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What to expect

Monteverde Cloud Forest

Monteverde Cloud Forest

Discover waterfalls & wildlife on rainforest hikes

Tamarindo Beach, Las Baulas NP

Tamarindo Beach, Las Baulas NP

Finish your adventure in style with an idyllic beach escape

Tortuguero National Park

Tortuguero National Park

Spot monkeys, iguanas & sloths on a boat tour

About this trip...

About the trip

Embark on an unforgettable adventure through Costa Rica's lush rainforests, exotic beaches, and vibrant wildlife! Begin your journey in the bustling capital of San Jose before hiking volcanic craters and exploring cascading waterfalls. Glide through Tortuguero’s jungle canals, spotting monkeys, sloths, and even the elusive jaguar. Walk the breathtaking hanging bridges in Arenal’s tropical rainforest, then hike the misty Monteverde Cloud Forest, teeming with rare species. Finally, unwind on the pristine white sands of Tamarindo, where relaxation meets paradise. This thrilling trip offers nature at its most majestic, combined with local culture, luxurious stays, and unforgettable memories! Find out about Costa Rica's entry requirements here.
Activity Level: Activity Level Rating
What's this?

What's Included

  • Return flights & transfers
  • Airport Taxes & Charges
  • Twin / double room for sole use
  • Solos Board: Breakfast daily, 4 lunches & 6 dinners
  • Welcome Drink & Information Meeting
  • Hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
  • Costa Rican family Trapiche tour
  • Entrance to La Paz Waterfalls Gardens
  • Guided visit of Arenal Volcano National Park
  • Morning boat tour of Tortuguero National Park
  • Visit of Tortuguero Village & the Green Turtle Information Centre
  • Walking tour of Arenal Hanging bridges
  • Visit to Poas Volcano National Park
  • Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
  • Fully financially protected

What's extra:

  • Insurance - see here

Itinerary

  • London - San Jose
  • Volcanos & Waterfalls
  • Tortuguero
  • Tortuguero National Park
  • On to Arenal
  • Arenal Hanging Bridges & Volcano National Park
  • Over to Monteverde
  • Monteverde Cloud Forest
  • Off to the beach!
  • Relax & Unwind
  • San Jose - London

What you'll be doing

Day One: London - San Jose

Day One: London - San Jose

Arrive into the vibrant capital of San Jose. Relax for the rest of the afternoon before a welcome drink and dinner.
  • Dinner Included
Day Two: Volcanoes & Waterfalls

Day Two: Volcanoes & Waterfalls

Making our way out of the city, we head towards the active Poas Volcano. The volcano rises to 2,708 metres above sea level and we will witness large amounts of gas and water vapour that emit from the different fumaroles located in the inner cone of the crater. At the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, we can explore some of the trails and take in the famous waterfalls. The private reserve also contains a Butterfly Garden and Hummingbird Garden with many beautiful species. The park is even a refuge for birds and wild cats who are now cared for by the centre. 

Comfortable walking shoes (preferably with a thick tread for hiking the trails and hundreds of stairs), shorts or comfortable trousers and a lightweight jacket or raincoat.
Please note: The Park ranges in altitude from 5,200 feet to 4,200 feet so it can get chilly when the clouds roll in.

  • Breakfast & Lunch Included
Day Three: Tortuguero

Day Three: Tortuguero

After an early morning start, we will head to the docks and transfer by boat to Tortuguero. After lunch we will explore the hotel trail where we will have a guided tour and learn about the flora species as well animals that are in the region and we might be lucky enough to see, as well as this, we will admire the beautiful landscape. We will return the lodge for dinner. Please note: Luggage is limited to 25 pounds (12 kg) per person.

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day Four: Explore Tortuguero Village and National Park's wildlife & freshwater lagoons

Day Four: Explore Tortuguero Village and National Park's wildlife & freshwater lagoons

After breakfast we will enjoy our first boat tour on the visit the Tortuguero Canals. The national park itself has had its boundaries extended three times, and is internationally recognised for its protection of the largest green turtle nesting beach in the Western Hemisphere. A place like no other, we glide along by small boats through a network of canals and freshwater lagoons that are used for transportation and are a great place for observing local wildlife, as we go, we might be watched by curious monkeys, bright toucans, ancient iguanas, sedentary sloths and maybe even the glinting eye of a crocodile.

There is an abundant of wildlife inhabits in Tortuguero, including 57 species of amphibians, 111 species of reptiles, and 60 species of mammals, with more than 300 species of birds living in Tortuguero for all or part of the year. After, we will return to the lodge for dinner. We will head to the picturesque Tortuguero Village, located in the heart of the protected area of Tortuguero National Park. Tortuguero Village is a small town of only about 1,200 people, has only one main walkway that is paved but with no cars, the only traffic you will see is many bicycles and the occasional coconut carts. Please note: The order and logistics of the itinerary may change depending on weather conditions.
  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day Five: On to Arenal

Day Five: On to Arenal

After breakfast, we take the boat back to the port before transferring to Arenal.

  • Breakfast & Lunch Included

Day Six: Visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges & Volcano National Park

Day Six: Visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges & Volcano National Park

This is a perfect opportunity to discover a tropical rainforest. Our walk takes in 15 bridges, 6 of which are hanging bridges all built with amazing views of the forest, and with the shape of the trees allowing us to observe many species more closely. The park has more than 700 species of flora and 350 species of fauna. Look out for the bell bird, the emerald tucancito, whilst keeping your eyes peeled for the elusive jaguar and tapirs.

