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Highlights of Costa Rica

4.0Based on
8 days
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8 daysDuration
Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants
16 peopleMaximum group size
16 - 79 yearsAge range for participants
EnglishGuide language
Easy
Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.
Select Date
Best price guaranteedNo credit card or booking fees.Carbon neutral tours.

Highlights

Discover Monteverde - Delve into the forest trails of this cloud forest reserve, a biodiverse paradise for nature enthusiasts. Wildlife river cruise - Float down the Penas Blancas river, spotting rare species along the banks and in the tree canopies. Explore Manuel Antonio - Share the stunning white-sand beaches of this national park with sun-bathing iguanas and capuchin monkeys.

Itinerary

Nature enthusiasts will revel in the Highlights of Costa Rica tour, an eight-day adventure showcasing the country’s most iconic landscapes. Travel from San Jose to the volcanic majesty of Arenal, discover the cloud forests of Monteverde, and relax on the pristine beaches of Manuel Antonio. Activities include a wildlife river cruise, rainforest hikes, and plenty of opportunities to spot rare species among lush canopies. This easy-paced trip is tailored for experienced travelers looking for a balanced mix of exploration and leisure. The unique feature: a thoughtfully curated itinerary that brings you close to Costa Rica’s vibrant wildlife and natural wonders.

day 1Join trip in San Jose

Our tour starts today in San Jose, Costa Rica's cosmopolitan capital. Lying in a fertile valley, at an altitude of 1,150 metres, coffee and sugar are big industries here - coffee is even planted between buildings and along the roadsides on the outskirts of the city. For those arriving in time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for a welcome meeting, and for those that wish there'll be the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in San Jose at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer, you'll need to arrive into San Jose's Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), which is around a 30-minute drive from our hotel. If you miss the welcome meeting, your tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might like to head out and explore the city - the barrios are easy to navigate, laid out in a grid pattern of avenues and streets. The National Museum (Museo Nacional De Costa Rica) is also well worth a visit.

Accommodation
Autentico Hotel

day 2Visit the Doka Coffee Estate; take a walk in Arenal National Park

day 3Wildlife float trip on the Penas Blancas river, free afternoon with optional activities including a waterfall hike

day 4Drive to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, night walk through the forest

day 5Drive to Manuel Antonio National Park

day 6Explore Manuel Antonio's wildlife and beaches

day 7Free morning in Manuel Antonio National Park, return by vehicle to San Jose

day 8Trip ends in San Jose

What's Included

Accommodation
Autentico Hotel (2 nights)Hotel San Bosco Inn (2 nights)Monteverde Country Lodge (1 night)La Foresta Nature Resort (2 nights)
Meals
7 Breakfasts
Transport
Bus
Guide
Explore Tour Leader

Customer Reviews

4.3

based on 8 reviews
3
4
1
H
HelenVerified Traveler
4.0 | Very Good

Walter was a fantastic guide. Last two days of trip were a bit empty for me but everyone else did extension trips so should probably have done that.

A
AnonymousVerified Traveler
5.0 | Excellent

We had a great trip: beautiful landscapes, good food and abundant wildlife. Our only observation was that the traffic conditions meant that most days we spent a lot more time on the road than we expected/than the timings given on the itinerary. Of course, the traffic isn't within anyone's control, but for those looking for a very active holiday, the time spent in transit might be a consideration. But would certainly recommend Costa Rica as a an amazing destination!

A
AnonymousVerified Traveler
4.0 | Very Good

Our sixth trip with Explore and Costa Rica totally lived up to our expectations Such a beautiful country. Great itinerary. Experiences which will never be forgotten.

A
Andrew L.Verified Traveler
5.0 | Excellent

This was an excellent, short, if intense tour. So many amazing highlights in this incredible country, crammed into just shy of 8 days. Every national park we visited was amazing; the optional activates varied. Major highlights were the hanging bridges in the cloud forest in Monteverde and the unforgettable Manual Antonio National Park. Our guide (Tyron Vargas) was absolutely outstanding (and our driver was brilliant too!). Tyron was unbelievably knowledgeable, not just about the flora and fauna, but also about the country - its history, its people and its aspirations. All in all, a totally unforgettable experience. His ability to locate animals high in the canopy wasnamazing. He also took photos and videos of the animals via his telescope and then sent the resulting photos and videos to us on WhatsApp, so we could add his incredible photos and videos to our blurred ones! Pura Vida!!!

R
RichardVerified Traveler
4.0 | Very Good

Our leader was very knowledgeable. However, there were some issues with the itinerary. While I enjoyed the hanging bridges and zip wire, there really was no alternative if you didn't want to do them. Also, the last full day was effectively lost as we couldn't return to the coast and, if we wanted, go again to the National Park.

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
Sine
Rasmus Juul Olsen

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