From volcanos to rainforests, new discoveries abound on this Costa Rican all-encompassing adventure.
Bubbling mud pools, rainforests teeming with wildlife, golden beaches and an active volcano are all yours for the taking on this adventure. Starting in the cultural capital city of San Jose, visit turtle nesting grounds and sky walk through the rainforest canopy before spending your final days on the glistening shores of the Guanacaste province.
Let the Pura Vida way of life take over as you arrive in Costa Rica's cultural capital, San Jose. Affectionally known as 'Chepe', San Jose may appear a little rough around the edges but a closer inspection will soon reveal the charming heart of this vibrant capital. Built on the profit of a roaring coffee trade, this a city overflowing with museums, parks, theatres and innovative restaurants. Arriving today, settle in to your hotel then feel free to head out to explore. Trendy Barrio Amón offers a wonderful glimpse into the history of the city with vast colonial mansions converted into art galleries, whilst Barrio Escalante is the gastronomic epicentre and the best place to grab dinner.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Aloft San Jose
Day 2
San Jose – Monteverde (2 Nights)
Finishing up your final morning in San Jose with a quick sightseeing tour of the city's most iconic sights, you'll then travel north towards the creative little town of Sarchí. Widely regarded as the cradle of Costa Rican artisanship, this is the place to buy intricate arts, crafts and souvenirs. The finest display of Sarchí's creative offering comes courtesy of the highly decorative oxcarts that are displayed here. Elegantly carved and hand painted in bright colours, the oxcart is a national symbol of Costa Rica and a beautiful reminder of its humble beginnings. Take your time browsing the shops and stalls here, before continuing your journey through the Tilaran Mountain range. Climbing higher and high, we'll be listening out for the collective sighs of appreciation as you enter the mysterious and misty Cloud Forest.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - El Establo Mountain Hotel
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 3
Monteverde Sightseeing and Free Time
Meeting up with a Local Specialist this morning, you'll seemingly step into another world as you enter the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. Home to a variety of different eco-systems, you'll learn about the thousands of different plant and animals species that thrive in this area, many of which only exist right here. Keep your eyes peeled and your ears poised for the sounds of hummingbirds, howler monkeys, sloths, toucans, and if you're really lucky, the Quetzal bird. Costa Rica has a big reputation as a nature lover's paradise, and this place won't let you down. Leaving the forest on a real nature high you'll have time to relax this afternoon, or join our 'El Trapiche' Optional Experience tour where you'll get to visit sugarcane, banana, orange and coffee plantations.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Optional Experience
El Trapiche Tour
The tour begins with a walk through the farm where you’ll view sugarcane, banana, orange and coffee plantations. Learn about the coffee making process and how liquor is made of out sugarcane. The farm provides an exciting education to visitors about the various crops and farm life in Costa Rica. Total duration is approximately 3 hours. Gratuity included. (Minimum 2 Guests)
Adult Price: $33.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Horseback Riding Tour*
On your horseback excursion, enjoy sweeping views of the Nicoya Gulf and its islands as you ride your way through coffee and sugarcane plantations, tropical forest and open fields. Be on the lookout for wildlife including toucans, green parrots and white-faced monkeys. Total duration is about 2 ½ hours. Gratuity included. (Minimum 2 Guests.)
Adult Price: $75.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Sky Tram And Sky Trek*
Board a comfortable gondola and fly among the trees on the lookout for local wildlife. As you glide among the forest, see how the vegetation changes with the elevation level. At the end of the Sky Tram you will be faced with a choice: return to the starting point in the same way you came or you can enjoy the ultimate adrenaline rush on the Sky Trek. With this option, you will fly across the forest in a series of ten zip lines with heights ranging from 100 – 650 feet (30 to 200 meters) and with lengths of over 650 feet (200 meters). All of these zip lines were built to give you a 360° perspective of the rainforest. Gratuity included. (Minimum 2 Guests)
Adult Price: $97.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 4
Monteverde – Arenal (3 Nights)
Enjoy the ride this morning as you travel past cattle ranches and coffee plantations on your way to Arenal Volcano National Park. One of the shining jewels in Costa Rica's already bedazzling crown, the national park is best known for its bubbling hot springs and geothermal activity, wide variety of wildlife and of course the sleeping giant, Arenal Volcano. As exciting as this all is, your attention upon arrival will likely be taken up by your gorgeous and secluded resort, nestled on the banks of the San Carlos River. Boasting outdoor pools, a butterfly garden, botanical gardens growing all manner of fruit trees and tame iguanas roaming the grounds, you'll likely feel like you've entered a little corner of heaven. Settle in and enjoy relaxing in paradise this afternoon, before joining your fellow travellers for an included dinner at the resort restaurant this evening.
A guided hike through Arenal 1968 is first up on today's action packed agenda. Denoting its name from the year Arenal Volcano created its most catastrophic eruption, this private reserve gives you the chance to walk through lava fields, observe leftover lava rocks and boulders and walk through forest land for wonderful views of both the volcano and Arenal Lake, the largest lake in Costa Rica. After a browse around La Fortuna town and a spot of lunch, this afternoon you'll then head to the famous Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. Meeting up with a Local Specialist, you'll 'sky walk' your way through the jungle canopy, testing your head for heights on the 6 suspension bridges whilst spotting a whole manner of birdlife. This evening and to round off an incredible day, let your worries and stresses drift away as you relax in the mineral rich pools of a hot springs resort.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 6
Arenal Sightseeing and Free Time
Another day, and another chance to explore this natural wonderland. Your morning will begin with a safari float down the Peñas Blancas River, where you'll join a Local Specialist and get to experience the peaceful tranquility of the rainforest whilst looking for monkeys, sloths, iguanas, caimans and tropical birds. On the way you'll visit a local family who live and work on the river, gaining an appreciation for how connected the people of Costa Rica are to the natural environment. Back at your resort and with the afternoon free, enjoy going for a dip in the pool, play tennis, or join a horseback riding excursion through the rainforest.
