FROM the happy and exciting moment when the groom proposes to the bride-to be, the stress involved in planning ceremony arrangements and the perfect honeymoon steals energy –breaking the nerves of many.
Couples can save the sweat by letting the experts arrange a honeymoon tailored especially to their needs – allowing the newlyweds to enjoy their first days of matrimony stress free.
Exotic Honeymoons caters to the tastes and budgets of the couples.
The company offers seven to nine days of entertaining tours and stays at the best hotels in the country.
THE Coast-to-Coast Romance package is a nine-day trip taking the couple throughout the country. The package includes two nights at the Pachira Lodge at the Tortuguero Canals, where newlyweds can take an optional tour on a boat trip through the canals. Couples can observe toucans, monkeys, sloths and tropical birds – those who get married between July and October may witness the Green Sea Turtle’s egg laying.
Then the couple flies to the romantic Hotel Punta Islita, a member of the Luxury Hotels of the World, 8 km. south of CarrilloBeach, in Guanacaste. There, they can share romantic dinners at the beach, a sport-fishing day or full-body massages, facials with tropical herbs, relax by the pool or read a book in a hammock.
Finally, the couple stays at the Costa Rica Marriott Hotel in San Antonio de Belén, leaving the country on the 9th day.
THE Honeymoon Dreams package includes a night at Finca Rosa Blanca Hotel (a first-class boutique hotel in the hills of Santa Barbara, Heredia province), four nights at Punta Islita, two nights at the Arenal Volcano Hotel and one night at the Marriott Hotel.
EXOTIC Honeymoons also offers its clients a stay at Lapa Rios Hotel, where they are awakened to more than 320 bird species singing and where they can take a two- hour guided walk through nature, watching monkeys, butterflies and other animals. Other activities include horseback riding, kayaking, sportfishing and dolphin watching.
The packages range in cost from $1,875-$5,135 per couple. Honeymooners can choose all-inclusive packages or design their own honeymoon. Contact the agency at 215-2412, fax: 215-2415 or check its Web site for more information at www.exotichoneymoons.com
Another company that arranges honeymoons is Costa Rica Expeditions, which offers 16 sample packages.
NEWLYWEDS can experience adrenaline-pumping activities by running whitewater rapids, canopying, horseback riding or have a quiet, romantic-but-still adventurous honeymoon by sleeping in a tent camp in the CorcovadoNational Park beaches in the Southern Zone or relaxing at a luxury beach resort.
According to Michael Kaye, president of Costa Rica Expeditions, the demands for creating honeymoons pushed the company to the great mission of offering couples a product that could stay in their memories.
“All travel is about memories,” Kaye said. “One is celebrating the commitment with a partner and we are successful with our honeymoons because we help people have nice memories.”
The agency has seven trip planners who show couples the different options from which they can create their own package.
“PACKAGES vary a lot and are suggested according to each case, because it’s not the same taste of a couple who has never lived together to another who has lived together for 25 years,” Kaye said.
Prices for the packages are prepared for different budgets. A package of seven nights ranges from $3,500 to $5,000. For more info, call Costa Rica Expeditions at 257-0766, 222-0333, fax: 257-1665, or check its Web site www.costaricaexpeditions.com
Both companies also arrange weddings.
Honeymoon planners
Other agencies are willing to help newlyweds design their honeymoon. Contact them to find out specifics about the services offered:
Horizontes Nature Tours
tel: 222-2022
fax: 255-4513
www.horizontes.com
Coast to Coast Adventures,
tel: 280-8054
fax: 225-6055
www.coasttocoastadventures.com
Costa Rica Sun Tours
tel: 296-7757
fax: 296-4307
www.crsuntours.com
Desafío AdventureCenter
tel: 479-9464
fax: 479-9463
www.desafiocostarica.com
