Natural Highlights of Costa Rica

Natural Highlights of Costa Rica

2,213 Views
8 Days From

$3448

$3225

Natural Highlights of Costa Rica

8 Days Starting and ending in San José

Visiting: Costa Rica

Tour operator:

Exodus Adventure Travels

Tour code:

WUA

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 16

Physical rating:

Easy

Age range:

16-99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:

English
From: $3448 $3225 Operator discount: -$223

NB: Prices correct on 05-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

A tropical paradise bursting with wildlife, Costa Rica is home to six percent of the world’s plant and animal species, many endemic. The rich biodiversity is extremely colourful. More than 850 bird species have been recorded here – far more than found anywhere in North America, Europe and Australia. A cornucopia of exotic flora and fauna, Costa Rica is a nature lover’s delight.

Highlights

  • Enjoy an easy-going week in wildlife hotspots: rainforest, mangroves, lava fields and cloud forests

  • Navigate the Tortuguero waterways in search of monkeys, caiman and more

  • Discover the natural wonders of Arenal Volcano National Park via walking trails, observation towers and hanging bridges

  • Feel the cloud forest come alive on a nocturnal walk in the Monteverde Wildlife Refuge

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrive In San José

Welcome to San José, the culture-rich capital of Costa Rica. The group flight usually arrives into San José this afternoon. Land Only clients should aim to arrive at the hotel by 5pm so that you can meet your fellow travellers and tour leader, who will give you a warm welcome to Costa Rica. If you miss today’s welcome briefing, the tour leader will give you all relevant information on the afternoon of Day 2. Free transfers are available for all clients.



Accommodation: KC Hotel or Delta by Marriott San José Aurola (or similar)

Day 2 : To Tortuguero National Park

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our adventure begins early this morning, leaving San Jose behind as we travel to Tortuguero National Park in the northeast of Costa Rica. Accessible only by boat or light aircraft, Tortuguero has a vast network of waterways, canals and swamps that are remarkably tranquil, unspoilt and devoid of noise pollution. On reaching the pier, we board a small motorboat for the journey to our lodge (up to 1hr 30min) , which is a short distance from the main lagoon. Please note the transfer from San José to Tortuguero is not private for Exodus clients.



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 the 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 five to six hours including a stop for breakfast.



Accommodation: Evergreen Lodge or Pachira Lodge (or similar)

Day 3 : Boat Tour Around Tortuguero Waterways

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A morning boat trip enables us to discover the extraordinary flora and fauna of Tortuguero, passing serenely along the waterways. At this time of day, wildlife is usually at its most active and with the help of our expert guide we are likely to encounter monkeys, caiman, iguanas, butterflies and many of the 300-plus bird species recorded here. We return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast by the river. This afternoon, we enjoy a second boat trip along a different canal. Alternatively, stay at the lodge this afternoon if you want to enjoy the facilities or follow a short walking trail through the forest.



Accommodation: Evergreen Lodge or Pachira Lodge (or similar)

Day 4 : To La Fortuna, Near Arenal

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

We leave Tortuguero the same way we arrived by taking a small boat to the pier. Our bus will be at the pier waiting to drive us to the Arenal region, passing huge banana, pineapple and sugar cane plantations on the way. Arenal was the most active volcano in Costa Rica until 2010, when it entered a resting phase and stopped spitting ash, smoke and lava. However, there is still a lot of geothermal activity here and you'll have the opportunity to visit one of the excellent hot springs this evening. Alternatively,  embark on a chocolate and coffee tour or take a walk on the wild side with the Ecoglide zipline . In clear weather, there are great views of the volcano from our overnight base, the nearby town of La Fortuna. Today's travelling time is around 5hr 30min including a lunch stop.



Accommodation: Arenal Montechiari or Casa Luna (or similar)

Day 5 : Morning At Arenal Observatory Lodge; Free Afternoon

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Today we enjoy Costa Rica's natural beauty at its best with a visit to Arenal Observatory Lodge, located within Arenal Volcano National Park.



Our walk incorporates a hanging bridge through the treetop canopy and meanders through beautiful tropical gardens and lush rainforest. The property has a variety of trails and the tour leader will select a trail that suits the whole group for an enjoyable walk full of biodiversity. Two impressive observation towers, including the 28-meter-high Nest Tower, offer panoramic views of the surroundings.



The adventure takes approximately two to three hours and offers opportunities to see or hear more than 250 species of birds, three types of monkeys and a whole host of other mammals, insects, reptiles, plants and flowers. After the nature walk, a delicious lunch is included in the restaurant.



The afternoon is free to relax or embark on one of Arenal's many optional activities, including zip lining and a coffee and chocolate tour.



Accommodation: Arenal Montechiari or Casa Luna (or similar)

Day 6 : To Monteverde In The Tilarán Mountains; Nocturnal Wildlife Walk

Meals Included: Breakfast

From Arenal, we travel to the Tilarán Mountain Range in the Central Highlands for our first taste of a Costa Rican cloud forest. The journey provides breath-taking views of the Gulf of Nicoya and the islands below as we ascend the hills towards Monteverde, a forest-cloaked region whose name means Green Mountain. The high altitude supports a complex ecosystem where plants thrive, particularly orchids of which there are some 400-plus different varieties here. Today's drive is around four hours – the last 25mi (40km) of road is gravel and can be bumpy, particularly following heavy rain. In the afternoon, it's possible to join an optional coffee tour to learn about the importance of this crop to the socio-economic development of the country.



