Small Group Experiential Travel
Tour Code
CR1 Max Group Size
18 Start
San Jose (SJO) End
San Jose (SJO) Overnight In
San Jose, Arenal, Monteverde, Tortuguero When To Go
Mar, Oct Activity Level
2 - Moderate? Tour Type
Cultural? - Overview
- Info & Inclusions
- Itinerary
- Map & Hotels
- Photos
- Dates & Prices
Highlights
- Exploring the canals of Tortuguero
- Soaking in Baldi Hotsprings
- Monteverde Cloud forest walk
- Arenal Volcano
- Hummingbirds, sloths & butterflies!
- Singles friendly (view options for single travellers)
Description
Get closer to nature with Costa Rica guided tours and never look at the natural world the same way again. It doesn't take long to come to understand the motivation behind the dedication to the conservation efforts in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica is a nation in which a quarter of the country's total territory is protected within national parks and designated conservation areas. We head to one of the country's largest national parks in the initial stages of our Costa Rica adventures to witness the beauty, diversity and richness of a unique and striking natural environment.
We wander through verdant, mist-shrouded forests, spend time relaxing on paradisiacal gold-sand beaches, or in bubbling hot springs with the majestic Arenal volcano as a backdrop, cast off for a boat trip through untouched wilds along the canals of Tortuguero Park and become entranced by the magic of a glorious country whose nature comes second to none.
Costa Rica is a nation in which a quarter of the country's total territory is protected within national parks and designated conservation areas. We head to one of the country's largest national parks in the initial stages of our Costa Rica adventures to witness the beauty, diversity and richness of a unique and striking natural environment.
We wander through verdant, mist-shrouded forests, spend time relaxing on paradisiacal gold-sand beaches, or in bubbling hot springs with the majestic Arenal volcano as a backdrop, cast off for a boat trip through untouched wilds along the canals of Tortuguero Park and become entranced by the magic of a glorious country whose nature comes second to none.
Price Includes
- Full-time Tour Leader services plus local guide support in several locations.
- Breakfast and dinner daily (hotels and local restaurants).
- All transport, sightseeing and entrance fees for sites noted as 'visited' in the detailed itinerary.
- Gratuities for local guides, drivers, restaurant staff, hotel porters (if available).
- Airport transfers for land & air customers and for early arriving/late departing land & air customers who book both their air AND their extra hotel nights through us.
- This tour can be EXTENDED to include beautiful Granada, Nicaragua and a stunning cruise on Lago Nicaragua - please refer to tour code CR2
Exclusions
- International airfare to/from the tour.
- Tour Leader gratuity, lunches, drinks, personal items (phone, laundry, etc), departure taxes, and international air taxes (if applicable).
- Airport transfers for Land Only customers. Optional trip cancellation insurance.
Trip Info
- Seasonality and Weather:
The latter half of October and November are toward the end of the the "green" season, especially on the Pacific coast, while the Caribbean coast experiences drier and sunnier weather. Temperatures range from 22-31C (72-88°F) throughout the country. Travelling during this time can be like discovering a lush, green Costa Rica with fewer tourists, making it ideal for nature lovers and those looking for a more relaxed atmosphere. The rainforests are particularly vibrant, and the rain can bring a welcome coolness to the cities.
In February/March, Costa Rica is in its dry season, with plenty of sunshine and minimal rainfall. Temperatures are pleasant, ranging from 16-28C (61-82°F) in the mountains and 22-32C (72-90°F) in coastal areas.
Overall, both periods offer unique experiences, and the choice depends on your preferences. - Transport and Travel Conditions:
Road transport by private air-conditioned motor coach, 12-30 seats depending on ultimate group size (see 'group size'). Costa Rica's roads are generally good though we do have some long-ish (though scenic) road journeys with plenty of stops for refreshment en route.
As this is primarily nature-focused experience, most of our activities will occur outdoors and involve walks on uneven/rocky surfaces at a leisurely pace. You should be prepared with the right footwear and be capable of being on your feet for several hours in order to fully enjoy what this destination has to offer.
