Essential Costa Rica

Essential Costa Rica Trip Notes

Ways to Travel: Guided Group
Destination: Costa Rica
Programmes: Culture
Activity Level:
1 out of 7 - Easy
9 Days: Land Only
Ages: 16+
Trip Code: AHI

Trip Overview

Embrace the ‘pura vida’ philosophy for a fun-filled foray into the wilds of Costa Rica

Go in search of wildlife and wild rides on this essential introduction to Costa Rica. Adopting the national motto, pura vida (pure life), we delve into the astonishing diversity of the country with our expert guide leading the way. We spend time in the shadow of Arenal volcano, swim next to a jungle waterfall, and trek through the Monteverde cloud forest at night. We also take the Pan-Am Highway to Manuel Antonio, where we have a guided tour of the national park in search of mischievous monkeys and sedate sloths. By the end of our adventure, you will fully understand why Costa Rica was named the happiest country on the planet.

At a Glance

Accommodation: 8 Classic nights (hotels)
Travel by air-conditioned minibus and by boat
Group normally 4 to 16, plus local leader
Plenty of flexibility to choose your own optional activities

Highlights

Join a small group of adventurers to experience Costa Rica’s highlights in just over a week
Cool off in the jungle pool underneath La Fortuna Waterfall
Join a night walk in Monteverde to see the cloud forest come alive in the dark
Take a guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park in search of monkeys, sloths and more
Explore the volcanic Arenal region, a hub for hot springs and adventure activities

Is This Trip for You?

This trip has been graded Activity Level 1 (Easy). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.

Driving distances are not very long and most of the roads that we take are good quality. There are some nature walks on the itinerary, which occasionally involve walking on rough paths. During times of heavy rain, trails can be muddy and slippery and extra care should be taken. Many of the areas visited on the trip are hot and humid and there is the chance of heavy rain year-round – the reason Costa Rica is so green.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Adult min age: 16

Min group size: 4

Max group size: 16

Itinerary

Land Only

Start City: San José
End City: San José

Flight Inclusive

Start City: London
End City: London

Land Only Itinerary

A free transfer takes you to our hotel in San José, the busy capital of Costa Rica. Check in and take it easy, there is plenty of excitement on this trip, so today is all about easing into the adventure. To help, there is a welcome briefing at the hotel in the evening (aim to arrive at the hotel by 5pm), in which we gather as a group for the first time and meet our guide. If you miss today’s welcome briefing, the tour leader will give you all relevant information on the morning of Day 2.

Accommodation: Auténtico Hotel or Rincon del Valle (or similar)

We drive towards Arenal, which was the most active volcano in Costa Rica until it entered a resting phase in 2010. There is still lots of geothermal activity in the region, plus natural hot springs, waterfalls and the largest lake in the country, Lake Arenal.

Today, we visit La Fortuna Waterfall, a 215ft (65m) jungle cascade plunging into an emerald pool. A short rainforest trail brings us to steep steps that we must descend to reach the waterfall and then ascend to the exit; this takes around 20 to 30 minutes and will be rewarded with a swim in the pool. You can visit the lookout point to wait for the group if you prefer. There will also be plenty of time to spot forest-dwelling animals along the way too; keep an eye out for colourful toucans in the trees.

Accommodation: Eco Arenal (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

We have free time today to explore the wonders around Arenal, one of the top adventure and nature destinations in the world. Options include hiking the base and flanks of the volcano, crashing down the Balsa River on a white-water rafting adventure, and relaxing in the Ecotermales hot springs. Your leader can provide suggestions on what to do and help you book.

Accommodation: Eco Arenal (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

We travel to Monteverde, a forest-cloaked region in the Tilaran Mountains. To get there, we take a 30-minute fast-boat ride across Lake Arenal, where we can admire the volcano from a different perspective. Our journey continues by shared land transfer as we climb into the hills towards Monteverde, whose name literally means Green Mountain. Finally, we meet our private bus for the last leg. The high altitude in this Central Highlands region supports a complex ecosystem where plants thrive, particularly orchids of which there are some 400-plus varieties here. Our journey takes about 3hr 30min in total, including the lake crossing.

