- Unrivalled wildlife viewing – howler monkeys, caiman and sloths
- Visit the beaches and waterways of Tortuguero, an important nesting site for green turtles
- Verdant rainforest, lush mangroves, lava fields and serene cloud forests
- Wonderful naturalist guides who will share their love of Costa Rica with you
- Relax on idyllic Pacific coast beaches
- Stay in comfortable ecofriendly lodges and hotels

Discover Costa Rica - with Dominical
- Home
- Central America
- Costa Rica
- Wildlife Holidays
- Discover Costa Rica – with Dominical
Experience the rainforest, mountains and coast of this tropical paradise
Costa Rica is renowned for having proportionately more protected land than any other country, making it ripe for wildlife tourism. What is less known is the marvellous, often bizarre, variety of animals from catatonic sloths, screaming howler monkeys, screeching toucans and nesting green turtles. Throw in the Caribbean and Pacific coastlines and it is easy to see why so many return.
This itinerary differs from Discover Costa Rica, spending 2 nights at Dominical instead of Piedras Blancas. This option is a great alternative as this area has much to offer: beautiful beaches with great sunset views, waterfalls and natural swimming holes, and the chance to explore nearby Marino Ballena National Park.
Highlights
Key Information
- Travel by air-conditioned bus and boat
- 14 nights in comfortable hotels and eco-lodges
- Some departures with specialist birdwatching guide
- Green turtle nesting season: July to October
- Countries visited: Costa Rica
What's Included
- All breakfasts, eight lunches, six 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
People, Places & Planet
We work hard to create trips that 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.
- Our activity also benefits the rural village of Copey, which is nestled in the highlands of the Central Mountain Range. By passing through this area, seeing how the locals live and work and having lunch in a typical home, we are encouraging cultural exchange and providing valuable avenues of income here.
- There is an option for clients to directly support local schools by packing a gift of educational supplies when we visit Copey area on this tour.
- 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. On International Tourism Day in 2019 they took part in cleaning a beach at Guacalillo. They collected a total 150 Kg of waste and all the plastic lids collected were donated to the Fundación Proparques, for a project developing walkways to improve accessibility for people with mobility problems in the country's protected wild areas.
- 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. We visit national and private parks, including the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, one of the first community-managed reserves in the country. Our entrance fees also directly support conservation efforts in the areas we visit.
- 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. Esquinas lodge have their own policy whereby they produce their own organic vegetables and fruit, marmalade, juices, mayonnaise, bread, chocolate and seasoning.
- 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 Esquinas Rainforest Lodge, a model project combining conservation, environmental research and community development in a rural area. The plot is surrounded by approximately 3,000 hectares of untouched rainforest which acts as a carbon sink and the lodge itself is 100 % carbon neutral, meaning it will take action to remove as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they produce.
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.
Itinerary
The group flight usually arrives into San Jose this evening. Land Only clients should aim to arrive at the hotel this afternoon/evening. Free transfers are available for all clients. This evening is the perfect opportunity to meet your guide and get to know your fellow travellers.
Accommodation: Presidente Hotel (or similar)
A free transfer will take you to our hotel in San José, the busy capital of Costa Rica. 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. To help, there’ll be a welcome briefing at the hotel in the evening, in which we’ll gather as a group for the first time and meet our guide.
Accommodation: Presidente Hotel (or similar)
Our adventure begins early this morning, leaving San José behind as we travel to the northeast of Costa Rica to Tortuguero National Park. Accessible only by boat or light aircraft, Tortuguero has a vast network of waterways, canals and swamps that is 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 it’s possible to visit the Sea Turtle Museum (a donation will be requested at the entrance).
Tortuguero is probably most famous as a nesting site for the endangered green turtle, which arrives onto the beach to lay eggs from late July to October (witness it as part of an optional excursion). Hawksbill, loggerhead and giant leatherback turtles also nest in this region. 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 break for breakfast.
Accommodation: Laguna Lodge (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
An early 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 riverside breakfast. The lodge is a tranquil spot to relax this afternoon if you want to take some time out to enjoy the facilities, or you can join a second boat trip or follow a short walking trail through the forest.
