An action-packed exploration with options of rafting, horseback riding and zip lining. From the Caribbean beaches to the Pacific this stunning 2-week tour embodies some of the best that Costa Rica has to offer. Costa Rica Explorer Classic 2009 GAP 6 15 Max 15, Avg 10 Central America Costa Rica San Jose San Jose Costa Rica Costa Rica Culture/History, Wildlife/Nature 14 2 Comfort http://www.gapadventures.com/images/dossier_maps/2009/CRE.jpg http://www.gapadventures.com/images/banners/costarica/costa_rica_manuel_antonio_beach.jpg Arrive in San José at any time. Travelling east by private shuttle, then by boat through the canals, we end up in Tortuguero, an important nesting area for Green and Leatherback sea turtles. Plenty of opportunity to observe the wide variety of birds and wildlife that call this area home. A van and boat trip brings us to La Fortuna, in the foothills of the spectacular Arenal Volcano. La Fortuna is a hotspot for adventure travel in Costa Rica. Here you can try river rafting, mountain biking, caving, horseback riding or taking a walk through the lava fields. Relax in one of the many local hot springs, fed directly by the active volcano. Make our way up into the misty mountain air of the Monteverde cloud forest region. Spend 2 days exploring the town and a nearby cloud forest reserve, truly a bird lover’s paradise. We also tour a coffee plantation learning how the beans are harvested and the importance of the coffee industry for Costa Rica. Optional activities include a horse ride en route from La Fortuna to Monteverde, the Sky Walk, butterfly garden and a zip line canopy tour. Head to Quepos, where the nearby white sand beaches and warm Pacific waters are the ideal atmosphere to relax at the end of your adventure. Enjoy swimming, fishing, kayaking, horseback riding, boogie boarding, sailing or surfing. A short distance away, enjoy a guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park, which offers excellent hiking and wildlife viewing. As your trip nears an end, you might want to enjoy your last chance to snorkel, swim and try to spot dolphins on an optional sunset sailing tour! Travel back to San José for one last night in the city. Arrive in San José at any time. A G.A.P Adventures representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to our joining point hotel. There are no planned activities so check into our hotel and enjoy the city.

If you arrive early enough, you'll have time to head into the city to visit a museum, shop or people-watch in the main plaza. As it is located in the central highlands, San José enjoys a moderate climate. The heat and humidity of the coast and lowland areas may affect you , with a general sense of lethargy and/or loss of appetite. This is no cause for alarm, it is simply a reaction to the heat. Be sure to drink plenty of water (cold bottled water is available everywhere) and do not attempt too much in any given day. We prefer fan-cooled rather than air conditioned rooms to avoid having to acclimatize to the heat and humidity every time you go outside.

Like most cities, San José has its good and bad sides. It is the centre of government, theatre, and art, as well as of air pollution and congestion. It has beautiful parks and museums, and a few beggars on the streets. It is big and often noisy, but even from its crowded downtown streets, you’ll often enjoy a view of the surrounding lush mountains.

Probably the hardest thing you will do in San José, other than get safely across busy streets, is keep the street numbering systems straight. Street and avenue numbers are posted on buildings at the corners of some intersections. Keep looking as you walk, and you will eventually find one.

The plaza is a good place to people-watch. A mime, juggler, marimba band, magician, or storyteller may be performing for whatever is collected when the hat is passed. Artisan booths are common, creating a regular arts and crafts fair atmosphere.

A source of pride for the Ticos (Costa Ricans) is the National Theatre. Inaugurated in 1897, the building was paid for by coffee growers through a voluntary tax on every bag of coffee exported. The National Museum, housed in the Bellavista Fortress, offers exhibits on pre-Columbian art, colonial art and furniture and religious art within a 19th century building that was converted from a military fortress after the army was abolished.
The Museum of Costa Rican Art, located in La Sabana Park used to be the international airport and this museum is in the old terminal building. The Jade Museum is on the 11th floor of the Instituto Nacional de Seguros building. In addition to the marvellous collection of jade objects, there are pre-Columbian ceramic and stone works as well as displays with archaeological and ethnographic information. The Gold Museum is located underneath the Plaza de la Cultura. Its spectacular collection of indigenous gold art belongs to the Central Bank of Costa Rica.

