Classic Costa Rica
Example Itinerary
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Overview
Sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Caribbean on the other, the Costa Rican slice of the continent hosts an impressive array of flora and fauna spread out across volcanic mountains, lush cloud forest and pristine coastline. Rightly proud of their natural heritage, Costa Ricans have led the way when it comes to eco and nature-based tourism, creating an ecological playground prime for walks, water sports and wildlife spotting.
Home to the largest swathes of protected ...
Sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Caribbean on the other, the Costa Rican slice of the continent hosts an impressive array of flora and fauna spread out across volcanic mountains, lush cloud forest and pristine coastline. Rightly proud of their natural heritage, Costa Ricans have led the way when it comes to eco and nature-based tourism, creating an ecological playground prime for walks, water sports and wildlife spotting.
Home to the largest swathes of protected lands anywhere in the world, this classic itinerary travels to the country’s highlight destinations whilst occasionally sidestepping the crowds it understandably draws. Beginning with a quick stop to see the incredibly photogenic Poas Volcano, you’ll then head to iconic Arenal Volcano, witnessing its imposing gaze right from your hotel. Enjoy quieter experiences away from the action such as a morning kayak, an organic farm lunch and visiting a wildlife rescue centre.
Quality trails and protected forests abound, you’ll hike through a community-run cloud forest reserve near Monteverde and the coastal rainforests of Manuel Antonio National Park in search of wildlife. Excursions are broken up with experiences such as relaxing in hot springs, a coffee tour and a homestay lunch. The adventure ends with some downtime by one of Costa Rica’s renowned white sand beaches, before heading to the capital for your flight back home.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
How Tailor-Made Works
Discuss your initial ideas with one of our experts, the types of things you want to see and do.
Your expert will start designing your perfect trip. Within a day or two we'll send a suggested itinerary.
At this stage you can still tweak anything from accommodation to experiences and dates, using our expert advice.
Time to prepare for your trip, safe in the knowledge you'll be in the expert hands of local guides and drivers throughout.
Relax and enjoy...through our partners you'll have support on the ground as well as 24-hour emergency assistance in the UK.
Example Itinerary
This is an example itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes and budget, or build a trip from scratch.
Day 1 Arrive San José – Poas Volcano
On arrival to San Jose, you’ll be met at the airport by your private guide and driver who will take care of you for the duration of your holiday. Immediately departing the capital, the first stop on your itinerary will be the fresh mountain heartlands around Poas Volcano in Costa Rica’s Central Valleys. The transfer from the airport takes around an hour, after which you’ll have the rest of the day to recover from the flight in your cosy mountain lodge.
Day 2 Poas Volcano – Arenal: Volcano Trails
Today beings with a powerful introduction to Costa Rica’s renowned natural treasures. Spend the morning in the company of dominating Poas Volcano, boasting one of the widest active craters in the world. After capturing the iconic photo from the viewpoint above its brilliantly turquoise crater lake, you can then begin exploring the various lagoon-dotted walking trails around the national park. Have a browse of the information centre on the way back before continuing on to your next hotel set amongst lush, hot spring-laden greenery within the shadow of the country’s most famous volcano, Arenal.
Day 3 Arenal: Kayak, Organic Lunch & Wildlife Rescue
You’ll be taken away from the crowds around Arenal to instead begin the day with a soothing early morning kayak down a calm stretch of river, providing a peaceful way to actively take in the surrounding natural beauty. After, head over to an organic farm close by for a lesson in sustainable farming before sitting down to a nourishing farm-to-table lunch. Stop at a wildlife rescue centre on the way back to town to see some of the animals found in the surrounding forests and hear about the great conservation and rehabilitation work the locals and government are doing. The afternoon is then free to enjoy the hotel and the area’s hot springs.
Day 4 Arenal – Monteverde: Across Lake Arenal
Saying goodbye to Arenal, this morning you’ll take a scenic boat ride across Lake Arenal, the country’s largest and most important lake created in 1974 to provide hydroelectric energy. Enjoy serene views during the transfer as the majestic Arenal Volcano, initially towering over the forested Tilaran Mountain Range, slowly shrinks in size as you move further away from it. A variety of wetland birds such as king fishers, fly catchers and waders can also usually be spotted in and around the lake until you reach the other side continuing the journey on land through verdant valley forests to your next stop, the town of Santa Elena, adjacent to the Monteverde Cloud Forest.
Day 5 Monteverde: Cloud Forest Hike & Coffee Tour
With enough pristine cloud forest to go around, this morning you’ll head to a quieter, community established and administered cloud forest reserve adjacent to the more famous Monteverde Cloud Forest. With much of the same nature as its neighbour, but seen by only a fraction of the visitors, this allows for a more intimate tour with greater chances of spotting wildlife. Walking through the reserve it’s possible to hear echoes of exotic birds and the booming sounds of howler monkeys. After some time for lunch and a rest back at the lodge, an afternoon coffee tour will teach you all about this famous Costa Rican export with the chance to put your newfound knowledge to a taste test.
Day 6 Monteverde – Manuel Antonio: Crocodiles & the Coast
Travelling down the Central Pacific coast provides the opportunity to stop beside the Tarcoles River to observe one of the largest populations of American crocodiles on the continent. Further down the road is the Carara National Park protecting the river basin, which home to one of the few remaining populations of wild scarlet macaws in the country. After a couple of hours walking through the park, you’ll cap the morning off with a lunch cooked by the lady of the house at a nearby homestay. The day then ends at your coastal hotel overlooking the Pacific Ocean with Manuel Antonio National Park as a backdrop.
