Thomson and First Choice, the UK-based holiday companies, have introduced the tropical paradise of Costa Rica into their long haul winter programme from November 2015.
The weekly flight from Gatwick will be the only direct flight from Europe on the Dreamliner and the only direct flight from the UK to the Central American hotspot famous for tropical beaches, wildlife, rainforests and active volcanoes. Costa Rica was named the destination that holiday makers would most recommend to friends based on their own travel experiences – Global Tourism Monitor Survey.
Costa Rica is known for its popular volcano, Arenal, which tops the ‘must see’ list for most tourists. A walk across six hanging bridges in the cloud forest in Monteverde is the other attraction with sights of colourful toucans, sleeping snakes and rare orchids in the rainforest below, before flying 1km across the canopy on Costa Rica’s longest zip line.
Mark Hall, director of Product for Thomson and First Choice, said: ‘We’re thrilled to be launching Costa Rica as a new destination for holidaymakers and it is fantastic to be offering the only direct flight from the UK on our Dreamliner. It’s an amazing country, with some really experiential excursions as well as great hotels. It adds further mix to our long haul flying programme, and most importantly offers something unique to our customers.’
An exclusive range of hotels are available for the stay, including the Riu Palace, a 5T all inclusive hotel on the beachfront at Playa Matapalo. Part of the new Thomson Platinum Lifestyle range, the hotel features stylish rooms decorated in vibrant colours and spacious sun terraces.
For customers wanting to explore more, four and seven night tour options are also available with stops at Arenal. The seven night ‘grand tour’ also includes trekking in the national park in Rincon de la Vieja, visiting hot springs and enjoying horseback riding, a night tour of the Sara Pique rainforest among others .
For those looking for a preview of the delights of the destination, Costa Rica is available to cruise lovers from January 2014, with a stop on the ‘Pride of Panama’ itinerary on Thomson Dream, Thomson said in a release.
