Costa Rica on a Budget Tour
COSTA RICA ON A BUDGET
Immerse yourself in Costa Rica's rainforests, volcanic landscapes and picture-perfect beaches on this budget-friendly 15-day tour.
Start in San Jose and wander bustling street markets and soak up local culture, and fuel up for your journey. Then, hop on a bus to head across to the Caribbean lowlands, passing through Braulio Carrillo National Park to Puerto Viejo de Limón. Enjoy time on the beach or take a visit to the nearby national park.
Visit Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí where you may catch a glimpse of the lively monkeys, sloths, coatis and the numerous species of birds. In La Fortuna, the Arenal Volcano had its last eruption in 1968 and has been active ever since! Travel to Monteverde and the always impressive cloud forest. You may even get to see the elusive Quetzal.
Finally we end the journey on the Pacific coast at the stunningly beautiful Manuel Antonio. This is the smallest national park in Costa Rica and you can see Capuchin, Howler, and Squirrel Monkeys, sloths, iguanas, agoutis, and hundreds of species of birds before hitting one of the park’s beautiful beaches.
This private tour of Costa Rica is great value for money but it also manages to packs an great deal into the 15 days.
Day 1 - Arrival in Costa Rica!
After your arrival at the airport and the migrations process, proceed through baggage claim and customs to the airport exit, where our airport guide will already be waiting for you. They will provide you with your travel documents and answer any of your questions. Finally, a collective transfer will bring you to your city hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to unwind and get a good night's rest before tomorrow's adventure begins.
Overnight at the Hotel Colonial**
Included meals today: None
Included fees/tours: None
Day 2 - Puerto Viejo de Limón
This morning you have the opportunity to get to know the capital San José, affectionately called Chepe by the Ticos, on your own. Stroll through the lively central market and watch the Ticos do their daily shopping for tropical fruits, vegetables and herbs. Afterwards, we recommend you stroll along the lively Avenida 2 to the Plaza de la Cultura and the National Theatre and on to the National Museum and the modern Parliament building. Finish your self-guided walking tour at Parque España and Parque Nacional, the beautiful tropical oasis in the middle of the city centre. In the afternoon, a collective transfer picks you up at the city hotel and takes you through the Braulio Carrillo National Park towards the Caribbean lowlands. In the late afternoon, you arrive at the small hotel in the centre of Puerto Viejo, only a few minutes walking from the beach.
Overnight at the Posada Nena**
Included meals today: Breakfast
Included fees/tours: None
Day 3 - Puerto Viejo de Limón
A pleasant day at the beach. Enjoy the smell of the salty water, the wind caressing your hair and the gentle sound of the waves that create full relaxation and a Caribbean feeling. Of course, you'll also have plenty of time to enjoy local activities, such as beach hopping by bike, a visit to the nearby national park, the aboriginal reserve or a visit to an animal rescue centre.
Overnight at the Posada Nena**
Included meals today: Breakfast
Included fees/tours: None
Day 4 - Puerto Viejo de Limón
Another free day to spend in Puerto Viejo, the land of the stress and hassle-free holiday.
Overnight at the Posada Nena**
Included meals today: Breakfast
Included fees/tours: None
Day 5 - Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí
Before midday, a collective transfer will pick you up at the hotel and, within 4 hours, bring you to your next destination. The area around Sarapiquí is well-known for its authentic Costa Rican lifestyle and the numerous activities visitors enjoy doing here, such as horseback riding, rafting tour, chocolate tours, bat tours, pineapple tours and much more.
Overnight at the Tirimbina Lodge**
Included meals today: Breakfast
Included fees/tours: None
Day 6 - Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí
This is an epic day off to enjoy doing whatever you feel like doing. You may become a keen observer of nature while strolling around this magical place and with a bit of luck, expect to catch a glimpse of the lively monkeys, sloths, coatis and of the numerous species of birds.
Overnight at the Tirimbina Lodge**
Included meals today: Breakfast
Included fees/tours: None
Day 7 - La Fortuna & Arenal Volcano
After 1 ½ hours, you will arrive at the region known as La Fortuna, one of the most visited areas in Costa Rica thanks to the cone-shaped Arenal Volcano and several other attractions including hot springs, waterfalls, and nature trails. The small town of La Fortuna offers good facilities and serves as an excellent starting point for visiting the attractions in the Arenal region. The Arenal Volcano had its last eruption in 1968 and has been active ever since, though the level of activity varies from day to day and year to year.