Accommodation: Laguna Lodge (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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 region of Arenal, passing huge banana, pineapple and sugar cane plantations on the way. Arenal was the most active volcano in Costa Rica until fairly recently when it entered a resting phase, and can no longer be seen spitting ash, smoke or lava. However, there is still a lot of geothermal activity in the area and you'll have the opportunity to visit one of the excellent hot springs this evening. In clear weather, there are great views of the volcano from our overnight base in the nearby town of La Fortuna. Today's travelling time is around 5hr 30min including a lunch stop.
Accommodation: Arenal Montechiari or Arenal Paraiso (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Waterfalls are abundant in the region of Arenal and this morning we visit La Fortuna, a 213ft (65m) cascade plunging into an emerald pool. A short trail through the rainforest brings us to a relatively steep set of steps that we must descend to reach the waterfall and then ascend to the exit – the hike/climb takes around 20-30 minutes and is within the capabilities of anyone with reasonable fitness. Reward your efforts with a cooling dip in one of the natural pools punctuating the foliage.
Alternatively you could visit the lookout point and wait for the group. After lunch we take a short scenic hike within Arenal National Park, walking through secondary rainforest and passing some of the lava fields from past eruptions. The high vantage points on this walk allow great views overlooking Lake Arenal, and the birdlife is plentiful.
Accommodation: Arenal Montechiari or Arenal Paraiso (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
From Arenal we travel to the Tilaran Mountain Range in the central highlands for our first taste of a Costa Rican cloud forest. The journey provides breathtaking views of the Gulf of Nicoya and the islands below as we ascend the hills towards Monteverde, a forest-cloaked region whose name literally means Green Mountain. The high altitude supports a complex ecosystem where plants thrive, particularly orchids of which there are more than 400 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.
Accommodation: Montaña Monteverde or Monteverde Country Lodge (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we have a guided walk in Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, one of the first community-managed reserves in Costa Rica and an area celebrated for its biodiversity. To this day, the reserve is managed by the Santa Elena High School with funds channelled into protecting the reserve and providing environmental education classes within the community.
Thanks to its high elevation, Santa Elena is bathed in thick misty clouds, which support a huge range of flowers, ferns, mosses, vines and orchids. Birdlife thrives in the cloud forest with more 425 species recorded here. Santa Elena is also one of the best places to spot noisy howler monkeys swinging through the trees.
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, or join a canopy tour to get a different view of the forest.
Accommodation: Montaña Monteverde or Monteverde Country Lodge (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our journey takes a southeasterly turn today as we follow the Pan-Am Highway along the coastline to Manuel Antonio, passing African oil palm and teak plantations on the way. Manuel Antonio National Park consists of a vast marine reserve as well as 1,700 acres (690ha) of mangrove swamp, primary and secondary rainforest. The forest vegetation stretches as far as the high-tide line and provides a stunning backdrop to the expansive sandy beaches, forested islands and dramatic rocky headlands. Our drive to Manuel Antonio takes around four hours. We spend the next two nights here, normally in a hotel close to the beach and the entrance of the national park. Depending on our arrival time, we should be able to enjoy various optional activities this afternoon or make use of the hotel facilities.
Accommodation: Villa Bosque Hotel or Espadilla Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
A guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park this morning should enable us to have close wildlife encounters. White-faced capuchin monkeys play in the trees and are frequently sighted on the beaches, while noisy howler monkeys are usually heard moving through the trees and calling to each other before they are seen. The endangered titi monkey (squirrel monkey) are fewer in number but can sometimes be spotted in this area. Iguanas, agouti and two- and three-toed sloths are also commonly sighted in the national park. Manuel Antonio's beaches rank among the most beautiful in the country and we have all afternoon to enjoy them or try one of the optional activities in this region.
Please note that Manuel Antonio National Park is closed on Tuesdays. If your visit falls on a Tuesday, the timing of this activity will be adjusted so that you visit the park on the previous day, and today will be at leisure to enjoy the many optional excursions of the region.
Accommodation: Villa Bosque Hotel or Espadilla Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we transfer to the enchanting Dominical beach on the South Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Dominical beach is a favourite destination for surfing, stunning sunsets, incredible wildlife, and green landscapes.
