Saturday July 26th, Travel to Costa Rica 
We depart Chicago and Houston this morning and fly to San Jose, Costa Rica.  Upon our arrival we will be welcomed inside the airport terminal and will be assisted during their customs procedures. Our guide will meet us outside the terminal and provide an introduction tour to Costa Rica as we transfer to the hotel. Participants will receive a Welcome Kit including information on Costa Rica, a map, brochures of properties and attractions, and recommendations on what to bring and wear during the excursions.  Overnight at Melia Cariari Hotel

Sunday July 27th, Poás Volcano & San José City Tour
After breakfast at our hotel we enjoy a full day tour of Poás Volcano & San José City.  We depart early this morning and travel to Poás Volcano, located approximately 1 hour from the hotel. The impressive, active Poás Volcano has one of the largest craters in the world (1.5 Km wide).  Besides visiting the crater’s sightseeing point, we will walk through the cloud forest to the nearby Botos Lagoon, a former crater turned today into a picturesque lagoon. The viewing terrace gives a bird’s-eye view not only 320 m down into the bowels of the volcano, with its greenish sulphuric pool, but also magnificently down over the northern lowlands. Following this visit, continue to San José downtown for a sightseeing tour visiting the Gold Museum and the Jade Museum, as well as the Plaza de la Cultura and some historical buildings. At the Gold Museum, the most important Pre-Columbian gold collection of the country is exhibited and guarded in-vault.  Then, we will continue heading to the University of Costa Rica, the Supreme Court and various other points of interest, including one of the most important neighborhoods in the beginnings of the 20th century.  A brief stop will be made in Moravia, a suburban town, allowing us to browse through the beautiful craft shops located in this area.  This evening we will enjoy our dinner at a local San Jose restaurant.  Overnight at Melia Cariari Hotel (B, D) 

Monday July 28th –Thursday July 31st, Reading Conference 
The next few days will be spent taking part in the World Congress on Reading hosted at the Ramada Plaza Herradura located just a short walking distance from our hotel.  Registration for the World Congress on Reading should be done independently by each passenger online at www.reading.org  For passengers not wishing to participate in the conference, these days are at your leisure. Overnights at Melia Cariari Hotel (Breakfast is included daily at our hotel)

Friday August 01st, San José – Tortuguero
Early this morning we will meet our tour guide in our hotel lobby and journey to the Caribbean lowlands of Tortuguero National Park. We travel the Braulio Carrillo Highway stopping along the way stop for breakfast before reaching the small dock of Caño Blanco.  Once there, our trip continues by boat along the river and then through the canals that run parallel to the coast. We reach Tortuguero National Park just in time for lunch.   First established as a protected zone in the 1960s, Tortuguero became a national park in 1975. This is one of the most important nesting sites in the western half of the Caribbean for the green turtle from July to September of each year. However, its 18,946 hectares protect not only the turtle nesting beaches, but also surrounding forests, canals and lagoons. After lunch there will be a guided visit to the Tortuguero town, visiting the CCC “Caribbean Conservation Corporation" museum (at the entrance you will be asked for a donation) and the village.  We will enjoy a visit to the local school where the group will be welcomed by the school children.  Here we will have the opportunity to deliver a gift for the school. During the nesting season (from July to September) it is possible to book optional night tours to the beach looking for turtles laying eggs on the sand. The tour is not included in this package. Overnight at the Mawamba Lodge  (B, L, D) Important: maximum luggage allowed on the boat to Tortuguero is 30 pounds per person (1 piece). Participants can take a travel bag with the items they need for the trip and leave the rest of it in the luggage room of the San Jose hotel.  Our guide will bring our bags to us the morning of August 3rd.

