We Love —
- Costa Rica is a naturalist’s paradise with a spectacular range of plants and colourful birdlife, set between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
- Head to the sun-drenched northern Pacific coastline and witness beautiful untouched beaches, hidden coves, tropical forest and abundance of marine life.
- Accommodation is in authentic lodges in unique locations - a thrilling adventure for intrepid travellers!
Book Now, Pay Later —
Booking 90 days in advance and spending over £500 per person? No need to pay in full today! Just select the 30% deposit option on our payment page (terms & conditions apply)
Your Destination —
The country's national parks are its greatest glory, with one-third of the country set aside as protected natural areas. As well as being a world leader in eco-tourism, Costa Rica superbly caters for visitors looking for an adrenalin kick, with options including whitewater rafting, zip line tours through the rainforest canopy, surfing and quad biking.
This complete tour will give you the full experience, from the quaint beauty of its capital city, the lush depths of its green forests and protected eco-reserves and the wild vistas of its Pacific coast.
It is quickly becoming more popular, so grab this chance to visit now, while landscapes are still exceptionally unspoiled...
Your Itinerary —
Day 1: Arrival in Costa Rica
Upon arrival in San Jose, you will be transferred to your hotel (approx. travel time: 35 minutes / 18.5km) where you can spend some time unwinding after your flight or head out and explore Costa Rica's capital.
Nestled in Costa Rica's Central Valley and surrounded by green hills and dramatic volcanoes, modest San José is one of Central America's most laid-back and pleasant capital cities. With many museums and the nation's best dining and nightlife, there's plenty to keep you occupied in San José. Take your time poking around historic neighbourhoods like Barrio Amón, where colonial mansions have been converted into contemporary art galleries, restaurants and boutique hotels. Visit the museums of gold, jade, art and natural history, and you'll begin to understand its multidimensional appeal.
Overnight at Holiday Inn Express Forum Hotel or similar with breakfast included.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel followed by a tour to the coffee plantations and some emblematic rural towns in Alajuela province. Your tour begins with a wonderful drive through some of the largest coffee and sugar cane plantations (Doka) in Costa Rica. This educational and highly enjoyable coffee tour will show how Costa Rica's staggering climate determines the flavour, aroma and quality of your coffee. Afterwards, enjoy a traditional lunch.
Continue onto Grecia, where you will see its famous metal church. The church that has a rare architecture, with high ceilings, ornate stained glass windows, and classical lines. Next, you will move on to the arts & crafts factories of Sarchi recognized all over for their skilled labour and talented artistry; albeit, known primarily for the famous hand-painted oxcarts that are built there. The evening is at leisure and dinner on your own.
Overnight at Holiday Inn Express Forum Hotel or similar with breakfast included. Lunch is included as part of your tour.
After breakfast meet with your transportation at the reception of your hotel to depart on a river rafting adventure and then continue to drop off at your hotel in the Arenal Volcano area. Lunch is included during the excursion.
On your way, admire the amazing scenery while crossing the cloud forest of the Braulio Carrillo National Park. The rafting activity can be substituted by a Chocolate Tour at Tirimbina Biological Reserve if requested in advance.
What to bring: Shorts or swim suit, tennis shoes or rubber sole footwear, t- shirt, sun cream and extra clothes to change after the activity.
Overnight at Magic Mountain Hotel or similar with breakfast & lunch included.
After breakfast, head to the Arenal Volcano where you will embark on a 2-hour soft walk around the National Park. Spot monkeys and birds as you walk through the rainforest, with explanations about the flora and the fauna, as well as the history of the area. The afternoon is at leisure to discover the area such as nearby thermal hot springs.
At 5,437 feet, the Arenal Volcano looms large and ominous over the pastured green hillsides that surround its base. Although currently in a dormant phase, Arenal remains the country’s most active volcano. In many ways, Lake Arenal is just as monumental as the volcano that rises above its eastern shoreline.
Overnight at Magic Mountain Hotel or similar with breakfast included.
