Costa Rica Escape
Costa Rica Escape
$2145
Costa Rica Escape
9 Days Starting and ending in Hotel in San José
Visiting: San José, La Fortuna, Monteverde, Quepos
Tour operator:
Tour code:
LATAM16L
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
10 - 51
Age range:
10-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Seeking a Costa Rica Escape full of stunning natural scenery and unforgettable adventures? This 9-day Costa Rica group tour offers an incredible journey through some of the country’s most sought-after sights and hidden gems. Discover the active Arenal Volcano and be captivated by the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Relax on the beach in Quepos, experience the spectacular Manuel Antonio National Park and tour San José, Costa Rica’s buzzing capital city. From wildlife wonders and coastal delights to local cuisine and unique cultures, this is Costa Rica at its best!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Start Of Tour In San José
Location: San José
Meals Included: Dinner
Your Costa Rica Escape begins today in San José! Arrive in the Costa Rican capital and, depending on your arrival time, explore this city set against a backdrop of volcanoes and mountains before meeting up with your tour leader and group at the hotel this evening. After a brief overview of the upcoming itinerary, look forward to a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Get your first taste of Costa Rican cuisine as you get to know your fellow travellers!
Enjoy a welcome dinner in San José
Day 2: San José - La Fortuna
Location: La Fortuna
Meals Included: Breakfast
Depart San José after breakfast as the tour makes its way to La Fortuna, a town known for being the gateway to the incredible Arenal Volcano National Park. Upon arrival in the afternoon, join your tour leader on an orientation walking tour. The evening is free to explore on your own or to join the Hot Springs optional excursion. This highly recommended activity offers the opportunity to soak in the serene and healing thermal waters that this area is renowned for. As you experience these soothing hot springs, marvel at the crystalline waterfalls. Then, enjoy a delicious buffet dinner!
Visit La Fortuna, near the Arenal Volcano
Day 3: La Fortuna: Free Day
Location: La Fortuna
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today offers a free day to experience La Fortuna at your own pace. With its spectacular natural scenery all around, there are so many things to see and do. Why not join the half-day Arenal hike to experience some of this nature and the Arenal volcano up close? This expertly-guided hike will take you through the rainforest and give you a deeper insight into the volcano and national park. Tonight offers the opportunity to join a Costa Rican cooking class. This is the best way to discover Costa Rican cuisine and enjoy a delicious meal.
Day 4: La Fortuna - Monteverde
Location: Monteverde
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Bid farewell to La Fortuna this morning and hop back on the coach to travel to Monteverde. Journey through the majestic Cloud Forest on the way and prepare for awe-inspiring scenery! Arrive in the afternoon and embark on an orientation tour of Monteverde town. After some time to grab lunch, the rest of the day is free. Choose to explore on your own, relax at the hotel or opt for the Coffee Farm Tour. Learn all about how Costa Rica’s most famous exports (chocolate, sugar cane and, of course, coffee) are produced on this unmissable optional excursion. This evening, sit down for an included dinner at a lively local restaurant.
Take a scenic drive through the Monteverde Cloud Forest
Day 5: Monteverde: Free Day
Location: Monteverde
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a full free day to experience Monteverde, one of the most stunning regions in all of Costa Rica. Today’s optional excursion is highly recommended for those seeking a bit of adventure combined with breathtaking sights. See the famous cloud forest from above as you walk along the Hanging Bridges! Then, visit a sloth sanctuary and learn all about these loveable creatures. Alternatively, explore Monteverde at your own pace. Wander through the streets, enjoy some local food or visit a butterfly farm. However you choose to spend this day, it’s sure to be memorable.
Day 6: Monteverde - Quepos
Location: Quepos
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, say goodbye to Monteverde and head to Quepos, a town on the Pacific Coast which boasts exceptional biodiversity. Look forward to spending two nights in this gorgeous location which is renowned for its marine life and wildlife. Check into the hotel and then enjoy free time to explore. Why not swim in the ocean or relax on the beach? Or, join the optional sunset cruise to enjoy a trip on a catamaran featuring awe-inspiring views of the Manuel Antonio National Park. Depending on the season, you may even spot humpback whales, stingrays and dolphins in the water! Choose to go snorkelling or slide down the onboard waterslide and enjoy an included dinner.