Around 6pm, we head into the cloud forest, where the eyes of the diverse wildlife that lives here shine through the dark. We may see sloths, armadillos, porcupines, possums and coatis and will undoubtedly hear a cacophony of insects and amphibians.

Accommodation: Montaña Monteverde or Heliconia (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Today is free for you to choose from the many activities on offer in Monteverde. You may want to brave the hanging bridges of Selvatura Park, a 1.9mi (3km) trail of treetop walkways that provide a unique perspective of the cloud forest and its many inhabitants, followed by a peaceful moment in the Butterfly Garden, where more than 30 butterfly species flap around a flower-filled dome.

Alternatively, if you’re feeling adventurous, you may want to whizz through the treetops on a zip line adventure. Other options include a nature walk in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve or a chocolate and coffee tour.

Accommodation: Montaña Monteverde or Heliconia (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Our journey takes a southeasterly turn today as we follow the Pan-Am Highway along the coastline to Manuel Antonio, passing African oil palm and teak plantations on the way. Here lies Manuel Antonio National Park, a vast marine reserve and 1,700-acre (690ha) region of mangrove swamp, primary and secondary rainforest. The forest vegetation stretches as far as the high-tide line and provides a picture-perfect backdrop to the expansive sandy beaches, forested islands and dramatic rocky headlands. Our drive to Manuel Antonio takes around four hours.

Accommodation: Hotel Villabosque or Tabulia Tree Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Today, we have a guided tour of the national park, which should bring close wildlife encounters. Here, white-faced capuchin monkeys play in the trees and are frequently sighted on the beaches, while noisy howler monkeys are usually heard before they are seen. Endangered titi monkeys (squirrel monkeys) are fewer in number but can also sometimes be spotted here. Iguanas, agouti (a tropical rodent) and two- and three-toed sloths are also commonly sighted in the national park.

The rest of the day is free to relax at the beach or select an optional activity. There are various activities available, including a boat tour of Isla Damas, on which you explore the mangroves while an experienced guide points out the local wildlife, including anteaters, kingfishers and monkeys.

Alternatively, get your heart pumping and zoom through the rainforest on a zip line or enjoy a cultural cooking experience where you stop a farmers market to pick up ingredients with your guide before heading into the kitchen to create classic Costa Rican cuisine, including corn tortillas and ceviche.

Accommodation: Hotel Villabosque or Tabulia Tree Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

A journey of four to five hours takes us back to San José, where we have time to explore the modern capital. (This journey can take longer with the stops en route.)

Accommodation: Auténtico Hotel or Rincon del Valle (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

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, please make sure to book in advance. Alternatively, speak to your sales representative to join our post-trip extension to the palm tree-lined beaches of Tamarindo.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation

Well-located hotels and lodges

We spend eight nights in hotels and lodges, most of which have a swimming pool. The accommodations were chosen for their location and we aim to use family-run establishments as much as possible. Our list of preferred hotels is below:

San José: Auténtico Hotel (nights 1 and 8)

Essential Costa Rica

Our first and last nights in Costa Rica are usually spent at the Auténtico, which is just 25 minutes’ drive from the airport. There’s a courtyard pool for a post- or pre-flight dip and a breakfast buffet every morning (normally with the national favourite gallo pinto). There’s also a happy hour at the bar (5pm-7pm) – you might like to try a guaro sour, a Costa Rican classic.

La Fortuna: Eco Arenal (nights 2-3)

Essential Costa Rica

There’s a view of Arenal volcano right from the restaurant at Eco Arenal. And thanks to the river that borders the hotel, there are also plenty of other things to spot, including sloths, plenty of birdlife and exotic frogs. Head to the gardens and you’ll find a swimming pool lined with sun loungers and palm trees.

Monteverde: Montaña Monteverde (nights 4-5)

Essential Costa Rica

Right next to a private forest with trails to explore, Montaña Monteverde has 42 rooms and some wonderful views. There’s also a bar and restaurant serving homecooked Costa Rican cuisine.

