Costa Rica Explorer - 12 days
12 Days Starting and ending in San Jose, Costa Rica
Visiting: San Jose, Tortuguero, Sarapiqui, Bijagua, Tenorio Volcano National Park, Monteverde, Carara National Park, Carara
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 20
Age range:
12-
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a 12-day adventure through the lush landscapes of Costa Rica with the Costa Rica Explorer tour. Begin your journey in San Jose, then venture into the heart of the Tortuguero Jungle Reserve, where you'll explore its waterways and witness the nesting grounds of the Green Sea Turtle. Experience the vibrant biodiversity of the Tirimbina Rainforest Reserve and the breathtaking views from the suspension bridges of Selvatura Park. Discover the emerging trails of Tenorio Volcano National Park and the unique Pacific tropical dry forest of Carara National Park. Enjoy guided hikes, thrilling zip lines, and a cooking class at a local finca. With comfortable accommodations, daily meals, and the expertise of an English-speaking naturalist guide, this small group tour offers an unforgettable exploration of Costa Rica's natural wonders.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: San Jose
Location: San Jose
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Upon arrival into San Jose airport you will be met and and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to start exploring the capital or just to relax in the hotel.
Day 2: Tortuguero
Location: Tortuguero
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
San Jose - Tortugero. Today we head off to discover the Caribbean coast with a few days of rewarding wildlife spotting. Unlike the Caribbean of resort hotels, sugary beaches and Pina Coladas, this is a true wilderness. Our journey takes us northeast through Braulio Camillo National Park, including a short bumpy ride through banana plantations to La Pavona dock.
We then take a boat along the shore, with its twisted mangrove swamps, stopping to observe plants and wildlife, until we reach the ramshackle and remote village of Tortuguero. Known for its proliferation of turtles (nesting Jul-Oct), Tortugero will serve as our home for the next two nights.
Day 3: Tortuguero
Location: Tortuguero
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we head out on a wildlife adventure boat trip through the mangrove forest of Toruguero National park. With 11 different varieties of natural habitats and a large range of endemic wildlife, this is one of the last protected areas of tropical rainforest in Central America. Here, we have ample of opportunities to spot the three species of monkeys (spider, howler, and white-faced) swinging from branch to branch while lazier three-toed sloths doze in the shade and be sure to spot any river otters in the natural inland channels. The mangroves is also home to over 320 species of birds including three of toucan and eight of parrot.
Day 4: Sarapiqui
Location: Sarapiqui
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we start our day back on the water to explore more of these spidery channels. We continue our journey with a drive to the Sarapiqui region, a fertile plain with focus for conservation with a number of eco-tourism projects. Dispersed between the banana and pineapple plantation, there are forested national parks. Rio Sarapiquà is becoming popular for rafting on the fast-flowing waters, bird-watching and numerous other activities in the area including mountain-biking, boat trips and canopying.
Day 5: Sarapiqui
Location: Sarapiqui
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we take a morning walk to the Trimbina Reserve, catered to research and recreation of the rainforest environment. Founded to preserve one of the few remaining stands of intact tropical forest on mountainous slopes in Central America.
To make our journey more exhilarating, we take a walk on a suspension bridge, followed by a canopy walkway and an educational walk of the rainforest museum. We have many opportunities to spot variety of mammals and insects. If we are lucky! We can see a few nocturnal animals, fast asleep.
Day 6-7: Alajuela
Location: Bijagua
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we make our way to the town of Bijagua, nestled between two volcanos (Tenorio and Miravalles) will be our home for the next two days. Bijagua is a perfect place for our exploration of Tenorio Volcano National Park, established in 1997 to protect tracts of primary and dry tropical forest. Many of the trails within the park is still under construction and considered one of the new up coming destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
If there is time after our exploration during these two days, explore the town of Bijagua at leisure either on foot or horseback/mountain bike.
Day 7 bring forth a moderately challenging 6km hike to the remarkably striking turquoise coloured Rio Celeste. During our walk keep an eye out for monkeys, sloths, tropical birds and other wildlife. As we make our way along the banks of the rivers, taking in the vivid blue colour of the waters. we arrive at the breath-takingly beautiful waterfalls of Celeste.
Day 8: Monteverde
Location: Monteverde
Accommodation Name: lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Our adventure for the day begins as we board our vehicle heading towards Monteverde, following a bumpy road with volcanic rocks, winding up through the hills to the cloud forest at 1,400m above sea level. During our journey, we will be diverted by wildlife we spot along the way- have your binoculars handy.
Our lodge for the night is close to the village of Santa Elena, which will serve as the hub to visit Monteverde National Park.
Day 9: Monteverde
Location: Monteverde
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning we take a walk to the Selvatura Park, a conservation area offering many activities including zip lines. Our walk on a trail system includes seven
suspension bridges crossing the deep canyons at treetop level.
