Natural Highlights of Costa Rica

4.6Based on

Carbon neutral

8 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

16 peopleMaximum group size

16 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Starts

San Jose, Costa Rica

Ends

San Jose, Costa Rica

Highlights

Enjoy an easy-going week in wildlife hotspots: rainforest, mangroves, lava fields and cloud forests

Navigate the Tortuguero waterways in search of monkeys, caiman and more

Discover the natural wonders of Arenal Volcano National Park via walking trails, observation towers and hanging bridges

Feel the cloud forest come alive on a nocturnal walk in the Monteverde Wildlife Refuge

Itinerary

Costa Rica’s lush rainforests and abundant wildlife take center stage on the "Natural Highlights of Costa Rica" trip, curated with a relaxed pace for seniors eager to savor nature’s wonders. Starting and ending in San Jose, this eight-day guided tour winds through the biodiverse realms of La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano, and Tortuguero National Park, where vibrant flora and fauna abound.

With more than 850 recorded bird species and a stunning variety of endemic plants and animals, Costa Rica stands as a paradise for nature lovers. Daily excursions are gentle and accessible, focusing on wildlife viewing, scenic walks, and immersive experiences that don’t demand strenuous activity. Comfortable lodgings and well-organized transport ensure a worry-free journey.

The unique selling point of this tour package is its exceptional access to some of the world’s richest biodiversity—perfect for travelers who want to immerse themselves in natural beauty without the rush. From rainforest canopies to volcanic landscapes, every moment is designed to delight and inspire, making this an unforgettable getaway for those with a passion for the wild.

day 1 - Adventure starts in San José

Begin your adventure in San José, the culture-rich capital of Costa Rica. A complimentary transfer from the airport to the hotel is available. Check in and take it easy, there’s plenty of excitement on this trip, so today’s all about relaxing and easing ourselves into the adventure.

Around 7.30pm, say hola to your tour leader and fellow travellers when we gather as a group for a short briefing and dinner together. Our main briefing takes place tomorrow afternoon in Tortuguero due to the late arrival of some flights today.

Want to explore San Jose further? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Meals:Dinner

Accommodation:KC Hotel or Delta by Marriott San José Aurola (or similar)

day 2 - To Tortuguero National Park

Our adventure begins early this morning, leaving San Jose behind as we travel to Tortuguero National Park in the northeast of Costa Rica. Accessible only by boat or light aircraft, Tortuguero has a vast network of waterways, canals and swamps that are remarkably tranquil, unspoilt and devoid of noise pollution. On reaching the pier, we board a small motorboat for the journey to our lodge (up to 1hr 30min) , which is a short distance from the main lagoon. Please note the transfer from San José to Tortuguero is not private for our groups.

This afternoon your tour leader will host the main welcome briefing when we gather as a group to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. We also visit Tortuguero village, where it’s possible to enter the Sea Turtle Museum (a donation is requested at the entrance).

Tortuguero is probably most famous as a nesting site for the endangered green turtle, which can be seen coming ashore to lay eggs from late July to October (as part of an optional excursion). Hawksbill, loggerhead, and giant leatherback turtles also nest in this region, and from late August through to November, baby turtles hatch and make their way to the ocean. Today's travel time will be in the region of five to six hours including a stop for breakfast.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:Evergreen Lodge or Pachira Lodge (or similar)

day 3 - Boat tour around Tortuguero waterways

A morning boat trip enables us to discover the extraordinary flora and fauna of Tortuguero, passing serenely along the waterways. At this time of day, wildlife is usually at its most active and with the help of our expert guide we are likely to encounter monkeys, caiman, iguanas, butterflies and many of the 300-plus bird species recorded here. We return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast by the river. This afternoon, we enjoy a second boat trip along a different canal. Alternatively, stay at the lodge this afternoon if you want to enjoy the facilities or follow a short walking trail through the forest.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:Evergreen Lodge or Pachira Lodge (or similar)

day 4 - To La Fortuna, near Arenal

We leave Tortuguero the same way we arrived by taking a small boat to the pier. Our bus will be at the pier waiting to drive us to the Arenal region, passing huge banana, pineapple and sugar cane plantations on the way. Arenal was the most active volcano in Costa Rica until 2010, when it entered a resting phase and stopped spitting ash, smoke and lava. However, there is still a lot of geothermal activity here and you'll have the opportunity to visit one of the excellent hot springs this evening. Alternatively, embark on a chocolate and coffee tour or take a walk on the wild side with the Ecoglide zipline . In clear weather, there are great views of the volcano from our overnight base, the nearby town of La Fortuna. Today's travelling time is around 5hr 30min including a lunch stop.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

