Basic Costa Rica: Coastlines & Cloud Forests
14 days
from San Jose to San Jose
From
$ 1349
Duration14 days
Stay flexible in Costa Rica on this unique two-week adventure. You'll hit the volcanoes, a cloud forest, and both of the incredible coasts. Chill out on white-sand beaches and explore pristine wildlife reserves. Best of all, this trip gives you the flexibility to create the adventure of a lifetime, so you can soar across the treetops by zipline, rappel down a waterfall, or learn to surf the Pacific breaks. Take a trip that's packed with just the essentials — everything you need to explore the diversity and beauty of Costa Rica.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 14 daysService level: Basic
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Starts in: San JosePhysical Grading: Light
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Ends in: San JoseAges: 18+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: San José
Start place: San Jose
Arrive in San Jose at any time. There are no planned activities so check into our hotel and enjoy the city.
Arrive at any time.
End place: San Jose
Day 2: San José/Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Start place: San Jose
We begin with an incredible bus ride over the mountains to the Caribbean coast. The picturesque village of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca’s white and black sand beaches are surrounded by exotic tropical vegetation.
Travel to the Caribbean coast and enjoy the tropical seascape.
End place: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Day 3-4: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Start place: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Opt to go snorkelling in the Caribbean or hiking in Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge.
End place: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Day 5: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca/La Fortuna
Start place: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
We travel north by bus through varied landscapes and arrive at La Fortuna, a small town near the foot of Arenal Volcano. La Fortuna is an excellent base for adventure. Hike the area’s nature trails, swim in chilly La Fortuna waterfall or go canyoning (rappelling) and catch a bird’s eye view of the forest greenery. Natural hot springs are also in the area and perfect after a day of travel or exploration.
Travel to La Fortuna in central Costa Rica. Try to catch a glimpse of Arenal Volcano through the cloud cover.
End place: La Fortuna
Day 6-7: La Fortuna
Start place: La Fortuna
Optional activities include full-day whitewater rafting on the Toro or Balsa Rivers, mountain biking, caving, horseback riding, or a tour of the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. Like much of Costa Rica, the area is a birders’ paradise, with over 600 species as permanent residents. Finally, after a long day of exploring, you can choose to take a relaxing soak at Baldi Hot Springs.
Get your adrenaline pumping and pre-book the Costa Rica Adrenaline Bundle on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Get your adrenaline pumping and pre-book the Costa Rica Adrenaline Bundle on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Options abound—soak in Arenal's hot springs or get the adrenaline pumping with whitewater rafting or waterfall rappelling.
End place: La Fortuna
Day 8: La Fortuna/Monteverde
Start place: La Fortuna
From the central valley, ascend to the Monteverde cloud forest region. Spend a couple of days exploring the town and a cloud forest reserve, truly a bird lover's paradise. This unique community has several cooperatives worth visiting including artist collectives and a cheese factory.
Local guides are extremely knowledgeable about the area and passionate about conservation of this precious ecosystem.
Optional activities include a walk along suspension bridges through dense forest, a coffee tour, or an adrenaline-filled zipline above the cloud forest on one of the many famous canopy tours.
Local guides are extremely knowledgeable about the area and passionate about conservation of this precious ecosystem.
Optional activities include a walk along suspension bridges through dense forest, a coffee tour, or an adrenaline-filled zipline above the cloud forest on one of the many famous canopy tours.
Travel from La Fortuna to Monteverde and into the cool mountain air of the area. Stop at Life Monteverde, a coffee cooperative for coffee tastings, and a tour of their farm to learn about sustainable agriculture. In the afternoon, take time to venture out and explore the mountainous town of Monteverde.
End place: Monte Verde
Meals: L
Day 9: Monteverde
Start place: Monte Verde
Free day to enjoy; opt to tour the cloud forest or visit a coffee plantation.
End place: Monte Verde
Day 10: Monteverde/Santa Teresa
Start place: Monte Verde
Travel to the Pacific coast of the Nicoya Peninsula and enjoy this laid-back beach town.
End place: Santa Teresa
Day 11-12: Santa Teresa
Start place: Santa Teresa
Fill your days with as much or as little as you like. Start off with an early yoga class or sleep in before setting off to explore nearby beaches in search of a perfect, tranquil spot for a day of relaxing along the beautiful Pacific coast.
Check out Cabo Blanco NP to spot some wildlife, hike to the nearby waterfall for a dip or a jump in the local swimming hole or simply lounge on the beach.
Take a day trip to the beautiful Isla Tortuga, where you can snorkel along a volcanic rock reef or check out the nearby surf havens of Mal Pais and Santa Teresa. Adrenaline junkies can take their pick of activities as well - surfing, ziplining, ATV, boogie boarding, horseback riding or scuba diving are all options. On the other hand, if relaxation is what you seek, opt for a yoga class or take a leisurely hike to search for orchids.
Check out Cabo Blanco NP to spot some wildlife, hike to the nearby waterfall for a dip or a jump in the local swimming hole or simply lounge on the beach.
Take a day trip to the beautiful Isla Tortuga, where you can snorkel along a volcanic rock reef or check out the nearby surf havens of Mal Pais and Santa Teresa. Adrenaline junkies can take their pick of activities as well - surfing, ziplining, ATV, boogie boarding, horseback riding or scuba diving are all options. On the other hand, if relaxation is what you seek, opt for a yoga class or take a leisurely hike to search for orchids.
Surf or swim the waves, practice yoga on the beach or chill out in this laid-back beach town.
End place: Santa Teresa
Day 13: Santa Teresa/San José
Start place: Santa Teresa
Return to San José for some last-minute shopping and a final night on the town.
Travel back to the capital for a final evening with the group.
End place: San Jose
Day 14: San José
Start place: San Jose
Depart at any time.
End place: San Jose
Inclusions
Included
- Your G for Good Moment: ***Life Monteverde Experience***, Monteverde Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Local Living Moment: Coope San Juan Homestay, Cantón de San Carlos Your Discover Moment: La Fortuna Your Discover Moment: Monteverde
- Beach time in Puerto Viejo and Santa Teresa
- Free time in La Fortuna and Monteverde
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Local bus, Boat, Taxi, Private vehicle, Walking -
Accommodation
Simple hotels (3 nts), Hostels (9 nts, multi-share), Local homestay (1 nt)