14 Day Kaleidoscope of Costa Rica

14 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Map not provided by operator
Additional images not provided by operator
Video not provided by operator
3.7/5 Great
100+ reviews  
68%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Group Tour
3 San Jose, 2 Tortuguero, 2 Arenal, 2 Monteverde, 2 Guanacaste, 2 Manuel Antonio
From$2,639
See departure dates

Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Take a boat tour along the Tortuguero canals, through the heart of the Costa Rican jungle
    • Tour downtown San Jose, enjoying its many historical & architectural jewels
    • 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
    • Travel to the tropical province of Guanacaste on the sun-splashed Pacific Coast
    • Experience Manuel Antonio National Park filled with wildlife and spectacular scenery
    • Enjoy the beautiful surroundings and beaches in the Central Pacific region †Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates

What's this trip about?

    3 San Jose, 2 Tortuguero, 2 Arenal, 2 Monteverde, 2 Guanacaste, 2 Manuel Antonio

Compare to similar trips

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - 24 max
Age range18 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityOperator does not provide
End CityOperator does not provide

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus

Destinations

  • Central America

Attractions

  • Guanacaste
  • Manuel Antonio National Park
  • Monteverde

Trip includes

    • Round trip flights Miami-San Jose, San Jose-MiamiSome departure dates may be offered from an alternate nearby airport. Check flight itinerary options when booking.Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices
    • Airline taxes & fuel surcharges
    • 13 nights accommodations 3 nights San Jose 2 nights Tortuguero 2 nights Arenal 2 nights Monteverde 2 nights Guanacaste 2 nights Manuel Antonio Hotel taxes, fees & service charges
    • Hotel porterage
    • All transfers included only with airfare purchase on package arrival & departure dates†
    • 25 meals: 13 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 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

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

DAY 1, Sunday - 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, Monday - Travel to Tortuguero
Depart San Jose this morning traveling east to the shores of the Caribbean coast. See the lush vegetation along with acres of banana plantations. At a nearby port, board a motor launch that takes you to the canals in the heart of the Costa Rican jungle. Arrive at the lod...
DAY 3, Tuesday - Full Day in Tortuguero
Awaken this morning to the sounds of the jungle. Acquaint yourself with the many tree and insect species of Costa Rica on an easy guided hike through trails in the nearby rainforest. After lunch, a boat takes you through remote unspoiled sections of the park's waterways ...
DAY 4, Wednesday - Travel to San Jose
Travel by motor launch and motor coach this morning back to San Jose. Along the way, stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Take the afternoon to independently explore the city Overnight: San Jose Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 5, Thursday - 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, attend an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager and fellow travelers, followed by dinner Overnight: Arenal Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 6, Friday - Cano Negro
Spend the day on a boat tour down the Rio Frio, and learn about the flora and fauna endemic to the area. Tonight, enjoy an optional evening at the renowned Eco Termales Hot Springs that includes a dinner Optional: EcoTermales Hot Springs with Dinner (PM) Overnight: Arenal Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 7, Saturday - Arenal National Park, Travel to Monteverde
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 panoramic views of the volcano from a lookout tower before continuing to Monteverde. Tonight, go ...
DAY 8, Sunday - Full Day in Monteverde
Spend the morning at leisure, or choose to participate in one of the optional tours* including the Selvatura Canopy and Hanging Bridges adventures. This afternoon enjoy lunch and a tour of a traditional Costa Rican coffee farm. Learn about how one of Costa Rica's top exp...
DAY 9, Monday - Travel to Guanacaste
Today, depart Monteverde for Guanacaste. See a huge contrast in scenery as you arrive in tropical Guanacaste, located in the northwestern part of the country. The rest of the day is at leisure Overnight: Guanacaste Meals: Breakfast

DAY 10, Tuesday - Full Day in Guanacaste
A day at leisure in picturesque Guanacaste. Don't miss the optional Panache Sailing Tour. Glide along Costa Rica's Gold Coast in a Catamaran. Stop in a tranquil bay with time to snorkel or frolic in the sea before returning to the hotel Optional: Panache Sailing Tour (AM) Overnight: Guanacaste Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 11, Wednesday - Travel to Manuel Antonio
Drive along the shores of the striking Pacific Coast to Manuel Antonio National Park. Arrive in the town of Jaco 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 Overnight: Manuel Antonio Meals: Breakfast

DAY 12, Thursday - Manuel Antonio National Park Tour
Today, visit Manuel Antonio National Park. Your Tour Manager will lead you through the paths of this tropical paradise with opportunity to discover the mangrove swamps. Observe several species of monkeys, iguanas, and birds and possibly even the three-toed sloth Overnight: Manuel Antonio Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 13, Friday - Travel to San Jose
Travel back to San Jose today stopping to shop for local crafts and souvenirs. Take a city tour of San Jose, including visits to the Gold Museum* and the National Theater, before dinner *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 Overnight: San Jose Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 14, Saturday - Depart Costa Rica
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight Meals: Breakfast

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $2,639
Price per day$189
Last Updated: 5/15/2023

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Gate 1 Travel.

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.

Gate 1 Travel Reviews & Ratings

3.7/5  Great
Excellent
455
Great
26
Average
30
Disappointing
29
Terrible
206
Write a Review

Other Gate 1 Travel Reviews

D

DS

Jan 2024

Provided byGate 1 Travel

Gate 1 cares about money and not customer satisfaction or safety

We have loved Gate 1 and always sing their praises. We've been on 7 tours with another one booked for fall. We were supposed to leave for Ecuador this week, however ...

