- Visit multiple wildlife habitats in one week: verdant rainforest, lush mangroves, lava fields and serene cloud forests
- Abundant wildlife viewing with sightings of monkeys, birds and sloths expected
- Discover the tranquil waterways of Tortuguero, an important nesting site for green turtles
- Comfortable ecofriendly lodges and hotels throughout
- Two boat trips included at Tortuguero and a boat safari in the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge

Natural Highlights of Costa Rica
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- Natural Highlights of Costa Rica
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Reviews
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Thoughts on Group Leader
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Advice for Potential Travellers
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Suggestions
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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
Suggestions
Loved the hotel gardens for the wildlife. Take good binoculars!
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.
Suggestions
A massive thank you to Miguel for everything and if my 7 fellow travellers are reading this - thanks for being a great bunch to travel with.
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
Suggestions
Highly recommended
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
Suggestions
Take head torches for night walks and appropriate wet gear
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.
Suggestions
Great trip, have a fabulous 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.
Suggestions
This holiday packs a lot in form the time spent on the island. It would have been nice to visit some animal sanctuaries but there wasn't time, I suggest extending the trip to take this into account if one can.
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.
Suggestions
Just book it!! Worth every penny!
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!
Suggestions
I would recommend tagging on a few days at the end at a beach resort to relax and have a swim after a full on week.
Start
Finish
Availability
Adult Price From
Optional Single Supplement
Sunday Saturday
16 Apr 2023 15 Apr 2023
Sunday Monday
23 Apr 2023 24 Apr 2023
Availability Guaranteed (On Request) Only 4 spaces left!
Adult Price From USD 3,449
Optional Single Supplement +USD 632
Available upon Request
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
30 Jul 2023 29 Jul 2023
Sunday Monday
06 Aug 2023 07 Aug 2023
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
05 Nov 2023 04 Nov 2023
Sunday Monday
12 Nov 2023 13 Nov 2023
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
19 Nov 2023 18 Nov 2023
Sunday Monday
26 Nov 2023 27 Nov 2023
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Johnny Villalobos-Exodus Tour Leader of the year 2017
Johnny Villalobos-Exodus Tour Leader of the year 2017
Availability
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View Trip NotesSaturday Friday
13 Jan 2024 12 Jan 2024
Saturday Sunday
20 Jan 2024 21 Jan 2024
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View Trip NotesSaturday Friday
10 Feb 2024 09 Feb 2024
Saturday Sunday
17 Feb 2024 18 Feb 2024
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View Trip NotesSaturday Friday
24 Feb 2024 23 Feb 2024
Saturday Sunday
02 Mar 2024 03 Mar 2024
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View Trip NotesSaturday Friday
13 Apr 2024 12 Apr 2024
Saturday Sunday
20 Apr 2024 21 Apr 2024
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View Trip NotesSaturday Friday
27 Jul 2024 26 Jul 2024
Saturday Sunday
03 Aug 2024 04 Aug 2024
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Optional Single Supplement +USD 696
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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 Friday
02 Nov 2024 01 Nov 2024
Saturday Sunday
09 Nov 2024 10 Nov 2024
Availability Available
Adult Price From USD 3,549
Optional Single Supplement +USD 696
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 Friday
16 Nov 2024 15 Nov 2024
Saturday Sunday
23 Nov 2024 24 Nov 2024
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Adult Price From USD 3,549
Optional Single Supplement +USD 696
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 NotesWould you like to include flights with your booking?
- ATOL protected
- Competitive flight prices
- Full refunds in the event of FCDO cancellations or major disruption at your UK departure airport
- Specialist support to rearrange flights and transfers
- Regional flights available from many UK airports
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