Costa Rica: Rainforests, Volcanoes & Wildlife
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Go wild in this nature-lover’s paradise.
With landscapes ranging from misty cloud forests to sun-kissed beaches, this small, Central American nation packs a mighty punch when it comes to stunning natural scenery and awe-inspiring wildlife. On this small group Adventure Tour, take it all in as you cruise along Tortuguero’s picturesque rainforest canal, soak in natural hot springs at the foot of imposing Arenal Volcano, and explore Monteverde’s otherworldly cloud forests. Along the way, get a taste of Costa Rican food and culture through the country’s warm and welcoming locals.
Your tour package includes
- 8 nights in handpicked hotels
- 8 breakfasts
- 5 lunches
- 5 dinners with beer or wine
- 2 tastings
Included highlights
- Tortuguero National Park
- Arenal Volcano National Park hike
- Organic pineapple farm
- Heliconia Ranch
- Coffee & cocoa plantation
An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
Day-by-day itinerary
Print itineraryFly to Costa Rica and settle in at your hotel in San José. Enjoy a light dinner this evening.
Please note: If you arrive after 9pm, dinner will be served in your hotel room.
Get comfortable on your group’s private coach and follow the scenic Guapiles Highway through Braulio Carrillo National Park. This vast, protected area features rugged mountains, lush forests, extinct volcanoes, and pristine waterfalls and rivers. Then, climb aboard a boat bound for your eco-lodge in Tortuguero. As you cruise along the Sucio River, keep your eyes peeled for caimans, a reptile similar to alligators, lurking below the surface. You might also spot crested Jesus Christ lizards, named for their ability to run atop water—upright, on their hind legs!
Enjoy an included lunch at your eco-lodge in Tortuguero, then get settled in your room.
Later, get to know your group during a welcome dinner served with beer or wine at your eco-lodge.
Travel tip: From July through September, you can book a guided evening beach walk through your Tour Director for an additional cost. During the walk, you’ll learn about the threats facing green sea turtles, whose global population has declined, and observe them in their natural habitat.
Why seeing green sea turtles here is special: Tortuguero is home to one of the world’s largest green sea turtle nesting populations, with 30,000 females nesting here per season on average.
This morning, get to know Tortuguero National Park on a guided tour. Situated along the Caribbean coast, the expansive park is home to one of Central America’s largest remaining tropical rainforests.
- Learn about the park’s diverse habitats, including mangrove forests, swamps, and beaches, on a walk led by your naturalist guide
- Board an open-top boat (ideal for peering into Tortuguero’s tall trees) and cruise through the park. It’s early in the day, so keep a lookout for nocturnal animals who are still stirring, and diurnal animals for whom the day is just beginning. Wildlife to watch for: caimans, toucans, green macaws, and howler, spider, and white-face monkeys
- Float along the park’s freshwater creeks and placid lagoons, which are home to endangered turtles and more than 50 species of fish
- Enjoy an included lunch featuring simple yet flavorful local cuisine, such as rice, beans, and plantains
Spend a free afternoon in Tortuguero or add an excursion.
Sit down for an included dinner of traditional Costa Rican food, served with beer or wine, at your eco-lodge in Tortuguero.
Tortuguero National Park: Rainforest Kayaking Tour
From $75 per person
Journey by boat through Tortuguero National Park’s jungle canals. Then, continue by bus to the Arenal region, making stops along the way.
- Sit down at a local restaurant for a family-style, Costa Rican lunch
- Spend the afternoon exploring an organic pineapple farm in the Sarapiqui region and learning what makes its sustainable and eco-friendly practices unique to the area
- Climb aboard a tractor for a guided tour of the farm and its sprawling pineapple fields
- Learn how the farmers grow pineapples using eco-friendly methods, such as compost fertilization, natural herbicides, and crop rotation
- Nibble on just-cut pineapple and sip fresh pineapple juice or a homemade piña colada (enjoy yours virgin or with an added splash of rum)
Check in to your Arenal Region hotel and enjoy free time for dinner. This evening, trade your hiking boots for dancing shoes and meet with a local salsa instructor in a private studio in Arenal. Find out how Costa Rica’s most popular dance was introduced to the country, then hit the dance floor for a lesson in basic steps and spins set to traditional salsa music.
Join your Tour Director for a guided hike through Arenal Volcano National Park, named for the nearly 5,500-foot-high volcano that towers over the pastures and hillsides that surround it. Though Arenal hasn’t erupted since 2010, you might still spot steam snaking skyward from its caldera.
- Marvel at the mile-high volcano, a near-perfect conical shape that emerges from the Sierra de Tilarán mountain range
Travel tip: During Costa Rica’s rainy season, which lasts from May through November, clouds and mist can obscure the volcano’s peak from view.
