Current as of: July 26, 2024 - 23:05
Current as of: July 26, 2024 - 23:05
1 out of 7 - Easy
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.
Highlights
This trip is graded Activity Level 1 (Easy) with a Wildlife Rating of Three. Visit our Wildlife Holidays page for more on our Wildlife ratings. 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.
Most of the roads we travel on are good quality. However, the road that leads to the river on the way to and from Tortuguero and the road into and out of Monteverde have a poor surface and this can result in slow driving times, particularly following heavy rain. There are also some longer drives on the itinerary; when rest stops and meal breaks are taken into account, a 4-hour drive may take 6-7 hours in total.
There are several included and optional walks on the itinerary which occasionally involve walking on rough paths. These are suitable for most fitness levels. 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 – this is why Costa Rica is so green.
Please note, the sea in the Tortuguero region has very strong rip currents and is not suitable for swimming from the beach.
Adult min age: 16
Min group size: 4
Max group size: 16
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 welcome to Costa Rica. If you miss today’s welcome briefing, the tour leader will give you all relevant information on the afternoon of Day 2. Free transfers are available for all clients.
Accommodation: Aurola Holiday Inn San José (or similar)
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 tranquil, unspoilt and devoid of noise pollution. On reaching the pier, we board a small motorboat for the journey to our lodge (up to 1hr 30min) , which is a short distance from the main lagoon. Please note the transfer from San José to Tortuguero is not private for Exodus clients.
Our afternoon is spent in Tortuguero village, where we can visit the Sea Turtle Museum (a donation will be requested at the entrance). Tortuguero is probably most famous as a nesting site for the endangered green turtle, which can be seen arriving onto the beach to lay eggs from late July to October (as part of an optional excursion). Hawksbill, loggerhead and giant leatherback turtles also nest in this region, and during November to January baby turtles hatch and make their way towards the ocean. Today’s travel time will be in the region of five to six hours including a stop for breakfast.
Accommodation: Evergreen Lodge or Pachira Lodge (or similar)
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, caiman, iguanas, butterflies and many of the 300-plus bird species recorded here. We return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast by the river. This afternoon, we enjoy a second boat trip along a different canal. Alternatively, stay at the lodge this afternoon if you want to enjoy the facilities or follow a short walking trail through the forest.
Accommodation: Evergreen Lodge or Pachira Lodge (or similar)
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 until 2010, when it entered a resting phase and stopped spitting ash, smoke and lava. However, there is still a lot of geothermal activity here and you’ll have the opportunity to visit one of the excellent hot springs this evening. Alternatively, embark on a chocolate and coffee tour or take a walk on the wild side with the Ecoglide zipline . In clear weather, there are great views of the volcano from our overnight base, the nearby town of La Fortuna. Today’s travelling time is around 5hr 30min including a lunch stop.
Accommodation: Arenal Montechiari (or similar)
Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge and the Frío River combine to create a humid area that is very biodiverse and harbours a great variety of resident and migratory birds, three different monkey species, iguanas, sloths, turtles and caimans. We transfer approximately 90 minutes to the village of Los Chiles, close to the Nicaraguan border. From here, we board a boat for our river adventure, which lasts around 2hr 30min and passes through tropical rainforest and pastures until we arrive at the marshlands. Olivaceous cormorants nest here, while you may also see wood storks and the endangered jabiru (the largest bird in Central America). Along the river, we may also spot howler monkeys, three-toed sloths, caimans, lizards and turtles.
Accommodation: Arenal Montechiari (or similar)
From Arenal, we travel to the Tilaran 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-cloaked region whose name means Green Mountain. The high altitude supports a complex ecosystem where plants thrive, particularly orchids of which there are some 400-plus different varieties here. Today’s drive is around four hours – the last 25mi (40km) of road is gravel and can be bumpy, particularly following heavy rain. In the afternoon, it’s possible to join an optional coffee tour to learn about the importance of this crop to the socio-economic development of the country.
This evening we set off on a night walk in Monteverde Wildlife Refuge. Situated within primary cloud forest, this reserve is committed to the preservation of native flora and fauna. Taking a nocturnal walk allows for a completely new perspective on the forest, which our guides will bring to life for us.