The best and least expensive places to buy souvenirs in San José are the markets. The two main ones are the ones in Plaza de la Cultura, which is an outdoor open market, and the Central Market, where handicrafts are sold along with boots, fish, flour, herbal remedies, shirts and everything else you can imagine. Always watch your belongings and be ready for crowds. If you plan on spending a few days in San José prior to or after your tour, there are a number of activities within the city and area that you can participate in, many of them outdoors. Travelling east by private shuttle from San José, then by boat through the canals we come to Tortuguero, an important nesting area for Green and Leatherback sea turtles (seasonal March to June for Leatherbacks, June to September for Green turtles). Plenty of opportunity to see a variety of birds and wildlife.

The beaches around Tortuguero, a sleepy Afro-Caribbean town, host the nesting grounds of a variety of sea turtles. Walking paths extend through the village and into the National Park. Tortuguero National Park was created in 1975 to protect the four species of sea turtles which nest along the beaches. Our three-hour boat ride along rivers and canals starts just outside the town of Limón and ends in the village of Tortuguero, near the park perimeter. We may see herons, egrets, spoonbills, as well as amphibians and reptiles like the “Jesus Lizard” (it walks on water) and caimans. The tropical rainforest gives way to prime beaches, ideal nesting grounds for Green, Loggerhead, Hawksbill and Leatherback Turtles. The latter nests from mid-March to May, the rest from July to September. The Caribbean Conservation Center, just outside of town, is an excellent source of information about the turtles and their tropical habitat.

Estimated Travel Time: 7 hours
Approximate Distance: 270 km A five-hour van/boat trip brings us to La Fortuna, in the foothills of the spectacular Arenal Volcano. La Fortuna is one of the centres of adventure travel in Costa Rica. Here you can try river rafting, moutain bike, caving, horseback riding or take a walk on the active volcano. And don’t forget about the Hot Springs, fed directly by the active volcano. Once you’re seated at the swim-up bar, you won’t want to get out.

Set on the northern plains of Costa Rica, Arenal Volcano is on the shores of Lake Arenal, (77 square kilometres, or 48 square miles), created by a hydroelectric project. Winds sweeping off the Caribbean Sea reach speeds of 48 to 72 km/hr (30 to 45 mph), making Arenal one of the best sail boarding locations in the world. The lake actually separates the mountain ranges of Guanacaste and Tilarán. The volcano is set on the lake’s southeast end. It is active and occasional eruptions make it a natural wonder to be respected. Arenal is especially impressive at night, when the glowing molten lava is blasted into the ink-black sky. Even during the day, its reflection on Lake Arenal is truly enchanting. There are several attractions in the area aside from the lake and volcano. It is a birders’ paradise, with over 600 species as permanent residents, and is inhabited by numerous species of frogs. You can also enjoy hiking the area’s nature trails, or if you’re more daring, you can opt to climb a ladder to participate in one of the canopy tours and catch a fresh glimpse of the forest greenery. After a long day of exploring, the local Hot Springs might just be the answer to your tired muscles. Soak in one of the natural thermal baths under the shade of the surrounding canopy.

Estimated Travel Time: 9 hours
Approximate Distance: 200 km From La Fortuna, we make our way up to the misty mountain air of the Monteverde cloud forest. We spend 2 days exploring the town and nearby Forest Reserve, truly a bird lover’s paradise. Founded by Quakers in the 1950s the mountain dairy community of Monteverde has become an ecotourism haven due to the presence of the Cloud Forest Reserve and the numerous other adventure options in the area.

Our included coffee tour can be enjoyed on the third or final morning in Monteverde. It is a 2 hour informative tour bringing insight not only into this important substance and how it is produced, but also the influence of coffee on Costa Rica's history and culture. Participants get to see all the different stages of the coffee-making process and also can purchase and sample some lovely Monteverde "cafe" at the end of the presentation. This tour is fun even for non-coffee drinkers, and if you are a java junkie you'll be in heaven!

