We started off San Jose and explored the culture. Food was amazing. Next we headed out to Pacuera River to whitewater raft for two days. Got to stay in the rainforest with huts and the guides/volunteers were Amazing. So attentive, knowledgeable and kind. They kept us well fed. Our next trip took us to LA Fortuna....long drive but worth it. The hanging bridges, waterfall, and hot springs all were very enjoyable. We were lucky enough to see spider monkeys and other native wildlife ssooo cool! We then went to Quepas near Manuel Antonio to enjoy the Pacific beach. Beautiful as well. The water is very warm. Other wildlife we saw were macaws, iguanas, chipocun monkeys. Last destination back to San Jose. Enjoyed walking around the market streets. Our drivers, guides, and meals were all great.
Great tour, planned to perfection by Oldemar at th last minute. We travelled to La Fortuna, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio over 12 days and feel that we needed at least 3 more days. Did a host of activites, all organised by the company such a zip lining, waterfall rapelling, whitewater rafting, bird watching, night safari, coffee tours, etc. Very happy.
Visit the beautiful South Pacific coast of Costa Rica during this four-day, self-guided trip. This particular region of the country is home to more than three percent of Costa Rica's biodiversity. A shuttle transfer will be arranged from one of the following destinations on the first day of the tour: San Jose, Jaco Beach, Manuel Antonio Beach or Dominical Beach. Travel to Sierpe, where you will take a boat to your hotel located in Drake Bay.
Explore Corcovado National Park, the main natural attraction of Osa Peninsula, and enjoy the rich biodiversity that the area has to offer. For your information, this national park has one of the largest population of scarlet macaws in Costa Rica.
Enjoy a boat tour to Cano Island and snorkel around its water. This island is currently a natural reserve and a great destination for those interested in snorkeling and observing marine wildlife, but used to be a pre-Columbian cemetery in the past.
Shuttle transfer is included on the last day of the trip to the following locations: San Jose, Jaco Beach, Manuel Antonio Beach and Dominical Beach. For more details, please go through the itinerary below.
Discover the country that encapsulates ‘pura vida’ (the simple life), on this 10-day exploration of Costa Rica. This laidback paradise, where even the sloths are taking things slow, offers so much to see and do and is perfect for all nature lovers. After soaking up the culture in San Jose, you’ll hit the national parks of Arenal Volcano and Manuel Antonio in search of unspoilt rainforests, waterfalls, scenic views and chill beaches. Search for unique wildlife and soak up loads of free time to choose your own adventure, whether that’s hiking volcanos, soaking in hot springs or searching for local wildlife like howler monkeys, butterflies and caimans. See the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, visit an organic family-owned farm producing some of the best coffee in the world and learn from a local naturalist guide on a hike through lush landscapes.
On this immensely popular 10-day vacation package, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the highlands of Costa Rica including tropical jungles, cloud forests, and even a visit to one of the most active volcanoes in the world, Arenal.
Head from San Jose to the Osa Peninsula, a destination popular with eco-tourists due to its biodiversity and stunning beauty. There are a variety of exciting activities and excursions to do on the Osa Peninsula and it is a perfect place for all kinds of water sports such as swimming, diving,, and snorkeling in crystal clear Pacific waters.
Start in Corcovado National Park where you can enjoy a full-day tour experiencing vibrant flora and fauna unseen in other parts of the world. There are even a few endangered jaguars in the park! Then stay on Cano Island before heading to the famed Arenal Volcano. Here, visit the hot springs and then choose one of three exciting excursions. After Arenal, enjoy some adventure activities and a few nights in the lush Monteverde cloud forest.
This is an excellent itinerary for anyone who appreciates the generosity and beauty of nature. Book now!
This was my first Contiki trip & I'm not sure that any holiday will ever be the same! I had the most amazing time in Costa Rica with the best group of people. From chill beach days to zip lining over the rainforest we did such a variety of things but still had plenty of free time (in Monteverde we used our free time to go & do the highest bungee in Central America!). Our trip manager & driver were incredible & really made the trip unforgettable with crazy knowledge of the local areas & wildlife. Pura Vida!
Costa Rica is a paradise for adventure lovers. In this trip you will get the opportunity to discover the volcanic terrain and rainforest of this Central American gem.
This seven-days of adventure and nature tour is packed with thrilling adventure activities, such as whitewater rafting, volcano hiking, horseback riding, hot spring bathing, and zip-lining. There are many chances to see wildlife on the hike and, of course, experience the volcano activity first hand.
