Highlights of Costa Rica
Costa Rica Small Group Tour
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey to Costa Rica, a land of natural wonders and vibrant culture. This tour promises an immersive experience in the country's diverse landscapes, from misty cloud forests to pristine beaches. Begin your adventure in Naranjo, home to some of Costa Rica’s best coffee plantations. Then venture into the lush rainforests of Maquenque National Wildlife Refuge where you'll cruise through winding waterways, spotting exotic wildlife such as monkeys, sloths, and colourful birds. Next, journey to the Arenal Volcano area, where you'll hike through verdant forests, and marvel at the iconic volcano's majestic silhouette. Continue your adventure to the misty heights of Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, home to a staggering array of plant and animal species. Conclude your tour with relaxation on the pristine beaches of Guanacaste before heading back to bustling San Jose.
Tour Highlights
• Explore the delightful city of San Jose
• Experience local cooking and learn about chocolate and coffee making processes
• Explore the rich biodiversity of Monteverde Cloud Forest
• Discover the stunning natural beauty of the Arenal Volcano Area
• Relax in beautiful Guanacaste with its stunning beaches
Tour Rating
To help our travellers choose the right tour for them we have applied a grading system of 1 to 5. Tours with a fitness level of 1 will generally be suitable for all ages and will not be particularly strenuous, whereas tours with a fitness level of 5 are likely to be physically challenging. To find out more please contact our well-travelled team who will often have first-hand experience of the destination.
Fitness
3/5
Unexplored
3/5
Culture
4/5
History
3/5
Wildlife
3/5
Tour Pace
4/5
Map + Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive San José – Naranjo (driving time approx. 50mins)
Arrive into San José where you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Naranjo. No meals or activities included today. Overnight Chayote Lodge or similar.
Naranjo
Naranjo is known for its agricultural activities, particularly coffee cultivation. The region is part of Costa Rica's coffee belt, where the climate and altitude create favourable conditions for growing high-quality coffee beans. The landscape is characterized by lush green hills and mountains.
Day 2: Naranjo
Today enjoy the gastronomy delights of Naranjo. Visit a local home to learn about traditional Costa Rican food. Although its inheritance is a legacy of the mixing of many European influences and native customs, Costa Rica owns its distinctive characteristics in both its everyday life and cooking. Authentic Costa Rican food is made on wooden stoves and each region has its own style, varying from the spicy Afro Caribbean cuisine to the Guanacaste recipes prepared using a corn base. The central region cooking that employs a diet based on local agricultural products such as vegetables in abundance, tropical fruits, rice, beans, dairy and habitual accompanied by one type of meat. You will be shown how to prepare a traditional Costa Rican meal. Overnight at Chayote Lodge or similar (BL)
Day 3: Naranjo – Maquenque
After breakfast we head to Los Bajos del Toro (approx. 1 hour), a small village surrounded by rainforest in the slopes of the Poas Volcano and home of the Toro Amarillo Waterfall, one of the most scenic in Costa Rica. We first stop at Palmira where plantations of potatoes, cabbage and pasture fields blend in the natural forest to offer some spectacular views. Continue to Bajos del Toro and visit the Toro Amarillo Waterfall. We then continue north to Maquenque Lodge at Boca Tapada, San Carlos (approx. 1hr 30). Overnight at Maquenque Ecolodge or similar (BD)
Day 4: Maquenque
This morning we take a boat ride at Tres Amigos River and enjoy the tranquillity of the rainforest. Here we can see the wealth of flora and fauna and you can spot exotic animals like crocodiles, turtles, iguanas, monkeys, water birds and more. This afternoon, enjoy a nature walk with your guide at the hotel trails. Overnight at Maquenque Ecolodge or similar (BLD)
Day 5: Maquenque – Arenal Volcano Area
Today continue our journey to Arenal Volcano Area (approx. 1hr 45min). Upon our arrival to the area we will be exploring Arenal 1968 park. Enjoy the most extraordinary view of the Arenal Volcano on a hike along the base and flanks of this giant on the Arenal 1968 park. The trail is one of the park’s most extraordinary, to the 1968 lava flows: the remaining memory of the 20th century first eruption and some other areas now in the process of regeneration. We are going to be on this trail for about 2 ½ hours. You will then be transferred to your hotel. Overnight at Lomas del Volcán, Arenal Area or similar (B)
Day 6: Arenal Volcano Area
Today we will discover on of the most authentic product of Costa Rica - chocolate. Start today with a 30-45min walk on the cocoa trails, and learn about the process of planting, maintaining and harvesting organic cocoa. Continue to a ranch to see the chocolate-making process in action, and have the opportunity to taste different flavours, as well as making a chocolate bonbon. To finish, try your hand at making “Gods Drink”, which the ancient civilizations of Mexico used to make. After lunch we will explore the rainy forest from the top of the trees. Overnight at Lomas del Volcán, Arenal Area or similar (BD)
Day 7: Arenal – Monteverde Cloud Forest
Today travel to Monteverde (approx. 3 hours) and visit El Trapiche, a family-run business. Walk through the farm with beautiful views of sugar cane, coffee and banana plantations. See the entire coffee making process from drying, grinding and peeling the coffee beans to produce high-quality coffee. We then take an ox cart ride to the sugar mill to see how sugar cane is grinded, and enjoy a cup of high-quality, Costa Rican coffee. Overnight at El Establo, Monteverde Area or similar (BD)
Day 8: Monteverde Cloud Forest Area
This morning, discover the cloud forest. In the afternoon enjoy a visit to Santa Elena Village, exploring the local life in downtown Monteverde. Overnight at El Establo, Monteverde Area or similar (BD)
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Monteverde is worldwide recognized as the perfect destination for those looking to spend some real time surrounded by nature. This region is considered one of the most biologically diverse areas in the country. This is why Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is continuously visited by nature lovers all around the world, marveling at its beauty.