Optional activities include horse riding en route from La Fortuna to Monteverde, sky walks (suspension bridges amid foliage), butterfly garden, and a canopy zip-line tour.

Monteverde or "Green Mountain", when translated into English, is exactly what you will find at the end of the long, rutted dirt road we travel to get to this area. The surrounding pastures were once covered with dense forest, but only a small piece of it now remains. That piece of forest has been preserved as the Reserva Biologica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve.

A cloud forest is much like a rainforest, but much of the moisture comes not from falling rain but from the condensation left by the nearly constant cloud cover that blankets the tops of mountains in many parts of the tropics. Monteverde Reserve covers 1600 hectares of forest and is home to a great variety of wildlife. More than 2,000 species of plants, 320 birds species, and 100 different species of mammals inhabit this small area.

The village of Monteverde was founded in the 1950s by Quakers from the United States. They wished to leave behind the constant fear of war and the obligation to support continued militarism through U.S. taxes and chose Costa Rica because it was committed to a non-militaristic economic path. Since its founding, Monteverde has grown slowly as other people, who shared the original Quaker founders’ ideals, moved to the area. Although the Quakers came here to farm the land, they recognized the need to preserve the rare cloud forest that covers the mountain slopes above their fields. The community is very different from those on the coast, and offers several souvenir shops and the Quaker cheese factory, which is definitely worth a visit. The Santa Elena Reserve, is another park in this area that is less well known and visited, but also worth seeing. All proceeds from this park profit the local community.

Estimated Travel Time: 4 hours
Approximate Distance: 60 km
The white sand beaches and warm Pacific waters near the tiny town of Quepos is the ideal atmosphere to relax at the end of your adventure. Enjoy swimming, fishing, kayaking, horseback riding, boogie boarding, sailing or surfing. Not far away, Manuel Antonio offers excellent hiking and wildlife viewing. Like monkeys? This is the spot for you. Finally, you can snorkel, swim and try to spot dolphins as we finish our stay with an included sunset sail.

Quepos sits on the outskirts of the Manuel Antonio National Park (about 20 min drive)and is a great introduction to the laid back “Tico” lifestyle. This town is very popular with the younger set of international travellers and has a good beach for those who want to get a little sun and swim. If you have the jungle in mind, then we recommend that you head into the National Park. Although this is Costa Rica’s smallest National Park, it is also one of the most popular and it won’t take you long to see why. This park has fabulous beaches, abundant wildlife, and a great trail system for those who want to spend the day hiking. Look for monkeys, armadillos, coatimundis, sloths and some 350 species of birds that are present in the park.

Estimated Travel Time: 7 hours
Approximate Distance: 220 km Travelling across picturesque highlands, we return to San José for one last night in the city.

