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Peregrine Travel Centre

Simply Costa Rica

Simply Costa Rica

From $ 1,750 AUD

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Description

Build your ideal adventure in Costa Rica on this 11-day trip where the must-see highlights are covered and there’s plenty of time to do more of what you love. Whether you want to get active with some stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Arenal, relax on a sunset cruise in Manuel Antonio or see as much of the incredible local wildlife as you can on night-time nature walks, your local leader will be able to point you in all the right directions. You’ll go on guided hikes in Monteverde Cloud Forest and Manuel Antonio National Park, both renowned for their rich biodiversity – you might see monkeys, sloths and toucans. Laidback or jam-packed – with a light schedule and plenty of optional activities, the choice is yours.

Trip Name
Simply Costa Rica
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
11
Capacity
18
Highlights
  • Explore the misty Monteverde Cloud Forest on a guided wildlife walk with your local leader. Be sure to keep an eye out for the elusive and rare Resplendent quetzal.
  • Experience this incredible country’s highlights the way you want and choose the optional activities that interest you most, whether that’s a hanging bridge walk, ziplining, volcano hikes, hot spring soaks or a coffee and chocolate tour.
  • Make the most of your local leader’s expertise to help you customise your adventure and find authentic local experiences. With cultural insights and all the best recommendations, your leader will be ready to point you in all the right directions.
  • Traverse the jungle-fringed waterways of the Caribbean Coast to reach Tortuguero – a region abundant in wildlife like turtles, howler monkeys and more than 200 species of tropical birds.
  • Wander the trails and beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park with an entry ticket included in your trip price – this is one of the best places to spot sloths in the wild!

