Premium Costa Rica in Depth

12 Days
From CAD 7596 Was CAD 8440
Best Rate
Guarantee
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Light

Rating


(8 reviews)

Experience Overview

Welcome to Costa Rica, where trendy gastronomic neighbourhoods rub shoulders with wild rainforests and pristine beaches. Join a local leader to discover the natural, indigenous and modern sides of Costa Rica on an immersive 12-day Premium journey. From the lively charm of San Jose to the cloud forests of Monteverde, culturally significant coffee plantations, pristine wildlife refuges, and spectacular scenery of Arenal National Park – this adventure takes you straight to the heart of it all. Take time to soak up quiet moments of local life and get beneath the surface of a remarkable country that will captivate you at every turn.

Highlights

  • Learn about the culture of Costa Rica with Premium exclusive experiences: spend time with a local family and learn how to create traditional dishes in their kitchen, and visit Matambu, the only indigenous territory of the Chorotegan people, to learn ancient pottery techniques passed down for generations.
  • Experience the magnificent landscapes Costa Rica from all angles with a gentle hike in Arenal Volcano National Park, a cruise on the Tortuguero canals, and a treetop walkways experience in the Monteverde Cloud Forest.
  • Enjoy two nights at your Feature Stay – a stunning and sustainable jungle hotel next to the electric-blue Rio Celeste River. Settle into your cosy casita (bungalow), an exclusive retreat just for you, and surround yourself with the sounds of nature.
  • End your trip with a free day at the beach, capped off with a sunset sailing cruise and a farewell dinner – the perfect way to reflect on your journey across Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica is a nature lover’s dream. Keep your eyes out for green turtles, sloths, monkeys, coatis, anteaters, tropical birds, and more as you cross the width of Costa Rica, experiencing a variety of different habitats and environments.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Eden Reforestation Projects. Donations help them provide local employment opportunities and tackle climate change one tree at a time as they restore forests across 10 different countries.

Trip Details

Product CodeProduct Code: 2424

Tour TypeTour Type: Small Group

AccommodationAccommodation: Unknown

TransportTransport: Private vehicle,shared bus,boat

Guide LanguageGuide Language: English

Supplier CodeSupplier Code: QBPT

StartStarts: San Jose, Costa Rica

FinishFinishes: Tamarindo, Costa Rica

DurationDuration: 12 days

DeparturesDepartures: Guaranteed

Physical RatingPhysical rating: Light

Includes

Meals: Breakfasts (11), Lunch (5), Dinner (6)
Accommodation: Comfortable hotel (9 nights),Feature Stay (2 nights)

Price

Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 7596 (CAD 633 /day)

Itinerary

1
Day 1: San Jose

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Costa Rica. Your adventure begins in San Jose, the country’s flourishing capital where you will be collected from the airport on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Here you will meet your local leader and small group for an important welcome meeting at 6pm. Costa Rican coffee is some of the best in the world, with great cafes to match, so if you arrive with time to spare perhaps set out to sample the local brew. After your meeting, head out with your leader and fellow travellers for a welcome meal with some delicious local specialties.

Included Activities:

  • San Jose - Welcome Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Gran Hotel Costa Rica Curio Collection By Hilton or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

2
Day 2: Tortuguero

Leave the hotel early this morning and descend to the Caribbean lowlands on a scenic (and slightly bumpy) journey that ends at the port of La Pavona, your entry point to Tortuguero National Park. Next you’ll transfer to a boat and get your first taste of the magic of the Tortuguero, where roads are replaced by sun dappled canals and the only traffic noises are the calls of tropical birds. After lunch, tour the town of Tortuguero and learn about the Miskito, the Miskito-Zambo and Afro-Caribbean people who call it home. As you tour the town, learn about the lifestyle of its people, their customs and their daily life. If you are visiting between July and October, it’s possible to book an optional evening turtle tour which offers the chance to see turtles laying their eggs.

Included Activities:

  • Tortuguero - Town Visit

Optional Activities:

  • Tortuguero - Night Hike (35 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Pachira Lodge or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

3
Day 3: Tortuguero

Awaken to the sound of birdsong and perhaps enjoy a morning walk through the hotel gardens after breakfast. It’s a magical and relaxing way to experience the biodiversity of the area. This morning take a boat tour along the National Park’s canals with the chance to see up to 13 of Costa Rica’s 16 most endangered mammals such as manatees, ocelots and jaguars, as well as hundreds of bird species. This national park is also the largest green turtle nesting ground in the Western Hemisphere. Lesser numbers of the critically endangered hawksbill turtle, plus loggerheads, and giant leatherback turtles also nest within the park at different times of the year. You’ll need to be ready for all seasons – waterproof clothing and shoes are recommended – on this nature focused day.

