Costa Rica Trip
National Butterfly Center presents
The National Butterfly Center is pleased to announce their fourth guided Butterfly Bonanza trip to Costa Rica, July 7-14, 2024, with in-country host, Holbrook Travel. Together, we've planned an unparalleled excursion, with new destinations, guaranteed to delight! Costa Rica is world-renowned for its biodiversity, and its Lepidoptera populations are no exception—species numbers are estimated to be well in the thousands. Please join us on this 8 day-7 night journey to explore some of the highlights of this tropical paradise, from the country's arid northwest to the lush lowlands of the Caribbean.
Highlights:
- Visit the area around Santa Maria Volcano in Rincon de la Vieja National Park to learn about the University of Costa Rica Butterfly Conservation Project.
- Take guided walks and exciting hikes through gorgeous gardens and lush rainforests to enjoy the rich biodiversity and search for butterflies, birds and other wildlife.
- Learn from one of Costa Rica's foremost lepidopterists, Richard Murillo, your trip's expert environmental educator.
ITINERARY BLD = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sunday 07/07/2024 Liberia Buena Vista Lodge (D)
Upon arrival in Liberia, after clearing customs and immigration, you will be met and transferred to the Buena Vista Lodge. Check in and get settled in your room. Have a group dinner and orientation at the lodge this evening. Room type - Superior
Monday 07/08/2024 Liberia Buena Vista Lodge (BLD)
Start today with a walk around the lodge gardens and trails. The property features native plants, allowing for great butterfly and bird sightings. Enjoy lunch at the hotel and then take another butterfly walk. Late in the afternoon, you will have time at leisure to relax and enjoy the hotel amenities. Before dinner, attend a butterfly talk with your trip’s expert environmental educator, Costa Rican entomologist Ricardo Murillo. Later, take a night hike where you will have the opportunity to use a black light for insect observation. Room type - Superior
Tuesday 07/09/2024 Arenal Arenal Observatory (BLD)
Early this morning, walk around Rinconcito Lodge's trails to learn about the dry forest. Next take a butterfly observation walk in the park with Mr. Murillo. After lunch in the area, depart for Arenal and Arenal Observatory Lodge. The lodge rests on a ridge amid lush rainforest between Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal, and is the only hotel located within Arenal National Park. Room type - Smithsonian
Wednesday 07/10/2024 Arenal Arenal Observatory (BLD)
After breakfast, take a butterfly walk with Mr. Murillo. The lodge is located on 870 acres, including 270 acres of natural primary rainforest with rivers and waterfalls, 400 acres of reforested land, and tropical gardens. The gardens have been designed with flowering plants, shrubs, and trees chosen to attract wildlife and butterflies. After lunch, take another butterfly walk around the property. The remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure to relax and take in the beautiful views, enjoy the lodge’s spa services (at additional cost), or take an optional tour in the area, such as visiting the local hot springs. Before dinner, enjoy another talk with Mr. Murillo. This evening have another opportunity to use a black light for insect observation. Room type - Smithsonian
Thursday 07/11/2024 Carara Villa Lapas (BLD)
Today, have breakfast and then depart for the Pacific Coast. Upon arrival at Villa Lapas, check in and have some time to freshen up before dinner. This evening is free to enjoy time at leisure. Room type - Standard
Friday 07/12/2024 Carara Villa Lapas (BLD)
After breakfast, take a butterfly observation walk around the lodge. There are many trails and gardens throughout the property in addition to a botanical garden, all with plants that attract many different species of butterfly. After lunch, visit Carara National Park. The park is located in the Central Pacific region, one of the most ecologically diverse areas of the country. The intersection of northwestern tropical dry forest with the humid rainforest of the South Pacific region, concentrated in a relatively small area, produces an interesting combination of species from both ecosystems. This evening enjoy a talk with Mr. Murillo. Room type - Standard
Saturday 07/13/2024 San Jose Hotel Bougainvillea (BLD)
This morning depart for San José. Upon arrival, explore the city of San José on foot. (No entrance fees are included.) Check in at the hotel and have time to freshen up before a final trip briefing and farewell dinner. Room type - Garden View
Sunday 07/14/202 (B) Travel to the airport for your flight home today.
