- 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
Natural Highlights of Costa Rica
8 Days
Excluding Flights From
9 Days
from
Wildlife
Activity Level
Easy
See our Activity Level Guidelines to check if this holiday is right for you.
Comfort Level
Classic
Jungles, mountains and coast: Costa Rica is a natural paradise
A tropical paradise bursting with wildlife, Costa Rica is home to six percent of the world’s plant and animal species, many endemic. The rich biodiversity is extremely colourful. More than 850 bird species have been recorded here – far more than found anywhere in North America, Europe and Australia. A cornucopia of exotic flora and fauna, Costa Rica is a nature lover’s delight.
Highlights
Key Information
- Accommodation: 7 Classic nights (5 hotel, 2 lodge)
- Travel by air-conditioned bus and boat
- Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
- Green turtle nesting season: July to October
- Countries visited: Costa Rica
What's Included
- All breakfasts, four lunches, three dinners
- All accommodation
- All transport and listed activities
- Tour leader throughout
- Arrival and departure transfers
What's Not Included
- Travel insurance
- Single accommodation (available on request)
- Visas or vaccinations
Start
Finish
Availability
Land Only Trip Price
Optional Single Supplement
Saturday Saturday
10 Jan 2026 10 Jan 2026
Saturday Sunday
17 Jan 2026 18 Jan 2026
Availability Guaranteed (On Request)
Land Only Trip Price £ 2199 £ 2199
Optional Single Supplement
+£ 425
Available upon Request
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and can be booked, although some components will need to be requested. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
24 Jan 2026 24 Jan 2026
Saturday Sunday
31 Jan 2026 01 Feb 2026
Availability Guaranteed (On Request) Only 5 spaces left!
Land Only Trip Price £ 2199 £ 2199
Optional Single Supplement
+£ 425
Available upon Request
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and can be booked, although some components will need to be requested. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
07 Feb 2026 07 Feb 2026
Saturday Sunday
14 Feb 2026 15 Feb 2026
Availability Guaranteed (Limited) Only 4 spaces left!
Land Only Trip Price £ 2299 £ 2299
Optional Single Supplement +£ 425
Availability
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View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
07 Mar 2026 07 Mar 2026
Saturday Sunday
14 Mar 2026 15 Mar 2026
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Land Only Trip Price £ 2399 £ 2399
Optional Single Supplement +£ 425
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View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
21 Mar 2026 21 Mar 2026
Saturday Sunday
28 Mar 2026 29 Mar 2026
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Land Only Trip Price Usually £ 1999Now £ 1829Saving £ 170 Usually £ 1999Now £ 1829Saving £ 170
Optional Single Supplement +£ 425
Availability
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View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
11 Apr 2026 11 Apr 2026
Saturday Sunday
18 Apr 2026 19 Apr 2026
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Optional Single Supplement +£ 425
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View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
25 Jul 2026 25 Jul 2026
Saturday Sunday
01 Aug 2026 02 Aug 2026
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Optional Single Supplement +£ 425
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View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
31 Oct 2026 31 Oct 2026
Saturday Sunday
07 Nov 2026 08 Nov 2026
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Optional Single Supplement +£ 425
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This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
14 Nov 2026 14 Nov 2026
Saturday Sunday
21 Nov 2026 22 Nov 2026
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Land Only Trip Price £ 2199 £ 2199 Book with £ 549 deposit Book with £ 549 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 425
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This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
16 Jan 2027 16 Jan 2027
Saturday Sunday
23 Jan 2027 24 Jan 2027
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Land Only Trip Price £ 2249 £ 2249 Book with £ 562 deposit Book with £ 562 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 445
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This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
06 Feb 2027 06 Feb 2027
Saturday Sunday
13 Feb 2027 14 Feb 2027
Availability Guaranteed (Available)
Land Only Trip Price £ 2249 £ 2249 Book with £ 562 deposit Book with £ 562 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 445
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
20 Feb 2027 20 Feb 2027
Saturday Sunday
27 Feb 2027 28 Feb 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price £ 2249 £ 2249 Book with £ 562 deposit Book with £ 562 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 445
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
06 Mar 2027 06 Mar 2027
Saturday Sunday
13 Mar 2027 14 Mar 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price £ 2249 £ 2249 Book with £ 562 deposit Book with £ 562 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 445
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
13 Mar 2027 13 Mar 2027
