Simply Costa Rica

The adventure

Build your ideal adventure in Costa Rica on this 11-day trip where the must-see highlights are covered and there’s plenty of time to do more of what you love. Whether you want to get active with some stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Arenal, relax on a sunset cruise in Manuel Antonio or see as much of the incredible local wildlife as you can on night-time nature walks, your local leader will be able to point you in all the right directions. You’ll go on guided hikes in Monteverde Cloud Forest and Manuel Antonio National Park, both renowned for their rich biodiversity – you might see monkeys, sloths and toucans. Laidback or jam-packed – with a light schedule and plenty of optional activities, the choice is yours.

At a glance

Where you'll go

Day by day

Your journey through

Costa Rica

Showing Days 1-7

11-day itinerary

Day 1San JoseHola! Welcome to Costa Rica. Your adventure begins in San Jose – the country’s vibrant capital, set in the Central Valley. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive with time to spare, maybe visit the Central Market, where you can browse traditional wares for the perfect keepsake or sample some street food – how about an empanada or some fresh, tropical fruit like peach palm or guanabana. After the meeting, consider joining your group for an optional welcome dinner to get to know each other over some delicious Costa Rican dishes.

San Jose

Hola! Welcome to Costa Rica. Your adventure begins in San Jose – the country’s vibrant capital, set in the Central Valley. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive with time to spare, maybe visit the Central Market, where you can browse traditional wares for the perfect keepsake or sample some street food – how about an empanada or some fresh, tropical fruit like peach palm or guanabana. After the meeting, consider joining your group for an optional welcome dinner to get to know each other over some delicious Costa Rican dishes.

Day 2TortugueroDepart San Jose early this morning and begin your journey through the lush Caribbean lowlands to the wildlife-rich village of Tortuguero. Drive to the port at La Pavona, then hop aboard a boat. Continue to your lodge, located in the heart of this biodiverse region where the rainforest lines the coast. Check in and settle into your room, then the rest of your day is free. There's the option to go on a turtle nesting tour later this evening – a portion of the cost of this activity goes towards supporting a program to patrol the beach for poachers, helping to keep the turtles and their eggs safe. Otherwise, you can simply relax at your accommodation.

Tortuguero

Depart San Jose early this morning and begin your journey through the lush Caribbean lowlands to the wildlife-rich village of Tortuguero. Drive to the port at La Pavona, then hop aboard a boat. Continue to your lodge, located in the heart of this biodiverse region where the rainforest lines the coast. Check in and settle into your room, then the rest of your day is free. There's the option to go on a turtle nesting tour later this evening – a portion of the cost of this activity goes towards supporting a program to patrol the beach for poachers, helping to keep the turtles and their eggs safe. Otherwise, you can simply relax at your accommodation.

Day 3TortugueroSpend a whole free day uncovering the natural beauty of Tortuguero at your own pace. Established in 1970, Tortuguero National Park is home to some of Costa Rica’s most endangered mammals, including manatees, ocelots and jaguars. At different points throughout the year, green turtles, hawksbill turtles, loggerhead turtles and leatherback turtles all nest here. If you’re up for an early start, you could take a canoe trip through the park’s winding canals at sunrise and watch the rainforest come alive. Or, you could have a leisurely start to the day and go on a guided boat tour of the canals later in the day, where you can spot wildlife with a local guide who can share their expert insights with you.

Tortuguero

Spend a whole free day uncovering the natural beauty of Tortuguero at your own pace. Established in 1970, Tortuguero National Park is home to some of Costa Rica’s most endangered mammals, including manatees, ocelots and jaguars. At different points throughout the year, green turtles, hawksbill turtles, loggerhead turtles and leatherback turtles all nest here. If you’re up for an early start, you could take a canoe trip through the park’s winding canals at sunrise and watch the rainforest come alive. Or, you could have a leisurely start to the day and go on a guided boat tour of the canals later in the day, where you can spot wildlife with a local guide who can share their expert insights with you.