LAND PRICE PER PERSON $3,295 (based upon Double Occupancy)
Single Supplement $375 per person
Includes
- Accommodations, meals, entrance fees, and activities listed in itinerary
- Private vehicle transportation unless otherwise noted in itinerary
- Non-alcoholic beverages with meals
- Full time guide for duration of program
- Bottled water on the bus
PARTICIPANT ACCOMMODATIONS
Price is based on double occupancy. Single occupancy arrangements are offered at additional cost. We will make every effort to match people who request to share with others seeking a roommate. Forced single supplements will be billed approximately 95 *
SURCHARGES
Holbrook is committed to maintaining quoted pricing. However, at times, due to conditions beyond our control, we may need to assess a change in pricing due to unexpected increases in fees for items such as fuel and taxes. While most programs never incur a price change, in the event surcharges must be assessed, Holbrook will notify you immediately regarding invoicing of the surcharge.
BAGGAGE
Most airlines now impose a fee for checked bags. This fee is collected at the airport and must be paid by the individual at check-in. These policies are set by the airline and are subject to change until tickets have been issued. Review the current fees and policies by selecting your carrier at holbrooktravel.com/baggage fees. Holbrook Travel is not responsible for any baggage fees incurred.
TRAVEL PROTECTION
Whether purchased through Holbrook Travel's provider, or purchased independently, Holbrook strongly recommends Travel Protection for the leader(s) and participants. For leaders traveling for free, we recommend purchasing post-departure insurance. This insurance provides coverage once the trip has departed and offers benefits for trip interruption, travel delay, missed connection, baggage/personal effects, baggage delay, accident & sickness medical expenses, quarantine, and emergency evacuation & repatriation and worldwide emergency assistance. For participants, we recommend both cancellation insurance to cover the travel investment as well as the post-departure protections listed above. A premium type of trip protection, called Cancel for Any Reason allows for the most flexibility. Most companies require it be purchased within 14 days of deposit. Details on travel protection can be found on our website: www.holbrooktravel.com/travel protection. Holbrook recognizes that some institutions may offer their own travel insurance and will not solicit participants accordingly.
CARBON OFFSETTING
We partner with ClimateSafe to offset the carbon emissions created from land and air travel. You can learn more about the program at http://holbrooktravel.com/climatesafe. If you would like to participate, carbon offsetting can be included in your program for an additional $25 per person.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
A passport is required for international travel, and many countries require that passports must be valid for at least six months after the date of entry. Certain destinations may require a visa for entry, U.S. citizens can check requirements at travel.state.gov; citizens of other nationalities should check with the appropriate embassy.
RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENTS
A deposit of $200 is required by participants to register and reserve a space on the program. Reservations can be made online or by paper form. Reservations made less than 95 days prior to departure require full payment.
Unless stated otherwise in the payment schedule below, full payments are due no later than 95 days before departure. After this date, any reservations that have not been paid in full are subject to cancellation and cancellation fees will apply.
96 or more days before departure: $100 cancellation fee; remaining balance is refunded.
95 -0 days before departure: 100% of program price is forfeited.
Payment schedule
Participants should register with deposit as soon as possible to ensure space.
Full balance due: April 03, 2024
CANCELLATIONS AND CANCELLATION FEES
Holbrook Travel cannot offer refunds for any of the following: not attending the program; cancelling a reservation on or after the departure date; activities or meals missed due to travel delays; leaving a program already in progress; or choosing to opt out of any pre-arranged activities. No partial refunds are given for unused portions of the trip.
RESPONSIBILITY AS GROUP LEADER OR TRAVEL ORGANIZER
Holbrook Travel relies on its participating organizations and group leaders to promote and fill their group to the published minimum traveler amount. In the event that your group does not reach its minimum number of travelers ("under enrolled") and both parties are in agreement, Holbrook can work with the group leader or travel organization to see if the group can move forward with new terms. Items such as honorariums, leader expenses for airfare and/or land costs can be assumed by the leader or organization such that the participant pricing does not change even if a trip does not reach minimum.
Please feel free to contact Lisa with questions or feedback.
Lisa Palmese-Graubard
Senior Specialty Travel Consultant
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
800-451-7111
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