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Trip Overview From cloudforest canopy to beaches, discover Costa Rica! |
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An illustrated itinerary of one of our many travel adventures for gay men, lesbians, and friends. This information supplements our
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1: Welcome to Costa Rica!
Fly into San Jose's Juan Santamaria International Airport, then transfer on your own to our Costa Rica hotel. (We will send hotel details closer to departure.) Our tour officially begins in the early evening when you'll meet your Alyson Adventures tour director, your local Costa Rican tour guide, and other group members at a special welcome dinner. After dinner there'll be a Night Out City Tour to explore San Jose's nightlife, visiting the most famous gay spots of the San Jose area. 
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2: Into the Clouds: Monteverde
After breakfast, we start our trip to Monteverde. For the first couple of hours, we follow the Pan American Highway past villages, coffee plantations, and forests. Then, starting from near sea level, we start our winding ride up the spine of a mountain to the village of Santa Elena, just below the continental divide, and our home base for exploring the Monteverde Cloud Forest. In Spanish, Monteverde means "green mountain" and it is one of the most interesting and popular destinations in Costa Rica. The world famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is one of the most outstanding wildlife sanctuaries in the Americas and includes eight distinct ecological zones. It protects more than 400 species of birds and over 100 species of mammals.
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3: Over the Top
After breakfast we will literally be swinging above the trees. The Sky Trek is a system of several platforms suspended above the ground in the midst of tree boughs. Zip line cables securely anchored to each platform allow us to slide from one to the next a total of nine times. The trained guides start us out with a short "zip," then we experience longer and longer slides as we gradually ascend the mountainside on a series of paths connecting the platforms. The peak experience starts from an observation platform / fire tower at the top of the Continental Divide. On one side, you can see a panoramic view towards Arenal Volcano and the Atlantic lowlands, and on the other, you can see the many bays of the Pacific coast. If you have made it this far, you probably don't want to walk all the way back down, so the only remaining way off the platform is to hang onto your pulley, and soar out above the trees. This may be as close as you ever get to experiencing what a bird feels while flying! And if you would rather not fly alone, you may be able to share the experience in tandem with a friend or one of the strong, young Sky Trek guides. For those who would rather not fly through the air, a series of suspended bridges through the canopy also gives a great view of the inner forest. In the afternoon we will have time to explore Santa Elena and its art galleries, butterfly garden, and ice cream factory.
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4-7: Manuel Antonio National Park
After our visit to Monteverde, we gradually descend on the gravel "highway" past farmland and villages to the Pacific lowlands, then along the coast to the famous Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica's gay beach mecca. After we check in at our hotel there will be free time to relax and enjoy the hotel’s facilities. This evening we'll check out the gay life of the Manuel Antonio area and have dinner in a local restaurant. The daily itinerary for our time in Manuel Antonio will vary with the season and the weather, but the following gives an idea of the activities we are likely to enjoy there. We will offer a guided tour into the National Park, which protects an amazing variety of plants and animals in its tiny coastal preserve. In the Park are enchanting white-sand beaches, and monkeys and iguanas who share the park with you. On one day you can choose to take a half day horseback ride, featuring an abundance of colorful birds and a double waterfall that invites you in for a jungle swim. Beginning at the Finca Valmy ranch in the mountains near Manuel Antonio, our guide will help you discover the richness of the land and the wildlife as you ride through primary and secondary rainforest; the home of toucans, parrots, beautiful butterflies, and animals of many species. The views of the valley and the surrounding tropical forests are spectacular. Afterward, we will return to the Finca Valmy ranch for a swim in their pool and a home-cooked traditional Costa Rican meal in the typical Costa Rican style. Or, if you prefer bikes to horses, you can choose a half day of mountain biking instead of horseback riding, and explore some of the jungle trails above the coast. When there has been sufficient rainfall in the mountains, we will offer a full-day optional whitewater rafting trip. It is a bit of a drive from Manuel Antonio, but the experience is well-worth the ride to the headwaters of the river. The rapids are typically Class II or Class III, but vary based on water levels. (Please note that this trip is often not possible during the "dry season" between January and April. Our tour director will confirm whether it is available upon arrival at Manuel Antonio.) One afternoon, we will embark on a sunset sail. Our shipboard adventure begins as we sail along the scenic coast, past the beautiful beaches and islands of Manuel Antonio National Park. As the boat glides quietly under sail we may see dolphins which frequently swim in the boat’s wake. Occasionally whales and giant sea turtles are also a special thrill, and the ever present abundance of sea birds is enjoyed by even the most avid wildlife enthusiast. After dinner onboard, you may view one of the often spectacular sunsets. It is truly a romantic ending to a memorable day in paradise. We will try to keep some time unscheduled, during which you may wish to visit "La Playita", the exclusive gay beach in the area. (This secluded beach can only be reached during low tide, unless you want to stay several hours! And enjoy it while you can, since a new development is encroaching on the approach to the gay beach.)
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8: Manuel Antonio to San Jose
After one final morning in Manuel Antonio, we transfer to San Jose where we spend our final evening in Costa Rica with a Farewell Dinner and tour of the nightlife.
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9: Departure Day
Our tour ends after breakfast, so you can book flights for anytime today. We hope you have enjoyed your adventure and look forward to seeing you again soon!
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