Saturday August 02nd, Tortuguero
Early this morning, before breakfast, we will take part in a boat tour of the canals as this is the best time to see wildlife. After breakfast and depending on the weather conditions, there will be guided jungle walks in the forest.  This afternoon we take part in another boat tour visiting the secondary canals. Tortuguero Park is formed by a navigable network of lakes and canals with a large variety of wildlife, including monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas, sloths, turtles and more than 300 species of birds. The essence of Tortuguero is the canals. Everything goes around the waterways; therefore, access is by boat or air only. Tortuguero contains a combination of tropical rainforest, with coastline vegetation, mangrove swamps and lagoons, and shelters a fabulous array of wildlife including more than 300 bird species, 50 kinds of fish and some 160 mammals, some of them endangered species. Overnight at Mawamba Lodge     (B, L, D)

Sunday August 03rd, Tortuguero – Arenal Volcano area
After breakfast at our hotel we depart by boat to the dock of Caño Blanco for a short transfer to the town of Guápiles where we will enjoy lunch. After lunch we continue on to Arenal Volcano arriving mid afternoon.  The majestic Arenal Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the Western Hemisphere, constitutes the main attraction in northern Costa Rica. Its perfect-formed cone and constant eruptions of lava impress visitors from all over the world. Arenal also owes its reputation to the wide variety of activities and interesting natural spots within a short distance of one another. Located in the northern part of the Alajuela province, close to the Nicaraguan border, the Arenal region possesses beautiful and varied scenery. Refreshed by gentle tropical rains, this land stays green and humid almost all year round. The lowlands host gushing rivers, hot springs, lagoons, remote national parks, and plentiful wildlife.  Their climate and terrain also provide perfect conditions for agriculture.  After we check into our hotel we will drive to the Ecotermales thermal waters where you can take a swim in the natural heated water. Relax and refresh by swimming in the natural pools. Overnight at Arenal Springs hotel    (B, L, D)

Monday August 04th, Arenal Volcano – Monteverde
This morning we take part in a walking tour of Arenal National Park.  From time to time loud explosions can be heard and, if the sky is clear clouds of gases and rolling rocks can easily be spotted. At night the spectacle becomes even more impressive, as the red-orange lava cascades down the volcano’s perfectly shaped cone. Our walking tour begins on the active west side with a hike along the Los Tucanes trail where it is possible to observe a variety of wildlife. From there we will reach the recently formed lava flows from where there is an exceptional view of the volcano, Lake Arenal, and the surrounding forest. After our time in Arenal National Park we travel to Monteverde by boarding a boat and traveling across Arenal Lake.  Arenal Lake is the largest man-made lake in Costa Rica and provides excellent views of the Volcano and surrounding rainforest.  Upon our arrival in Monteverde we will check into our hotel for time to rest or you can take part in optional tours such as a Sky Walk, Sky Trek, a Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve Visit or a Butterfly Garden, Frog Farm and Casem Tour. These optional excursions are not included in the tour cost. Overnight at El Establo Hotel          (B, D) Optional activities at Monteverde

Sky Walk
The Sky Walk is a combination of suspension bridges and platforms built in the cloud forest, which offers an opportunity to explore the forest canopy in a safe and easy manner. The tour includes 2.5 Km of trails and six suspension bridges across deep canyons at the level of the treetops.

Sky Trek
Sky trek is a secure system of trails and platforms suspended above the ground in the midst of the Monteverde Cloud Forest.   Zip lines attached from one platform to another allow us to slide with the use of special equipment (harnesses).  The tour includes 4544 feet of trails, eleven transversal cables (from 131 feet to 2525 feet) long, and two observatory towers for a panoramic view (360º) of the Guanacaste, San Carlos and Puntarenas lowlands. The tour lasts around 2.5 hours.

Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve
Santa Elena Reserve has four one-way trails and a lookout point from where it is possible to observe the Arenal volcano in the distance. The reserve hosts one of the richest ecological systems. A well-developed trail system of different levels of difficulty leads visitors throughout primary cloud forest for a close encounter with nature. 

