Welcome to the Discover Costa Rica Garden Tour with Susan Mahr!

Immerse yourself in the unparalleled beauty of Costa Rica's tropical gardens and experience the vibrant biodiversity of this stunning Central American country. From the lush rainforests to the dazzling butterfly gardens, you'll discover an array of extraordinary botanical wonders. Join us on this unforgettable adventure and let us show you why Costa Rica is truly a gardener's paradise!

Meet your Group Leader Susan Mahr!

Susan has degrees in Biology and Entomology and served as the state coordinator for the Master Gardener Program at the University of Wisconsin for over 20 years.  During her tenure there, Susan led 15 different educational tours to Costa Rica (as well as several other tours to New Zealand and South Africa, and hosted garden related tours to Italy and New Zealand.  In addition to leading tours, she has traveled extensively throughout the world to better discover and learn about plants in their native habitat.

She is excited to again join Discover Garden Tours and have the opportunity to share her knowledge of the plants, animals, and birds of Costa Rica with you to make for a memorable and educational travel experience.

 A $1,000 deposit, per person, is required to hold your reservation.  The deposit is due no later than October 1, 2024 with final payment due no later than November 22, 2024.

This tour requires a minimum of 12 tour participants to establish viability.

!Do NOT arrange airfare until you have been notified via email that the tour is fully viable!

For more information on this, or any of our other tours, please call or text Ray at 816-842-7500 or send him an email at ray@discoverourtours.com.

Please Note: Changes to the itinerary may be necessary due to weather, availability, or other factors beyond our control.  We will update the itinerary on the website if changes occur.

Participants must be able to endure moderate physical activity (daily activities may include 2-4 hours of walking and 2-3 hours of bus riding) and should be in overall good health!

A valid passport is mandatory to leave the U.S. and/or to enter Costa Rica. Your passport must not expire within 6 months of your return from Costa Rica, otherwise, it will be considered non-valid and need to be renewed.  If you need a passport, or if your passport needs to be renewed, please act now!  It can take up to several months to receive a new or replacement passport. 

The purchase of trip insurance is highly recommended.

Guest Cancellation Policy:

Days Before First Tour Date:            Refund:

90 days or more                                Full refund (minus credit card processing fees)

89 to 60 days                                     You are responsible for 50% of all fees owed

59 days or less                                   You are responsible for 100% of all fees owed

Monday, January 27, 2025

Bienvenidos a Costa Rica!  Forget about the stress and hassle of airports and flights, and get ready to enjoy the Pura Vida!

Upon arrival at San Jose International Airport (SJO), you will be met by your driver and taken to the Hotel Don Ernesto.  Depending on what time you arrive, take time to relax and explore the hotel and grounds.  The Welcome Dinner will begin at 7:00pm.

INCLUDED

* Airport Transfer from SJO to Hotel Don Ernesto

* Lodging at Hotel Bougainvillea 

* Welcome Dinner

SPECIAL NOTE:

After clearing Immigration and Customs, you will exit the terminal.  Your driver will be there waiting for you right outside, holding up a sign that will say "Discover Garden Tours ".

OVERNIGHT AT:  Hotel Bougainvillea  One of the few independent hotels left in the Central Valley in Costa Rica, this well-located place overflows with personality. Ten acres of botanical gardens, art, rocks and minerals, a restaurant very much liked by locals as well as visitors, swimming pool, tennis courts, and most importantly, the people who work with us, all conspire to make the hotel a destination rather than just a stop-over.

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

This morning we will check-out from Hotel Don Ernesto, and board our private shuttle for our trip to Turrialba. 

Here we will visit Mrs. Ileana Terán's home, see her private garden, and share her stories and knowledge over coffee and "bocas".

Then we will continue traveling to Cartago, our capital in colonial times.  Here you will stop at Sólo Rosas Rose Garden, before continuing to the Turrialba Valley, in the shade of the active Turrialba volcano.

INCLUDED

* Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

* Lodging:  Hotel Villa Florencia

* Visit:  Mrs. Terán's Private Garden

* Visit:  Sólo Rosas Rose Garden

Sólo Rosas Rose Garden

Don Martin Guzmán traveled thousands of kilometers to the south of France - with a single objective: to select the best varieties of roses in the world. In 1978, he planted the first 3,000 rose bushes in his botanical garden. The result is this beautiful botanical garden located in Llano Grande de Cartago, on the slopes of the Irazú Volcano, where you will find roses with the most exquisite, colorful, large, abundant and resistant aromas and perfumes.

Turrialba
Situated in the Costa Rican Cartago Province, the small city of Turrialba is home to flourishing agriculture, textile, and tourism industries. Renowned for its amazing white water rafting, visitors can enjoy thrilling excursions down the Pacuare and Reventazon Rivers. This city serves as the gateway to the Costa Rican Caribbean and has been declared as a city of National Archeological Interest. Visitors can explore the largely undiscovered Turrialba Volcano National Park, home of the active Turrialba Volcano.

