International Flying Farmers
"Pura Vida" tour to Costa Rica
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13 Days/12 nights
Departs from Brownsville, Texas on Monday, February 14, 2011
Returns to Brownsville, Texas on Saturday, February 26, 2011
Overview & Pricing
A fascinating trip through Central America to visit unique destinations off of the beaten path. Caribbean Sky Tours will take are of entry/over-flight permits, eAPIS, international flight plans, aeronautical charts, pilot guides, lodging, meals, ground transportation and group activities as outlined in the itinerary. Our stops include Veracruz, Tikal, Arenal volcano, Barra Tortuguero, Guapiles, Tamarindo and San Salvador. Experience archeological marvels and natural beauty in a way that only general aviation flying allows.
Member Price: |
$475 Airplane registration (includes new Nicaragua $100 permit fee) |
$3,150 per person double occupancy |
Cost per additional person or for single occupancy available upon request.
Navigation Information

Our route will take us over land.
A GPS with a moving map and a 406 MHz Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) are recommended.
Brownsville to Veracruz, Mexico |
429 NM |
Veracruz to Villahermosa, Mexico |
212 NM |
Villahermosa to Flores/Tikal, Guatemala |
208 NM |
Flores/Tikal to La Ceiba, Honduras |
205 NM |
La Ceiba to Liberia, Costa Rica |
339 NM |
Liberia to Arenal, Costa Rica |
57 NM |
Arenal to Barra Tortuguero, Costa Rica |
63 NM |
Barra Tortuguero to Guapiles, Costa Rica |
27 NM |
Guapiles to Tamarindo, Costa Rica |
129 NM |
Tamarindo to Liberia |
23 NM |
Liberia to Ilopango, El Salvador |
296 NM |
Ilopango to Tapachula, Mexico |
204 NM |
Tapachula to Veracruz |
359 NM |
Veracruz to Brownsville |
429 NM |
Airports of landing |
Identifier |
Runway length |
Veracruz |
MMVR |
7,874 FT |
Villahermosa |
MMVA |
7,218 FT |
Flores/Tikal |
MGTK |
9,843 FT |
La Ceiba |
MHLC |
9,876 FT |
Liberia |
MRLB |
9,022 FT |
Arenal |
MRAN |
2,625 FT |
Barra Tortuguero |
MRBT |
2,559 FT |
Guapiles |
MRGP |
3,281 FT |
Tamarindo |
MRTM |
2,625 FT |
Ilopango |
MSSS |
7,349 FT |
Tapachula |
MMTP |
6,562 FT |
Itinerary
There will be a pre-flight briefing on Sunday, February 13th, (pre-flight briefing location to be confirmed). The group will meet at the Southmost Aviation FBO on Monday, February 14th at 8:00 am for a final trip review and briefing.
Day 1 Monday |
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Depart Brownsville to Veracruz. We will stay at Gran Hotel Diligencias located on the lively downtown square of the historic city of Veracruz. Enjoy the sounds and sites of he "zocalo".
Meals Included:Dinner |
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Day 2 Tuesday |
Depart Veracruz and fly to Villahermosa to refuel and check out of Mexico. Continue on to Flores, Guatemala. After processing documents transfer to Hotel Casona del Lago in Santa Elena to relax and get ready for our trip to Tikal.
Meals Included:ALL |

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Day 3 Wednesday |
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After breakfast, we will travel via private vans to visit the spectacular archeological site of Tikal nestled in the tropical jungle of Guatemala. We will have lunch in Tikal and then return to Santa Elena to spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure relaxing or strolling through the narrow streets on the island of Flores. Reconvene for dinner at the Hotel.
Meals Included: ALL |
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Day 4 Thursday |
After breakfast we will transfer to the airport, check out and fly to Liberia, Costa Rica via refueling stop at La Ceiba, Honduras. Upon arrival in Liberia we will clear customs and immigration, process entry permits and transfer to our Hotel Hilton Garden Inn in Liberia to rest.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner |

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Day 5 Friday |
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Depending on weather, we will either fly ourselves to the La Fortuna airport or board private vans to La Fortuna. After checking in at our Hotel Montaña de Fuego we will freshen up and reconvene at 3:00 pm to take a private tour to the Arenal volcano (one of Cosa Rica's most active) with an expert nature guide. You will be able to hear the rumbling of the volacno and see the rocks being flung out of the crater. A special dinner has been scheduled at the hotel.
Meals Included:Breakfast and Dinner |
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Day 6 Saturday |
After Breakfast we will start our tour to the organic pineapple farm and dairy where a guide will explain the production processes. Lunch will be served after the tour. Upon returning to the hotel we will get our bathing suits and transfer to a thermal water natural spa (Eco-Termales) where we will have a chance to relax, enjoy the hot waters and have a delicious dinner.
Meals Included: ALL |

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Day 7 Sunday |
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After an early breakfast, we will head back to Liberia and fly to Barra Tortuguero located on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. (Or we will head to the la Fortuna airport after a later breakfast and fly to the beautiful natural reserve of Tortuguero). Once we have landed, boats will come up the river to take us from the airport ramp to the lodge. We will have lunch upon arrival at Tortuga Lodge and spend the afternoon relaxing. In the late afternoon we will take a guided nature tour to get acquainted with the hotel grounds and wildlife surrounding it. We will meet for dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Meals Included:ALL |
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Day 8 Monday |
After breakfast, charteed boats will pick us up from the lodge and take us on a tour of the Natural Park of Tortuguero to experience the local flora and fauna and learn about the different animal and plant species found in this area. Our expert nature guide will lead us along canals that wind deep into the jungle affording us an opportuiy to experience nature up close. Upon returning to the hotel we will have lunch and relax before visiting the picturesque local village
Meals Included: ALL |

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Day 9 Tuesday |
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After an early breakfast we will transfer to the airport and head to Guápiles for our visit to EARTH (Escuela Agrícola Regional del Trópico Húmedo or Regional Agricultural School for the Wet Tropics). After the tour and lunch we will transfer back to the airport and head towards Tamarindo a quaint tourist resort on the Pacific coast where we will check into the the Hotel Diria on the Tamarindo beach.
Meals Included:Breakfast and Lunch |
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Day 10 Wednesday |
Relax! Spend the day on the beach, by the pool and doing some shopping for souvenirs.
Meals Included: Breakfast |

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Day 11Thursday |
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After breakfast we will head to the Tamarindo airport and fly to Liberia where we will refuel, check out of Costa Rica and fly to Ilopango, San Salvador where we will refuel and spend the night. We are considering staying at Hotel El Mirador.
Meals Included:Breakfast and Dinner |
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Day 12 Friday |
After an early breakfast we will transfer to the Ilopango airport and head to Tapachula, Mexico to clear customs and immigration. We will then continue on to Veracruz where we will spend the last night of our trip at Gran Hotel Diligencias.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner |

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Day 13 Saturday |
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We will clear out of Veracruz and head back to Brownsville
Meals Included:Breakfast and Lunch |
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Sign-up procedure
STEP 1: |
Reserve your spot by submitting your deposit and providing your contact information. To process on-line, click button on right or contact Caribbean Sky Tours. |
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STEP 2: |
Download and complete the forms for participant and aircraft information and send to Caribbean Sky Tours |
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STEP 3: |
Submit balance of payment no later than 30 days prior to trip date. |
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