Costa Rica Tours
Escorted Tour of Costa Rica
A 13 day tour with a focus on the best sustainable tourism in Costa Rica.
Tour Overview
Set off on an extraordinary 13-day adventure through Costa Rica, a country renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and vibrant culture. Your journey begins in Turrialba, where you'll soak in the tranquil charm of rural Costa Rican life. Explore the striking Irazú Volcano and discover the artistry behind coffee production at Aquiares Estate, all set against a backdrop of lush landscapes.
In Tortuguero, the serene waterways and abundant national park wildlife promise unforgettable encounters. Navigate through jungle-lined canals, visit a sea turtle conservation centre, and unwind in the heart of this tropical paradise. The adventure continues in Sarapiquí, where you'll learn about sustainable farming practices and engage in the traditional art of chocolate making. A warm homestay with a local family offers a personal glimpse into the essence of Costa Rican rural life.
The iconic Arenal Volcano awaits you in La Fortuna, where you can hike ancient lava flows and enjoy the region's stunning beauty. Monteverde's mystical cloud forests, bursting with biodiversity, provide a haven for nature lovers. Walk along hanging bridges and verdant trails, uncovering hidden marvels above the forest floor.
As your journey draws to a close, visit Carara National Park, famous for its scarlet macaws and diverse ecosystems, before arriving in Manuel Antonio. Here, unspoiled beaches and vibrant coral reefs invite you to relax or partake in adventures, from snorkelling to exploring nearby reserves.
With knowledgeable guides and immersive experiences at every turn, this tour unveils Costa Rica's heart and soul, leaving you with lasting memories of its stunning landscapes, rich culture, and warm hospitality.
Day By Day
Your Itinerary
DAY 1
Welcome to Costa Rica
Welcome to Costa Rica! You will arrive in the afternoon and be met at the airport by your English-speaking guide, who will take you to the hotel for the first two nights in Turrialba. Your guide will give you a detailed explanation of the tour and important complementary information for your enjoyment. Turrialba is a quiet small town, an authentic Costa Rican place which offers charming street corners and gorgeous views of Costa Rica's rural countryside.
Overnight in Hotel Guayabo Lodge, Turrialba
DAY 2
Irazú Volcano and Aquiares Coffee Tour
Enjoy your breakfast before we begin the day's excursion and travel through many small villages and viewpoints over the Central Valley, ascending the Irazú Volcano – at 3,432m above sea level, on very clear days you can see both the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean (it may be quite cold up there). We then visit the Aquiares Coffee Estate, the largest continuous coffee farm in Costa Rica, Rainforest Alliance Certified since 2003 and Carbon Neutral since 2016. The tour takes you through the whole coffee production process, from cultivation to the cup, visiting a picturesque village church and a Ceiba Tree viewpoint along the way, before lunch at a local restaurant.
Overnight in Hotel Guayabo Lodge, Turrialba · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
DAY 3
Tortuguero
Very early in the morning you will be transferred to the Caribbean Lowland, passing through Braulio Carrillo National Park, with breakfast served near Guápiles. From here you join the collective Tortuguero tour, passing numerous banana plantations before boarding a boat through the impressive channels of Tortuguero to the jungle lodge, where you'll be greeted with a welcome cocktail and buffet lunch. In the afternoon, an excursion to the village of Tortuguero lets you visit the Sea Turtle Conservancy (entrance fee payable locally) and walk around the village or along the beach. Due to the limited carrying capacity of the boats, luggage allowance is restricted to 12kg per person.
Overnight in Hotel Laguna Lodge, Tortuguero · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 4
Tortuguero National Park
Today you will explore Tortuguero National Park with two boat tours – one early in the morning and another in the afternoon. With the help of your guide and boatmen, you'll spot animals such as monkeys, lizards, caimans, turtles, bats, and many bird species. You'll also explore the lodge's walking trails, with the rest of the day free to stroll through the gardens and relax by the pool.
Overnight in Hotel Laguna Lodge, Tortuguero · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 5
Tortuguero to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí
After breakfast at the lodge, you begin your return journey by boat to Caño Blanco Dock/La Pavona Dock, where your private guide and transport will transfer you near Guápiles for lunch, before continuing to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí – one of the last places you can see the endangered Green Macaw, home to several nature reserves, protected areas and national parks. Dinner is served at a local restaurant.
Overnight in La Quinta Sarapiqui Lodge · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 6
Organic Farm Tour and Santa Rosa de Pocosol
Experience the traditional process of making chocolate on a tour beginning with a short walk to a former cocoa plantation in the Tirimbina forest, learning the natural and cultural history of the cocoa tree and tasting different kinds of chocolate prepared in the traditional way. Next, visit the Gómez family at their Finca Surá in Chilamate de Sarapiquí to learn about cultivating citrus, manioc, sugarcane, pineapple and more in harmony with nature – you can even plant some pineapple seedlings yourself before a typical lunch. The day ends at the Juanilama Agro-Ecological Community, a rural village of around a hundred inhabitants, where you'll get to know a local family, learn banana-paper making, and share dinner with them.
Overnight in A family home in Juanilama Agro-Ecological Community (room with shared bathroom) · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 7
La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano
After a typical Costa Rican breakfast, take part in the daily tasks of the villagers as part of a farmers' tour, before saying goodbye to your new friends and travelling to La Fortuna, home to the Arenal Volcano – activity has decreased in recent years, but the sight of this colossus remains a natural spectacle. Dinner is served at the hotel restaurant.