Saturday Sunday
20 Mar 2027 21 Mar 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price £ 2249 £ 2249 Book with £ 562 deposit Book with £ 562 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 445
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
17 Apr 2027 17 Apr 2027
Saturday Sunday
24 Apr 2027 25 Apr 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price £ 2249 £ 2249 Book with £ 562 deposit Book with £ 562 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 445
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
08 May 2027 08 May 2027
Saturday Sunday
15 May 2027 16 May 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price £ 2249 £ 2249 Book with £ 562 deposit Book with £ 562 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 445
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
05 Jun 2027 05 Jun 2027
Saturday Sunday
12 Jun 2027 13 Jun 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price £ 2249 £ 2249 Book with £ 562 deposit Book with £ 562 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 445
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
24 Jul 2027 24 Jul 2027
Saturday Sunday
31 Jul 2027 01 Aug 2027
Availability Guaranteed (Available)
Land Only Trip Price £ 2249 £ 2249 Book with £ 562 deposit Book with £ 562 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 445
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
06 Nov 2027 06 Nov 2027
Saturday Sunday
13 Nov 2027 14 Nov 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price £ 2249 £ 2249 Book with £ 562 deposit Book with £ 562 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 445
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
27 Nov 2027 27 Nov 2027
Saturday Sunday
04 Dec 2027 05 Dec 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price £ 2249 £ 2249 Book with £ 562 deposit Book with £ 562 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 445
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip Notes
Itinerary
San José San José
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.
Accommodation: KC Hotel or Delta by Marriott San José Aurola (or similar)
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.
Accommodation: Evergreen Lodge or Pachira Lodge (or similar)
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.
Accommodation: Evergreen Lodge or Pachira Lodge (or similar)
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.
Accommodation: Arenal Montechiari or Casa Luna (or similar)
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.
Accommodation: Arenal Montechiari or Casa Luna (or similar)
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!
Accommodation: Montaña Monteverde or Monteverde Country Lodge (or similar)
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.
Accommodation: KC Hotel or Delta by Marriott San José Aurola (or similar)
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.
Post-trip Extensions
Costa Rica Hotels
Recharge with a few relaxing nights by the beach and make your adventure feel even more extraordinary. Costa Rica’s coastline is a paradise of golden sands and warm Pacific waters, perfect for unwinding after wildlife encounters and rainforest exploration. Here are a few of our favourites to inspire your stay:
Si Como No Resort, Spa & Wildlife Refuge: Nestled above Manuel Antonio’s coastline, boasting jungle-to-ocean views and access to a private wildlife refuge. Its comfortable rooms, relaxing spa and proximity to Manuel Antonio National Park make it ideal for nature lovers wanting both comfort and adventure.
Alma del Pacífico Beachfront Hotel: A colourful, boutique beachfront escape set along Playa Esterillos, offering spacious villa-style rooms just steps from the sand. With an oceanfront spa, tropical gardens and a peaceful atmosphere, it’s perfect for travellers seeking tranquillity by the Pacific.
Punta Leona Beach Club & Nature Resort: Set within a private nature reserve, this resort has two beautiful white-sand beaches, swimming pools and wildlife-spotting opportunities. Monkeys roaming the grounds, sloths lazing in the trees, a butterfly garden, and free guided walks to spot toucans or hummingbirds.
This is just a glimpse of what’s possible. Speak to your sales representative, who can guide you through the options and arrange everything for you.
Hotels and lodges
On this Costa Rican adventure, we spend seven nights in hotels and lodges, aiming to use family-run establishments where possible. Below are the accommodations typically used on this trip.
San José: Delta by Marriott San José Aurola (nights 1 and 7)
We begin and end our adventure at this high-rise hotel, which is conveniently located for the downtown area of the city. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and amenities include an indoor pool, fitness centre, and second-floor bar.
Tortuguero: Pachira Lodge or Evergreen Lodge (nights 2-3)
In Tortuguero, we stay at either Pachira Lodge or Evergreen Lodge (above), depending on availability. Both are firm favourites with our groups: ideally situated for access to Tortuguero National Park by boat and with comfortable rooms in the Costa Rican wilderness. Both even have a turtle-shaped swimming pool.
Arenal: Arenal Montechiari (nights 4-5)
Arenal Montechiari is a 10-minute walk from La Fortuna town. Each chalet bungalow is set within tropical gardens where hummingbirds gather, and there are wonderful views of Arenal volcano.
