Natural Highlights of Costa Rica

8 days
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Small Group Tour
A tropical paradise bursting with wildlife, Costa Rica is home to six percent of the world’s plant and animal species, many endemic. The rich biodiversity is extremely colourful. More than 850 bird species have been recorded here – far more than found anywhere in North America, Europe and Australia. A cornucopia of exotic flora and fauna, Costa Rica is a natu...
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$3,746
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Enjoy an easy-going week in wildlife hotspots: rainforest, mangroves, lava fields and cloud forests
    • Navigate the Tortuguero waterways in search of monkeys, caiman and more
    • Discover the natural wonders of Arenal Volcano National Park via walking trails, observation towers and hanging bridges
    • Feel the cloud forest come alive on a nocturnal walk in the Monteverde Wildlife Refuge

What's this trip about?

    A tropical paradise bursting with wildlife, Costa Rica is home to six percent of the world’s plant and animal species, many endemic. The rich biodiversity is extremely colourful. More than 850 bird species have been recorded here – far more than found anywhere in North America, Europe and Australia. A cornucopia of exotic flora and fauna, Costa Rica is a nature lover’s delight.Jungles, mountains and coast: Costa Rica is a natural paradise

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age range16 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start CitySan José
End CitySan José

Travel Themes

  • Nature & Wildlife
  • National Parks

Destinations

Attractions

  • Monteverde

Activities

  • Wildlife Viewing

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 4

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 16

Trip includes

    • All breakfasts, four lunches, two dinners
    • All accommodation
    • All transport and listed activities
    • Tour leader throughout
    • Arrival and departure transfers

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in San José

Welcome to San José, the culture-rich capital of Costa Rica. The group flight usually arrives into San José this afternoon. Land Only clients should aim to arrive at the hotel by 5pm so that you can meet your fellow travellers and tour leader, who will give you a warm...

Day 2 To Tortuguero National Park

Our adventure begins early this morning, leaving San Jose behind as we travel to Tortuguero National Park in the northeast of Costa Rica. Accessible only by boat or light aircraft, Tortuguero has a vast network of waterways, canals and swamps that are remarkably tranq...

Day 3 Boat tour around Tortuguero waterways

A morning boat trip enables us to discover the extraordinary flora and fauna of Tortuguero, passing serenely along the waterways. At this time of day, wildlife is usually at its most active and with the help of our expert guide we are likely to encounter monkeys, caim...

Day 4 To La Fortuna, near Arenal

We leave Tortuguero the same way we arrived by taking a small boat to the pier. Our bus will be at the pier waiting to drive us to the Arenal region, passing huge banana, pineapple and sugar cane plantations on the way. Arenal was the most active volcano in Costa Rica...

Day 5 Morning at Arenal Observatory Lodge; free afternoon

Today we enjoy Costa Rica's natural beauty at its best with a visit to Arenal Observatory Lodge, located within Arenal Volcano National Park. Our walk incorporates a hanging bridge through the treetop canopy and meanders through beautiful tropical gardens and lush ra...

Day 6 To Monteverde in the Tilarán Mountains; nocturnal wildlife walk

From Arenal, we travel to the Tilarán Mountain Range in the Central Highlands for our first taste of a Costa Rican cloud forest. The journey provides breath-taking views of the Gulf of Nicoya and the islands below as we ascend the hills towards Monteverde, a forest-cl...

Day 7 Visit Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve; to San José

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a favourite destination for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts. A walk through the reserve will reveal huge old growth trees covered in moss while the surrounding mist permeates the atmosphere. The geographic, topographic and clim...

Day 8 End San José

The trip comes to an end today after breakfast, and it's time to bid Costa Rica and the rest of the group goodbye. Free transfers to San José airport are available to all clients today. Alternatively, speak to your sales representative to join our post-trip extension to the palm tree-lined beaches of Tamarindo.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,775
Price per day$347
Last Updated: 5/22/2024

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Exodus Travels Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
Excellent
13,310
Great
3,258
Average
609
Disappointing
146
Terrible
187
A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Natural highlights of Costa Rica.

This was a fabulous trip, giving you a slice of Costa Rica. There is a lot of driving between locations, ( at times 4-5 hours) some of the roads were still unmade,...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Fantastic, very well organised tour. Would highly recommend

Breathtaking sights. Very knowledgable guide. Friendly yet not over bearing. Great variety of wildlife and flora and fauna seen. A very intense few days. Probably ...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

One for the lover of birds

It is a long flight going out, 11 hours. British Airways were the airline chosen because of the direct flight, but the standard of service on the plane had much t...

A

Anonymous

Mar 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Cost Rica for the third time.

There was a lot of hours travelling, however that is acceptable as the country's road system to the places we were going to do not allow shorter journey times, and...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Wonderful wildlife

Wonderful wildlife, great guide, highly recommended The night walk Jorge was great, very knowledgeable, highly professional. Be prepared for long drives between ...

