Classic Costa Rica





Dive into diverse Costa Rica, from the towering jungle to the palm-lined coast
Discover incredible, lush Costa Rica and understand why this part of the world is called the ‘rich coast’. This 15-day adventure, beginning and ending in lively San Jose, is a journey through the jungles, farmlands, beaches and cities of a pure Central American location. Stay with a local family in Santa Rosa de Pocosol and help your hosts prep a traditional meal. Soak in springs that get their heat from an active volcano in La Fortuna and take on a huge array of nature-based optional activities in the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Spot three-toed sloths in the thickets of the Manuel Antonio National Park, then relax beneath swaying palms on the nearby beaches.
4.9
811 reviewsStart: San Jose, Costa Rica
End: San Jose, Costa Rica
- Duration
- 15 days
- Group size
- 1 to 16
- Minimum age
- 15 years old
- Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time
Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time
Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities
Premium: Our best accommodation, exclusive inclusions and our most experienced leaders
- Original
- Theme
Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
- Wildlife
- Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Why you'll love this trip
- Swap the concrete jungle for real jungle on this journey into the rainforests, waterways, hot springs and the palm-lined beaches of Costa Rica.
- Spot long-nosed tapirs, white-faced capuchin monkeys, ocelots and three-toed sloths on this wildlife adventure – Costa Rica is home to many exotic animals, and this trip puts you in the perfect position to see them all.
- Go deeper than the average tourist with a homestay in a quiet agricultural community – the perfect opportunity to experience local life and practice your Spanish. You’ll even have an informal cooking lesson with the locals to make dinner!
- Refresh yourself after jungle hikes, spotting wildlife in the rejuvenating hot springs of volcanic La Fortuna.
- Visit the indigenous Maleku community to share a traditional meal and learn about their way of life – this small tribe has big ambitions for regenerating local forests and natural habitats.
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2026 - 31 December 2026
Itinerary
Hola! Welcome to Costa Rica. Your adventure starts in San Jose – with over a third of the country's population living within its parameters, San Jose is packed with both people and culture. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, why not visit the National Museum. This canary-yellow building houses everything from exhibits on pre-Colombian history to a garden filled with native butterflies. Early bird history buffs might be interested in the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum or the Jade Museum – both of which display a wealth of indigenous artefacts.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- San Jose - Pre-Colombian Gold Museum (Entrance fee) - USD17
- San Jose - Jade Archaeological Museum (Entrance fee) - USD16
- San Jose - National Museum (entrance fee) (Closed Sunday & Monday) - USD11
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
Leave the hotel this morning and descend to the Caribbean lowlands on a private transport that ends at the port of La Pavona. This rustic port is your entry point to Tortuguero National Park. When you arrive, hop aboard a small boat and take a ride into the depths of the Costa Rican wilderness. Arrive in the middle of this biodiverse area, where freshwater lagoons rest under the canopy of rainforest bordering the ocean. Many animals call this place home, including jaguars and turtles, so listen out for the sounds of the local wildlife as you fall asleep in your lodge tonight.
- Lodge (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Tortuguero - Boat ride to Tortuguero
Your travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours.
Today, you're free to explore the park at your own pace. If you're woken by the chattering of the forests birds, why not haul yourself out of bed for a sunrise canoe trip? It’s a magical way to see the maze-like canals of the park, and you can look out for otters and manatees in the morning light. Tortuguero National Park was established in 1970 and is now home to 13 of Costa Rica’s 16 endangered mammals. Among them are manatees, ocelots and jaguars, as well as over 300 bird species. This is also the nesting ground of the green turtle, which comes ashore to lay its eggs on the sandy beaches, and the critically endangered hawksbill turtle, loggerheads and giant leatherbacks. During the day, you might want to return to the park’s walking trails or relax in your lodge. Many species are particularly active at night, so if you wish, you can head out in the evening on a turtle watching tour, with part of the cost supporting a program aimed to patrol the beach for poachers.
- Lodge (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Tortuguero - National Park Entrance
- Tortuguero - Sunrise canoe trip around canals - USD45
- Tortuguero - Turtle Watching Night Tour - USD45
Turtle Nesting Season typically happens between July and October each year. The optional activity will be subject to this natural event.