Soak up the sun in Quepos
Day 7: Quepos
Location: Quepos
Meals Included: Breakfast
Wake up and get ready for adventure! Embark on an unforgettable journey through the expansive Manuel Antonio National Park which is teeming with diverse landscapes from sandy beaches to lush forests. This park is home to around 109 species of mammals such as sloths, monkeys and toucans. It is also home to around 184 different bird species! Have your cameras at the ready for the picturesque fauna and flora all around. Enjoy free time to take a dip in the azure waters or laze on the white-sand beaches. Tonight, enjoy a free evening to spend as you wish.
Explore the stunning Manuel Antonio National Park
Day 8: Quepos - San José
Location: San José
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today the tour makes its way back to San José for a chance to get better acquainted with this captivating capital. In the afternoon, set off on a driving tour of San José. Marvel at the impressive Spanish colonial architecture displayed throughout San José and tick off some of this vibrant city’s top sights including the Casa Amarillo, the National Theatre and the main town square. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner and reminisce with the group about the many memorable moments on tour over the last 8 days. Raise a toast to Costa Rica and newfound travel friends!
Discover San José, Costa Rica’s capital city, on a driving tour
Sit down for a farewell group dinner in San José
Day 9: End Of Tour In San José
Location: San José
Meals Included: Breakfast
After one final group breakfast, this life-enriching Costa Rica Escape tour comes to an end this morning. Be sure to exchange contact details to stay in touch and swap pictures with the rest of the group. Expat Explore can’t wait to see you on tour with us again soon!
What's Included
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Accommodation
8 nights in 3 & 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms
Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability) -
Transport
Air-conditioned vehicle
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Meals
8 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners*Vegetarian options available for all meals on request
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Tour Leader
Fully guided tour with experienced tour leader
Tour leader will accompany group throughout and manage all logistical details
What's Not Included
International flightsTravel to the start point and from the end point is not included. We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best deals on international flights.Travel insuranceFor a relatively small price, travel insurance provides you with peace of mind so that you can enjoy your tour without any worries.
All passengers travelling on an Expat Explore tour are required to have valid travel insurance cover and you are responsible for arranging your own insurance.
Mode of Transport
Air-conditioned vehicle
Traveller Comfort - *COACH* tours
We welcome all travellers on our tours but we would like to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. In light of this, please ensure that you are happy with the below information and level of fitness required.
Expat Explore tries to be as accommodating as possible, however, our tours are unfortunately not designed for people travelling with wheelchairs or severe mobility issues.
Our tours are fast paced because they are designed for you to see the most a destination has to offer. We also want to ensure that you explore as much as possible, which may require long periods without stops on the coach as we drive to a new destination.
We offer walking tours in most cities (up to 3 hours), and a wheelchair is not always a practical option as there are often cobbled streets and stairs on these tours.
For travellers in wheelchairs, you will only be able to store your wheelchair under the coach with the other luggage. Thus, on the long drives between cities you will not necessarily have access to your wheelchair if we make a quick bathroom stop along the way. Please note that travelling with a wheelchair could prove difficult as our coaches don't have wheelchair lifts, as such you will need to be able to board and alight the coach on your own.
With regards to our accommodation, not all hotels have lifts and this means potentially having to carry bags up and down stairs.
For more information regarding traveller fitness please see our Terms and Conditions.
Health and Fitness
We welcome all travellers on our tours but we would like to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. In light of this, please ensure that you are happy with the below information and level of fitness required.
Expat Explore tries to be as accommodating as possible, however, our tours are unfortunately not designed for people travelling with wheelchairs or severe mobility issues.
Our tours are fast paced because they are designed for you to see the most a destination has to offer. We also want to ensure that you explore as much as possible, which may require long periods without stops on the coach as we drive to a new destination.
