14-Day Basic Costa Rica Tour from San Jose: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, San Carlos, La Fortuna, Monteverde and Southern Nicoya Peninsula | Coastlines & Cloud Forests | Small Group Tour
What you'll experience
Highlights
• Cruise across Lake Arenal with beautiful views of Arenal Volcano
• Explore the misty cloud forest
14 days
Day-by-day itinerary
- 1
Day 1 — San José
Arrive at any time. Tonight, explore the La California barrio with your fellow travellers. Stop in at one of the many bars to get to know your group over a few drinks. Cheers to new friends and new adventures!
Arrive in San Jose at any time. There are no planned activities so check into our hotel and enjoy the city.
【Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group】
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
【Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends】
Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Boutique Hotel Casa Las Orquideas - 2
Day 2 — San José - Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Today begin with an incredible bus ride over the mountains to the Caribbean coast. The group will be travelling to the picturesque village of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to enjoy the tropical seascape and sandy beaches surrounded by exotic tropical vegetation.
Spend time enjoying the picturesque village of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. The white and black sand beaches are perfect for lounging about and catching up on some relaxation.
【Free Time】
Free time to explore paradise.Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Hotel Cabinas Guarana - 3
Day 3 — Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
It's a full free day in absolute paradise! What are you waiting for? Opt to rent a bike, relax on the beach, or hike in Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge.
【Free Time】
Free time to explore paradise.Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Hotel Cabinas Guarana - 4
Day 4 — Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
It's a full free day in absolute paradise! What are you waiting for? Opt to rent a bike, relax on the beach, or hike in Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge.
【Free Time】
Free time to explore paradise.Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Hotel Cabinas Guarana - 5
Day 5 — Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - San Carlos
Travel north up the Caribbean coastline before heading inland through varied landscapes. Stop at Coope San Juan for a homestay in the local community and cooperative that includes lunch, dinner, and an activity with the community.
【Your G for Good Moment: Coope San Juan Homestay】
Immerse yourself in local farming culture by staying with a family in the Coope San Juan community in the rainforest of northern Costa Rica. Your presence is supporting this community-owned and operated business. While you're here, practice Spanish, enjoy authentically-cooked fresh food, bike along jungle trails, and try your hand at fishing.Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: IncludedStay: Coope San Juan Homestay - 6
Day 6 — San Carlos - La Fortuna
After breakfast in San Carlos the group will travel to La Fortuna. Check out this beautiful area at the base of Arenal Volcano. Options abound—soak in Arenal's hot springs or get the adrenaline pumping with whitewater rafting or waterfall rappelling.
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.
【Your Discover Moment】
There's plenty to see and do in La Fortuna, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like canyoneering, whitewater rafting, and paddleboarding. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Arenal Volcano
Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Poshpacker Arenal - 7
Day 7 — La Fortuna
Enjoy an entire free day in La Fortuna. Opt to go whitewater rafting, 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. After a long day of exploring, you can choose to take a relaxing soak at Baldi Hot Springs.
【Your Discover Moment】
There's plenty to see and do in La Fortuna, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like canyoneering, whitewater rafting, and paddleboarding. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!Arenal Volcano
Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Poshpacker Arenal - 8
Day 8 — La Fortuna - Monteverde
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.
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.
【Your G for Good Moment: Life Monteverde Experience】
Enjoy a visit to Life Monteverde, a coffee cooperative made up of 12 local families, dedicated to educating Costa Rica and the world about sustainable farming and conservation. Your visit here directly benefits Life Monteverde's educational programs, which provide free access to local school groups, and training for Costa Ricans. Walk through the plantations of various tropical plants including bananas and pineapples, and learn about coffee growing and production, as well as various sustainable agriculture techniques like converting animal waste to fuel. Also make sure to taste the delicious coffee before you go!Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Hotel Manakin - 9
Day 9 — Monteverde
There's so much to see and do in Monteverde and you'll have plenty of time on this free day to explore on your own. Opt to wander the cloud forest or visit a coffee plantation.
