Enjoy 5  nights at the all-inclusive Riu Guanacaste with hotel transfers from $285 per person. That’s a savings of 45%! BONUS: Guaranteed room upgrade

Travel now thru October 26! Other dates available (rates vary)

Location.
Riu Guanacaste All Inclusive is located on the beach in Matapala Costa Rica and local attractions include Ocotal Beach. Other regional attractions include Hermosa Bay Beach and Flamingo Beach.

Hotel Features.
This property is all inclusive. Rates include meals and beverages at on site dining establishments, taxes, and gratuities (tips). Charges may be applied for dining at some restaurants, special dinners and dishes, some beverages, and other amenities. Dining options at Riu Guanacaste All Inclusive include 4 restaurants. A swim up bar, a poolside bar, and a bar/lounge are open for drinks. The hotel serves a complimentary hot and cold buffet breakfast. Recreational amenities include an outdoor pool, a children’s pool, a health club, a sauna, and a fitness facility. Spa amenities include spa services, massage/treatment rooms, beauty services, and a hair salon. This 3.5 star property offers small meeting rooms and a technology helpdesk. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available in public areas. This Matapala property has 5 meeting rooms. Wedding services, concierge services, and tour assistance are available. Guest parking is complimentary. Additional property amenities include a casino, a children’s club, and an arcade/game room. The property has designated areas for smoking.

Guestrooms.
701 air conditioned guestrooms at Riu Guanacaste All Inclusive feature minibars and laptop compatible safes. Balconies offer ocean, sea, or garden views. Bathrooms feature shower/tub combinations with handheld showerheads. They also offer double sinks, makeup/shaving mirrors, and complimentary toiletries. Televisions have satellite channels. Rooms also include complimentary bottled water and windows that open. Housekeeping is available daily.

*Conditions Apply: Special promotions valid on new bookings only. Prices are per person, based on double occupancy accommodations in US dollars.  Taxes additional

Just add air & you’re ready to go! Combine your stay at the beach with a few nights in the mountains. Contact me for complete travel planning assistance.

 

Combine this beach stay with a few nights in the mountains of Costa Rica! Contact me for more information. 

Panama is going to be HOT HOT HOT for 2012. Visit this diverse and interesting country with Caravan Tours safely and economically! Enjoy two daytime cruises on the canal, one through the two western locks, and the second cruise out into remote Gatun Lake. This tour presents not only the best of the canal, but showcases the urban and natural wonders of Panama. 

Itinerary

Day 1 – Panama City, Panama

Welcome to fun, vibrant Panama, home to the Panama Canal, the most important waterway in the world. Take two daytime cruises on the Panama Canal: one through the canal locks and another cruise on Gatun Lake. The Isthmus of Panama links North and South America. See both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. With Caravan you explore rainforests and sandy beaches. Meet friendly native Indians living in the jungle. Caravan provides transfers from Panama’s Tocumen Airport to your hotel for a two night stay. Rooms are available for check in after 4:00 p.m. Join Caravan for an 8:00 p.m. welcome briefing. Dinner is at your hotel. D

Day 2 - Casco Viejo, Miraflores Locks

Morning drive by the ruins of Panama Viejo (Old Panama), the city founded by the Spanish in 1519, as a gateway for gold from the Inca Empire. Next, drive into Casco Viejo for a visit to San Jose Church. See the famous Gold Altar, saved from the pirate, Henry Morgan. Stroll the Main Plaza. Both Panama Viejo and Casco Viejo are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Lunch overlooking the Panama Canal Locks. Visit Miraflores Locks and the Canal Museum. Learn about the Canal construction and operation. From Pre-Columbian times to the present day, Panama had a prominent role as the major transit route between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Drive along Panama City’s bay front. See the statue of Vasco Balboa, the first European explorer to cross the Isthmus and view the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy dinner.BLD

Day 3 - Panama Canal Cruise – Gatun Lake

This morning cross the Isthmus to Colon, the Caribbean port at the north end of the Panama Canal. Your short drive of Colon goes by the Free Trade Zone, the largest in the Americas and the Panama Canal Railway Station. Visit Gatun Locks. Gatun is the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal. At the visitor center you will learn about the three adjoining locks which raise ships 87 feet above the Caribbean Sea on to the Panama Canal. Lunch. This afternoon enjoy a boat ride on Gatun Lake, the artificial lake which forms part of the Panama Canal. See the lush jungle watershed region of the Panama Canal. Cruise through jungle canals and by hilltop islands, home to a variety of wildlife. See Monkey Island. Enjoy a relaxing two night stay at your resort located in the rainforest. Dinner.BLD

Day 4 - Panama Canal Cruise – Locks Transit

Today an unforgettable adventure as you cruise another portion of the Panama Canal. Cruise by the Bridge of the Americas, pass through Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks, cross the Continental Divide. Then wind through the Gaillard Cut to the town of Gamboa. Your small passenger vessel allows for close-up views of the opening and closing of the huge six foot thick steel gates of both the Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks. See, at eye-level, how transiting vessels are guided by tugboats and pulled by small trains. (Please note: route may be reversed.) Next, drive by the Smithsonian’s Tropical Research Institute plant growing laboratories. Return to your resort. This afternoon enjoy a short rainforest hike to visit a butterfly garden. Dinner.BLD

Day 5 - Embera Indians, Playa Blanca

This morning, cruise on the Chagres River to visit an Embera Indian village. The Embera inhabit the rainforests of Panama. Look for exotic Embera handicrafts, such as tightly woven palm fiber baskets and carvings made form tagua nuts and the cocobolo tree. Next, cross over the Panama Canal on the Centenario Bridge en route to Playa Blanca. Lunch. Then, a relaxing two night stay on the Pacific Coast. Dinner. BLD

Day 6 - Playa Blanca, El Valle

Morning visit to picturesque El Valle, a town situated in the crater of an immense dormant volcano. Scenic drive of the village’s charming homes. Next, visit a tropical zoo, home to a variety of exotic birds and wildlife. including Panama’s golden frog. Then stop at the local artisan marketplace. Return to your resort for lunch. Afternoon at leisure, enjoy the resort’s sandy beach and swimming pools. Dinner.BLD

Day 7 - Handicrafts, Panama City

This morning return to Panama City via the Bridge of the Americas. Visit a Kuna Indian marketplace. Shop for colorful Kuna mola embroidery depicting rainforest animals and marine life. Next, drive the spectacular Amador Causeway which connects Perico, Naos and Flamenco Islands. Lunch. Enjoy views of Casco Viejo and the stunningly modern Panama City skyline. Panama City is a combination of Manhattan, Miami, and Las Vegas blended with Latin American flavor and style. This afternoon visit a museum devoted to Panama’s beautiful national dress, the Pollera. Enjoy a farewell dinner. BLD

Day 8 - Panama City

Your tour ends after breakfast this morning at your hotel. Breakfast begins at 7:00 a.m. Caravan provides transfers to Panama’s Tocumen airport, arriving at 5:30 a.m., 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.   B

Two Daytime Cruises on the Panama Canal With Caravan, you enjoy two daytime cruises on the Panama Canal. Your Panama Canal Gatun Lake Cruise is one hour by small watercraft. Your Panama Canal Locks Transit Cruise is usually three hours, depending on canal schedules. This is a public vessel so you may be joined by other tourists. The smaller size of the ship allows for unique close-up views of the opening and closing of the six foot thick steel gates of both the Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks.

B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner

Tour starts/ends in Panama City.  Taxes of approx. $239 per person additional. Rates vary by departure date. Departures weekly!

Contact me for rates & availability.