Dear NECA Travelers,
We have a spring opportunity in our back yard (Costa Rica) that combines ELECTRI International’s Cross-Border Conference March 26-28 with a post-tour March 29-April 2. The post-tour includes a site visit to the MW Miiravalles 111 Geothermal Plant.
The Cross-Border Meeting includes key industry professionals and contractors from Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, and the U.S. While there you can participate in a green energy service project conducted by students from the Cal Poly NECA Student Chapter. Registration for the Cross-Border Meeting is separate from the post-tour package - please register for the Cross Border Meeting via http://www.necanet.org/PortalTools/Meetings/Index.cfm. Use the form provided in this brochure (last page of this brochure) to register for the post-tour.
After the Conference, our first three nights will be spent overlooking Arenal Volcano National Park. The Springs Resort and Spa is a spectacular 5-star property where guests feel as part of the landscape. All rooms incorporate granite and rock walls, cedar closets and large bathrooms; sliding glass doors lead to balconies with hammocks, rocking chairs and views of the volcano. There’s a 14,000 sq.-ft full-service spa from where you also enjoy views of the volcano and valley below. 18 free-form thermal pools are spread over various levels. Other on-site activities include hiking, horseback riding, bird watching, ATV rides, fishing and kayaking. Our last night will be spent just outside San Jose at the Real InterContinental Hotel. Both hotels are amongst Costa Rica’s best.
While in Arenal, we’ll visit Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge that consists of 18,000 acres of lagoons and tropical everglades. Aboard boats we enjoy a 2-hour floating safari through the tropical rain forest and marshes. The next morning we’ll begin with a Skytram ride to see views of the volcano and rainforest canopy. The more adventurous can continue on the canopy tour that involves gliding from one tree platform to another. The afternoon will then be open to enjoy the Springs Resort.
Everyone is responsible for making their flight arrangements into Liberia (LIR) and home from San Jose (SJO). Liberia is close to Paradisus where the Cross-Border meeting is being held. Gail Shoop (706-663-4707) has investigated the flight options and can help you (see Air Information below). March is prime time in Costa Rica, and we suggest faxing the Reservation Form and finalizing your air at your earliest convenience. Please join us!
Sincerely,
Geoff Robertson
American Travel Association
NECA International Study Mission Costa Rica
March 29 - April 2, 2011
Sat. March 26 Home to Liberia, Costa Rica
Please make your flight arrangements. Transfers from Liberia Airport to Paradisus Playa Conchal Resort.
will be organized with the Conference package.
http://www.paradisus-playa-conchal.com/?gclid=CJ22z9TQlKYCFUyD5QodMT_lnQ
Conference accommodations are in the Royal Service complex that features private check-in/out,
transportation throughout the property, butlers and other executive floor-type services.
Registration for the Cross-Border Meeting is separate from the post-tour package - please register
for the Cross Border Meeting via http://www.necanet.org/PortalTools/Meetings/Index.cfm
Sun. – Mon. March 27-28
Attend Electri International’s Cross-Border Conference.
Tue. March 29 Paradisus to Arenal Volcano National Park
L,D Enroute to Arenal we have a site visit at MW Miiravalles 111 Geothermal Plant. Miravalles was
the first geothermal Build-Owner Transfer project in Latin America. The plant extracts energy
from hot brine underlying the Miravalles Volcano. Our tour of the plant will include a
meeting with representatives of Costa Rica’s national utility company that operates the facility,
Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE).
Lunch is served at La Pacificia near Canas.
Next we’ll enjoy the views of Lake Arenal (Costa Rica’s largest) enroute to The Springs Resort & Spa.
The 5-Star Springs Resort will be home for the next three nights.
7:00pm Welcome dinner at Resort.
Wed. March 30 Arenal Volcano National Park
B,L 6:30am Breakfast opens and is included each day; go at your convenience.
9:00am Depart for Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge - 18,000 acres of lagoons and marsh-land (tropical
everglades). While floating down the river, we’ll experience a unique biological diversity that includes
Capuchin, spider and howler monkeys, sloth, garfish, roseate spoonbills, many types of herons, caimans,
turtles and 60 different types of birds are common. Lunch will be included at a local restaurant in the
village of Los Chiles.Enroute back to The Resort, we’ll stop by Iguana Bridge to observe those huge
specimens.
