Best of Costa Rica

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Costa Rica! San Jose is this lush country’s capital – a bustling city flanked by mountains to the south and more mountains to the north, with a few volcanoes thrown in, too. This rapidly expanding city is home to some great markets, historic neighbourhoods and a chorus of old theatres, with a big chunk of the country’s population within its boundaries. You’ll get things started with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. After, ask your leader for the best spots for a first taste of Costa Rican cuisine in the surrounding streets.

After breakfast, descend to the Caribbean lowlands to 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.

Begin your day with a visit to Tortuguero town, where sandy streets, colourful homes and Afro‑Caribbean traditions tell the story of a village shaped by isolation, resilience and the sea. From there, venture by boat into Tortuguero National Park’s jungle-fringed canals. Gliding through narrow waterways beneath dense rainforest, you’ll discover one of Costa Rica’s richest ecosystems, home to monkeys, sloths, caimans and a dazzling variety of birdlife. Discover how Tortuguero earned its reputation as the ‘Amazon of Costa Rica.’ For those seeking a quieter start, an optional sunrise kayaking tour allows you to paddle through the canals as the forest awakens. In the evening, you’ll have the optional opportunity for a guided sea turtle observation walk (during nesting season) – a chance to witness these ancient creatures returning to the beach and connecting the name Tortuguero (place of turtles) to its living legacy.

Take the boat back to the dock in La Pavona as you start your journey toward Costa Rica’s volcanic highlands to La Fortuna. Dominated by the near-perfect cone of Arenal Volcano, this small town has grown from a quiet farming community into a place where nature sets the pace. With its lush rainforest trails, waterfalls and soothing hot springs, the volcano anchors everything. This evening, you’ll get a chance to soak in those mineral-rich waters – warmed by the magmatic centre of Arenal – in a lush jungle setting, then sit down to a dinner featuring ingredients from the garden and local producers.

Today is free for you to explore La Fortuna at your own pace. Maybe visit La Fortuna Waterfall, descending more than 500 steps through the jungle as the air cools near the 70 m (230 ft) falls. Take a refreshing dip in the pool below or simply soak up the misty rainforest setting. You could also head out on the 1968 Lava Trail in Arenal National Park – a moderate walk across hardened lava fields from the 1968 eruption, where black volcanic rock contrasts with bright green regrowth and open views of Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal. This evening is yours to spend as you wish, with another chance to soak in the local hot springs.

This morning, travel by bus and boat 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. Check into your hotel and take some time to relax or explore the grounds. This evening, join a local guide for a nighttime wildlife walk at Children’s Eternal Rainforest – an Intrepid Foundation partner and Costa Rica’s largest private reserve, protecting more than 22,000 ha of forest through conservation, education and ecotourism. As night falls, your guide will point out different insects, birds and nocturnal animals that are hidden during the day.

After breakfast, join a guided nature walk in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve for a quiet exploration of the misty trails beneath the dense canopy of moss‑draped trees. With the help of your guide’s spotting scope, the forest’s hidden life comes into focus – resplendent quetzals perched high in fruiting trees, colourful toucans, bellbirds, camouflaged tree frogs and sometimes coatis or howler monkeys moving through the branches. The experience is less about distance and more about discovery, revealing a world that often hides in plain sight. The afternoon is free to explore Monteverde your way – perhaps a suspension bridge walk through the cloud forest canopy or, if you’re up for an adventure, a zoom over the canopy by zipline. Maybe you’ll taste the flavours of the forest on a coffee and chocolate tour or wander the butterfly garden to find your peace.

Today, you’ll move on to Manuel Antonio by private transfer. Check in when you get there then head to the nearby beach or opt to take a kayaking tour with a naturalist near their home along the Damas Island canals. You’ll be exploring with someone who really knows the twists and turns of these protected tropical wetlands. If you’re lucky, you might spot a troop of curious white-faced capuchins in the trees above. This evening is free, as you prep for a day of exploration tomorrow.

Take the day to experience the lush national park surrounding Manuel Antonio. Joining your guide, who has all the insider knowledge, spend some time discovering the park and learning about the beauty of the jungle, keeping an eye out for sloths and iguanas. Wander into the depths of the rainforest and look out for wildlife – your guide knows exactly where to find the weird and wonderful that call this place home. After your jungle walk, you’ll have plenty of time to relax on the park’s beaches – some of Costa Rica’s prettiest – and swim in the warm water. Tonight, head back to the hotel for dinner with your group.

Today, you’ll drive back to San Jose, where your leader will take you for a stroll to stretch your legs and get a feel for this lively city. Later, you might like to head out for an optional farewell dinner and toast to a trip well-travelled.

With no further activities planned after breakfast, you’re free to leave any time after checkout. If you’d like to extend your stay in Costa Rica, just reach out to your booking agent.