- Try to spot slow-moving sloths, snakes coiled around tree limbs, and spiders resting in their webs
- Gaze at placid Lake Arenal—Costa Rica’s largest lake—and watch for birds such as northern jacanas, woodpeckers, and kingfishers, wading and soaring along its shores
Please note: In some places around the park, terrain can be uneven and formed by hardened lava. Travelers should be able to navigate these surfaces and hike for around two miles.
This afternoon, visit an eco-friendly ranch in La Fortuna.
- Enjoy a farm-to-table lunch featuring fresh ingredients harvested on-site, as well as local dairy products
- Explore the ranch with a local guide, and learn how it became the first carbon-negative community of its kind in Costa Rica
- Learn how sugar cane is harvested followed by a tasting of sugar cane products
Spend a free evening in the Arenal region or add an excursion.
Arenal Hot Springs & Dinner
From $129 per person
Start your journey to Monteverde with a boat ride across Lake Arenal, spotting iguanas and birds as you cruise along. Then, enjoy dramatic mountain, valley, and cloud forest views as you make your way to Heliconia Ranch aboard your coach.
- Talk with a rancher to find out what circumstances have led to deforestation in Costa Rica
- Enjoy lunch at the ranch, with dishes featuring lamb, chicken, rice, beans, coffee, and other items and ingredients grown or produced on-site
- Watch traditional Costa Rican dances performed by the ranch’s staff
This afternoon, head to a nearby coffee plantation to learn about the history and production of coffee, as well as chocolate and sugarcane, in Costa Rica.
- Get to know different kinds of coffee beans and roasting techniques, and sample a freshly brewed cup made from the plantation’s own beans
- Discover how cocoa is cultivated and transformed into various types of chocolate treats
- Try your hand at making drinking chocolate, and sample ready-to-eat chocolate made on-site
Join your Tour Director for a hike through Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, a haven for birdwatchers. Be on the lookout for 30 hummingbird species, as well as toucans, great green macaws, three-wattled bellbirds, resplendent quetzals, black-faced solitaires, and other hard-to-spot bird species.
- Learn about, and keep a lookout for, the forest’s array of flora and fauna, including orchids, ferns, millipedes, tarantulas, and more
- Walk through the misty forest as you explore this rare ecosystem, which gets its name from the constant cloud coverage
- Hear about the area’s reforestation efforts and have the opportunity to make your own contribution by planting a native tree in the Cloud Forest
Please note: Travelers should be able to hike around two miles over wet, and potentially slippery, pathways.
Enjoy free time in the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve or Monteverde, or add an excursion.
Later, head to a local restaurant for an included dinner served with beer or wine.
Sky Walk
From $89 per person
Travel to San José, stopping along the way to tour a wildlife sanctuary
- Learn about the company’s mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and release Costa Rican wildlife
- Set off on a walk around the property with a local guide to see jaguars, ocelots, monkeys, tapirs, white-tailed deer, and macaws
- Discover the importance of conservation in Costa Rica as you hear the stories of how the animals arrived at the ranch
Head to a local restaurant to enjoy live music, dancing, and scenic vistas as you celebrate your trip during a farewell dinner.
Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay in Costa Rica to explore Manuel Antonio.
Make your way south, to Manuel Antonio National Park, which is noteworthy for its unspoiled beaches, scenic hiking trails, and practically unparalleled biodiversity. Get to know the park, and its plant and animal inhabitants, on a guided tour.
- Keep an eye out for some of the park’s hundred-plus species of animals. They include squirrel monkeys, a species that’s endemic to the park and dwindling in numbers
- Walk to the top of rocky Cathedral Point to take in views of the park from across the Pacific
- Watch the blowhole at Escondido Beach blast water into the air during high tide
- Marvel at the towering sea cliffs and mysterious caves of Serrucho Point
- Relax on the beach, take a dip in the Pacific Ocean—or both
Sit down this evening for an included dinner served with beer or wine.
Spend a free day in Manuel Antonio—perhaps relaxing on a beach, watching for sloths and other wildlife along a nature trail, or snorkeling among coral reefs offshore—or add an excursion.
Manuel Antonio Catamaran Cruise
From $159 per person
Travel to the quiet town of Tárcoles. Climb aboard a boat for a guided tour of the Tárcoles River, which is known for the large numbers of American crocodiles that inhabit its waters.
Soak in views of lush mangrove forests and jungle scenery
Look out for crocodiles, as well as iguanas, lizards, monkeys, and birds
This afternoon, travel back to San José and sit down for an included farewell dinner, served with beer or wine, at a local restaurant.