Dinner is on our own tonight.
Thu. March 31 Arenal Volcano National Park
B,L,D 6:30am-Breakfast opens.
9:00am This morning’s tour starts with a guided tram ride (with views of the volcano, rain forest canopy
and the lake) to a wide platform where you have the option of continuing with a canopy tour, walking
back on forest trails or taking the tram back to our starting point.The canopy tour is quite popular. You
glide from one tree platform to another wearing safety climbing gear on a system of steel cables and
pulleys.
Enroute back to The Resort we’ll stop for a bbq lunch served on a scenic overlook.
The afternoon is then open to relax and enjoy the many facilities of The Resort.
Dinner is included tonight at the Resort.
ARENAL VOLCANO (Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge)
Fri. April1 1 Arenal to San Jose
(B,L,R) 6:30am-Breakfast opens.
9:00am Depart for San Jose. Enroute we’ll enjoy an easy 1-hour hike in the Villa Blanca Cloud Forest
followed by lunch at La Hacienda, a country house that belonged to former Costa Rica President,
Rodrigo Carazo.
Mid-Afternoon arrival in San Jose. Time permitting we’ll have an orientation tour and visit the
Gold Museum.
After check-in at the Real Intercontinental Hotel we’ll meet in the Lounge for drinks and hors d’s.
The Intercontinental is located in Escazu, across from Multi Plaza, one of the largest malls in the
country (shopping opportunity at last).
Sat. April 2 San Jose/Home
B 6:30am Breakfast opens.
Please checkout and pay your incidental charges with the hotel cashier.
Airport transfers are included and will be arranged according to your flight times.
(B = breakfast, L = lunch, R = reception, D = dinner, included in package)
ARENAL VOLCANO
Tour Package Cost
$1,998 per person double occupancy
$2,729 single occupancy
Package Inclusions
Three-nights The Springs Resort and Spa
One-Night Real InterContinental, Executive Tower
Hotel taxes and porterage
Guided tour of Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
Guided tour tram-ride in Arenal Volcano Park
Guided Villa Blanca cloud forest hike
Transportation by deluxe motorcoach or van
All entrance fees
Site visit to the MW Miiravalles 111 Geothermal Plant and meeting with ICE executives
Buffet breakfast daily
Lunch Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
Dinner Monday and Wednesday at The Springs Resort
Reception Thursday with heavy hors’ds at the InterContinental
English-speaking Costa Rican guide throughout
Transfer from InterContinenal Hotel to San Jose Airport
Tour escort from American Travel throughout
Final Advice Memo with trip details and practical Travel Advice
Airport departure tax
Features Not Included: Airfare, personal items such as room service and phone calls, mini-bar charges; meals and drinks not specified.
** Please note there is a $26 departure tax payable at the San Jose airport that is included in the package and that ATA will secure (hence passport information needed on Reservation Form).
Important Travel-Notes
We won’t process deposits until we have enough registrants to insure the group will operate. Therefore, please
fax (706-663-2445) your Reservation Form right away. Once we have enough members we’ll contact you to say
we’re moving ahead.
Hotel Upgrade - If you wish to upgrade to an Alta Vista room at The Resort (similar to Vista rooms except 18’
vaulted ceilings and second floor location with even better views of the volcano and valley below), the
supplemental cost is $60 per person for the three nights; a jr. suite is $138.
Meals - Coffee and tea are included with the meals, otherwise wine, alcohol, soft drinks and bottled water are an
individual expense.
Web Sites
www.visitcostarica.com
http://www.paradisus-playa-conchal.com
www.thespringscostarica.com
www.ichhotelsgroup.com
For Tour Information Contact
Geoff Robertson
American Travel Association
2126 Piedmont Lake Road
Pine Mountain, GA 31822
Phone: 706-663-2171
Fax: 706-663-2445
e-mail:
CONDITIONS
Reservations and Payment: Reservations will be confirmed by American Travel Association (ATA) upon receipt of the Reservation Coupon and $250 per person deposit. Receipt of final payment is due in the office of ATA no later than February 28, 2011. All payments must be made by check payable to American Travel Association or by MasterCard, Visa or American Express Card.
Cancellation: Cancellations must be made in writing to ATA. To avoid discrepancies, ATA will not act on information given over the phone until written notice has been received.
