$1565 per person, double occupancy. Add $295 for single occupancy.
Trip includes:
Seven nights accommodations, including 2 nights at the Courtyard by Marriott, San José Hotel and five nights at our private Star Lodge
Round-trip airport transfers for those arriving and departing the dates of the tour
Private motorcoach transportation in Costa Rica
All meals beginning with breakfast Day 2 through breakfast Day 8
Two boat excursions and a sunset tractor ride from the Star Lodge
Evening poolside sky shows and advice on viewing and photographing the southern sky with well-known astronomy author Gary Seronik
English-speaking Costa Rican guide who will lead nature walks each day at the lodge
Not Included:
Air travel to and from San José, Costa Rica (airport code SJO); Costa Rica departure tax (currently $32 USD); unspecified meals; optional activities at the lodge – massage, horseback riding, etc.; and gratuities to lodge staff (suggested $25), local guide ($25) and driver ($5).
A $400 per person advance payment and the completed Reservation Form are required to secure your space. Final payment is due December 19, 2008. Cancellations must be in writing by email, fax or mail. All advance payments, less a $150 per person service fee, are refundable until December 19, 2008. There are no refunds after December 19, 2008. Air cancellation terms are additional.
We highly recommend that all travelers obtain Trip Medical/Cancellation Insurance. Application forms will be provided with initial invoice, or you can sign-up online by pressing the Travelex button below
What to Expect:
Our Star Lodge:
Our Star Lodge is located on the Gulf of Nicoya. Cabins include 2 beds, ceiling fan, a shower-equipped bathroom, and a porch with an inviting hammock. Meals and socializing takes place under a thatched roof open-air restaurant and lounge, located just steps from your cabin. There are no telephones, TVs or Internet connections, but plenty of electricity. Meals are prepared fresh daily, featuring typical Costa Rican ingredients - chicken, fish, beef, fresh local fruit. By day, do as much or little as you wish — relax at the lodge's beautiful fresh water pool; join the included group activities; or enjoy optional horseback riding and bird watching - more than 100 species, including white ibis, tri-colored heron, purple gallinule, double-striped thick-knee, parrots, parakeets, bellbirds, trogons and kingfishers. Maybe you'll see crocodiles, coyotes, howler and white-faced monkeys, sloths, agoutis, and iguanas. A lagoon adjoins the property's mangrove, river, and forest habitats.
A typical day at the Star lodge:
Our days begin with an optional early-riser’s walk to view birds, reptiles and mammals in the morning light. Breakfast is served from 8 to10:00 a.m. The morning hours are for sleeping or for enjoying an optional activity. Lunch is served at noon. The afternoon hours are spent relaxing poolside, resting in your room, or visiting with fellow travelers under the lodge’s outdoor palapa. There will be opportunities for three included activities – two different boat excursions and a tractor ride. Near the end of each day, you can walk to a nearby pond to see crocodiles, monkeys, and exotic birds. Dinner is served at 5:00 p.m. Stargazing begins shortly before 7 p.m. as evening twilight fades and lasts until nearly 5 a.m. when the sky starts to brighten. Snacks and beverages are served through the night.
Weather:
Late February is typically dry in western Costa Rica. Temperatures hover in the 90s by day, with evenings in the 70s — perfect weather for winter stargazing and astrophotography! Dress is 100% casual — leave your coat and tie at home!
Optional trip cancellation/medical insurance is highly recommended. Information will be provided with initial invoice, or you can sign-up online by pressing the Travelex button below.
Copyright 2008 TravelQuest International. All rights reserved. 800-830-1998 Revised: March 14, 2008. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or trademark holders.