This afternoon we have a guided walk in the Monteverde Cloudforest Reserve, home to more than 100 species of mammals, 400 of birds and 1,500 of plants. During our walk we may encounter the brilliantly feathered quetzal (Jan – Jul). The reserve is home to six different life zones, here we can enjoy a rich diversity of flora and fauna.
Day 10: Carara
Location: Carara National Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we head to Carara National Park, taking the journey towards the pacific coast we enter a completely different vegetation zone of Pacific tropical dry forest. Carara is famous for its bright scarlet macaws and giant crocodiles, which sprawl on the beaches of the Tarcoles river – we’ll view them safely from a bridge!
Late afternoon we will arrive at Finca Ecologica La Trinidad, here we have a cookery lesson on the premises. There is also free time to take optional horseback ride (book and pay locally).
Day 11: Carara
Location: Carara
Accommodation Name: lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today is free to spend at leisure. Relax in the lodge taking in the forest, river and the ocean or take advantage of the less dense forest and take a walking trail to spot Carara's wildlife.
Day 12: San Jose
Location: San Jose
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today our Costa Rican adventure comes to an end with an included transfer to the airport in San Jose. If you decide to stay on for a few more days in this beguiling country, perhaps for some beach time at Manuel Antonio where there’s a range of good accommodation, a monkey-filled national park and sweeping golden Pacific sands.
What's Included
-
Accommodation
3-4 star accommodation -
11 nights 3-4 star hotels/guesthouses
Accommodation for 11 nights in 3-4 star hotels or guesthouses is included.
-
Breakfast daily, 5 lunches and 10 dinners
Daily breakfast, 5 lunches, and 10 dinners are included in the tour.
-
Arrival and departure transfer on days 1 and day 12
Transfers from and to the airport on the first and last day are included.
-
Transfers and transportation in private vehicles and boats
All transfers and transportation during the tour are provided in private vehicles and boats.
-
Escorted by an English speaking local naturalist guide
The tour is escorted by an English-speaking local naturalist guide.
-
Boat trip down the canals of Tortuguero
A boat trip through the canals of Tortuguero is included.
-
Nature walk in Tirimbina Rainforest reserve
A guided nature walk in the Tirimbina Rainforest Reserve is included.
-
Tenorio Volcano National Park and Rio Celeste hike
A hike in Tenorio Volcano National Park and to Rio Celeste is included.
-
Excursions to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and Selvatura hanging bridges
Excursions to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and Selvatura hanging bridges are included.
-
Cooking class at local finca
A cooking class at a local finca is included.
What's Not Included
-
International flights and visas
International flights and visas are not included in the tour package.
-
Departure taxes or border taxes
Any departure or border taxes are not included.
-
Tipping - an entirely personal gesture
Tipping is not included and is considered a personal gesture.
-
Tortuguero local entry fee - USD $15
The local entry fee for Tortuguero, which is USD $15, is not included.
Age Policy
Minimum age 12. If booking a family please contact GH to check room requirements.There is no maximum age. Those 70 or over will be required to fill out a tour suitability tour. Â
Mode of Transport
Travel in style with private vehicles and boats, ensuring a seamless journey through Costa Rica's diverse terrains, from lush jungles to volcanic landscapes.
Accommodation
Enjoy 11 nights in comfortable 3-4 star hotels and guesthouses, providing a cozy retreat after each day's adventure in Costa Rica's stunning landscapes.
Check out our Q&As
-
What kind of wildlife can I expect to see in Tortuguero National Park?
In Tortuguero National Park, you can expect to see a variety of wildlife including three species of monkeys (spider, howler, and white-faced), three-toed sloths, river otters, and over 320 species of birds, including toucans and parrots.
-
What activities are available in the Sarapiqui region?
In the Sarapiqui region, you can enjoy activities such as rafting on the Rio SarapiquÃ, bird-watching, mountain-biking, boat trips, and canopying.
-
What is special about the Rio Celeste hike in Tenorio Volcano National Park?
The Rio Celeste hike in Tenorio Volcano National Park is a moderately challenging 6km hike that leads to the striking turquoise-colored Rio Celeste and its breathtakingly beautiful waterfalls. Along the way, you can spot monkeys, sloths, tropical birds, and other wildlife.
-
What can I expect during the visit to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve?
During the visit to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, you can expect to encounter a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including more than 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, and 1,500 species of plants. You may also see the brilliantly feathered quetzal if visiting between January and July.
-
What is included in the cooking class at Finca Ecologica La Trinidad?
The cooking class at Finca Ecologica La Trinidad includes a lesson on local cuisine, and there is also free time to take an optional horseback ride, which can be booked and paid for locally.
-
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
-
Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
-
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
Tuesday - Saturday
Feb 04, 2025 - Feb 15, 2025Tuesday - Saturday
Mar 11, 2025 - Mar 22, 2025Tuesday - Saturday
Nov 18, 2025 - Nov 29, 2025Book with Confidence
-
Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 600 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.