Compare Costa Rica's Coastal Secrets by Exodus Travels vs Costa Rica: Volcanoes, Mangroves & Beaches by Great Value Vacations

Day 1 Start San Jose

Welcome to San José, the culture-rich capital of Costa Rica. 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 morning of Day 2. A free transfer is available to take you to our hotel in San José. Read the Joining Instructions in the Trip Notes for more information on booking your seat. Accommodation: Presidente Hotel or Park Inn or Aurola Holiday Inn San Jose (or similar)

Day 2 To Tortuguero National Park

Our adventure begins early this morning, leaving San Jose behind as we travel to Tortuguero National Park in northeast 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 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 six hours including a stop for breakfast. Accommodation: Evergreen Lodge (or similar)

Day 3 Boat tour around Tortuguero waterways

This morning we board a small boat, enabling us to discover the extraordinary flora and fauna of Tortuguero as we pass serenely along the waterways. In the morning 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’ll take a second boat trip this afternoon or you can relax at the lodge and enjoy the facilities. Accommodation: Evergreen Lodge (or similar)

Day 4 To Cahuita; relax on the Caribbean coast

We leave Tortuguero the same way we arrived, by taking a small boat to Siquirres pier. Our bus will be at the pier waiting to drive us to the Cahuita region on the Caribbean coast, where we check into our hotel. Caribbean culture pervades this part of Costa Rica and is reflected in the music, food and laid-back lifestyle. The white-sand beach here is fringed by tall palms, behind which is the dense, wet tropical forest of Cahuita National Park. Accommodation: Ciudad Perdida or Villas del Caribe (or similar)

Day 5 Wildlife walk in Cahuita National Park

Cahuita National Park has 2,711 acres (1,097ha) of land and 600 acres (243ha) of coral reef, the largest reef system in Costa Rica. Today we visit the national park, taking a 7mi (11km) walk from the southern entrance, which follows the coastline, through rainforest and past impressive Caribbean beaches. Although a fairly small in size, there is plenty of diversity in the park. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore the beach, join an optional snorkelling excursion (subject to local conditions) or simply relax. Accommodation: Ciudad Perdida or Villas del Caribe (or similar)

Day 6 Free day in Cahuita

Today is yours to relax into the Caribbean pace of life and enjoy free time around Cahuita. It is possible to join an optional excursion to the indigenous communities of Kekoldi & Bri Bri Reserve, where you'll learn about the properties and uses of native plants, plus the process of making artisanal chocolate. Chocolate is very important in Bri Bri culture and used for purification rituals, food and medicine. During the excursion, there is also the opportunity for a refreshing swim at a waterfall. Accommodation: Ciudad Perdida or Villas del Caribe (or similar)

Day 7 Walk in La Marta Wildlife Refuge; to Turrialba Valley

Our next destination is Turrialba Valley, a rich agricultural region in the Central Highlands. On the way to Turrialba, we visit La Marta Wildlife Refuge, an area of both primary and secondary forest within La Amistad Biosphere (recognised as a Unesco World Patrimony of Humanity). The topography of this region is mountainous, with waterfalls, rivers and caves – the varied elevation supports a wide range of plants (including orchids, bromeliads, lichens and mosses) and animals (including anteaters, ocelots and tapirs). Accommodation: Villa Florencia or Guayabo (or similar)

Day 8 To Savegre Cloud Forest

After breakfast, we depart towards San Gerado de Dota and Savegre Cloud Forest. This is said to be one of the best places in Costa Rica to see the beautiful, colourful and notoriously shy resplendent quetzal and we have two nights here to discover the region. These endangered birds rely on the cloud forest for their habitat; the males are particularly striking with a green crest, red breast and tail feathers that can reach a metre in length. A good pair of binoculars will be helpful for quetzal spotting as these birds camouflage themselves well among the wet leaves. After lunch, we take a short walk into the cloud forest. Accommodation: Savegre Hotel, Nature Reserve & Spa or Trogon Lodge (or similar)

Day 9 Free day to discover walking trails in Savegre

Today is free to relax and explore Savegre Valley. Bring your binoculars to spot some of the 170 bird species, trek through the tropical cloud forest or simply enjoy the incredible view from the lodge. Your leader will suggest walks for today so you can discover the tropical cloud forest and sub-Alpine vegetation of the area. Birds here include hummingbirds, tanagers and trogons, while you may also spot tapirs and squirrel monkeys. Accommodation: Savegre Hotel, Nature Reserve & Spa or Trogon Lodge (or similar)