This evening we set off on a night walk in Monteverde Wildlife Refuge. Situated within primary cloud forest, this reserve is committed to the preservation of native flora and fauna. Taking a nocturnal walk allows for a completely new perspective on the forest, which our guides will bring to life for us. Keep your eyes peeled for sloths, who are often active during the night!



Accommodation: Montaña Monteverde or Monteverde Country Lodge (or similar)

Day 7 : Visit Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve; To San José

Meals Included: Breakfast

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a favourite destination for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts. A walk through the reserve will reveal huge old growth trees covered in moss while the surrounding mist permeates the atmosphere. The geographic, topographic and climatic conditions of the reserve allow a surprising biodiversity to thrive. There are four ecological ‘life zones’ that harbour different ecosystems for hundreds of species – mammals, birds, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, insects and arachnids. We can also find a variety of mosses, vines, other plants and trees typical of the cloud forest. One of the reserve trails leads to a lookout point right at the top of the continental divide where, on clear days, you see both Costa Rican coasts: the Caribbean and Pacific. These forests are also one of the few remaining habitats of the endangered resplendent quetzal. Following today's activity, we transfer to San José.



Accommodation: KC Hotel or Delta by Marriott San José Aurola (or similar)

Day 8 : End San José

Meals Included: Breakfast

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 José airport are available to all clients today. Alternatively, speak to your sales representative to join our post-trip extension to the palm tree-lined beaches of Tamarindo.

What's Included

  • All breakfasts, four lunches, two dinners

  • All accommodation

  • All transport and listed activities

  • Tour leader throughout

  • Arrival and departure transfers

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance

  • Visas or vaccinations

  • Single accommodation (available on request)

Accommodation

On this Costa Rican adventure, we spend seven nights in hotels and lodges, aiming to use family-run establishments where possible. Below are the accommodations typically used on this trip.



San José: Aurola Holiday Inn San José (nights 1 and 7)







We begin and end our adventure at this high-rise hotel, which is conveniently located for the downtown area of the city. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and amenities include an indoor pool, fitness centre and a selection of restaurants (head to the 17th-floor El Mirador for a view over the city and Central Valley volcanoes).



Tortuguero: Pachira Lodge or Evergreen Lodge (nights 2-3)







In Tortuguero, we stay at either Pachira Lodge or Evergreen Lodge (above), depending on availability. Both are firm favourites with our groups: ideally situated for access to Tortuguero National Park by boat and with comfortable rooms in the Costa Rican wilderness. Both even have a turtle-shaped swimming pool.



Arenal: Arenal Montechiari (nights 4-5)







Arenal Montechiari is a 10-minute walk from La Fortuna town. Each chalet bungalow is set within tropical gardens where hummingbirds gather, and there are wonderful views of Arenal volcano.



Monteverde: Montaña Monteverde or Monteverde Country Lodge (night 6)







Our night in Monteverde is spent at either Monteverde Country Lodge (above) or Montaña Monteverde, depending on availability. The former is a cosy retreat for the cool cloud forest climate with a restaurant serving fusion cuisine made with Costa Rican produce. The latter is adjacent to a private reserve and has a bar and restaurant serving homecooked Costa Rican dishes.



Worth knowing



One or several of the named properties might be substituted for similar alternatives to secure hotel availability. Please discuss with your customer operations executive if you require more details regarding your specific departure date.

Food

All breakfasts, four lunches and two dinners are included.



In the itinerary we state which meals are included on which day. Hotel breakfasts are normally buffets, and lunches and dinners at Tortuguero are also buffets. Vegetarian and vegan options are limited but food is plentiful and tasty – please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests.



Costa Rican specialities include gallo pinto, a black bean and rice dish that’s 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.

Check out our Q&As

  • What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?

    7 nights in comfortable hotels and eco-lodges

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    Minimum 16 year and above passenger can go on this tour.

  • Do you require a visa for this holiday?

    Holders of British, US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and most EU passports can enter Costa Rica for a stay of 90 days without a visa. Proof of onward travel may be required when entering Costa Rica - we suggest you take a print out of your flight details in case officials ask to see them. All passengers flying via the USA will have to clear immigration during transit. Prior to travel you must

  • Are all entrance fees included in the price?

    No.

  • What is the maximum group size?

    16

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

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

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!

Wonderful wildlife

Wonderful wildlife, great guide, highly recommended

Brilliant Nature

Brilliant guide Well organised trip Good drivers

Fantastic tour of Costa Rica's top sites

A fantastic tour of all the best sites in Costa Rica from coast, to volcanoes, to cloud forests. The tour exactly mirrored what was described in the itinerary and the itinerary delivered lots of opportunity to view not only the tremendous wildlife on offer, but also the different landscapes and eco systems.

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!

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.

An excellent introduction to Costa Rica

This trip packs a lot into 8 days without ever feeling rushed. We achieved our aim of seeing sloths (2- and 3-toed) and also saw many other amazing animals and birds.

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!

Cost Rica for the third time.

There was a lot of hours travelling, however that is acceptable as the country's road system to the places we were going to do not allow shorter journey times, and some of the scenery was superb. Our drivers throughout were excellent as was our guide Glenda who worked hard to ensure we all had an enjoyable tour. We were slightly disappointed with Tortequero as the boat safaris could have been longer and we did not really go as far into the jungle as we expected, a lot of time was lost queuing up for entrance tickets and the last morning it would have been possible to do an additional safari and depart the lodge a bit later to return to the jetty. We actually saw more on the 2 1/2 hour boat safari in Cano Negro than we did in the whole time in Tortequero. The Monte Verde part was good but again more time could have been spent in the actual jungle than having nearly an hour to have coffee and shop at the information centre.

Read all 11 reviews

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Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

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