Costa Rica's Coastal Secrets

Name: Costa Rica's Coastal Secrets
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.7 (58 reviews)

Expert Local Guides

Award Winning Adventures

Nature First Adventures

Support Local Communities

15 Days from

16 Days from

CAD 7,045

incl. Taxes

4.7/5 from

Wildlife

Ways to Travel :

Guided Group, Private Group Adventures

Activity :

Wildlife

Activity Levels :

2 out of 7 - Leisurely / Moderate

Group Size :

5 - 16

Ages :

16+

Trip Code :

WUR

Enjoy unrivalled wildlife viewing and coastal wonders in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has many secrets to explore: from the wildlife-rich waterways of Tortuguero to the dense jungle coastline of the Osa Peninsula, an area named “the most biologically intense place on Earth” by National Geographic. Scarlet macaws rule the roost adding brilliant flashes of red, blue and gold to the foliage; humpback whales breed in the waters off-shore, and sloths crawl along cecropia branches.

Highlights

Spend three nights in Drake Bay, the remote gateway to some of the premier wildlife destinations in Costa Rica
Explore Corcovado National Park, one of the biologically rich areas on the planet
Discover the wildlife and waterways of Tortuguero, an important nesting site for green turtles
Enjoy unrivalled wildlife viewing, including monkeys, sloths, dolphins and whales (in season)
Visit both the Caribbean and Pacific coastlines

Key Information

Travel by minibus and boat
14 nights comfortable hotels and lodges
Green turtle nesting season: July to October

Countries visited: Costa Rica

What's Included

All breakfasts, 8 lunches and 7 dinners
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout
Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
Arrival and departure transfers

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request)
Visas or vaccinations

People, Places & Planet

We work hard to create trips which improve life for the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Find out more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here, and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People

How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

The use of a local guide means our customers will be well informed about local traditions, and cultural and social sensitivities.
This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally-owned hotels and restaurants, the emphasis on eating locally produced food and support of other local enterprise.
We use fairly small, family run and locally staffed establishments which ensures that we are benefiting local communities.
Although this is a largely nature-based trip, we incorporate as much benefit to local people as possible. One of the ways to support local people and boost the economy is to buy crafts in some of the remote regions that we visit, such as Tortuguero and Cahuita. Having the opportunity to purchase locally made handicrafts encourages cultural exchange and provides a significant form of alternative income.
Our local guides are careful to explain that any souvenirs on sale over the duration of the trip which are made from animal parts, shells or local hardwoods should not be purchased.
This is a small group tour, meaning that we have a low impact on the environments and communities we visit and are able to ensure that we do not disrupt or lead to the displacement of local people.
Our local operator is very involved in supporting community projects. Our local operator cares about our impact on the destination, which is why we carry out several actions. For instance:

* The celebration of the International Tourism Day of 2019 by cleaning a beach at Guacalillo, that allowed to recollect 150 Kg of waste.
* Plastic lids collect and donation them to Fundación Proparques, to develop walkways to improve accessibility for people with mobility problems, in the country's protected wild areas.
* The establishment of an alliance with the Recycling Program of the Municipality of San José, since May 2015 until December 2020, that led to recycle 43 tons of recoverable resources during that period. During pandemic, staff members continued with the recycling process from their homes. Collection and recycling include paper, cardboard, plastic items and lids, batteries, and electronic devices, among others.
* The purchase of souvenirs from local artists, to promote local benefits.
* Days have been held on the beach with older adults living in care homes.
* Elimination of single use plastics in our operation
* Reduction of printed documents by having all the information in a secure drive.

Our local operator continuously develops activities for the benefit of personnel who work for the company, through its Human Resources Department and the Brigada Pintando Sonrisas. Since it is part of the TUI Group, different activities are carried out, such as "More 4 You", which has the purpose of creating strategic alliances that promote health among collaborators. In addition, the "New Work" project is responsible for promoting healthy spaces that promote the work environment of the staff.
The local staff is given the option of free therapy with BetterHelp, the world's largest provider of online therapy.
In 2017 Exodus Travels introduced the Inspiration Project, where we’ve worked with our partners to take more than 6,000 children in 30 countries on a day of adventure and exploration. Each inspirational day out is designed to introduce young minds to the wonders of our world and their place in it. From visiting cultural heritage sites to natural wonders, each trip has been packed with firsts – their first time leaving their own village, their first time seeing the sea, their first time visiting a busy city. We continue to operate these days out to inspire children to protect and preserve the world as they grow up.

