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Wildlife Encounters

Costa Rica's Garden of Eden

Costa Rica

11 nights 22 Departures Available

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Costa Rica is renowned for its eco-ethos, unparalleled biodiversity, untamed wilderness of jungles, rivers and rainforests, and undiluted tranquillity

Overview

A magnificent masterpiece of nature, Costa Rica is a wild kaleidoscope of colour, from coast to coast, from the dazzling plumage of tropical birds to the dizzying heights of cloud forest canopies, from brooding volcanoes to starlight vigils on the beaches of green sea turtles, and from tangled jungles to the cultivated acres of coffee, cacao, and cardamom plantations. Our tour begins in the country’s cultural hub,

San José, home to about a third of Costa Rica’s population, and considered one of the safest cities in Latin America. On the Caribbean shore, we travel by boat to the sandbar of Tortuguero, a marshland maze of waterways, inaccessible by road; then inland to experience the astonishing biodiversity of Sarapiqui; continue to the Pacific west to bathe in hot springs in the foothills of the Arenal Volcano. Enjoy canopy walks in cloud forests, sharing the treetops with Costa Rica’s quetzals.

Highlights

  • Tortuguero National Park
  • La Selva Biological Station
  • Hot springs visit
  • Monteverde cloud forest
  • View the impressive Arenal Volcano
  • Wildlife spotting in the Carara area
Central America's Garden Of Eden Map 2024

Itinerary

Day 1 - Fly to San José

Fly from your chosen airport to San José and transfer to the Park Inn Hotel or similar for a two-night stay.

Day 2 - Enjoy a morning tour before an afternoon at leisure

A tour this morning visits the National Theatre and the Gold and Jade museums. Afternoon at leisure for independent exploration.
(B)

Day 3 - Transfer to Tortuguero and visit the Sea Turtle Conservancy Museum

Drive, via the rainforest landscapes of Braulio Carrillo National Park, to the Caribbean coast, where Tortuguero is truly off the beaten track. There is no road to this watery wonderland where marshes meet the ocean, so we continue by boat to Tortuguero for a welcome drink and lunch. Enjoy an afternoon visit to the Sea Turtle Conservancy Museum, to learn about the habitats and different turtle species which nest on local beaches. Spend two nights at Evergreen Lodge or similar.
(B, L, D)

Day 4 - Enjoy a morning walk, with an evening cocktail experience

Morning walk through the tropical forest. Afternoon at leisure in Tortuguero National Park. Enjoy a Unique Experience evening cocktail.
(B, L, D)

Day 5 - Travel to Sarapiqui for a cookery class and naturalist talk

Transfer by boat to Caño Blanco or La Pavona and continue by road to Sarapiqui. Enjoy a cookery class and an evening talk by your naturalist guide. Two nights at La Quinta de Sarapiqui or similar. 
(B, L)

Day 6 - Enjoy a morning walk with the afternoon at leisure

Morning naturalist guide walk, in La Selva Biological Station Reserve, home to almost half of Costa Rica’s 850 species of birds, and howler monkeys to Mexican porcupines, tree frogs, sloths, little agoutis, and white-nosed coatis. Afternoon at leisure
(B)

Day 7 - Transfer to Arenal and enjoy the local hot springs

Drive to Arenal Volcano, the soaring symmetrical cone currently ‘resting’, after forty years of fiery
emissions finally petered out in 2010; and bathe in the hot springs of Ecotermales La Fortuna. Overnight at Volcano Lodge or similar.
(B, D)

Day 8 - Travel to Monteverde for a walking tour

Travel (3 hrs) traversing the scenic Tilarán Mountains to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Miles of trails are excellent birdwatching opportunities for collared redstarts, silver-throated tanagers. Enjoy an afternoon tour of walkways bridges built high in the tree canopy. Two nights at the Poco a Poco Hotel or similar. 
(B)

Day 9 - Explore the local trails before a guided night walk

Explore Monteverde’s trails on a guided walk and enjoy some time at leisure before a night walk in the grounds of the lower altitude Bosque Eterno de Los Niños (Children’s Eternal Rainforest).
(B)

Day 10 - Travel to Turrubares

Travel to the Carara area, its unique ecosystems providing the habitats for armadillos and amphibians,
parakeets, kingfishers and keel-billed toucans, and huge numbers of scarlet macaws. Overnight in the unspoilt hills of Turrubares, at Macaw Lodge or similar. 
(B)

Day 11 - Transfer to San José for your flight home

Transfer to San José for the return overnight flight to London.
(B)

Day 12 - Arrive home

Morning arrival at your chosen airport.

Notes:

This is a full itinerary with some uneven surfaces.

The extension is not available for the 2nd September 2025 departure.

Reviews

Unique Experience

Accommodation

Here is a list of the accommodation you can stay in for this tour. Occasionally we use alternative hotels, or have a choice of hotels to choose from which will be detailed when booking.

Park Inn, San Jose, Costa Rica, Exterior

Park Inn - San Jose

This new hotel is a short walk from downtown and the main avenue of Paseo Colon in San Jose. Bar, restaurant, pool and 117 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, mini-bar, coffee maker and satellite TV.

Evergreen Lodge, Tortuguero, Costa Rica, Hotel Exterior

Evergreen Lodge - Tortuguero

The lodge is located in an ideal position, just a 5 minute boat ride from the entrance of Tortuguero National Park. Restaurant, pool, WiFi (chargeable) and 55 rooms with fans.

La Quinta De Sarapiqui, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica, Exterior

La Quinta de Sarapiqui - Sarapiqui

Located on the edge of a river, set in organic gardens and surrounded by 10 acres of trails, in the Northern Lowlands of Costa Rica. Restaurant, WiFi (free) and 28 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer and safe.

Volcano Lodge, Arenal, Costa Rica, Swimming Pool View

Volcano Lodge - Arenal

A 3-star hotel at the foot of Arenal Volcano, admist tropical gardens with restaurant, bar, pool, WiFi (free). 62 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, coffee making facilities and satellite TV.

Poco A Poco, Monteverde, Costa Rica, Exterior

Poco a Poco - Monteverde

Situated in the mountains of Monteverde. Spa, pool and WiFi (free). 30 rooms with hairdryer, coffee making facilities and satellite TV.

Macaw Lodge, Turrubares, Costa Rica, Exterior

Macaw Lodge - Turrubares

An authentic eco haven with an abundance of bird life, in the hills of Cerros de Turrubares and situated near to Carara National Park. Restaurant, gardens, lounge and WiFi (free). 12 rooms with fans.

Optional Extras

Customize your tour by adding optional excursions or extend your journey with our curated add-on extensions.

Extension Options

Sloth, Costa Rica

Manuel Antonio Extension

Stay four nights with breakfast in sea view rooms at the stunningly located and beautifully decorated 4-star Hotel Parador in Manuel Antonio National Park combining idyllic white sand beaches with wonderful wildlife. 

Stay Extra Nights...

Add extra nights to your tour at the starting or ending hotel.

- Travel Guide -

You can find out more about the country on the travel guide.

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