The Best of Costa Rica
See forests brimming with exotic creatures on this amazingly cheap nature and wildlife tour of Costa Rica. This ecological wonderland offers smoking volcanoes, cloud forests and shimmering beaches. Its incredible highlights include Tortuguero National Park, Arenal Volcano and Manuel Antonio National Park. Breathtaking views of primary forest and incredible wildlife are the norm here, so look out for sloths, monkeys, crocodiles and more. You’ll journey by boat amongst jungle-canopied canals, view the Arenal Volcano, and explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest, home to the incredibly vocal howler monkey!
Your Tour Includes
Private Chauffeur Service
Return flights from Gatwick with British Airways
10 nights in 3 and 4-star hotels plus 1 night in flight
16 meals: 10 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners
Tour Manager and Specialist Local Guide
Overseas transfers, other transportation, porterage
Day 1 UK - San José
Today, your Private Chauffeur Service will collect you from home for your scheduled flight to San José. We will transfer you to your hotel on arrival.
Day 2 San José - Tortuguero
Today you're heading to Tortuguero National Park, home to an array of wildlife including monkeys, sloths, crocodiles and caymans. Our journey takes us through the Braulio Carrillo National Park and across the Continental Divide, where you'll take in breathtaking views of primary forests. Towards the end of your journey, we will transfer you to your lodge by boat. This afternoon you'll learn all about sea turtles when we visit the Tortuguero Village and the Caribbean Conservation Museum.
Meals included: B,L,D
Day 3 Tortuguero National Park
Today you will discover Tortuguero National Park, which sits in the heart of the jungle. It's one of the best places in Central America to observe turtles nesting up close, and you will experience this remote rainforest on two boat trips through jungle-sheltered canals.
Meals included: B,L,D
Day 4 Tortuguero National Park - Muelle de San Carlos
After breakfast we leave Tortuguero by boat and then drive to the village of Muelle de San Carlos. We'll stop at a restaurant for lunch on the way, and then visit 'Mi Cafecito Coffee Tour' in the afternoon. During our tour of this community coffee plantation, we will gain an insight into the lives of Costa Rica's coffee producers. There will also be an opportunity to sample the coffee and purchase some to take home as a souvenir.
When we arrive in Muelle de San Carlos, the rest of the day will be free for you to relax and enjoy the facilities at the hotel. You could take a dip in the swimming pool or perhaps enjoy a drink with your travelling companions.
Meals included: B,L
Day 5 Muelle de San Carlos
Enjoy a day relaxing or join our optional excursions. This morning, you can choose to join our optional excursion boat trip along the Peñas Blancas River. This is a leisurely paddle along the river spotting wildlife and plant life as we go. And, this afternoon there is the opportunity to join our opertional excursion to the La Fortuna Hot Springs which has dinner included. The hot springs are naturally heated and set within a beautiful surrounding - perfect for relaxing!
Meals included: B
Day 6 Muelle de San Carlos - Monteverde
After breakfast we will begin our journey to Monteverde, on the way we will visit the Hanging Bridges of Arenal. Explore the rainforest on a walking trail which crosses 15 bridges, six of which are hanging in the rainforest canopy, offering a spectacular view of the scenery below. Keep your eyes peeled as you walk - more than 250 species of bird live in this rainforest reserve along with a vast array of reptiles, mammals and insects.
American Quakers set up the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve in the 1950s and now it's home many different species of birds and mammals, including the howler monkey, and this afternoon we'll listen to a fascinating talk by a descendent of the original Quaker settlers. Then, if you choose to join our optional excursion, there's a guided forest walk this evening.
Meals included: B
Day 7 Monteverde
Early this morning we will go on a guided tour through the Monteverde National Reserve. Only 1% of all remaining forests on the planet are classified as cloud forests, so our visit to one today is a real privilege. Within the reserve, over 30 species of orchid that were new to science at the time of their discovery have been found!
Meals included: B
Day 8 Monteverde - Manuel Antonio
After breakfast at our hotel we will drive to Manuel Antonio. On the way we will stop at Carara National Park. Carara National Park is known as a haven for birds with; scarlet macaws, motmots and several species of trogon all frequenting the national park.
Meals included: B
Day 9 Manuel Antonio
Although the smallest national park in Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the most beautiful and diverse, today we will visit it. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the rare squirrel monkeys that call the park home!
Meals included: B
Day 10 Manuel Antonio - San Jose
Today we will travel to San José, the capital of Costa Rica. We'll introduce you to sights such as the National Theatre and the Gold Museum. Then, when you have your bearings, the rest of the day is yours to do as you please.
This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and sample typical Costa Rican cuisine. Why not try a casado, a popular dish of rice, black beans, salad, plantains and a tortilla. The name casado means "married man" in Spanish, and is thought to originate from restaurant customers who asked to be treated like 'casados', since married men ate such meals at home.
Meals included: B,D
Day 11 San Jose - UK
After breakfast we'll transfer you to the airport in San José for your flight back to the UK.
Meals included: B
Day 12 UK
Arrive in the UK today. Upon arrival, your Private Chauffeur Service will be waiting for the journey home.
Meals included: B