Included Activities:

  • Tortuguero - Canal Boat Tour
  • Tortuguero - Garden Walk
  • Tortuguero - National Park Entrance

Optional Activities:

  • Tortuguero - Turtle Watching Night Tour (47 USD)
  • Tortuguero - Sunrise Canoe Trip (45 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Pachira Lodge or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

4
Day 4: La Fortuna

After breakfast, travel by boat from Tortuguero to La Pavona where you’ll be driven to La Fortuna, famed for its mellow atmosphere, bubbling hot springs and mighty Arenal volcano. Check in to your hotel and enjoy its unbeatable location surrounded by luxuriant jungle and soaring volcano views. Spend some time poolside, listening to the songs of birds, then enjoy dinner with your group at the fantastic on-site restaurant which features creative local cuisine.

Accommodation:

  • Lomas del Volcan or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

5
Day 5: La Fortuna

Today you’ll visit the Arenal Volcano for a gentle hike. Along the way you will learn about the history of the volcano, forest formation processes, and general volcanology and see plants, wildlife, magnificent rock formations and a wonderful view of Lake Arenal. Keep your eyes open for local wildlife, including capuchin monkeys, great curassows, toucans, colourful parrots, and more. After your walk, it’s time for lunch. You’ll be invited into the kitchen of a local family for a one-of-a-kind lunch experience. Here you’ll learn how to make tortillas by hand. You’ll enjoy the fruits of your labour with a tasty lunch featuring simple traditional dishes.

Included Activities:

  • La Fortuna - Arenal Volcano Base Hike
  • La Fortuna - Tortilla Making Class

Optional Activities:

  • La Fortuna- Caño Negro boat tour (84 USD)
  • La Fortuna - Ecotermales Hot Springs (entrance fee) (49 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Lomas del Volcan or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

6
Day 6: Monteverde

After breakfast, depart La Fortuna and begin the journey to Monteverde via a scenic drive. Admire the dramatic views of the Arenal volcano unfolding in front of you while your leader points out interesting wildlife along the way. In the early afternoon you’ll arrive in Monteverde, which is renowned for its spectacular cloud forests and rich biodiversity, and visit a family business that is famous for two of Costa Rica’s most famous (and delicious) products – coffee and chocolate. The staff will take you through the entire process, from the seed to a delicious cup of coffee or a chocolate bar, with tastes along the way. If you’re feeling adventurous, you may like to join an optional canopy zip lining tour and zoom through the jungle.

Included Activities:

  • Monteverde- Cacao & Coffee Experience

Optional Activities:

  • Monteverde - Canopy Zip Lining (Entrance, Equipment & Transport) (65 USD)

Accommodation:

  • El Establo Hotel or smilar (Number of Nights: 1)

7
Day 7: Monteverde

After breakfast, explore the Cloud Forest from above as you traverse suspension bridges through the canopy. Hiking through the clouds along the network of suspension bridges provides a different and unique perspective on this ecological wonderland, and is the best way to spot some of the more than 400 species of birds found here, including the Resplendent Quetzal (one of the most reclusive birds in the world). In the afternoon, visit the Montverde Cloud Forest Reserve which is famous for its biodiversity, conservation, contributions, and scientific research. These 3,500 hectares of land hold 2.5 per cent of the world’s biodiversity and are one of Costa Rica’s most important private reserves. Explore the different ecosystems housing hundreds of mammals, birds, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, insects, and arachnids, and marvel at the mosses, vines and trees of the Cloud Forest.

Included Activities:

  • Monteverde - Cloud Forest Reserve Hike
  • Monteverde - Hanging Bridges Tour

Optional Activities:

  • Monteverde - Canopy Zip Lining (Entrance, Equipment & Transport) (65 USD)

Accommodation:

  • El Establo Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

8
Day 8: Rio Celeste

After breakfast, drive to Tenorio Volcano National Park where you’ll visit the Rio Celeste: a river fed by two different water sources. Where they collide, the water takes on a distinctive light blue colour that has to be seen to be believed. Spend the afternoon exploring the sky-blue falls and streams and keep your eyes peeled for tapirs, monkeys, anteaters and other animals hiding in the jungle canopy. You’ll spend the next two nights your Feature Stay hotel, known for its dedication to sustainability and laid-back luxury. Settle into your cosy casita (bungalow) and surround yourself with the soothing sounds of nature.

Accommodation:

  • Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

9
Day 9: Rio Celeste

With plenty of included and optional activities available today, your toughest decision will be what to do first. How about an optional guided tubing excursion at Rio Celeste? The light-blue waters of the river are generally off-limits to travellers, however you’ll have the opportunity to float along them in an inflatable tube. If you’re a thrill-seeker, there’s the option to embark on a 7-hour guided rafting tour at nearby Rio Tenorio. You’ll tackle 20 rapids with plenty of natural beauty to admire along the banks during the lulls. Those who prefer a nature tour with less adrenaline might like to take a 3-hour safari cruise along the Rio Tenorio, with a guide who will help you spot howler monkeys, crocodiles, river otters and an abundance of tropical birds. Or you could simply relax at your hotel and take advantage of the free activities included in your stay, like yoga classes, walks along the Río Celeste River and El Tapir Preserve trails, games room and guest lounge. Spa treatments (at an additional cost) and lounging by the pool are a couple of other tempting options.

