Classic Costa Rica

15 Days | Dive into diverse Costa Rica, from the towering jungle to the palm-lined coast

4.9 out of 5 based on 628 reviews submitted.
Wildlife
From
EUR €1,602
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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.

Trip overview

Map of Classic Costa Rica including Costa Rica
Start
San Jose, Costa Rica
Finish
San Jose, Costa Rica
Theme
Wildlife
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
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
QVSR
This trip generates 10 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

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.

Is this trip right for you?
  • 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.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2023 - 31 December 2024

Map of Classic Costa Rica including Costa Rica

Inclusions

Meals

5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner

Transport

Private vehicle, Public Transportation, Boat

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nights), Lodge (6 nights), Homestay (1 night)

Activities
  • 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
Add on activities
  • San Jose - Pre-Colombian Gold Museum (Entrance fee) - USD17
  • San Jose - Jade Archaeological Museum (Entrance fee) - USD17
  • San Jose - National Museum (entrance fee) - USD12
  • Tortuguero - Sunrise canoe trip around canals - USD47
  • Tortuguero - Turtle Watching Night Tour - USD47
  • Santa Rosa de Pocosol - Soap-making workshop - USD20
  • Santa Rosa de Pocosol - Waterfall hike - USD11
  • Rio Celeste - River Tubing Adventure - USD58
  • Rio Celeste - National Park Guided Trail Walk - USD74
  • La Fortuna - Arenal 1968 Volcano View and Lava Trails (Entrance fee) - USD26
  • La Fortuna - Ecotermales Hot Springs (entrance fee) - USD49
  • La Fortuna - La Fortuna Waterfall (Entrance only) - USD21
  • Monteverde - Cloud Forest Night Walk - USD45
  • Monteverde - Butterfly Garden and Insects Farm (entrance fee) - USD22
  • Monteverde - Coffee & Chocolate tour - USD47
  • Monteverde - Suspension bridges tour - USD58
  • Monteverde - Canopy Zip Lining (Entrance, Equipment & Transport) - USD65
  • Manuel Antonio – Cruise - USD100
  • Manuel Antonio - Mangrove Kayak Activity (with lunch) - USD79
  • Manuel Antonio National Park (Entrance fee) - USD19

Dates and availability

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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 excludes Days 5 & 6 (Rio Celeste) where you will be in shared accommodation 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.

Essential Trip Information

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.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 based on 628 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Nathalie · Traveled September 2024
One of my best travel trips yet! Lucky to have been part of a great group and an amazing group leader, Costa Rica s a really rich country and I didn’t dream to discover it the way we did. Can only recommend it.
Review submitted 25 Sep 2024

Sarah · Traveled August 2024
This trip was an incredible way to experience Costa Rica and Paula (our leader) made it so special. There were so many activities to choose from, but I also enjoyed opting out of some and relaxing by the pool too. Take lots of sunscreen, bug spray and money! It’s not cheap, but worth every dollar. Thanks again Intrepid for another wonderful holiday!
Review submitted 06 Sep 2024

Paula · Traveled August 2024
Would recommend Classic Costa Rica to anyone (our group ranged from aged 19 to 74), it really is a must visit destination. This trip takes in a lot of beautiful and different areas and has lots of included activities (including a homestay and national park ranger lead walks and spotting wildlife) as well as varied additional options (highly recommend water tubing, zip lining, watching turtles and whale watching to name a few) . Ale, our Intrepid leader/guide was amazing; knowledgeable, helpful, interesting and just really lovely (thank you Ale, you made the trip so easy and so much fun). The trip was very good value for money but a word of warning; we found Costa Rica expensive and with food and additional trips, we spent a lot (we could have spent less but decide whilst there to make the most of it). Having said that we had the best time and so many fantastic experiences with memories to last a lifetime.
Review submitted 04 Sep 2024

Megan · Traveled August 2024
Our tour with intrepid was incredible! From the thought and careful consideration that has gone into planning such an environmentally conscious trip to the wonderful tour leader who had an unbelievable amount of knowledge of the country and the amazing wildlife we encountered. We couldn’t have asked for more!
Review submitted 04 Sep 2024

Elisha · Traveled August 2024
I've wanted to travel to Costa Rica for years, this trip met and exceeded all my expectations. I saw so much wild life, and felt safe and supported to get what I needed from my time. Imalay was the best guide I've ever experienced. She would stop the bus and spot animals everywhere, she would tell stories of her life and the history of Costa Rica. Loved this trip!
Review submitted 29 Aug 2024
Classic Costa Rica
From
EUR €1,602