Day 10 To Sierpe; boat to Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula

Early in the morning, our journey continues towards the small town of Sierpe, where we board a small motorboat to Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula. Passing the huge mangrove swamps that line the Sierpe River, our boat crosses the ocean before arriving at Drake Bay. This region is very remote and with extremely limited road access, which means most supplies, visitors and locals, must arrive by boat. Getting here is part of the adventure. The bay is spectacular, with just a handful of lodges on the horizon and the rest thick verdant forest and rocky coves as far as the eye can see. Our next three nights will be spent at the Drake Bay Wilderness Resort, a family-run property close to the 'town' of Drake Bay and with ocean views from every corner. Accommodation: Drake Bay Wilderness Resort (or similar)

Day 11 Boat trip to Caño Island

Board a small boat to Caño Island, 12 nautical miles from Drake Bay. During this 45-minute boat ride, there may be opportunities to spot migrating whales or playful dolphins (orca are also here around December to April and humpbacks might be seen around July to November). The interior of the island is thought to have been a burial ground for the indigenous Daquis tribe during pre-Columbian times, and many perfectly spherical human-made stones have been found here. But it's the marine life that is the biggest highlight of Caño Island, with hawksbill and olive ridley turtles, manta rays and white-tipped reef sharks just some of the likely encounters on today's snorkelling excursion. This area has been rated as having the best snorkelling in the whole of Costa Rica, with excellent water visibility and a huge marine diversity living in the protected reef. Enjoy a picnic lunch on nearby San Josecito beach, where capuchin monkeys, coatimundi and lively scarlet macaws may appear. Accommodation: Drake Bay Wilderness Resort (or similar)

Day 12 Boat trip to Corcovado National Park; discover the park on foot

When National Geographic describes an area as “the most biologically intense place on Earth,” it must be worthy of investigation. This morning we board a small boat for a 30-minute journey to San Pedrillo Ranger Station, our entrance point to Corcovado National Park. This is undoubtedly the most secluded and tranquil region in Costa Rica. Protecting around one-third of the Osa Peninsula (some 164sqmi/425sqkm), Corcovado is the largest national park in Costa Rica and encompasses 13 major ecosystems across various elevations, with montane forest, cloud forest, fresh water and mangrove swamps among them. Scientists have recorded half of all the species in Costa Rica on this peninsula alone. On today's hike along the parks trails, we may see all four monkey species in Costa Rica (squirrel, howler, white-faced capuchin and spider), tamandua (anteaters), two- and three-toed sloths, peccary, tapirs (including the endangered Baird’s tapir) and many reptiles, insects and amphibians. Puma and jaguar also prowl this area, but are very difficult to see. With more than 500 tree species, the bird count stands at an impressive 365 and the park protects the largest population of scarlet macaws in the country, which can frequently be seen and heard flying overhead. Accommodation: Drake Bay Wilderness Resort (or similar)

Day 13 Mangrove boat trip; to Sierpe; to San Jose

After an early breakfast, we board another boat and return to Sierpe town. On the way, our boat will take a short tour of the huge mangrove forest that lines the Sierpe River. Delving into the network of tributary rivers and streams offers a chance to learn more about the role of mangroves in the ecosystem and the numerous creatures that depend on them, including fish, crabs, birds, molluscs and shellfish. In Sierpe town, we transfer to our private minibus and commence our journey to San Jose. Accommodation: Presidente Hotel or Park Inn or Aurola Holiday Inn San Jose (or similar)

Day 14 Visit the Irazu Volcano National Park and the Orosi Valley for a coffee tour

Today begins with a trip to the Irazu Volcano National Park in the Cartago province of Costa Rica, located within the Central Mountain Range around a 90-minute journey from San Jose. Passing different vegetation, we'll drive towards the summit and then follow a path that leads to a wonderful view across the huge crater. Irazu is one of the most active volcanoes in Costa Rica, though it has recently entered a dormant phase – a relief to the farmers and property owners who make their living on the fertile slopes. On a clear day, both the Caribbean and Pacific coastlines can be seen from the summit. Remember to bring a jacket as it can be windy and cold at the viewpoint of this elevation (Irazu summit is 11,260ft/3,432m high). Following this we continue to the city of Cartago, home to a spectacular domed basilica, and the Orosi Valley, an area of natural beauty. After lunch in one of the many traditional restaurants, we join the Orosi Coffee tour to learn about the ancient techniques used to produce some of the best coffee in the world. This involves understanding the cultivation, harvesting and roasting of coffee beans, before you have a chance to savour the end product yourself. Afterwards, we return to San Jose for our last night of the holiday. Accommodation: Presidente Hotel or Park Inn or Aurola Holiday Inn San Jose (or similar)

