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Peregrine Travel Centre

Premium Costa Rica: Tortuguero and Caribbean Coast

Premium Costa Rica: Tortuguero and Caribbean Coast

From $ 7,195 AUD

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Description

Immerse yourself in the landscapes and cultural traditions of Tortuguero and the Caribbean Coast on a Premium eight-day round trip in Costa Rica, starting in San Jose. See toucans, sloths and caimans on a cruise through the canals of Tortuguero National Park, then hike coastal trails in Cahuita National Park. Try your hand at traditional chocolate-making on a guided tour with a local Bribri guide and join a local family at their farm to cook Afro-Caribbean dishes in Cocles. With a Feature Stay with a private nature reserve at its doorstep, a local leader to guide you on jungle walks and village visits and a swim stop under a waterfall, an authentic adventure through glorious coast and rainforest awaits.

Trip Name
Premium Costa Rica: Tortuguero and Caribbean Coast
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
8
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Cruise through the canals of Tortuguero National Park on a river safari where you might spot sloths, iguanas and capuchin monkeys. Birdwatchers, keep an eye out for the vibrant great green macaw and keel-billed toucans.
  • Pick fresh ingredients at a permaculture farm during a Premium Exclusive Experience in the off-the-beaten-track village of Cocles – join a local family in the kitchen to cook traditional recipes and learn about Afro-Caribbean culture.
  • Visit the Bribri Indigenous Reserve to meet with the local Bribri community. Make your own artisanal chocolate using traditional techniques and visit a farm to learn about the varied uses of cacao in Bribri culture.
  • Hear the sounds of the rainforest just outside your door at your Feature Stay – Tortuga Lodge in Tortuguero. Go on a jungle walk in the lodge’s private nature reserve and enjoy a view over the Tortuguero River from your comfortable room.
  • Hike through Cahuita National Park with a naturalist guide. Walk along trails where the jungle meets the coast, then cool off with a swim at the beach.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - San Jose
Hola! Welcome to Costa Rica. When you arrive at San Jose Airport, you’ll be transferred to your hotel. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. After the meeting, join your group for a welcome dinner at Tiquicia Restaurant, where you’ll watch some traditional folkloric dancing and dine on typical Costa Rican cuisine. If you arrive in San Jose early, maybe visit the bustling Mercado Central for a glimpse of local daily life or the Museos del Banco Central, which showcases a range of visual arts and archaeological exhibitions.
Day 2 - Tortuguero National Park
This morning, take a private transfer to Cano Blanco dock, where you'll board a boat to your Feature Stay in Tortuguero for the next two nights – Tortuga Lodge. Located on a canal by Costa Rica’s northeastern shore, this lodge has a pool, gardens and its own private nature reserve – the rainforest will be at your doorstep. You'll have a view over the Tortuguero River from your comfortable room. When you arrive, check in and settle into your room. Later this afternoon, join your leader for a jungle walk in the nature reserve. See native flora and tropical wildlife – you might even see the thumbnail-sized strawberry poison dart frog. Tonight, have dinner at the lodge with your group.
Day 3 - Tortuguero National Park
Spend this morning exploring the village of Tortuguero with your leader and learn how this former hunting and fishing village became an ecotourism hub. Get a snapshot of daily life as you walk through the car-free streets past the local school, churches and small artisan shops. You’ll also pass by the local recycling centre, considered one of the most efficient community-run recycling centres in Costa Rica. This afternoon, venture out on a private boat safari through the canals of Tortuguero National Park. You might spot monkeys, toucans, caimans, turtles, iguanas and sloths as you cruise through the vibrant rainforest. This evening, there’s the option to go on a night-time turtle nesting tour on the beach (only available July to October) or to go on another jungle safari. Otherwise, you could simply relax at your lodge – there are plenty of tranquil spots to unwind in a hammock and enjoy the natural surroundings.
Day 4 - Caribbean Coast
Say farewell to Tortuguero and make your way to the southern Caribbean Coast. You’ll take a boat back to Cano Blanco dock, then drive south. On the way, stop for lunch, then visit Cahuita National Park. Here, you’ll meet a local guide for a wildlife hike where you might see sloths, monkeys and colourful reptiles as you walk along easy, flat trails where the jungle meets the beach. Your guide will use spotting scopes to help you catch sight of camouflaged sloths. You’ll also have time to relax on the sand and take a refreshing dip in the water. After, continue to your accommodation by the beach for the next three nights. The rest of your evening is free.
Day 5 - Caribbean Coast
You’ll have some free time this morning to either relax at the accommodation or do some independent exploring. Ask your leader about the optional activities on offer today – you might like to visit the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge or the Ara Manzanillo conservation project. This afternoon, follow your leader on an orientation walk in Puerto Viejo, then head south of town to visit a permaculture farm in Cocles. During this Premium Exclusive Experience, you’ll meet the local family who own the farm for a tour, picking fresh produce like yucca, herbs and tropical fruits along the way. Then, head to the kitchen, where you’ll roll up your sleeves and learn to cook some traditional local recipes. Get to know the family and learn about their cultural traditions, then tuck into your culinary creations for dinner. Next, you’ll join a local gospel music group for a presentation and history talk to give you a deeper insight into the local Afro-Caribbean culture.
Day 6 - Caribbean Coast
Visit the Bribri Indigenous Reserve to learn about the way of life of the local Bribri community. Start the day with a visit to a traditional farm, where you’ll learn about the spiritual and medicinal value of cacao in Bribri culture. Next, it’s time to get hands-on – make your own artisanal chocolate using traditional techniques which have been passed down through many generations. Continue your guided tour with a hike along trails rich with medicinal plants and natural fibres for you to observe and learn about. Hear about Bribri traditions that incorporate forest resources, including natural dyeing methods. Your hike comes to an end with a visit to a waterfall. Cool off in the clear waters, then snack on some fresh tropical fruits. Return to your accommodation for a free evening.
Day 7 - San Jose
Have a leisurely start to the day before driving back to San Jose. On the way, you’ll stop at Bici Chocolate for a guided tour and chocolate tasting, set in the mountains of San Isidro de Heredia. This chocolate factory uses bicycle-powered machines called ‘bicimaquinas’, which you can have a go at pedalling yourself. See how cacao is roasted, ground and processed to produce artisanal chocolate bars. Continue to San Jose, where you’ll head to a restaurant with your group for a farewell dinner to celebrate a trip well-travelled.
Day 8 - San Jose
With no further activities planned, your adventure comes to an end after breakfast. If you’d like to extend your stay in San Jose – and it’s highly recommended you do – just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
18-07-202725-07-2027AUD $ 7,195-
22-08-202729-08-2027AUD $ 7,195-
24-10-202731-10-2027AUD $ 7,195-
14-11-202721-11-2027AUD $ 7,195-
21-11-202728-11-2027AUD $ 7,195-
05-12-202712-12-2027AUD $ 7,195-
19-12-202726-12-2027AUD $ 8,695-
16-07-202823-07-2028AUD $ 14,260-
20-08-202827-08-2028AUD $ 14,260-
22-10-202829-10-2028AUD $ 14,260-
12-11-202819-11-2028AUD $ 14,260-
19-11-202826-11-2028AUD $ 14,260-
03-12-202810-12-2028AUD $ 14,260-
17-12-202824-12-2028AUD $ 15,745-

Accommodation

Comfortable hotel (5 nights), Feature Stay (2 nights)

Transport

Private vehicle, boat

Map

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