Included Activities:

  • Rio Celeste - On Site Activities

Optional Activities:

  • Rio Celeste - River Tubing Adventure (58 USD)
  • Rio Celeste - National Park Guided Trail Walk (74 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

10
Day 10: Tamarindo

After breakfast, continue to your final destination in the Guanacaste area, Tamarindo Beach, which is renowned for its crystal-clear waters and conserving one of the area’s most beautiful and diverse marine ecosystems. On the way, you’ll visit Matambu, the only indigenous territory of the Chorotegan peoples. Their legacy in the use of clay ovens, dances, handicrafts with colour ceramics and other traditions are still around today and visiting helps with their preservation. After lunch, get to know local artisan, Ezequiel, at his pottery workshop where you will learn about the ancient art of pottery and how its traditions are passed down from generation to generation.

Included Activities:

  • Matambu - Pottery Demonstration

Accommodation:

  • Tamarindo Diria or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

11
Day 11: Tamarindo

Today is yours to explore your way with a choice of free activities and optional excursions. Sign up for a surfing lesson or continue your search for the solemn, white faces of the capuchin monkeys who live in the trees on an optional mangrove tour. Alternatively, kick-off your shoes and feel the sands of Tamarindo Beach between your toes. It’s easy to spend a whole day enjoying this beautiful coastline where towering green trees provide solace from the sun and a refreshing cocktail made with guaro, Costa Rica’s traditional sugar cane liquor, is never far away. This evening, it’s time to get out on the water and enjoy a sunset sailing trip followed by a delicious farewell dinner as you toast the end of your Costa Rica adventure.

Included Activities:

  • Tamarindo - Sunset Sailing Tour
  • Guanacaste - Farewell Dinner

Optional Activities:

  • Guanacaste - Mangrove Boat tour (65 USD)
  • Guanacaste - Surfing lessons (75 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Tamarindo Diria or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

12
Day 12: Tamarindo

Your Costa Rica trip comes to an end after breakfast. If you would like to stay on Guanacaste or return to San Jose, speak to your booking agent to arrange additional accommodation ahead of time (subject to availability). Transfers to nearby Liberia Airport can also be arranged.

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

Reviews

 

Jinan   -  Traveled, April 2024

A fun trip to see the north part of Costa Rica from the Caribbean to Pacific with so many different changes in terrain. Liza and Chepe were an exceptional team, providing information, stopping when they knew the group would be interested to see or try something new!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 04/24/2024

 

Lena   -  Traveled, December 2023

The Premium Costa Rica in-depth is an excellent trip allowing you to see & experience so many different aspects of Costa Rica, the itinerary is well planned out allowing enough time at each location. You experience all the wildlife, nature and additional activities if you choose, ending with a relaxing boat trip and beach location. Lodgings and food were of a high standard and our guide Malo was exceptional! Pura Vida!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 12/17/2023

 

Vicki   -  Traveled, December 2023

This was an amazing trip!! I learned so much about Costa Rica: the rainforest, history, and culture. There is a lot of driving from location to location, however we covered so, so much from Caribbean coast to Pacific coast. The accommodations were beautiful and helped you be immersed in the experience. Words can’t adequately describe our incredible guide Malo…funny, smart, powerhouse, talented. It was my first Intrepid trip and would definitely use Intrepid again.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 12/17/2023

 

Liz   -  Traveled, October 2023

For us, this was the trip of a lifetime; Costa Rica is such an amazing destination. We saw a wide range of wildlife, travelled to some beautiful locations and had many wonderful experiences. Our guide was exceptional and we learnt so much about the country. Pura Vida!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 10/21/2023

 

Simon   -  Traveled, July 2023

Intrepid organised a really professional trip staying in exciting venues with the ability through a wonderful guide to learn how Costa Rica is so environmentally aware of its rich biodiversity and culture

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 08/03/2023

 

Laura   -  Traveled, April 2023

Costa Rica premium is an excellent and well run trip, we saw a lot of varied places and covered a lot including the jungle on foot, by boat, the Arenal Volcano which is stunning and both coasts to name a few. I would highly recommend the tour to anyone interested in the flora and fauna of Costa Rica and local history. We had a wonderful time.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 04/27/2023

 

Adam   -  Traveled, April 2023

Overall a thoroughly enjoyable trip and Allan , our guide, was terrific and extremely knowledgeable. We got to see and experience a lot of what Costa Rica has to offer.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 04/28/2023

 

Donald   -  Traveled, April 2023

Trip of a lifetime

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 04/27/2023

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