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
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Reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
Overall rating 4.7 out of 5
5 out of 5 stars
I booked this trip on a whim having talked to others who solo traveled to CR for fishing or beach experiences. That wasn’t what I was looking for. I wanted an adventure and boy did I get one. This was a small group of 17 so just a few days in, we were all caring for one and another and becoming gre...
What a fantastic adventure you had in Costa Rica! ...
5 out of 5 stars
My husband and I loved the tour! The activities were varied and included many opportunities to interact with Costa Ricans. It's impossible to pick a favorite activity because they were all unique and enjoyable. We hiked in the cloud forest, danced salsa, and toured organic farms. The local guides we...
5 out of 5 stars
I was total amazed at the beauty of the people and this small country. The culture. A one stop look at beauty and a inner Freedom to feel. & heal. I will always remember standing in the middle of the Rain Forest with my eyes closed. My senses came ALIVE. My body. I felt the warmth and comfortne...
Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt reflection ...
Traveler photos
Hotels, flights & FAQ
Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.This modern hotel is centrally located in San José’s Sabana Park area. Guests enjoy the rooftop pool, spacious rooms, and fitness center. Nearby, you’...
This canal side hotel is located along the Laguna Penitencia. Guests enjoy a pool, a spa, and a bar. Nearby, you’ll find the Parque Nacional Tortuguer...
This tropical paradise hotel is located in La Fortuna, Costa Rica, near Arenal Volcano. Guests enjoy the amazing grounds featuring private, mineral-ri...
This contemporary hotel is located in Monteverde. Guests enjoy a tennis court, indoor pool, and a spa. Nearby, you'll find the Monteverde Butterfly Ga...
This modern rustic hotel is located in the Quepos district of the Puntarenas Province. Guests enjoy multiple outdoor pools, a sauna and spa, and a res...
Flights
- Round-trip flight for your tour
- Airport transfers at your destination
- A great price locked in today
- 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
- Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
- Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
- Find out more about flights
FAQ
Print FAQ- In order to enter Costa Rica, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
- We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
- There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
- If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code CRP.
- Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from San José.
- Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost if they are arriving or departing on the standard day.
- When you arrive in San José, a Go Ahead representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a Go Ahead sign or a sign with your name(s). If you don’t see a representative immediately, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler who has also just arrived and will be back shortly.
Physical Activity Level
This is a very high physical activity-level tour. You can expect vigorous activity throughout the course of the tour.
Tour Pacing
This is a very fast-paced tour. The pace of a tour itinerary considers how often you’ll switch hotels, the amount of planned daily activities, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect:
- Two 1-night stays
- Most days and evenings full of included activities (more if you add excursions)
- Most transportation by motor coach
- Some transportation by boat
- Daily bus time varies and can be lengthy
Walking, Terrain & Physical Requirements
- Travelers should be prepared to walk 3-5 miles per day over varying terrain- this includes city streets, cobblestones, rocky or slippery paths, uneven stairs, and steep hills.
- Arenal National Park hike is a two mile loop with steep inclines, declines, loose gravel and slick rocks.
- Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
- Please Note: Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
Climate Considerations
- Travelers can expect year-round temperatures from 80Fs - 90Fs along the coasts and mid-70F - 80Fs in mountains and central parts of the country.
- Rainy season (also known as "Green season") is from May-November, with the heaviest rains coming September and October.
Physical Activity & Tour Pace Questions
- Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- This tour moves at a reasonable pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The rest of the group cannot miss any scheduled activities because of the needs of an individual.
- Due to the pace and physical activity level of this tour, mobility aids such as wheelchairs or walkers will be difficult to use and are not recommended. Please notify Go Ahead Tours before your departure if you plan to bring these on tour with you.
- If you have mobility concerns or tour pace questions, please visit our Help Center or send a message to our Customer Experience Team. We’re here to help!
- This tour includes various modes of transportation, including boat and private motor coach. Some modes of transportation will have raised platforms or steps and often not provide access to ramps or lifts.
- A round-trip boat ride to Tortuguero is included in the price of your tour.
- All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
- Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and boats.
- A checked bag may not be included in your airline ticket.
- Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
- Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights.
- Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
- Travelers must manage their own luggage throughout tour as porters are not guaranteed. This includes at hotels and airports.
- We recommend packing lightweight, quick-dry and loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
- A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
- You may also wish to pack a swimsuit, as there are opportunities to swim on tour.
- You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
- A sun hat, sunglasses, and rain gear will help you stay comfortable in all types of weather.
- Bug repellent is also useful, as mosquitos are common.
- Travelers prone to seasickness may want to take special precautions for the boat rides on tour.
- We recommend packing a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastic waste.
- Binoculars are handy for a closer look at local wildlife and scenery.