Overnight at the Hotel Las Colinas del Arenal**
Included meals today: Breakfast
Included fees/tours: None
Day 8 - La Fortuna & Arenal Volcano
There are plenty of optional activities available for you today, such as a visit to the national park, the thermal springs, nature reserves, the waterfall, or take a bike or kayak tour.
Overnight at the Hotel Las Colinas del Arenal**
Included meals today: Breakfast
Included fees/tours: None
Day 9 - Rincón de la Vieja
Your journey continues to the northwest of Costa Rica to the Rincón de la Vieja volcano. The landscape and climate of this rural area are very different from those of La Fortuna, further demonstrating the diversity of Costa Rica's microclimates.
Overnight at the Casa Rural Aroma del Campo**
Included meals today: Breakfast
Included fees/tours: None
Day 10 - Rincón de la Vieja
Enjoy the paradisiacal nature and breathtaking views of the Guanacaste region and the Pacific coast. The slopes of the massive volcano are covered by tropical fairytale forests, part of the Rincón de la Vieja National Park. Popular activities in the area include white-water rafting in kayaks, hiking, outdoor spas, bubbling mud pits, waterfalls, canopy tours and horseback riding.
Overnight at the Casa Rural Aroma del Campo**
Included meals today: Breakfast
Included fees/tours: None
Day 11 - Monteverde
Today, the next collective transfer takes you up into the cloud forest of Monteverde. Enjoy the drive with magnificent views over the Gulf of Nicoya, until you reach your rustic but quite cosy hotel near the village of Santa Elena in Monteverde.
Overnight at the Hotel Cala Lodge**
Included meals today: Breakfast
Included fees/tours: None
Day 12 - Monteverde
Enjoy relaxing walks under the jungle canopy and try to spot as many of the 400 native bird species as possible. Recharge your batteries amidst the fairytale cloud forest and enjoy the magical sight of the evergreen mountains. The invitingly fresh weather is perfect for the various activities you can choose from here: hiking, suspension bridges, butterfly gardens, a visit to the snake museum or the hummingbird gallery, four-wheel drive tours, coffee tours and much more!
Overnight at the Hotel Cala Lodge**
Included meals today: Breakfast
Included fees/tours: None
Day 13 – Quepos & Manuel Antonio
As a highlight at the end of your roundtrip, we will take you to the Central Pacific in order to enjoy one of the most beautiful beaches in the country and its national park. Although Manuel Antonio is one of the smallest parks in Costa Rica, it is also one of the most popular destinations for both tourists and nationals. The park protects 1938ha of rainforest area and some of its bordering beautiful beaches. On the trails inside the park, you will have the chance to observe exotic birds and other tropical animals. Maybe you even bump into the rare squirrel monkey!
Overnight at the Hotel Manuel Antonio Park**
Included meals today: Breakfast
Included fees/tours: None
Day 14 - Quepos & Manuel Antonio
The day is at your leisure, and location is everything here. We have booked a simple but perfectly located hotel for you, only 100m from the entrance to the national park. From here you can reach the beaches in the national park as well as the beaches in front of the national park in a few minutes on foot.
Please note: The National Park is closed on Tuesdays and the entrance ticket must be booked in advance via the website www.sinac.go.cr
Overnight at the Hotel Manuel Antonio Park**
Included meals today: Breakfast
Included fees/tours: None
Day 15 - Manuel Antonio to San José
Optionally, you may extend your stay on the beach or drive back to the Central Valley. The trip ends around noon at the international airport.
Included meals today: Breakfast
Included fees/tours: None
Departure Dates
This itinerary can be scheduled to depart at anytime of year.
Price - from £1260 per person (based on two people sharing) excluding international flights
This tour can be tailor-made to your exact requirements. Contact us for details
Government Travel Safety Advice
We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice. Please refer to the COVID-19 entry requirements page for any country-specific conditions of entry.
