Upcoming Events
60th Annual Meeting
Los Suenos
Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort
Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Mention Costa Rica and people think paradise. The country’s Disney-like cast of creatures – ranging from howler monkeys to toucans – are prolific and relatively easy to spot. The beauty is staggering and the sluggish pace seductive. It is easy to see why Costa Rica draws so many visitors every year despite its small size.
Following is the itinerary for the SSOMS pre-meeting trip that begins on Saturday, April 18, 2009 and ends at the Los Suenos Marriott Tuesday afternoon, April 21.
Saturday, April 18, 2009 – Day 1
You will be met at the airport by our “meet and greet” representative and taken to the Costa Rica Marriott Hotel in San Jose. Voted as one of the top ten hotels in Mexico and Central America by Conde Nast, Costa Rica Marriott features a colonial hacienda set on a 30 acre coffee plantation, decorated with antiques for an elegant and relaxed atmosphere. This luxurious San Jose Costa Rica hotel boasts captivating grounds, exceptional service and a relaxing ambiance. The day will be on your own to enjoy the facilities and magnificent restaurants.
Sunday, April 19, 2009 – Day 2 (B,L)
Breakfast at leisure and hotel check out.
Morning visit to Poas Volcano. Considered by most to be one of
the most breathtaking sites in the entire country, the Poas Volcano sits
high above 14,000 acres of various habitats and life zones which make
up Poas Volcano National Park (Parque Nacional Volcan Poas). Rising up
to 8,885 ft (2,708 m), Poas remains one of Costa Rica's largest and most
active volcanoes. After touring the volcano, we will be off to the La
Paz Waterfall Gardens.
The splendid gardens of La Paz are located on the slopes of the Poas volcano, just an hour from San Jose in the central highlands. This area is rich in bio diversity thanks to an altitude that varies between 4,000 and 5,000 feet, allowing for both cloud forest and rain forest to co-exist. Be prepared for a truly magical experience. Here, visitors will find the largest butterfly observatory in the world, hummingbird and bromeliad gardens, a serpentarium, frog pond, and 5 striking waterfalls. We will walk through dense rain forest to find the magical waterfalls. After the walk we will enjoy lunch at the La Paz restaurant, possibly sitting out on the veranda that has marvelous views over the valley and forest.
Time permitting we will visit La Casita de La Paz where we will see life as it was a hundred years ago. This unique reproduction was built using only the tools available to the average farmer a century ago. Step back in time and take a ride in an ox-driven cart, sample freshly made tortillas and see how the Ticos lived and worked on rural farms.
After approximately 2 ½ hours we will arrive at Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa where we will spend the next two nights. The majestic Arenal Kioro hotel, voted a 2008 Traveler’s Choice award for one of the best hotels of 2008 offers the most luxurious of experiences in the Arenal area. Hotel Arenal Kioro is positioned on a hilltop directly below Volcano Arenal and has the most breathtaking views of the valley below and the volcano above.
The mission of Hotel Kioro is for guests to enjoy the magical and unforgettable wonder of being amidst the Arenal Volcano but with the world-class service of the Kioro Hotel and Resort in complete luxury. It is set upon 27 acres with a spectacular natural viewpoint to the Arenal Volcano. Surrounded by two streams of spring waters flowing from the Arenal Volcano National Park the environment is truly spectacular.
All of the rooms at Arenal Kioro are Suites all with a panoramic view of the Arenal Volcano. Rooms are all equipped with a private Jacuzzi, Air Conditioning, mini-bar, satellite television, safety deposit box, and hair dryer. Rooms have two queen beds or 1 king bed, connecting suites are also available for families or small groups.
Dinner at leisure either enjoying the incredible volcano view you will have from the outstanding restaurant at the hotel or transportation will be available to take you to the nearby town of La Fortuna. The city features a lovely surrounding landscape, the most imposing features of which are the picture-perfect cones of Volcán Arenal and its eternal companion, Volcán Chato. Fortuna offers visitors a full range of tourism services and products.
Monday, April 20, 2009 (B)
After breakfast, we will visit Arenal Hanging Bridges, a fascinating rainforest circuit of interpretive trails and suspended bridges. The trails and bridges will bring you as close as you could ever hope to get to the birds, the flowers and the lush vegetation of the primary rain forest. You will hike up a path that ushers you through meadows and forests up the base of the volcano to hardened lava flows. Enjoy spectacular views of Lake Arenal and the surrounding rain forest as our tour guides leads you along Arenal Volcano National Park. The Hanging Bridges project consists of eight (8) fixed bridges, ranging in length between 8 and 22 meters, and six (6) hanging bridges, built with the latest techniques and designed with an eye for both beauty and safety. The hanging bridges are between 48 and 98 meters long. The entire project was designed to blend with the natural environment, leaving the forest virtually intact. You will be inspired and moved by Natures' unspoiled beauty as you explore the diverse ecosystems that contribute to Costa Rica's unequaled beauty.
Lunch and afternoon activities are optional. You may want to relax and enjoy the hotel spa and other facilities and hot springs or be active and do a zip-line canopy tour on Sky Trek - an adventure, full of adrenalin over the top of the wonderful trees or enjoy Sky Tram, a high technology cableway that goes through the surrounds of the Arenal Volcano with great views of the Arenal lake and surroundings..
Dinner at leisure, night visit to observe the Volcano Eruptions.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009 (B)
Breakfast at leisure and morning free to enjoy optional activities. Besides the activity choices mentioned on Monday, there are also other choices such as taking an ATV around the volcano or going lake fishing at Lake Arenal.
After lunch, we will transfer to Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort for the SSOMS meeting.
B=Includes Breakfast L=Includes Lunch
Pricing is $1,155 per person based on double occupancy.
Single
supplement will be $469 for a total of $1,624.
A triple room rate
is $899 per person.
Package includes:
Transportation
in deluxe, AC Motorcoach & Bilingual naturalist Guide during all
itinerary.
Meals
where specified.
Entrance
fees to attractions and parks.
Occupancy
in standard, run of the house rooms and lodging tax.
Not included:
Driver & Guide
gratuities.Airfare
to and from USA
We reserve the right to make changes in itinerary, restaurants and events due to scheduling problems. Substitutions will be of like or greater value.