Classic Costa Rica

Suggested Itinerary

Overview

Sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Caribbean on the other, the Costa Rican slice of the continent hosts an impressive array of flora and fauna spread out across volcanic mountains, lush cloud forest and pristine coastline. Rightly proud of their natural heritage, Costa Ricans have led the way when it comes to eco and nature-based tourism, creating an ecological playground prime for walks, water sports and wildlife spotting.

Home to the largest swathes of protected ...

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TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Suggested Itinerary

This is a suggested itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes, or build a trip from scratch.

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Day 1 Arrive San José – Poas Volcano

Day 1 Arrive San José – Poas Volcano

On arrival to San Jose, you’ll be met at the airport by your private guide and driver who will take care of you for the duration of your holiday. Immediately departing the capital, the first stop on your itinerary will be the fresh mountain heartlands around Poas Volcano in Costa Rica’s Central Valleys. The transfer from the airport takes around an hour, after which you’ll have the rest of the day to recover from the flight in your cosy mountain lodge.

Poas Volcano Lodge

Day 2 Poas Volcano – Arenal: Volcano Trails

Day 2 Poas Volcano – Arenal: Volcano Trails

Today beings with a powerful introduction to Costa Rica’s renowned natural treasures. Spend the morning in the company of dominating Poas Volcano, boasting one of the widest active craters in the world. After capturing the iconic photo from the viewpoint above its brilliantly turquoise crater lake, you can then begin exploring the various lagoon-dotted walking trails around the national park. Have a browse of the information centre on the way back before continuing on to your next hotel set amongst lush, hot spring-laden greenery within the shadow of the country’s most famous volcano, Arenal.

Arenal Springs
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 Arenal: Kayak, Organic Lunch & Wildlife Rescue

Day 3 Arenal: Kayak, Organic Lunch & Wildlife Rescue

You’ll be taken away from the crowds around Arenal to instead begin the day with a soothing early morning kayak down a calm stretch of river, providing a peaceful way to actively take in the surrounding natural beauty. After, head over to an organic farm close by for a lesson in sustainable farming before sitting down to a nourishing farm-to-table lunch. Stop at a wildlife rescue centre on the way back to town to see some of the animals found in the surrounding forests and hear about the great conservation and rehabilitation work the locals and government are doing. The afternoon is then free to enjoy the hotel and the area’s hot springs.

Arenal Springs
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 Arenal – Monteverde: Across Lake Arenal

Day 4 Arenal – Monteverde: Across Lake Arenal

Saying goodbye to Arenal, this morning you’ll take a scenic boat ride across Lake Arenal, the country’s largest and most important lake created in 1974 to provide hydroelectric energy. Enjoy serene views during the transfer as the majestic Arenal Volcano, initially towering over the forested Tilaran Mountain Range, slowly shrinks in size as you move further away from it. A variety of wetland birds such as king fishers, fly catchers and waders can also usually be spotted in and around the lake until you reach the other side continuing the journey on land through verdant valley forests to your next stop, the town of Santa Elena, adjacent to the Monteverde Cloud Forest.

Monteverde Country Lodge
Breakfast

Day 5 Monteverde: Cloud Forest Hike & Coffee Tour

Day 5 Monteverde: Cloud Forest Hike & Coffee Tour

With enough pristine cloud forest to go around, this morning you’ll head to a quieter, community established and administered cloud forest reserve adjacent to the more famous Monteverde Cloud Forest. With much of the same nature as its neighbour, but seen by only a fraction of the visitors, this allows for a more intimate tour with greater chances of spotting wildlife. Walking through the reserve it’s possible to hear echoes of exotic birds and the booming sounds of howler monkeys. After some time for lunch and a rest back at the lodge, an afternoon coffee tour will teach you all about this famous Costa Rican export with the chance to put your newfound knowledge to a taste test.

Monteverde Country Lodge
Breakfast

Day 6 Monteverde – Manuel Antonio: Crocodiles & the Coast

Day 6 Monteverde – Manuel Antonio: Crocodiles & the Coast

Travelling down the Central Pacific coast provides the opportunity to stop beside the Tarcoles River to observe one of the largest populations of American crocodiles on the continent. Further down the road is the Carara National Park protecting the river basin, which home to one of the few remaining populations of wild scarlet macaws in the country. After a couple of hours walking through the park, you’ll cap the morning off with a lunch cooked by the lady of the house at a nearby homestay. The day then ends at your coastal hotel overlooking the Pacific Ocean with Manuel Antonio National Park as a backdrop.

Parador Boutique Resort & Spa
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7 Manuel Antonio: Hiking in the National Park

Day 7 Manuel Antonio: Hiking in the National Park

A national treasure, Manuel Antonio National Park has been voted amongst the most beautiful anywhere. Boasting one of the most impressive landscapes of any national reserve, the park is a wondrous mix of mountains and forests, beautiful coral reefs and white sand beaches. In the company of a naturalist guide, today you will set off in search of sloths and hunt for several types of non-poisonous snakes guided by birdsong echoing through the forest. The hike ends at the coast with some lounge time to enjoy some of the park’s unspoiled beaches.

Parador Boutique Resort & Spa
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8 Manuel Antonio: Free Day

Day 8 Manuel Antonio: Free Day

After a week of touring and hiking around active volcanoes and rich forests, today you’ll have a free day to spend as you like, perhaps by the pool, at the beach or back to the national park for a final dose of nature’s medicine.
*Extra active excursions such as kayaking, hiking and zip lining can also be arranged.

Parador Boutique Resort & Spa
Breakfast

Day 9 Manuel Antonio – San José

Day 9 Manuel Antonio – San José

Breakfast and a leisurely morning are followed by a transfer to the capital, where the journey ends in bustling San José, just under three hours away. One of the youngest capitals in Central America set in a fertile landscape of coffee and sugar cane plantations, San José was founded in the middle of the 18th century by order of Cabildo de León and today constitutes one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the region.

Grano De Oro
Breakfast

Day 10 Depart San José

Day 10 Depart San José

A private transfer will pick you up from the hotel and take you to San José airport today in time for your flight back home, where your adventure in Costa Rica comes to a close.

Breakfast

SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.

GUIDELINE PRICE & WHAT'S INCLUDED

10 days from £4,160

MEALS

As specified in the itinerary, sampling some of the country's finest cuisine.

TRANSPORT

Private air-conditioned vehicles with experienced, dedicated drivers.

ENTRANCE FEES

Tours and admission fees, including tickets specified in the itinerary.

EXPERT TEAM

Licensed English-speaking guides and a support team available 24/7.

ACCOMMODATION

As specified in the itinerary, using some of our favourite local properties.

WILD MILES

This tour will earn you 10854 Wild Miles

ACCOMMODATION

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Wild Miles Club

When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:

Blue More than 10,000 points 2.5% discount
Bronze More than 30,000 points 5% discount
Silver More than 45,000 points 7.5% discount
Gold More than 60,000 points 10% discount

This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.

Positive Impact of this Trip

Tree
Ten trees are planted per passenger on this trip
Community
Supports Wild Frontiers Foundation community projects
Wind Turbine
A contribution to renewable energy projects

WHEN TO GO

START PLANNING YOUR TRIP

Our team of experts have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you plan your adventure of a lifetime.

WHY WILD FRONTIERS?

Meet the expert, Richard

Richard is our Latin America expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.

Speak to Richard by calling
1(833) 200-4640

Famous, yes. Well-travelled, yes. Yet Costa Rica continues to hide eco-gems, off-path mountain lodges set in private nature reserves that share biodiversity with divine reverence.

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