Our difficulty level "2" rating refers to the above-mentioned busy days, walking tours on uneven terrain, lack of handrails (public and elsewhere, ie shower stalls), and fatigue that can be caused by heat and humidity in coastal locations.
Am I suitable for this tour? Please refer to our self-assessment form - Activity Level: 2
These are particularly busy tours that feature a lot of moving around, sometimes by train and short journeys on local transport. Walking tours of towns and cities are leisurely but you should be prepared to be on your feet for several hours. Some of our cultural trips that occur at high altitude and/or require greater independence with baggage handling (at hotels, airports, train stations) also fall into this category.
To learn more about the Activity levels, please visit our tour styles page. - Accommodation:
Well-located, heated/air-conditioned, mid-range (3 star) hotels with en suite toilet and bathroom throughout. Single rooms are limited and likely smaller than doubles.
Hotel porter service is sometimes available (see 'inclusions') though you should be independent with your luggage. Some hotels have outdoor swimming pools.
Please click on the "Map & Hotels" link for more information. - Staff and Support:
Tour Leader, driver/s, and local step-on guides at various locations. - Group Size:
Maximum 18 (plus Tour Leader)
View / Print Itinerary
- Day 1:Arrival in San JoseToday we arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica.
San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, is on a plateau in the Central Valley at 1200 m (3,700 ft), ringed by lush green mountains and valleys. The population of this city is probably half of the whole country! The main downtown area is a bustling collection of well-laid-out streets filled with bustling traffic and lined with eclectic, historic architecture. On the surface, it is a gritty downtown area, but you'll also find friendly people, quirky spots, and the historic side of San Jose which might just change your initial impression.
Overnight in San Jose.
Included Meal(s): Dinner - Day 2:San Jose - Boat to TortugueroThis morning we travel by bus from San Jose through Braulio Carillo National Park, one of Costa Rica's largest. If season/harvest time permits, we will visit a working banana plantation and then pass through a region known for its cocoa production. We then board our riverboat* and spend the afternoon journeying through myriad interconnecting rivers and canals that take us finally to the Caribbean coast and Tortuguero Park.
The park is a water thoroughfare which is a 160 km (100 mile) stretch of natural rivers, lagoons and estuaries, and connecting man-made waterways that run almost to the Nicaraguan border. The canal is the main "highway" of the northern coastal region, complete with directional signs and branches from the main trunk route.
As we go along the canal, keep a keen lookout for views of pastel-coloured toucans and monkeys of various type; if we're lucky, a lazy sloth hanging from a branch, and maybe a coati or two roaming the forest. Stands of mangroves and water hyacinth appear here and there. Scattered along the way are people, too -- fishers and farmers whose dugouts serve all the purposes of pickup trucks elsewhere. Mostly the banks remain wild, and the calls of monkeys and whistles of birds predominate over the noises of humans.
* We strongly recommend that travellers bring a smaller bag to take to Tortuguero due to limited sapce on the boat and the lack of personnel to help you with baggage. Your luggage will be securely stored until we are reunited with it upon departure from Tortuguero.
Overnight in Tortuguero.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner - Day 3:Tortuguero: Forest Walk & VillageTortuguero Park is a fascinating place to explore. An early morning boat ride offers an opportunity to observe an awakening coastal rain forest full of lush vegetation and unique bird life.
After lunch we visit the village of Tortuguero accessible only by river boat; you may choose to walk on the Caribbean beach where several turtle species lay their eggs each year. We will visit the Tortuguero Museum with its excellent displays pertaining to the ecology of the area and an informative video presentation specific to turtle conservation in Tortuguero and the entire Caribbean region (the Green Sea and Hawksbill turtles' nesting season runs from July to October with the peak in August, and the Leatherback turtles nest from February to April. It is possible to see individual turtles at any time of the year).
NOTE: The exact order of our activities in Tortuguero may vary depending on weather and other variables.