Manuel Antonio: Villa Bosque Hotel or Tabulia Tree Hotel (nights 6-7)

Essential Costa Rica

Just 655ft (200m) from Manuel Antonio National Park, the 19-room Villa Bosque Hotel (above) has a small pool, bar and restaurant. It also runs various projects to help the local community, including beach clean-ups, reforestation and environmental education. On some departures, we stay at the Tabulia Tree Hotel instead. It also has a swimming pool and is home to the Bambu Jam restaurant-bar, where you can sip cold beers, guaro-based cocktails and fruit smoothies.

Worth knowing

One or several of the named properties might be substituted for similar alternatives to secure hotel availability. Please discuss with your sales representative if you require more details regarding your specific departure date.

Single supplement from £ 500

Food & Drink

All breakfasts are included in the price of the tour.

Hotel breakfasts are normally 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 here.

Transport

Depending on the group size, we either use a 16-seat Coaster minibus or a larger 20-seat vehicle. Due to the type of vehicles we use, it’s common for luggage to be transported on the roof, covered by a tarpaulin.

Weather & Seasonality

Costa Rica is 10 degrees north of the equator and has an almost perfect tropical climate. The average temperature is 12C-22C (54F-72F) in the highlands, and 22C-27C (72F-81F) in the lowlands. There is a rainy season from May to November when there are daily downpours, though these are usually quite short and there is still plenty of bright sunshine, so the midsummer is not necessarily a bad time to go. December to April is the driest time of the year but expect some rain. Many areas visited on the trip are hot and humid throughout the year.

Joining Instructions

Key information

Start hotel: Autentico Hotel: Ave 5 and 7 40 St., East Sabana, San José 10108, Costa Rica
Phone: +506 22225266
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately.
Airport: Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately 25 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.

Catching your return flight

Exodus provides free departure transfers for all customers to Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO) from the end hotel.

Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: San José
Location end: San José

What To Take

Essential Equipment

We advise you to pack lightly as you will be on the move during this trip. Below is a suggestion of what you might find useful – it is not an exhaustive packing list. Prepare for a variety of climates.

Quick-drying clothing
Lightweight waterproof outfit or rain poncho
Warm mid-layer (fleece or wool) for cool evenings
Lightweight cotton (or quick-drying fabric) clothes for low-lying areas
Long-sleeved shirts and trousers (pants) will help prevent mosquito bites
Shorts
Lightweight walking shoes/boots
Sandals
Sunhat
Swimwear and towel
Torch (flashlight)
Sunglasses, sunscreen and lip salve
Water bottle
Insect repellent
Personal first-aid kit
Travel adaptor/chargers
Hand sanitiser/biodegradable wet wipes
Wet shoes or old sports shoes that you don’t mind getting wet

If you wear glasses, you should have a sports band to secure these to your head for the rafting excursion (or take them off). Glasses bands can be bought locally if necessary.

A laundry service may be available in some hotels, but we recommend you take biodegradable travel detergent so you can wash clothes as you choose.

Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colours so avoid wearing dark blue or green T-shirts.

Please limit your luggage to one main suitcase/backpack per person (weighing no more than 50lb/23kg) and one piece of hand luggage. This is for the health and safety of our local team and due to the limited space and weight allowance on the transport.

Water included: Please bring a reusable bottle, as we provide safe drinking water throughout this adventure. Single-use plastic bottles are banned in Costa Rican national parks and we do not recommend drinking the tap water.

Optional Equipment

Camera
Binoculars for wildlife viewing
Small backpack
Universal sink plug
Fabric tote bag to avoid using unnecessary plastic bags

Practical Information

Visa

Costa Rica

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica; however, proof of onward travel may be required – we suggest you take a physical copy of your flight details in case officials ask to see them.

Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/americas/costa-rica
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/costa-rica
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/costa-rica/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Costa-Rica.html

Vaccinations and Health

Costa Rica

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, rabies and typhoid. The risk of malaria is slight, but you may wish to consult your doctor or travel clinic for further advice.

Many travellers will also require a yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission, Tanzania and Zambia.

Dengue and zika, both viral diseases spread by mosquitoes, are known risks in Costa Rica. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, so we strongly recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Please check all requirements and travel vaccination recommendations with your doctor or travel clinic.