Monteverde: Montaña Monteverde or Monteverde Country Lodge (night 6)
Our night in Monteverde is spent at either Monteverde Country Lodge (above) or Montaña Monteverde, depending on availability. The former is a cosy retreat for the cool cloud forest climate with a restaurant serving fusion cuisine made with Costa Rican produce. The latter is adjacent to a private reserve and has a bar and restaurant serving homecooked Costa Rican dishes.
Worth knowing
- One or several of the named properties might be substituted for similar alternatives to secure hotel availability. Please discuss with your customer operations executive if you require more details regarding your specific departure date.
Trip Experts
Johnny Villalobos
Expert Leader: Costa Rica
Glenda Araya
Expert Leader: Costa Rica
Reviews
Add your own reviewGreat wildlife, shame about the minibus!
Costa Rica is undoubtedly a fabulous location. We really enjoyed the opportunity to see amazing wildlife in some stunning locations. Accommodation was mostly excellent (apart from a very tired-feeling Holiday Inn in San Jose) but there was simply too much time spent travelling in a cramped minibus. The ratio of travel time to dedicated nature-watching was simply too high. It might be too much trying to encompass three destinations, spread across a wide area, in such a short time.
Most Inspirational Moment
Boat trips in Tortuguero National Park
Thoughts on Group Leader
Very friendly and knowledgeable but occasionally somewhat overbearing. We sometimes felt like we were being talked to like naughty primary school children! Initially very unsympathetic and seemingly disinterested when group members' luggage was soaked while being transported on the roof of the minibus.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Costa Rica's a fascinating destination and our knowledgeable guide helped us gain a good appreciation of its natural wonders. You need to be ready to spend a lot of time travelling between the three locations on this tour. It felt like we spent as much time on the road (in a far from comfortable minibus) as we did searching for, and finding, Costa Rica's special flora and fauna. If possible, think about a longer tour with a better balance between travelling time and time spent out enjoying nature. Definitely not recommended if you're tall!
Reply from Exodus
Thank you for taking the time to submit a review of your Exodus holiday to Costa Rica, Philip, and we were pleased to read that you enjoyed the boat trips in Tortuguero. On the other hand, we are sorry that you found your leader overbearing and that you felt your tour featured too much driving. We acknowledge that one of the major reasons our customers choose Exodus is because we provide expert tour guides who can deliver our planned itineraries to a high standard, and ideally elevate a group’s experience in their destination. We are well aware of the impact that our leaders have on our clients’ overall enjoyment of the trip, and it is therefore a matter of great disappointment that you found yours to be unsympathetic and disinterested. Your leader is a valued member of our Costa Rican cohort and has proven in the time she has led for us that she is adept at leading tours that meet ours and our customers’ expectations; in fact, she has previously won our tour leader of the year award and regularly receives some of the best average scores across all our trips. We hope this shows why we were confident in her ability to successfully lead your tour, although we are sorry that your experience was not as positive as you had expected. We are further sorry that you felt there was an excessive amount of driving time proportionate to the length of your trip and that your vehicle was rather cramped. Our product managers spend a significant amount of time designing our itineraries and, though we cannot please everyone, we generally find that they strike a balance between seeing as much of a country as possible, whilst maintaining reasonable driving times. Having reviewed the feedback for all departures of this tour this year, we are satisfied that our customers rated their overall experience 4.27* out of 5*, which meets our general expectations, although we regret if this is not a reflection of your holiday. We sincerely hope that your disappointment on this occasion has not discouraged you from travelling with Exodus again.
Sarah Ahern, Product Manager
Brilliant Nature
Brilliant guide Well organised trip Good drivers
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing monkey, sloth, iguana, reptiles, birds etc in their natural environment. Wonderful country- shows it’s possible to live in peace with nature and with each other.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Brilliant- so thoughtful, organised, keen eyed, knowledgeable, personable
Advice for Potential Travellers
Nothing beyond the trip notes needed for the tour, but check the flights as some people had worse than others ie those via USA
Fantastic Holiday!
Considering we only had a week, the holiday had a packed itinerary, was brilliant and just went too quick! A stunning country with a wealth of wildlife, trees and plants made even better by a terrific guide!
