Simply Costa Rica - 11 Days

Hola! Welcome to Costa Rica. Your adventure begins in San Jose – the country’s vibrant capital, set in the Central Valley. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive with time to spare, maybe visit the Central Market, where you can browse traditional wares for the perfect keepsake or sample some street food – how about an empanada or some fresh, tropical fruit like peach palm or guanabana. After the meeting, consider joining your group for an optional welcome dinner to get to know each other over some delicious Costa Rican dishes.

Depart San Jose early this morning and begin your journey through the lush Caribbean lowlands to the wildlife-rich village of Tortuguero. Drive to the port at La Pavona, then hop aboard a boat. Continue to your lodge, located in the heart of this biodiverse region where the rainforest lines the coast. Check in and settle into your room, then the rest of your day is free. There's the option to go on a turtle nesting tour later this evening – a portion of the cost of this activity goes towards supporting a program to patrol the beach for poachers, helping to keep the turtles and their eggs safe. Otherwise, you can simply relax at your accommodation.

Spend a whole free day uncovering the natural beauty of Tortuguero at your own pace. Established in 1970, Tortuguero National Park is home to some of Costa Rica’s most endangered mammals, including manatees, ocelots and jaguars. At different points throughout the year, green turtles, hawksbill turtles, loggerhead turtles and leatherback turtles all nest here. If you’re up for an early start, you could take a canoe trip through the park’s winding canals at sunrise and watch the rainforest come alive. Or, you could have a leisurely start to the day and go on a guided boat tour of the canals later in the day, where you can spot wildlife with a local guide who can share their expert insights with you.

Continue to the small town of La Fortuna, where Arenal Volcano rises dramatically over the landscape. When you arrive, there might be some free time for you to get your bearings in town or take part in an optional activity. You could go stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Arenal or, if you’d rather kick back and relax, you could visit the Ecotermales Hot Springs and unwind in the geothermal waters.

Choose your own adventure in La Fortuna today – ask your leader about the range of optional activities on offer. You might like to visit La Fortuna Waterfall – which is a lofty 70 m tall – for a swim, go kayaking on Lake Arenal or go on a wildlife boat tour through the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, home to the Gaspar fish, jaguars, pumas and river otters. You could also explore Arenal Volcano with a hike along the Arenal 1968 Trail to see the lava flows and viewpoints looking out towards the volcano’s peak. Or, if you’re looking for epic views over the rainforest from a different perspective, you could go for a guided tour along the hanging bridges at Mistico Park.

Venture into the misty highlands of Monteverde today. You’ll drive to Lake Arenal, then take a shared boat to Monteverde – famous for its cloud forest. When you arrive, settle into your accommodation, then get stuck into exploring this fascinating ecosystem. You could go on a coffee and chocolate tour or maybe visit the Children’s Eternal Rainforest – an Intrepid Foundation partner, this private reserve protects 22,600 ha of rainforest and has 28 km of hiking trails to explore. Tonight, consider going on a night walk to spot nocturnal wildlife in the cloud forest. You might see caimans, sloths, kinkajous, margays and porcupines.

Join your leader for a nature walk through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve this morning. Look for hummingbirds, quetzals, monkeys and sloths among the misty landscape along the way. Then, it’s time to choose your own adventure for the rest of the day. You could visit the Butterfly Garden and Insects Farm, or you could get your adrenaline fix on a zipline adventure through the canopy. There’s also the option to go on another wildlife tour to see more fauna and flora.

Leave the highlands and travel to the Pacific Coast to arrive in the relaxed seaside town of Quepos. Check into your accommodation, then you’ll have a free afternoon – maybe explore the town, take a local bus down to the beach in Manuel Antonio and kick back on the sand with a good book or ask your leader for the best local restaurants to try some fresh seafood. There’s also the option to go kayaking through the mangroves on Damas Island. This evening, maybe go on a sunset cruise and watch the sky transform from blue to orange.

Take a local bus to Manuel Antonio National Park, famous for the impressive biodiversity of its rainforest, coral reefs and beaches. Hike along trails with your leader, where you’re likely to see monkeys swinging overhead and sloths dozing in the treetops. Spend the rest of the day going for a swim, spotting more wildlife or relaxing on the beach before returning to your accommodation for the evening.

Return to San Jose today, where you’ll have a free afternoon to see the parts of the city you might’ve missed at the start of your trip. If history is your thing, maybe head to the Gold Museum to see the collection of Indigenous gold art, or you could do some people-watching in the Plaza de la Cultura. Make sure to ask your trip leader for recommendations on how to make the most of the final full day of your adventure. Tonight, maybe gather your group for a farewell dinner and toast to a trip well-travelled.

With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay in San Jose – and it’s highly recommended you do – just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.