Places

How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels.
By travelling in a small group, led by a local guide, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
Being a wildlife-based tour, we are very conscious of our effects on the environment and how we can reduce negative impact and aid conservation. On this trip we visit national and private parks, including Tortuguero and Corcovado, where entrance fees directly support conservation efforts alongside maintenance and upkeep of these areas.
Our local operator has a policy of Animal Welfare that requests suppliers to comply with the minimum conditions of animal welfare.
Our local operator has been awarded by the Costa Rican Tourism Board for their sustainable tourism practice & dedication to improving sustainability standards. This means that efforts are made to rationally use water and electricity, provide adequate waste management, and positively impact communities, among many other actions.
Most of the accommodation and restaurants we visit on this trip use locally sourced food such as fruit which is always sourced locally and abundant.
Vegetarian options are available if notice is given which include a variety of fresh fruit, vegetables, and rice.
To reduce our carbon emissions, we use a shared coach at the beginning of the tour to transport clients from San José to Tortuguero rather than an internal flight. During the trip, we travel responsibly using appropriate methods of transport; therefore, depending on group size, a minibus/coach will be used.
Our trips adhere to ABTA’s industry-leading animal welfare guidelines to ensure the best possible practices with regard to working animals and wildlife viewing. Our animal welfare policy can be found here.
We work with our partners on the ground to proactively eliminate or reduce waste, for example eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles and instead providing refills for re-usable bottles.

Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.
An example of eco-friendly accommodation on this trip is the Drake Bay Wilderness Resort, a family run business in a stunning location on the Osa Peninsula. The restaurant here provides delicious American/Costa Rican style dishes freshly made with lots of natural ingredients, many of which from their farm. By using local produce this means a reduction in food miles.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish behind in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, we’d ask you to consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
Plastic waste reduction: Please bring your own re-usable water bottle on this trip; filtered water will be provided where tap water is not drinkable.

Exodus People – Johnny Villalobos

Meet our award-winning wildlife guide, Johnny Villalobos, and see the rainforest through his eyes.

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Itinerary

Our trip starts in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. This evening is the perfect opportunity to meet your guide and get to know your fellow travellers. We’ll share many adventures over the next couple of weeks.

Accommodation: Presidente Hotel or Park Inn (or similar)

Our adventure begins early this morning, leaving San Jose behind as we travel to Tortuguero National Park in northeast 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 1hr 15min journey to our lodge, which is nestled on a small strip of land between the Caribbean Sea and the main lagoon. Our afternoon is spent in Tortuguero village, where we can visit the Sea Turtle Museum (a donation will be requested at the entrance). Tortuguero is probably most famous as a nesting site for endangered green turtle, which can be seen arriving onto the beach 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 during November to January, baby turtles hatch and make their way towards the ocean. Today's travel time will be in the region of six hours including a stop for breakfast.

Accommodation: Evergreen Lodge (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we board a small boat, enabling us to discover the extraordinary flora and fauna of Tortuguero as we pass serenely along the waterways. In the morning 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’ll take a second boat trip this afternoon or you can relax at the lodge and enjoy the facilities.

Accommodation: Evergreen Lodge (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We leave Tortuguero the same way we arrived, by taking a small boat to Siquirres pier. Our bus will be at the pier waiting to drive us to the Cahuita region on the Caribbean coast, where we check into our hotel. Caribbean culture pervades this part of Costa Rica and is reflected in the music, food and laid-back lifestyle. The white-sand beach here is fringed by tall palms, behind which is the dense, wet tropical forest of Cahuita National Park.

Accommodation: Ciudad Perdida or Villas del Caribe (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Cahuita National Park has 2,711 acres (1,097ha) of land and 600 acres (243ha) of coral reef, the largest reef system in Costa Rica. Today we visit the national park, taking a 4mi (7km) walk from the southern entrance, which follows the coastline, through rainforest and past impressive Caribbean beaches. Although a fairly small in size, there is plenty of diversity in the park. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore the beach, join an optional snorkelling excursion or simply relax.

Accommodation: Ciudad Perdida or Villas del Caribe (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today is yours to relax into the Caribbean pace of life and enjoy free time around Cahuita. It is possible to join an optional excursion to the indigenous communities of Kekoldi & Bri Bri Reserve, where you'll learn about the properties and uses of native plants, plus the process of making artisanal chocolate. Chocolate is very important in Bri Bri culture and used for purification rituals, food and medicine.

Accommodation: Ciudad Perdida or Villas del Caribe (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Our next destination is Turrialba Valley, a rich agricultural region in the Central Highlands. On the way to Turrialba, we visit La Marta Wildlife Refuge, an area of both primary and secondary forest within La Amistad Biosphere (recognised as a Unesco World Patrimony of Humanity). The topography of this region is mountainous, with waterfalls, rivers and caves – the varied elevation supports a wide range of plants (including orchids, bromeliads, lichens and mosses) and animals (including anteaters, ocelots and tapirs).

Accommodation: Villa Florencia or Guayabo (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast, we depart towards San Gerado de Dota and Savegre Cloud Forest. This is said to be one of the best places in Costa Rica to see the beautiful, colourful and notoriously shy resplendent quetzal and we have two nights here to discover the region. These endangered birds rely on the cloud forest for their habitat; the males are particularly striking with a green crest, red breast and tail feathers that can reach a metre in length. A good pair of binoculars will be helpful for quetzal spotting as these birds camouflage themselves well among the wet leaves. After lunch, we take a short walk into the cloud forest.

