Escorted Package Includes
- 12 nights accommodations
- 3 nights San Jose
- 2 nights Tortuguero
- 2 nights Arenal
- 2 nights Monteverde
- 3 nights Manuel Antonio
- Hotel taxes, fees & service charges
- Hotel porterage
- All transfers included
- 21 meals: 12 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners
- Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach
- Services of English-speaking tour manager throughout
- Entrance fees per itinerary
- Comfortable wireless earphones for enhanced touring
Important Dates
A deposit of $599 is payable on booking, balance is due 60 days before departure.
get $800 off price BOOK BY 02 MAR 21 for Eds genuine special discount of $400 off per person (on top of the discounted price shown), Book this week and I will apply a $800 discount per couple. Bookings must be made with deposit paid before 5pm 02 MAR 21. Go West Travel ref DLCR480.
Special Features
Take a boat tour along the Tortuguero canals, through the heart of the Costa Rican jungle, Visit the artisan town of Sarchi and see artists in their workshops. In Arenal, view the now dormant conical-shaped Arenal Volcano. Tour a coffee plantation and enjoy a typical Costa Rican lunch. Discover the dense vegetation in the stunning Monteverde Cloud Forest. At Manuel Antonio enjoy the beach and an exuberant tropical forest
Add flights with your favourite airline. Go West Travel is an IATA registered travel agency with access to all published fares including all sale fares. A package deal can be quoted before you pay deposit.
2022 departure dates and prices (click to open)
| Start Date | Book By 02 MAR 21 | Book After 02 MAR 21 | Save up to |
| Thu, Jan 13 | $ 2299 | $ 2699 | 15% |
| Thu, Jan 27 | $ 2299 | $ 2699 | 15% |
| $ 2299 | $ 2699 | 15% | |
| Thu, Feb 24 | $ 2299 | $ 2699 | 15% |
| Thu, Mar 10 | $ 2299 | $ 2699 | 15% |
| Thu, Mar 24 | $ 2379 | $ 2769 | 14% |
| Thu, Apr 07 | $ 2299 | $ 2699 | 15% |
| Thu, Apr 21 | $ 2279 | $ 2659 | 14% |
| Thu, Sep 08 | $ 2099 | $ 2499 | 16% |
| Thu, Sep 22 | $ 2099 | $ 2499 | 16% |
| Thu, Oct 06 | $ 2099 | $ 2499 | 16% |
| Thu, Oct 20 | $ 2099 | $ 2499 | 16% |
| Thu, Nov 03 | $ 2279 | $ 2679 | 15% |
| Thu, Nov 17 | $ 2279 | $ 2679 | 15% |
| Thu, Dec 01 | $ 2279 | $ 2659 | 14% |
| Thu, Dec 15 | $ 2399 | $ 2789 | 14% |
| Thu, Dec 22 | $ 2379 | $ 2769 | 14% |
Daily Itinerary
THIS TOUR STARTS IN SAN JOSE ON THURSDAYS
DAY 1, Thursday – Depart for Costa Rica
Depart for Costa Rica. Arrive in San Jose and transfer to your hotel. Rest, relax and get ready for your adventure in eco-rich Costa Rica, often called “Pura Vida” – the country with a relaxing and happy lifestyle
Overnight: San Jose
DAY 2, Friday – Travel to Tortuguero
Depart San Jose this morning traveling east to the shores of the scenic Caribbean coast. See the lush vegetation along with acres of banana plantations, one of Costa Rica’s major exports. At a nearby port, board a motor launch that takes you to the canals in the heart of the Costa Rican jungle with their unique flora and fauna. Truly a nature lover’s paradise! Arrive at the lodge in Tortuguero in time for lunch. After, drive to the village for a walking tour. Here, learn about the significant conservation efforts developed to protect sea turtles that come to nest here each year along the 22 miles of protected coastline. Tonight, enjoy dinner at the lodge
Overnight: Tortuguero
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3, Saturday – Full Day in Tortuguero
Awaken this morning to the sounds of the jungle in one of the most remote areas of Costa Rica. Tortuguero is a magical area where the lagoons, rivers and canals are a never-ending story of marine biology. Acquaint yourself with the many tree and insect species of Costa Rica on an easy guided hike through trails in the nearby rainforest. Learn first-hand how wildlife here interacts with forest plants, thus achieving a perfect balance of each species. After lunch, a boat takes you through remote unspoiled sections of the park’s waterways on the winding canals where you’re likely to see turtles, caimans, monkeys, and many colorful tropical birds thriving in the wild. Dinner together at the lodge
Overnight: Tortuguero