This afternoon, we move on to the Arenal Volcano National Park, one of the most visited destinations in the north of the country. While on the trails, we can observe much of the park's flora and fauna as well as the remains of lava tracts.
  • Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day Seven: Learn about traditional farming in Monteverde

Day Seven: Learn about traditional farming in Monteverde

We transfer to Monteverde today with a Trapiche Tour in the afternoon. This is a Costa Rican family project that offers visitors the opportunity to learn about traditional farming in the country, such as sugar cane, coffee, bananas, oranges, 'arracacha' (a local vegetable) and macadamia. We will have a walking tour and learn how to grow cacao to make chocolate. We can make our own 'sobado, a fudge-like candy and to try the 'picadillo de arracache' (a traditional dish) with a delicious cup of coffee.

  • Breakfast & Dinner Included

Day Eight: Hike through the Monteverde Cloud Forest

Day Eight: Hike through the Monteverde Cloud Forest

Today we hike through the famous Cloud Forest. One of the most famous conservation areas in Central America, it is tropical rainforest but because of its altitude (1,400 meters), it’s called a Cloud Forest. The cloud forest receives an incredible four meters of rain every year, and is home to rare and unusual wildlife.

  • Breakfast Included

Day Nine: Off to the beach

Day Nine: Off to the beach

Today we will transfer to Tamarindo where we will spend two nights on the beach. Located in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, Tamarindo is a truly exotic paradise! Tamarindo Beach is a white sand bay beach, and part of Las Baulas National Park. Surrounded by exotic tropical gardens, our hotel offers outstanding international cuisine with six different restaurants and five bars. You can enjoy the four swimming pools and the outdoor jacuzzi.

  • Breakfast & Dinner Included

Day Ten: Relax & Unwind

Day Ten: Relax & Unwind

Today, we have a full day at leisure to chill out on the beach or take a dip in one of the swimming pools at our resort.

  • Breakfast Included

Day Eleven: San Jose - London

Day Eleven: San Jose - London

We say a final farewell as we head back to San Jose for our overnight flight home.

  • Breakfast Included

Accommodation

Costa Rica

We stay in comfortable hotels throughout as detailed below (or similar);
  • Four-star Hotel Presidente - San Jose
  • Four-star Mawamba Lodge - Tortuguero
  • Three-star Arenal Manoa Hotel - Arenal
  • Four-star Hotel Poco a Poco - Monteverde
  • Four-star Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort - Tamarindo

Dates & Prices

Departure Return Nights Price from Other Info Regional flights
1 Nov 2025 11 Nov 2025 10 £5659.00 Please call for regional flights

Frequently asked questions

Transfer time
The transfer time for the main tour between Juan Santamaria International Airport San Jose and the hotel is approximately 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
Dress code
During the day when sightseeing, we recommend casual, lightweight cotton clothing, shorts or comfortable trousers. We recommend to bring at least 2 sets of clothes that dry quickly (jeans not recommended). You will find that smart casual wear is acceptable, even in the best hotels during the evening. 
 
We would recommend a lightweight raincoat and an umbrella or hat for protection against rain or sun. Comfortable walking shoes are a “must” for sightseeing and for hiking trails and stairs (preferably with a thick tread). 
 
Please take a zip-lock plastic bags for personal belongings protection in case of rain, small day pack or fanny pack for hikes, sweater or light jacket, sunglasses and swimwear.
Gratuities
We suggest a Group Collection to cover guides, transfer drivers, and hotel staff. We recommend $ 10.00 per person per day for the guide and $ 5.00 per person per day for driver. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. 
 
For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, or taxi fares, your Tour Leader can advise of an appropriate % to add on.
Passport, visa & entry requirements

Passport
Your passport should have at least one day’s validity from the date you are leaving Costa Rica. If you hold a passport other than a British Citizen passport, different regulations may apply.

Visas
British nationals do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica. You may stay as a visitor for up to 90 days under a tourist visa waiver, although the exact period is at the discretion of the immigration officer on arrival.

Entry requirements
Evidence of onward travel

Entry to Costa Rica may be refused if you are unable to produce evidence of return or onward travel (for example a return air ticket). Further information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/costa-rica/entry-requirements



Health requirements
At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website. Each country-specific page has information on vaccine recommendations, any current health risks or outbreaks, and factsheets with information on staying healthy abroad. 
 
Guidance is also available from NHS (Scotland) on the FitForTravel website. General information on travel vaccinations and a travel health checklist is available on the NHS website. You may then wish to contact your health adviser or pharmacy for advice on other preventive measures and managing any pre-existing medical conditions while you’re abroad.

Yellow fever certificate requirements

Check whether you need a yellow fever certificate by visiting the National Travel Health Network and Centre’s TravelHealthPro website.
Currency
Costa Rican colón Credit cards accepted: Visa, Master Card & American Express. US$ are well accepted at restaurants and stores (Preferably $10 & $20 bills)
Important information
A reasonable level of fitness/mobility is required as include plenty of sightseeing/travelling, sometimes with early starts. The La Paz Waterfalls Gardens is located in a Park which ranges in altitude from 5200 feet to 4200 feet so it can get chilly when the clouds roll in. When in Tortugero, there is a luggage restriction to 12kg per person. You can travel with a small bag and the remainder left in storage at our partners office.  
Local taxes

Airport tax

There’s a departure tax of $29 when leaving the country by air. Most airlines include this in ticket prices; a few have still not done so. Check with your airline or travel company whether you need to pay this separately. If so you can pay by cash or credit/debit card in dollars or local colones.

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