Accommodation: Savegre Hotel, Nature Reserve & Spa or Trogon Lodge (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is free to relax and explore Savegre Valley. Bring your binoculars to spot some of the 170 bird species, trek through the tropical cloud forest or simply enjoy the incredible view from the lodge. Your leader will suggest walks for today so you can discover the tropical cloud forest and sub-Alpine vegetation of the area. Birds here include hummingbirds, tanagers and trogons, while you may also spot tapirs and squirrel monkeys.

Accommodation: Savegre Hotel, Nature Reserve & Spa or Trogon Lodge (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our journey continues towards the small town of Sierpe, where we board a small motorboat to Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula. Passing the huge mangrove swamps that line the Sierpe River, our boat crosses the ocean before arriving at Drake Bay. This region is very remote and with extremely limited road access, which means most supplies, visitors and locals, must arrive by boat. Getting here is part of the adventure. The bay is spectacular, with just a handful of lodges on the horizon and the rest thick verdant forest and rocky coves as far as the eye can see. Our next three nights will be spent at the Drake Bay Wilderness Resort, a family-run property close to the 'town' of Drake Bay and with ocean views from every corner.

Accommodation: Drake Bay Wilderness Resort (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Board a small boat to Caño Island, 12 nautical miles from Drake Bay. During this 45-minute boat ride, there may be opportunities to spot migrating whales or playful dolphins (orca are also here around December to April and humpbacks might be seen around July to November). The interior of the island is thought to have been a burial ground for the indigenous Daquis tribe during pre-Columbian times, and many perfectly spherical human-made stones have been found here. But it's the marine life that is the biggest highlight of Caño Island, with hawksbill and olive ridley turtles, manta rays and white-tipped reef sharks just some of the likely encounters on today's snorkelling excursion. This area has been rated as having the best snorkelling in the whole of Costa Rica, with excellent water visibility and a huge marine diversity living in the protected reef. Enjoy a picnic lunch on nearby San Josecito beach, where capuchin monkeys, coatimundi and lively scarlet macaws may appear.

Accommodation: Drake Bay Wilderness Resort (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

When National Geographic describes an area as “the most biologically intense place on Earth,” it must be worthy of investigation. This morning we board a small boat for a 30-minute journey to San Pedrillo Ranger Station, our entrance point to Corcovado National Park. This is undoubtedly the most secluded and tranquil region in Costa Rica. Protecting around one-third of the Osa Peninsula (some 164sqmi/425sqkm), Corcovado is the largest national park in Costa Rica and encompasses 13 major ecosystems across various elevations, with montane forest, cloud forest, fresh water and mangrove swamps among them. Scientists have recorded half of all the species in Costa Rica on this peninsula alone. On today's hike along the parks trails, we may see all four monkey species in Costa Rica (squirrel, howler, white-faced capuchin and spider), tamandua (anteaters), two- and three-toed sloths, peccary, tapirs (including the endangered Baird’s tapir) and many reptiles, insects and amphibians. Puma and jaguar also prowl this area, but are very difficult to see. With more than 500 tree species, the bird count stands at an impressive 365 and the park protects the largest population of scarlet macaws in the country, which can frequently be seen and heard flying overhead.

Accommodation: Drake Bay Wilderness Resort (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we board another boat and return to Sierpe town. On the way, our boat will take a short tour of the huge mangrove forest that lines the Sierpe River. Delving into the network of tributary rivers and streams offers a chance to learn more about the role of mangroves in the ecosystem and the numerous creatures that depend on them, including fish, crabs, birds, molluscs and shellfish. In Sierpe town, we transfer to our private minibus and commence our journey to San Jose.

Accommodation: Presidente Hotel or Park Inn (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today begins with a trip to the Irazu Volcano National Park in the Cartago province of Costa Rica, located within the Central Mountain Range around a 90-minute journey from San Jose. Passing different vegetation, we'll drive towards the summit and then follow a path that leads to a wonderful view across the huge crater, overlooking the mystical green lagoon and jagged rocks. Irazu is one of the most active volcanoes in Costa Rica, though it has recently entered a dormant phase – a relief to the farmers and property owners who make their living on the fertile slopes. On a clear day, both the Caribbean and Pacific coastlines can be seen from the summit. Remember to bring a jacket as it can be windy and cold at the viewpoint of this elevation (Irazu summit is 11,260ft/3,432m high).

Following this we continue to the city of Cartago, home to a spectacular domed basilica, and the Orosi Valley, an area of natural beauty. After lunch in one of the many traditional restaurants, we join the Orosi Coffee tour to learn about the ancient techniques used to produce some of the best coffee in the world. This involves understanding the cultivation, harvesting and roasting of coffee beans, before you have a chance to savour the end product yourself. Afterwards, we return to San Jose for our last night of the holiday.