Butterfly Garden, Frog farm & Casem
Located near the town of Santa Elena, the butterfly garden introduces visitors to the world of these fascinating creatures as they stroll through gardens filled with hundreds of butterflies. The garden is geared to research rather than export of pupae. Following, visit the Frog Pond, offering the opportunity to view 26 varieties of toads and frogs in their natural environment. Next visit Casem, the Artisans Committee of Santa Elena and Monteverde, where we will find handicrafts and souvenirs out of wood and other materials, as well as clothing, for tourists to purchase.

Tuesday August 05th, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
After an early breakfast we will visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve for a 3 to 4 hour hike. The Reserve is home to over 100 species of mammals, more than 400 species of birds, including the Quetzal, 30 local hummingbird species, and 120 species of amphibians and reptiles. The reserve hosts one of the richest ecological systems and one of the most important virgin cloud forests in the country. A well-developed system of trails of varying levels of difficulty leads visitors throughout primary cloud forest for a close encounter with nature. The hike is not difficult as the trails are almost flat.  This afternoon we enjoy a Don Juan Coffee Tour which reflects the interesting process of the coffee plant harvest and the production of this delicious drink.  Our guide will explain the traditional way of producing coffee and the modern methods as well.  You can view more information about this tour at www.donjuancoffeetour.com  Overnight at El Establo Hotel          (B)

Wednesday August 06th, Monteverde – Manuel Antonio Beach
We depart our hotel this morning and travel to the Central Pacific coast arriving in Manuel Antonio National Park and Beach area.  We will visit the school of Tárcoles on the way where we will be welcomed by the school children and will share a gift for the school with the children. This school offers an excellent example of the way rural schools work in Costa Rica.  After our school visit we arrive at our hotel, check in, and enjoy the remainder of the day free to relax on the beach or take part in optional excursions.  In addition to the large variety of activities available, Manuel Antonio is undoubtedly one of the most luxuriant locations in Costa Rica. The climate is warm, humid and wet, all year round. Though the rains ease off in the dry season (Dec.-April), they never cease entirely. Average temperature all year round is approximately 80(F). Activities available in the area include white water rafting, sea kayaking, horseback riding, coastal paddling, hiking in the rainforest and sport fishing. Overnight at hotel           (B)

Thursday August 07th, Manuel Antonio National Park
After breakfast at our hotel we enjoy a guided walking tour of Manuel Antonio National Park.  We begin with an introductory walk along the main trails of this protected area. This is the best way to explore the park while learning about the magnificent flora and fauna.  Located on the Central Pacific coast and covering an area of just 683 hectares (1688 acres), the Manuel Antonio National Park preserves not only beautiful beaches and the unique formation of Punta Catedral, but also mangroves, a setting of islands offshore, and a humid tropical forest. The park has four beaches, each with its special characteristics; but also offers visitors the opportunity to hike in the forest trails and observe wildlife such as squirrel monkeys, raccoons, coatis, agoutis, and two-toed sloths, among others. Birdlife is also abundant.  After our visit we will return to our hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.  This evening we will enjoy an excellent seafood dinner at a local restaurant.  Overnight at hotel           (B, D)

Friday August 08th, Manuel Antonio – San José
This morning we travel back to the capital of Costa Rica, San Jose.  On the way back we will visit Sarchi Village.  Sarchi is known as the “Cradle of Costa Rica's craftsmanship”.  We will have ample time to shop for souvenirs.  Here we will find traditional colorful Oxcarts, as well as other souvenirs made out of wood or leather all hand painted by local artists.  Upon our arrival in San Jose we will check into our hotel and enjoy a special farewell dinner this evening. Overnight at Meliá Cariari hotel       (B, D)  

Saturday August 09th. Costa Rica – Home
We enjoy a leisurely morning at our hotel with check out late this morning.  We will be transferred to the San Jose airport for our mid afternoon flight back to Houston or Chicago.  (B)