Estimated Travel Time: 5 hours
Approximate Distance: 190 km
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669.00 459.00 669.00 Local Payment 250 USD 1519 1449 919 759 1989 1349 1089 1599 749.00 719.00 459.00 379.00 989.00 669.00 459.00 669.00 Local Payment 250 USD 1519 1449 919 759 1989 1349 1089 1599 749.00 719.00 459.00 379.00 989.00 669.00 459.00 669.00 Local Payment 250 USD 1519 1449 919 759 1989 1349 1089 1599 749.00 719.00 459.00 379.00 989.00 669.00 459.00 669.00 Local Payment 250 USD 1519 1449 919 759 1989 1349 1089 1599 749.00 719.00 459.00 379.00 989.00 669.00 459.00 669.00 Local Payment 250 USD 1519 1449 919 759 1989 1349 1089 1599 749.00 719.00 459.00 379.00 989.00 669.00 459.00 669.00 Local Payment 250 USD 1519 1449 919 759 1989 1349 1089 1599 749.00 719.00 459.00 379.00 989.00 669.00 459.00 669.00 Local Payment 250 USD 1519 1449 919 759 1989 1349 1089 1599 749.00 719.00 459.00 379.00 989.00 669.00 459.00 669.00 Local Payment 250 USD 1519 1449 919 759 1989 1349 1089 1599 749.00 719.00 459.00 379.00 989.00 669.00 459.00 669.00 Local Payment 250 USD 1519 1449 919 759 1989 1349 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Payment 250 USD 1519 1449 919 759 1989 1349 1089 1599 749.00 719.00 459.00 379.00 989.00 669.00 459.00 669.00 Local Payment 250 USD 1519 1449 919 759 1989 1349 1089 1599 749.00 719.00 459.00 379.00 989.00 669.00 459.00 669.00 Local Payment 250 USD 1519 1449 919 759 1989 1349 1089 1599 749.00 719.00 459.00 379.00 989.00 669.00 459.00 669.00 Local Payment 250 USD 1519 1449 919 759 1989 1349 1089 1599 749.00 719.00 459.00 379.00 989.00 669.00 459.00 669.00 Local Payment 250 USD 1519 1449 919 759 1989 1349 1089 1599 749.00 719.00 459.00 379.00 989.00 669.00 459.00 669.00 Local Payment 250 USD 1519 1449 919 759 1989 1349 1089 1599 749.00 719.00 459.00 379.00 989.00 669.00 459.00 669.00 Local Payment 250 USD 1519 1449 919 759 1989 1349 1089 1599 749.00 719.00 459.00 379.00 989.00 669.00 459.00 669.00 Local Payment 250 USD 1519 1449 919 759 1989 1349 1089 1599 749.00 719.00 459.00 379.00 989.00 669.00 459.00 669.00 Local Payment 250 USD 1519 1449 919 759 1989 1349 1089 1599 749.00 719.00 459.00 379.00 989.00 669.00 459.00 669.00 Local Payment 250 USD 1519 1449 919 759 1989 1349 1089 1599 749.00 719.00 459.00 379.00 989.00 669.00 459.00 669.00 Local Payment 250 USD 1519 1449 919 759 1989 1349 1089 1599 749.00 719.00 459.00 379.00 989.00 669.00 459.00 669.00 Local Payment 250 USD 1519 1449 919 759 1989 1349 1089 1599 749.00 719.00 459.00 379.00 989.00 669.00 459.00 669.00 Local Payment 250 USD 1519 1449 919 759 1989 1349 1089 1599 749.00 719.00 459.00 379.00 989.00 669.00 459.00 669.00 Local Payment 250 USD 1519 1449 919 759 1989 1349 1089 1599 749.00 719.00 459.00 379.00 989.00 669.00 459.00 669.00 Local Payment 250 USD 1519 1449 919 759 1989 1349 1089 1599 749.00 719.00 459.00 379.00 989.00 669.00 459.00 669.00 Local Payment 250 USD 1519 1449 919 759 1989 1349 1089 1599 749.00 719.00 459.00 379.00 989.00 669.00 459.00 669.00 Local Payment 250 USD 1519 1449 919 759 1989 1349 1089 1599 749.00 719.00 459.00 379.00 989.00 669.00 459.00 669.00 Local Payment 250 USD 1519 1449 919 759 1989 1349 1089 1599 749.00 719.00 459.00 379.00 989.00 669.00 459.00 669.00 Local Payment 250 USD 1519 1449 919 759 1989 1349 1089 1599 749.00 719.00 459.00 379.00 989.00 669.00 459.00 669.00 Local Payment 250 USD 1519 1449 919 759 1989 1349 1089 1599 749.00 719.00 459.00 379.00 989.00 669.00 459.00 669.00 Local Payment 250 USD Accommodation Comfort hotels (11 nts), Lodge (2 nts). Associated RT Project Optional visit to Planeterra community projects Departure Departs Sundays, departures vary DepEnd Sun-Sat Group Leader Tour leader throughout, local guides. Group Size Max 15, Avg 10 Highlights San José, Tortuguero, Arenal Volcano, Monteverde Cloud Forest, Manuel Antonio National Park. Max Pax 15 Meal Budget Allow USD400 for meals not included. For additional expenses, see trip details. Meals Included 13 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners. Min Pax 6 Recommendation Too cushy? Check out our Costa Rica Adventure, code CRA. StartFinish ex San José Testimonial "We enjoyed all aspects of the trip. Especially being able to sample the different areas, such as cloud forest, volcanoes, rainforest and caribbean and pacific coasts." - Winifred Talentino travelled on Costa Rica Explorer Transport Private van, Boat. What's Included Boat tour of Tortuguero National Park, Visit to hot springs in La Fortuna, Guided visit to a cloud forest reserve, Coffee plantation tour in Monteverde, Guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park, Arrival transfer and daily continental breakfast.
A Couple of Rules Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for G.A.P Adventures Adventure travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter, and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The exploitation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our group leader has the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or they use prostitutes.
Arrival Complications We don't expect any problems, and nor should you, but if for any reason you are unable to commence your trip as scheduled, as soon as possible please contact your starting point hotel, requesting that you speak to or leave a message for your trip leader (if you are not on a group tour please refer to the emergency contact details provided in this dossier). If you are unable to get in touch with your leader, please refer to our emergency contact details. If you have pre-booked an airport transfer and have not made contact with our representative within 30 minutes of clearing customs and immigration, we recommend that you make your own way to the Starting Point hotel, following the Joining Instructions. Please apply to your travel agent on your return for a refund of the transfer cost if this occurs.
Associated Planeterra Project On this tour you may have the opportunity to visit the following Planeterra project:

