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Costa Rica Experience
Operated by Intrepid Travel
Tripcode: QVSS
Overview
Destination:
Costa Rica,
Start:San Jose, Costa Rica
Finish:San Jose, Costa Rica
Finish:San Jose, Costa Rica
Duration:8 days
Type:Group tour (max 16)
Travel Period
June 2025 - December 2028
Discover a region of natural diversity, cultural riches and laidback vibes on an eight-day jungle jaunt through Costa Rica. Thanks to a longstanding tradition of preserving its natural assets, much of the country’s primary rainforest still stands. Opportunities for nature-based activities are endless here and the beaches on both coasts are well worth your free time. Spot monkeys and sloths in the cloud forests of Monteverde, hike to hidden waterfalls and kick back on the beach at Manuel Antonio. Explore the depths of this vibrant country with plenty of time to make this trip your own.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
1. Full passport details are required at the time of booking in order to purchase entrance tickets to Manuel Antonio National Park. Delays to provide this information may result in changes to your itinerary and we will not be able to guarantee entry. Details provided must be accurate as per your passport bio page.
2. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1 in San Jose. There are no activities planned for the final day so you may depart at any time.
3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
4. Please be careful when booking flights to/from San Jose; make sure you fly into/out of Juan Santamaria International Airport [SJO]. Please do not book flights to/from Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport [SJC] as this is located in California, United States.
2. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1 in San Jose. There are no activities planned for the final day so you may depart at any time.
3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
4. Please be careful when booking flights to/from San Jose; make sure you fly into/out of Juan Santamaria International Airport [SJO]. Please do not book flights to/from Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport [SJC] as this is located in California, United States.
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Standard inclusions
- Meals: Meals: 4 breakfasts, 2 lunches.
- Transport: Private vehicle, Boat, Public Transportation.
- Accommodation: Hotel (7 nights).
- Alajuela - Tesoro Escondido Waterfall.
- Monteverde - Monteverde Cloud Forest - Visit.
- Quepos - Lunch with Rojas Family.
- Manuel Antonio National Park - (Entrance fee).
- Manuel Antonio National Park - Tour with a Naturalist Guide.
- Quepos - Mangrove kayaking with local guide.
Itinerary
Expand all 
Collapse all
Collapse allDay 1: San Jose
Hola! Welcome to Costa Rica. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm today in San Jose. With over half the country's population living within its parameters, San Jose has a dynamic atmosphere. If you arrive early, why not wander around at your own pace – a good place to start is the main plaza, perfect for some people watching. Tonight, maybe head out to get to know your group with an optional welcome dinner.
Day 2: La Fortuna
Head to Tesoro Escondido Waterfall this morning. Meaning ‘hidden treasure’, this 46-m-high waterfall plunges into turquoise pools and is the perfect place for a dip. The trail to get there involves hiking through the forest, over a hanging bridge and across a rock-strewn river. Don’t worry if you work up a sweat, as you’ll cool right down when you jump in! Have lunch at a nearby restaurant, then continue to La Fortuna – a small town just a few minutes from the famous Arenal Volcano. Spend the rest of the day as you please. Maybe make another splash at the 70-m-high La Fortuna waterfall, hike the lava field of the 1968 Arenal Volcano eruption or test your balance on a stand-up paddle board on the volcano’s namesake lake. There are also several geothermal hot springs in the area, so why not relax your muscles with a soothing soak?
Day 3: Monteverde
You have a free morning in La Fortuna. In the afternoon, take a minibus to Lake Arenal where you'll hop on a scenic boat ride across the water. Another minibus will be waiting to take you to Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. Monteverde was founded as an agricultural community in 1951 by a group of North American Quakers who cleared virgin forests to create pastures for dairy farming. These environmentally aware settlers were conscious of the dangers of unrestricted farming, so they established a small, privately owned wildlife sanctuary, which has grown to become an internationally renowned reserve with over 2000 species of plants, 320 bird species and 100 different types of mammals. Check into your hotel, then maybe do a night walk to spot some of the area’s nocturnal critters.
Day 4: Monteverde
Join your leader for a guided walk in the Monteverde Cloud Forest this morning. Keep your eyes peeled (and your camera handy) for monkeys, toucans, sloths and coatis. You’re free to explore for the rest of the afternoon. Maybe get closer to the creatures who dwell in the trees on a suspension bridge tour – or if you’re feeling extra adventurous, zip line through the canopies! You could also head to the Serpentarium to check out some crawly critters, see up to 30 species of butterfly in specially created gardens or get your caffeine fix on a coffee and cacao farm tour. Whatever you do, be sure to watch out for the resplendent quetzal – one of the most elusive birds in the world.
Day 5: Quepos
Travel through the mountains to Quepos by private minibus this morning. Located close to the Pacific beaches and wildlife of Manuel Antonio National Park, Quepos is a laidback town with a vibrant nightlife. This afternoon, you'll get the chance to meet three generations of Costa Ricans and do a traditional cooking class in their home. Before the pandemic, the family ran one of the most popular restaurants in Quepos for almost 20 years. Now, you're lucky to learn the secret flavours and spices of their dishes and get to know the whole family. Once the sun goes down, why not grab a spot at a waterfront restaurant and sink your teeth into some fresh seafood with your travel crew – this is pura vida.
Day 6: Quepos - Manuel Antonio National Park
Spend your morning exploring Manuel Antonio National Park with a naturalist to understand its incredible ecosystems. Monkeys, armadillos, sloths and hundreds of species of birds are among the wildlife you can spot here. The park also has turquoise seas and white-sand beaches – perfect for swimming and kayaking. It would be easy to spend your whole time here in or by the water – and with a free afternoon, you can do just that! Or continue to explore the park’s trails.
Day 7: San Jose
This morning, head to a mangrove forest on Damas Island near Quepos for a kayaking adventure. This activity is run by a naturalist near their home along the canals, so you’ll be exploring with someone who really knows the twists and turns of these protected tropical wetlands. If you’re lucky, you might spot a troop of curious white-faced capuchins in the trees above. Take a public bus back to San Jose, then head out for an optional farewell dinner and maybe raise a glass to a great trip.
Day 8: San Jose
With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end after breakfast. If you’d like to extend your stay in Costa Rica, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Day 9: San Jose
With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end after breakfast today. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Departure dates
Select your preferred date or enquire
Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid is a small group tour travel company with humble beginnings that now sends over 100,000 travellers a year on grassroots and responsible travel tours.
Important Information
*Terms and conditions
Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice.
For more information, please see Terms of Use
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Price from
$1,796
$1,707
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$1,707*
per person
7 nights
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