We offer walking tours in most cities (up to 3 hours), and a wheelchair is not always a practical option as there are often cobbled streets and stairs on these tours.
For travellers in wheelchairs, you will only be able to store your wheelchair under the coach with the other luggage. Thus, on the long drives between cities you will not necessarily have access to your wheelchair if we make a quick bathroom stop along the way. Please note that travelling with a wheelchair could prove difficult as our coaches don't have wheelchair lifts, as such you will need to be able to board and alight the coach on your own.
With regards to our accommodation, not all hotels have lifts and this means potentially having to carry bags up and down stairs.
Experiences
Enjoy a welcome dinner in San José
Visit La Fortuna, near the Arenal Volcano
Take a scenic drive through the Monteverde Cloud Forest
Soak up the sun in Quepos
Explore the stunning Manuel Antonio National Park
Discover San José, Costa Rica’s capital city, on a driving tour
Sit down for a farewell group dinner in San José
Accommodation
8 nights in 3 & 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms
Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability)
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of accommodation is provided during the Costa Rica Escape tour?
The tour includes 8 nights in 3 and 4-star hotel accommodations in twin rooms with private bathrooms. Single travelers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room, subject to availability.
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Are meals included in the Costa Rica Escape tour?
Yes, the tour includes 8 breakfasts and 3 dinners. Vegetarian options are available for all meals on request.
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What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
The tour uses an air-conditioned vehicle for transportation.
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What activities are included in the Costa Rica Escape tour?
The tour includes a welcome dinner in San José, a visit to La Fortuna near Arenal Volcano National Park, a scenic drive through the Monteverde Cloud Forest, time to soak up the sun in Quepos, exploration of Manuel Antonio National Park, and a driving tour of San José. Additionally, there is a farewell group dinner in San José.
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Is travel insurance required for the Costa Rica Escape tour?
Yes, all passengers traveling on an Expat Explore tour are required to have valid travel insurance cover and are responsible for arranging their own insurance.
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What optional excursions are available during the tour?
Optional excursions include a visit to the hot springs in La Fortuna, a guided hike around Arenal Volcano and National Park, a cooking class in La Fortuna, a Coffee Farm Tour in Monteverde, and a sunset catamaran cruise in Quepos.
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What can I expect on the first day of the tour?
On the first day, you will arrive in San José, meet your tour leader and fellow travelers at the hotel, and enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
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What is the itinerary for the last day of the tour?
On the last day, you will have breakfast with the tour group, after which the tour comes to an end. You can then travel onwards to your next destination.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
If you are travelling alone there is no compulsory charge - you will share a twin room with another passenger of the same gender. There is an optional single supplement/private room upgrade available for single travellers who wish to have a private room. This can be added at the time of booking or by contacting our team.
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Children on tour?
Our tours are not suitable for young children which is why we have a minimum age limit of 10 years old. However, at the discretion of Expat Explore we may consider younger children on certain tours if they meet certain criteria and a request is received in writing via email. Minors (between 10 and 18 years of age) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who accepts full responsibility for them. Unaccompanied minors will not be accepted on tour. Expat Explore reserves the right to decline any booking at our discretion. Any minor (between 10 and 18 years of age) is priced the same as an adult.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
The health and safety of our travellers and employees are our top priority. Which means, when you travel with us, our enhanced hygiene protocols will ensure you do so in a safe and responsible way - ask for details of current policies.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2005
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Expat Explore we value responsible travel and are committed to exploring the world consciously and kindly. We are proud to make responsible travel possible with a number of our sustainable travel practices!
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Relate is a South African based not-for-profit organisation that Expat Explore supports. The group aims to help those less fortunate create better lives for themselves through a variety of fundraising initiatives. On our South Africa tours, each passenger will receive an Expat Explore branded Relate bracelet. We donate the cost of these bracelets to our chosen Relate charity: the Nelson Mandela Sc
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Free Date Changes
Expat Explore Travel allows you to make 5 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 91 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Expat Explore Travel requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of expat explore travel charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 20% of booking price.
At 44 days before tour starts: Forfeit 40% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.