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4, Sunday – Travel to San Jose
Travel by motor launch and motor coach this morning on your return to San Jose, center of Costa Rica’s best museums, including the Gold Museum and the Costa Rica Art Museum. Take the afternoon to independently explore the city. Be sure to visit the Museo Homenaje Joaquín García Monge, which features temporary exhibitions by contemporary Costa Rican and Central American artists. Perhaps, shop for handicrafts in the Central Plaza, filled with artists selling their wares. This evening, enjoy a drink and orientation meeting with your Tour Manager
Overnight: San Jose
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 5, Monday – Travel to Arenal
Morning departure for Arenal, enjoying the views of coffee and sugarcane plantations along the way. En route stop in Sarchi, an artisan town, where traditional colorful oxcarts and souvenirs can be found. Later this evening after checking into your hotel, join the group for dinner at a local restaurant in Arenal
Overnight: Arenal
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6, Tuesday – Full Day in Arenal
Spend a full day at leisure in Arenal, famous for the Arenal Volcano. As Costa Rica’s youngest volcano, it gained international notoriety in 1968 for its sudden eruption. Perhaps, spend the day on the optional Full day Cano Negro Boat Tour to learn more about the flora and fauna that inhabit the area. Tonight, enjoy an optional evening at the renowned Eco Termales Hot Springs that includes dinner
Optional: Full Day Cano Negro Boat Tour
Optional: EcoTermales Hot Springs with Dinner (PM)
Overnight: Arenal
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7, Wednesday – Arenal National Park, Travel to Monteverde Cloud Forest
In the morning, embark on a brisk two mile hike on a paved trail in Arenal National Park to learn more about the flora and fauna of the area. At the end of the trail, admire stunning views of the volcano from a lookout tower before continuing to Monteverde. Stop for lunch on your own en route to Monteverde
Overnight: Monteverde
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8, Thursday – Full Day in Monteverde
Enjoy this morning at leisure, or choose to participate in one of the optional tours including the Selvatura Canopy and Hanging Bridges adventures. This stunning Cloud Forest boasts an extraordinarily diverse ecosystem, being home to 120 species of reptiles and amphibians, 130 species of mammals, and an astounding 500 species of birds, not to mention more than 3,000 species of plants. This afternoon enjoy lunch and a tour of a traditional Costa Rican coffee farm. Learn about how one of Costa Rica’s top exports is grown in this tropical region and its importance in the socioeconomic development of the country. Tonight, dinner is at a local Monteverde restaurant
Optional: Selvatura Canopy Tour (AM)*
Optional: Selvatura Hanging Bridges (AM)*
Overnight: Monteverde
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
*Passengers can participate in both optional tours if desired
DAY 9, Friday – Travel to Manuel Antonio
Drive along the shores of the striking Pacific Coast to Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the most beautiful places in the country with an exotic combination of exquisite beaches and an exuberant tropical forest. Travel through the scenic mountains to the ocean’s shores – it’s not unusual here to see iguanas and white-faced monkeys on the beach! Arrive in the bustling town of Jaco, a surfer’s paradise, for free time to stroll and perhaps sample some of the local cuisine for lunch. Afterwards, continue to Manuel Antonio. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy all of the delights of this popular beach area. In town tonight, you’re sure to find great food, music, trendy bars and lots of activity
Overnight: Manuel Antonio
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 10, Saturday – Full Day in Manuel Antonio
Enjoy all of the pleasures of your final day in Manuel Antonio National Park. Relax at the beach while savoring the gorgeous surroundings. Consider joining the optional Catamaran Cruise that sails along the coast with picturesque views of the wildlife and vegetation. You can relax in one of the two jacuzzis, or have fun on the two giant trampolines or water slides. Time at Biesanz Beach for snorkeling while you have up-close sightings of colorful tropical fish in their natural habitat
