Surgical Retreat - Las Cumbres Inn, Costa Rica

Sightseeing can be as simple as taking a cab into San Jose and spending 2 to 3 hours visiting shops and restaurants, or participating in half day or full day tours. Any choice is a good choice because there is so much to do and see here.

San Jose is just 15 minutes away and in just a morning or afternoon you can visit museums, go to the market area, walk around to get a taste of the city, have a nice lunch or dinner, etc. If you have a few more hours to spare, there is a very nice botanical park nearby (InBio Park), also a Bird-Zoo, Butterfly Farm, Waterfall Gardens, and more.

There are many 1/2 day or full day guided tours from this area to these and other attractions. We can arrange day trips for you either when you are here or in advance. Short-term notice is o.k., so either way is fine.

Here is the most popular tour:

The Costa Rica Highlights Tour

8 a.m.

On your way to Poás Volcano National Park, travel past country towns and highland forests, stopping for breakfast at the beautiful Siempre Verde coffee plantation surrounded by tropical gardens and breathtaking views.

At the coffee farm, sample Costa Rica's award winning Tres Generaciones Coffee and take a relaxing tour through some of the most fertile farmlands in Central America as your guide explains "hands on" the coffee growing process

9:30 a.m.

On the cool summit of the Poas Volcano at 2500 mts. (8200 ft.) walk through an exuberant, primeval cloud forest, laden with epyphites, moss, giant leaves, tree ferns, elfin forests, hummingbirds and colorful blossoms.

After a short walk through the forest, witness one of the largest most spectacular active craters in the world, with its awesome variety of colors, surrounded by lush vegetation and treasuring a steaming, sulfur lagoon at its center.

12:00 Noon

Continue on a lovely route past high volcanic edifices, through deep canyons, jungles and streams, stopping for photos at the beautiful La Paz Waterfall followed by a coffee break at a Hummingbird Gallery overlooking the impressive 250 ft. high San Fernando Waterfall.

On the Caribbean Plain experience an entirely different world of warm tropical weather and vegetation, driving past colorful little towns, cacao and banana plantations, pineapple fields and brahma bull ranches, taking plenty of time to enjoy the scenery along the way.

1 p.m.

Enter an entirely different world of warm tropical weather and vegetation when you stop for lunch at Selva Verde Lodge, one of the most beautiful rainforest lodges in Costa Rica where you'll be treated to a delicious "buffet in the jungle" in their restaurant on the banks of the Sarapiquí River.

After lunch, join the naturalist guide for a short but enlightening walk through the rainforest trails or relax and spend some time on your own surrounded by exuberant vegetation and the timeless sounds of the tropical rainforest.

2:30 p.m.

Later board a comfortable covered boat and gently float down the beautiful Sarapiquí River on the lookout for iguanas, monkeys, crocodiles, sloths and colorful birds while intimately experiencing the biological diversity of the rainforest that thrives along the banks of the river.

During the jungle cruise, also get a glimpse at the way of life of the Costa Ricans in this remote area near Nicaragua as you drift past picturesque jungle homes, dugout canoes, banana plantations or children playing along the banks of the river.

4:30 p.m.

The Tico Times -

"The Highlights Tour" takes travelers to volcanoes, coffee plantations, steamy rainforests and breathtaking waterfalls, stopping only for good food and Kodak moments, all in one day"

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Return to San José through the heart of Braulio Carrillo National Park, a protected area of more than 500 square kms. of towering mountains and virgin tropical rainforests, traveling along one of the most spectacular jungle roads of Costa Rica

Rates include: Breakfast, stop at coffee fields, Poás Volcano crater visit, cloud forest walk, stop at waterfalls, coffee break at hummingbird gallery, buffet lunch and free time at Selva Verde Jungle Lodge, jungle river cruise, drive through Braulio Carrillo National Park. $89.00 per person.

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For the best possible sightseeing experience, it is best to schedule sightseeing before surgery- not after. You will see more and not be so rushed if you can come in 2-3 days before your initial appointment.

Here are some examples of scheduling:

Arrive morning or early afternoon (day 1), have your preop appointment during the afternoon, tour the next day (day 2), then surgery the following day (day 3), or,

come in on day 1 and get settled, take the tour on day 2, preop appointment on day 3, and surgery on day 4.

Alternatively, you can take the Highlights tour following recovery depending on the doctor's advice and how you feel. The tour does not involve strenuous exercise.