Chosen as one of Costa Rica’s Seven Wonders and one of the most important private reserves in the country, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve has over 10,500 hectares and is located 6 km from the small town of Santa Elena. Located at an altitude between 1,200 and 1,600 m, this cloud forest gives you the chance of exploring a different type of forest, allowing you to make your very own comparison between the biodiversity found in a rainforest and a cloud forest, proving that Costa Rica is full of natural treasures.
Day 9: Monteverde – Guanacaste Beach Area (overall approx. driving time 3 hours)
Leave the cloud forest behind and head to towards the beautiful beaches of Costa Rica. The journey starts with one of the most scenic rides, before descending the Tilaran Mountain range to reach the plains of Guanacaste’s countryside and finally head to the sands of North Pacific Coast. On the way we stop at Palo Verde National Park and take a boat through the brackish wetlands and look out for birds and the park’s many resident crocodiles. We then continue to your beach hotel. Overnight at Bosque del Mar, Guanacaste Beach or similar (B)
Days 10 and 11: Guanacaste Beach Area
Spend the next two days at leisure. There are several optional activities available for these days, or explore the area on your own. Overnight at Bosque del Mar, Guanacaste Beach or similar (B)
Please contact us for a list of optional excursions.
Day 12: Guanacaste Beach - San Jose
After breakfast we make our way back to San Jose (overall approx. driving time 4hrs 30mins). On the way we visit the Natuwa Sanctuary, which promotes the conservation of Costa Rica's macaws, both scarlet macaw (Ara macao) and green macaw (Ara ambiguus). After the visit transfer to your hotel for your last night in Costa Rica. Overnight at Presidente Hotel or similar (BD)
Day 13: San Jose Departure
Explore the San Jose City on your own this morning and get ready for your transfer to San Jose International Airport. (B)
Tour Inclusions
Arrival and departure transfers
Overland transport throughout with professional driver
All accommodation
Services of English-speaking guide / tour leader (driver/guide for groups of 3 or less)
Meals as listed
B – Breakfast
L – Lunch
D – Dinner
Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary
Feedback from our Travellers
Foreign Office Travel Warnings
Before booking your tour, please familiarise yourself with the country specific information provided by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) - www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. This includes important information such as latest immigration requirements, and details of any travel advisories.
We constantly monitor the advice posted by the FCDO. In particular we will always advise clients of any travel warnings. At present there are no warnings against travel to the parts of Costa Rica that we visit on this tour. Please feel free to contact us should you have any specific concerns or would like to know in detail what measures are being taken to ensure visits remain trouble free and without incident.
It should be noted that this information applies to British citizens. Other nationals are asked to check the current position of their respective government.
Visa Information
At the time of writing British, US and Australian nationals do not require a visa for a short term visit to Costa Rica. For further details please visit the applicable website shown below.
British Nationals - www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
US Nationals - travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html
Australian Nationals - www.smartraveller.gov.au
Other nationals should check the latest requirements with the authorities in their home country, or with the destination’s nearest embassy or consulate.
Should you require any documentation to support a visa application, such as a letter of invitation, upon request this will be provided by Undiscovered Destinations after receipt of your balance payment.
As it is the travellers’ responsibility to ensure that they meet all entry requirements it is essential that you check the rules and any other conditions at the time of booking and again when making your balance payment. In addition, we would strongly advise that you make a final check around two weeks before your arrival. This is important as requirements can change at short notice. Undiscovered Destinations, when possible, will provide guidance about entry rules, but in the first instance please contact the relevant authorities, including the applicable embassy or consulate for assistance.
Passports
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, valid for at least six months after the date of return to your country.
We strongly advise that your passport contains a minimum of two blank pages, as this may be a requirement of the local immigration authorities. In addition, certain countries will stipulate that the two blank pages are opposite each other. If you are unable to meet these requirements, you may be refused boarding by your airline or denied entry by the immigration authorities.
For specific information about the requirements for your destination please check with the country’s embassy or consulate. Alternatively, UK citizens can visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
Vaccinations & Protection
As with travel to most parts of Latin America, we strongly recommend that you contact your doctor’s surgery or a specialist travel clinic for up-to-date information, advice, and the necessary vaccinations. For a visit of less than one month you maybe advised to have immunisations against the following: Diphtheria and Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Meningitis. The use of a DEET-containing insect repellent may also be recommended.
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or purchased in your home country can be different in other countries. If you’re travelling with prescription or over-the-counter medicine, read this guidance from NaTHNaC on best practice when travelling with medicines. For further information on the legal status of a specific medicine, you’ll need to contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country or territory you’re travelling to.
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of booking with Undiscovered Destinations that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses (including cover for Covid-19 conditions) and emergency repatriation to your home country and be valid for the entire duration of your holiday.
Local Conditions
When travelling to our destinations, many of which are underdeveloped and untouristed by mainstream tourism, a good deal of patience and a sense of humour is an important attribute. This will help you to cope with problems such as ageing or poor infrastructure and when maintenance may not be as high as we would always like.
The choice of appropriate accommodation in some towns and cities (particularly the smaller places) can be limited, and standards of both service and maintenance can be less than polished. Guides and other service providers in some of our destinations do not always have the decades of collective practice and experience that their counterparts in more developed countries can draw upon. Although we will always try and resolve any issues as quickly as possible, on occasions there may be some shortcomings which no matter how hard we try will be unavoidable.
Essential Info