Accommodation: Montaña Monteverde or Monteverde Country Lodge (or similar)
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 climatic conditions of the reserve allow a surprising biodiversity to thrive. There are four ecological ‘life zones’ that harbour different ecosystems for hundreds of species – mammals, birds, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, insects and arachnids. We can also find a variety of mosses, vines, other plants and trees typical of the cloud forest. One of the reserve trails leads to a lookout point right at the top of the continental divide where, on clear days, you see both Costa Rican coasts: the Caribbean and Pacific. These forests are also one of the few remaining habitats of the endangered resplendent quetzal. Following today’s activity, we transfer to San Jose.
Accommodation: Aurola Holiday Inn San Jose (or similar)
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 Jose 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.
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 Jose airport are available to all clients today.
Extend your stay in Costa Rica with a few nights of rest and relaxation at Tamarindo on the Pacific Coast. Once a sleepy fishing village, Tamarindo was discovered by surfers in the late 1980s and has steadily grown a reputation as one of the best beach destinations in Costa Rica. Located in the Guanacaste province, known for good weather and predictable sunshine, Tamarindo has a great mix of facilities and retains an authentic laid-back atmosphere. The town has accommodation catering to all budgets, from high-end boutique hotels to smaller, comfortable and characterful properties. The big draw is a long expanse of beach, with a curved bay backed by palm trees, cafes and restaurants. The waves are strong and loved by surfers, with swimmers mostly staying to the shallow surf breaking on the shore.
Facing west, the sunsets in Tamarindo are dramatic. There are plenty of excursions that can be organised locally if you want to discover the area. Or simply sit back and soak up the laid-back beach life, which is a real contrast from the other areas you will have visited in Costa Rica.
We have handpicked a selection of properties in Tamarindo and selected transport options to suit all budgets and group sizes – all that’s left for you to decide is how long you want to go for, and we’ll do the rest. Please speak to your sales representative for up-to-date pricings.
Accommodation:
How to reach Tamarindo?
There are three options to reach Tamarindo from San José, depending on your budget and how much time you have:
There is also the option to arrange your return flights from Liberia airport, around 1hr 30min from Tamarindo, with a private transfer to Tamarindo. Please speak to your sales consultant to discuss this option.
We recommend visiting Tamarindo for at least three nights. Please speak to your sales consultant for more details, to check hotel availability or make a reservation. You may need additional hotel nights in San José depending on the end date of your trip and your flight schedule. Also please note that some hotels in Tamarindo are not available in September.
On this Costa Rican adventure, we spend seven nights in comfortable 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 accommodation 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
Single supplement from £ 435
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.
We travel in air-conditioned buses and also boats in Tortuguero. 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. There is a shared transfer to Tortuguero on Day 2 of the itinerary in a larger coach.
Costa Rica is 10 degrees north of the equator and has a tropical climate. The average annual temperature is around 26C (79F) in the lowlands and 10C (50F) in the highest mountain regions. However, it’s essential you prepare for the time of year in which your departure takes place.
Dry season (December to April): This is the driest period of the year and can get incredibly hot; on the Pacific side, temperatures may exceed 37C (98F). If passing through areas of dry tropical forest it can be hot, dusty and dry. Prepare for some rain even during this time of year.
Rainy season (May to November): Expect daily downpours, although these are usually quite short and there is still plenty of sunshine. Typically, there are sunny conditions until approximately 1pm-2pm and then a build-up of cloud from around 3pm, resulting in late afternoon rain (most likely showers between 3pm-5pm). Usually, the sky clears by 6pm.
Start hotel: Park Inn, Avenida 6, San Bosco, CR-P, San José, 10103
Phone: +506 4110 1100
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 Santamaria Airport (SJO)
The start hotel is approximately 30 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers on the start date of the trip or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through Exodus.
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
If you have any space in your luggage, please check out our partner Pack for a Purpose (www.packforapurpose.org) to identify items needed by local schools and medical clinics. Your Tour Leader will happily assist with your donation.
Water included: Single-use plastic bottles are banned in Costa Rican national parks and we are always looking to reduce the number of single-use plastics used on our trips. Therefore, we provide safe drinking water throughout this adventure. Please bright a reusable bottle to refill along the way.