N

NBR

Dec 2023

Written on

THE ABSOLUTE WORST

THE ABSOLUTE WORST. Dishonest, incompetent, fraudulent. We booked a trip to Europe with them, and it was a mess from start to finish. The flight that we paid extra...

J

Joyce Toler

Dec 2023

Written on

Poor customer service

It has been about 7.5 years since I traveled with Gate 1 Travel. In the past, customer service was exceptionally great! Now I am appauded with the unprofessional and...

Write a Review

Travelers also viewed

Tour Operator

Gate 1 Travel

none
View Profile

Gate 1 Travel offers escorted tours, European river cruises, independent vacations and customized international vacation packages for less. Our discount travel packages and tour packages to destinations worldwide provide exceptional value, saving our customers time and money. We have taken care of all the details so you don't have to. Find your dream vacation today.

Company Background & Highlights

Mission: To deliver More of the World for Less by developing quality, affordable vacations for North Americans. To provide exemplary service to our customers and to earn their loyalty. To respect our partners. To invest in our employees, providing a safe and comfortable work environment. To know and understand our products and destinations. To constantly innovate and be a leader in technology.

Founded in 1981 with 3 employees; now with over 200 employees worldwide

Headquarters: Fort Washington, PA (Suburban Philadelphia)

Overseas Offices: Hungary, China, Costa Rica, Egypt, Morocco, Argentina, Indonesia, Great Britain, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, Peru, Ecuador, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

30+ years of providing travel services to clientèle

Product Types

Escorted Tours - Group Tours

Small Group Tours

European River Cruises

Escorted Bus Tour/Sea Cruise Combinations

Independent City Stays

Independent Fly & Drive Packages

Multi-Destination Rail Packages

Customized Vacations (Vacation Builder)

Custom Groups and Individuals

Group Air

 

Target Consumer Market

Gate 1 Travel's target market is a traveler seeking high quality, affordable travel ranging from a superior tourist class to moderate deluxe class level of accommodations with the highest level of service.

Financial Security

Gate 1 Travel is backed by the largest, most well-respected financial institutions and insurance providers, guaranteeing the greatest level of financial security to every passenger. Gate 1 welcomes your inquiries of any of those independent offices.

Gate 1 Travel's active membership in USTOA (United States Tour Operators Association), a professional organization representing the world's leading tour operators, requires that Gate 1 meet a minimum requirement of $1 million professional liability insurance (Gate 1 maintains a $5 million policy).

Additionally , Gate 1 is required to participate in the USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program, requiring them to post $1 million in security, held by USTOA, in the unlikely event of bankruptcy or insolvency.

Associations

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

What's excluded

    • Not Included:Optional tours and gratuities.
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 .
Age Requirements
18 years and up
Optional Activities
EcoTermales Hot Springs with dinner 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. OnDay : 6 Price : $63 Monteverde Brewery Tour with dinner Take a tour of the Monteverde Brewery and go behind-the-scenes to discover the hidden world of Monteverde's craft beer. The secret lies in the quality of the water, which is rich in minerals, sourced directly from the Monteverde cloud forest. After the tour, receive a glass as a souvenir and savor a delicious dinner. Approximate tour duration is 4 hours. OnDay : 7 Price : $60 Selvatura Canopy Tour 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. The zipline harness has an approximate limit of 250 pounds and a 41 inch waist circumference. Approximate tour duration is 2.5-3 hours. OnDay : 8 Price : $47 Selvatura Hanging Bridges Tour 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. OnDay : 8 Price : $29 Panache Sailing Tour Spend a relaxing afternoon sailing along the coast of Costa Rica's shores! Gaze off the bow as you scan the seas for dolphins, sea turtles, or even a breaching whale, depending on the season. Stop in a tranquil bay, drop anchor in front of a secluded white sand beach and frolic in the blue Pacific waters. See beautiful offshore islands and deserted beaches while the ever-helpful crew prepares a delicious snack. Bring your camera and capture every moment. Details to be advised locally. Approximate tour duration is 3.5 - 4 hours. Suggested items to bring: sandals, extra clothes, sunblock, towel, swimsuit, and Dramamine (if prone to seasickness). OnDay : 10 Price : $85 EcoTermales Hot Springs with dinner 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. OnDay : 6 Price : $63 Monteverde Brewery Tour with dinner Take a tour of the Monteverde Brewery and go behind-the-scenes to discover the hidden world of Monteverde's craft beer. The secret lies in the quality of the water, which is rich in minerals, sourced directly from the Monteverde cloud forest. After the tour, receive a glass as a souvenir and savor a delicious dinner. Approximate tour duration is 4 hours. OnDay : 7 Price : $60 Selvatura Canopy Tour 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. The zipline harness has an approximate limit of 250 pounds and a 41 inch waist circumference. Approximate tour duration is 2.5-3 hours. OnDay : 8 Price : $47 Selvatura Hanging Bridges Tour 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. OnDay : 8 Price : $29 Panache Sailing Tour Spend a relaxing afternoon sailing along the coast of Costa Rica's shores! Gaze off the bow as you scan the seas for dolphins, sea turtles, or even a breaching whale, depending on the season. Stop in a tranquil bay, drop anchor in front of a secluded white sand beach and frolic in the blue Pacific waters. See beautiful offshore islands and deserted beaches while the ever-helpful crew prepares a delicious snack. Bring your camera and capture every moment. Details to be advised locally. Approximate tour duration is 3.5 - 4 hours. Suggested items to bring: sandals, extra clothes, sunblock, towel, swimsuit, and Dramamine (if prone to seasickness). OnDay : 10 Price : $85
Additional Information
Additional Information: Land only price does not include arrival/departure transfers.
Trip ID
gate1-CR-14DKALCR-PKG-23

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save
Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >