Upcoming Packaged Trips

San Jose International Airport “Juan Santamaria”, Alajuela, Costa Rica SJO | Vulcan Arenal

All guests will be picked up at the airport by our concierge service, Passport Adventures. I will personally greet all of our arrivals and accompany you to our first stop. That will be lunch where we will enjoy “Typica Tico Food” in a restaurant not far from the airport. This spot has menus in English and Spanish with variety that should take care of any appetite. Guests who arrive later in the day will be picked up by our concierge service and driven to our hotel. You are welcome to plan different arrival and departure dates than this itinerary. We can make hotel and transportation arrangements in such cases.

Costa Rica has plenty of grocery stores both large and small. We will stop at them as needed and trust me; you can learn a lot about a country by shopping there. You can spend dollars, colones (the Costa Rican currency) or use a credit card. You might want a drink, snack, or a bottle of liquor. Sometimes I buy fruit and peanut butter. You might find something new and delicious.

Next, we will load up and head to Vulcan Arenal and the Arenal Springs Resort and Spa. That was Vulcan as in volcano. When you wake up tomorrow morning you will be face to face with an awesome volcano. This resort is a favorite of anyone who enjoys hot water, cold drinks, and good food. In your free time you can take a yoga class or book a massage. In the evening you will find me at the swim up bar with a drink in one hand and sushi in the other. Dinner is on you and you are welcome to eat with me or do your own thing. This resort accepts credit cards.

Do you have a food allergy or sensitivity? I can relate. I have Celiac and must avoid gluten. If you have any food issues or concerns let me know and I will assist you so that you can have a hassle-free vacation without the fear of stomach aches. Jose (our bilingual driver) and I are comfortable walking into kitchens and checking things out for ourselves. We will be glad to talk to your servers and chefs at any restaurant we go to. BTW we don’t go to places where I have had problems in the past.

A Day in Arenal

We will take advantage of the higher elevation surrounding Arenal Volcano to spend the day showing you a truly unique rain forest. We will have a guided walk, and who knows what wildlife you will see. There are Tapirs, birds, Howler and White-Faced Monkeys, and incredible insects. The plants are incredible as well. Then there is the volcano, actually there are two (Arenal and Chato). You will see beautiful things and learn about the geology and history of this area. It is all very safe, but it is beyond cool. (Lunch plans are fluid on this day because we never know exactly when we can get to it. We have tons of choices and I will decide what’s best for us as the day plays out.) It sets us up perfectly to check out a sloth rescue and then head back to the resort where we can soak in the hot springs (they have different pools with varying temperatures). We can watch the sunset, have a delightful drink and share all of our adventures with one another.

Travel Day

This is a travel day. It will start with breakfast at the resort (already prepaid) and then we pack up and head to the beach. On the way to the beach, we will be going on a Superman Zipline. This zipline is different because you will be in a horizontal position. It is fast and there is only one line. In short, you will have a blast. After our superhero experience, we will continue our drive west to the Pacific coast. Jose and I have found a great Costa Rican style restaurant to stop at on the way.

In Jaco we will check into one of the Central Pacific’s finest family hotels, Balcon Del Mar. You will want to settle in and get your feet sandy. The hotel has a great restaurant and you do not want to miss the sunset on the beach.

Nature Day! Narcarcosta & Manuel Antonio

I am declaring this day, “Zaney Travel Nature Day!” When you read about this day you will understand why. The day starts with your free breakfast at our hotel. Then we will load up and head out to Narcarcosta. Narcarcosta is an amazing destination. The first time I visited Narcarcosta I had no idea what to expect. It is not the typical tour attraction. It is owned by a Costa Rica family that are farmers. They are also very environmentally conscious. This place has beautiful trails, a bamboo garden, a butterfly garden, livestock, and African Palms. African Palms are farmed to produce palm oil that is used in things such as processed foods and make up. It is generally thought of as not being very green but at Narcarcosta they do things a little differently and here we learn how these trees can be a sustainable resource in Costa Rica. My first group here went out into the field as the fruits were being harvested. To do so the worker cuts the stem holding the fruit (a clump of palm dates). They use a tool which is a long metal pole with a sickle attached to the end. I was volunteered to cut a clump. The worker set the pole in place with the sickle on the stem to be cut. I pulled and nothing happened. Eventually I figured out to do some pushing and pulling and with a thud the clump of fruit landed at my feet. It was an experience that I will never forget. I want you to have positive experiences when you travel with me that last you a lifetime. At Narcarcosta you can kayak in the Mangrove lined canals or go out in a nice motorboat with a guide to learn about the wildlife that inhabits these Mangrove forests. We saw birds and monkeys not to mention crabs, insects, and butterflies. This is a beautiful and well-kept destination. Did I mention the Water Buffalos? I rode on one. Yee Hah!

I am often asked what is my favorite thing about Costa Rica? That is easy. I love the people. Yes, I love the whitewater rivers. I love to Scuba dive and surf. I love the wildlife, beaches, and volcanos, but most of all I love the people. Costa Rica has an amazing culture and history. I hope you will allow me to share it with you.

Next, we will have lunch in a delightful restaurant in Manuel Antonio just outside the gates of the National Park. Try the Peppermint Lemonade. It is so refreshing! At lunch we will meet up with our nature guide for the afternoon, Socio. WARNING: You will want to take pictures! Manuel Antonio National Park in Quepos, Costa Rica may be Costa Rica’s most visited park. It is also one of its smallest. This place is amazing. The jungle with its monkeys and sloths gets a lot of attention and the beach is something you expect to only see in a movie. It can be crowded so I plan my visits accordingly. Socio is the guide who trains guides. He is an ornithologist and knows the birds, mammals, reptiles, insects, and plants. What is even better is that he shares what he knows in a way that excites you and tickles your curiosity. Our guided walk in the jungle will be fun and educational. I always hire a nature guide and for this visit I have arranged for us to have the most qualified guide, the best ornithologist, and the best person you will ever meet in Costa Rica. Socio is amazing. He will hear a bird call and can instantly tell you what species it is, its coloration, and its size. Then he uses an app on his phone to recreate the call to bring the bird into view. He then spots it in his scope and uses your camera to take pictures of it. AMAZING!

When we finish this day, you will be ready to get back to our beachy hotel and relax. I know some great places for dinner. Live music? A great steak? Sushi? I can point you in the right direction, or maybe you will just eat by the pool. Regardless, you will undoubtedly have a great evening.

Jaco & Tarcoles School Tour

This may be your wildest animal day of our adventure. We will see crocodiles, ride horses, and visit with some relatively tame Costa Rican school children. On this day we will be in Tarcoles which is famous for its crocodiles but there is so much more. Tarcoles is a small fishing village adjacent to the Tarcoles River. It is also a great place for birding and wildlife viewing. We will start our day with the complimentary breakfast at the hotel and then head out to see the crocodiles. You can either snorkel in the black water or float along in an inner tube to observe these prehistoric beasts firsthand. JUST KIDDING! We will be on a very safe boat with a capable captain and guide. They will show us the crocs as we travel upriver (bring your camera). Then we head back downstream towards the river’s mouth where it empties into the Pacific Ocean. Along the way we will head into the Mangrove Forest where you will learn about this important estuary and its many inhabitants. This is a relaxing (no walking) tour and very educational.

Zaney Travel, inc. is proud to have adopted Tarcoles School. We have raised money to repair their air conditioning and now we are working on repairing/replacing the refrigerators in the Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms. Next on our list is the school library. They need computer monitors and books, lots of books (in Spanish and English). We are also hoping to repair/replace a couple of television monitors in the Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms. You can help. You can donate money, books (new or used), or classroom supplies. We will be visiting the school. In Costa Rica every child is taught English and Spanish. When we go you will have an opportunity to converse with these students. They will learn who we are, and you will see a side of Costa Rica that will stay with you forever. It is important to me that my guests get a taste of the real Costa Rica. If you want to have an authentic conversation, have one with a child. It is illuminating. When we leave you will feel great. This is one of our most popular destinations.

Our final activity of the day is a cross between a cowboy experience, a nature hike (on horseback), and a romantic ride on a beach. We are going horseback riding! The first time I went we saw Scarlet Macaws and a troop of Howler Monkeys….at the same time! My horse was sweet and very cooperative. I am not a natural cowboy, but I have always had a great ride at Tarcoles.

Would you like to learn to surf? We can set you up. There are a number of good surf schools in Playa Jaco and I have first-hand experience with them. I can make arrangements for you to have a great time, a safe time, an exciting time. I might even show you my favorite breaks.

Butterfly Farm & Chocolate Farm

A BUTTERFLY FARM! A CHOCOLATE FARM! Both in the same day. These are two of our newest additions to the Zaney Itinerary. At the butterfly farm you will see the magic of metamorphosis. There are butterflies mating, laying eggs, caterpillars growing, and chrysalis with butterflies inside just waiting to emerge. This farm also has tons of fruit trees, the cutest little stingless bees, and a treehouse. The star of the show is the butterflies, especially the Morphos and Owl butterflies.

My introduction to Costa Rica was all about butterflies. I owned a butterfly farm in Florida and was president of the International Butterfly Breeders Association. I decided to organize a conference in Costa Rica. By doing so I became acquainted with the authentic side of Costa Rica. I met many farmers and had to learn my way around the country. My orientation is unlike that of the typical tourist agent. I hope you will appreciate the difference.

Do you like chocolate? I don’t. I love it and here you will see how it is grown and what is done to the Cocoa to turn it into the chocolate we crave. The tour involves a short walk as the guide shares his knowledge of this farm. There is of course a stand where you can buy some chocolate (huge variety). The tour wraps up with a nice lunch which is included in the cost of the tour.

This is the day we say “Adios” and take you back to the airport. We will make sure that you have everything you need to have an effortless trip back home. Your final transfer, (trip to the airport), will be prearranged according to your flight information and needs. We will make sure to make this as stress free as possible.

I hope you had a great trip and want to come back to see more of Costa Rica. It has been my pleasure to share this beautiful land with you! Pura Vida!