Remember to check the expiration date of your passport if travelling internationally. Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after the date of your scheduled return.
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
If you are travelling via the USA and are eligible to transit under the Visa Waiver Program, you are required to register in advance for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). There is a US$21 charge, which is only payable online. Please see our website www.exodus.co.uk/usvisa for further information.
Please note, not all nationalities have the same eligibility for travel to or transit via the USA, and you may not be covered by the visa waiver program. Regulations stipulate that any person who has travelled to Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen since March 2011, or have dual nationalities of these countries, may no longer qualify. In addition, if you have travelled to Cuba since 12 January 2021 you will not be eligible for the visa waiver program and should instead apply for a visa.
If you are in doubt of your eligibility, please check the visa requirements with your local US embassy.
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.
Costa Rica's time zone: America/Costa_Rica (UTC -06:00)
Costa Rica's electricity: Plug types A (two flat pins, US standard) and B (three pins, US standard) – 120V, 60Hz
Costa Rica's currency: Costa Rican colon (CRC); however, US dollars are widely accepted
ATMs are widely available in Costa Rica, particularly in the main tourist areas (excluding Tortuguero). 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. It is certainly much more convenient to carry as much of your money in cash as possible, so long as you are security conscious. We recommend you bring some small denomination notes (US$1 and US$5 notes) since getting change is often a problem when paying for small items.
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 holiday. Snack lunches are approximately US$15-US$18 and evening meals US$25-US$32 per meal (excluding drinks). Average costs for drinks (in restaurants) are US$2-US$3 for mineral water or soft drinks, US$4-US$5 for a bottle of beer, US$7-US$10 for cocktails and US$7-US$10 for a glass of wine.
Optional excursions available during this tour (bookable locally):
Tortuguero:
La Fortuna / Arenal:
Monteverde
All prices are per person and some excursions require a minimum number of participants. Depending on the activities chosen by members of the group, there may be an additional cost for transportation to/from the activity. Optional excursions can be paid for by cash (preferably), credit or debit card. Please note that due to time constraints, it is not possible to participate in all the optional activities and some may involve missing included elements of the tour.
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$45 for the tour leader and US$30 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.
We work hard to create trips which improve life for the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Find out more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.
Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:
People
How this trip helps improve life for local communities.
* The celebration of the International Tourism Day of 2019 by cleaning a beach at Guacalillo, that allowed to recollect 150 Kg of waste.
* Plastic lids collect and donation them to Fundación Proparques, to develop walkways to improve accessibility for people with mobility problems, in the country’s protected wild areas.
* The establishment of an alliance with the Recycling Program of the Municipality of San José, since May 2015 until December 2020, that led to recycle 43 tons of recoverable resources during that period. During pandemic, staff members continued with the recycling process from their homes. Collection and recycling include paper, cardboard, plastic items and lids, batteries, and electronic devices, among others.
* The purchase of souvenirs from local artists, to promote local benefits.
* Days have been held on the beach with older adults living in care homes.
* Elimination of single use plastics in our operation
* Reduction of printed documents by having all the information in a secure drive.
Places
How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.
Planet
How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.
Evergreen Lodge and Pachira Lodge: The lodges have sustainability policies and one of them is protecting the environment with practices of energy saving; that is why the rooms do not have air conditioning (all rooms have ceiling fans). In addition, as part of the Company vision, it seeks to generate a positive impact in the community, being an important source of employment for the inhabitants of the region. An important part of sustainability policies is to contribute appropriately to the community, assuming the commitment to reject children and youth commercial sexual exploitation and will report and condemns those who use the touristic activity to promote this kind of practices.
Monteverde Country Lodge: The Lodge aims to achieve a sustainable level of efficiency through the program SIGAS (System of Environmental Management and Sustainability according to the INTE/ISO 14001:2004 standard in hotels and other tourist accommodations). Among the most outstanding practices are: Currently building a wastewater treatment plant or Biodigester to decontaminate wastewater; Recycling Program; Buy to local producers safe vegetables, cheese, milk and others; Support to reforestation programs sponsored by local organizations involving the guests, co-workers, children and families.
Tips for sustainable travel on this trip
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.
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.
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 the Exodus office 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.
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.