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Wonders of Costa Rica

 
You are viewing the 2028 itinerary. Select your departure year
20282029
Duration
13 days
From per person
£5,299
Tour code
CRC28
Mobility Rating 4
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Embark on the ultimate discovery of Costa Rica's extraordinary wildlife and spectacular landscapes, alongside authentic cultural experiences that reveal the spirit of this captivating country

Experience the world-renowned landscapes of Costa Rica, where colourful tropical birds, monkeys, sloths and countless other native flora and fauna thrive. Explore the atmospheric cloud forest of Monteverde, Tortuguero National Park's biodiverse waterways and the lava fields of Arenal Volcano.

Gain a deeper understanding of Costa Rican life through meaningful encounters with local communities, delving into traditional agricultural practices and dining with a local family during immersive farm visits.

Concluding in Manuel Antonio National Park, where lush rainforest meets golden beaches, enjoy free time to unwind on the idyllic Pacific coast.

Unforgettable Experiences

Exploring Tortuguero by land and boat
Exploring Tortuguero by land and boat
Delve into the diverse ecology of Costa Rica while staying in Tortuguero National Park, cruising along its scenic waterways and learning about the conservation efforts to protect the sea turtles that nest on its beaches.
Walking through the clouds in Monteverde
Walking through the clouds in Monteverde
Experience Monteverde’s otherworldly cloud forest from above, traversing the canopy on suspended bridges that offer a unique insight into the species that make their home in the treetops.
Visiting the lava fields of Arenal Volcano
Visiting the lava fields of Arenal Volcano
On an excursion to Arenal Volcano, walk through the fascinating lava fields caused by the 1968 eruption, following paths created by lava flows and learning about the regeneration of the surrounding jungle.
Experiencing Authentic Costa Rican Life
Experiencing Authentic Costa Rican Life
Visit local family-run farms to learn about Costa Rica’s agricultural heritage and sustainable practices and share a farm-to-table lunch, enjoying fresh regional ingredients while gaining a deeper insight into everyday life, traditions and culture.
Strolling through the Monteverde Butterfly Gardens
Strolling through the Monteverde Butterfly Gardens
Step into the enchanting Monteverde Butterfly Gardens to enjoy an introduction to Costa Rica’s extraordinary insect life and wander verdant gardens alive with more than 30 species of butterfly.
Spending three nights in coastal Manuel Antonio
Spending three nights in coastal Manuel Antonio
Enjoy two full days on the stunning Pacific Coast, with a guided walk through the celebrated Manuel Antonio National Park and time to soak up the ocean views from vast white-sand beaches.

What’s included on the tour?

Itinerary

DAY1London to San José

Your Costa Rican journey begins at London Heathrow, where you meet the Tour Manager and travel group ahead of our flight to the capital, San José.

Upon arrival, we are transferred to our nearby hotel, on the outskirts of the city. Set in lush tropical gardens, our hotel offers a tranquil oasis away from the hustle and bustle of San José. After checking in, we enjoy a welcome dinner in the open-air restaurant, giving us our first taste of Costa Rica's relaxed culture and deep connection with nature.

Includes
  • Dinner
DAY2To the Caribbean coast

Leaving San José after breakfast, we begin our journey by coach from the Central Valley to Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast. Travelling into dense lowland rainforests, the lush tropical landscape envelops us throughout our journey.

This protected wilderness is criss-crossed with canals, creeks and lagoons, creating a network of islands only accessible by boat. As we cruise along these biodiverse waterways, keep an eye out for monkeys in the tree canopy, caimans lounging on the banks and the bright hues of toucans and macaws among the foliage. After checking in and enjoying lunch at our lodge, we set out on a walking tour of Tortuguero village. Set on a narrow sandbar, it's known for the turtles that nest on its beaches and boasts a lively Caribbean culture.

Later, we visit the Sea Turtle Conservancy Museum, where we learn about the different species of turtles that make their home on Tortuguero's beaches and the conservation efforts that maintain their habitat. Returning to the lodge, we enjoy a dinner of Caribbean cuisine made with fresh ingredients.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY3Exploring Tortuguero’s waterways

An early start today brings a serene boat excursion through the canals of Tortuguero National Park. The first hours of daylight are the most active for many species, including howler monkeys, sloths, caimans and several tropical bird species. Our knowledgeable guide helps us spot the region's spectacular wildlife as we glide along, with dense vegetation lining the banks, reflecting a mosaic of greenery in the calm waters. 

After our aquatic exploration, there is free time at the lodge to lounge by the pool or take in the riverside views before lunch.