Write a Review

Other Exodus Travels Reviews

A

Annie O'Reilly Hughes

Nov 2024

Written on

Patient and knowledgeable operative

Rick was really helpful and patient. He explained things clearly, was happy to answer questions. It is a long time since I last travelled solo but I felt confident t...

T

Trevor Butler

Nov 2024

Written on

Very professional organisation

Very professional organisation, trip leaders and guides. Good cultural ethics and a genuine interest in sustainable tourism, hence Exodus values are aligned to my o...

S

Sarah R

Nov 2024

Written on

India, the Tropical South

An excellent trip, we really enjoyed it and would highly recommend. Our guide Biju deserves a special thank you for being brilliant, he really adds to the experience...

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Tour Operator

Exodus Travels

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It is all about adventure. That is what Exodus was founded upon and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on.

At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved.

This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday.

Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments.

All our office staff have a passion for travel and adventure, and between us we’ve notched up experience that spans 171 different countries. That’s not all. In their former lives, our team members have been professional archaeologists, wildlife guides, overland drivers, mountain leaders, diving and ski specialists and mountain bike gurus – so no-one is better placed to create tours that appeal to a wide range of specialist interests.

Their care in putting all the details in place really shines through too. Extensive planning, research, fact-finding and training are a sign of our commitment to providing a holiday where your enjoyment, value for money and safety come first. It’s a telling reason why we remain one of the leading worldwide adventure tour companies. It is no exaggeration to say that our tour leaders can make a world of difference to the enjoyment of your holiday – so we choose them carefully. The result is that, in 2013, 93% of our clients stated that their leader exceeded their expectations. Where possible, we train and employ local leaders because they can provide invaluable insights that enrich the trip. What’s more, this investment in local staff really helps us benefit both them and their community.

Why we love this operator
With a wide range of trip styles, Exodus caters to every type of traveler out there- even those with specific interests from cycling to winter hiking.
What they’re known for
Global trips to a wide array of destinations with a focus on themed adventures, exciting physical activities and learning about local cultures.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Travel insurance
    • Visas or vaccinations
    • Single accommodation (available on request)

Accommodation

8 days land only / 9 flight inclusive Travel by air-conditioned bus and boat 7 nights in comfortable hotels and lodges All breakfasts, 4 lunches and 2 dinners included Green turtle nesting season: July to September
On this Costa Rican adventure, we spend seven nights in hotels and lodges, aiming to use family-run establishments where possible. Below are the accommodations typically used on this trip. San José: Aurola Holiday Inn San José (nights 1 and 7) We begin and end our adventure at this high-rise hotel, which is conveniently located for the downtown area of the city. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and amenities include an indoor pool, fitness centre and a selection of restaurants (head to the 17th-floor El Mirador for a view over the city and Central Valley volcanoes). Tortuguero: Pachira Lodge or Evergreen Lodge (nights 2-3) In Tortuguero, we stay at either Pachira Lodge or Evergreen Lodge (above), depending on availability. Both are firm favourites with our groups: ideally situated for access to Tortuguero National Park by boat and with comfortable rooms in the Costa Rican wilderness. Both even have a turtle-shaped swimming pool. Arenal: Arenal Montechiari (nights 4-5) Arenal Montechiari is a 10-minute walk from La Fortuna town. Each chalet bungalow is set within tropical gardens where hummingbirds gather, and there are wonderful views of Arenal volcano. Monteverde: Montaña Monteverde or Monteverde Country Lodge (night 6) Our night in Monteverde is spent at either Monteverde Country Lodge (above) or Montaña Monteverde, depending on availability. The former is a cosy retreat for the cool cloud forest climate with a restaurant serving fusion cuisine made with Costa Rican produce. The latter is adjacent to a private reserve and has a bar and restaurant serving homecooked Costa Rican dishes. Worth knowing One or several of the named properties might be substituted for similar alternatives to secure hotel availability. Please discuss with your customer operations executive if you require more details regarding your specific departure date.
Cancellation policy

The cancellation policies of this trip when booked through Travelstride are determined by the stated policies of the tour operator - Exodus Travels.

If you or any other member of your party decides to cancel a confirmed booking you must notify Travelstride in writing. Your notice of cancellation will only take effect when it is received in writing by Travelstride and will be effective from the date on which we receive it.

If You Cancel Your Holiday
You, or any member of your party, may cancel your travel arrangements at any time. Written notification from the lead name or your travel agent must be received at our offices. 