Day 15 End San Jose

Our adventure comes to an end today after breakfast and it's time to bid Costa Rica and the rest of the group goodbye. Hop in your free transfer back to San Jose airport to begin your return journey home.

Day 1 Welcome to San Jose!

Arrive at Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) and pick up your rental car to start your Costa Rica adventure! From San Jose, drive to Naranjo and check into your hotel. Spend the remainder of the day or night at leisure.

Est. driving time: 1 hour 

Day 2 Naranjo - Arenal Volcano

See Poas Volcano if you didn't catch it last night, then begin the journey to Arenal Volcano (about a 2 hour drive). This route offers beautiful scenery accompanied by picturesque rural towns like Rio Cuarto, Aguas Zarcas and La Fortuna de San Carlos.

If weather conditions are favorable, you'll be able to see one of the greatest natural attractions of the country: the impressive Arenal Volcano. Arenal has been the country’s most active volcano for the past 43 years!

Est. driving time: 2 1/4 hours

Day 3 Arenal Volcano

This day is yours to enjoy the tourist attractions around Arenal Volcano. If you're up for an adventure, head to Sky Adventure Park for the Sky Tram & Sky Trek. The tour combines ascending to the top of the mountain by Sky Tram with an exhilarating decline by zip line!

If you prefer a calmer excursion, pay a visit to Arenal Hanging Bridges, a collection of 16 hanging bridges immersed in the rainforest. Walk along the bridges as you admire magnificent views of Arenal Volcano, and keep your eyes peeled for mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and insects that live in the rainforest. 

Day 4 Arenal Volcano - Puerto Humo

After breakfast, drive 3½ hours to Palo Verde National Park. On the way, enjoy panoramic views of Arenal Lake as you continue through the village of Cañas across La Amistad Bridge.

Est. driving time: 3 1/2 hours

Day 5 Puerto Humo

Today, explore Rancho Humo's unique natural environment of wetlands and mangroves. Embark on a boat tour along Temp River to glimpse the wide range of flora and fauna like herons, martinets, hawks, ducks, roseate spoonbills, wood storks and the jabiru, the largest waterfowl in Latin America.

You could also pay a visit to Palo Verde National Park.

Day 6 Puerto Humo - Tamarindo Beach, Guanacaste

In the morning continue your trip to the beautiful coast of Guanacaste in the North Pacific of Costa Rica, known for its jungle-covered beaches and warm waters. As you drive on the Panamerican highway, take notice of the picturesque rural villages and the change from rainforest to tropical dry forest that characterizes the province of Guanacaste.

Est. driving time: 1 3/4 hours

Day 7 Tamarindo Beach, Guanacaste

Enjoy your first full day in Guanacaste! There is much to do and see in Northwestern Costa Rica, from gorgeous beaches to mesmerizing national parks. One of the most well-known national parks is Rincon de la Vieja, an intriguing combination of volcanic geological wonders and pristine tropical forests. The main attraction is the steamy volcano Rincon de la Vieja (translating to "old lady’s nook").  

You could also visit Liberia, the rural capital of Guanacaste, that's adorned with charming colonial buildings.

Day 8 Tamarindo Beach, Guanacaste

Continue to explore the Guanacaste region today. A highlight would be visiting Llanos de Cortes, the most stunning waterfall in Costa Rica. Walk down a short, steep trail to reach this spectacular waterfall then swim in the tranquil pond below the gushing falls. 

Guanacaste's beaches are also a good bet for rest and relaxation. Head to the peaceful sheltered bay at Playa Hermosa, sprinkled with coconut palms and olive trees. 

Day 9 Depart Costa Rica

After enjoying an unforgettable stay in Costa Rica, it's time to say goodbye. Drive to Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR) in Liberia and return your car, then board your flight back home. 

Est. driving time: 1 1/2 hours