Land Package: After processing tour deposits, a $150 per person cancellation fee will be charged regardless of the reason. Penalty on cancellations received after February 28 and departure will be a maximum of 100% of the land cost per person, depending upon the amount recoverable from the suppliers to whom payment had been sent. Cancellation penalties are required to offset non-refundable hotel and supplier payments made by ATA in advance of the tour. There will be no refund for unused services once the tour has begun.
Insurance: Trip cancellation, baggage and medical insurance coverage is available for purchase through a form to be sent by ATA. We strongly recommend insurance coverage. When last minute illnesses occur, the insurance helps offset non-refundable air and land charges. You should check with your local insurance agent to see what is covered under your homeowner’s policy.
Responsibility:American Travel Association (ATA), the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and/or their employees or agents, act only on behalf of the owners and contractors providing means of transportation or other services such as hotels and restaurants to purchasers of this tour and their travel companions (Participants), subject to any and all items and conditions under which any transportation or any other services whatsoever are provided by such owners and contractors. ATA and NECA, their affiliates and their employees and agents (collectively ATA and NECA) shall not be liable or responsible to Participants for the acts or omissions of the aforesaid owners and contractors supplying transportation or other services hereunder, including but not limited to breach of contract, intentional or negligent delay or bodily or property loss, injury or damages. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws of the country in which they’re provided. ATA and NECA shall not be liable or responsible to Participants for any loss, injury or death, or other damages caused by or resulting from acts of God, fire, breakdown of machinery or equipment, acts of governments and other authorities, wars, strikes, riots, thefts, epidemics or quarantines, monetary crisis, diseases, terrorism or novel conditions. Participants shall have the responsibility to be aware of and determine the validity of any travel advisories, which may exist. Unless the term "guaranteed" is specifically stated in writing on any invoice or reservation itinerary, ATA and NECA do not guarantee any of such suppliers' rates, bookings or reservations. The Participants' retention of air tickets, reservations or bookings after issuance shall constitute consent to the above terms and conditions. In addition, Participants shall be responsible for conveying the terms and conditions hereunder to travel companions. If, due to weather, flight schedules or other uncontrollable factors, you are required to spend additional nights before or after the tour, participants will be responsible for your own hotel, transfers, meals and related costs. Baggage and personal effects are the sole responsibility of the owners at all times.
Prices: This price is subject to change due to cost increases, and in number of participants upon which the tour cost is based (18). ATA reserves the right to increase the price for such reasons. All prices are based on rates and tariffs in effect on December 30, 2010.
Proof of Citizenship and Visa Requirements: A valid passport is required for travel. You can now apply for a passport at your local post office or the U.S. Passport Agency nearest you. Visas are not necessary for American citizens traveling to Costa Rica.
Health: The Participant represents that neither he nor she nor anyone traveling with him or her has any physical or other condition or disability that could create a hazard to him- or - herself or other members of the tour. This program involves walking over uneven surfaces and climbing stairs at locations that are not handicap accessible. A letter of explanation of any physical or mental condition that may require medical attention or special equipment (wheelchair, for example) must be enclosed with the Reservation Form.
Travel Advisories/Warnings: None exist for Costa Rica at this time. Whereas American Travel will monitor the State Department Advisories as they apply to Costa Rica and advise our tour participants if any are issued.
It is the responsibility of the Participant to become informed about the most current travel advisories and warnings by referring to the U. S. State Department’s travel website at www.travel.state.gov and click on International Travel or by phone at 1-888-407- 4747. In the event of an active State Department Travel Warning against travel to any of the specific destinations included in the tour, should The Participant still choose to travel, notwithstanding any travel advisory or warning, the Participant assumes all risk of personal injury, death or property damage that may arise out of the events like those advised or warned against.
NECA Study Mission – Costa Rica 2011- Reservation Form
Name(s) as they appear on your passports
Him: Name ______
Passport No. ______
Date of Issue ______
Exp. ______
Nationality ______
Date and Place (if U.S. state) of Birth ______
Her: Name ______
Passport No. ______
Date of Issue ______
Exp. ______
Nationality (if Non-US Citizen) ______
Date and Place (if US. state) of Birth ______
Company (if applicable) ______
* Please correspond to the following r office r home address:
Street ______Apt/Suite ______
City ______State ______Postal Code ______
E-Mail ______
Office Telephone ______Home Telephone______