Basic Costa Rica: Coastlines & Cloud Forests

5.0Based on
14 daysDuration
Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers
18 peopleMaximum group size
18 - 39 yearsAge range for participants
EnglishGuide language
Easy
Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Highlights

Chill out on the Caribbean and Pacific coasts.

Cruise across Lake Arenal with beautiful views of Arenal Volcano.

Explore the misty cloud forest

Itinerary

For young travelers eager to experience Costa Rica’s greatest hits without the frills, Basic Costa Rica: Coastlines & Cloud Forests is your ticket to adventure. Over two weeks, you’ll chase volcanoes, stroll cloud forests, and lounge on both Pacific and Caribbean beaches. Flexible options let you zipline, surf, or rappel waterfalls at your own pace. This trip’s USP: maximum freedom and variety—empowering you to create your ideal Costa Rica adventure while the essentials (accommodation, transport) are taken care of.

day 1 - San José

Arrive at any time. Tonight, explore the La California barrio with your fellow travellers. Stop in at one of the many bars to get to know your group over a few drinks. Cheers to new friends and new adventures!
Arrive in San Jose at any time. There are no planned activities so check into our hotel and enjoy the city.

Accomodation:Boutique Hotel Casa Las Orquideas (or similar)
Included Activities:Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Duration : 1.0 hr, Connect With New Friends

day 2 - San José/Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Today begin with an incredible bus ride over the mountains to the Caribbean coast. The group will be travelling to the picturesque village of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to enjoy the tropical seascape and sandy beaches surrounded by exotic tropical vegetation.
Spend time enjoying the picturesque village of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. The white and black sand beaches are perfect for lounging about and catching up on some relaxation.

Accomodation:Hotel Maritza (or similar)
Transport:Local Bus Duration : 5.0 hr Distance : 210 km
Optional Activities:Bike Rental Rent a bike from a local shop and head out to explore.

day 3 - 4 - Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

It's a full free Day in absolute paradise! What are you waiting for? Opt to rent a bike, relax on the beach, or hike in Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge.

Accomodation:Hotel Maritza (or similar)
Optional Activities:Bike Rental Rent a bike from a local shop and head out to explore., Boogie Boarding Rent a boogie board and enjoy playing in the surf., Finca la Isla Botanical Garden Visit Just outside the town is a tropical farm, part of which is set aside as a botanical garden. Finca la Isla is a working farm and botanical garden built from the remains of an abandoned cacao plantation. Sample homemade natural chocolate, drink tropical fruit drinks, learn about the production of black pepper and nutmeg, as well as ornamental plants. Shoot some colourful photos and be careful where you walk. Visitors are guaranteed to see the red poison dart frog, along with other frogs, reptiles, toucans and birds., Gandoca Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge Hike Beginning at the Cocles River south of Puerto Viejo, the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge extends through beach communities, jungle, marshland, coves and coast all the way to the Sixaola River and the border with Panama. Begin in Manzanillo and wind your way through plantations of cacao, strangler fig and almond trees, look for capuchin and howler monkeys, sloths and raccoons. White sand beaches lead into aquamarine water, filled with 35 species of coral and tropical fish, sea turtles, lobsters and sting rays. Wear light clothing, walking shoes, and bring lots of water and insect repellent., Snorkelling

day 5 - Puerto Viejo de Talamanca/San Carlos

Travel north up the Caribbean coastline before heading inland through varied landscapes. Stop at Coope San Juan for a homestay in the local community and cooperative that includes lunch, dinner, and an activity with the community.

Meal:Dinner
Accomodation:Coope San Juan Homestay (or similar)
Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 5.0 hr - 6.0 hr Distance : 272 km
Included Activity:Coope San Juan Homestay

day 6 - San Carlos/La Fortuna

After breakfast in San Carlos the group will travel to La Fortuna. Check out this beautiful area at the base of Arenal Volcano. Options abound—soak in Arenal's hot springs or get the adrenaline pumping with whitewater rafting or waterfall rappelling.
Get your adrenaline pumping and pre-book the Costa Rica Adrenaline Bundle on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.

Meal:Breakfast
Accomodation:Arenal Backpackers Resort (or similar)
Transport:Private Vehicle
Optional Activities:Gravity Falls Waterfall Jumping , Mountain Biking , Whitewater Rafting , Lost Canyon Adventures Canyoning , Arenal Horseback Riding Throw on some long pants, grab the reins and hop up on a well-trained horse. Trail ride through the tropical forest and across the area’s most beautiful landscape. Look for toucans in the trees and admire the ocean views. Visit waterfalls and end your journey with a good gallop., Ecotermales Hot Springs , Costa Rica Adrenaline Bundle , La Fortuna Waterfall Swim , Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge Tour

day 7 - La Fortuna

Enjoy an entire free Day in La Fortuna. Opt to go whitewater rafting, mountain biking, caving, horseback riding, or a tour of the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. Like much of Costa Rica, the area is a birders’ paradise, with over 600 species as permanent residents. After a long Day of exploring, you can choose to take a relaxing soak at Baldi Hot Springs.

