Best of Costa Rica
Best of Costa Rica
Best of Costa Rica
12 Days Starting and ending in San Jose
Visiting: San José, Tortuguero, Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, Sarapiqui River, Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, Manuel Antonio
Tour operator:
Tour code:
CR2
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
25 - 30
Physical rating:
Low
Age range:
18-39
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
From beautiful turquoise coastline fringed in rainforests to small villages teeming with culture and scenic surroundings, you’ll never be run out of things to do in Costa Rica. Get set to go through Costa Rica’s most beautiful rainforests. Chase flowing waterfalls and bathe in the natural hot springs of nearby volcanoes. Swim amongst the dazzling coral reefs on the idyllic coastline and embrace the colourful history of small villages caught in time. Uncover the real and authentic beauty of Costa Rica.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : San Jose
Location: San José
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Park Inn San Jose by Radisson Hotel – 5 Star
Meals Included: No Meals
Hola San Jose! Watch out for the Travel Talk sign at the airport for your transfer to hotel. Explore San Jose at your own pace before an informal meeting with your tour group in the hotel lobby at 7.00pm. After the meeting, join an optional group dinner at a local restaurant to get to know your new travel mates.
Day 2 : San Jose, Tortuguero
Location: San José, Tortuguero
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Pachira Lodge - 4 Star
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we’ll head towards the North Caribbean Coast where jungle meets the sea in Tortuguero! Hop on board a small boat and journey through the jigsaw of canals towards our secluded lodge in the rainforest surrounding Tortuguero. After lunch, join your guide for a visit to the tiny village of Tortuguero. Accessible only by air or water and not by car, this little village embraces strong Afro-Caribbean roots with a population of only 500 people. Take a walking tour with your guide to meet the local families and learn about their way of life in this small but bustling village. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a few freshwater turtles basking on the banks of the canals.
Included Activities
Tortuguero Walking Tour
Day 3 : Tortuguero
Location: Tortuguero
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Pachira Lodge - 4 Star
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Wakey, wakey – the canals, beaches and jungles of the pristine Tortuguero National Park await you! Start the morning with a hike through the trails of the lodge. Then we take a guided boat trip to explore the eco-paradise and keep a look out for the wonderful range of wildlife that resides here including caiman, tropical birds, monkeys, sloths and the emerald green basilisk Lizards. Then, enjoy some downtime back at the Lodge in the afternoon to relax by the pool, beach or park up in a hammock.
Day 4 : Tortuguero, Sarapiqui
Location: Tortuguero, Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Ara Ambigua Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Travel by boat and private coach to Sarapiqui. Stop in Guapiles for an included lunch with your new travel mates in the lush agricultural village. Spend the afternoon wandering through the unique town of Sarapiqui with your guide and learn about the local businesses here. Take a stroll through the nature reserves, national parks, and along the banks of River Sarapiqui. Keep an eye out for adventure seekers rafting through the river rapids! Spend the evening taking it easy at our beautiful lodge accommodation
Included Activities
Sarapiqui Walking Tour
Day 5 : Sarapiqui, Arenal
Location: Sarapiqui River, Arenal Volcano
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Montana de Fuego Mountain Resort & Spa – 4 Star
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Grab a window seat on board the private coach and keep your eyes peeled for our first glimpse of one of the most stunning volcanoes in Costa Rica, Arenal! We will stay in the small town of La Fortuna de San Carlos with incredible views of the volcano above.This afternoon, explore the rainforest canopies from above on the hanging bridges of Arenal and keep an eye out for sleepy sloths high in the trees. Follow your guide on a hike to the charming La Fortuna waterfall to familiarise yourself with this wonderful region. Cap the day off with leisure time to relax in the famed hot springs of Arenal.
Day 6 : Arenal, Monteverde
Location: Arenal Volcano, Monteverde
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Poco a Poco – 4 Star
Meals Included: Breakfast
Wake up and get set to embrace adventure at its best in Arenal today! Wear your walking shoes as we embark on a volcano trek following the Arenal 1968 Volcano Trail, soaking in fascinating views of the volcano. Later in the day, travel to the scenic region of Monteverde’s Cloud Forest. These rare forests cover only 1% of the world and thrive only in tropical mountainous environments where the atmospheric conditions allow for consistent cloud coverage. And at night, this region truly comes to life! Tonight, join an optional night walk through the Cloud Forest to see the nocturnal world in all its wonder.