Visa and Passport Information
Costa Rica: Citizens from the UK, US, Canada and most EU countries do not require a visa for a stay up to 90 days. Citizen of Australia, New Zealand and the Republic of Ireland do not require a visa for stays up to 30 days. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
USA: (including those in transit) Citizens of the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and passport holders from several EU countries can enter the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) - where you apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation), which applies if you enter the country by sea or by air. This must be done on line - https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov no later than 72 hours prior to travel. Travellers who have not registered before their trip are likely be refused boarding.
You must have an electronic passport with a digital chip containing biometric information about the passport owner. UK passports which are biometric feature a small gold symbol (camera) at the bottom of the front cover.
If you have visited Iraq, Syria, Iran or Sudan since 2011 or are dual nationals of these countries, you cannot travel with an ESTA and instead you will need to apply for a visa from the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. If you are unable to provide a valid visa before boarding flights to the US, or entering via another method, you may not be permitted to travel.
Please note for your ESTA application you will be required to supply Point of Contact information. This will be listed on your final documentation which you will receive approximately 3 weeks before departure. If you are leaving for the USA before this, please call our team to get this information. (Not necessary if in transit)
For further information please check out the US embassy website. Visa applications - http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/apply.html
Canada: An electronic travel authorisation (ETA) is required by British citizens transiting via Canada. For more information see the official Canadian government website: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta.asp
Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office.
Vaccinations
There is nothing compulsory for the escorted tour of Costa Rica. However, we do recommend protection against typhoid, infectious hepatitis and polio. Please consult your travel clinic for the latest advice on Malaria, Dengue and Zika Virus. Please take preventative measures to avoid mosquito bites - these include mosquito repellent as well as long trousers and long sleeve shirts to cover up when necessary.
Please note many countries in Central America, South America and the Caribbean require a yellow fever vaccination certificates if travelling from infected areas. A detailed list of these countries can be found on the NaTHNaC website - http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure.
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of booking with Our Local tour that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities.
Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy.
What to bring on your Costa Rica on a Budget Tour
Clothing
Lightweight clothing is essential in midsummer however a warmer jumper is advisable for cooler evenings in the highlands (especially in Monteverde). A good waterproof is essential, and you should consider waterproof trousers. The jungle lowlands are hot and muggy, and it can rain at any time of year. Long trousers and long-sleeved shirts are recommended on jungle walks. There is a laundry available in most hotels..
Footwear
Lightweight trail/walking boots for jungle walks, comfortable shoes/trainers and sandals. Waterproof footware is recommended.
Luggage while on your tour
Please allow yourself one main piece of luggage and a day-sack. Remember, you are expected to carry your own baggage, so don't overload yourself, a soft wheely bag may be easier to manage than a suit case.
Equipment
We recommend a sunhat, sunscreen, a torch, insect repellent and a waterbottle. Binoculars are essencial for bird and animal spotting. A solar charger for your phone and other electronics is a good idea.
Tipping
Tipping isn't compulsory, and we work hard to ensure that our local guides all receive a fair wage. However, you might want to recognise if your guide has done a great job or really added to your trip by giving them a tip. We're often asked about the recommended amount. It's a tricky one, and down to personal preference, but we'd recommend between £15 to £20 per person per week as a guideline.
Tour Kitty
Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. In order to make things easier for you, your guide may organise a group tips kitty for included activities and meals and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the tour. Accordingly, you should allow US$ 30 , approx. 18'000 Colones for this. For all non-included services and meals on your trip please tip independently at your discretion.
Local currency in Costa Rica
Costa Rican Colon (CRC) - for an idea of exchange rates, please see www.xe.com
You can choose to either change your money in advance or on arrival at the airport, where there are both ATMs and Bureau de Change. USD are accepted in some shops and restaurants. We recommend you take some emergency cash in USD as the GBP exchange isn’t very good. Notes should be in good condition otherwise they may not be accepted.
ATMs can be found in the major towns and cities for cash withdrawals in Colones. Always have some cash back up as they are not always reliable.
Credit card are widely accepted in many shops and restaurants but some may be subject to a service charge.
Food and drink
The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more.
Lunch price - £13 / Dinner price - £13 / Beer price - £3 / Water price - £1.3