Most Inspirational Moment
All of it! I learnt so much about Costa Rica. Scenery was stunning. Difficult to pinpoint an inspirational moment but was taken by surprise by how much I enjoyed a stop-off at a banana processing plant and loved the tour of the coffee and chocolate plantation. And, of course, spotting my first sloth!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Miguel Alfaro Lopez was the best guide I have had on an Exodus trip and all my guides have been great. There was nothing he didn't know about Costa Rica right from when it first formed millions of years ago. His knowledge of the culture, climate, wildlife, trees, plants, bird song, politics, education system - everything was mind-blowing. He told us on day one that he would do all the worrying - and he did, not that we had anything to worry about. He looked after us incredibly well and was a joy to spend the week with. He was friendly, had a good sense of humour and nothing was too much trouble. If you have Miguel as your guide, you are extremely lucky!
Advice for Potential Travellers
There's a lot of travelling but enjoy the views of this beautiful country. Definitely recommend the coffee plantation tour and the hanging bridges. When it rains in the rain forest it rains hard but just embrace the experience. Enjoy every minute because this week goes far too quickly.
Wonderful wildlife
Wonderful wildlife, great guide, highly recommended
Most Inspirational Moment
The night walk
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jorge was great, very knowledgeable, highly professional.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for long drives between locations
Fab trip with great guide and driver but be prepared for long journey times and chaotic airport
Very enjoyable holiday with similar minded folk with a superb guide and driver. Thoroughly recommend but be prepared for chaos at the airport on arrival and exit – took us over 2 hours both times and long travel distances and early starts. But overall worth it. Thanks
Most Inspirational Moment
Lots of highlights but daft as it sounds really liked that although mid Jan still had Christmas decorations up - bizarre but fun!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent - one of best ever had and his level of English was amazing
Advice for Potential Travellers
Chill out / be patient at airport and enjoy the scenery on the long journeys
Fabulous trip!
Great trip! There is a lot of time spent travelling on this trip but it’s a necessary evil to fit so much in!
San Jose is nothing very exciting but is fine for an overnight stay before you start the proper adventure. I wouldn’t spend any extra time here. Tortuguero is amazing, you head out on a boat to the hotel where you can see all kinds of wildlife. The hotel is a lodge in amongst the waterways and forest, you can see birds and reptiles in the hotel grounds. The boat safaris are good, particularly the first one, the earlier you go out in the day the more you see so the early starts are worth it.
La Fortuna is another lovely place to visit. The town is small and has some good restaurants, all against the backdrop of the volcano makes it rather special. The hotel here is another wooden lodge style place, really liked it, very peaceful. The optional trip to the hot springs is the perfect antedote to a long day of travelling, we got lucky and had 30 mins alone before the Americans descended on us! The food in the restaurant at the springs was good.
Monteverde wasn’t quite what I expected. The walks in the cloud forest were lovely, I wish we had started earlier in the day so we might have seen more. Really didn’t like the hotel here, great view but felt like a business hotel and not amongst the forest which was a shame as you missed the wildlife. Pizza place our guide took us too was fabulous!
We saw lots of birds and were very lucky with the weather given that I was there in the middle of the rainy season. Even when it rains it’s too hot to zip up a jacket unless you’re in Monteverde where it is much cooler and rather chilly at night. Don’t forget the insect repellent.
You cannot avoid the rice and beans, or beans and rice and why would you want to! It’s the staple dish so stock up. If you’re avoiding carbs this is not the trip for you, it’s carb tastic! I now have a new found addiction to fried plantain!
Most Inspirational Moment
The early morning boat trip around Tortuguero, such a beautiful place.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Eduardo was absolutely fantastic. His English put native English speakers to shame. He made sure we all knew what we were doing, what to wear and what time to meet and were well fed at all times, and was very patient with us all asking him the same thing a million times over! He was very knowledgeable and a brilliant guide.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't leave home without insect repellent, layers of clothes, comfy walking shoes, closed toe sandals, weather proof coat, binoculars, camera. You can pay for everything in US Dollars, try to take small notes where possible. You will struggle with anything bigger than $50. Be prepared for 2-4 hours on the road at a time and 2 hours on boat safaris each time.
One for the lover of birds
It is a long flight going out, 11 hours. British Airways were the airline chosen because of the direct flight, but the standard of service on the plane had much to be desired could not wait to get off the plane.
The first hotel in San Jose was okay but the food and drinks were very expensive, it would have been nicer to have had a hotel in the centre so that one could go out and see the city.