Transfer back to San Jose International Airport will be at 12:00 PM approximately or extend your holiday to Guanacaste.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
All optional experiences for this trip
Book with your travel director when you travel
Available on day 3
El Trapiche Tour
The tour begins with a walk through the farm where you’ll view sugarcane, banana, orange and coffee plantations. Learn about the coffee making process and how liquor is made of out sugarcane. The farm provides an exciting education to visitors about the various crops and farm life in Costa Rica. Total duration is approximately 3 hours. Gratuity included. (Minimum 2 Guests)
Adult Price: $33.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 3
Horseback Riding Tour*
On your horseback excursion, enjoy sweeping views of the Nicoya Gulf and its islands as you ride your way through coffee and sugarcane plantations, tropical forest and open fields. Be on the lookout for wildlife including toucans, green parrots and white-faced monkeys. Total duration is about 2 ½ hours. Gratuity included. (Minimum 2 Guests.)
Adult Price: $75.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 3
Sky Tram And Sky Trek*
Board a comfortable gondola and fly among the trees on the lookout for local wildlife. As you glide among the forest, see how the vegetation changes with the elevation level. At the end of the Sky Tram you will be faced with a choice: return to the starting point in the same way you came or you can enjoy the ultimate adrenaline rush on the Sky Trek. With this option, you will fly across the forest in a series of ten zip lines with heights ranging from 100 – 650 feet (30 to 200 meters) and with lengths of over 650 feet (200 meters). All of these zip lines were built to give you a 360° perspective of the rainforest. Gratuity included. (Minimum 2 Guests)
Adult Price: $97.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
All Optional Experiences
The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Enjoy trails and suspension bridges, hike along lava trails through Mirador 1968, a private reserve, located adjacent to Volcano Arenal National Park and take a scenic float trip safari with your Local Specialist
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Monteverde Cloud Forest
Hike with your Local Specialist who offers insights into the region's unique bird and wildlife ecosystems
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San Jose
Enjoy an orientation tour in the capital city of Costa Rica and explore Sarchi, the arts and crafts capital, famed for its intricately painted oxcarts
On every trip
Unique or exclusive to Costsaver, here’s a sample of what’s included in your trip.
Audio Headsets Provided throughout your holiday to enhance your included sightseeing experiences
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Luxury air-conditioned coach
Experience Tick Thin Icon
Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
Experience Tick Thin Icon
Variety of Optional Experiences
Experience Tick Thin Icon
City orientation tours
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An expert Travel Director and separate driver
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All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes
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LIVE, UNEDITED & INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS REVIEWS
Costa Rica Adventure Trip Reviews
Our guests are at the heart of everything we do, their feedback fuels our innovation, inspiring us to improve continuously and craft Simply The Best vacations. That's why we ask each of our guests to leave a third-party verified, independent review after every trip. As testament to our commitment we have been given the Trusted Service Award from Feefo, recognising we deliver exceptional experiences as rated by real guests.
Overall Rating
4.7
Out of 5
Based on 18 independent reviews
Trip Rating
Customer experience
Trip rating is the overall quality of the itinerary and trip
4.9
Out of 5
5
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16
4
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2
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Customer experience is the standard of service you receive
I liked the pace of the trip, the things that we did, and the optional excursions. The lodging accommodations were excellent. Our travel director, Cesar, was very knowledgeable and helpful. Our coach driver was very good, and got us safely to our destinations.
The tour director Cesar was awesome and so knowledgeable!. The accommodations were spectacular and the itinery was great! Costa Rica has everything you want to see beaches, volcano and jungle. Beautiful country.
There were some added extras that were not on the itinerary that I appreciated. For example, a few cathedrals to view and a stop to view the Pacific. I would not have included the oxcart tour if I were making my own itinerary and I really enjoyed it. We did everything I wanted to do. There was a little free time if you wanted to do your own excursion. The bus could have had better wifi, but oh well. This was my first group trip and I enjoyed. I would use CostSaver or the other companies again.
The director, Cesar Florez, exceeded my expectations. He was so friendly and I learned so much from him. I believe he went over and beyond. We always felt safe with the driver. The hotel staff was nice at all the locations, especially the last resort. Bernie made a point to find me to show me toucans that he knew I wanted to see.
For a trip with more exclusive Insider experiences, more included meals and upgraded hotels, see our Costa Rica Eco Adventure itinerary featured in the Trafalgar USA & Canada brochure.
Crossovers: All 2019 departure dates will operate as per the 2019 brochure. Itineraries, duration, hotels and inclusions may vary. Please inquire at the time of booking.
Guaranteed Room Share is not available on this trip.
Trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discount. Discounts are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
Trip prices are correct at the time of the products going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. All trip information is correct at time of trips going live, however are subject to change - please confirm all details at time of booking.
Twin-share option not available for trips to South America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii or for any holiday & cruise combination, or in Asia and Eastern Mediterranean except Highlights of Turkey (without cruise) & Best of Turkey. It's also not available on Small Group trips. Guided Vacations included in this restriction are Newfoundland and Labrador (DNLA) as well as Panama, the Canal & Beyond (LPAN).
For trips that are part of our Guaranteed Room Share, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms. Solo travel is not accepted on guided Family Experiences holidays unless travelling as part of a family group.
Your selected dates have an enhanced itinerary.
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You’ll be travelling in Autumn, Winter or Spring, and this itinerary has been enhanced for you to enjoy the unique experiences these seasons offer.