Accommodation: Presidente Hotel or Park Inn (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Our adventure comes to an end today after breakfast and it's time to bid Costa Rica and the rest of the group goodbye. Hop in your free transfer back to San Jose airport to begin your return journey home.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Post-trip Extensions

Tamarindo Beach Extension Costa Rica

Extend your stay in Costa Rica with a few nights of rest and relaxation at Tamarindo on the Pacific Coast. Once a sleepy fishing village, Tamarindo was discovered by surfers in the late 1980s and has steadily grown a reputation as one of the best beach destinations in Costa Rica. Located in the Guanacaste province, known for good weather and predictable sunshine, Tamarindo has a great mix of facilities and retains an authentic laid-back atmosphere. The town has accommodation catering to all budgets, from high-end boutique hotels to smaller, comfortable and characterful properties. The big draw is a long expanse of beach, with a curved bay backed by palm trees, cafes and restaurants. The waves are strong and loved by surfers, with swimmers mostly staying to the shallow surf breaking on the shore.

Facing west, the sunsets in Tamarindo are dramatic. There are plenty of excursions that can be organised locally if you want to discover the area. Or simply sit back and soak up the laid-back beach life, which is a real contrast from the other areas you will have visited in Costa Rica.

We have handpicked a selection of properties in Tamarindo and selected transport options to suit all budgets and group sizes – all that’s left for you to decide is how long you want to go for, and we’ll do the rest. Please speak to your sales representative for up-to-date pricings.

Accommodation:

Capitan Suizo Hotel: This beachfront boutique hotel is set in a privileged location to the south of the bay, with rooms surrounded by tropical gardens. Thoughtfully designed accommodation with excellent dining options, wonderful service and a friendly team waiting to welcome you. Just away from the main town, it has a lovely pool area and private loungers on the beach.
Cala Luna Boutique Hotel: This luxurious hotel is nestled in native trees and lush vegetation, just a short walk from the beach of Playa Langosta, which is around the headland from the main beach in Tamarindo. Consistently rated as one of the top 10 hotels in Costa Rica by Trip Advisor. Elegant accommodation and surroundings with every need catered for, this is pure R&R.
Tamarindo Diria Hotel: Right in the middle of the beach, this is one of the original hotels in Tamarindo and has the most spectacular palm tree-lined view from its pool/dining areas. It is split into different areas, with the majority of rooms away from the beachfront.
Wyndham Esplendor Hotel: One of the best infinity pools we’ve seen with extensive views across Tamarindo Bay, thanks to its hillside location above Tamarindo. Elegant rooms and facilities, but a fair walk from the beach and Tamarindo town – there is a free shuttle transfer provided at set times.
Arco Iris Hotel: a great option for value, with comfortable rooms surrounded by lush tropical gardens. A tranquil location set back from the street, around 1,640ft (500m) to the beach.
Pasatiempo Hotel: A small, intimate property with real character and comfortable rooms. We think Pasatiempo is a hidden gem and it is our preferred choice if you are looking for great value and don’t mind being a five-minute walk to the beach. There are some great restaurants and shops nearby.

How to reach Tamarindo?

There are three options to reach Tamarindo from San José, depending on your budget and how much time you have:

Shuttle bus: this is the most economical way to reach Tamarindo, particularly for solo travellers. The shuttle bus system is easy, safe and reliable and will drop you directly at your hotel. Shuttles usually pick up from hotels in San José at 7.15am or 2.30pm. From Tamarindo, the departure times back to San José are usually 8am or 2pm. The journey takes approximately four to five hours. You can also leave or return by shuttle directly from the airport – please specify at the time of booking and double check timings with your sales consultant as schedules may change depending on the season.
Private transfer: If you would prefer to travel in your own vehicle (seating up to six people), or need transfers timed perfectly with your international flights, we recommend a private transfer for the journey. You can either take this as a return or for just one leg of the journey. By private transfer, the journey takes approximately four hours.
Flight: perfect if you are short of time, you can take an internal flight from San José to Tamarindo Airstrip. In the high season (December to April) there are usually four flights during the day in each direction. Outside of the high season, there are usually two flights in each direction. Flights usually take under one hour. With this service we will also arrange a vehicle transfer between your Tamarindo hotel and the airstrip. Luggage weight and size restrictions apply (30lbs/13.5kg, 45in/114cm).

There is also the option to arrange your return flights from Liberia airport, around 1hr 30min from Tamarindo, with a private transfer to Tamarindo. Please speak to your sales consultant to discuss this option.

We recommend visiting Tamarindo for at least three nights. Please speak to your sales consultant for more details, to check hotel availability or make a reservation. You may need additional hotel nights in San José depending on the end date of your trip and your flight schedule. Also please note that some hotels in Tamarindo are not available in September.

Costa Rica’s Coastal Secrets

Essential Info

Visa

Costa Rica

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica; however, proof of onward travel may be required – we suggest you take a physical copy of your flight details in case officials ask to see them.

Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/americas/costa-rica
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/costa-rica
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/costa-rica/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Costa-Rica.html

Vaccination

Costa Rica

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, rabies and typhoid. The risk of malaria is slight, but you may wish to consult your doctor or travel clinic for further advice.

Many travellers will also require a yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission, Tanzania and Zambia. Please check all requirements and travel vaccination recommendations with your doctor or travel clinic.