In the afternoon, we set out to explore the park further with a guided forest walk. This perspective allows us to delve further into the incredible flora of Costa Rica - Tortuguero National Park teems with more than 400 tree species and 2,200 plant species. Mighty crabwoods tower overhead, with fascinating buttressed roots adapted to the marshy ground, monkey ladder vines climb the trees and heliconia flowers flash scarlet on the forest floor. The rest of your afternoon is free at the hotel until dinner together.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY4Delving into Costa Rican culture

After a relaxed breakfast, we depart our lodge by boat, enjoying a final canal cruise through this remarkable park before we reach the mainland. Boarding our coach, we head inland to the northern plains of Costa Rica. The scenery opens up as we drive, transitioning from dense rainforest to lush lowlands and rolling hills, dominated by the conical peak of the Arenal Volcano.

Enroute, we stop for lunch at a local restaurant, then continue to a family-run palm farm for an enriching tour. Costa Rica is one of the world's largest exporters of sustainably farmed heart of palm, known as palmito, and this unique crop is extremely popular in local cuisine. Gain immersive insight into traditional agricultural life and culture in Costa Rica as the host family share their knowledge and experience with us.

Continuing to our hotel, a stylish eco-resort surrounded by pristine nature, we check in and enjoy some time to settle into our new surroundings before dinner at the hotel. You may wish to relax in the outdoor pool or jacuzzi or stroll through the hotel grounds for beautiful mountain and river views.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY5La Fortuna Waterfall and Arenal's lava fields

Today's excursions introduce us to Costa Rica's stunning northern region. Driving to the charming town of La Fortuna, we embark on a guided trip to La Fortuna Waterfall, situated at the base of Chato Volcano. The waterfall is reached by descending a stairway through picturesque rainforest, at the base of which we can enjoy views of the falls as they emerge from the jungle and plummet more than 200 feet into an azure pool.

Returning to La Fortuna, there is free time to explore and find lunch independently. The town lies in the shadow of Arenal Volcano - head to the central park for stunning views of the peak rising behind its quaint church.

This afternoon, we visit the Arenal 1968 Trail Park, named for the volcano's devastating 1968 eruption. A guided walk showcases the lava fields as we learn about volcano processes and the local forest regeneration after the eruption. After, we visit the Eco Termales Hot Springs for an evening of relaxation. We have time here to enjoy the rejuvenating waters before dinner at the on-site restaurant.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
DAY6Spotting sloths in a wildlife sanctuary

After breakfast, we head out to a family-run rural tourism project that offers visitors a hands-on insight into the life of 'campesinos' - rural farmers. We are taken on a tour of the five-hectare organic farm, learning about traditional agricultural practices, native crops and medicinal plants, and sugarcane and coffee processing. After our tour, we are treated to an authentic farm-to-table lunch.

We continue to Proyecto Asis, a wildlife rescue centre and sloth sanctuary, where we have the chance to see two species of sloths in their natural habitat. These charming animals thrive in the vast forests that cover most of Costa Rica and have become its unofficial mascot. Our guide takes us through the reserve, where sloths roam freely through the canopy, providing information on the animals and their role in the rainforest ecosystem.

Returning to the hotel mid-afternoon, the rest of the day is free to spend as you wish. For dinner, you may want to stay at the hotel or head to the nearby town of Muelle San Carlos for a variety of eateries serving authentic Costa Rican cuisine.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
DAY7Walking through the clouds in Monteverde

Leaving the La Fortuna region, we head west along the length of Costa Rica's largest lake, Lake Arenal. The scenery becomes more dramatic as we head into the cooler elevations of the Cordillera de Tilarán mountains.

Our destination is Monteverde, sitting at more than 4,400 feet above sea level. This region is renowned for its atmospheric cloud forest, where giant evergreen trees reach up into a blanket of mist. This nearly omnipresent fog nourishes the forest, creating a cornucopia of biodiversity. Here, more than 450 orchid varieties thrive, elusive jaguars prowl the forest floor and the resplendent quetzal flits through the trees.

Our afternoon excursion takes us to Treetopia, an incredible park which offers visitors the opportunity to explore the canopy from a trail of hanging walkways, immersing you in the heart of the forest. As we stroll, a guide provides information on the native plant and animal life that we can spot along the way. After our visit, we head to our hotel in Santa Elena, where we enjoy some time to settle in before dinner at the hotel.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
DAY8Monteverde's butterflies and nocturnal wildlife

Our day begins with a guided exploration of Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve. This reserve is smaller than Monteverde's reserve and boasts a higher elevation, offering denser cloud cover and fewer crowds. Here, we walk through the forest floor, where the abundant vegetation and hanging epiphytes create an otherworldly atmosphere.

We then visit the Monteverde Butterfly Gardens, where we learn about the fascinating insect life in Costa Rica and stroll through the gardens where more than 30 species of butterfly dance through the air. Returning to the hotel for a free afternoon, we stop enroute for lunch at a local restaurant.

