Highlights of Costa Rica
13 Days Starting and ending in San José
Visiting: San José, Naranjo de Alajuela, Boca Tapada, San Carlos, Maquenque, Arenal Volcano Area, Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve, Guanacaste Beach Area
Tour operator:
Tour code:
HCR
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Please advise requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Private Available:
Request A Private Tour
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey to Costa Rica, a land of natural wonders and vibrant culture. This tour promises an immersive experience in the country's diverse landscapes, from misty cloud forests to pristine beaches. Begin your adventure in Naranjo, home to some of Costa Rica’s best coffee plantations. Then venture into the lush rainforests of Maquenque National Wildlife Refuge where you'll cruise through winding waterways, spotting exotic wildlife such as monkeys, sloths, and colourful birds. Next, journey to the Arenal Volcano area, where you'll hike through verdant forests, and marvel at the iconic volcano's majestic silhouette. Continue your adventure to the misty heights of Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, home to a staggering array of plant and animal species. Conclude your tour with relaxation on the pristine beaches of Guanacaste before heading back to bustling San Jose.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive San José – Naranjo
Location: San José
Accommodation Name: Chayote Lodge or similar
Arrive into San José where you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Naranjo. No meals or activities included today. Overnight Chayote Lodge or similar.
Day 2 : Naranjo
Location: Naranjo de Alajuela
Accommodation Name: Chayote Lodge or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today enjoy the gastronomy delights of Naranjo. Visit a local home to learn about traditional Costa Rican food. You will be shown how to prepare a traditional Costa Rican meal. Overnight at Chayote Lodge or similar (BL)
Day 3 : Naranjo – Maquenque
Location: Boca Tapada, San Carlos
Accommodation Name: Maquenque Ecolodge or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast we head to Los Bajos del Toro (approx. 1 hour), a small village surrounded by rainforest in the slopes of the Poas Volcano and home of the Toro Amarillo Waterfall. Continue to Bajos del Toro and visit the Toro Amarillo Waterfall. We then continue north to Maquenque Lodge at Boca Tapada, San Carlos (approx. 1hr 30). Overnight at Maquenque Ecolodge or similar (BD)
Day 4 : Maquenque
Location: Maquenque
Accommodation Name: Maquenque Ecolodge or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we take a boat ride at Tres Amigos River and enjoy the tranquillity of the rainforest. Here we can see the wealth of flora and fauna and you can spot exotic animals like crocodiles, turtles, iguanas, monkeys, water birds and more. This afternoon, enjoy a nature walk with your guide at the hotel trails. Overnight at Maquenque Ecolodge or similar (BLD)
Day 5 : Maquenque – Arenal Volcano Area
Location: Arenal Volcano Area
Accommodation Name: Lomas del Volcán or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today continue our journey to Arenal Volcano Area (approx. 1hr 45min). Upon our arrival to the area we will be exploring Arenal 1968 park. Enjoy the most extraordinary view of the Arenal Volcano on a hike along the base and flanks of this giant on the Arenal 1968 park. The trail is one of the park’s most extraordinary, to the 1968 lava flows: the remaining memory of the 20th century first eruption and some other areas now in the process of regeneration. We are going to be on this trail for about 2 ½ hours. You will then be transferred to your hotel. Overnight at Lomas del Volcán, Arenal Area or similar (B)
Day 6 : Arenal Volcano Area
Location: Arenal Volcano Area
Accommodation Name: Lomas del Volcán or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we will discover on of the most authentic product of Costa Rica - chocolate. Start today with a 30-45min walk on the cocoa trails, and learn about the process of planting, maintaining and harvesting organic cocoa. Continue to a ranch to see the chocolate-making process in action, and have the opportunity to taste different flavours, as well as making a chocolate bonbon. To finish, try your hand at making “Gods Drink”, which the ancient civilizations of Mexico used to make. After lunch we will explore the rainy forest from the top of the trees. Overnight at Lomas del Volcán, Arenal Area or similar (BD)
Day 7 : Arenal – Monteverde Cloud Forest
Location: Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve
Accommodation Name: El Establo, Monteverde Area or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today travel to Monteverde (approx. 3 hours) and visit El Trapiche, a family-run business. Walk through the farm with beautiful views of sugar cane, coffee and banana plantations. See the entire coffee making process from drying, grinding and peeling the coffee beans to produce high-quality coffee. We then take an ox cart ride to the sugar mill to see how sugar cane is grinded, and enjoy a cup of high-quality, Costa Rican coffee. Overnight at El Establo, Monteverde Area or similar (BD)
Day 8 : Monteverde Cloud Forest Area
Location: Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve
Accommodation Name: El Establo, Monteverde Area or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, discover the cloud forest. In the afternoon enjoy a visit to Santa Elena Village, exploring the local life in downtown Monteverde. Overnight at El Establo, Monteverde Area or similar (BD)
Day 9 : Monteverde – Guanacaste Beach Area
Location: Guanacaste Beach Area
Accommodation Name: Bosque del Mar, Guanacaste Beach or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Leave the cloud forest behind and head to towards the beautiful beaches of Costa Rica. The journey starts with one of the most scenic rides, before descending the Tilaran Mountain range to reach the plains of Guanacaste’s countryside and finally head to the sands of North Pacific Coast. On the way we stop at Palo Verde National Park and take a boat through the brackish wetlands and look out for birds and the park’s many resident crocodiles. We then continue to your beach hotel. Overnight at Bosque del Mar, Guanacaste Beach or similar (B)
Day 10 - 11 : Guanacaste Beach Area
Location: Guanacaste Beach Area
Accommodation Name: Bosque del Mar, Guanacaste Beach or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Spend the next two days at leisure. There are several optional activities available for these days, or explore the area on your own. Overnight at Bosque del Mar, Guanacaste Beach or similar (B)
Day 12 : Guanacaste Beach - San Jose
Location: San José
Accommodation Name: Presidente Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast we make our way back to San Jose (overall approx. driving time 4hrs 30mins). On the way we visit the Natuwa Sanctuary, which promotes the conservation of Costa Rica's macaws, both scarlet macaw (Ara macao) and green macaw (Ara ambiguus). After the visit transfer to your hotel for your last night in Costa Rica. Overnight at Presidente Hotel or similar (BD)
Day 13 : San Jose Departure
Location: San José
Meals Included: Breakfast
Explore the San Jose City on your own this morning and get ready for your transfer to San Jose International Airport. (B)
What's Included
-
Arrival and departure transfers
Includes transfers between the airport and the hotel on both arrival and departure days.