Since we incur costs in canceling your travel arrangements, you will have to pay cancellation charges as follows (see also the exceptions below): 

  • More than 42 days - No cancellation fee. Deposit can be transferred to a new booking departing within 2 years of date of travel of original booking. Any remaining balance will be refundedThis excludes all non-refundable costs as set out in clause 4 above (for example international and domestic flights and local services).
  • Between 41 and 21 days (inclusive) - No cancellation fee. Balance and deposit can be transferred to a new booking departing within 2 years of date of travel of original bookingThis excludes all non-refundable costs as further explained in clause 4 above (for example international and domestic flights and local services).
  • Between 20 and 15 days (inclusive) - 80% of the holiday cost
  • 14 days or less; or failure to join the holiday (inclusive) - 100% of the holiday cost

Certain trips may involve different cancellation charges; you will be advised if this is applicable to your holiday during the booking process.For Polar holidays, the following cancellation charges will be made for all Polar holidays. Period before departure in which you notify us: 

Cancelation charge

  • More than 133 days - Deposit only
  • 133 days or less (or failure to join the holiday) (inclusive) - 100% of the holiday cost

Notes (i) Your deposit is non-refundable, even if the cancellation charge calculated is lower than the deposit amount paid; (ii) If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges; (iii) certain travel arrangements may be subject to higher cancellation charges and could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements from the moment the booking is confirmed.

If You Change Your Booking

If, after our Booking Confirmation has been issued, you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way, for example your chosen departure date or accommodation, we will do our utmost to make these changes but it may not always be possible. Any request for changes to be made must be in writing from the lead name or your travel agent. You will be asked to pay an administration charge of $60, and any further cost we incur in making this alteration (including those charged by third party suppliers who provide the component parts of your booking).  You should be aware that these costs could increase the closer to the departure date that changes are made and you should contact us as soon as possible. Note: Certain travel arrangements may not be changeable after a reservation has been made and any alteration request could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.

You can transfer your booking to another person, who satisfies all the conditions that apply to this booking, by giving us notice in writing at least 7 days before departure provided that the new lead passenger accepts the transfer and these Terms and Conditions. Both you and the new traveler are responsible for paying all costs we incur in making the transfer. Please bear in mind that certain airlines and other transport providers treat changes as a cancellation and charge accordingly, up to 100% of the cost for that part of the arrangement. Where applicable these charges will be passed on to you.

If We Cancel Your Booking

Exodus reserves the right to cancel an itinerary before departure for any reason whatsoever, including too few participants ,logistical problems, a Force Majeure Event (as defined in Section 8), or any other circumstances that may make operation of the trip inadvisable. All trip payments received will be promptly refunded, and this refund will be the limit of Exodus’s liability without any further obligation on Exodus’s part. Exodus is not responsible for any expenses incurred by trip members in preparing for the trip, including non-refundable or penalty-carrying airline tickets, special clothing, visa or passport fees, or other trip-related expenses.

If We Change Your Booking

  1. Changes to the price. We can change your holiday price after you’ve booked, only in certain circumstances. Changes in the price of the carriage of passengers resulting from changes to the cost of fuel or other power sources, the level of taxes or fees imposed by third parties including tourist taxes, landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports and airports, or exchange rates mean that the price of your travel arrangements may change after you have booked.

  2. Changes other than the price. It is a term of your booking that we are able to make changes to any aspect of your booking. If the change is insignificant, we will ensure that you are notified about it. Examples of insignificant changes include alteration of your accommodation to another of the same or higher standard. If we are forced by circumstances beyond our control to alter significantly any of the main characteristics of the travel services that make up your package you will have the rights set out below.

    2.1 - We will contact you and you will have the choice of accepting the change or having a refund of all monies paid. You can also accept an alternative holiday, where we offer one (we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value). We will tell you the procedure for making your choice. Please read any notification of changes carefully and respond promptly as if you do not respond to us within the timescale given your booking may be canceled.

    2.2 - If you choose to accept a refund then that is the only liability we have and we will not be liable for any further sums, compensation or otherwise and you are advised to adequately insure yourselves against cancellation for any reason

Please note that insurance premiums and amendments charges are not refundable in any circumstances. 

Once you have put down a deposit for a tour, you are unable to cancel and re-book within a promotional period and we reserve the right to amend the pricing on any new booking you make within that time. If you cancel a tour and book the same tour under a promotional code, we reserve the right to decline the booking.

Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended after they have been confirmed and any alteration or cancellation could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements in addition to the charge above.

If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges.

Where possible, we will deduct the cancellation charge(s) from any monies you have already paid to us.

For more additional details, see the booking conditions of TruTravels at the following web address: https://www.exodustravels.com/us/about-exodus/exodus-booking-conditions.

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
All breakfasts, four lunches and two dinners are included. In the itinerary we state which meals are included on which day. Hotel breakfasts are normally buffets, and lunches and dinners at Tortuguero are also buffets. Vegetarian and vegan options are limited but food is plentiful and tasty – please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests. Costa Rican specialities include gallo pinto, a black bean and rice dish that’s a staple part of the local diet. Soups and stews are also common, and fresh fruit is abundant and will no doubt be one of the highlights of your time in the tropics.
Age Requirements
16 years and up
Additional Information
  • Accommodation: 7 Classic nights (5 hotel, 2 lodge)
  • Travel by air-conditioned bus and boat
  • All breakfasts, four lunches and two dinners included
  • Green turtle nesting season: July to October
Trip ID
exodus-WUA

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