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 Join Hermes Tours as we take you on a relaxing vacation of tropical hot springs to the cloud forests of Monteverde; then onwards to the sandy beaches of Manuel Antonio. This exotic vacation is sure to please your desire for adventure, relaxation, and beauty.
 • Arenal Volcano, including a nature walk on the Arenal Hanging Bridges, one of the greatest eco- touristic projects of Costa Rica.
• Enjoy the Hot Springs of Arenal Volcano
• Monteverde Cloud Forest Zip Trek Adventure
• Manuel Antonio, including a nature walk, gay beaches, and exciting night life
• Accommodations for 8 nights in 3 - 4 star hotels
• Services of a Hermes Tours escort
• Services of an expert, local guide in all cities
• $100 per person savings if you reserve 5 months before departure!
Day 1 - Friday, December 28, 2012
Arrival to the International Airport Juan Santamaria. Meet and Great by your tour guide. Transfer to Hotel Ramada Herradura and check In. Evening, welcome dinner.
Overnight:
Ramada Plaza Herradura, San Jose 4*, or similar.
Meal: D
 Day 2 - Saturday, December 29, 2012
In the morning we depart to Arenal Volcano by a scenic route. After our 3 hours ride we will arrive at our hotel, the Arenal Paraiso Hotel. After check in and lunch, you will visit The Hot Springs where you can enjoy the rest of the day swimming and having a great time in this unforgettable paradise.
The Springs is one of the most beautiful places you'll ever visit. With views of Arenal Volcano, acres of tropical gardens, a great climate, and the soothing water of the river, most people consider this to be Paradise on Earth. The River begins inside Arenal Volcano. The magma heats the water to 101 degrees, which then flows through the base of the volcano down about 3/4 mile to The Springs.
 From here the river splits into several smaller rivers, joining with cool water from a different river to make dozens of pools of varying temperatures, shapes and sizes. These rivers meander through acres of verdant tropical gardens, which create a magical atmosphere.
If we are lucky after dark, we will have the opportunity to see the volcano activity and the red incandescent lava flowing down from the top of the crater to the adjacent areas.
Dinner included at this paradise.
Overnight: Arenal Paraiso Hotel & Spa 3*, or similar
Meal: B, L, D
 Day 3 - Sunday, December 30, 2012
After breakfast we departure to a private biological reserve where you will experience a beautiful view of the active Arenal Volcano and the rain forest.
Arenal Hanging Bridges is one of the greatest eco touristic projects of Costa Rica, with the exuberant primary rain forest where you will find a great biological diversity with an incomparable scenic splendor. Thanks to the huge hanging bridges within the beautiful trails which allow easy access, you can appreciate the natural beauty of the majestic environment.
After our nature walk we enjoy lunch at the venue. Afternoon, free time at leisure.
Overnight: Arenal Paraiso Hotel & Spa 3*, or similar.
Meal: B, L
 Day 4 - Monday, December 31, 2012
After breakfast, we make our way to our next destination, Monteverde. A 3 hours ride will take us into the clouds of the mountains of this fascinating region.
Our destination: Hotel Belmar where you will have the rest of the day to relax and enjoy the place. Optional tours are available.
Overnight: Hotel Belmar, Monteverde 3*, or similar
Meal: B
 Day 5 - Tuesday, January 1, 2013
During the morning, experience one of the most famous tours in Costa Rica. The Zip Line or Sky Trek. This is a secure system of trails and zip lines, in the Monteverde Cloud Forest, that offer visitors the opportunity to observe and appreciate the nature from different vantage points. Sky Trek is a system of zip lines ranging from mountain to mountain, which together have a distance of 2.5 miles of linear cable.
 The tour gives you the opportunity to fly through a cable and have a unique experience of adventure and adrenaline at speeds up to 40 miles per hour with distances ranging up to 2500 feet and heights of 524 feet. In addition the tour offers 5 observation towers that exceed the cloud forest treetops providing a panoramic view. All with total security and in an innovative braking system.
