12 Days | Discover the National Parks and cultural treasures of Costa Rica
Welcome to Costa Rica, where trendy gastronomic neighbourhoods rub shoulders with wild rainforests and pristine beaches. Join a local leader to discover the natural, indigenous and modern sides of Costa Rica on an immersive 12-day Premium journey. From the lively charm of San Jose to the cloud forests of Monteverde, culturally significant coffee plantations, pristine wildlife refuges, and spectacular scenery of Arenal National Park – this adventure takes you straight to the heart of it all. Take time to soak up quiet moments of local life and get beneath the surface of a remarkable country that will captivate you at every turn.
Trip overview
- Start
- San Jose, Costa Rica
- Finish
- Guanacaste, Costa Rica
- Theme
- Explorer
- Destinations
- Costa Rica
- 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
- Style
- Premium
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 12
- Trip code
- QBPT
Our best 4-star accommodation and the highest level of service
All must-see locations plus authentic experiences exclusive to Premium
Trips led by our most experienced and highest-rated local leaders
- Learn about the culture of Costa Rica with Premium exclusive experiences: spend time with a local family and learn how to create traditional dishes in their kitchen, and visit Matambu, the only indigenous territory of the Chorotegan people, to learn ancient pottery techniques passed down for generations.
- Experience the magnificent landscapes Costa Rica from all angles with a gentle hike in Arenal Volcano National Park, a cruise on the Tortuguero canals, and a treetop walkways experience in the Monteverde Cloud Forest.
- Enjoy two nights at your Feature Stay – a stunning and sustainable jungle hotel next to the electric-blue Rio Celeste River. Settle into your cosy casita (bungalow), an exclusive retreat just for you, and surround yourself with the sounds of nature.
- End your trip with a free day at the beach, capped off with a sunset sailing cruise and a farewell dinner – the perfect way to reflect on your journey across Costa Rica.
- Costa Rica is a nature lover’s dream. Keep your eyes out for green turtles, sloths, monkeys, coatis, anteaters, tropical birds, and more as you cross the width of Costa Rica, experiencing a variety of different habitats and environments.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Eden Reforestation Projects. Donations help them provide local employment opportunities and tackle climate change one tree at a time as they restore forests across 10 different countries.
- This trip is new to our range this year. And while we have thoroughly researched every detail of the logistics, new destinations and working with new partners can sometimes throw us some unexpected surprises. More often than not, it’ll be a great surprise. But every now and again there might be a hiccup. We like to think that’s what puts the ‘adventure’ in ‘adventure travel’.
- Tortuguero is a unique natural destination with rustic, fan-cooled accommodation that offers amazing access to nature. As you are staying in the heart of the rainforest, there will be some bugs along with the other animals that inhabit this part of Costa Rica.
- Costa Rica is generally hot and humid year-round, and from May to October can be 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.
Itinerary
Inclusions
11 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners
Private vehicle, shared bus, boat
Comfortable hotel (9 nights), Feature Stay (2 nights)
- Arrival airport transfer
- Tipping for accommodation, activities and transport
- Luggage transfer
- Daily breakfast and signature local meal experiences
- 24/7 on-ground support
- San Jose - Welcome Dinner
- Tortuguero - Town Visit
- Tortuguero - Canal Boat Tour
- Tortuguero - Garden Walk
- Tortuguero - National Park Entrance
- La Fortuna - Arenal Volcano Base Hike
- La Fortuna - Tortilla Making Class
- Monteverde- Cacao & Coffee Experience
- Monteverde - Cloud Forest Reserve Hike
- Monteverde - Hanging Bridges Tour
- Rio Celeste - On Site Activities
- Matambu - Pottery Demonstration
- Tamarindo - Sunset Sailing Tour
- Guanacaste - Farewell Dinner
- Tortuguero - Night Hike - USD35
- Tortuguero - Turtle Watching Night Tour - USD47
- Tortuguero - Sunrise Canoe Trip - USD45
- La Fortuna- Caño Negro boat tour - USD84
- La Fortuna - Ecotermales Hot Springs (entrance fee) - USD49
- Monteverde - Canopy Zip Lining (Entrance, Equipment & Transport) - USD65
- Rio Celeste - River Tubing Adventure - USD58
- Rio Celeste - National Park Guided Trail Walk - USD74
- Guanacaste - Mangrove Boat tour - USD65
- Guanacaste - Surfing lessons - USD75
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1 in San Jose.
2. 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.
3. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
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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