BOOK THIS TRIP places available!
Costa Rica Discovery
Trip Valid:
01/01/2008 to 31/12/2008
Duration:
15 days (ex San Jose)
Highlights:
Spot a crocodile in Tortuguero National Park, Experience the cloud forests of Monteverde, Relax on the beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park
Trip Code:
QSR
Guarantee:
Departure is guaranteed
Group Size:
Minimum 1, Maximum 12
Price:
USD $960
*(plus local payment USD $300)
pricing for United States: change country
Extras:
view 2008 airport transfers and pre- & post-trip accommodation prices
Travel from the Caribbean coast to the Pacific, discovering Costa Rica’s lush green rainforests, white sand beaches and amazing abundance of wildlife. With the night time spectacle of Arenal’s lava glowing in the darkness and the turquoise blue waters of Manuel Antonio, this tour is a spectacular adventure in a tropical paradise.
is this trip right for you?
physical rating:
rating definitions
culture shock rating:
rating definitions
passenger feedback rating: N/A as this is a new trip.
meals included: No meals included
transport: Boat, local bus
accommodation: Simple hotels (12 nts), lodge (2 nts)
budget: Allow USD $375 for meals not included.
departs: Selected Sat
we also recommend:
Before you Discover Costa Rica, why not find your Way to San Jose via Guatemala and Honduras. (QRS)
Days 1-2 San Jose
Take an orientation walk to uncover the best-known and little-known highlights of San Jose. Among the modern shops, galleries and theatres of the small city are wonderful reminders of an ancient past. Visit the Jade Museum to see pre-Colombian ornaments or the Galeria Nacional, which displays modern art in old prison cells.
Days 3-4 Tortuguero National Park
Travel by bus to the Caribbean lowlands. Enjoy the thick forests, waterways and beaches of the Tortuguero National Park, stretching out over 189 sq km. The park is best known as a nesting ground for green and leatherback turtles which can be seen between July and October. Explore the jungle by foot and travel by boat to see monkeys, birds, frogs, sloths and even crocodiles - Costa Rica has a weird and wonderful wildlife that is prolific and fairly easy to spot.
Day 5 Sarapiqui
Journey into the heart of Costa Rica's banana-growing region.
Days 6-7 La Fortuna
Sitting next to the Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna is an exciting outdoor base with endless opportunities for adventure. From here, the views are spectacular and the active volcano itself is reflected in Lake Arenal. There's chances to take a guided walk through the exotic plant life and lava formations of the national park or take to mountain bikes to explore. In the evenings, slip into some hot springs and soak up the views of glowing Arenal Volcano.
Days 8-9 Monteverde
Travel to idyllic Santa Elena, high in the Tilaran Mountains and discover hundreds of different plant and mammal species on a guided walk through the Cloud Forest Reserve. Lush, green and jam-packed with colorful butterflies, the cloud forest is a nature lover's paradise.
Days 10-13 Manuel Antonio National Park
Descend from the mountains to the perfect Pacific coast for a chance to relax on the white sandy beaches or hit the water for some sea kayaking, boating or snorkelling. Walk along the many trails in the national park to see more of Costa Rica's gorgeous tropical vegetation or just sit back with an icy cold beer and and soak up the vibe.
Days 14-15 San Jose
Return here for a final meander through the stalls of the Central Market and pick up some mementos of a fantastic Costa Rican experience. Home to over one third of all Tico's, San Jose offers a good insight into the character of the nation and is the perfect place to end this remarkable tour of discovery.
| start date | finish date | places available | bookings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 26 Jul 08 | Sat 09 Aug 08 | bookings closed | |
| Sat 09 Aug 08 | Sat 23 Aug 08 | bookings closed | |
| Sat 23 Aug 08 | Sat 06 Sep 08 | 7+ | late request |
| Sat 06 Sep 08 | Sat 20 Sep 08 | 6 | book now |
| Sat 20 Sep 08 | Sat 04 Oct 08 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 18 Oct 08 | Sat 01 Nov 08 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 01 Nov 08 | Sat 15 Nov 08 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 15 Nov 08 | Sat 29 Nov 08 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 29 Nov 08 | Sat 13 Dec 08 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 13 Dec 08 | Sat 27 Dec 08 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 27 Dec 08 | Sat 10 Jan 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 10 Jan 09 | Sat 24 Jan 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 24 Jan 09 | Sat 07 Feb 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 07 Feb 09 | Sat 21 Feb 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 21 Feb 09 | Sat 07 Mar 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 07 Mar 09 | Sat 21 Mar 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 21 Mar 09 | Sat 04 Apr 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 04 Apr 09 | Sat 18 Apr 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 18 Apr 09 | Sat 02 May 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 02 May 09 | Sat 16 May 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 16 May 09 | Sat 30 May 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 30 May 09 | Sat 13 Jun 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 13 Jun 09 | Sat 27 Jun 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sat 27 Jun 09 | Sat 11 Jul 09 | 7+ | book now |
The Trip Notes provide you with detailed information about your trip.
This is where you will find everything you need to know... from what's included to suggestions about what to take. This is also where you will find the most up-to-date itinerary and any late changes.
The Trip Notes provide you with a detailed outline of your trip itinerary, and important information like where to meet your group, what to pack, what's included, estimates of spending money requirements and much more. They make great reading.
These documents have been prepared by Intrepid staff to give you a brief introduction to the places you are visiting. We think it's important to understand the culture you are visiting, and the expectations of their society.
Intrepid is committed to a style of travel that is environmentally, culturally and socially responsible - we call this 'Responsible Travel'. Download this document and visit the About Intrepid section of this site for more information about how to be a Responsible Traveller.
Please also read our safety guidelines for further information on the operational safety standards you can expect on every Intrepid trip.
On 07 June the Australian Government issued an updated travel warning for East Timor strongly advising against travel to East Timor because of the extremely dangerous security situation. Australians in the country are advised to leave. The Travel Warning remains at Category 5 - Do Not Travel.
On Tuesday 07 June we have taken the decision to cancel the remainder of our East Timor trips scheduled to depart in 2006. All travellers will be notified and given the opportunity to transfer to another trip or obtain a full refund (land content only). We very much regret having to take this action and our thoughts and sympathies are with the people of East Timor during this troubled time.
We are confident of being able to resume our normal schedule of trips to East Timor in 2007 and hope that those travellers who have had to cancel their plans this year will travel with us to East Timor in 2007.
For other safety updates, please see our general safety updates page.
Every day, hundreds of happy people return from Intrepid trips, and their comments are here for you to read. We do not screen the feedback on this site, all comments are posted here as they were written (unless they used inappropriate language).
We seemed suitably relaxed by the end of our time
Katy Batha
Good mix of places and variety of activities on offer. Manuel Antonio is very crowded, over rated and expensive. The activities in Monteverde are substantially cheaper and of better quality.
Lucy Pinniger
I had a great tour : lots of nature, good tourleader and above all everything was "max relax" !
Renzo Bonroy
Sorry, only passengers from Australia, New Zealand or the United Kingdom are able to request flight quotes online at this stage.