Day 7 : Monteverde, Rincon De La Vieja
Location: Monteverde, Rincón de la Vieja Volcano
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hacienda Guachipelin Volcano Ranch
Meals Included: Breakfast
Make the best of Monteverde before we make our way to the marvellous Rincón de la Vieja. Start your adventure with an optional Selvature zipline adventure to have an arial view of the tropical jungle. Enjoy some personal leisure time or one of the optional activities available, the Curi Cancha Biological Reserve, Butterflies Garden, or Coffee Tour! Known as one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful and ecologically diverse destinations, our next stop Rincón de la Vieja is home to two volcanoes, over 32 rivers and streams, breath-taking waterfalls and plenty of wildlife! Away from the crowds of travellers, this place feels refreshingly uncrowded and remote. So, throw on your swimsuit and take advantage of the mineral-rich hot springs of Rio Negro (Black River), heating naturally from the surrounding volcanoes. Bliss!
Day 8 : Rincon De La Vieja
Location: Rincón de la Vieja Volcano
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hacienda Guachipelin Volcano Ranch
Meals Included: Breakfast
Prepare for a day of adrenaline and amazement as we tube-raft on the Black River and hike to waterfalls surrounded by lush rainforests of Rincon De La Vieja. Kick off the day with a tubing adventure as you race your travel mates allow class 2 and 3 rapids and kick back in the quiet natural hot springs of the Black River. We recommend packing some river shoes or sneakers for this activity. After drying up and catching your breath, follow your guide on a hike to Las Pailas and Oropendola Waterfall to soak in incredible views of unspoiled nature
Day 9 : Rincon De La Vieja, Manuel Antonio
Location: Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, Manuel Antonio
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Shana – 4 Star
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we’ll swap the rainforest for pristine pacific coast as we head towards Manuel Antonio. Famous for its national parks, treasured biodiversity, white-sand beaches and dazzling coral reef – this place is any eco-travellers dream come true. Enjoy free time here in the afternoon to relax by the turquoise beaches or poolside at our ocean-front hotel.
Day 10 : Manuel Antonio
Location: Manuel Antonio
Accommodation: Hotel, Shana – 4 Star
Meals Included: Breakfast
Get set to explore Manuel Antonio National Park and its wide variety of flora and fauna with a knowledgeable nature guide. While you’re hiking, stay alert for reptiles, birds and sleepy sloths. Enjoy a stop at the world-famous Tres Beach (Third Beach). The afternoon is yours to enjoy this tropical paradise. You can soak in the spectacular nature from ashore or join the optional Isla Damas Mangrove Tour to witness the wildlife up close.
Day 11 : Manuel Antonio, San José
Location: Manuel Antonio, San José
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Park Inn San Jose by Radisson Hotel – 5 Star
Meals Included: Breakfast
Say goodbye to Costa Rica’s coastal paradise as we return to San José. On the way, stop at Costa Rica’s most famous crafts centre – Sarchà – where artisans produce the colourful ‘carreta’. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you spot ornately painted oxcarts transporting coffee and fruit. Then, welcome back to San José! Explore the historic neighbourhoods and colonial mansions on a guided walking tour through the city.
Day 12 : San José
Location: San José
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we saw our goodbyes! Enjoy a final breakfast together before hotel check-out at 11.00am. Roam through San Jose one last time before your included airport transfer to Juan Santamaria International Airport.
What's Included
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Accommodation
5 & 4 Star Hotels | Lodge
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Meals
11 Breakfasts | 3 Lunches | 2 Dinners
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Transportation
Private Air-Conditioned Vehicle
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Guide
Services of experienced Travel Talk local guides licenced by the Ministry of Tourism
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Airport Transfers at Destination
Arrival transfer from the airport to the hotel on Day 1. Departure shuttle to the airport on Day 12.
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Fully Guided
What's Not Included
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Country Entry Visas
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Travel insurance
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Items of a personal nature
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Tips & gestures
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Visa fees
Add Ons
Local Payment: £
Check out our Q&As
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
yes
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Not below 18
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
There are always single travellers on our tours. If you don't mind being roomed with another single traveller of the same gender, then you do not need to pay a single supplement, however, this excludes all of our North American tours where the sharing option for a solo traveller is not available, and the single supplement must be applied if you are travelling alone. The single supplement is for travellers who would like to stay in a private room for the duration of the tour. PLEASE NOTE: The single private option is not always available, especially for sailing tours and camping.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Our tours are suitable for any traveller above 18 years old. The majority of Travel Talkers are from the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada or Europe, however we always have travellers from all over the world. What brings them together is a passion for travel, discovering authentic cultures and experiencing unique adventures with like-minded travellers.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Travel Talk, we believe that travel is a force for good and show our support through various initiatives and charity organizations, as well as keeping the principals of responsible and sustainable travel at the core of our ethos. These values are engrained in our business culture and the design of our trips just the same. Together with our guests, we strive to make a positive impact on local p
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Over 20 years
Reviews of this Operator
Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Travel Talk Tours allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 61 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Travel Talk Tours requires a minimum deposit of 100 GBP per person 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 travel talk tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 85% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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