After settling in to our hotel, we will visit one of the beautiful waterfalls in this area, and enjoy a refreshing bath in pure, cold, crystal clear waters surrounded by pristine nature.
Accommodation: Villas Rio Mar (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We spend the morning at Marino Ballena National Park. We'll enjoy a walk through this natural conservation area where we hope to see a variety of wildlife including shore birds and mammals. Tombolo, locally known as the Whale’s Tail, is also found in this park. This is a well-known natural barrier reef that was created by the forces of two rivers on either side of the reef, which due to the currents has formed and maintained the shape of a whale’s tail when viewed from above.
Along the trail there is a chance of seeing Howler monkeys, White-faced monkeys, sloths, bats, raccoons, birds (including the Scarlet macaw) and other wildlife. Plants and trees, including the wonderful mangrove tree, are also part of the trail.
In the afternoon we return to the hotel where there will be time to enjoy the hotel facilities, visit the beach or join an optional activity such as a whale and dolphin tour.
Accommodation: Villas Rio Mar (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Our journey takes a northwesterly turn through San Isidro and up and over the Cerro de la Muerte mountain range to our next destination, the Savegre Valley. The cloud forest of Savegre 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 in particular are striking with a green crest, red breast and tail feathers that can reach a metre long. A good pair of binoculars will be helpful for quetzal spotting as these birds camouflage themselves well among the wet leaves of the forest. After lunch we take a short walk from our lodge 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-Andean vegetation of the area.
Accommodation: Savegre Hotel, Nature Reserve & Spa or Trogon Lodge (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Visit the village of Copey this morning to step momentarily into the agricultural lives of those living in the highlands of the Central Mountain Range. We take a short walk to the picturesque village where snacks will be prepared for us with a local family, which is sure to be a memorable touch of Costa Rican hospitality. A 2hr 30min journey takes us back to San José, where there is time to explore the modern capital.
Accommodation: Presidente Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
The trip comes to an end today after breakfast, and it's time to bid Costa Rica and the rest of the group goodbye. Free transfers to San Jose airport are available to all clients today.
Meals Included: Breakfast
A final breakfast at the hotel is your chance to say goodbye to the group, swap numbers, and perhaps start planning your next adventure. For those joining our post-trip extension to Tamarindo Beach, the wait won’t be long. No matter what your future plans are, though, there’s a free transfer to San José airport for onward flights.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Arrive London.
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.
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
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements; however, if you have travelled to a country at risk of yellow fever prior to arriving in Costa Rica, you will be required to have a valid Yellow Fever Certificate with you. It’s also recommended that you get a hepatitis A vaccine.
The risk of malaria is slight but you may wish to consult your doctor or travel health clinic for further advice. Dengue and zika, both mosquito‐borne viral diseases, are also known risks in places visited on this trip. There are currently no vaccines or prophylaxes available. We therefore strongly recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
Eating and Drinking
All breakfasts, eight lunches and six dinners included.
Hotel breakfasts are normally buffet style, and lunches and dinners at Tortuguero and Esquinas Rainforest Lodge are also buffet style. 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 considered to be 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 bright sunshine, so midsummer is not necessarily a bad time to go. 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 graded Activity Level 1 (Leisurely) with a safari rating of 3.
Driving distances are not very long and most of the roads we travel on are of good quality. However, the road that leads to the river on the way to and from Tortuguero and the road into and out of Monteverde have poor surfaces and this can result in slow driving times, particularly following heavy rain. There are several included and optional walks on the itinerary, which 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.
Please note that in the Tortuguero region, the sea has very strong rip currents and is not suitable for swimming from the beach.
Please also note that Manuel Antonio National Park is closed on Tuesdays. If your visit falls on a Tuesday, the timing of this activity will be adjusted so you visit the park on the previous day, and have a free day to enjoy the many optional excursions of the region.
Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as not suitable for full wheelchair users, but it may be suitable for other persons of reduced mobility. Please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.