The adventure really begun the next day when we had a coach journey then boat to get to our first destination.
If you are a lover of birds you will love this holiday as they’re so many to see, however the island is very green with cloud and rain forests which you can explore. It is a country not contrasts and it should be seen.
Most Inspirational Moment
I really enjoyed the walk at night, to go into a forest at night and see night creatures and just to hear different sounds. I learnt to much.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader was excellent, he knew so much about the wildlife and was able to spot them while we were driving. He was able to keep the group together and on time.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't expect to much from the food, I found it very boring and plain. The country caters mainly for American visitors which is reflected in prices. Remember to pack waterproof and warm clothing for the evening's.
Fantastic, very well organised tour. Would highly recommend
Breathtaking sights. Very knowledgable guide. Friendly yet not over bearing. Great variety of wildlife and flora and fauna seen. A very intense few days. Probably one of the most exciting and fulfilling experiences we have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. Would highly recommend this tour.
Most Inspirational Moment
The purity of the rainforest... So lovely to see there is still so much natural habitat in existence.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Guillermo was a fantastic tour guide. He was very informative and friendly. Nothing was too much trouble for him. Always happy to help.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take comfy walking shoes and plenty of change of clothes due to the high humidity and heat in Tortuguero. Would highly recommend taking luggage with wheels as its down to you to move your luggage about at all times and sometimes theres a small walk involved with this.
Natural highlights of Costa Rica.
This was a fabulous trip, giving you a slice of Costa Rica. There is a lot of driving between locations, ( at times 4-5 hours) some of the roads were still unmade, so can be very bumpy. The weather was extremely hot in places, but in Monteverde quite windy and therefore something warm to wear is a necessity. We saw so many beautiful birds and reptiles,on our boat trips and our guide had a wealth of knowledge of fowl and fauna. Beautiful kingfishers,herons, lizards,turtles,crocodiles to name but a few. The boat trips made it for me,but the visit to the Hot Springs was fun and a great way of getting to know your group! The suspension bridges were a lot lower than I thought they would be and it was far too short. If you are not afraid of heights and speed, go for the Zip Wire. I would recommend taking a waterproof jacket, walking boots or shoes, and mosquito repellent!
Most Inspirational Moment
I loved the boat trip at Cano Negro; the boat was open at the front and you could stand and view both sides of the river for the local wildlife. We all had fun trying to spot the elusive sloths,but great time had by all.
Thoughts on Group Leader
He had an incredible knowledge of all the flowers and wild life, and could spot creatures from a great distance; very impressive.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take a weather proof jacket,walking boots or shoes, mosquito repellent and buckle up!
Cost Rica for the third time.
There was a lot of hours travelling, however that is acceptable as the country’s road system to the places we were going to do not allow shorter journey times, and some of the scenery was superb. Our drivers throughout were excellent as was our guide Glenda who worked hard to ensure we all had an enjoyable tour.
We were slightly disappointed with Tortequero as the boat safaris could have been longer and we did not really go as far into the jungle as we expected, a lot of time was lost queuing up for entrance tickets and the last morning it would have been possible to do an additional safari and depart the lodge a bit later to return to the jetty. We actually saw more on the 2 1/2 hour boat safari in Cano Negro than we did in the whole time in Tortequero. The Monte Verde part was good but again more time could have been spent in the actual jungle than having nearly an hour to have coffee and shop at the information centre.
Most Inspirational Moment
The time spent on the Rio Frio in Cano Negro where we saw lots of birds and all three species of monkey to be found here with a great showing of white faced capuchin very close to the boat feeding. In Monte Verde actually finding a male Resplendent Quetzal a very rare bird was enjoyed by all, the bird life at the accommodation was also well appreciated (note we are not specifically birders).
Thoughts on Group Leader
Glenda was escorting her very first trip and worked hard to ensure we all got the best out of the trip, She was very knowledgeable about the country, fauna and flora and the country's wildlife and birds and if anything was asked and she did not know she endeavoured to find the answers. Although she was lacking in experience which will come obviously, she made up for it with enthusiasm and in time will be a very good escort.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Costa Rica is a great place to visit and not just for the wildlife. It was our third visit having done the national parks on both coastlines on our previous visits and now the interior. If it is on your list of places to go then go, its worth it.
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Natural Highlights of Costa Rica
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