Accomodation:Arenal Backpackers Resort (or similar)
Optional Activities:Gravity Falls Waterfall Jumping , Whitewater Rafting , Ecotermales Hot Springs , Costa Rica Adrenaline Bundle , Stand-Up Paddle and Kayak Combo Zip up your life jacket, grab a paddle and get ready to be wowed by beauty in every direction. Technics and tricks will be taught for both stand up paddle boarding and kayaking, and there will be time allotted to enjoy both. Admire Arenal Volcano as you kayak the blue-green waters of Lake Arenal, Central America’s second largest lake. Scan the shores for more than 300 species of birds, listen for howler monkeys and fish for sharp-toothed rainbow bass. Take time to float and soak in the stunning scenery of the rolling hills, secret coves and sky that stretches forever.

day 8 - La Fortuna/Monteverde

Travel from La Fortuna to Monteverde and into the cool mountain air of the area. Stop at Life Monteverde, a coffee cooperative for coffee tastings, and a tour of their farm to learn about sustainable agriculture. In the afternoon, take time to venture out and explore the mountainous town of Monteverde.
From the central valley, ascend to the Monteverde cloud forest region. Spend a couple of days exploring the town and a cloud forest reserve, truly a bird lover's paradise. This unique community has several cooperatives worth visiting including artist collectives and a cheese factory.

Local guides are extremely knowledgeable about the area and passionate about conservation of this precious ecosystem.

Optional activities include a walk along suspension bridges through dense forest, a coffee tour, or an adrenaline-filled zipline above the cloud forest on one of the many famous canopy tours.

Accomodation:Hotel Manakin (or similar)
Transport:Shared Van Duration : 0.5 hr, Boat Duration : 0.75 hr, Shared Van Duration : 2.0 hr
Included Activity:Life Monteverde Experience

day 9 - Monteverde

There's so much to see and do in Monteverde and you'll have plenty of time on this free Day to explore on your own. Opt to wander the cloud forest or visit a coffee plantation.

Accomodation:Hotel Manakin (or similar)
Optional Activities:Monteverde Butterfly Garden Visit , Santa Elena Cloud Forest Guided Tour , El Trapiche Tour Monteverde This tour leaves twice daily 10:00 and 15:00. Tour includes: bilingual guide, artisanal candy making workshop, beverage., Ziplining , Monteverde Coffee Plantation Tour No trip to Costa Rica is complete without visiting a coffee plantation. Head to Café Monteverde and learn how this fair trade coffee goes from crop to cup. Pick ripe berries, watch how the beans are separated from the husk, then observe the drying and roasting process. Sample and buy some of these excellent beans. The Santa Elena coffee co-op prides itself on sustainable practices: it recycles processing water, uses coffee pulp for fertilizer, and sends plant fibers and husks to make paper., Sky Walk Leaves three times daily at 07:30, 10:30, and 13:00. Includes transport and bilingual guide. Easy walking. Bring closed-toed shoes, rain jacket or poncho, camera, binoculars (optional).

day 10 - Monteverde / Southern Nicoya Peninsula

Travel to the Pacific coast along the southern Nicoya Peninsula. Enjoy the laid-back beach town vibes of Santa Teresa or Montezuma.

Accomodation:Hostel La Posada Santa Teresa (or similar)
Transport:Shared Van Duration : 2.0 hr Distance : 60 km, Ferry, Shared Van Duration : 1.5 hr Distance : 52 km
Optional Activities:Swimming

day 11 - 12 - Santa Teresa / Montezuma

Fill your days with as much or as little as you like. Start off with an early yoga class or sleep in before setting off to explore nearby beaches in search of a perfect, tranquil spot for a Day of relaxing along the beautiful Pacific coast.
Take a day trip to the beautiful Isla Tortuga, where you can snorkel along a volcanic rock reef or check out the nearby surf havens of Mal Pais and Santa Teresa. Adrenaline junkies can take their pick of activities as well - ziplining, boogie boarding, horseback riding or scuba diving are all options. On the other hand, if relaxation is what you seek, opt for a yoga class or take a leisurely hike to search for orchids.

Want to learn how to surf in Costa Rica? Pre-book the Santa Teresa Surf Lesson on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.

Accomodation:Hostel La Posada Santa Teresa (or similar)
Optional Activities:Santa Teresa Surf Lesson Grab a board and start riding waves with a surf lesson on the beach. Start off by learning the basics: getting up and staying on the board. Once you're ready, take your new skills out into the water and put them to the test. After your surf lesson, relax on the beach and enjoy some lunch while watching the waves., Swimming , Tortuga Island Snorkelling Tour

day 13 - Southern Nicoya Peninsula / San José

Travel back to the capital for a final evening with the group.
Return to San José for some last-minute shopping and a final night on the town.

Accomodation:Boutique Hotel Casa Las Orquideas (or similar)
Transport:Local Bus Duration : 8.0 hr

day 14 - San José

Depart at any time.

Included Activity:Departure Day
Basic Costa Rica: Coastlines & Cloud Forests

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What's Included

Accommodation
Simple hotels (3 nts), hostels (9 nts, multi-share), local homestay (1 nt).
Meals
1 breakfast, 1 dinner
Note: Allow USD470-615 for meals not included.
Transport
Local bus, boat, taxi, private vehicle, walking.All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Guide
Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout.
Included activities
Your G for Good Moment: Coope San Juan Homestay, Cantón de San CarlosYour G for Good Moment: Life Monteverde Experience, MonteverdeYour Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and GroupYour First Night Out Moment: Connect With New FriendsYour Discover Moment: La FortunaYour Discover Moment: MonteverdeBeach time in Puerto Viejo and Santa TeresaFree time in La Fortuna and Monteverde

What's Excluded

Monthly Price Comparison

Good to Know

Cancellation
Payment
Travel Insurance
Visa
Other Practical Information

Do you need help from our trip consultants?

If you have any question about this tour or need help with planning a trip, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

Our travel experts are ready to help.
Jane Andersen
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Rasmus Juul Olsen

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