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. Your adventure begins in San Jose – the country’s vibrant capital, set in the Central Valley. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive with time to spare, maybe visit the Central Market, where you can browse traditional wares for the perfect keepsake or sample some street food – how about an empanada or some fresh, tropical fruit like peach palm or guanabana. After the meeting, consider joining your group for an optional welcome dinner to get to know each other over some delicious Costa Rican dishes.
Day 2 - Tortuguero
Depart San Jose early this morning and begin your journey through the lush Caribbean lowlands to the wildlife-rich village of Tortuguero. Drive to the port at La Pavona, then hop aboard a boat. Continue to your lodge, located in the heart of this biodiverse region where the rainforest lines the coast. Check in and settle into your room, then the rest of your day is free. There's the option to go on a turtle nesting tour later this evening – a portion of the cost of this activity goes towards supporting a program to patrol the beach for poachers, helping to keep the turtles and their eggs safe. Otherwise, you can simply relax at your accommodation.
Day 3 - Tortuguero
Spend a whole free day uncovering the natural beauty of Tortuguero at your own pace. Established in 1970, Tortuguero National Park is home to some of Costa Rica’s most endangered mammals, including manatees, ocelots and jaguars. At different points throughout the year, green turtles, hawksbill turtles, loggerhead turtles and leatherback turtles all nest here. If you’re up for an early start, you could take a canoe trip through the park’s winding canals at sunrise and watch the rainforest come alive. Or, you could have a leisurely start to the day and go on a guided boat tour of the canals later in the day, where you can spot wildlife with a local guide who can share their expert insights with you.
Day 4 - La Fortuna
Continue to the small town of La Fortuna, where Arenal Volcano rises dramatically over the landscape. When you arrive, there might be some free time for you to get your bearings in town or take part in an optional activity. You could go stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Arenal or, if you’d rather kick back and relax, you could visit the Ecotermales Hot Springs and unwind in the geothermal waters.
Day 5 - La Fortuna
Choose your own adventure in La Fortuna today – ask your leader about the range of optional activities on offer. You might like to visit La Fortuna Waterfall – which is a lofty 70 m tall – for a swim, go kayaking on Lake Arenal or go on a wildlife boat tour through the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, home to the Gaspar fish, jaguars, pumas and river otters. You could also explore Arenal Volcano with a hike along the Arenal 1968 Trail to see the lava flows and viewpoints looking out towards the volcano’s peak. Or, if you’re looking for epic views over the rainforest from a different perspective, you could go for a guided tour along the hanging bridges at Mistico Park.
Day 6 - Monteverde
Venture into the misty highlands of Monteverde today. You’ll drive to Lake Arenal, then take a shared boat to Monteverde – famous for its cloud forest. When you arrive, settle into your accommodation, then get stuck into exploring this fascinating ecosystem. You could go on a coffee and chocolate tour or maybe visit the Children’s Eternal Rainforest – an Intrepid Foundation partner, this private reserve protects 22,600 ha of rainforest and has 28 km of hiking trails to explore. Tonight, consider going on a night walk to spot nocturnal wildlife in the cloud forest. You might see caimans, sloths, kinkajous, margays and porcupines.
Day 7 - Monteverde
Join your leader for a nature walk through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve this morning. Look for hummingbirds, quetzals, monkeys and sloths among the misty landscape along the way. Then, it’s time to choose your own adventure for the rest of the day. You could visit the Butterfly Garden and Insects Farm, or you could get your adrenaline fix on a zipline adventure through the canopy. There’s also the option to go on another wildlife tour to see more fauna and flora.
Day 8 - Quepos
Leave the highlands and travel to the Pacific Coast to arrive in the relaxed seaside town of Quepos. Check into your accommodation, then you’ll have a free afternoon – maybe explore the town, take a local bus down to the beach in Manuel Antonio and kick back on the sand with a good book or ask your leader for the best local restaurants to try some fresh seafood. There’s also the option to go kayaking through the mangroves on Damas Island. This evening, maybe go on a sunset cruise and watch the sky transform from blue to orange.
Day 9 - Quepos
Take a local bus to Manuel Antonio National Park, famous for the impressive biodiversity of its rainforest, coral reefs and beaches. Hike along trails with your leader, where you’re likely to see monkeys swinging overhead and sloths dozing in the treetops. Spend the rest of the day going for a swim, spotting more wildlife or relaxing on the beach before returning to your accommodation for the evening.
Day 10 - San Jose
Return to San Jose today, where you’ll have a free afternoon to see the parts of the city you might’ve missed at the start of your trip. If history is your thing, maybe head to the Gold Museum to see the collection of Indigenous gold art, or you could do some people-watching in the Plaza de la Cultura. Make sure to ask your trip leader for recommendations on how to make the most of the final full day of your adventure. Tonight, maybe gather your group for a farewell dinner and toast to a trip well-travelled.
Day 11 - San Jose
With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end. 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
15-08-202725-08-2027AUD $ 1,750-
17-10-202727-10-2027AUD $ 1,750-
07-11-202717-11-2027AUD $ 1,750-
21-11-202701-12-2027AUD $ 1,750-
12-12-202722-12-2027AUD $ 1,750-
26-12-202705-01-2028AUD $ 1,750-
09-01-202819-01-2028AUD $ 1,750-
23-01-202802-02-2028AUD $ 1,750-
06-02-202816-02-2028AUD $ 1,750-
20-02-202801-03-2028AUD $ 1,750-
12-03-202822-03-2028AUD $ 1,750-
16-04-202826-04-2028AUD $ 1,750-
14-05-202824-05-2028AUD $ 1,750-
23-07-202802-08-2028AUD $ 1,750-
20-08-202830-08-2028AUD $ 1,750-
22-10-202801-11-2028AUD $ 1,750-
12-11-202822-11-2028AUD $ 1,750-
26-11-202806-12-2028AUD $ 1,750-
17-12-202827-12-2028AUD $ 1,750-
31-12-202810-01-2029AUD $ 1,750-

Accommodation

Hotel (8 nights), Lodge (2 nights)

Transport

Private vehicle, Public Transportation, Boat

Map

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