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  4. Costa Rica Highlights
Days
8
Price from
2275USD
Map of Costa Rica Highlights including Costa Rica

Lush rainforests teeming with rare and exotic wildlife, misty volcanoes and gorgeous beaches are the star of this Costa Rican adventure.

Few places offer the ability to immerse yourself in nature like Costa Rica. One of the most biodiverse countries in the world, a quarter of its land is covered in protected rainforest teeming with rare and exotic wildlife. Spot sloths, toucans and elusive quetzals as you explore the misty canopy of Monteverde’s famous cloud forest. Hike the lush Manuel Antonio National Park and you just might come face-to-face with a capuchin monkey; then take to the water for a scenic sunset sail as whales and dolphins make themselves known. With ample opportunity to relax and simply take in the gorgeous scenery, this journey is all about pura vida (pure life), the Costa Rican way of life.

Start
San Jose, Costa Rica
Finish
San Jose, Costa Rica
Destination
Costa Rica
Style
Peregrine
Code
PSCH
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Costa Rica’s stunning national parks are endowed with some of the greatest flora and fauna in the world, including a number of rare and elusive species like the quetzal

  • Explore Manuel Antonio National Park in the company of one who knows it best – a local guide

  • Caffeine-lovers will enjoy learning about the coffee-making process – from crop to cup – at a family-owned farm in Monteverde. Even better, you get to sample a cup!

  • Discover untouched forests at Monteverde, widely regarded as one of the world’s most outstanding tropical cloud forests and wildlife sanctuaries

Is this trip right for you?

  • Be mindful that Costa Rica has warm conditions all year round, with March, April and May being the hottest months of the year. Remember to pack light, breathable materials, sunscreen, and layers for cooler evenings.

  • This trip involves a number of long nature walks and it’s important to consider whether these conditions will be right for you. It's advisable to have a good general level of fitness.

  • Costa Rica is perhaps the most expensive country in Central America. The price of non-included meals, drinks and activities are more in line with Western countries than Central American ones.

Explore the highlights of Costa Rica with Peregrine Adventures
Explore the Highlights of Costa Rica with Peregrine Adventures
Explore the Highlights of Costa Rica with Peregrine Adventures
Explore the highlights of Costa Rica with Peregrine Adventures
Explore the highlights of Costa Rica with Peregrine Adventures
Explore the highlights of Costa Rica with Peregrine Adventures

Itinerary
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This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 Jan 2019 to 31 Dec 2019.
 View the 2020 itinerary

Hola! Welcome to San Jose. Take an included transfer from the airport to your hotel. Your tour begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm where you’ll meet your tour leader and fellow travellers. Continue the introductions with an optional group dinner after the meeting. Costa Rica’s compact capital has plenty to offer if you arrive earlier in the day. Perhaps spend a few hours visiting the city’s impressive museums and galleries, such as the Museo de Arte y Diseno Contemporaneo (Museum of Contemporary Art and Design), considered one of the most important cultural centres in Latin America. You may opt to stroll past sculptures commemorating important moments in Costa Rica’s history at the Parque Nacional, or perhaps go shopping for souvenirs and authentic local cuisine at the Mercado Central.
Accommodation
  • Feature stay, Hotel Presidente or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
If you can't arrange a flight that will have you arrive in time for today's welcome meeting, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please have these on hand.

