Rica before the arrival of Columbus.

This tour is a sample of cultural highlights found in Costa Rica, including both modern achievements as well as tours of indigenous tribes and culture.

Travel Package Details

Highlights - 7 days, 6 nights - all transporation included Itinerary: - 4 nights in San José @ Grano de Oro (includes standard room and taxes) - San Jose City Tour (includes transport and entrance fees) - Grecia & Sarchi Tour (includes transportation) - Orosi Valley and Lancaster Gardens Tour (includes transportation, lunch & entrance fee) - 2 nights in Arenal @ at Montana de Fuego (deluxe room, taxes and breakfast included) - Maleku Indigenous Reserve Tour (includes round trip transportation from hotel, bilingual naturalist guide and Maleku guide, a casado lunch) Customize: change hotels in Arenal | San José change adventures in Arenal | San José Available Dates: This vacation package runs all year. Call for more details.

*prices include all sales and tourism taxes

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1-4

Your first day in Costa Rica is in San José at the Grano de Oro, a 35 room hotel, a true oasis in the heart of the capital city, San José. The hotel exudes the charm and character of a stately mansion with the comforts and amenities of a fine hotel. It has a secluded terrace garden with large jacuzzis and courtyards filled with fountains and tropical flowers. Delicious meals and desserts are served in the dining room, adjacent sunroom and tropical patio.

This hotel is a great location for exploring the cultural diversity of Costa Rica! Located close to shops, museums, and restaurants, you'll have time to explore the friendly environment of Costa Rica's capital city.

Day 2 - San José City Tour

This tour immerses you in the rich Costa Rican culture and history by experiencing the beautiful museums and historical sites of San José. It begins with an orientation and drive through the beautiful Sabana Park. Next, we will take a walking tour through the historic National Theater.

Completed in 1897, the theater is a masterpiece in art and architecture. Afterwards we will visit one of the many unique museums of Costa Rica.
We will continue heading to the University of Costa Rica, the Supreme Court and various sites of interest. A brief stop will be made in a beautiful art craft shopping store allowing you to browse through it before returning to your hotel.

Day 3 - Grecia & Sarchi Tour

This tour begins with a wonderful drive through some of the largest coffee and sugar cane plantations of Costa Rica. Arriving first at Grecia, we will see the famous metal church, that has a rare and beautiful architecture. Next, we will tour the fascinating craftsman factories of Sarchi where they build the famous oxcarts of Costa Rica.

Splendidly decorated and in various sizes, these oxcarts are treasured worldwide for their unique beauty. You will not want to leave Costa Rica without one!

Day 4 - Orosi Valley and Lancaster Gardens Tour

After our visit to the Basílica de Los Angeles we will drive to the Lankester Gardens. The Lankester Gardens are a Tropical Paradise featuring over 800 varieties of exotic orchids, various tropical flowers, and plant life. This tour continues with a ride through the unique beauty of the famous Orosi Valley and Reventazón River.

The area is noted for its rich soil, abundant plant life, and the outstanding coffee plantations. We will have a stop for lunch in a restaurant surrounded by beautiful coffee plantations and an excellent view to the Cachí Lake. Along the way, we will visit one of the oldest colonial churches and see the enchanting "Dreamers House".

Day 5-6

On day 5 you'll do a little traveling (by car or shuttle) out of San José to Arenal, one of Costa Rica's most unique destinations. You'll be staying at Montana de Fuego, a wonderful chalet in the mountains near Arenal Volcano.

This hotel offers rustic bungalows surrounded by lush, tropical gardens featuring indigenous species; all 24 bungalows are equipped with 2 double beds, fan, private bath with hot water, balcony with spectacular views of the volcano.

Day 6 - Maleku Indigenous Reserve Tour

Centuries ago, The Maleku Tribe – a branch of the Chibchas - where divided in 23 different groups, however in the last hundred years, their population has decreased substantially; today we can find only three at Palenque El Sol, Margarita and the bigger one: Tonjibe, all this reserves are located in Los Guatuzos lowlands.

The Malekus at Palenque Tonjibe have opened their hearts and their community to all visitors, this way, sharing with us a little of their culture, language and traditions, they are giving us the chance to know the roots of our Costa Rican heritage.

By taking a hike with a Maleku guide through enchanting rainforest and pre-Columbian burial grounds of their native lands, we'll get to learn about medicinal plants, nature from the Maleku's point of view and also visit one of their cemeteries.

This hike is narrated in the Maleku language (Maleku jaica), and translated into English. Actually most Malekus speak Spanish, but they also learn about their culture and take classes in Maleku jaica since primary school.

Note: Consider extending your stay in Arenal with another fantastic Arenal adventure like fishing, horseback riding, or mountain biking!

Day 7 - Departure

Alas! you must return to the modern world, with an early pickup from the hotel, and ground transport back to the international airport. We hope you have absorbed some of Costa Rica's marvelous culture and made some new friends!

Note: If you haven't had enough of modern Costa Rica culture, consider extending your stay and taking even more San José adventures!

Remember: we can customize any of our standard Costa Rica Vacation Packages!

Pricing

$995 per person.