- Some travelers find a collapsible walking stick useful for long hikes.
- We recommend packing your Insurance Card (from your primary insurance provider) in your carry on luggage.
- Go Ahead handpicks every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm.
- Accommodations are typically three and four star hotels.
- All accommodations include a private bathroom.
- Most rooms will include a safe for valuables.
- Your hotels will have Wifi, but it may be limited to common areas.
- Elevators in hotels are not guaranteed.
- Some hotels on this tour require travelers to walk with their luggage a few blocks as buses cannot drop travelers off right out front.
- We cannot guarantee that your hotel accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with the hotel once they are confirmed about 30 days prior to departure.
- Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date.
- Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app for an additional $10 USD.
- We recommend purchasing excursions at least 3 days prior to your tour departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Check your tour itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss the deadline to add them.
- Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled by Go Ahead Tours, you will be refunded the full cost of the excursion. Please note it may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.
- Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions which can only be purchased on tour via cash (in local currency).
- At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
- If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
- If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour and any possible delays encountered.
- Take proper care with sun exposure, as the sun can be especially strong in some of the regions on this tour.
- There are inherent risks associated with snorkeling and other water sports, particularly for those with pre-existing medical conditions. Discuss your planned activities with your doctor or healthcare provider for the best advice on participation.
- Drink bottled water only. Refrain from ingesting tap water, including when brushing your teeth.
- Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they’re cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.
- Travelers prone to seasickness should note that this tour includes boat rides.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code CRP.
- This tour includes 5 lunches and 5 dinners. Included meals may be plated set menus, buffet or family style depending on the location. Dinners include one glass of beer, wine, or soft drink and water, coffee and tea.
- Breakfast each morning is also included at the hotel and is typically buffet style with hot and cold options.
- Costa Rican cuisine is based on staples like rice, black beans, and corn with beef, chicken, or fish. Fresh, locally grown fruit includes bananas, mangoes, pineapples, and avocados. Traditional desserts include custards, puddings, and simple cakes. Locally grown coffee is served strong and black, but hot milk is often available if you ask.
- At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in US dollars or local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
- We recommend tipping the equivalent of $10USD to $12USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
- If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.
- The cost of porterage is included in your tour price, and it is not necessary to tip baggage handlers.
- You will use the Costa Rican colón and USD on this tour.
- Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
- We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
- You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
- Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
- International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
- Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your tour director, local guides, and bus drivers.
- To ensure you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend you download the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app. The app is free and provides important deadlines, entry requirements, your detailed itinerary, packing tips and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the chat feature in the app.
- Wifi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
- There is no Wifi on any of the motor coaches.
- Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
- Your Tour Director will be leading your group throughout your journey. You will have the same Tour Director throughout your tour.
- The role of the Tour Director is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each days’ activities and support travelers while on tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group, and cannot provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- One of the benefits of traveling with EF Go Ahead Tours is our on tour emergency support team.
- Our extensive network of offices around the world, and our integration of ISO 31000: Risk Management Guidelines, help our dedicated 24/7 Emergency Service teams anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible and iterative way.
- This team supports travelers and Tour Directors using a combination of extensive training, simulations, incident response planning, and decades of experience to help manage emergencies if they arise, ranging from personal health concerns or injuries to major world events.
- As needed, On Tour Support can facilitate additional support for travelers on tour, arrange assistance from outside specialists, and liaise with local and international authorities to help solve on-the-ground issues. In addition, the team is dedicated to supporting and facilitating communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency while on the road or at home.
- When you travel with EF Go Ahead Tours, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit, and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer.
- Travel, when done responsibly, can make an enormous socio-economic impact to communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at local businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend.
- Prepare for your trip: be aware of the monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market, learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette, and take some time to learn a few words in the local language.
- When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind.
- EF Go Ahead Tours encourages our travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single use plastics. You can avoid single use plastics by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle.
- Environment: On this tour, we recommend the use of a reusable water bottle, as the local drinking water is safe for travelers or potable water is provided on the bus and/or hotel. Your Tour Director can provide additional guidance on local water standards. Make sure to bring a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastics.
- Environment: When visiting national parks, reserves, or other protected areas, please do not remove anything from the natural environment or leave any litter. Carry out what you carried in.
- Animal Welfare: Take the philosophies of World Animal Protection to heart during included tour activities and your free time. Do not touch, do not feed, and maintain a respectful distance from wild animals. Wild animals encountered on tour should be able to exhibit natural forms of behavior. If you feel we are not meeting these commitments, please share your feedback with us.
- Animal Welfare: Avoid buying any exploitative wildlife products such as tortoise shell or shark fin soup.
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4.7 out of 5 stars