Overnight in Tortuguero.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner - Day 4:Tortuguero - Baldi Hotsprings - Arenal/La Fortuna AreaAfter an early breakfast we travel by boat 1½-hour to reunite with our land transport and then continue by road to the La Fortuna/Arenal area.
We travel through rolling hills covered with sugar cane fields to overnight near Arenal Volcano. We make a stop at the Baldi Hotsprings (located near Arenal and outside the Risk Zones established by the National Prevention of Risks and Emergency Commission). Here a geothermally-heated river flows through beautifully landscaped grounds featuring many plant and tree species and great birdlife. We will have time to relax in or around the various pools (bring a towel). The springs feature several hot pools with different temperatures fed by individual springs and three swim-up bars.
This evening (weather & volcanic activity permitting) we can view the volcano.
Overnight at Arenal/La Fortuna.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner - Day 5:Arenal - Monteverde Cloud ForestToday we travel through a rustic rural countryside to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve area (+/- 4 hours).
Covered in a mantle of moss, ferns and orchids, this private reserve is home to over 400 species of birds and a great number of animals. The forest is created by the winds, particular temperature and moisture conditions, and mountainous topography which combine during the dry season to hold a steady cloud cover along the continental divide. The rains and the moisture in the air nourish trees and plants rooted in the ground, as well as many plants that live at the upper levels of the forest, and take their nutrients directly from the mist and dust that pass through the air. The result is an enchanted fairy-tale environment where trees are laden with orchids, bromeliads, mosses and ferns that obscure their branches, where the moisture and mild temperatures and sunlight filtered by the forest canopy encourage the exuberance of begonias, heliconias, philodendron and many other tropical plants in every available space on the ground.
This afternoon we have a guided tour of the "Butterfly Garden" where butterflies and other endemic insects are raised and protected in a controlled environment allowing scientists to study them -- their place in the food chain and their response to things like increased pollution and climate change.
Overnight in Monteverde.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner - Day 6:Monteverde Cloud ForestWe have a full morning exploring the cloud forest reserve with the help of a local naturalist guide. There is more to the forest than the trees and lesser plants. Of over 320 bird species, the most notable is the quetzal with its long arc of tail feathers. Assorted trogons in addition to the quetzal inhabit the reserve, along with more than 50 varieties of hummingbird. About 500 kinds of butterfly are found at Monteverde. Among the more than 100 mammalian species are howler, white-faced and spider monkeys, coatis and their cousins, raccoons; as well as the rarely observed pumas, ocelots, jaguars, tapirs, and kinkajous.
This afternoon you may choose to go on an optional "Canopy Walk" excursion, located within the cloud forest. Suspension foot-bridges are strung across deep gorges allowing one to get a bird's eye view of the forest from a totally different perspective than we experienced this morning. At a leisurely pace, one can complete this easy and fascinating walk in about 90 minutes. Your Tour Leader can help you plan this activity (your Tour Leader will advise re the current price while on tour).
REMEMBER: This can be a wet and windy place by definition; you should be prepared for varied conditions.
Overnight at Monteverde.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner - Day 7:Monteverde - San JoseToday we return by road to San Jose.*
Time-permitting, we recommend a visit to the Gold Museum in downtown San Jose (optional), easily the country's best with thousands of different examples of Pre-Columbian gold artifacts (the museum closes at 16:30).
* Today's road transfer to San Jose will not be accompanied by your tour leader, who will be continuing with travellers who have chosen a longer tour option. Your evening meal and departure will be managed by a local guide in San Jose. If you'd like to consider an upgrade to the longer version, which also includes Nicaragua, please refer to tours CR2 and PA3 on our website.
Overnight in San Jose.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner - Day 8:DepartDeparture from San Jose.
BUEN VIAJE!
Included Meal(s): Breakfast
Regions Visited: Caribbean and Central America
Countries Visited: Costa Rica
Countries Visited: Costa Rica
*The red tour trail on the map does not represent the actual travel path.
Excellent
Overall Rating
4.7
Extend Your Trip
This tour is part of a series that can be upgraded to make for a longer trip.