KIDS SAVING THE RAINFOREST
Kids Saving the Rainforest (KSTR) is a non-profit organization founded in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica by two school children in 1998. They started the project by selling painted rocks at a roadside table with the hopes of raising enough money to help save the rainforest and wildlife in the Manuel Antonio area.

Today KSTR provides a variety of programs:

Titi Monkey Bridges
Only 1200 to 1500 critically endangered Titi monkeys remain. The leading causes of death are electrocution by electric wires while crossing roads and being hit by cars. As part of the plan to save the Titi monkeys, KSTR places monkey bridges that cross above the roads of Manuel Antonio with the help of the local hydroelectric company (ICE) and local experts.

Reforestation Program – This program was created as a way of extending the Titi monkey corridor. The trees selected are native species that are in danger of extinction and provide food and shelter for Titi monkeys year round.

Adopt-a-Tree Program - Donors can sponsor the planting of a rainforest tree in their name or in the name of a loved one. The saplings are planted in the KSTR Garden and cared for until they are large enough to be transplanted into an area that they are reforesting.

KSTR Store – This store sells artwork created by kids, as well as by local artists and craftspeople. 100% of the profits from the store go towards saving the rainforest.

Rehabilitation Of Baby Animals
KSTR has a very successful program of saving and rehabilitating animals which are later released into the wild.

Environment and Art Summer Camp - Local and visiting children learn about the rainforest and everything in it, and participate in a fun-filled learning experience designed to empower kids to help save the planet.

It is possible to visit this project on most tours that pass through Manuel Antonio. To arrange a visit please speak to your G.A.P Adventures tour leader.

How You Can Help
Each year we work with KSTR to identify the needs of their projects. In the past through donations made to Planeterra, we have covered the cost of constructing life-saving monkey bridges over the roads in Manuel Antonio and have helped support their animal rehabilitation program.

With donations from travellers we can continue to support KSTR’s valuable conservation and educational efforts. G.A.P Adventures pays all administration costs so that 100% of each donation goes to the projects we support.

For more information about this project and/or to make a donation please visit our website www.planeterra.org or contact us at info@planeterra.org Brochure Intro An action-packed exploration with options of rafting, horseback riding and zip lining. From the Caribbean beaches to the Pacific this stunning 2-week tour embodies some of the best that Costa Rica has to offer. Checklist - Passport (with photocopies)
- Travel insurance (with photocopies)
- Airline tickets (with photocopies)
- USD cash and travellers cheques
- Credit or debit card (see personal spending money)
- G.A.P Adventures vouchers and dossier
- Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
- Camera and film
- Reading/writing material
- Binoculars
- Cover for backpacks
- Fleece top
- Windproof/waterproof jacket or poncho
- Small towel and swim wear
- 4 shirts/t-shirts
- Sun hat
- 1 pair of shorts
- 2 pairs of long trousers
- 1 pair of hiking pants/track pants
- Hiking boots/ sturdy walking shoes
- Sport sandals
- Sunblock - Sunglasses
- Toiletries (biodegradable)
- Watch or alarm clock
- Water bottle
- Pocket knife
- Insect repellant
- Flashlight
- First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band Aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, re-hydration powder, and any extra prescription drugs you may be taking). Departure Tax USD26 Detailed Trip Notes Dossier Disclaimer The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and G.A.P Adventures. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.

VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Dossier Intro An action-packed exploration with options of rafting, horseback riding and zip lining. From the Pacific to the Caribbean beaches this stunning 2-week tour embodies some of the best that Costa Rica has to offer. Emergency Contact Should you need to contact G.A.P Adventures during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call our local office in San José, Costa Rica. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so that we may return your call and assist you as soon as possible.

G.A.P Adventures San José, Costa Rica,
Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm local time (GMT –6).
Tel: Int. Dialing Code + 506 2231 4708.

Costa Rica Emergency Cell Phone: +506 8322 9140 (after office hours).

If you are unable for any reason to contact our local office in Costa Rica,
we have a toll-free line within North America (or our regular direct line), which will connect you directly with our Toronto office. In the event that you cannot get through, you can reach a member of our Operations department at the mobile number below.

Toll-free, North America only: 1 800 465 5600.
Calls from the UK: 0870 999 0144.
Outside North America and the UK: +1 416 260 0999.
Mobile: + 1 416 305 6139.
Emergency Fund Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (eg. a natural disaster) necessitate a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!
Feedback After your travels, we want to hear from you! Your feedback information is so important to us that you'll receive a special discount code for free online prints and we'll give you 5% off the price of your next G.A.P Adventures trip if your feedback is completed on-line within 30 days of finishing your trip. Please visit http://www.gapadventures.com/evaluations
Free Online Trip Journals An online Trip Journal is a great way to record stories and photos as you travel, not to mention sharing your experiences with friends. Encourage your family and friends to follow in your footsteps as you explore the world! With templates for over 300 G.A.P Adventures trips already online all you have to do to get started is log in, choose your trip and your departure date, it's quick and easy! Head to http://www.gapadventures.com/trip_journal. Group Leader Description All G.A.P Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders, a G.A.P Adventures representative, or an expedition team. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting- we think it's the best of both worlds. Health You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that quite often we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities, and for legal reasons our leaders are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc. When selecting your trip please carefully read the brochure and itinerary and assess your ability to cope with our style of travel. Please refer to the Physical and Culture Shock ratings for trip specific information. For travellers over 70 years a completed Medical Form is required. G.A.P Adventures reserves the right to exclude any traveller from all or part of a trip without refund if in the reasonable opinion of our group leader they are unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group. Important Notes 1) Be prepared for rain and lower temperatures during the winter season (June-November), especially in Costa Rica's central valley. Itinerary Disclaimer While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit travel with G.A.P Adventures can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances. Joining Hotel 2009 Hotel:
Hotel Centro Colon
Next to the Centro Colón Bldg. 3rd Ave at 38 St. and 40 St.
(Al lado del edificio Centro Colon, Ave 3 entre Calles 38 & 40)
San Jose, Costa Rica

Phone: (+506) 2257-2580 Joining Instructions An arrival transfer is included with all Comfort Service Level tours when you arrive on Day 1, or when you arrive up to three days prior to the tour, provided that you have booked your pre-accommodation through G.A.P Adventures in our joining hotel. Please note that Day 1 is an arrival day and no activities have been planned, so you may arrive at any time. Similarly the last day is a departure day in which no activities are planned.