Today you’ll travel about an hour outside San Jose for a full day tour of Irazu Volcano and the Orosi Valley. Rising 2432 metres (11,260 feet) above sea level, Irazu is the highest active volcano in Costa Rica. The summit is gouged with several impressive craters. Mostly barren, aside from a fringe of battered bushes and trees, it has an otherworldly feel. Hope for good weather, as on a clear day you can see both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts from the top. Descend the mountain and head to the Orosi Valley for a completely different view where you’ll find lush verdant hills etched with coffee plantations, beautiful gardens, Spanish colonial buildings and the oldest functioning church in Costa Rica (Islesia Colonial de Orosi, built in 1743). En route, stop for lunch at the fabulous 1910 Restaurant where you can enjoy classic Costa Rican dishes, such as cheese tortillas and chorreadas (corn pancakes). Make sure to check out the restaurant’s collection of photographs documenting the 1910 earthquake that nearly demolished the town of Cartago, then continue to the Orosi Valley. Walk through the historic township and spend time strolling the impressive collection of orchids at Lankester Botanical Gardens, before returning to San Jose for a free evening.
Accommodation
  • Feature stay, Hotel Presidente or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Orosi Valley - Walk through historic township
  • Irazu Volcano - Walk to lookout point (Entrance fee)
  • Orosi Valley - Religious Art Museum (Entrance fee)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Depart early for the long white beaches and evergreen forests of Manuel Antonio. It’s a three to four hour bus drive from San Jose; spend this time brushing up on your Spanish via an informal lesson from your tour leader, taking in the passing scenery or simply catching some shut-eye. There’s an optional lunch you can partake in upon arrival. Otherwise, the afternoon is yours to enjoy. Perhaps relax on one of the many fine stretches of sand, or rent a surfboard and ride the waves. In the late afternoon, set off on a memorable sunset sail. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, whales and giant sea turtles!
Accommodation
  • Hotel El Faro or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Manuel Antonio - Sunset sail
  • Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Spend the day exploring Manuel Antonio National Park. Made up of 12 small islands and countless lagoons and mangrove swamps, the park is brimming with exotic wildlife. Embark on a hike with a local guide in search of cheeky monkeys, indolent sloths, endangered white-faced capuchin monkeys and hundreds of species of birds. Afterwards, you have free time to explore the park as you please. Perhaps take advantage of its beautiful turquoise seas, perfect for swimming, kayaking, sailing and fishing. Or you may opt to continue your explorations on land, in search of the 109 mammal species that call the park home.
Accommodation
  • Hotel El Faro or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Manuel Antonio - National Park (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

After breakfast, depart for the cloud forest town of Monteverde. Arrive in time for an optional lunch, then enjoy a free afternoon. This nature and wildlife lover’s paradise is ripe with possible activities. In the evening, embark on a hike through the rainforest in search of some of its nocturnal inhabitants. Some of the wildlife you might see include porcupines, toucans, owls, stick insects and even tarantulas.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Poco a Poco or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Monteverde - Night walk through Cloud Forest
  • Monteverde - Visit to Quaker Community
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. This extraordinarily diverse ecosystem is home to the largest variety of orchids in the world, big jungle cats and thousands of species of insects and birds. Embark of a guided hike on the forest floor, before coming face-to-face with the misty upper canopy while walking a series of suspension bridges hidden among the treetops. Keep an eye out for the resplendent quetzal, one of the world’s most elusive birds, during your walk. In the afternoon, learn about one of Costa Rica’s most famous exports with a visit to a family-owned coffee business. Gain insight into the coffee-making process and sample a freshly brewed cup. Also learn how sugar cane and cocoa beans are processed. The tour culminates with a chance to make your own candy.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Poco a Poco or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Monteverde - Sky Walk
  • Monteverde - Traditional trapiche tour (Sugar cane & Cocoa plantation)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Travel back to San Jose for your final day. If you were unable to explore the city before the trip began, you may want to take part in a leader-led walking tour of the main attractions in the afternoon. There’s time for some last-minute souvenir shopping at the city’s vibrant markets. In the evening, head out for a final group dinner and sampling of the city’s nightlife.
Accommodation
  • Feature stay, Hotel Presidente or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • San Jose - Leader-led walking tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Your trip has come to an end. There are no planned activities today.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle

Included Activities

  • Orosi Valley - Walk through historic township
  • Irazu Volcano - Walk to lookout point (Entrance fee)
  • Orosi Valley - Religious Art Museum (Entrance fee)
  • Manuel Antonio - Sunset sail
  • Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
  • Manuel Antonio - National Park (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
  • Monteverde - Night walk through Cloud Forest
  • Monteverde - Visit to Quaker Community
  • Monteverde - Sky Walk
  • Monteverde - Traditional trapiche tour (Sugar cane & Cocoa plantation)
  • San Jose - Leader-led walking tour

Dates & availability

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Important notes

1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm on Day 1. There are no activities planned for the final day so you may depart at any time.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
4. Please be careful when booking flights to/from San Jose; make sure you fly into/out of Juan Santamaria International Airport [SJO]. Please do NOT book flights to/from Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport [SJC] as this is located in California, United States.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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