【Your Discover Moment】
There's plenty to see and do in Monteverde, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like ziplining, visiting the hanging bridges, and horseback riding. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Hotel Manakin - 10
Day 10 — Monteverde - Southern Nicoya Peninsula
Travel to the Pacific coast along the southern Nicoya Peninsula. Enjoy the laid-back beach town vibes of Santa Teresa or Montezuma.
Nicoya Peninsula
Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Selina Santa Teresa - 11
Day 11 — Santa Teresa - Montezuma
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.
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 - ziplining, 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.
Want to learn how to surf in Costa Rica? Pre-book the Santa Teresa Surf Lesson on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
【Free Time】
Get out and explore the southern part of the Nicoya Peninsula.Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Selina Santa Teresa - 12
Day 12 — Santa Teresa - Montezuma
Continue to explore all on your own.
【Free Time】
Get out and explore the southern part of the Nicoya Peninsula.Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Selina Santa Teresa - 13
Day 13 — Southern Nicoya Peninsula - San José
Travel back to the capital for a final evening with the group.
Return to San José for some last-minute shopping and a final night on the town.Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Boutique Hotel Casa Las Orquideas - 14
Day 14 — San José
Depart at any time.Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: Excluded
What's included
Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Coope San Juan Homestay, Cantón de San Carlos
- Your G for Good Moment: Life Monteverde Experience, Monteverde
- Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
- Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends
- 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
- Accommodations: Simple hotels (3-night), hostels (9-night, multi-share), local homestay (1-night)
- Transportation: Local bus, boat, taxi, private vehicle, walking
- Staff & experts: CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout
- Meals: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner (Allow USD470-615 for meals not included)
Not included
- Airfares or related transportation between your home and destination
- All personal expenses including hotel room service and meals; however, you have the option to pay for meals that tour guide arranges
- Optional tours (Items and prices may vary due to different seasons and are subject to the final confirmation made by tour guide when on tour.)
- It is customary in Latin America to tip service providers such as waiters, at approximately 10%, depending on the service. Tipping is an expected - though not compulsory - component of your tour program and an expression of satisfaction with the persons who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers we use. Recommendations for tipping drivers and local guides would range from $5-10 USD per day depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your CEO for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture. Tipping of your Chief Experience Officer is very much appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference; however as a guideline $5- 7 USD per person, per day is our recommendation in the region. However, if you felt your CEO did an especially outstanding job, any additional amount will always be welcome.
Cancellation policy
| When you cancel | Refund | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–31 days before | 0% | Cancellation Made Within 31 days prior to departure, No Refund |
| 32–61 days before | 50% | Cancellation Made Within 32 days to 61 days prior to departure, Refund 50% of total purchase amount |
| 62+ days before | 90% | Cancellation Made 62 or more days prior to departure, Refund 90% of total purchase amount |
Read the full cancellation terms
Important info
Special notes
- Dossier Disclaimer
* The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.
* VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans. - Itinerary Disclaimer
* While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.
* Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances. - Important Notes
* Costa Rica will not be allowing anyone to enter the country without proof of a departure ticket (bus, airplane, boat, etc.). If you are travelling through a few countries in Central America, you will need to show proof of your itinerary and a departure ticket from your last destination. Please print the itinerary and voucher and bring it with you.
* Be prepared for rain and lower temperatures during the winter season (June-November), especially in Costa Rica's central valley.
* Looking to add to your experience? Check out our Extras! Specially designed for travellers with unique interests, Extras are optional add-ons to your trip that make your adventure more you-centric. Extras must be booked prior to departure. - Group Leader Description
* All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders, a representative, or an expedition team. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting- we think it's the best of both worlds. - Meals
* Eating is a big part of traveling. Travelling with us you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your CEO will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. The above information applies to group trips. For Independent trips please check the itinerary for details of meals included.
* For all trips please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and meal budgets. - What to Take
* We recommend using a backpack for your convenience, or a medium-sized suitcase if you prefer. A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person. You will be responsible for carrying and handling your own luggage. - Laundry
* Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge. There will be times when you may want to or have to do your own laundry so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap. - Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.
Pricing notes (children, single supplement)
Tour operator
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$1299
NPR 1,75,365