Arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica's capital set at 1,100 meters in the Central Valley between Poas and Irazu volcanoes. Coffee production in the 19th century shaped much of the city's early development, funding institutions such as the National Theater, completed in 1897 and still operating today. This evening, meet your Travel Director and your small group for dinner in.
Hotel: Intercontinental, San Jose
Begin with a before-hours visit to the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum with your Local Expert, then step out on a walking city tour through central San Jose. You'll take in Plaza de la Cultura and the Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica, continue to Plaza de la Democracia y de la Abolicion and the National Museum of Costa Rica, finishing in Parque Nacional. Later, take part in an authentic experience at the home of Randall and Dona Aradina, spending time in their orchid garden before lunch is served in their garden pavilion. Back in San Jose, your evening is at leisure.
Hotel: Intercontinental, San Jose
Leave San Jose behind and step into Costa Rica's Central Valley craft traditions in Sarchi, one of the country's best-known centers for painted oxcarts and artisan woodwork. You'll have space to explore workshops where carretas are built and hand-painted, and to browse small studios producing carved and painted pieces. The central park is a natural point to pause, with the town's landmark oxcart as a reference to the tradition Sarchi is known for. Later, take part in a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience on an organic farm. You'll learn sustainable growing methods, harvest seasonal ingredients from the garden and use them to create a local dish before dinner.
Hotel: Montana de Fuego, La Fortuna
Enjoy a Relaxed Start in La Fortuna, then head out to explore the region with Insight Choice. Choose between a hands-on chocolate experience tracing cacao through each stage of production, including the origins of traditional chocolate drinks and a tasting of organic chocolate, or choose a zipline adventure reached by safari truck, with 11 cables running between platforms in the hills above La Fortuna. Later, you'll join a guided nature walk to learn how the area's rainforest ecosystems support local flora and fauna. This evening is at leisure in La Fortuna, with the option to visit the town's hot springs, browse local eateries around the central park or take an early night ready for tomorrow's plans.
Hotel: Montana de Fuego, La Fortuna
Begin the day at Canto del Rio in La Paz de San Ramon with naturalist Edwin Ramirez. On his property, you'll walk a reforested section of montane cloud forest and hear how restoration is approached on privately managed land. Continue to Monteverde, a highland community in the Tilaran range closely linked to conservation and research, with protected cloud forest reserves established here from the early 1970s. Settle into Santa Elena and enjoy an evening at leisure. Perhaps browse the small galleries and craft shops along the main street, stop in for Costa Rican coffee and dessert, or choose a local restaurant for dinner.
Hotel: Heliconia, Monteverde
Explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest with a naturalist, walking forest trails and crossing a series of hanging bridges that bring you into the upper levels of the canopy. At this elevation, persistent mist supports moss-covered branches, orchids and other epiphytes. As you move through the tree canopy, look out for species recorded here, including resplendent quetzals, bellbirds and hummingbirds, with the chance of seeing monkeys and coatis along the trails and around the canopy. Return to your hotel later in the day for dinner.
Hotel: Heliconia, Monteverde
Descend from the mountain landscapes of Monteverde towards Costa Rica's north-west lowlands, where wide river systems and seasonal wetlands define Guanacaste. You'll take a boat tour on the Bebedero River, cruising through this important wetland corridor known for birdlife and riverside wildlife. From the water, you'll scan the banks and overhanging branches for species that gather along the river's edge. Continue to Tamarindo for the night. The evening is at leisure. Perhaps head to the coast for sunset views or choose a local restaurant to sample regional dishes like arroz de maiz or chorreadas.
Hotel: Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort
Today is free to use as you like in Tamarindo. You may choose a beach day on the Pacific coast, book a surf lesson in one of the area's best-known beach towns, or head inland for a change of landscape with volcanic trails, waterfalls and geothermal features in the Rincon de la Vieja area. If you'd like time on the water, you can choose an Optional Experience with a morning snorkel and catamaran tour to Playa Tamarindo. This evening, join your Travel Director and small group for a final dinner together to celebrate your journey through Costa Rica.
Hotel: Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort
Say goodbye to your Travel Director and your small group, taking with you the days spent between cloud forest, wetlands and the Pacific coast.
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Start: January 9, 2027 End: January 17, 2027 Price: $4,425 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
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Start: January 23, 2027 End: January 31, 2027 Price: $4,425 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
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Start: January 30, 2027 End: February 7, 2027 Price: $4,425 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
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Start: February 6, 2027 End: February 14, 2027 Price: $4,425 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
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Start: February 27, 2027 End: March 7, 2027 Price: $4,425 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
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Start: March 6, 2027 End: March 14, 2027 Price: $4,425 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
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Start: April 10, 2027 End: April 18, 2027 Price: $4,425 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
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Start: April 17, 2027 End: April 25, 2027 Price: $4,425 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
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Start: April 24, 2027 End: May 2, 2027 Price: $4,425 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
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Start: June 19, 2027 End: June 27, 2027 Price: $4,425 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
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Start: June 26, 2027 End: July 4, 2027 Price: $4,425 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
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Start: July 17, 2027 End: July 25, 2027 Price: $4,425 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
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Start: November 6, 2027 End: November 14, 2027 Price: $4,425 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
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Start: November 20, 2027 End: November 28, 2027 Price: $4,425 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
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Start: December 4, 2027 End: December 12, 2027 Price: $4,425 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
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Start: December 11, 2027 End: December 19, 2027 Price: $4,425 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
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