15 days tour

Costa Rica’S Coastal Secrets

$ 4,980 .00 USD

Total price per person

Reserve with $4,980.00

Costa Rica’S Coastal Secrets

This tour includes:

Guide

Tour leader throughout

Meals

All breakfasts, eight lunches and seven dinners are included. 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, which is 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.

Transport

We travel in air-conditioned buses and also boats in Tortuguero and Drake Bay. 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.

Accommodation

On this Costa Rican adventure, we spend 14 nights in hotels and lodges. Make sure to bring your swimwear, as most have swimming pools. The normal accommodations used on this trip are on the day-to-day itinerary; however, below are a couple of the notable places we stay. Tortuguero: Evergreen Lodge (nights 2-3) Within Tortuguero National Park, this 66-room resort provides an away-from-it-all experience within the jungle. There’s a turtle-shaped swimming pool (this is green turtle country after all) and dining rooms where you can tuck into Caribbean cuisine with views of the tranquil neighbouring waterway. Residents you might spot include sloths, toucans and iguanas, and we stay in rustic wooden bungalows with comfortable beds and ceiling fans. Savegre: Savegre Hotel & Spa or Trogon Lodge (nights 8-9) In the middle of a natural forest reserve, Savegre Hotel & Spa (above) is the ideal place to immerse in nature. It has plant-filled gardens, multiple walking trails, and a lookout point with views over forested slopes. We sleep in wooden lodges, while Las Bromelias restaurant serves international and local cuisines (made with seasonal, indigenous produce) and Los Robles, a bar-lounge, serves cocktails and Savegre coffee. On some departures, we stay at the 24-room Trogon Lodge instead. It’s equally idyllic, with a farm-to-table restaurant, a river-view bar and two nature trails. Drake Bay: Drake Bay Wilderness Resort (nights 10-12) When Herbert and Marleny founded this resort in 1985, they were among the first in the area – electricity would take 20 years to fully arrive here. They chose an excellent location. Right by the ocean, there’s plenty of spots to admire the bay, while fellow residents include white-faced monkeys, anteaters and even dolphins. Other highlights include a restaurant serving Costa Rican-American dishes, a saltwater swimming pool, and a bar with bay views. Worth knowing Some of the properties have ceiling fans rather than air conditioning. One or several of the named properties might be substituted for similar alternatives to secure hotel availability. Please discuss with your customer operations executive if you require more details regarding your specific departure date.

Not included:

Others

— Travel Insurance — Single accommodation (available on request) — Visas or vaccinations

Insurance

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Costa Rica’S Coastal Secrets

  • Day 1 Day 1: Start San José
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1: Start San José

      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 afternoon 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 Delta by Marriott San José Aurola (or similar)

  • Day 2 Day 2: To Tortuguero National Park (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2: To Tortuguero National Park (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      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 Day 3: Boat Tour Around Tortuguero Waterways (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3: Boat Tour Around Tortuguero Waterways (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      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 Day 4: To Cahuita; Relax On The Caribbean Coast (Breakfast,Lunch)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4: To Cahuita; Relax On The Caribbean Coast (Breakfast,Lunch)

      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 similar)

  • Day 5 Day 5: Wildlife Walk In Cahuita National Park (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5: Wildlife Walk In Cahuita National Park (Breakfast)

      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 walk that follows the coastline through rainforest and past impressive Caribbean beaches. Although 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 similar)

  • Day 6 Day 6: Free Day In Cahuita (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 6: Free Day In Cahuita (Breakfast)

      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 similar)

  • Day 7 Day 7: To Turrialba Valley; Free Afternoon (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7: To Turrialba Valley; Free Afternoon (Breakfast)

      Our next destination is Turrialba Valley, a rich agricultural region in the Central Highlands. 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). The afternoon is free for you to enjoy the extensive hotel grounds, tranquil surrounding area and the birdlife that frequents the valley. Accommodation: Villa Florencia, Turrialtico or Guayabo Lodge (or similar)

  • Day 8 Day 8: Visit To Catie Research Centre; To Savegre Valley Cloud Forest (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 8: Visit To Catie Research Centre; To Savegre Valley Cloud Forest (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      After breakfast, we depart for CATIE (Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza), an international institute for agricultural development and biological conservation. Our visit includes a guided walk in the Dr Jorge León Arguedas Botanical Garden, during which we will see and learn about the approximately 400 different species that are observed and interpreted here, as well as receive an explanation of myriad exotic fruits that are found at the facility. After lunch, we continue to San Gerardo de Dota and Savegre Valley 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 Day 9: Free Day To Discover Walking Trails In Savegre Valley (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 9: Free Day To Discover Walking Trails In Savegre Valley (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      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, woodpeckers tanagers and trogons, and if you are lucky tapirs and squirrel monkeys. Accommodation: Savegre Hotel, Nature Reserve & Spa or Trogon Lodge (or similar)

  • Day 10 Day 10: To Sierpe; Boat To Drake Bay On The Osa Peninsula (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 10: To Sierpe; Boat To Drake Bay On The Osa Peninsula (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      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 Day 11: Snorkelling Near Caño Island; Walk To Secluded Cocalito Beach (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 11: Snorkelling Near Caño Island; Walk To Secluded Cocalito Beach (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      This morning, we board a small boat towards Caño Island. During this 45-minute boat ride, there may be opportunities to spot migrating whales or playful dolphins (orca are occasionally spotted here between December to April and humpbacks might be seen around July to November). Marine life is the biggest highlight of this area, 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. On returning to Drake Bay, we enjoy lunch then embark on a 1mi (1.5km) walk to Cocalito Beach. Wildlife including iguanas, macaws and toucans are often spotted along the route, and elusive tapirs are also seen less frequently. There is time to rest on the golden sands and take in the secluded beauty of Cocalito before returning to the hotel. Accommodation: Drake Bay Wilderness Resort (or similar)

  • Day 12 Day 12: Boat Trip To Corcovado National Park; Discover The Park On Foot (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 12: Boat Trip To Corcovado National Park; Discover The Park On Foot (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      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. In October, when the national park is closed, we typically visit El Camino de la Danta, a wildlife-rich trail home to white-faced monkeys, scarlet macaws, toucans and more. Accommodation: Drake Bay Wilderness Resort (or similar)

  • Day 13 Day 13: Mangrove Boat Trip; To Sierpe; To San Jose (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 13: Mangrove Boat Trip; To Sierpe; To San Jose (Breakfast)

      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 José. Accommodation: Presidente Hotel or Park Inn or Delta by Marriott San José Aurola (or similar)

  • Day 14 Day 14: Visit The Irazu Volcano National Park And The Orosi Valley For A Coffee Tour (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 14: Visit The Irazu Volcano National Park And The Orosi Valley For A Coffee Tour (Breakfast)

      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 José. 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 Delta by Marriott San José Aurola (or similar)

  • Day 15 Day 15: End San José (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 15: End San José (Breakfast)

      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.

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but you’re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

You’ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Basic

Almost everyone is fit for these activities. Every hike or physical exercise last less than 30 minutes, such as paragliding and horseback riding. Please ask about specific conditions.

Age range

Age range

Min: 16 / Max: 99

Age range allowed for this experience.

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