Dengue and zika, both viral diseases spread by mosquitoes, are known risks in Costa Rica. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, so we strongly recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts, eight lunches and seven dinners are included.

Hotel breakfasts are normally buffets, and lunches and dinners at Tortuguero are also buffets. Vegetarians are well catered for but please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests.

Costa Rican specialities include gallo pinto, a black bean and rice dish, which is a staple part of the local diet. Soups and stews are also common, and fresh fruit is abundant and will no doubt be one of the highlights of your time in the tropics.

Weather

Costa Rica is 10 degrees north of the equator and has a tropical climate. The average temperature range is 10C-13C (50F-55F) in the highlands and from 22C-26C (72F-79F) in the lowlands. There is a rainy season from May to November when there are daily downpours, though these are usually quite short and there is still plenty of sunshine. December to April is the driest time of the year but you should still expect some rain.

Is this trip for you?

This trip has been Activity Level 2 (Leisurely/Moderate) with a safari rating of 4.

Driving: Driving distances are not very long and most of the roads we take are of good quality. However, the road leading to the river on the way to and from Tortuguero has a poor surface and this can result in slow driving times, particularly following heavy rain.

Drake Bay and Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula are two of the most remote areas we visit on this itinerary – there is very limited road access or facilities in these areas and we will use boats as the main form of transportation.

Walks: There are several included and optional walks on the itinerary that occasionally involve walking on rough paths. These are suitable for most fitness levels and usually last from two to three hours. During times of heavy rain, trails can be muddy and slippery and extra care should be taken. Many of the areas visited on the trip are hot and humid and there is the chance of heavy rain year-round – this is why Costa Rica is so green.

Swimming: The sea waters in the Tortuguero and Cahuita regions have very strong rip currents and are not suitable for swimming from the beach.

Hotels & Eco-lodges

14 nights spent in comfortable hotels and eco-lodges, all with en suite facilities and most with swimming pools.

In San Jose, the comfortable, modern Presidente Hotel has been chosen with easy access to downtown areas of the city. We also use the Park Inn on some departures.

In Tortuguero, Evergreen Lodge is ideally situated for access to Tortuguero National Park by boat and offers comfortable accommodation in wonderful natural surroundings.

At Cahuita, Ciudad Perdida offers bungalow-style accommodation within tropical gardens, just moments from the national park and a short walk from the town and coastline. We also use Villas del Caribe on a few departures.

In Turrialba, either Villa Florencia or Guayabo are great places to enjoy nature with comfortable facilities and are well positioned in the Turrialba Valley.

We stay at one of two properties in Savegre (Savegre Hotel or Trogon Lodge), both occupying an ideal position within the Savegre Valley with plant-filled gardens to discover.

The highlight of this trip will probably be our stay in the Drake Bay area on the Osa Peninsula, somewhere that can only be reached by boat due to its remoteness. For most departures we stay at Drake Bay Wilderness Resort which affords 180-degree views out across the vast ocean.

Please note, 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.

Optional single supplement available, see Dates & Prices.

Clare Murphy

Reviewed March 2023

Fantastic trip

This trip exceeded all my expectations. We saw so much wildlife in addition to the breath-taking Costa Rican scenery. The birdlife was spectacular – we saw toucans, scarlet macaws, hummingbirds, quetzel, parrots, tanagers, trogons, waterbirds, and a host of other colourful birds. We also saw plenty of mammals including monkeys, sloths, coatis, and even tapir. The itinerary was excellent, taking in both the Caribbean coast, the cloud forest and the Osa peninsula on the pacific coast. We also had a day of snorkelling off the pacific coast where we saw turtles and dolphins. Our guide, Alejandro, was was an excellent wildlife guide and tour leader and looked after us very well for the duration of the trip

Most Inspirational Moment

I really wanted to see a keel billed toucan up close. I had been to Costa Rica the previous year and had not seen one of them. Our guide, Alejandro, went out of his way to find me a keel billed toucan in Tortuguero and I got some excellent photographs. Another highlight was our encounter with two Tapirs in Drakes bay on the Osa peninsula. We had been to Corcovado national park on the previous day and not seen any, although I knew our chances of seeing one was slim. On our second night at Drakes bay, two tapirs wondered out of the forest onto our lodge grounds and sauntered around, munching the vegetation. They disappeared off into the forest again only to reappear 20 minutes later for another walkabout. They weren't even slightly nervous. What a sighting!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide, Alejandro Rodriguez, was an exceptional guide. He really took good care of us. From the beginning of the trip we felt we were in safe hands. Nothing seemed to phase him. British Airways lost the luggage of one woman on our trip and he was on it straight away; she was reunited with her luggage later on in the trip. He worked tirelessly in the background organising things for us, from booking optional trips on our free days, to booking restaurants for us, and even organised free excursion and trips for us on our free days. He was also an excellent wildlife guide and spotter. Within hours he knew the particular interests of each of the group members and ensured that each group member was catered for. He knew who was interested in birds, who was interested in mammals, who was interested in plants, and who was interested in frogs, and ensured that all our interests were satisfied. He was also very knowledgeable on Costa Rican culture, history, politics and eco tourism and sustainability and kept us amused for hours on the long bus journeys with his witty accounts of all things Costa Rican. Overall I think he was probably one of the best guides I have ever encountered.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring a hat and gloves for early morning quetzel spotting in Savegre cloud forest

Suggestions

An extra night in either Savegre cloud forest or the Osa peninsula instead of the stop in Tarriabla valley would make this great itinerary exceptional.