Optional: Manuel Antonio Catamaran Cruise (AM)
Overnight: Manuel Antonio
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 11, Sunday – Manuel Antonio National Park Tour
Today, tour Manuel Antonio National Park, one of Costa Rica’s most visited conservation areas. Its large land and marine biodiversity and beautiful coral reefs make this one of the world’s most impressive natural habitats. Your Tour Manager will lead you through the paths of this tropical paradise with opportunity to discover the mangrove swamps, 109 species of mammals and 184 species of birds, beach vegetation and lagoons. Observe several species of monkeys, iguanas, and birds and possibly even the three-toed sloth. Spend the rest of the day enjoying the best of nature and the peace and tranquility. Optional adventures include diving, snorkeling, horseback riding, fishing, a canopy tour, and much more. Tonight, dinner together at one of the most popular restaurants in Manuel Antonio
Overnight: Manuel Antonio
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 12, Monday – Travel to San Jose
Today, travel back to San Jose stopping in Maravillas de Costa Rica to shop for local crafts and souvenirs to bring back home. The rest of the day is yours to explore the city independently, revisit some of the galleries and museums or linger at a lovely restaurant for dinner tonight. Perhaps, join the optional San Jose City Tour with dinner. Take a panoramic city tour of San Jose including visits to the Gold museum, where more than 1600 pre-Columbian artifacts are displayed and the National Theater, the principal jewel of San Jose. Conclude the tour with an authentic Costa Rican dinner at a popular restaurant in the city
Optional: San Jose City Tour with dinner (PM)
Overnight: San Jose
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 13, Tuesday – Depart Costa Rica
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
Featured Hotels
Accomodation used is First Class (4 Star) or Tourist Class (3 star) for all cities visited.
Hotel Holiday Inn AUROLA Downtown San Jose, San Jose
This four star hotel is located in the city center of San Jose and offers easy access to explore the city.
Hotel Evergreen, Tortuguero
This three star hotel is located nearby Tortuguero National Park.
Arenal Paraiso, Arenal
This three star hotel is located just in front of the Arenal volcano.
El Establo Hotel, Monteverde
This four star hotel is famous around the world for its rich flora and fauna, where six different ecological systems converge. El Establo is a Quaker / Costa Rican family owned lodge
Shana By The Beach – Hotel Residence & Spa, Manuel Antonio
This first class hotel overlooks the Pacific Ocean.
Optional Tours
These tours can be booked per person so if only one person in a twin share booking wants to book, that is easy.
EcoTermales Hot Springs with dinner
Day 6 $77 per person
Spend this evening relaxing in the renowned Hot Springs of Arenal. The family owned EcoTermales has four different pools ranging in temperature from 91 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit, surrounded by the local flora of the forest. Private and secluded, these hot springs are a great way to wind down after a long day of sightseeing. While there, enjoy an included traditional Costa Rican dinner.
Approximate tour duration is 4 hours.
Full Day Cano Negro Boat Tour
Day #6 $78 per person
Enjoy the peaceful sights and the sounds of the rain forest as you quietly float down the Rio Frio near the Nicaraguan border. A professional guide will share educational and interesting facts about the plants and animals encountered on the float. This area is abundant with bird species, including the Snake-Bird, Wood Storks, and Olivaceous Cormorants. Keep an eye out for the various monkey species, sloths, turtles, and caimans that live along the rivers banks. This tour also includes a typical Costa Rican lunch, along with regional fruit, juices, and coffee. Pick-up and drop-off at the hotel.
