Embark on an unforgettable adventure through Costa Rica’s lush rainforests, exotic beaches, and vibrant wildlife! Begin your journey in the bustling capital of San Jose before hiking volcanic craters and exploring cascading waterfalls. Glide through Tortuguero’s jungle canals, spotting monkeys, sloths, and even the elusive jaguar. Walk the breathtaking hanging bridges in Arenal’s tropical rainforest, then hike the misty Monteverde Cloud Forest, teeming with rare species. Finally, unwind on the pristine white sands of Tamarindo, where relaxation meets paradise. This thrilling trip offers nature at its most majestic, combined with local culture, luxurious stays, and unforgettable memories!
Find out about Costa Rica’s entry requirements here.
Arrive into the vibrant capital of San Jose. Relax for the rest of the afternoon before a welcome drink and dinner.
Making our way out of the city, we head towards the active Poas Volcano. The volcano rises to 2,708 metres above sea level and we will witness large amounts of gas and water vapour that emit from the different fumaroles located in the inner cone of the crater. At the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, we can explore some of the trails and take in the famous waterfalls. The private reserve also contains a Butterfly Garden and Hummingbird Garden with many beautiful species. The park is even a refuge for birds and wild cats who are now cared for by the centre.
Comfortable walking shoes (preferably with a thick tread for hiking the trails and hundreds of stairs), shorts or comfortable trousers and a lightweight jacket or raincoat.
Please note: The Park ranges in altitude from 5,200 feet to 4,200 feet so it can get chilly when the clouds roll in.
After an early morning start, we head to the docks and transfer by boat to Tortuguero. Following lunch, we visit Tortuguero Village.
Please note: Luggage is limited to 25 pounds (12 kg) per person.
Having had its boundaries extended three times, Tortuguero National Park is internationally recognised for its protection of the largest green turtle nesting beach in the Western Hemisphere. A place like no other, we glide along by small boats through a network of canals and freshwater lagoons, watched perhaps by curious monkeys, bright toucans, ancient iguanas, sedentary sloths and maybe even the glinting eye of a crocodile.
Please note: The order and logistics of the itinerary may change depending on weather conditions.
After breakfast, we take the boat back to the port before transferring to Arenal.
This is a perfect opportunity to discover a tropical rainforest. Our walk takes in 15 bridges, 6 of which are hanging bridges all built with amazing views of the forest, and with the shape of the trees allowing us to observe many species more closely. The park has more than 700 species of flora and 350 species of fauna. Look out for the bell bird, the emerald tucancito, whilst keeping your eyes peeled for the elusive jaguar and tapirs.
We transfer to Monteverde today with a Trapiche Tour in the afternoon. This is a Costa Rican family project that offers visitors the opportunity to learn about traditional farming in the country, such as sugar cane, coffee, bananas, oranges, ‘arracacha’ (a local vegetable) and macadamia. We will have the opportunity to ride in an oxcart and learn how to grow cacao to make chocolate. We can make our own ‘sobado, a fudge-like candy and to try the ‘picadillo de arracache’ (a traditional dish) with a delicious cup of coffee.
Today we hike through the famous Cloud Forest. One of the most famous conservation areas in Central America, it is tropical rainforest but because of its altitude (1,400 meters), it’s called a Cloud Forest. The cloud forest receives an incredible four meters of rain every year, and is home to rare and unusual wildlife.
Today we will transfer to Tamarindo where we will spend two nights on the beach.
Located in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, Tamarindo is a truly exotic paradise! Tamarindo Beach is a white sand bay beach, and part of Las Baulas National Park.
Surrounded by exotic tropical gardens, our hotel offers outstanding international cuisine with six different restaurants and five bars. You can enjoy the four swimming pools and the outdoor jacuzzi.
Today, we have a full day at leisure to chill out on the beach or take a dip in one of the swimming pools at our resort.
We say a final farewell as we head back to San Jose for our overnight flight home.
We stay in comfortable hotels throughout as detailed below (or similar);
Frequently Asked Questions
The transfer time for the main tour between Juan Santamaria International Airport San Jose and the hotel is approximately 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
During the day when sightseeing, we recommend casual, lightweight cotton clothing, shorts or comfortable trousers. We recommend to bring at least 2 sets of clothes that dry quickly (jeans not recommended).
You will find that smart casual wear is acceptable, even in the best hotels during the evening. We would recommend a lightweight raincoat and an umbrella or hat for protection against rain or sun. Comfortable walking shoes are a “must” for sightseeing and for hiking trails and stairs (preferably with a thick tread). Please take a zip-lock plastic bags for personal belongings protection in case of rain, small day pack or fanny pack for hikes, sweater or light jacket, sunglasses and swimwear.
We suggest a Group Collection to cover guides, transfer drivers, and hotel staff. We recommend $ 10.00 per person per day for the guide and $ 5.00 per person per day for driver.
Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, or taxi fares, your Tour Leader can advise of an appropriate % to add on.
Your passport should have at least one day’s validity from the date you are leaving Costa Rica. If you hold a passport other than a British Citizen passport, different regulations may apply.
British nationals do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica. You may stay as a visitor for up to 90 days under a tourist visa waiver, although the exact period is at the discretion of the immigration officer on arrival.
Evidence of onward travel
Entry to Costa Rica may be refused if you are unable to produce evidence of return or onward travel (for example a return air ticket).
Further information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/costa-rica/entry-requirements
At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website. Each country-specific page has information on vaccine recommendations, any current health risks or outbreaks, and factsheets with information on staying healthy abroad. Guidance is also available from NHS (Scotland) on the FitForTravel website.
General information on travel vaccinations and a travel health checklist is available on the NHS website. You may then wish to contact your health adviser or pharmacy for advice on other preventive measures and managing any pre-existing medical conditions while you’re abroad.
Check whether you need a yellow fever certificate by visiting the National Travel Health Network and Centre’s TravelHealthPro website.
Costa Rican colón
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Master Card & American Express.
US$ are well accepted at restaurants and stores (Preferably $10 & $20 bills)
A reasonable level of fitness/mobility is required as include plenty of sightseeing/travelling, sometimes with early starts.
The La Paz Waterfalls Gardens is located in a Park which ranges in altitude from 5200 feet to 4200 feet so it can get
chilly when the clouds roll in.
When in Tortugero, there is a luggage restriction to 12kg per person. You can travel with a small bag and the remainder left in storage at our partners office.
There’s a departure tax of $29 when leaving the country by air. Most airlines include this in ticket prices; a few have still not done so. Check with your airline or travel company whether you need to pay this separately. If so you can pay by cash or credit/debit card in dollars or local colones.
Average Temperatures
| Month(s) | Highest temperature | Lowest temperature |
|---|---|---|
| January | 26 °C | 17 °C |
| February - May | 29 °C | 18 °C |
| June - August | 28 °C | 18 °C |
| October - December | 25 °C | 18 °C |
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