Destinations

Our Experience, Your Discoveries

We want to show you the world, and to have you truly inspired by it - exploring its breathtaking diversity. Our enthusiasm is stronger than ever to reach out and expand your horizons.

We hope you accept this invitation and join us on one of our journeys so that our experience becomes one of your many discoveries.
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Costa Rica Family Adventure

Costa Rica Family Adventure

For your family program we have chosen lodges that work best for families. All have flexible menus that adapt to kid's tastes; all provide kid friendly environments and ample common areas, where kids can explore the grounds safely. Additionally, three of the four lodges have pools and other kid-friendly amenities such as volleyball or board games.

All properties are close to area attractions, which makes moving around within a destination as easy as possible. In general, the logistics of the program are designed to make the most of the time you have in the country, without rushing from one place to another.

Highlights

  • Spending a full afternoon exploring the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, where the world’s largest enclosed Butterfly Observatory is located, the surrounding grounds and nature trails that lead to close-up views of several stunning tropical waterfalls.
  • Explore world-famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve in depth with your excellent naturalist guide.
  • Walk on suspended bridges through the rain forest canopy to observe wildlife and breathtaking landscapes, from high above the rain forest floor.
  • Enjoy days of relaxation on Costa Rica’s northern Pacific coast.
  • Embark on an exploration of the mesmerizing jungle canals of Tortuguero to view the endangered Green Sea Turtle.
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Itinerary

Costa Rica Family Adventure

Day 1: Home - San Jose

A guide will greet you at the airport for a private transfer to a comfortable mid-sized hotel in the coffee hills just above capital city San Jose. Hotel Bougainvillea is known for its lovely gardens, rooms with a view, and ample grounds with pool, tennis courts and paved walking trails.

Days 2 - 3: Monteverde

After breakfast take a private transfer to the cloud forest of Monteverde. Be as active as you want this afternoon, opting to explore Monteverde's charming restaurants and galleries, or its renowned Serpentarium. Check in to a relaxing retreat, close to the Monteverde Reserve. Boasting verdant views of a densely forested valley, charming hospitality, superb food and large, comfortable rooms.

In the morning, visit Monteverde Reserve, where easily negotiable trails lead past majestic dew-dripped trees laden with bromeliads, orchids, mosses and ferns. This cool forest is home of the legendary Resplendent Quetzal, as well as other cloud forest denizens. In the afternoon, tour the fascinating Butterfly Garden and nature center, featuring 4 screened gardens, a 500-square-meter netted flyway, 3 greenhouses, a gift shop and botanic gardens. These gardens have more butterfly species than any other in the country. (B both days)

Days 4 - 6: Tamarindo Beach

Start the day on top of the world on an adventure into the cloud forest canopy. Sky Walk's suspension bridges run high above the forest floor and offer a unique perspective for wildlife viewing. After lunch, transfer to Costa Rica's northern Pacific coast. Shaded by huge tropical trees, the hotel and its lush gardens are only a few steps from the warm waters that wash this dramatic coastline. Enjoy the pool and and other forms of family entertainment including beachside ping-pong and volleyball.

Today is free for strolls along the wide beach to a mangrove estuary, where you can take a boat tour to see birds and other wildlife. A walk in the other direction leads to a rocky point, where tide pools give refuge to colorful tropical fish. In town, shop for whimsical souvenirs, batik fabrics and exquisite hand crafted wares by local artists. Stop for seafood at one of many restaurants on Tamarindo's beach boulevard.

Your last day, sit by the pool, stroll along the beaches or opt for a day trip to Palo Verde National Park or other nearby attractions. The day is yours. (B each day)

Costa Rica Family Adventure

Day 7: San Jose

Enjoy a scenic drive back to the hills in Heredia and take the afternoon to prepare for tomorrow's cruise through the rainforest jungles of Tortuguero. (B)

Days 8 - 9: Tortuguero

Depart for the mesmerizing jungle canals of Tortuguero, and embark on an expedition to spot monkeys, sloth and vibrant Tropical birds on Costa Rica's northern Caribbean coast. En route, have breakfast aboard a private bus while enjoying spectacular mountain vistas of Braulio Carrillo National Park. The 3-hour road trip ends in Matina, where pontoon boats offer transport to your lodge. Set on a forested isthmus between the Caribbean coast and jungle-lined waterways of Tortuguero. For an energetic break from nature observation, guests might want to team up for a game of beach volleyball. Meals are served family style in their comfortable restaurant.

Watch animals awaken on a morning excursion through Tortuguero's canals and stop in town to get to know the locals. Later, find out why conserving Tortuguero is crucial to saving the endangered Green Sea Turtle, as well as how to adopt one of the gentle giants through the non-profit Caribbean Conservation Corporation.(B,L,D both days)

Day 10: Poas Volcano National Park - San Jose

Fly back to San Jose and transfer to Poas Volcano National Park; peer into its steaming crater with a turquoise lagoon at its center and explore surrounding mountain trails along its slopes. Continue on to scenic La Paz Waterfall Gardens for lunch. Reach out and touch 5 magnificent cascades from trails that hug cool forested hills. Visitors to this manicured nature park can also delight in hummingbirds zooming through a surprise garden. (B)

Day 11: San Jose - Home

Private transfer to the airport. (B)

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Pricing

Tour land cost: $0 US Dollars based upon minimum of paying participants. All our program prices are based on double occupancy unless noted in exceptions.