This evening brings another perspective of Monteverde Cloud Forest as we embark on a guided night walk. Entering the forest, the atmospheric chorus of insect hums, amphibian calls and the rustling of small mammals surrounds us. Our expert guide will point out interesting wildlife as we walk - look out for brightly coloured amphibians, bioluminescent fungi and sleeping birds, such as toucans and hummingbirds. After our tour, we return to the hotel and you are free to dine independently.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
DAY9Crocodile safari on the Tárcoles River

After breakfast, we depart Monteverde and begin our journey south along the Pacific coast to Manuel Antonio. Enroute, we stop for a boat safari on the Tárcoles River, renowned for its large population of American crocodiles. See these impressive animals in their natural habitat, as well as exotic bird species, iguanas and monkeys as we navigate the river and mangrove forest.

Disembarking at the Croc Skywalk, we have an opportunity to admire the river's scaly inhabitants from above. This impressive, elevated viewing platform provides expansive views of the crocodiles lounging on the bank below and the beautiful river scenery. Afterwards, we enjoy lunch at the connected restaurant.

Continuing to Manuel Antonio, we check into our tranquil resort, conveniently located by the entrance to Manuel Antonio National Park and a short walk from the beach. There is free time to settle in before we gather for dinner at the hotel's restaurant.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY10At leisure in Manuel Antonio

A free day offers an opportunity to unwind and get to know your new surroundings at your own pace.

Our hotel enjoys a fantastic location a short walk from the stunning Playa Espadilla Sur and Playa Manuel Antonio beaches. This coastline epitomises a tropical paradise, with soft sand stretching from the lush rainforest to the sparkling waters of the Pacific Ocean. The forest provides fantastic shade and the opportunity to spot local wildlife such as iguanas and white-faced capuchin monkeys.

Our resort hotel also offers plenty of opportunities to relax. Lounge by the pool and listen to the sounds of the jungle or enjoy a coffee on your room's balcony, watching out for monkeys and toucans in the treeline. Lunch and dinner today are at leisure - the hotel offers two restaurants, or you might like to take a short taxi ride to nearby Manuel Antonio town to try one of its varied eateries.

DAY11Exploring Manuel Antonio National Park

After breakfast, we set out to explore our new surroundings on our final guided nature walk of the holiday in Manuel Antonio National Park. This park possesses a captivating blend of lush rainforest and pristine beaches, and the trail we explore with our guide frequently opens up to breathtaking coastal viewpoints. This may be the smallest national park in Costa Rica, but it boasts an incredible array of biodiversity. Along our walk, we may be able to spot squirrel monkeys, iguanas, toucans, sloths, agoutis and Panamanian white-faced capuchins.

The rest of your day is free to spend as you wish. You could return to the beach and head to the far end to discover the tide pools that host a variety of fascinating marine life, including several species of colourful crabs. If you would like to explore the jungle further, there are several trails that you can walk independently, including the Sendero Perezoso (Sloth Trail), an accessible raised walkway through an area popular with sloths.

However you choose to spend the afternoon, return to the hotel this evening to enjoy the final dinner of our holiday together.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
DAY12Homeward bound

From the wildlife-rich waterways of Tortuguero National Park to the atmospheric cloud forests of Monteverde, Costa Rica has dazzled us with its biodiversity and dramatic geography. We marvelled at Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna Waterfall, viewed sloths and crocodiles in their natural habitats and learned about the country's insect life at the Butterfly Garden. Concluding our holiday in Manuel Antonio, we experienced the spectacular national park's blend of dense rainforest and pristine beaches.

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast this morning before we transfer back to the airport in San José for our overnight flight back to London.

Includes
  • Breakfast
DAY13Arriving in London

On arrival in London Heathrow this morning, your Central American exploration comes to a close and you are free to continue your journey home.

Additional information

Classic collection

Our Classic range is what we're known for. Enjoy curated moments with plenty of inclusions. Centrally located hotels, premium travel options and engaging group tours with a seasoned expert are included. You'll be in groups with an average of 20-25 travellers and a maximum of 30*. *Scandinavian and Worldwide tours are on average 30-35 and a maximum of 40.

If your tour is marked as Small Group, enjoy a more immersive holiday experience, exploring with a like-minded group of just 22 travellers on average.

Hotels

El Establo Mountain Hotel, Monteverde
El Establo Mountain Hotel, Monteverde
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Pachira Lodge, Tortuguero
Pachira Lodge, Tortuguero
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DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cariari, San José
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cariari, San José
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Evergreen Lodge, Tortuguero
Evergreen Lodge, Tortuguero
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Tilajari Eco Resort, La Fortuna
Tilajari Eco Resort, La Fortuna
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Hotel San Bada, Manuel Antonio
Hotel San Bada, Manuel Antonio
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Enhance your holiday

Flight upgrades

Flight upgrades are available. For information regarding the types of upgrades offered by the airlines we use, call our expert team for details.

Flight upgrades
London Hotels

Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.

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We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.

London hotels
UK rail connections

Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.

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We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.

For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.

UK train tickets