-
Overland transport
Overland transport throughout the tour with a professional driver.
-
Accommodation
All accommodation during the tour is included.
-
English-speaking guide / tour leader
Services of an English-speaking guide / tour leader, with a driver/guide for groups of 3 or less.
-
Meals as listed
Meals as listed in the itinerary: B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner.
-
Entrance fees
Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary are included.
What's Not Included
-
International flights
International flights are not included
-
Any airport taxes
Any applicable airport taxes are not included.
-
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.
-
Visa - when required
Visa fees are not included and responsibility for obtaining visas lies with the traveler.
-
Drinks
Drinks are not included except for those mentioned in the meals.
-
Items of personal nature
Items of a personal nature such as souvenirs, laundry, and telephone calls are not included.
-
Tips (Discretionary)
Tips for guides and drivers are not included and are at the discretion of the traveler.
Check out our Q&As
-
What is not included in the tour package?
The tour package does not include international flights, any applicable airport taxes, travel insurance, visa fees, drinks except for those mentioned in the meals, items of a personal nature such as souvenirs, laundry, and telephone calls, and tips for guides and drivers.
-
What are the highlights of the Highlights of Costa Rica tour?
The highlights of the Highlights of Costa Rica tour include exploring the delightful city of San Jose, experiencing local cooking and learning about chocolate and coffee making processes, exploring the rich biodiversity of Monteverde Cloud Forest, discovering the stunning natural beauty of the Arenal Volcano Area, and relaxing in beautiful Guanacaste with its stunning beaches.
-
What type of activities are included in the Highlights of Costa Rica tour?
The Highlights of Costa Rica tour includes activities such as exploring cities, learning about local cooking and the processes of making chocolate and coffee, exploring forests and natural areas, and relaxing at the beach.
-
What is included in the tour package?
The tour package includes arrival and departure transfers, overland transport throughout the tour with a professional driver, all accommodation during the tour, services of an English-speaking guide / tour leader, meals as listed in the itinerary, and entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary.
-
I’m a single traveller – will I feel out of place?
In a word, no. We get a good mix of single travellers and couples on our group tours.
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
We are happy to allocate a twin room to two single same-sex travellers. If there is no one else to travel
-
Can I join the tour once it has departed?
No, sorry this is not possible.
-
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
We offer fully transferable group tour deposits (excluding any flight payments which are always non-refundable). You can change your group tour booking up to 10 weeks before departure and not lose your deposit – we will put your deposit towards any new group booking as long as you travel within 2 years of the original departure date.
-
Can I alter the tour?
On our scheduled departures this isn’t possible, simply due to the fact that you’ll be travelling with other people. However, if you like the look of one of our advertised trips but want to tweak it slightly, then we can offer tailor made itineraries just for you, to accommodate your specific requirements.
-
Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
There are no hard and fast rules about what type of people travel on Undiscovered Destinations’ group tours – we attract people from all ages, nationalities and walks of life. What you are likely to find though is that travellers share a similar outlook about travel. We tend to attract people with a curiosity about the lesser visited corners of our planet.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
We have been going since 2004.
Reviews of this operator
Want a private tour?
-
Personalise your trip
Make changes to the itinerary, accommodation, or transport method
-
Travel more exclusively
Your tour guide can focus all their attention on your group
-
Travel for a special occasion
Celebrate an important event by only travelling with your friends or family
1 Select your preferred date
Monday - Saturday
Jan 20, 2025 - Feb 01, 2025Wednesday - Monday
Jul 16, 2025 - Jul 28, 2025Book with Confidence
-
Free Date Changes
Undiscovered Destinations allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 70 days before the start of the tour.
-
Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Undiscovered Destinations allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform undiscovered destinations, 70 days before departure.
-
Low Deposit
Undiscovered Destinations requires a minimum deposit of 350 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of undiscovered destinations charges.
Up to 71 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 40% of booking price.
At 34 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 20 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.