This is an ideal trip package for young couples, groups of friends, adventure lovers, and active families traveling with teenagers.
See the itinerary section for more details.
This trip is a dreamy experience that will take you through the wonders of the Costa Rican Caribbean and will leave you breathless at every step of the way!
Imagine immersing yourself in the vibrant energy of San José, the cosmopolitan capital that invites you to discover its cultural and gastronomic treasures.
Then, get ready to delve into the tropical jungle of Tortuguero, where you'll come face to face with the majesty of sea turtles nesting on the beach and venture on exciting excursions through the lush jungle canals.
But wait, there's more! In Puerto Viejo, you'll witness the unique fusion of Afro-Caribbean and Latin American cultures, while surrendering to the serenity of its white sand beaches and exploring the amazing biodiversity of the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge.
This trip is much more than just a vacation; it's an opportunity to immerse yourself in the essence of the Costa Rican Caribbean, where adventure, nature, and culture intertwine in an exciting journey that will leave an indelible impression on your heart.
Embark on a leisurely journey through Costa Rica's most iconic national parks: Tortuguero and Manuel Antonio national parks. This privacy-focused trip allows ample time for exploration while ensuring you don't miss out on the natural wonders each destination offers.
Begin in Tortuguero, a remote paradise dubbed the "Amazon of Costa Rica." Here, immerse yourself in lush rainforests, winding waterways, and pristine beaches. Witness the nesting of endangered sea turtles, a rare spectacle found in few places around the globe.
Next, head to Manuel Antonio National Park, known for its breathtaking beaches and abundant wildlife. Explore the trails of park, where monkeys swing through trees and colorful birds soar overhead. Relax on tranquil coves or venture into azure waters for a refreshing swim.
Throughout your journey, enjoy the freedom to explore at your own pace, ensuring a truly unforgettable experience filled with privacy, tranquility, and the beauty of Costa Rica's national parks.
We originally looked at booking the longer Costa Rica Family Adventure as we thought the Family Escape (at 7 nights) may be too much of a whirlwind. However, we liked the fact that there were less distances to travel (as the Family Escape does not include a visit to the Caribbean coast), and that there were more activities included, plus, on enquiry, we found out that on the dates we wished to travel the families booked onto this trip had children of similar ages to our own (16 and 12). We are so pleased we went for this option! From being met at the airport by our wonderful guide, Eduardo, and driver, Cesar, to being waved off as we boarded our transfer on the last day, we enjoyed every minute of our holiday!
Costa Rica is an incredible country and this trip gives you a sense of its diverstiy - from the volcanic landscape around Arenal, to the Cloud Forest at Monteverde, and the tropical beaches of Carillo. The mix of activities is great - from the high adrenaline rafting and zip wire course at Monteverde, to fascinating nature walks and wildlife spotting. The itinery is quite pacy - there are activities most days, however, you get at least 2 nights at each hotel (apart from in San Jose) so you do get chance to unpack a little and enjoy some downtime.
The hotels all offer something different: Los Lagos at La Fortuna is set in lush tropical gardens with its own resident crocodile and butterfly and insect houses. Plus, it has its own hot springs complete with water slides which our children loved. The Country Lodge at Monteverde is a little more basic, but charming, whilst the Nammbu Beachfront Bungalows are super stylish with spacious rooms and a stunning pool area.
I spent 13 days in Costa Rica and did a self-drive everywhere from Liberia to San Jose while hitting places such as Rincon, Arenal, Monteverde, Samara Beach, and Dominical to name a few and I was able to do pretty much everything I wanted to do in Costa Rica thanks to Alex's brilliant trip planning! On top of that, the hotels that were booked for me were all top notch and there were plenty of opportunities to have lunch and dinner no matter where I stayed. If you plan to stay in Costa Rica anytime soon, I highly recommend having Alex to plan your trip with you!
Independent TourTypically a private tour undertaken by one or two travelers
Accommodation
Eco Lodge, Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
12-65 yrs
Operated in
English
Destinations
Monteverde Cloud Forest Biologic
Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve, Samara Beach, Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park, Tenorio, Guanacaste, Bijagua, Rio Celeste, Monteverde, Playa Carrillo, Carrillo Beach, Liberia City
Great all around trip. The guide (Jeff) was organized, attentive and fun to be around. Briefings each day were informative and useful. The food was excellent, camp sites were good. The rafting was very exhilarating. The equipment was in good condition and they were prepared for mishaps. We had bike chain break but they had spare bike readily available. You could push yourself as hard or as easy as you felt comfortable.