Bid farewell to the evergreen rainforest this morning and make the journey to Santa Rosa de Pocosol. Today, you’ll have a memorable homestay experience, but as the family you'll be staying with doesn’t speak much English, your leader will conduct an informal Spanish lesson on the drive. This afternoon, you’ll have the option to take a soap-making workshop or a guided hike to a nearby waterfall. In the evening, head back to your homestay for a cooking lesson – some of the dishes you make will be part of tonight’s dinner!
- Homestay (1 night)
- Dinner
- Santa Rosa de Pocosol - Home-cooked Meal
- Santa Rosa de Pocosol - Homestay experience
- Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
- Santa Rosa de Pocosol - Soap-making workshop (cash only) (requires a minimum of 3 travellers to operate) - USD20
- Santa Rosa de Pocosol - Waterfall hike (Cash Only) - USD10
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
Tonight you'll stay with a local family led by one of our trusted women hosts. Typically, 2-4 travellers will be assigned to each host family. Bedrooms have two twin beds, and you'll have access to a shared guest bathroom. In the evening, you'll join the group and community at the village community center for dinner before returning to your host family's home for the night. In the morning you'll share breakfast with your host family, experiencing authentic local cuisine and warm hospitality.
After having breakfast with your host family, continue your journey to the Rio Celeste region, which is part of the Guatuso town. This northern part of the country is characterized by rural community-based tourism. Before reaching this next paradise of birds and tranquil surroundings, make a stop to visit an indigenous Maleku community. Here, you'll meet the locals and share a traditional Maleku meal with them. Listen to stories about their history, culture, and the challenges the community faces in modern Costa Rica. With only 650 people left, the Maleku Indigenous community is the smallest in Costa Rica. Both the community and the country share a common goal of reforestation, working together to regenerate forests and plant fruit trees, which help encourage animals to return to their natural habitats.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Guatuso - Maleku Community Experience
Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.
Due to limited availability in Rio Celeste, we will occasionally use accommodation in Katira.
Today is as clear as the Costa Rica air, and with plenty of optional activities available, you won’t be short of things to do! How about a guided tubing excursion at Rio Celeste? The light-blue waters of the river are generally off-limits to travellers, but you’ll have the opportunity to float along the water in an inflatable doughnut and spend the day lazing along the river. Those who prefer a nature tour on foot might like to take a 3-hour safari cruise along the Rio Tenorio, with a guide who will help you spot howler monkeys, crocodiles, river otters and an abundance of tropical birds.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Rio Celeste - River Tubing Adventure (cash only) - USD55
- Rio Celeste - National Park Guided Trail Walk (cash only) - USD70
Beneath the watchful eye of the immense Arenal Volcano lies La Fortuna – a sleepy town with an abundance of hot springs and natural pools to enjoy. This is your destination today and when you arrive, you’re free to choose your own activities. Perhaps grab some fresh fruit in town, hop in a taxi to the entrance and then hike to La Fortuna waterfall for a swim beneath the cascading waters that spill out of the towering jungle. In the evening, why not grab a classic local dinner with your travel buddies? Chifrijo (fried pork, salsa, beans and tortilla chips) is a great dish to try.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.
Enjoy a free day to explore La Fortuna as you wish. The region offers a range of sights such as stunning lush forest, rare plants, animal watching and water-based sports on the lake. The volcano’s inner workings also mean that the area has plenty of thermal springs where hot, lava-heated water gushes to the surface. These springs, often surrounded by foliage, make the ideal place to relax. Active types could try stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Arenal with the incredible backdrop of the volcano and rolling green hills. Animal lovers will have a good chance of spotting sloths, monkeys, crocodiles and basilisk lizards skipping across the water on a boat tour of Cano Negro Reserve. Have a chat with your leader about the options available.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- La Fortuna - Arenal 1968 Volcano View and Lava Trails (Entrance fee) - USD25
- La Fortuna - La Fortuna Waterfall (Entrance only) - USD25
- La Fortuna - Paradise Hot Springs (entrance fee) - USD47
Some of the optional activity prices include an entrance fee only. Transportation will need to be paid in addition to the entrance fee and is subject to change depending on the number of participants.