Others:Arenal Montechiari or Casa Luna (or similar)

day 5 - Morning at Arenal Observatory Lodge; free afternoon

Today we enjoy Costa Rica's natural beauty at its best with a visit to Arenal Observatory Lodge, located within Arenal Volcano National Park.

Our walk incorporates a hanging bridge through the treetop canopy and meanders through beautiful tropical gardens and lush rainforest. The property has a variety of trails and the tour leader will select a trail that suits the whole group for an enjoyable walk full of biodiversity. Two impressive observation towers, including the 28-meter-high Nest Tower, offer panoramic views of the surroundings.

The adventure takes approximately two to three hours and offers opportunities to see or hear more than 250 species of birds, three types of monkeys and a whole host of other mammals, insects, reptiles, plants and flowers. After the nature walk, a delicious lunch is included in the restaurant.

The afternoon is free to relax or embark on one of Arenal's many optional activities, including zip lining and a coffee and chocolate tour.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

Others:Arenal Montechiari or Casa Luna (or similar)

day 6 - To Monteverde in the Tilarán Mountains; nocturnal wildlife walk

From Arenal, we travel to the Tilarán Mountain Range in the Central Highlands for our first taste of a Costa Rican cloud forest. The journey provides breath-taking views of the Gulf of Nicoya and the islands below as we ascend the hills towards Monteverde, a forest-cloaked region whose name means Green Mountain. The high altitude supports a complex ecosystem where plants thrive, particularly orchids of which there are some 400-plus different varieties here. Today's drive is around four hours – the last 25mi (40km) of road is gravel and can be bumpy, particularly following heavy rain. In the afternoon, it's possible to join an optional coffee tour to learn about the importance of this crop to the socio-economic development of the country.

This evening we set off on a night walk in Monteverde Wildlife Refuge. Situated within primary cloud forest, this reserve is committed to the preservation of native flora and fauna. Taking a nocturnal walk allows for a completely new perspective on the forest, which our guides will bring to life for us. Keep your eyes peeled for sloths, who are often active during the night!

Meals:Breakfast

Accommodation:Montaña Monteverde or Monteverde Country Lodge (or similar)

day 7 - Visit Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve; to San José

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a favourite destination for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts. A walk through the reserve will reveal huge old growth trees covered in moss while the surrounding mist permeates the atmosphere. The geographic, topographic and climatic conditions of the reserve allow a surprising biodiversity to thrive. There are four ecological ‘life zones’ that harbour different ecosystems for hundreds of species – mammals, birds, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, insects and arachnids. We can also find a variety of mosses, vines, other plants and trees typical of the cloud forest. One of the reserve trails leads to a lookout point right at the top of the continental divide where, on clear days, you see both Costa Rican coasts: the Caribbean and Pacific. These forests are also one of the few remaining habitats of the endangered resplendent quetzal. Following today's activity, we transfer to San José.

Meals:Breakfast

Accommodation:KC Hotel or Delta by Marriott San José Aurola (or similar)

day 8 - End San José

The trip comes to an end today after breakfast, and it's time to bid Costa Rica and the rest of the group goodbye.

If you aren’t quite ready to leave, speak to your sales representative about extending your adventure – relax on the beach, treat yourself to some spa time, or discover more nature. To ensure total relaxation, you can stay for as many nights as you wish in a range of hotels, and we’ll organise airport transfers in either direction for you.

Meals:Breakfast

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What's Included

Accommodation

All accommodation

Meals

All breakfasts, four lunches, three dinners

Transport

All transport and listed activitiesArrival and departure transfers

Guide

Tour leader throughout

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

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4.6

based on 14 reviews

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