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.
Embark on an unforgettable Costa Rica adventure, exploring breathtaking volcano landscapes and lush rainforests. Discover the iconic Arenal Volcano, rejuvenate in natural hot springs, and trek through scenic trails rich with wildlife. This thrilling tour offers wildlife spotting, canopy walks, and visits to La Fortuna waterfall, perfect for nature enthusiasts and thrill-seekers. Immerse yourself in Costa Rica's natural beauty and vibrant ecosystems on this expertly guided, action-packed journey showcasing the best of tropical adventure.
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.
Immerse yourself in the essence of Costa Rica on this exciting 9-day journey that will take you to explore the natural beauty and majesty in the surrounding areas of four of the country's most prominent volcanoes: the imposing Irazú Volcano in Cartago, the majestic Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna area, thee intriguing Rincón de la Vieja Volcano in Guanacaste, and the famous Poás Volcano.
Get ready to embark on this adventure as you enjoy the landscapes full of biodiversity that only Costa Rica can offer.
In this volcano adventure trip, you will have the opportunity to visit some destinations with different volcano landscapes and hikes within the national parks.
Embark on a captivating journey through Costa Rica's diverse landscapes and vibrant culture with this meticulously crafted itinerary. Begin your adventure with a private transfer from Juan Santamaria International Airport to your hotel in San Jose, where you'll receive a warm welcome and an introduction to the country's rich heritage. Explore Costa Rica's cosmopolitan capital, San Jose, home to bustling streets, iconic landmarks, and a myriad of gastronomic delights.
Next, venture into the misty cloud forests of Monteverde, where exhilarating horseback riding tours and guided walks through the renowned Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve await. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking natural beauty and abundant wildlife of this verdant region.
Continue your journey to Manuel Antonio, a paradise of unspoiled beaches and lush rainforests. Spend your days snorkeling, hiking, or simply basking in the sun-kissed tranquility of this coastal haven. With a variety of optional tours available, including mangrove boat tours, horseback riding adventures, and guided walks through national parks, there's something for every adventurer to enjoy.
As your unforgettable Costa Rican odyssey draws to a close, bid farewell to this enchanting country and its warm-hearted people with a private transfer back to Juan Santamaria International Airport for your departure.
Prepare to be captivated by the beauty, biodiversity, and boundless adventure that await you in Costa Rica.
This is an absolutely incredible tour -- our guide Jason was both very informative and very helpful. He explained the history of the Arenal volcano to us, we took a short hike a small part of the way up the mountain, and then went back down to look at wildlife in the rainforest. We saw spider monkeys, which Jason said are a pretty rare sight, and then a red curacao just walked out onto the trail in front of us! It was an incredible feeling to just be seeing all these animals spontaneously on a nature hike.
Speaking of hikes, it is important to be aware that this tour is somewhat physically demanding. There are no extreme parts, just some strenuous walking over very uneven ground, but I think the tour description could do a better job of emphasizing the challenge. At the same time, the tour is extremely convenient in terms of picking you up and dropping you off at your desired location, whether a hotel, hot springs, or somewhere else. Overall, I strongly recommend the Arenal Volcano trip to anyone who is into volcanoes and wildlife and plans to visit the Arenal area.
If you’re looking for a Central American thrill, take on an eight-day active adventure through one of the world's greenest countries. Dive into Costa Rica’s wilderness and cascade down the rapids of Pacuare River in a raft, hike misty jungle trails in the Monteverde Cloud Forest and cycle along the coastline of Puerto Viejo. With plenty of free time to customise your adventure depending on your interests, you might opt to surf the Caribbean waves in palm-fringed beach towns or go stand up paddleboarding on Lake Arenal. Costa Rica is the perfect place for wildlife lovers (how many sloths can you spot?), active adventurers and those seeking a natural paradise.
Join our four-day trip and enjoy the untouched nature of the Corcovado National Park, settled in the beautiful region of Osa Peninsula. It is a true jewel of land, water, and life, home to a diverse vegetation and animal species. Walk across the rainforests of Corcovado National Park, unveil the breathtaking waterfalls and discover the marine life during the snorkelling excursion to Caño Island. If you are nature-lover and adventurer you won´t regret to go through this fantastic experience.
This combination tour is perfect for visitors to La Fortuna who want to do it all but have limited time. With this one-day tour, you can visit the most important attractions in the area.
The incredible Arenal Volcano is not to be missed, so we start the adventure at the Arenal Volcano National Park to hike a 4 km (2.5 miles) trail called “Lava Slides of 1992” which will take us as close to the mighty Arenal as possible, without risking your safety. From there, if the skies are clear, the views of Arenal Lake, the forest, and the areas devastated by previous eruptions will be impressive.
At around 11:30, we will arrive at the second place of interest, La Fortuna Waterfall, famous for its height of 70 meters (230 feet). There you can take a refreshing swim in the cool waters or take pictures of its beauty. Afterwards, at around 1:00 pm we will stop at a restaurant near downtown La Fortuna for a delicious a la carte lunch with 5 options to choose from.
Later, at 2:30 pm, we will head to the Arenal Hanging Bridges, to hike a 3.1 km (1.92 miles) trail circuit high above the tree canopy, and across a circuit of 15 impressive hanging and stationary bridges trying to spot the local wildlife.
At the end of this full-day tour, we’ll drive you back to your hotel.