A morning of travel by bus and boat leads to incredible Monteverde. Settled by North American Quakers in 1951, this area was initially used as an environmentally conscious agricultural community and is now a biological preserve. The forest has near-constant cloud cover, providing consistent rainfall, which also gives the area an enchanted feel. Spend the afternoon in the cloud forest on a leader-led nature walk, looking out for hummingbirds, quetzals and even lazy sloths among the mist later in the day. You may even choose to return after dusk to seek the animals and insects that are largely hidden in the day.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Monteverde - Cloud Forest Entrance
- Monteverde - Cloud Forest Night Walk - USD45
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
Some of the optional activity prices include an entrance fee only. Transportation will need to be paid in addition to the entrance fee and is subject to change depending on the number of participants.
Make the most of your time in lush Monteverde and organise a local guide to take you on a nature walk. There also several local communities that operate cooperatives worth visiting with your free time. Maybe see a different perspective on the forest by walking through the canopy on suspension bridges, or perhaps watch butterflies at play in the Butterfly Garden. More than 2000 species of plants, 320 bird species and 100 different types of mammals call Monteverde home, and no matter what you choose to do, you should keep an eye out for the quetzal – one of the most elusive birds in the world.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Monteverde - Butterfly Garden and Insects Farm (entrance fee) - USD22
- Monteverde - Coffee & Chocolate tour - USD47
- Monteverde - Suspension bridges tour - USD55
- Monteverde - Canopy Zip Lining (Entrance, Equipment & Transport) - USD101
Wedged between the beautiful Pacific coast and the national park, Manuel Antonio is a laidback town. Make your way there this morning, stopping in Quepos along the way – a chill town with a vibrant nightlife. This afternoon, you'll get the chance to meet three generations of Costa Ricans and tuck into a traditional lunch with them in their home. You may even have the chance to jump in and help, learning traditional techniques as the meal comes together! Prior to the pandemic, the family ran one of the most popular restaurants in Quepos for almost 20 years. Now, you're lucky to learn the secret flavours and spices of their traditional dishes and get to know the whole family. After lunch arrive at your accommodation and enjoy some downtime. Perhaps head to Espadilla Beach to watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Lunch
- Manuel Antonio - Homecooked lunch
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
Today, feel the soft crunch of foliage underfoot while you hike the trails of the national park on a leader-led nature hike. Keep one eye on the scenic views and the other looking out for the abundant wildlife. Monkeys, armadillos, sloths and hundreds of birds all live here. Later, spend some time on the beaches surrounding the national park, and maybe hire a surfboard to catch some waves at Playa El Ray. If you want to spot wildlife and keep active at the same time, consider paddling through the mangrove forest on a guided kayak tour. It’s not unusual for curious monkeys to climb right onto the boat to say hello, and you’ll likely see snakes, crocodiles and plenty of birdlife too. Just remember your insect repellent! In the evening, maybe take a sunset sail off the coast – watching the blue sky turn orange is a spectacular sight.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Manuel Antonio National Park - (Entrance fee)
- Manuel Antonio National Park - Tour with a Naturalist Guide
- Manuel Antonio – Cruise (Inc transport, guide, lunch and drinks onboard) - USD95
- Manuel Antonio - Mangrove Kayak Activity (with lunch) - USD75
Today is free for you to do as you please. If you wish, you could return to Manuel Antonio National Park and continue your search for the solemn, white faces of the capuchin monkeys who live in the trees. Alternatively, why not kick-off your shoes and feel the sands of Manuel Antonio Beach between your toes? It’s easy to spend a whole day on this calm coastline. The towering green trees that line the coast provide solace from the sun, so this is a great place to sit by with a book (and maybe a guaro sour).