The tour starts with the Sky Tram that will lead you up to the Continental Divide.
After the tour, we return to our hotel.
In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to take a look of the Town of Santa Elena and its beautiful souvenirs stores, Art Galleries, Cheese Factory and many other local attractions.
Overnight: Hotel Belmar, Monteverde 3*, or similar
Meal: B
 Day 6 - Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Morning: Departure to the beautiful Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific Coast.
Upon our arrival at the Gay Hotel Casa Blanca you will have the chance to enjoy the beauty of the surroundings and relax in the swimming pool or explore the most popular Gay bars & Clubs of Manuel Antonio.
Overnight: Gay Hotel Casa Blanca, Manuel Antonio 3*, or similar
Meal: B
 Day 7 - Thursday, January 3, 2013
Take a natural history walk into the rainforest of Manuel Antonio National Park. Your bilingual naturalist guide will point out the great diversity of wildlife you might otherwise miss, and will explain the history and geography of the area. Lush tropical jungle surrounding beautiful, pristine beaches is your playground for the day. Three-toed sloth, iguanas, raccoons, white nosed coatis, agoutis, and other native mammals can be seen amid an unimaginable variety of rare plant species.
Free Afternoon.
Overnight: Gay Hotel Casa Blanca, Manuel Antonio 3*, or similar
Meal: B
 Day 8 - Friday, January 4, 2013
Morning, a great opportunity for explore the surroundings on your own or relax at the beach.
Afternoon, land transfer to San Jose. Upon arrival, Check In at Hotel Ramada Herradura. This evening Hermes Tours hosts a farewell dinner.
Overnight:
Ramada Plaza Herradura, San Jose 4*, or similar.
Meal: B, D
Day 9 - Saturday, January 5, 2013
Transfer to the International Airport at scheduled flight and good bye.
Meal: B
San Jose:
Offering refined casual luxury in a relaxing setting, The Ramada Plaza Herradura is a full-service 4 star resort, standing apart from the rest of San Jose Costa Rica hotels. Just 5 miles away from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), and 15 minutes away from San Jose downtown, the Ramada Plaza Herradura's location is idyllic for both business and leisure travelers.
A true tropical experience coupled with Costa Rican charm, our hotel features 229 guestrooms and suites, with private terraces overlooking exotic floral gardens.  As a guest, take pleasure in the hotel's free airport shuttle service and access to Cariari Country Club's Golf Course and Tennis Courts—just a few of the many guest perks distinguishing Ramada Herradura from the rest of San Jose airport hotels.
In addition to 3 outdoor swimming pools, Ramada Plaza Herradura San Jose features restaurants, a full-service spa, and a casino.
All guestrooms include minibars and high-speed (wired) Internet access (surcharge).
Arenal:
The hotel is located on the Northern Area of Costa Rica, right in front of the Arenal Volcano and just 2 and a half hours away from San Jose. The beauty of the scenario in this area mixes perfectly with the exuberance of our Gardens and the singularity of our 118 rooms. The contrasts we offer you go from the canopy tour adrenaline to the serenity and rest of our thermo-mineral water, walking tours to observe really close and safely the volcano; the sensations of our spa, the natural paths and the Costa Rican gastronomy flavors along with the international cuisine. These and many others make us your best choice for the Arenal touristic destination.
 The Arenal Paraiso Hotel, being a full destination, offers the following services:
• 118 rooms, all of them with wonderful volcano view
• 14 swimming pools, 13 of them with thermo-mineral water
• Wet Bar
• First class service on our Mayin Spa
• Jacuzzi for all our customers at the spa
• 2 saunas
• Small gym with Basic equipment
• Laundry service
• Souvenir store
• Two restaurants with capacity for 250 attendees
• 12 platforms, 11 cables Canopy Tour
• Volcano walking tours
• Nature walking paths
• Information center, activities and excursions
• Car Rental service
• Private parking with security
• The best view to the Arenal Volcano
The pleasantly fitted rooms come with a bathroom and hairdryer, a direct dial telephone, an Internet connection, and a hire safe. All rooms have a minibar/ fridge, centrally regulated air conditioning, and a balcony as standard.
