Excellent
Costa Rica Explorer
Discover Costa Rica's highlights on this 12 day small group adventure. Visit Tortugero Jungle, Trimbina and Monteverde Reserves. Take a walking trail in Celeste, Tenorio Volcano, Carara National Park and have your binoculars ready to spot monkeys, sloths, tropical birds and other wildlife in their bewitching natural environment.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes
Tour Overview
Duration
12 daysStarts
San JoseEnds
San JoseRange
HandpickedTour Guide
Yes - escorted by tour leaderGroup Size
Min 4 / Max 20Minimum age
12 yrs, accompanied by an adultDeparts
TuesdaysHotel Rating
3-4 star accommodationCountries
Costa RicaArrival Transfer
YesDeparture Transfer
YesMeals included
Breakfast: 12, Lunch: 5, Dinner: 9Excellent
4.4 out of 5 based on
275 reviews
Tour Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Day 1 - San Jose
Day 1 - San Jose
Upon arrival into San Jose airport you will be met and and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to start exploring the capital or just to relax in the hotel.
Day 2 - Tortugero Jungle Reserve
Day 2 - Tortugero Jungle Reserve
San Jose - Tortugero. Today we head off to discover the Caribbean coast with a few days of rewarding wildlife spotting. Unlike the Caribbean of resort hotels, sugary beaches and Pina Coladas, this is a true wilderness. Our journey takes us northeast through Braulio Camillo National Park, including a short bumpy ride through banana plantations to La Pavona dock.
We then take a boat along the shore, with its twisted mangrove swamps, stopping to observe plants and wildlife, until we reach the ramshackle and remote village of Tortuguero. Known for its proliferation of turtles (nesting Jul-Oct), Tortugero will serve as our home for the next two nights.
Day 3 - Boat Trip to Tortuguero
Day 3 - Boat Trip to Tortuguero
This morning we head out on a wildlife adventure boat trip through the mangrove forest of Toruguero National park. With 11 different varieties of natural habitats and a large range of endemic wildlife, this is one of the last protected areas of tropical rainforest in Central America. Here, we have ample of opportunities to spot the three species of monkeys (spider, howler, and white-faced) swinging from branch to branch while lazier three-toed sloths doze in the shade and be sure to spot any river otters in the natural inland channels. The mangroves is also home to over 320 species of birds including three of toucan and eight of parrot.
Day 4 - Sarapiqui
Day 4 - Sarapiqui
After breakfast, we start our day back on the water to explore more of these spidery channels. We continue our journey with a drive to the Sarapiqui region, a fertile plain with focus for conservation with a number of eco-tourism projects. Dispersed between the banana and pineapple plantation, there are forested national parks. Rio Sarapiquí is becoming popular for rafting on the fast-flowing waters, bird-watching and numerous other activities in the area including mountain-biking, boat trips and canopying.
Day 5 - Tirimbina Rainforest Reserve
Day 5 - Tirimbina Rainforest Reserve
Today we take a morning walk to the Trimbina Reserve, catered to research and recreation of the rainforest environment. Founded to preserve one of the few remaining stands of intact tropical forest on mountainous slopes in Central America. To make our journey more exhilarating, we take a walk on a suspension bridge, followed by a canopy walkway and an educational walk of the rainforest museum. We have many opportunities to spot variety of mammals and insects. If we are lucky! We can see a few nocturnal animals, fast asleep.
Days 6-7 - Rio Celeste and Tenorio Volcano NP
Days 6-7 - Rio Celeste and Tenorio Volcano NP
This morning we make our way to the town of Bijagua, nestled between two volcanos (Tenorio and Miravalles) will be our home for the next two days. Bijagua is a perfect place for our exploration of Tenorio Volcano National Park, established in 1997 to protect tracts of primary and dry tropical forest. Many of the trails within the park is still under construction and considered one of the new up coming destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers. If there is time after our exploration during these two days, explore the town of Bijagua at leisure either on foot or horseback/mountain bike.
Day 7 bring forth a moderately challenging 6km hike to the remarkably striking turquoise coloured Rio Celeste. During our walk keep an eye out for monkeys, sloths, tropical birds and other wildlife. As we make our way along the banks of the rivers, taking in the vivid blue colour of the waters. we arrive at the breath-takingly beautiful waterfalls of Celeste.
Day 8 - Monteverde
Day 8 - Monteverde
Our adventure for the day begins as we board our vehicle heading towards Monteverde, following a bumpy road with volcanic rocks, winding up through the hills to the cloud forest at 1,400m above sea level. During our journey, we will be diverted by wildlife we spot along the way- have your binoculars handy. Our lodge for the night is close to the village of Santa Elena, which will serve as the hub to visit Monteverde National Park.
Day 9 - Monteverde Cloudforest Reserve
Day 9 - Monteverde Cloudforest Reserve
This morning we take a walk to the Selvatura Park, a conservation area offering many activities including zip lines. Our walk on a trail system includes seven suspension bridges crossing the deep canyons at treetop level. This afternoon we have a guided walk in the Monteverde Cloudforest Reserve, home to more than 100 species of mammals, 400 of birds and 1,500 of plants. During our walk we may encounter the brilliantly feathered quetzal (Jan – Jul). The reserve is home to six different life zones, here we can enjoy a rich diversity of flora and fauna.
Day 10 - Carara National Park
Day 10 - Carara National Park
This morning we head to Carara National Park, taking the journey towards the pacific coast we enter a completely different vegetation zone of Pacific tropical dry forest. Carara is famous for its bright scarlet macaws and giant crocodiles, which sprawl on the beaches of the Tarcoles river – we’ll view them safely from a bridge! Late afternoon we will arrive at Finca Ecologica La Trinidad, here we have a cookery lesson on the premises. There is also free time to take optional horseback ride (book and pay locally).
Day 11 - Free day at Carara NP
Day 11 - Free day at Carara NP
Today is free to spend at leisure. Relax in the lodge taking in the forest, river and the ocean or take advantage of the less dense forest and take a walking trail to spot Carara's wildlife.
Day 12 - San Jose
Day 12 - San Jose
Today our Costa Rican adventure comes to an end with an included transfer to the airport in San Jose. If you decide to stay on for a few more days in this beguiling country, perhaps for some beach time at Manuel Antonio where there’s a range of good accommodation, a monkey-filled national park and sweeping golden Pacific sands.
Tour Reviews
Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
Pre and Post Tour Accommodation
Extend your tour with us by booking pre and post-accommodation, available at a per-person, per-night rate.
Post Tour Accommodation - San Jose
Double
Twin
Single
Pre Tour Accommodation - San Jose
Double
Twin
Single
Additional Excursions
Enhance your tour with these optional extras, helping you to get the most from your adventure.
Airport Transfer
Only book this transfer in conjunction with pre or post tour accommodation. Airport transfers are included on the first and last day of the tour.
$165
per passengerHotels
If you are interested in booking pre or post-tour accommodation, here are some of the hotels we typically use.
Prices & Dates
Departure dates are guaranteed with a minimum of 4 persons. 'Twin/Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers wanting the privacy of their own room. 'Shared' prices are applicable to solo travellers who are happy to share a room with another traveller of the same sex.
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4.4 out of 5 based on 275 reviews