Valerie Burden

Reviewed March 2023

Wonderful wildlife

This trip packed in a great variety of wildlife locations each with its own range of habitats and communities of organisms. Overall, the accommodation and food was good.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Tortugeuro boat trip, cloud forest walks and everything about the Osa Peninsula. We also enjoyed the coffee farm tour much more than we expected.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alehandro Rodrigues has excellent knowledge and good communication skills. He was extremely enthusiastic and had a great sense of humour. He was helpful in dealing with individual problems and needs.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is ESSENTIAL to bring $US in small denominations as hardly anywhere will accept a large note. 'Bring a warm sweater for the cloud forest in the packing list is the understatement of the century. You need really warm clothes for the early morning bird watching, including a woolly hat and gloves. You also need warm clothing for the hotel in the evenings. The temperature variation between day and night is huge.

Suggestions

On day 2, we left San Jose on a bus with other several other groups and a non Exodus guide who was far too fond of the sound of his own voice. This is not what we thought we were signing up for - get your own bus for day 2. The VIlla Florencia hotel at Turrialba is in a great location and had the most comfortable bed of the tour. However, when it came to dinner, there were not enough tables for all of us and some were on the edge of a covered area with rain blowing in. Several people had to send their food back either because it was cold or simply disgusting. Several people had the gripes after this hotel. My luggage did not arrive in San Jose and by the time I had completed the formalities in respect of this, our hotel transfer had departed. It would have been useful to have a WhatsApp number for the guide to have informed him of our situation. I the event I had to spend $US23 on a taxi which I would like refunded please.

Stephanie Edwards

Reviewed February 2023

A Nature Lover's Paradise!

This is a trip that packs in a lot! Moving from the Caribbean coastal rainforest, across the centre of the country via the mountainous cloud forest and then down to the Pacific coastline, there is ample opportunity to see some of the fantastic bird and mammal wildlife that is all around you. Every day there is something new to see.

Most Inspirational Moment

Lots of great moments. The sunrise boat trip along the waterways of the Tortuguero National Park was astonishing. Hunting the elusive quetzal at sunrise (only partially successful) but then having a great encounter with one later in the day, not to mention an amazing snorkeling trip on the Pacific Coast.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alejandro Rodriguez was a great leader. He was very well organised, communicated arrangements clearly and dealt with minor issues as they arose. His wildlife knowledge was outstanding as was his ability to constantly spot birds, lemurs etc at the top of trees. I don't think there was ever a question he couldn't answer!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for some very early starts most mornings. It's a bit of a shock at first, but you quickly get used to it and end up going to bed quite early! The rain forest can be very wet as well as warm and humid, and I was very glad I had taken a fairly substantial poncho which could be worn over a backpack. Walking sandals and trainers/boots are needed. In addition, the early morning quetzal hunting is very cold, needing warm clothing including a hat and gloves. Also take light, cover up clothing for evenings in the rain forest, when the insects come out biting!

Suggestions

Accommodation was always adequate and comfortable, but sometimes charmingly basic. Often it was lodge style. There was always a ceiling fan or A/C. The hotel in Turrialba Valley, Villa Florencia, was modern and charming looking in a lovely setting, but there was an issue with the food there with inadequate dining space for the number of guests, and food which gave a number of tummy problems. The hotel in San Jose was modern and functional and within easy walking distance of the heart of the city. Dollars are widely accepted but make sure that any dollars you take are in small denominations. Anything above twenty is often refused.

Karen Schober

Reviewed February 2023

Costa Rica Extravaganza

This is a jam packed, go go trip. We saw lots of Costa Rica’s landscape and wildlife. Even though there were a couple of long days on the bus, I found it a fantastic way of see the countryside. It is a small country with slow roads so we were very happy not to be doing the driving. We saw 89 species of birds, in addition to sloths, monkeys, coati, snakes frogs, dolphins and a tapir. And snorkeling we saw, of course many fish, but several hawksbill turtles, a green sea turtle, and 2 white tipped reef sharks. We saw wildlife!

