Costa Rica Winter Escape, $1,799

The Real Deal Round-trip airfare, 11 nights' accommodations and ground transportation from $1,799—plus taxes of up to $100.

When Jan. 19, Feb. 16, Mar. 8, 29, 2008.

Rocks along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica (Sylvester Adams/Photodisc) [enlarge photo]

Gateways Miami, New York City; add $60 from Los Angeles; $78 from D.C.; $107 from Chicago; additional cities available.

The Fine Print Fuel surcharges of about $240, daily breakfast, two lunches, two dinners, and hotel taxes are included. Cross-country transportation, admission fees, and the services of an English-speaking tour guide are also part of the package. Additional airport taxes are about $60-$100 per person, depending on the departure city. Based on double occupancy; single supplement is $651. Read these guidelines before you book any Real Deal.

Book By No deadline; based on availability.

Contact Gate 1 Travel, 800/682-3333, gate1travel.com.

Why It's a Deal While a recent Sidestep search showed relatively inexpensive airfare to San José in January—$245 from New York City (Mexicana), $249 from Miami (American), and $355 from L.A. (multiple carriers)—Gate 1 takes the hassle out of piecing together all the trip elements. For about $163 a day, Gate 1 covers airfare, 11 nights' accommodations, ground transportation across the country, some meals, entrance fees, and the services of an English-speaking tour guide.

Trip Details The Costa Rica from the Pacific to the Atlantic package includes round-trip airfare to San José and 11 nights' accommodations divided between San José, Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, Guanacaste, and Tortuguero.

Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel for a welcome drink and orientation with the tour manager. Your first night in Costa Rica will be spent at the 29-room El Rodeo Country Inn, about 10 minutes from the airport.

On the following day, you'll take a two-and-a-half hour trip to Arenal Volcano National Park to check out exotic plants and wildlife, lava rock formations, Arenal Lake, and, of course, Arenal Volcano. The optional two-part afternoon tour includes a visit to the Arenal Mundo Aventura Maleku indigenous community for a "peace and harmony" demonstration and a traditional dance. You'll get to see and purchase traditional Maleku handmade arts and crafts.

You can opt to add on a trip to the Ecological Tropical Park to view the frog exhibition ($39 additional per person), and in the evening, you'll have the option to visit the Tabacon Hot Springs, followed by a dinner at the hotel's restaurant ($69 additional per person). You'll stay two nights at the Arenal Springs Hotel, situated between the Tabacon Hot Springs and the village La Fortuna.

Then you'll cross Arenal Lake by boat and continue on land by coach for about two hours until you reach Monteverde. After visiting a local artist community founded in 1982, you'll be free to explore the area on your own. Or opt for the Trapiche sugar mill tour that will take you through a small forest to the mill ($29). You'll learn about the manufacturing process, and get a firsthand look at how the sugar is extracted from the stalk and turned into brown sugar. The most fun part of the tour is a ride from the fields to the mall in a traditional oxcart.