Overnight in Montaña de Fuego, La Fortuna · Meals included: Breakfast, dinner
DAY 8
La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano
Start with a leisurely hike to the foot of the volcano, walking along one of the trails over the lava flow from the 1968 eruption, with the possibility of spectacular 360° viewpoints over the Arenal Volcano and Lake. The afternoon is at your leisure to explore La Fortuna, one of the most complete destinations in the area, offering adventure activities such as canopy tours, rafting, safari, horseback riding, rappelling and cycling, alongside nature walks, caverns, waterfalls and suspension bridges.
Overnight in Montaña de Fuego, La Fortuna · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 9
Monteverde
After breakfast you transfer from La Fortuna to Monteverde, a destination for nature lovers centred on the stunning Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, world-renowned for its biodiversity and contribution to conservation and scientific research. In the afternoon, explore the mystical cloud forest, home to more than 130 species of mammals, 500 species of birds, 120 species of amphibians and reptiles, and over 3,000 plant species including 500 types of orchid.
Overnight in Hotel Montaña Monteverde · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 10
Monteverde
Today's tour takes you to Selvatura Park, a nature and adventure park protecting over 850 acres of the Monteverde cloud forest, offering a butterfly garden, sloth sanctuary, hummingbird garden and reptile museum, and famous for its hanging bridges connecting nature trails over the forest canopy. Your expert naturalist guide will point out the flora and fauna of the highest level of the forest. The afternoon is at your leisure.
Overnight in Hotel Montaña Monteverde · Meals included: Breakfast, dinner
DAY 11
Carara National Park and Manuel Antonio
Leaving Monteverde, visit Carara National Park, protecting 4,700 hectares of rainforest and river habitat, with hiking trails and boat tours on the Tarcoles River, home to large crocodiles – the park protects an abundance of wildlife including armadillos, sloths, monkeys and anteaters, though most visitors come for the birdwatching, especially the breeding scarlet macaws. You continue to Manuel Antonio, where after checking in at your beach hotel, your private guide and driver will say goodbye and return to San José.
Overnight in Hotel Villas Lirio, Manuel Antonio · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 12
Manuel Antonio
Today is a full day at leisure with no activities included – enjoy the sun, waves and sea breeze, or choose from activities including fishing, canopy tours, visits to national parks and biological reserves, swimming, diving and surfing. Please note the National Park is closed on Tuesdays and the entrance ticket must be booked in advance via the park's own website.
Overnight in Hotel Villas Lirio, Manuel Antonio · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 13
Manuel Antonio to Juan Santamaría International Airport
After breakfast your trip comes to an end as a bus with a Spanish-speaking driver picks you up early in the morning from your hotel in Manuel Antonio and takes you to the international airport. Please book a flight that departs after 16:00 – for earlier departures, please check with us as additional transfer fees may apply.
Interested in this tour?
Enquire About the Escorted Tour of Costa Rica
Tell us a little about what you’re looking for and one of our travel experts will get back to you.
Know Before You Go
Included & Excluded
What’s Included
Arrival and departure transfers
Transport throughout
All accommodation as shown or of a similar quality
Daily breakfast, plus lunch and dinner as shown in the itinerary
Services of a local expert English speaking guide
Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary
What’s Not Included
International travel to the start point – contact us for information and flight options
Any airport taxes
Travel insurance
Any visa requirements
Drinks
Items of a personal nature
Tour Map
Book With Confidence
Dates & Prices
A minimum of 3 people is required for the tour to run, with a maximum of 12. This tour is also available as a private departure – contact us for details.
Prices shown are per person, based on double or twin room occupancy. Get in touch if you’d like to check availability or discuss a private departure on different dates.
Good to Know
Travel Information
Safety, Passport, Visa and Health Information
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 for Costa Rica.
Citizens from the UK, US, Canada and most EU countries do not require a visa for a stay up to 90 days. Citizens 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, and you should confirm all visa-related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
There are no compulsory vaccinations for this tour, though we recommend protection against typhoid, infectious hepatitis and polio. Please consult your travel clinic for the latest advice on Malaria, Dengue and Zika Virus, and take preventative measures to avoid mosquito bites, including repellent and long trousers/sleeves when necessary. Many countries in Central America, South America and the Caribbean require a yellow fever vaccination certificate if travelling from infected areas – please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure.
It is a condition of booking with Our Local Tour that you have adequate valid travel insurance, fully covering medical expenses and emergency repatriation, including medical emergency helicopter evacuation, for the entire duration of your holiday and all activities you intend to undertake, including optional activities.
What to Bring
Lightweight clothing is essential in midsummer, though 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, so long trousers and long-sleeved shirts are recommended on jungle walks. Lightweight trail/walking boots are ideal for jungle walks, alongside comfortable shoes/trainers and sandals – waterproof footwear is recommended.
Please allow yourself one main piece of luggage and a day-sack – you're expected to carry your own baggage, so don't overload yourself; a soft wheely bag may be easier to manage than a suitcase. We also recommend a sunhat, sunscreen, a torch, insect repellent, a water bottle, and binoculars for bird and animal spotting, plus a solar charger for your phone and other electronics.
While You're There
Tipping isn't compulsory, and we work hard to ensure our local guides all receive a fair wage – but you might want to recognise a job well done with a tip, and we'd recommend between £15 to £20 per person per week as a guideline. Your guide may also organise a voluntary group tips kitty for included activities and meals, for which we'd suggest allowing around US$30 (approx. 18,000 Colones).
The Costa Rican Colón (CRC) is the local currency – you can change money in advance or on arrival at the airport, where there are both ATMs and a Bureau de Change. USD are accepted in some shops and restaurants, and we recommend taking some emergency cash in USD as the GBP exchange rate isn't very good; notes should be in good condition or they may not be accepted. Credit cards are widely accepted in many shops and restaurants, though some may add a service charge.
Ready to Book or Need More Information?
Get in touch with our expert travel consultants now. We can help you with tailormade options, best times to travel and much more.