Hotel Villa Florencia

Hotel Villa Florencia offers guests the ideal place to rest in one of the most picturesque areas of Turrialba Valley. Sugarcane plantations and beautiful vegetation surround the hotel. It is located only 10 minutes from the city of Turrialba and guests will be able to enjoy privacy and hospitality. Hotel Villa Florencia offers 20 rooms carefully designed in harmony with the atmosphere around the villa, and its familiar and personal attention.

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

This morning we will visit also Hacienda Sitio de Mata, where you will learn about the whole process for the coffee and the sugar cane.  There will be opportunities to try all the different products available! Later in the day we will visit the Tropical Agronomy Center for Research and Learning (CATIE), and see their botanical gardens with plants from around the world.  

INCLUDED

* Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

* Lodging:  Hotel Villa Florencia

* Visit:  Hacienda Sitio de Mata

* Visit:  Jardin Botanico CATIE

Hacienda Sitio de Mata Tour

Hacienda Sitio de Mata offers a guided expedition consisting of touring the hacienda, where visitors will learn about the different processes of coffee, macadamia and sugar cane. During the tour, visitors will also visit a colonial church from 1850 and a plank house built in 1750 on the slopes of the Irazú volcano. The journey includes a Costa Rican typical lunch.

The Botanical Garden of CATIE

Surrounded by the calls of birds, the whisper of the giant Guanacaste tree and the imposing Ceiba, The Botanical Garden of CATIE is a special place to relax. Here, tourists will find life ranging from minuscule insects to exquisite orchids, bromeliads and robust stands of bamboo. The garden serves as a laboratory for students and scientists investigating the molecular and morphological characteristics of the conserved species. It is also an educational site, where awareness about environmental conservation and the sustainable use and protection of natural resources is promoted.

Thursday, January 30, 2025

Today you will visit Lankaster Gardens and the farmer's market in Cartago. Afterwards, we will travel up the mountains of Cerro de la Muerte, to the cloudforest and páramo ecosystems. 

Because of the altitude the weather at Cerro de la Muerte can get very chilly, especially in the evening.  Be sure to bring a light fleece jacket and a wind-breaker. 

INCLUDED

* Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

* Lodging: Savegre Hotel Natural Reserve & Spa

* Visit: Lankester Botanical Gardens

* Visit: Farmer's Market

Lankester Botanical Garden

Lankester Botanical Garden is located in Costa Rica, set on a 11-hectare property providing conservation, exhibition and research of tropical epiphytic plants with a focus on orchids. The botanical garden features over 3000 species of plants, a Japanese Garden, forest with trails, souvenir shop and a deck area for eating and drinking.

Cartago Central Market

Experience the flavor of Costa Rica at the Cartago Central Market. Wander the crowded aisles where locals gather to buy fruits and vegetables, grab a delicious snack, get a haircut, and stock up on herbs and spices. Savor your afternoon sampling the fresh fruits and taking in the aromas with this authentic, local experience.

Savegre Hotel, Natural Reserve, and Spa

Nestled in a prime location for nature enthusiasts, Savegre Hotel Natural Reserve & Spa has earned high marks for its attentive service, despite occasional slow service at the bar. The resort, which some consider on the pricier side, offers an array of private areas and amenities that justify the cost for many.

Friday, January 31, 2025

Check-out from Savegre Hotel Natural Reserve & Spa. Morning visit to Coopedota coffee plantation and "Beneficio" (coffee factory), where you will learn about the process of coffee.  The area of Dota is consistently among the highest-ranking coffee producers in the world!

INCLUDED

* Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

* Lodging: Hotel San Bada

* Visit: Coopedota Coffee Farm

Coopedota Coffee Farm

Based in Santa Maria de Dota the Coopedota Coffee Tour takes visitors on a tour of a coffee farm to create public awareness around the process of producing organic coffee in order to protect the earth's natural resources. The farm uses environmentally friendly techniques that work in harmony with the local environment and forest to avoid wasting one of the most precious resources which is water. At the end of the tour, visitors can participate in coffee tastings. 

Hotel San Bada
Hotel San Bada is located a two minute walk away from the popular Manuel Antonio Beach in Costa Rica. The hotel is approximately 6 km from downtown Quepos and its marine port. Travel through colorful places by the mountains, bridges that cross rivers full of crocodiles and highways that border the coast of the Costa Rican Pacific. Observe the mountains covered with beautiful foliage and the beaches of the Central Pacific.

Saturday, February 1, 2025

This morning we will experience the Rainforest Spices tour at Villa Vanilla. Later in the day you will have free time to spend relaxing at the beach, or hanging out at the hotel!

INCLUDED

* Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

* Lodging:  Hotel San Bada

* Visit:  Villa Vanilla 

* Free Afternoon to Relax at the Beach or Hotel

Villa Vanilla Rainforest Spices Farm Tour

Villa Vanilla Rainforest Spices Farm Tour takes place at the magical Villa Vanilla Spice Plantation located in the Central Pacific rain forest, overlooking Manuel Antonio National Park. Spanning over 27 acres of agriculture production and 125 acres of primary and secondary rainforest, this expansive farmland houses vanilla, as well as true Ceylon cinnamon, cocoa, black pepper, allspice, turmeric, and a variety of exotic fruits, essential oil and medicinal plants. This serene tour allows participants to experience the sights, tastes, and aromas of the spices, meander along the winding plantation trail and shop for souvenirs to take home.

