Wonderful Women 7 Itinerary
Wonderful Women 7: Costa Rica—Pura Vida Adventure
with Ann Becker
February 8-18, 2012**
Itinerary
CENTRAL VALLEY (Three nights)
Arrive at Juan Santa Maria International Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica and transfer to the nearby community of Tres Rios and your host Tico family.
- Get acquainted with fellow travelers and experience daily cultural activities that are interactive, informative, and fun. Among other things, we’ll take the local bus and explore a bit of San Jose as well as help create and share a pot luck meal with host family members.
- Experience firsthand the warmth and embrace of your Tico family. Try a little Spanish in your daily living situation; discover “gallo pinto”, Costa Rican coffee, and refreshing drinks known as “frescos”. Learn about the family and social lives of Costa Ricans and make cross-cultural friendships that can last a life time. (No prior Spanish knowledge required.)
- In conjunction with Personalized Spanish, a boutique language school in Tres Rios, participate in a community volunteer project (possibilities under consideration include working at a soup kitchen and improving a local day care center's playground).
Knowing Spanish is not necessary. However, if you would like to learn some basics or take a refresher course, see the information below about the optional pre-trip, “Mini Spanish Immersion Program”.
Accommodations: Home stays arranged by Personalized Spanish School
www.personalizedspanish.com
Meals included: 2/8: D; 2/9: B, D; 2/10: B, L, D; 2/11 B
OSA PENINSULA PART I (Three nights)
Our second major destination is the Golfo Dulce side of the Osa Peninsula, a magical place full of rain forests, rugged natural beauty and amazing wildlife. Our home for the next three days is Danta Corcovado, a 100% locally built and owned eco-lodge and sustainable farm. Accommodations are a delightful combination of whimsy and charming simplicity.
- Get your first exposure to the rain forest, explore the property and learn about its evolution and operations from Merlyn, Danta’s astute and enormously creative owner.
- Visit the nearby Guaymi Reserve and meet with a local family to learn about the history, culture, and natural resources of the only indigenous group on the Osa. Share a traditional meal and cool off afterwards in the nearby fresh natural springs.
- Relax and explore marine life, mangroves, and beaches while kayaking through the calm waters of the Golfo Dulce, a unique tropical fjord. (No prior kayaking experience necessary)
Visit Finca Kobo and tour this organic farm with its passionate owner, Alex, and learn his secrets to growing cacao and chocolate production. Sample and have the chance to buy the delicious final product!
Join our longstanding and fabulous Wonderful Women guide, Alex Alvarez, on periodic bird walks. Before we begin, Alex will conduct a brief orientation on binocular usage and bird identification tips. When feasible, he’ll also carry his telescope. (optional)- Get a different view of the forest sounds and creatures by participating in a guided night walk around the Danta Corcovado property. (optional)
Accommodations: Danta Corcovado Lodge
www.dantacorcovado.com
Meals included: 2/11: L, D; 2/12: B, L, D; 2/13: B, L, D; 2/14: B
OSA PENINSULA PART II (Three nights)
From the Golfo Dulce we will move across to the Pacific side of the peninsula and spectacular La Paloma Lodge which is set high on a bluff overlooking the ocean. With views of Cano Island in the distance, La Paloma is another very special place. We’ll be joined part of the time by a good friend of Ann’s, Pedro Rojas Morales, from the Boruca indigenous community.
- After settling in and enjoying a leisurely lunch, take a relaxing walk to get acquainted with the nearby Drake Bay community while experiencing the sights and sounds of local wildlife along the way. For dinner, we’ll dine at a small, locally owned restaurant/lodge owned by Manolo and Bella who will share their personal entrepreneurial success story as well as learn about the socio-economic opportunities and challenges for this magnificent little corner of the world.
Explore Corcovado National Park, the “crown jewel” of Costa Rica’s famous national park system and one of the most biologically diverse regions of the world. Our destination will be Sirena, the largest interior ranger station, and considered by many to be the heart of Corcovado. We’ll get to the park by taking a boat ride along gorgeous untouched coast line with the chance to see some dolphins and whales along the way. Our Corcovado hike will include amazing flora and fauna and the opportunity to potentially see endangered squirrel monkeys, wild peccaries, and the tapir, the largest land mammal in the Central American rain forest.- Tour by boat the Terraba-Sierpe National Wetlands, including the largest protected mangrove in Central America. Learn about and explore many channels of this vitally important ecosystem, also habitat for an incredible array of wildlife.
With our morning tours, afternoons are left to your own choosing. Options include: zip lining through the rain forest canopy; kayaking on the Rio Aguijitas; beach and swim time; horseback riding; or simply enjoying a book and tropical fruit smoothie on the club house deck. The well-known “Bug Lady” Night Hike is available to you as well. (optional)- Savor the spectacular sunsets over the Pacific.
Accommodations: La Paloma Lodge
www.lapalomalodge.com
Meals: 2/14: L, D; 2/15: B, L, D; 2/16: B, L, D; 2/17: B
CENTRAL VALLEY (One night)
We’ll depart Drake Bay late morning and fly back to the Central Valley. Our home for the night will be the Orquideas Inn, a perfect place to conclude the trip. A Wonderful Women favorite, this boutique hotel is situated on 10 acres of natural tropical gardens.
- Relax by the hotel pool.
- Visit Los Chorros Waterfalls for a short final hike and refreshing swim (optional)
- Enjoy a massage or facial (optional).
Our trip will conclude with the traditional Wonderful Women final group dinner where we will celebrate and say “salut” to our accomplishments, experiences, and friendships.
Accommodations: Hotel Orquideas Inn
www.orquideasinn.com
Meals included: 2/17: D; 2/18 B
The Wonderful Women 7 trip concludes on February 18. Depart Juan Santa Maria Airport to return home.
If you are interested in learning more about this trip, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