Your Tour Leader will contact you at the hotel on Day 1 and make sure you are settled comfortably. If you arrive late, s/he will leave you a message detailing what time and where you should meet the next morning. Your Leader will organize a short meeting soon after arrival, during which you will meet other tour participants and receive information about general and specific aspects of the trip.
Keeping in Touch If you need to be contacted while travelling we recommend that you set up an email address that can be accessed on the road, rather than relying on postal mail. Email cafes are becoming increasingly commonplace and cheap throughout the regions we visit, and have quickly become the preferred way for our leaders and travellers to stay in touch. If someone wishes to contact you in an emergency while you are on one of our trips we recommend that they contact your local booking agent, or refer to our Emergency Contact. We recommend that family and friends don't try to contact you through phoning hotels en route, as our hotels are subject to change, and our hotel receptions often don't have English speaking staff.
Laundry Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge. There will be times when you may want to or have to do your own laundry so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap. Local Flights All local flights are included in the cost of your tour unless otherwise noted. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure.
Local payment description Most of our adventure tours involve a local payment. This is the final payment of your tour price, paid locally. Paying locally facilitates the flow of funds into countries that we travel through and also helps to reduce the overall price of the tour. This helps G.A.P Adventures keep our prices competitive and in-turn, pass our cost savings onto you. Payment is to be made to your leader or G.A.P Adventures representative upon arrival in cash in the requested currency. Please see our website, brochure or your trip documents and invoice for Local Payment.
Meals Eating is a big part of traveling. Travelling with G.A.P Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your group leader will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. The above information applies to G.A.P Adventures group trips. Please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and meal budgets.
Medical Form Our small group adventures bring together people of all ages. It is very important you are aware that, as a minimum, an average level of fitness and mobility' is required to undertake our easiest programs. Travellers must be able to walk without the aid of another person, climb 3-4 flights of stairs, step on and off small boats, and carry their own luggage at a minimum. Travellers with a pre-existing medical condition are required to complete a short medical questionnaire, which must be signed by their physician. This is to ensure that travellers have the necessary fitness and mobility to comfortably complete their chosen trip. While our leaders work hard to ensure that all our travellers are catered for equally, it is not their responsibility to help individuals who cannot complete the day's activities unaided. Please refer to the physical ratings in this Trip Details document for more information.
Please note that all passengers traveling to Antarctica are required to fill out this questionnaire.

The medical questionnaire can be found online at:

www.gapadventures.com/online_medical_form.
Money Exchange Credit cards and debit cards are very useful for cash advances, Visa cards being the most widely accepted. While ATMs are widely available, there are no guarantees that your credit or debit cards will actually work in Latin America. Check with your bank. You should be aware that to purchase products or services on a credit card a fee of 5%-10% usually applies.
Do not rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of money. A combination of US dollar cash, travellers cheques and cards is best. Always take more rather than less, as you don't want to spoil the trip by constantly feeling short of funds.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE TIP: Please be advised that slightly torn notes, notes that have been heavily marked or are faded may be difficult to exchange. It is best to bring notes in fairly good condition, in denominations lower than 100USD (or equivalent).

As currency exchange rates can fluctuate often we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com
Newsletter Our adventure travel e-newsletter is full of travel news, trip information, interesting stories and contests. To avoid missing out on special offers and updates from G.A.P Adventures, subscribe at www.gapadventures.com/newsletter_signup
Optional Activities All prices are per person, in USD amounts and are subject to change as services are provided by third party operators.

San José:
Carara Reserve $60 (full day w break & lunch)
Irazu, Orosi and Lankaster Garden tour $55 (with lunch)
Grecia & Sarchi $40 (oxcart & handicrafts)
City tour $24
Poas Volcano $51
Rafting (Pacuare) $90
Rafting (Sarapiqui) $75
Braulio Carrillo Reserve $50-$65
Café Britt tour $20-$30
Butterfly Farm $20-$25

La Fortuna/ Arenal:
Rafting (Full day) $65
Cave tour $35
Cano Negro reserve $45 (full day leave at 6:30am)
Volcano Hike $25
Safari adventure $40
Waterfall tour $15
Bike Rental $5 per hour

Monteverde:
Sky Trek $35
Sky Walk $15
Sky Tram $10
Horseback riding $10/hr
Butterfly garden $8 (entrance)