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Manuel Antonio National Park (Entrance fee) - USD18
Bid farewell to the coast and return to San Jose via public bus this morning. When you arrive, you’ll be free to relax or wander the city at your own pace. In the evening, you might like to head for dinner with your fellow travellers and group leader and toast to a trip well travelled.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
With no further activites planned, your trip comes to an end today and you’re free to leave at any time after checking out. If you’d like to extend you stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
- Breakfast
Inclusions and activities
5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
Private vehicle, Public Transportation, Boat
Hotel (11 nights), Lodge (2 nights), Homestay (1 night)
- Tortuguero - Boat ride to Tortuguero
- Tortuguero - National Park Entrance
- Santa Rosa de Pocosol - Home-cooked Meal
- Santa Rosa de Pocosol - Homestay experience
- Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
- Guatuso - Maleku Community Experience
- Monteverde - Cloud Forest Entrance
- Manuel Antonio - Homecooked lunch
- Manuel Antonio National Park - (Entrance fee)
- Manuel Antonio National Park - Tour with a Naturalist Guide
- San Jose - Pre-Colombian Gold Museum (Entrance fee) - USD17
- San Jose - Jade Archaeological Museum (Entrance fee) - USD16
- San Jose - National Museum (entrance fee) (Closed Sunday & Monday) - USD11
- Tortuguero - Sunrise canoe trip around canals - USD45
- Tortuguero - Turtle Watching Night Tour - USD45
- Santa Rosa de Pocosol - Soap-making workshop (cash only) (requires a minimum of 3 travellers to operate) - USD20
- Santa Rosa de Pocosol - Waterfall hike (Cash Only) - USD10
- Rio Celeste - River Tubing Adventure (cash only) - USD55
- Rio Celeste - National Park Guided Trail Walk (cash only) - USD70
- La Fortuna - Arenal 1968 Volcano View and Lava Trails (Entrance fee) - USD25
- La Fortuna - La Fortuna Waterfall (Entrance only) - USD25
- La Fortuna - Paradise Hot Springs (entrance fee) - USD47
- Monteverde - Cloud Forest Night Walk - USD45
- Monteverde - Butterfly Garden and Insects Farm (entrance fee) - USD22
- Monteverde - Coffee & Chocolate tour - USD47
- Monteverde - Suspension bridges tour - USD55
- Monteverde - Canopy Zip Lining (Entrance, Equipment & Transport) - USD101
- Manuel Antonio – Cruise (Inc transport, guide, lunch and drinks onboard) - USD95
- Manuel Antonio - Mangrove Kayak Activity (with lunch) - USD75
- Manuel Antonio National Park (Entrance fee) - USD18
This trip generates 16 kg of CO2-e per person per day
Learn more about our climate commitment.
When you travel with us, The Intrepid Foundation gives you more opportunities to support important causes in destinations you visit.
Before you book you should know
- Many of the activities (both included and optional) on this trip take place in the great outdoors. This means you'll need to be prepared to deal with insects and occasionally rustic conditions. It's all part of immersing yourself in this natural paradise.
- Costa Rica is generally hot year-round, and from May to October can be pretty wet too. At nighttime and in locations at higher elevations it can get chilly. Protect yourself from the sun, bring light clothing you can layer and a waterproof jacket, and stay hydrated. Please carefully consider which time of the year you'll feel most comfortable travelling.
- There are many opportunities to get active on this adventure. Some of the optional activities require a moderate level of fitness and sturdy walking shoes. If you'd prefer to take it easy, however, there are plenty of other things you can do instead.
- The homestay is a wonderful opportunity to witness everyday local life. A hearty homecooked dinner and breakfast will be served during your stay, which can be a lot more basic than what you're used to.
- With so much to see and do, Costa Rica can sometimes be expensive. Expect to pay more than you would in other Central American countries for a lot of things.
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
Rincon del Valle Hotel
50m. East and 50 South of the College of Physicians,
Sabana Sur
San Jose
COSTA RICA
Phone: +506 22961001
Instructions
Intrepid offers a pre-arranged arrival transfer service from San Jose International Airport [SJO] at an additional fee. If you have pre-booked this service, please ensure you provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel so the transfer can be organized. If you plan to arrive earlier, this transfer can only be offered in conjunction with pre-tour accommodation booked through Intrepid.
If you have pre-booked this service; you will be met after exiting the terminal building to the outside near Malinche Restaurant. Please look for the Intrepid sign with your name on it.
If you have any problems and cannot locate your driver on arrival, please call our Intrepid Emergency number listed under the ‘Problems and emergency contact information’ section of your Essential Trip Information document. If you don’t have a device or mobile coverage, San Jose Airport has a free Wi-Fi connection so you can call that same number via an online application such as Skype. There are also several information desks and tourist information desks around if you require further assistance.
Otherwise, you can travel from the San Jose Airport to the hotel by taxi. We recommend you use either the authorized taxi services organized from inside the terminal, or the authorized orange taxis outside the terminal building. They will charge you approximately USD$30 for a trip to downtown. The drive to where the hotel is located is approximately 35-45 minutes depending on traffic.
Alternate joining points
Alternate joining point 1
For trips departing on the following dates, use this joining point.
