Whether it’s strolling through tropical rain forests, coming face-to-face with exotic animals or tracking down pristine beaches, this 14-night handcrafted Costa Rica tour allows you to see every corner of the country.
FROM £2,954 PER PERSON
Subject to availability
DEPARTING FROM LONDON GATWICK
Alternative departure airports available
ITINERARY
Arrive at Liberia Airport and travel to Rincon de la Vieja National Park. Free time in Rincon de la Vieja this afternoon and evening.
Stay: Buena Vista Lodge (or similar)
Pull on your walking boots and start your Costa Rican adventure the right way, by hitting the trails of the Rincon de la Vieja National Park.
- Hike the Las Pailas loop trail. It’s 2.5 miles long and shows off the best views of the park’s active volcano.
- Soak in waterfalls and hot springs, surrounded by the sounds of birds and monkeys.
Free time in Rincon de la Vieja this evening.
Stay: Buena Vista Lodge (or similar) | Meals: Breakfast
Rise early to watch the sun come up over Rincon de la Vieja National Park, before hitting the road for Costa Rica’s mountainous Central Pacific region. Free time this afternoon.
Stay: Buena Vista Lodge (or similar) | Meals: Breakfast
It’s all about wildlife-spotting today, as you hike through Carara National Park. After, you’ll head to the Guacalillo Estuary and Tarcoles River.
- Look out for monkeys, crocodiles, armadillos and sloths on a hike through Carara National Park.
- Take a leisurely boat ride along the river, passing mangroves where exotic birds – like the scarlet macaw – come to nest.
Free time in Carara National Park this afternoon.
Stay: Villa Lapas Hotel (or similar) | Meals: Breakfast
Manuel Antonio National Park is next on the agenda. Set against the Pacific Ocean, it’s a mix of animal-packed rainforest and secluded beaches.
- Set out on a two-mile hike, which takes you through the rainforest and ends on a pearly white beach for a refreshing dip.
Stay: Cristal Ballena (or similar) | Meals: Breakfast
Today, you’ll be hitting two of Costa Rica’s coastal gems, Cano Island Biological Reserve and Violines Island.
- Snorkel along coral reefs, home to rays, turtles and schools of fish, on Cano Island.
- You’ll touch down on Violines Island after a 30-minute boat ride. You can tuck into a picnic lunch, then follow it with swimming and sunbathing.
Free time on Violines Island this afternoon.
Stay: Cristal Ballena (or similar) | Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
There’s lots of adventure in store today, with a trip to Nauyaca Waterfalls.
- Take a walk through the rainforest and you’ll reach Nauyaca Waterfalls – made up of two cascading falls and pristine pools for paddling.
Stay: Savegre Lodge (or similar) | Meals: Breakfast
You’ll start the day with a bit of bird-watching, followed by natural marvels at Irazu Volcano National Park and city sightseeing in Cartago.
- As day breaks, go in search of Costa Rica’s most elusive bird, the multi-coloured quetzal. San Gerardo de Dota is the best place to spot it.
- After breakfast, hit up Irazu Volcano National Park – home to several steam-spewing craters and a mineral-rich lake that’s emerald green in colour.
- Later, it’s on to the city of Cartago and its ancient ruins and ornate basilicas.
Stay: Guayabo Lodge (or similar) | Meals: Breakfast
Travel back in time to Tortuguero – a car-free village in the middle of Tortuguero National Park.
- Tour Tortuguero, where there are no roads for cars, only narrow footpaths between the houses.
- Learn about the species of sea turtles that nest on Tortuguero’s beaches at the visitor centre. The town literally means ‘turtle catcher’.
Free time in Tortuguero National Park this afternoon.
Stay: Pachira Lodge | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
You’ll be up in time for sunrise today, then spend the rest of the morning exploring the waterways of Tortuguero National Park.
- Take in a Caribbean sunrise on a guided walk along the nature trails.
- Glide along the mangroves of Tortuguero National Park on a wildlife-spotting boat trip. Manatees, crocs and sloths all call this place home.
Free time in Tortuguero National Park this afternoon.
Stay: Pachira Lodge | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today’s spent travelling from Tortuguero to San Jose – by boat and bus. This mountain-cuddled city is the nation’s capital. Free time in San Jose this evening.
Stay: Presidente Hotel | Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Spend the morning getting to know San Jose, then unwind with a soak in the Tabacon Hot Springs.
- Set off on a walking tour of San Jose, visiting the bustling Central Market, Democracy Square and the 19th-century Morazan Park.
- Relax at the Tabacon Hot Springs, which are heated by the magma from Arenal Volcano.
Stay: Volcano Lodge | Meals: Breakfast
Get to grips with the rainforest – from the ground and canopy – with visits to the Danaus Ecocenter and Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park.
- Go on a circular walk through the rainforest. You can take in the wildlife, as well as a butterfly farm and a garden full of medicinal plants.
- At the same reserve, you can meet the indigenous community – the Maleku – who put on performances and sell handicrafts.
- Get a bird’s-eye view of the forest canopy from the Arenal Hanging Bridges – there are 16 in total, covering 1.6 miles.
Stay: Volcano Lodge | Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Begin your journey to Monteverde with a boat ride across Lake Arenal. Once here, you’ve got a coffee tour, which will prep you for your after-dark jungle experience.
- Drift across Lake Arenal on a 30-minute boat ride, then finish the rest of your trip to Monteverde by bus.
- Get clued up on the coffee-making process – from bean to bag – at the Don Juan coffee plantation.
- See the Monteverde Cloud Forest in another light, with a night-time tour. Sloths, porcupines, spiders and snakes can all make an appearance.
Stay: Fonda Vela Hotel | Meals: Breakfast
Bid farewell to Costa Rica and prepare for your flight home. Or extend your trip with our Multi-Destination programme.
Meals: Breakfast
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Round-trip flights from London Gatwick to Liberia
- 10kg hand baggage & 20kg checked baggage
- 14 nights accommodation in hotels of 3* standard
- 14 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 3 dinners
- Airport transfers in Costa Rica, boat and mini bus transport.
- English-speaking tour guide
- 22 activities/excursions as mentioned in the itinerary
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Flights to/from London Gatwick or your chosen UK airport
- Airport transfers in United Kingdom
- Travel insurance
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Optional activities
- Visa when required
- Vaccines when required
We are not a travel agency and as such we do not take bookings nor do we book your flights, accommodation, tours etc. on your behalf. Our mission is to portray current travel deals and compile travel packages which one would do solo without the need of a travel agency.
To book our suggested offers, simply click the link above, which will redirect you to our travel partners’ websites and from where you may proceed with your booking. You will not be charged anything extra for booking through our links, but we will earn a small commission when you book through the said links.
Because of the above, you are free to choose different travel dates, flights, accommodations, tours etc. if available. Naturally, the price we mention may increase or decrease if you choose a cheaper flight or a higher accommodation for example. On the same note, the prices we show are on first come first served basis and may increase or decrease according to demand and availability.
Want to know more or need help with finding flights? Hit the Messenger button on the right and let’s chat!
DON'T FORGET
Your travel insurance policy. It’s not a must but it wouldn’t be wise to travel without it! Get a quote below if you are not yet covered by a travel insurance policy.