Half excursion, half transfer - the lake crossing from the Arenal Volcano Area to Monteverde is a scenic journey to behold. The comfortable pontoon boat takes around 30-40 minutes to glide across to the pretty town of Rio Chiquito. The afternoon is at your leisure to enjoy the hotel and its surroundings.
Overnight at Monteverde County Lodge or similar with breakfast included.
After breakfast at the hotel, meet with your transportation & depart on an amazing guided walk through the treetops. Admire the beautiful scenery from a different perspective on the Sky Walk hanging bridges. Enjoy great views of the cloud forest and some of the world's most beautiful flora and fauna.
The afternoon is free to do as you please.
Overnight at Monteverde Country Lodge or similar with breakfast included.
Transfer from Monteverde to North Pacific Coast, to the area of Carrillo Beach. Here you will enjoy beautiful beaches and relax at your hotel with natural surroundings.
Overnight at Nammbu Beachfront Bungalows or similar with breakfast included.
Days 8-10: Carrillo Beach
Days at leisure to soak up the sun on the pristine beaches, cool off in the swimming pool or explore your surroundings. The nearby beaches of Samara and Nosara are within easy reach and are well worth a visit.
Overnight at Nammbu Beachfront Bungalows or similar with breakfast included.
Day 11: Carillo Beach – San Jose
Transfer from the Carillo Beach area back to San José for your final night in Costa Rica.
Overnight at Aloft San Jose Hotel or similar with breakfast included.
Day 12: Departure
Transfer from the hotel in San Jose to the International airport to take your flight back home.
Your Hotels —
You will stay in the below hotels or similar (depending on availability). Meals as per itinerary.
Rooms sleep up to
This hotel is West of the city centre. It offers 100 modern bedrooms, a hot breakfast bar, free Wi-Fi, and a heated outdoor pool, spa tub, and sauna. A convenient and comfortable base for the start of your adventure.
Located in the dramatic landscape of La Fortuna, this hotel faces the mighty Arenal Volcano, with jaw-dropping views from the panoramic elevator. The restaurant serves an array of international dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, alongside offering evening cocktails.
There's also an outdoor pool surrounded by tropical gardens and a large spa with an outdoor Jacuzzi, a sauna, four treatment rooms and a selection of facials, massages and beauty treatments.
Offering guests a true Costa Rican lodging experience, this property has been recently remodelled to assure maximum comfort while retaining the essence of real rustic accommodation. Wooden finishes surrounded by glorious gardens ensure you feel truly connected to nature throughout your stay.
Located right on Carrillo Beach, this eco-friendly hotel offers a true paradise stay, with a swimming pool that opens out onto views of the sprawling sands. Your deluxe room boasts floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the surrounding area, as well as all modern amenities you could wish for.
This stylish hotel is furnished with contemporary design and is located in San Jose's business and entertainment district. There is a gym, luggage storage and high-speed Wi-Fi access. All rooms boast an LCD TV, individual climate control and coffee and tea making facilities - everything you could need for the last night of your trip.
Your Journey —
Flights: Flights are included with British Airways & 23kg of hold luggage per person.
Outbound
Depart London Gatwick: 09:00
Arrive in San Jose: 13:15
OR
Depart London Gatwick: 11:20
Arrive in San Jose: 17:25
Inbound
Depart San Jose: 15:00
Arrive in London Gatwick: 08:35 (the following morning)
OR
Depart San Jose: 17:25
Arrive in London Gatwick: 10:55 (the following morning)
Transfers: Shared transfers as per itinerary.
Please note: flight details are given as a guide only and may change. We will however notify you in advance if flights are more than 2 hours outside the time range given. Specific flights cannot be selected and confirmed timings will be shown on your official documentation from the tour operator. Flights are non-changeable and non-refundable at time of booking.
Please note: This is coach/shuttle transportation with several stops en-route to pick up and drop off passengers, which does NOT include bilingual escort/personnel during transfers. A bus change may be required for necessary connections en route, so please make sure that your luggage is correctly moved to the connecting unit.
