When to go
January – April and November-December
Price
From £2,295 pp (including flights) | Private: £2,795pp (including flights)
Flight time
11hrs 21mins
Introduction
Located between the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful, ecologically diverse countries in the world. Along the way, you will explore the country’s many national parks, huge variety of wildlife, and contrast between dense urban environments and lush vegetation. You will also encounter cloud forests, canals, lakes, rainforests, and even volcanoes.
At a Glance
Duration
11 days & 9 nights
Guide price
Group: £2,295pp (including flights) | Private: £2,795pp (including flights)
Cities/Destinations (in order)
San José | Tortuguero | Arenal | Caño Negro | Lake Arenal | Monteverde | Sarchí | San José
Tour Type
Experienced local tour manager and guided sightseeing
Tour Theme
Group Tour
Activity Level
Age Range
N/A
Star Rating of Tour
Standard
Accommodation
Crowne Plaza Corobici Hotel | Mawamba Lodge | Arenal Paraiso | Fonda Vela Hotel
Board Basis
Varied - please see the sample itinerary for details
Min|Max Group Size
Average 16 people with a maximum of 18
Start/Finish
San José | San José
Extensions
Tour + Manuel Antonio (6 days & 4 nights) from £595
Tour + Tamarindo (6 days & 4 nights) from £595
Tour + Corcovado (5 days & 3 nights) from £1,695
Tour + San Gerardo de Dota (4 Days & 2 Nights) from £425
Tour + Panama (5 days & 3 nights) from £895
Highlights
View the Arenal Volcano From Your Hotel
Located in northwest Costa Rica, the Arenal Volcano towers of the beautiful town of La Fortuna. You can see smoke spewing from the top. And you can enjoy the stunning view from the comfort of your hotel.
Cruise the Tortuguero Canals and cross Lake Arenal by Boat
The Tortuguero Canals is the second-largest wetlands in the country. You can cruise along it by boat, giving you a chance to admire the lush forests and crystal-clear waters. Then visit Lake Arenal, which sits beneath the Arenal Volcano.
Explore Forest Canoples From the Hanging Bridges at Monteverde
After a shared boat trip across Lake Arenal, visit the Selvatura Butterfly Garden and Walkways. There are four hanging bridges at Monteverde, and each one provides spectacular views from above.
Take a Boat Trip Through the Caño Negro Wetlands
Discovered the varied wildlife and gorgeous scenery of the Caño Begro Wetlands by boat. The boat itself is open design, which means that you can look 360 degrees and will never miss an exciting moment.
Sample Itinerary
Hidden Wonders of Costa Rica
Learn about the magic of Costa Rica in this engaging and memorable journey. In this sample itinerary, you will cruise across the Caño Begro Wetlands, tour the Monteverde cloud forest, learn about the scientific and conservation efforts of researchers, and visit a family-run farm to learn about coffee and sugar production.
Day 1 & 2: Fly to San José
Fly from London to San José. Regional connections available. Transfer to the Crowne Plaza Corobici Hotel (or similar) for 2 nights. In the morning, visit the Poas or Irazú Volcanos. They are both cater volcanos that attract droves of people.
(N) (B)
Day 3 & 4: Tortuguero
Transfer to Caño Blanco on the Caribbean coast. The town features national parks, the Parasmina River, and local hotels, shops, bars, and restaurants. Here, you will cruise through the canals and blackwaters, which lead to Turtuguero. On the way you will see the many native wildlife, including birds, monkeys, and sloths.
Then stay 2 nights at the Mawamba Lodge. Enjoy a full day of shared local excursions. From July to September, you can observe the turtles nesting on the beach.
(B, L, D)
Day 5: Arenal
Return to Caño Blanco by boat. Then drive to Arenal. Visit the La Selva Biological Station en route. There, you will learn about the scientific and conservation work being carried out by local researchers. Then take a short walk in the rainforest, which is protected by law.
Stay 2 nights at Arenal Paraiso and enjoy stunning views of Arenal Volcano.
(B, L)
Day 6: Caño Negro
Take a full day tour of Caño Negro, a wildlife refuge composed of 25,1000 acres of wetlands. It is also home to over 307 bird species.
(B, L)
Day 7: Lake Arenal • Monteverde
Enjoy a shared boat trip across Lake Arenal. Here you can marvel at Arenal Volcano, which is situated near the lake. And you can appreciate the natural surroundings, including the lush rainforests and rolling hills. Then stay for 2 nights at the Fonda Vela Hotel.
In the afternoon, visit the Selvatura Butterfly Garden & Walkways. This stunning location has over 30 species of Costa Rican butterflies of all altitudes and climates. You will also explore the treetop canopy from the hanging bridges. There are four hanging bridges, each with their own unique vantage points and landmarks.
(B)
Day 8: Monteverde
Take a morning tour of Monteverde, a small town with a nearby cloud forest. The site contains over 755 tree species, which is more tree species’ than the entire United States. Then visit a family-run farm, where you will learn about the site’s coffee and sugar cane production, including their growing and processing methods.
(B, L)
Day 9: Sarchí • San José
Head back to San José via the town of Sarchí. The town is known for its beautiful, ornate, and intricate arts and crafts and souvenirs. You may also see vibrant and pretty oxcarts, which are handcrafted and sold across Costa Rica. Stay overnight.
(B)
Day 10 & 11: Fly to London
Transfer to the airport and fly to London.
(B) (N)