Local Time

Costa Rica's time zone: America/Costa_Rica (UTC -06:00)

Electricity

120 volts AC, 60Hz

Money

Costa Rica's currency: Costa Rican colon (CRC); however, US dollars are widely accepted

ATM Availability

ATMs are increasingly available in Costa Rica and are now present in most tourist areas. A flat fee of up to US$$5-$7 and a small commission usually applies with debit card withdrawals. Mastercard and Visa are quite widely accepted in the bigger hotels, restaurants and tourist shops, though not in rural areas. Always check the handling fee when paying by credit card, as it can be high. We recommend that you bring some small denomination notes (US$1 and US$5 notes) since getting change is often a problem when paying for small items/taxis.

Extra Expenses & Spending Money

US dollars are widely accepted as payment in Costa Rica; however, change will likely be given in local currency and the exchange rate will fluctuate. We suggest taking some US dollars with you but then using ATMs to withdraw the rest of your money in local currency while you’re there.

You should allow extra to cover the cost of meals not included in the price of the trip. Approximate costs are given for guidance only and may vary widely according to location and type of establishment.
• Coffee/tea/soft drink: 1,080-2,700 Costa Rica colones (US$2-US$5)
• Medium beer: 1,620-3,780 colones (US$3-US$7)
• Local snack lunch: 5,400 colones (US$10)
• Three-course dinner in a mid-range tourist-class restaurant: 22,500 – 24,900 colones (US$45-US$50)
• Bottle of wine: 24,900 colones (US$50-US$60)
• Bottle of water: 1,080 colones (US$2)

There are various optional activities available during the holiday (bookable locally), as follows:

Arenal:
Ecotermales Hot Springs (including transport and entry): from US $45 depending on number of people
Sky Tram / Sky Trek: from approximately US $120
Hanging Bridges: from approximately US $74
Balsa River White Water Rafting Class II & III: from approximately US $82

Monteverde:
Zipline at Selvatura Park: from approximately US $70
Selvatura TreeTop Walkways & Butterfly Garden: from approximately US $85
Naturalist Walk to Monteverde Cloudforest Reserve: from approximately US $93
Don Juan Coffee & Chocolate Tour: from approximately US $46

Manuel Antonio:
Ocean Kayak & Snorkelling: from approximately US $77
Isla Damas Boat tour: from approximately US $81
Zipline Adventure:: from approximately US $91
Local flavours Cultural Cooking Experience: from approximately US $81

Optional excursions can be paid for by cash (preferably), credit or debit card.

Tipping

Our local staff are paid fairly for their work with Exodus. However, it is usual for groups to tip tour leaders and drivers, and it would be reasonable for each group member to contribute US$50 for the tour leader and US$35 for the driver. You may wish to tip more if travelling in a small group.

The tour leader may organise a tipping kitty to facilitate tips for other staff members including porters, local guides and restaurant waiting staff, which will be collected at the start of the trip. The amount may vary per departure, but we recommend a starting point of US$80 per group member.

Sustainability and Impact

At Exodus, we thrive on travel, and we firmly believe our adventures should help destinations thrive too.

As a certified B Corp, we aim to take a ‘nature positive’ approach across our adventures, including carbon and waste reduction, animal welfare and support for rewilding and conservation. We also seek to contribute to local communities, providing economic opportunity and empowerment.

Learn more about our Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan, including our commitment to rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller
Read about the work of the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation.
Find out how you can travel more sustainably here.

Important Information

Water safety

This trip includes time by a lake, river or sea, where there may be opportunities to swim. You should always seek local advice before deciding whether to swim. Open-water or wild swim spots should be treated with extreme caution. Information on how to keep yourself safe while swimming is shown here.

Optional activities and excursions

If you would like to join an optional activity or excursion outside those listed in the itinerary, your leader may be able to assist with selecting a provider. However, Exodus has not assessed the safety standards of activities or excursions that are not listed in the Trip Notes. All optional activities or excursions are undertaken at your own risk.

Important Information

Your safe participation

When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call us and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.

Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.

By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.

Seatbelts

All vehicles used by us should be equipped with working seatbelts, except where approved by us based on the vehicle type or journey. Wherever seatbelts are available, we require our customers to use them for their own safety, even where it may not be a legal requirement.

How to Book

Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
Complete your booking and payment

When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.

After booking

You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.

Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.

Trip Note validity

These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.

The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.

Licensing

Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.