Most Inspirational Moment

More than one! Foremost among the loads of wildlife was our experience seeing 4 of the infamous Quetzals. I've wanted to see them ever since a trip I took in the late 70's to Guatemala. Photos do not do these magnificent birds justice. Secondly, we encountered a school of dolphins on our boat trip back from Drake Bay. I have seen many dolphins in the wild before, but this calm, warm morning was special. Perhaps 25 of them played with our boat for 30 minutes. Amazing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Glenda Araya is the best tour guide EVER! So knowledgable we called her Glenda-pedia. She truly loves nature and loves Costa Rica. She is quite the ambassador for her country. Her parting speech to the group brought us all to tears. She is wise beyond her years.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack light. We found our carry on roller bags and a small back pack were perfect. There is laundry at Drake Bay toward the end of the trip but plan on washing out quick dry clothes in your room. Bring a small clothes line. We wish we had. Mostly it was very warm and humid but quite chilly in the highlands for the early morning bird watching. Don't forget a warm fleece or puffy jacket. Footwear. Trails can be root covered and uneven so you will be glad you have sturdy walking shoes. Plus, there can be stinging ants and yes, snakes. Also, there are some wet landings from boats and flip flops will not work. Bring some water shoes or sandals to protect you from hot sand and rocks.

Suggestions

We are fit 70 somethings and we found this trip very doable. This is a fantastic way to experience Costa Rica.

Sylvia Andrews

Reviewed January 2023

Coastal Costa Rica- great trip, but room for improvement.

Very good wildlife viewing in the reserves. We were lucky with the weather overall. There are some long days on the bus as would be expected and almost all the days are very early starts with a bit of a rush for breakfast. The accommodation was good on the whole but we were disappointed that in several places our accommodation was not the usual and probably downgraded. This is arranged through Tui in Costa Rica apparently and being high season the Savegre Lodge could not take all our group. The nights in the Suria hotel were cold with inadequate heating in the rooms although the bedding was sufficient. The local guides were good in Tortuguero but not so good in Drake bay. Our Exodus guide Guillermo was excellent. There was only one opportunity for snorkelling (Cano Island), the first session was very disappointing as you have to follow the guide. We were dropped in deep water with very little to see. The second session was a little better but we still couldnt go where we liked as there were so many groups in the water.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Blackwater canals in Tortuguero. Getting close to an anteater and racoons. A sloth just above our heads with a baby while walking in Cahuita. Some of us saw quetzals in Savegre and the hummingbirds were great!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. He really knew his stuff and his English was perfect.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walk in La Marta is fairly steep and slippery. When we did it it was wet and it would be useful to have a walking pole for safety. A cheap poncho would be worth getting as well as your normal waterproof jacket. They are provided on the boats in Tortuguero where getting drenched is likely (We were lucky in January). Overall there were less mosquitos than we thought (using Trek Sensitive) The guide said that the drinks at Drake Bay were reasonably priced but we didn't agree. Pack a wooly hat and gloves for Savegre as it can be frosty standing around especially if you are going to leave before dawn for the quetzals.

Suggestions

The itinerary could easily be improved by visiting the Irazu Volcano and coffee plantation from Turrialba and spending 2 nights at the hotel there, instead of the last 2 nights in San Jose where there is little to see. The journey back to San Jose from Drake bay via the main road is interminable.

Lesley Williams

Reviewed October 2022

Amazing

What an amazing trip with so much to see and do. What an experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

Green turtles laying eggs and all the wildlife and National Parks. Making Chocolate and making coffee.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jorge was Outstanding in every way. He loved his country, his job and life. Victor was also an excellent driver.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy

Sally Beyer

Reviewed October 2022

Wildlife aplenty

A fantastic taste of Costa Rica

Most Inspirational Moment

There were too many moments of awe to pin point just one but watching a turtle lay her eggs by moonlight and return to the sea was a highlight. Sloths, a tapir in the garden, a dolphin leaping, all 4 types of monkeys and a quetzal were just a tiny part of the wildlife we saw. Add to that, making chocolate, walking in the cloud forest and visiting an organic coffee farm…

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had a fabulous group leader, Jorge. He wanted to provide the very best experience for us and with his wealth of knowledge we saw just about everything on our lists. He kept us well informed when we had to make a change to the itinerary due to heavy rains but even that turned into an adventure where we saw more of the beautiful interior of the country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you go in the rainy season you will get wet! A poncho is the best think to bring as it covers your kit. Be prepared for early starts where you will be rewarded with amazing animal encounters.

Dana Edwards

Reviewed October 2022

Fabulous!

Costa Rica is beautiful and Jorge Diaz, our guide was wonderful. He had a bigger than normal job, due to road closures from rain/landslides, but he did it all.with clear communication and patience. He is passionate about his country and his work. He clearly enjoys teaching visitors about Costa Rica. We saw so many beautiful parks and stayed in lovely accommodations. The only problem was with one hotel in Cahuita that didn’t have running water. The rain only interfered with a few activities but we did other things that made up for it. The wildlife viewing was spectacular—sloths, tapirs, turtles, crocs, boas and so many different birds. The chocolate making tour and coffee farm tour were fun and interesting. Both were delicious and I am now a coffee drinker! At least of Cafe Cristina’s light roast! If you are thinking about this trip, go—you won’t be disappointed. Pura Vida!