This tour is approximately a 1.5 hour drive from the hotel. Please bring sunscreen, hat, and light clothes.
Approximate tour duration is 7 hours.
Selvatura Canopy Tour
Day #8 $57 per person
Join this exciting tour to see the rainforest in a whole new way. Cross through the unique Cloud Forest’s canopy while suspended from a high weight capacity zipline cable, maneuvering between the 15 platforms and 12 cables that span over 2 miles in length, making this extreme adventure one of the longest Zipline tours in the country.
It is recommended that you wear hiking boots for this activity as you will be walking some distance through the forest between the Zipline cables. For some, this activity may be considered very strenuous and people with difficulty breathing, heart or other medical conditions, should consider not to choose this optional tour.
Approximate tour duration is 2.5-3 hours.
Selvatura Hanging Bridges Tour
Day #8 $35 per person
Enjoy a walk among the treetops on this 1.9 mile trail, which boasts 8 different bridges at heights ranging from 36 to 180 feet. The Selvatura Hanging Bridges are the longest and the strongest bridge system in the country. The hanging bridges give you the unique opportunity to see plants and animals not visible from the ground.
It is recommended that you wear hiking boots for this activity. For some, this activity may be considered strenuous and people with difficulty breathing, heart or other medical conditions, should consider not to choose this optional tour.
Approximate tour duration is 2.5 hours.
Manuel Antonio Catamaran Cruise
Day #10 $99 per person
This morning, transfer to the Quepos dock where you will board your catamaran. The tour starts in Quepos at the Modern Marina Pez Vela, where this large catamaran is already warming up with music, food and drinks. Head South around the coast and see Manuel Antonio National Park from the water. Feel free to enjoy the amenities on board including jacuzzis, resting nets, open-bar, slides, and deck chairs. You will pass by panoramas adorned with islands, cliffs and rock formations. Drop anchor at a nearby beach where you will have the opportunity to snorkel and enjoy sightings of tropical fish in their natural habitat. A light lunch and drinks are included.
Suggested items to bring: sandals, sunblock, towel, swimsuit, and Dramamine (if prone to seasickness).
This tour may run in the afternoon depending upon the tides.
Approximate tour duration is 4 hours.
*Sea conditions can be unpredictable. Due to inclement weather and/or rough seas, this tour may be canceled and refunded.
*This is not an exclusive tour and therefore you may be with passengers from other tour companies.
*While on board, passengers will be asked to remove their shoes/sandals.
San Jose City Tour with dinner
Day #12 $97 per person
Begin with a panoramic city tour of San Jose. Stop for a visit to the Gold museum,* where more than 1600 pre-Columbian artifacts are displayed, dating from 500-1500 AD. Continue to the National Theater, the principal jewel of San Jose. This ornate Neoclassical theater, was declared a National Monument in 1965. Visit the lobby with its Carrara marble floor and admire the lavish furnishings and beautiful murals. Conclude the tour with an authentic Costa Rican dinner at a popular restaurant in the city.
Approximate tour duration is 5 hours
*In the event of local holidays and unexpected closures, the visit to the Gold Museum will be substituted by an in-depth tour of the National Theater
Entry to Costa Rica (via USA)
It is your responsibility to review border requirements for entry into Guatemala and Honduras. Generally, an Australian travelling for tourism, will not require a visa to enter Costa Rica for this tour.
With a passport from Australia- A visa is not required for Costa Rica
Allowed stay: 90 days
With a passport from New Zealand- A visa is not required for Costa Rica
Allowed stay: 90 days
TRANSIT VIA USA !! – Most flight itineraries to Costa Rica connect via the USA, you will be required to hold a valid visa or ESTA even for change of plane transits.
Australians check out the SmartTraveller website here
KIWIs check out SafeTravel website here