Single room supplement: Please contact us for more details about the single room supplement. We try to accommodate travelers who request single accommodations, as well as travelers who are looking for a roommate. If a single room is requested, or if we are unable to find a suitable roommate, you will be required to pay the supplement.

Note: The land costs on international tours is based upon current exchange rates. Although the rate has been relatively stable, should it change, there may need to be an adjustment in the land cost.

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Details

Deposits, Cancellations and Refunds

A deposit of $500 ($250 on domestic tours) per person is required. Payment in full is required when bookings are made less than 90 days before the departure date. Space is subject to cancellation by Strabo if payment is not received when due.

If a passenger wishes to cancel they must send notification in writing to: Strabo International Tour, Co., P.O. Box 580, Dryden, NY 13053; fax 208-545-4119. At the time we receive your notification, the following per person charges apply:

• 121 days or more before departure: $100 cancellation fee.

• 91-120 days before departure: $300 cancellation fee ($150 fee on domestic tours), plus Strabo’ costs, as well as fees that are charged by the suppliers providing the services included in your tour, and/or the airlines providing the air transportation.

• 31-90 days before departure: $500 ($250 on domestic tours) minimum cancellation fee, plus Strabo’ costs, as well as fees that are charged by the suppliers providing the services included in your tour, and/or the airlines providing the air transportation. Fees may range from 25% to 100% of tour costs.

• 30 days or less before departure or anytime after departure: NO REFUND.

Refunds for services that are voluntarily not used by you cannot be made.

Includes

Group transportation for tour events in the tour van.
Accommodations based on two people sharing a room, singles are assigned on a first come, first served basis and are not guaranteed.
Services of driver, cultural guide (bilingual if applicable) during the tour.
Meals as listed in itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner).
Park entrance fees, day tours and excursions as shown in the itinerary.
Extensive pre-departure information and services.

Excludes

Domestic or International air fare; other airfare if noted in exceptions; air fare tax; airport departure tax; airport transfers; additional transfers or accommodations that may be required by those not traveling with the group; excess baggage charges; meals not included in itinerary; activities listed as optional, or those taken on your own; passport/visa expenses; personal medical or travel insurance; any expenses of a personal nature, such as room service, laundry, beverages not included with meals, medical expenses, film or processing, any activities not specified in tour itinerary or listed as optional, or any items not listed in what is included; upon the completion of your trip, modest gratuities to the local guides and the drivers are customary; tips for meals not included in itinerary.

Air

Please note on your trip application form if you would like us to assist you with your airfare needs, a charge is added for this service. If making your own arrangements, it is important to discuss flight times with Strabo Tours before booking any airline tickets. This will avoid you having to pay airline cancellation penalties.

Please contact Strabo Tours for destination airfare estimates, specific flight time arrivals, and departures.

Health

Fitness and Health
The majority of trips are not strenuous (see exceptions below for particular destinations) and anyone who is reasonably fit should be able to take part in most of the activities. You may experience general fatigue due to the long flights and the change in time zones. You will need to be sufficiently agile to climb in and out of the tour van and should be able to carry and manage your own equipment. We will frequently hike trails ranging from easy to moderate. Some hotels do not have elevators or air conditioners.

If you have any special needs or any physical condition that you feel might prevent you from fully participating, please contact Strabo Tours with your concerns (607-756-8676).

You should also be aware that medical services or facilities might not be readily available during all or part of your trip. This could include emergency medical care, presence of physicians, or adequate medication.

Exceptions:
The following destinations require more physical activity. China, Peru, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, New Zealand, Scotland, Domestic tours. On the African Safari you will spend many hours in a vehicle on game drives, land travel will sometimes be over very bumpy and dusty roads. Galapagos Cruise accommodations are in upper and lower berths (bunk beds) only.
There will be several hours of walking each day, sometimes over rough terrain or at high altitude. It is important for you to be able to get around easily, since you will be hiking rough trails.

Insurance

Each participant must be covered by medical insurance that is valid overseas.
We strongly urge you to evaluate your risk and to take out insurance on your trip. It is vital for you to realize that if you experience a delay or find it necessary to cancel or cut short your trip for any reason, you will lose part or the entire sum you’ve invested in it (see the section “Deposits, Cancellations and Refunds” in the trip brochure).

Travel insurance helps to minimize the risk of monetary losses you would incur in the event of a delay of your departure due to weather, airline strike, missed connection, etc., your inability to travel for reasons such as illness, injury, unforeseen financial complications and other personal circumstances, or if you were required to cut your trip short for medical or any other reasons.

There are restrictions and limitations on any insurance program. For this reason, please read carefully the enclosed pamphlet, which outlines their program of trip cancellation, baggage, and medical insurance. Trained agents are available to answer your questions, so don’t hesitate to call the toll free number in their brochure. It is to your advantage to apply for insurance at the earliest possible time, so don’t delay in making a decision.

Subject to Change

This itinerary has been carefully constructed to assure participants the best this destination has to offer; however, should events arise that are beyond our control, activities and hotel arrangements are subject to change without notice. Above is a summary of typical areas you will explore. Since there is no possible way to visit all of them, your guides will plan each day considering the interests of the group and the weather at hand. Be assured that we will make substitutions that are as similar in quality and interest as possible.

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