Tortuguero:
Night turtle watch $20 (incl. Entrance + guide)
Tourist centre $1

Manuel Antonio:
Mangrove tour (kayak) $55 (incl. Lunch)
Mangrove tour (boat) $60 (incl. Lunch)
Rafting (Rio Naranjo) $65
Rafting (Savegre) $90
Sea Kayak tour $65 (incl. Lunch)
Cycle tours $25-$55 Our Commitment to Responsible Travel in Antarctica Planeterra-The G.A.P Adventures Foundation Through G.A.P Adventures’ commitment to responsible tourism we have developed Planeterra – the G.A.P Adventures Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of people and communities around the world through support of international charities, local organizations and community projects in the places that we visit on our tours. G.A.P Adventures matches all individual donations and pays all administration fees, which means that 100% of each donation is doubled and goes directly to support our projects. For more information about Planeterra and the projects we support, or to make a donation, please visit www.planeterra.org

Planeterra Dollar-A-Day Program
Our Dollar-A-Day Program provides travellers with the opportunity to help us give back to the people and places visited on our tours by donating one dollar per day for the duration of their tour. 100% of these proceeds will go directly to support our Planeterra projects.

To participate in this program please indicate at the time of booking that you would like to participate in G.A.P Adventures’ Dollar-A-Day program, either by clicking the check box online, or by advising your GA.P Adventures specialist or travel agent. (Note: Donation will be charged in the currency of your booking) Responsible Travel Being a responsible tour operator is at the heart of what G.A.P Adventures is all about. From the start, G.A.P Adventures has been committed to offering low-impact tours that benefit traveller and host alike. While our sustainable tourism policies are constantly evolving, our commitment to socially conscious, grassroots style travel has never changed. We work with local communities, businesses and individuals to develop sustainable tourism opportunities that help local economies while minimizing negative environmental and cultural impacts.

For more information about our commitment to responsible travel, please visit the Sustainable Tourism section of the G.A.P Adventures website: www.gapadventures.com
Safety and Security Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travellers' cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. When travelling on a group trip, please note that your group leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Your leader will accompany you on all included activities. During your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your group leader will assist you with options available in a given location please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary, and we offer no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Although the cities visited on tour are generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering throughout any major city at night. It is our recommendation to stay in small groups and to take taxis to and from restaurants, or during night time excursions.

Single Travellers We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Spending Money Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.
Tipping It is customary in Latin America to tip service providers such as waiters, at approximately 10%, depending on the service. Please note that in Costa Rica, a 23% charge is added on to almost every meal (13% tax, 10% tip). Further tipping for wait staff is appropriate in the case of excellent service. Tipping is an expected - though not compulsory - component of your tour program and an expression of satisfaction with the persons who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers we use. Recommendations for tipping drivers and local guides would range from $5-10 USD per day depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your tour leader for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture.

Also at the end of each trip if you felt your G.A.P Adventures Tour Leader did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline $20-25 USD per person, per week can be used. Travel Forum - The Watering Hole Be sure to stop by The Watering Hole, our adventure travel forum. If you're interested in meeting others booked on your upcoming trip, check out the Departure Lounge section of our forum and introduce yourself. Otherwise, just drop in at anytime to share some travel tips, ask questions, meet other travellers and quench your thirst for travel. Our forum is located at wateringhole.gapadventures.com. Travel Insurance Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Trip Specific Safety Like any city where tourism is on the increase, crime also tends to increase and while San José is not a noticeably dangerous city, there are certain precautions you should take. Make sure that you are aware of your things at all times and don't go out carrying expensive gear or jewellery. Validity Valid for all trips departing January 1, 2009 - December 31st 2009. Visas All countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). Contact your local embassy, or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE THE CORRECT TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION.
We Want Your Photos If you've got some great photos form your G.A.P Adventures travels, then post them online in our community! You can share photos - and videos - with our travellers from around the world. Simply go online to www.gapadventures.com/community to check out what other people have shared! We often have photo and video contests running too, so be sure to check our website often!
What to Take We recommend the use of a duffel bag or backpack (whatever you find easiest to carry). A good size daypack is also essential. Your Fellow Travellers As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and are likely to be of a variety of ages too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part.