09 Oct 2025 (QVSR251009), 11 Oct 2025 (QVSR251011), 16 Oct 2025 (QVSR251016), 18 Oct 2025 (QVSR251018), 21 Oct 2025 (QVSR251021), 25 Oct 2025 (QVSR251025), 30 Oct 2025 (QVSR251030), 01 Nov 2025 (QVSR251101), 06 Nov 2025 (QVSR251106), 13 Nov 2025 (QVSR251113), 18 Nov 2025 (QVSR251118), 20 Nov 2025 (QVSR251120), 25 Nov 2025 (QVSR251125), 02 Dec 2025 (QVSR251202), 06 Dec 2025 (QVSR251206), 11 Dec 2025 (QVSR251211), 16 Dec 2025 (QVSR251216), 18 Dec 2025 (QVSR251218), 23 Dec 2025 (QVSR251223), 27 Dec 2025 (QVSR251227)
Autentico Hotel
Ave 5 and 7 40 st.
East Sabana,
San Jose
10108
COSTA RICA
Phone: +506 22225266
Description
This streamlined modern hotel is a 15-minute walk from Contraloria train station. Unfussy rooms with warm decor offer free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and coffeemakers, as well as safes and ceiling fans. Breakfast and parking are complimentary. Other amenities include a landscaped garden with an outdoor pool and seating, and an understated restaurant and bar that hosts regular themed buffets.
Instructions
Intrepid offers a pre-arranged arrival transfer service from San Jose International Airport [SJO] at an additional fee. If you have pre-booked this service, please ensure you provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel so the transfer can be organized. If you plan to arrive earlier, this transfer can only be offered in conjunction with pre-tour accommodation booked through Intrepid.
If you have pre-booked this service; you will be met after exiting the terminal building to the outside near Malinche Restaurant. Please look for the Intrepid sign with your name on it.
If you have any problems and cannot locate your driver on arrival, please call our Intrepid Emergency number listed under the ‘Problems and emergency contact information’ section of your Essential Trip Information document. If you don’t have a device or mobile coverage, San Jose Airport has a free Wi-Fi connection so you can call that same number via an online application such as Skype. There are also several information desks and tourist information desks around if you require further assistance.
Otherwise, you can travel from the San Jose Airport to the hotel by taxi. We recommend you use either the authorized taxi services organized from inside the terminal, or the authorized orange taxis outside the terminal building. They will charge you approximately USD$30 for a trip to downtown. The drive to where the hotel is located is approximately 35-45 minutes depending on traffic.
Alternate joining point 2
For trips departing on the following dates, use this joining point.
20 Dec 2025 (QVSR251220)
Fleur De Lys Hotel
13th street, between 2 and 6th avenue, one block from the National Museum
San Jose
San Jose
10736
COSTA RICA
Phone: 506 22231206
Instructions
Intrepid offers a pre-arranged arrival transfer service from San Jose International Airport [SJO] at an additional fee. If you have pre-booked this service, please ensure you provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel so the transfer can be organized. If you plan to arrive earlier, this transfer can only be offered in conjunction with pre-tour accommodation booked through Intrepid.
If you have pre-booked this service; you will be met after exiting the terminal building to the outside near Malinche Restaurant. Please look for the Intrepid sign with your name on it.
If you have any problems and cannot locate your driver on arrival, please call our Intrepid Emergency number listed under the ‘Problems and emergency contact information’ section of your Essential Trip Information document. If you don’t have a device or mobile coverage, San Jose Airport has a free Wi-Fi connection so you can call that same number via an online application such as Skype. There are also several information desks and tourist information desks around if you require further assistance.
Otherwise, you can travel from the San Jose Airport to the hotel by taxi. We recommend you use either the authorized taxi services organized from inside the terminal, or the authorized orange taxis outside the terminal building. They will charge you approximately USD$30 for a trip to downtown. The drive to where the hotel is located is approximately 35-45 minutes depending on traffic.
Dates and prices
Important notes
1. Full passport details are required at the time of booking in order to purchase entrance tickets to Manuel Antonio National Park. Delays to provide this information may result in changes to your itinerary and we will not be able to guarantee entry. Details provided must be accurate as per your passport bio page.
2. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1. There are no activities planned for the final day so you may depart at any time.
3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
4. Please be careful when booking flights to/from San Jose; make sure you fly into/out of Juan Santamaria International Airport [SJO]. Please do not book flights to/from Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport [SJC] as this is located in California, United States.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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