Explore mangroves, volcanoes, forests and waterfalls on this adventure holiday for all the family. Visit the waterways and lagoons of Tortuguero, zipline through the tree canopy to enjoy a bird's-eye view of the rainforest, and relax on the golden beaches of the Pacific Coast.
- Enjoy a bird's-eye view of the rainforest
- See sloths hanging in the trees
- Explore the waterways of Tortuguero
- See nocturnal creatures on a night walk
- Zipline through the cloud forest
- Swim in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean
This holiday begins in San Jose where you can visit a coffee plantation and La Paz waterfall, before travelling to Tortuguero and exploring the canals and lagoons by boat, on foot and kayak, spotting the abundant wildlife that makes its home in the region.
Learn about where chocolate comes from and take a scenic boat trip across Arenal Lake for spectacular views of the volcano. Walk along hanging bridges for a bird's-eye view of the rainforest, and then you can choose to zipline through the trees of Monteverde Cloud Forest. Finally, spend a couple of days at the beach on the beautiful Tamarindo Bay on the Pacific Coast.
Typical Itinerary
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Day 1: Fly to San Jose
Daytime flight from the UK to San Jose, Costa Rica’s largest city and cultural capital.
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Day 2: Coffee Plantation & La Paz Waterfall
Today you have the option to visit a coffee plantation, travelling past flower and strawberry en route. Later you can visit La Paz Waterfalls and gardens where there are some excellent exhibits such as a hummingbird garden and butterfly observatory.
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Day 3: Braulio Carrilo National Park & Tortuguero
Travel through the Braulio Carillo Cloud Forest before boarding your boat to Tortuguero, looking out for sloths and crocodiles along the way. You visit the small but bustling village of Tortuguero in the afternoon to discover its rustic charm.
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Day 4: Tortuguero National Park
Early morning boat ride through the canals of Tortuguero. Take to the canals and mangroves in the afternoon on a superb guided kayaking tour, exploring the areas the motorboats cannot reach.
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Days 5-6 : Sarapiqui & Tirimbina Private Reserve & chocolate tour
Another morning boat ride through the canals of Tortuguero, before transferring to Sarapiqui where you visit the Tirimbina Rainforest Reserve. You have the option of various exciting river activities in the afternoon, speak to one of our travel consultants to find out more.
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Day 7: Volcán Arenal National Park
You transfer to La Fortuna for views of Arenal Volcano. This evening you have the opportunity to visit a thermal springs resort.
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Day 8: Cultural tour & hanging bridges
Choose to visit one of the most important agricultural areas in Costa Rica where your guide will explain about the area's produce. Next, learn some typical dances at a local school, before visiting the Arenal hanging bridges in the rainforest canopy this afternoon.
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Day 9: Arenal Lake boat trip & Monteverde Cloud Forest
Take a scenic boat ride across Arenal Lake, and then continue by road to Monteverde, a forest reserve with a specialised ecosystem. This evening, you go for a night walk in the forest to look for nocturnal animals.
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Day 10: Sky trek, sky tram & sky walk
You have the opportunity to enjoy amazing views as you explore the tropical forest on a mixture of ziplines, hanging bridges and trails. This evening, observe the wildlife when they are most active on a nocturnal wildlife night walk, where you could spot raccoons, sloths and armadillos.
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Day 11: Rincon de la Vieja & Rio Negro volcanic mud spa
In the early afternoon, you take a guided tour to Río Negro hot springs, which are located within the land owned by your Hacienda.
It's only a short hike to the entrance of the volcanic hot springs at Hacienda Guachipelín that bubble up on the Río Negro, naturally heated by the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, the largest and most active volcano in Guanacaste.
You can access the pools on both banks of the river thanks to two suspension bridges, and immerse yourselves to enjoy a hot volcanic mud spa treatment. When the mud dries, you can wash in the cold waters of the river before entering the thermal water pools again.
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Day 12: Optional Tubing on the Rio Negro and Transfer to the Pacific Coast
Transfer to the golden beaches of the Pacific Coast.
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Day 13: Day at leisure
You have the option of visiting some beautiful waterfalls or an exhilarating tubing trip on the Rio Negro this morning. This afternoon you transfer to the golden beaches of the Pacific Coast.
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Day 14: Return to San Jose & fly back to the UK
Today you transfer back to San Jose Airport, where you depart on an overnight flight back to the UK.
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Day 15: Arrive UK
Duration and Guide Prices
- Age Guide: 6+
- Itinerary Type: Tailor-made Holiday
When To Go
View dates and prices-
Easter
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Summer
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Xmas
Our Tailor-made Holidays
Our tailor-made trip ideas can be adapted to suit your requirements. Contact our experts for a personalised itinerary.
Next Steps
Dates & Prices
Our trip ideas are flexible and can be offered during the school holidays highlighted below or on a date of your choice. To book, make a no obligation booking request with your preferred departure date or enquire to find out more.