Monteverde:
Nestled in the mountains, adjacent to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, you will find Hotel Belmar just moments away from the wilderness of an immense tropical rain forest and Monteverde's main attractions.
Belmar mission is to provide a personalized service with excellent quality, committed to nature and our community, hoping that as you go on your way, you will disperse the seeds of ecological consciousness around the world.
Hotel Belmar offers 28 comfortable rooms with views of the Gulf of Nicoya and the Cloud Forest. In addition the hotel has a restaurant and a bar, a Jacuzzi, a pool table and a private nature trail. We also provide guided tours, laundry service, a safe deposit box and internet.
 Hotel Belmar is owned and operated by the Belmar family. It is a beautiful mountain hotel, consisting of two Austrian Chalet style buildings with wood paneling and French doors. Spectacular views combined with the beauty of the surrounding primary and secondary forest.
In appreciation of Costa Rica's natural heritage, meals are homemade (bread, granola, marmalade) with ingredients produced within the country, most from local farms.
Manuel Antonio:
The first resort on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast under gay/lesbian management for our gay/lesbian guests, their relatives and friends. Casa Blanca resort is located on a gentle hillside overlooking the Manuel Antonio National Park and Manuel Antonio's sparkling beaches.
The area is safe, frequented and loved by national and international gay and lesbian tourists. Although the area has a very well developed infrastructure it is intentionally not attracting mass tourism.
 Casa Lanca Hotel features a unique panoramic view overlooking the National Park
linkManuel Antonio comforted by a steady refreshing breeze from the ocean.
The beach and National Park can be reached easily on foot or bus (ca. 15 minutes walking to the beach or a 10 minute bus ride to the entrance of the National Park). Various national and international restaurants, bars, cafes, gift shops are located only a short walk away in the direct neigborhood of our hotel.
 Hotel Casa Blanca offers our guests (among other services):
• Well maintained tropical gardens
• A large sundeck with panoramic views to the ocean, park and beaches
• 2 pools with panoramic views
• Self-service pool bar with refrigerator, ice machine and satellite TV
• Safety/security! All buildings are protected against break-in and theft, main and side entrance to the hotel are under video surveillance and the premises pro- tected by 24 hour guard service. Private safes in every accommodation are offered to our guests without extra charge.
• Private/guarded parking lot on premises
• Free coffee and tea available at the reception during office hours.
• Free local calls from every accommodation and free reservation for tours, flights, bus services provided by staff at the reception.
• Wireless internet access
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There are no shots that are required for travel to Costa Rica. Hermes Tours also recommends hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines. Also we recommend that your tetanus booster be up to date. Please contact your health care provider as soon as you have registered for this tour. You should check with your doctor to determine which vaccines you will need. 
The currency is the colon. Most banks and hotels exchange foreign currency. Credit cards (Visa and Master Card) are accepted, as are traveler's checks, preferably in U.S. dollars which may be exchanged at banks, some hotels, and foreign exchange offices. Do not rely on your American Express Card or Diners Card as many establishments do not accept this card. We recommended a combination of US Dollars in Cash, some small bills for tips at restaurants etc... and the rest in $50 or $100 bills and your credit card which you would be able to withdraw cash from ATM machines if you needed to.
Please note that the above cost includes all accommodation in gay/gay friendly hotels, with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips and service charges. All activities as outlined in the itinerary; aiport transfers on designated arrival/departure days; all meals as per itinerary; the services of a Hermes Tours Escort throughout the trip; all ground transportation as per itinerary; entrance fees to all sites on itinerary. 
Round-trip international air transportation to and from Costa Rica. Airport departure tax ($26), Meals and activities not specifically included in the itinerary; insurance; alcohol; soft drinks; bottled water; laundry; telephone calls; faxes and any other expenses of a personal nature. 