Hotels and Eco-Lodges
14 nights spent in hotels and ecolodges, all with en suite facilities and most with swimming pools. Accommodation has been chosen for its location: typically wooden lodges set in tropical gardens or ecolodges in the heart of the rainforest. We aim to use family-run establishments as much as possible. Our list of preferred hotels is below:
- In San José we normally use the comfortable, modern Presidente Hotel, which has been chosen with easy access to downtown areas of the city. On some departure dates in 2022 we’ll use the Park Inn.
- In Tortuguero, Laguna Lodge combines several wooden lodges surrounded by beautifully kept gardens where wildlife often roams freely (look out for sloths and monkeys here) – please note there are ceiling fans but no air conditioning.
- Arenal Montechiari Hotel is within a 10-minute walk of La Fortuna town. Each chalet bungalow is set within tropical gardens where hummingbirds gather, and there are wonderful views of the Arenal Volcano. We also use Arenal Paraiso and Arenal Manoa on some departures, both of which are further from town but have great facilities including hot springs and volcano views.
- In the cloud forest we usually use the Montaña Monteverde or the Monteverde Country Lodge.
- In Manuel Antonio, we usually stay at Villa Bosque Hotel due to its close proximity to the entrance of the national park, which enables easier access to and from the park. Sometimes we stay at the neighbouring Espadilla Hotel instead.
- In Dominical we’ll stay at the Villas Rio Mar, set in the jungle but an easy 10 minute walk away from Playa Dominical This hotel is surrounded by a spacious tropical garden with exotic flowers and plants where you may spot wildlife such as sloths and toucans.
- Our final accommodation is Savegre Hotel, located in an ideal position within the Savegre Valley; this lodge has plant-filled gardens, multiple walking trails and cosy wooden lodges.
Please note, one or several of the named properties might be substituted for similar alternatives in order to secure hotel availability. Please discuss with your sales representative if you require more details regarding your specific departure date.
Optional single supplement available, please see Dates & Prices.
Experts
Contact a member of staff who has done this trip:
Reviews
Add your own reviewAnne French
Reviewed March 2023
Trip of a Lifetime
This was the most amazing experience, enhanced by the enthusiasm and knowledge of our tour guide, David Vargas. We pretty well covered all areas of Costa Rica seeing diverse environments and experiencing different climates. David is an ornithologist and did his utmost to inspire the group with his love of birds and his country. His extensive knowledge of the history of his country and of its flora and fauna enhanced the experience. He always went the extra mile to ensure our comfort and to consider the needs of the group. We would have no hesitation in recommending this trip to anyone who has an interest in the extraordinary amount of wildlife that is there for all to
Most Inspirational Moment
The time we spent in Tortuguero due to the attractiveness of the eco lodge and huge variety of wildlife. There were so many great experiences but another to stand out was the time spent in the south at Piedras Blancas Esquinas when we did a night walk in the rain forest with boots and torches - a first! And another beautiful eco lodge…
Thoughts on Group Leader
See general review. He was inspirational and much appreciated by the whole group.
Advice for Potential Travellers
People considering this holiday would be advised to bring stout footwear due to the challenge of uneven and muddy ground in the forests. We wished we had taken a travel kettle as there are only coffee makers in the rooms. Most hotels and lodges have hot showers but no hot water in the hand basins. Also no plugs, so take your own. Also adaptors of course.
Covid-19 refund commitment
You will get a refund if you have to cancel your trip due to COVID-19.
Start
Finish
Availability
Adult Price From
Optional Single Supplement
Tuesday Tuesday
21 Nov 2023 21 Nov 2023
Tuesday Wednesday
05 Dec 2023 06 Dec 2023
Availability Guaranteed (On Request) Only 3 spaces left!
Adult Price From USD 5,599
Optional Single Supplement Single Rooms sold out
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead but there are only 3 spaces left. Do not delay your booking!
View Trip NotesTuesday Tuesday
28 Nov 2023 28 Nov 2023
Tuesday Wednesday
12 Dec 2023 13 Dec 2023
Availability Guaranteed (On Request)
Adult Price From USD 5,599
Optional Single Supplement Single Rooms sold out
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 NotesNo departures found.
Would 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
*Please note any date & price adjustments will be displayed on the next step of booking. You will be able to revert back to booking without flights if the options aren't suitable for you.
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