Free Time!

Spend the afternoon exploring the area, shopping in the small town of Quepos, booking a massage, hanging out at the pool, or escaping to your hotel room. It's your choice!

Sunday, February 2, 2025

After breakfast we will visit the Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the most bio-diverse areas in the world. Enjoy the morning strolling through the park, taking in all it has to offer. Bring a towel, and wear your bathing suit underneath your clothes, if you wish to experience some sand and sea after the hike. Your afternoon is free to explore or relax as you wish.

INCLUDED

* Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

* Lodging: Hotel San Bada

* Visit: Manuel Antonio National Park

* Experience: Local Flavors of Costa Rica

Manuel Antonio National Park

Set just south of Quepos, on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast is the Manuel Antonio National Park. Boasting enthralling rain forests,  beaches, and gorgeous coral reefs, this is an ultimate destination for outdoor explorers. Some of the best beaches are the Playa Espadilla Sur and Playa Manuel Antonio, and the conditions for swimming, snorkeling, and surfing (lessons are offered) are excellent here. In the forests, hikers may see iguanas, sloths, snakes, lizards, butterflies, different types of monkeys and brightly colored tiny crabs. The forest is a mecca for birdwatchers - there are more than 350 spectacular bird species including toucans and emerald amazon kingfishers. Several lovely bistros and bars are scattered around the outskirts.

Some of the best beaches are the Playa Espadilla Sur and Playa Manuel Antonio, and the conditions for swimming, snorkeling, and surfing, are excellent here. We will have plenty of time for a swim in the ocean, walk along the beach, or catching some rays.

Notes:

1. It is forbidden to bring any meals or snacks inside the park.  Only water, in non-disposable bottles is allowed. Your bags will be checked at the entrance by park rangers.

2. Wear your swimming suit underneath your clothes, as the lines to the changing rooms are very long! Bring a towel from the hotel to dry yourself after your swim in the ocean.

3. Wear comfortable walking shoes, you will need to walk on pebbly trails for about one mile.

Local Flavors of Costa Rica

Experience a fun and informative tour of local cuisine: you will learn about the organic origins of the ingredients, how dishes are prepared, and how to recreate recipes at home. First stop at the local farmers market in Quepos, where you will have the opportunity to browse the stands and pick out ingredients for your dinner, with assistance from your guide. At our private ranch and dining area in the small town of Londres, your team will guide you through our organic garden to pick out some finishing flavors, colors and textures for your meal, before instructing you on food preparation. Participate in the kitchen and experience the process of making corn tortillas by hand, exotic “ceviches” with plantain or banana, rice cooked the old-fashioned way, chicken in a hearty tomato sauce, “picadillos” (minced meats and veggies and spices combined), and more. Once you sit down for your meal, not only will your appetite be satiated but also your curiosity for Costa Rican local flavors.

Monday, February 3, 2025

Check-out from Hotel San Bada. Travel back to the Central Valley, stopping en route to visit the Green Ark Foundation, with its crop terraces and botanical garden.

In the evening, share a Farewell Dinner at Hotel Bougainvillea

INCLUDED

* Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Farewell Dinner

* Lodging: Hotel Bougainvillea

* Visit: Cacao Santo

* Visit: The Green Ark

Cacao Santo

On the  Cacao Santo chocolate tour, you will visit a plantation of cacao and learn about the plant parts, and its biological and cultural characteristics. At Cacoa Santo they focus on making chocolate using the traditional Mesoamerican methods, without the use of modern processing equipment.

The Green Ark

The Green Ark is located in Santa Barbara de Heredia, Costa Rica, and is a foundation that aims to educate and share knowledge of the use of plants. The botanical garden features different terraces, including a Medicinal garden, a culinary garden, a tropical food garden, an essential oils garden and a natural colorants garden. You will enjoy walking around the garden on our guided tour. 

Hotel Bougainvillea

One of the few independent hotels left in the Central Valley in Costa Rica, this well-located place overflows with personality. Ten acres of botanical gardens, art, rocks and minerals, a restaurant very much liked by locals as well as visitors, swimming pool, tennis courts, and most importantly, the people who work with us, all conspire to make the hotel a destination rather than just a stop-over.

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Check-out from Hotel Bougainvillea. Private transfer from Hotel Bougainvillea to Juan Santamaria International Airport [SJO]

INCLUDED:

Meals: Breakfast

Transfer: To SJO Airport

It’s time to go back to reality; we hope to have fulfilled your expectations.
Buen viaje!  We hope to see you again soon on another Discover Garden Tour.

Pura vida!

Note: For international flights, airlines suggest to be at the Airport 3 hours in advance.