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the sloths at the Sloth Sanctuary. Their “residents” are all injured in some capacity that doesn’t allow them to return to the wild. We learned so much about these interesting animals.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jorge was terrific. It was really fun to get to know him over the 2 weeks and I would highly recommend him. Our driver, Victor, was also top notch.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy yourselves! The food is delicious but don’t expect hot and spicy like Mexican. Rice, beans, vegetables and seafood are typical. US dollars are accepted nearly everywhere. Larger places take credit cards but internet can be spotty can be difficult to authorize at times. Take care walking around larger cities like San Jose. The gutters along the sidewalks are DEEP!

Joanne Hunt

Reviewed September 2022

Fabulous trip that incorporated both coasts and more remote places

I loved this trip! The itinerary was excellent – we saw so much and varied wildlife – dolphins, whales, a tapir, howler monkeys, quetzal, scarlet macaws, sloths, turtles and so on! Lots of variety and included some more remote places. Cahuita was great, and Torteguero, and Drakes Bay were particular highlights. Savegre was a lovely cooler spot for a couple of days, really loved Corcovado and the snorkelling. Accommodation and food was of a really good standard overall. La Marta needed more time spent there – the short walk didn’t really do it justice. I had maybe expected some longer walks generally on some of the days activities, however we were able to do some additional walking on our free days / time. We had a group of ten which was a nice number, and a really great bunch of people!

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a turtle laying eggs and seeing turtles mating at sea, seeing a whole flock of macaws, spending 10 minutes watching a tapir munching fruit, and of course, seeing the quetzal! Waking up to the sound of howler monkeys and the forest. Too many to mention!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Randall was fabulous! His fun, friendly and organised way of leading the group, combined with his enthusiasm, expert knowledge of wildlife, plants and of CR more generally, made him one of the best tour leaders. As well as the itinerary activities and optional trips, he arranged other things not on the itinerary such as stopping at a cafe where there was a good chance of seeing a quetzal (which we did!), and organising a trip to the sloth sanctuary at Cahuita.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be realistic when wildlife viewing - trying to looking for birds and animals often in dense forest means that wildlife can be difficult to spot even when there is plenty of it! Although Costa Rica is not a huge country, some places are quite remote so travel can take time- but travelling by boat is always enjoyable!

Louise Sampson

Reviewed August 2022

An Absolutely Fabulous adventure from start to finish

An Absolutely Fabulous adventure seeing a lot of what Costa Rica has to offer. Seeing the interesting and varied wildlife, flora and fauna on the Caribbean, in the mountains and at the Pacific.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many moments it is hard to pick. We saw animals from the start - a sloth in a tree when we stopped for breakfast on the first day on our way to Tortuguero NP and that set the tone for the rest of the holiday. The boat trip the lodge in Tortuguero NP was great stopping whenever there was anything interesting to see, sloths, Caymans, crocodiles, different types of birds etc The second afternoon boat trip was particularly spectacular. The morning boat trip was undertaken in torrential rain so not much was seen but in the afternoon when the rain had stopped and it became beautiful sunny day we saw lots - sloths, monkeys, iguanas, birds etc plus when we turned into tributary the water turned black so the mangroves were see in spectacular reflections. Even our boat captain was taking photos. Listening to the rain and thunder storms whist staying at Evergreen lodge in the NP became part of the experience. The humming birds and seeing the Resplendant Quetzal in Savegre as well as the humpback whales, dolphins and turtles on Drakes Bay. I am going through hundreds of photos but also took the time just to immerse myself in the whole adventure. We were so luck - we saw everything!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Carlos was fantastic. He had an encyclopaedic knowledge of Costa Rica's flora and fauna as well as answering all our questions about the country and the way of life. So we got the full experience. Nothing was too much trouble, he went above and beyond to make this an unforgettable trip - even going through my bird book marking all the birds we had seen on the trip. As Carlos also runs photographic tours he helped me with my photography and also shared some on his photos which my lenses just could not capture. Our driver was Randall - who got us to where we needed to go and couldn't have been more helpful. On our trip there were only 6 of us - so it made it easier for the guide to point things out and us all have a good chance to photograph - it made it a rather personal tour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is not called the rain forest for nothing!. Do not let the rain stop you or you will miss out - just go with it as activities will take place what ever the weather unless it is dangerous. We experienced a lot of torrential rain showers. Take a good rain poncho - it is good for covering your bags also, an umbrella, a good dry bag when travelling on water or walking in the rain forest, closed toed water shoes. We had to wade through knee deep waterways - which were footpaths. I used my canoe shoes. If you wear your trainers they will get soaked and as it is very humid things do not dry very quickly. Insect repellent is a must also as in sunscreen. If you are taking photographic equipment make sure that you have something to cover it with. I also took pouches of silica gel which I kept with my camera and lenses to absorb any moisture. We took Colons as well as US dollars since they could be used to pay in local shops or also when you stop for lunch. If you have any left they can form part of the tip. Mastercard was accepted at all the hotels we stayed in also. When in the mountains you will need a fleece or jumper since it gets a bit cold

Suggestions

The lodges were all good. Some were better than others but I did not have any complaints. The food was always good especially at Drakes Bay wilderness lodge. But mainly you just need to go with it and enjoy all the experiences. I would definitely go back.

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