Day 4La FortunaContinue to the small town of La Fortuna, where Arenal Volcano rises dramatically over the landscape. When you arrive, there might be some free time for you to get your bearings in town or take part in an optional activity. You could go stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Arenal or, if you’d rather kick back and relax, you could visit the Ecotermales Hot Springs and unwind in the geothermal waters.

La Fortuna

Continue to the small town of La Fortuna, where Arenal Volcano rises dramatically over the landscape. When you arrive, there might be some free time for you to get your bearings in town or take part in an optional activity. You could go stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Arenal or, if you’d rather kick back and relax, you could visit the Ecotermales Hot Springs and unwind in the geothermal waters.

Day 5La FortunaChoose your own adventure in La Fortuna today – ask your leader about the range of optional activities on offer. You might like to visit La Fortuna Waterfall – which is a lofty 70 m tall – for a swim, go kayaking on Lake Arenal or go on a wildlife boat tour through the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, home to the Gaspar fish, jaguars, pumas and river otters. You could also explore Arenal Volcano with a hike along the Arenal 1968 Trail to see the lava flows and viewpoints looking out towards the volcano’s peak. Or, if you’re looking for epic views over the rainforest from a different perspective, you could go for a guided tour along the hanging bridges at Mistico Park.

La Fortuna

Choose your own adventure in La Fortuna today – ask your leader about the range of optional activities on offer. You might like to visit La Fortuna Waterfall – which is a lofty 70 m tall – for a swim, go kayaking on Lake Arenal or go on a wildlife boat tour through the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, home to the Gaspar fish, jaguars, pumas and river otters. You could also explore Arenal Volcano with a hike along the Arenal 1968 Trail to see the lava flows and viewpoints looking out towards the volcano’s peak. Or, if you’re looking for epic views over the rainforest from a different perspective, you could go for a guided tour along the hanging bridges at Mistico Park.

Day 6MonteverdeVenture into the misty highlands of Monteverde today. You’ll drive to Lake Arenal, then take a shared boat to Monteverde – famous for its cloud forest. When you arrive, settle into your accommodation, then get stuck into exploring this fascinating ecosystem. You could go on a coffee and chocolate tour or maybe visit the Children’s Eternal Rainforest – an Intrepid Foundation partner, this private reserve protects 22,600 ha of rainforest and has 28 km of hiking trails to explore. Tonight, consider going on a night walk to spot nocturnal wildlife in the cloud forest. You might see caimans, sloths, kinkajous, margays and porcupines.

Monteverde

Venture into the misty highlands of Monteverde today. You’ll drive to Lake Arenal, then take a shared boat to Monteverde – famous for its cloud forest. When you arrive, settle into your accommodation, then get stuck into exploring this fascinating ecosystem. You could go on a coffee and chocolate tour or maybe visit the Children’s Eternal Rainforest – an Intrepid Foundation partner, this private reserve protects 22,600 ha of rainforest and has 28 km of hiking trails to explore. Tonight, consider going on a night walk to spot nocturnal wildlife in the cloud forest. You might see caimans, sloths, kinkajous, margays and porcupines.

Day 7MonteverdeJoin your leader for a nature walk through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve this morning. Look for hummingbirds, quetzals, monkeys and sloths among the misty landscape along the way. Then, it’s time to choose your own adventure for the rest of the day. You could visit the Butterfly Garden and Insects Farm, or you could get your adrenaline fix on a zipline adventure through the canopy. There’s also the option to go on another wildlife tour to see more fauna and flora.

Monteverde

Join your leader for a nature walk through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve this morning. Look for hummingbirds, quetzals, monkeys and sloths among the misty landscape along the way. Then, it’s time to choose your own adventure for the rest of the day. You could visit the Butterfly Garden and Insects Farm, or you could get your adrenaline fix on a zipline adventure through the canopy. There’s also the option to go on another wildlife tour to see more fauna and flora.

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