April 15 - 25, 2007 from $3598 a person based upon double occupancy with a minimum of 10 guests. Limited to maximum of 14 guests. Walking Connection Hosts and Resident Guides. Your host for this trip is Jo Ann Taylor, co-founder and owner of the Walking Connection. Jo Ann is a seasoned world traveler and the Tour Director for all Walking Connection trips. This will be her 5th return to Costa Rica. Through her expertise you will have the opportunity to explore and learn, experience and immerse yourself into all that Costa Rica has to offer. As the director of this trip for the Walking Connection, she has selected "the best of the best" in the accommodations, menus, walks, hikes, attractions and personal "must see" highlights. She will work closely with Jorge Jara our Naturalist Guide to be sure you experience Costa Rica the way it was meant to be seen -- one step at a time. Walking through the forest with a great naturalist guide is akin to experiencing a work of art, even if you don't see one single beast. There is drama; there is suspense; you laugh; you cry; you learn things. Yet if you ask most people before the trip what are the most important factors they use in deciding what to do on vacation, guides would be pretty far down the list. However, without question, Walking Connection resident guides are the single most important element of a successful trip. Our guides will provide the interpretive elements necessary for a rewarding journey through the rain forest and share the personal insights into the local traditions and customs needed to ensure that precious vacation time yields unforgettable memories. They provide education, insight into the host culture, and, most important in many cases, friendship. You will find Jorge Jara one of the best guides there is. Your Experience Includes: The services of Walking Connection host. Luxury hotel, villa and lodge accommodations throughout trip. Daily guided walks & hikes with Naturalist Guides. Daily Meals Include: Full Breakfast, Lunches and Gourmet Dinner Daily, beginning day 2. (Including all gratuities & taxes). Transportation throughout Costa Rica including luxury mini-motorcoach, boat and 4-wheel drive. All entrance fees to parks and private reserves, museums and sightseeing per the itinerary. Airport transfers at start and end of scheduled itinerary, Portage Not Included: Prices do not include US or Costa Rica Departure Taxes, visa fees, special government administrative taxes, airline imposed fees, cost for overweight luggage, items of a personal nature, telephone calls, internet connection fees, alcoholic beverages, special activities or any item not specifically indicated as included. NOTE: The Costa Rica government may impose an additional Tourist Tax that is NOT included in the price of this tour. For more details, please read the Cancellation Policy Below. Prices and Payments: Single Occupancy: $4398 Double Occupancy: $3598 Triple Occupancy: $3398 Deposits: A deposit of $500USD is required to reserve your space. No space will be held without a complete deposit. Though it rarely happens, our tour prices are subject to change due to currency fluctuation. Payments: All payments must be made according to the schedule and are subject to the cancellation and penalty policy. Final Payment for this trip is due on or before Jan. 31, 2007. Tour Minimum - 10 Full Paying Guests: Because the Walking Connection specializes in traveling in small groups, many times we have small boutique hotel properties, historical Inns, private homes and bed and breakfasts. For this and contractual related reasons, some trips may require a minimum number of guests traveling together to go. FOR THIS TRIP, an additional Small Group Surcharge may be assessed or the tour may be cancelled at the option of the Walking Connection. If sign ups does not meet the 10 person minimum a supplemental fee will be charged. Waiting List Policy: On occasion, Walking Connection tours sell out and a waiting list is formed. If this should happen, the following policy will apply. To be put on the waiting list, a fully refundable deposit is due with reservation. If space becomes available, you will be notified at that time and if you choose to go, the standard cancellation policy will then apply. If not, your money will be refunded in full. Airfare and Airline Reservations: The Walking Connection generally does not include airfares or arrange airline preferences as a part of its tours. For this trip the arrival airport is San Jose (SJO). Many flights arrive in the evening from the states. Therefore nothing has been scheduled on April so that you can travel on the flight most convenient for you from your departure city. On April you can also take a flight most convenient for you. Do keep in mind that transportation will pick you up from the hotel approximately 3 hours before your departure. This trip will be guaranteed to be conducted either when we have reached the minimum number of guests or evaluated 60 days prior to departure. Cancellation & Penalty Policy: Special Note Regarding Proposed Costa Rica Tourism Tax - In 2007 the Costa Rica Government may add a significant Tourist Tax that will be impose on every tourist entering the country. This tax could be as much as $300 a person and is NOT included in the price of this tour. Should this tax be imposed and formal notice provided to us prior to Jan. 1, 2007, we will provide a notice to all guests and if you choose, you can cancel your trip up until Jan. 6, without any administrative fees or charges. Once we send your notice, the following Cancellation, Penalty and Refund Policy will apply. Please call us regarding the latest status of this proposed tax. Should you have to cancel your tour the following terms will apply: Each cancellation will incur a $50 a person administrative fee. After that, a refund of payments will be made for space reservations canceled in writing prior to Jan. 6, 2007. After that, an additional $450 per person is non-refundable. For cancellations from Feb. 6 - March 6, 2007 - $1000 per person is non-refundable. Cancellations after March 6, 2007 - No shows, no refunds. No shows -- no refunds. No refunds for any unused portion of the tour. Travel Roommates and Single Supplements: If you have registered for double occupancy but don’t have a travel roommate, the Walking Connection will attempt to locate one for you. In the event that a roommate cannot be found, you may be charged for a Single Supplement for any portion of the tour where you will be rooming as a single. Travel roommates are assigned in the order in which we receive deposited and confirmed reservations. Final roommate assignments will be made and you will be notified of any Single Supplement charges due 30 days prior to your final payment due date. Costa Rica Main Page and Highlights | Itinerary | Details, Prices and Payments On-line Reservations Print Reservation Form   The Walking Connection is proud of our association with Costa Rica Expeditions, Costaricaexpeditions.com, Jorje Jara, Michael Kaye, Selena Solis, Natalie Ewing, Monteverde Lodge, Montana del Feugo Hotel, and Villa Colletas along with Walking Connection host Jo Ann Taylor to bring you this exciting Costa Rican walking tour and hiking adventure.