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Book your unforgettable adventure today! For any questions or advice, don't hesitate to contact us.
Have questions?
1-800-665-3998
- Final payment: Due 90 days prior to departure.
- Deposit: A non-refundable $500 CAD Deposit is required at booking, covering the 'Land Only' cost, including all internal flights (taxes listed separately)
- Optional Single Supplement: $1040 CAD (number of singles limited).
(View options forsingle travellers) - Transfering Tour or Date: Transferring to another tour or tour date is only permissible outside of 120 days prior to departure and is subject to a $100 CAD change fee.
(Read our cancellation policy)
Choose your departure date:
Prices below are per person, twin-sharing costs in Canadian Dollars (CAD). Pricing does not include airfare to/from the tour and any applicable taxes.
Prices below are per person, twin-sharing costs in Canadian Dollars (CAD). Pricing does not include airfare to/from the tour and any applicable taxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the maximum number of participants on a trip?Most of our tours carry a maximum of 18 participants; some tours (ie hiking tours) top out at 16. In the event that we do not achieve our minimum complement by our 90-day deadline, we may offer group members the option of paying a "small-group surcharge" as an alternative to cancellation. If all group members agree, we will confirm the trip at existing numbers; this surcharge is refundable in the event that we ultimately achieve our regular minimum. If the small group surcharge is not accepted, we will offer a refund of your deposit or a different trip of your choice.
- Can I extend my tour either at the beginning or end? What about stopovers?Yes, you can extend your tour either at the beginning or the end and we can book accommodation in our tour hotel. Stopovers are often permitted, depending on air routing. Stopovers usually carry a "stopover" fee levied by the airline.
- How do I make a reservation? How and when do I pay?The easiest way to make a reservation is via our website; during office hours, you are also more than welcome to contact us by telephone.
A non-refundable deposit is payable at the time of booking; if a reservation is made within 90 days, full payment is required. Some trips require a larger deposit. If international airline bookings require a non-refundable payment in order to secure space or the lowest available fare, we will require an increase in deposit equal to the cost of the ticket(s).
Early enrolment is always encouraged as group size is limited and some trips require greater preparation time.
Once we have received your deposit, we will confirm your space and send you a confirmation package containing your trip itinerary, any visa/travel permit related documents, invoice, clothing and equipment recommendations, general information on your destination(s), and forms for you to complete, sign and return to us. Your air e-tickets (if applicable), final hotel list, final trip itinerary, and instructions on how to join your tour, will be sent approximately 2-3 weeks prior to departure. - What about cancellations, refunds, and transfers?Please review our cancellation policy page for details.
- I am a single who prefers my own room. What is a single supplement?All of our tours have a single supplement for those who want to be guaranteed their own room at each location.
This supplement is a reflection of the fact that most hotels around the world do not discount the regular twin-share rate for a room by 50% for only one person occupying a room. Most hotels will give a break on the price, but usually in the range of 25-30% of the twin-share rate. This difference, multiplied by each night, amounts to the single supplement.
The conventional amount can also vary from country to country and some destinations are more expensive than others for single occupancy. In order to be "single friendly," the supplements we apply are not a profit centre for us and we do our best to keep them as reasonable as possible.
On most tours we limit the number of singles available, not to be punitive, but rather because many hotels allow for only a limited number of singles; some smaller hotels at remote locations also have a limited number of single rooms available.
Please note that most single rooms around the world are smaller than twin-share rooms and will likely have only one bed. - Do you have a shared accommodation program?Yes! If you are single traveller and are willing to share, we will do our best to pair you with a same-gender roommate. On most of our tours, if we fail to pair you, we will absorb the single supplement fee and you will default to a single room at no extra charge. At some destinations, however, where single rooms are not significantly discounted, or not at all, we may apply a "mandatory" single in the event that we cannot find you a share partner. This is usually 50% of the usual supplement, but can be as much as 100%. If applicable, this proviso will be noted on each tour page on this website, on your invoice, and in our tour date/price book (available for download under "Resources").