Day 7 Manuel Antonio: Hiking in the National Park
A national treasure, Manuel Antonio National Park has been voted amongst the most beautiful anywhere. Boasting one of the most impressive landscapes of any national reserve, the park is a wondrous mix of mountains and forests, beautiful coral reefs and white sand beaches. In the company of a naturalist guide, today you will set off in search of sloths and hunt for several types of non-poisonous snakes guided by birdsong echoing through the forest. The hike ends at the coast with some lounge time to enjoy some of the park’s unspoiled beaches.
Day 8 Manuel Antonio: Free Day
After a week of touring and hiking around active volcanoes and rich forests, today you’ll have a free day to spend as you like, perhaps by the pool, at the beach or back to the national park for a final dose of nature’s medicine.
*Extra active excursions such as kayaking, hiking and zip lining can also be arranged.
Day 9 Manuel Antonio – San José
Breakfast and a leisurely morning are followed by a transfer to the capital, where the journey ends in bustling San José, just under three hours away. One of the youngest capitals in Central America set in a fertile landscape of coffee and sugar cane plantations, San José was founded in the middle of the 18th century by order of Cabildo de León and today constitutes one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the region.
Day 10 Depart San José
A private transfer will pick you up from the hotel and take you to San José airport today in time for your flight back home, where your adventure in Costa Rica comes to a close.
EXAMPLE ACCOMMODATION
Arenal Springs, Arenal
Located half-way between the quaint town of La Fortuna and the Arenal Volcano National Park, Arenal Springs Resort’s vast grounds, previously a livestock farm, mean that guests have everything they need right at their fingertips. Hotel facilities include multiple outdoor swimming pools, three restaurants, serving Italian, sushi and Costa Rican fare, a fitness centre, a spa and a yoga deck. Guests also have access to a thermal river and the horses’ stables. Rooms are split into two room categories, with popular junior suites affording direct views of the volcano. Décor inside the rooms is greatly inspired by the hotel’s surroundings, from tropical themed interiors and in-room rock jacuzzi tubs to local-wood furniture and complimentary artwork, all tastefully done to bring the hotel’s surroundings alive. The hotel is family-friendly and offers connecting rooms. All rooms are housed in individual, bungalow-style accommodation laid out across the grounds and connected to each other and the main building via paved roads.
Parador Boutique Resort & Spa, Manuel Antonio
Nestled between the blue Pacific and extensive rainforests, this award-winning eco-luxury resort is a great way to experience the beauty and nature that Manuel Antonio has to offer. Located just a stone’s throw away from Manuel Antonio National Park, it is not uncommon to find some of the local wildlife in the hotel grounds, or you can follow one of the many nature trails to really explore the surrounding rainforests for yourself. Alternatively, you can visit the peaceful cove of Playa Biesanz. Soak up the ocean, garden or rainforest views from one of the 129 rooms and suites, which you can access on foot or by golf cart. Parador boasts four ocean-view restaurants and luxury spa services, as well as three pools with incredible sea views.
Poas Volcano Lodge, Poas Volcano
Located on the edge of a protected cloud forest, Poas Volcano Lodge offers stunning views of the volcano. This is a small hotel with 12 stylish rooms, a bar-restaurant and a cozy living room. The lodge is just 20 miles away from San Jose airport.
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
MEALS
TRANSPORT
ENTRANCE FEES
EXPERT TEAM
ACCOMMODATION
WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
Wild Miles Club
When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:
| Blue | More than 10,000 points | 2.5% discount |
| Bronze | More than 30,000 points | 5% discount |
| Silver | More than 45,000 points | 7.5% discount |
| Gold | More than 60,000 points | 10% discount |
This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.
Positive Impact of this Trip
Making a Difference
Community Tourism
People and local communities have always been at the heart of Wild Frontiers and the travel experiences we offer. Through community tourism we have the opportunity to generate real positive impact, supporting people we visit through sustainable local development, and in turn help to alleviate poverty and protect culture and environments in often more vulnerable destinations. While doing so, our clients gain richer travel experiences and more meaningful connections with the people they meet.
Conservation and Climate Action
As a travel company, we hold a responsibility to minimise our environmental footprint and contribute to sustainability, and work closely with local communities to support their efforts. By implementing initiatives such as carbon measuring, tree-planting, reducing single-use plastic and promoting eco-friendly practices, we can help mitigate the negative impacts of tourism on fragile ecosystems and local communities. Additionally, prioritising conservation efforts helps preserve natural habitats and wildlife, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy the wonders of our planet.
Wild Frontiers Foundation
The Wild Frontiers Foundation aims to provide a platform to create awareness, raise money and deliver funding to projects in countries where we operate as a travel company. Through the foundation, we are able to channel money into grass roots projects, which we have either established ourselves or support through charity partners. These include initiatives focused around education, the empowerment of local people and community conservation.
START PLANNING YOUR TRIP
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WHY WILD FRONTIERS?
Expert travel consultants
Up-to-date knowledge and advice from our experienced consultants on the best places to stay, things to do and regions to visit to make your holiday the trip of a lifetime.
EXPERIENCED LOCAL GUIDES
We use experienced local guides to help bring the sights to life, introduce you to local characters and ensure you get under the skin of your destination.
HAND-PICKED ACCOMMODATION
Whether you are looking for a boutique hotel, homestay, local guesthouse, luxury spa, tented camp or heritage hotel, our experts can select the perfect property for you.
24-HOUR SUPPORT
Our local agents are there to help you on the ground should you need any assistance, and in addition you will be given a 24-hour UK emergency phone number.Meet the expert, Richard
Richard is our Latin America expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.
Speak to Richard by calling
1(833) 200-4640
OTHER ITINERARIES IN COSTA RICA
Check out our group tours in Costa Rica
As well as private tailor-made trips, we also offer small group tours (max size 12) to Costa Rica. Led by an experienced tour leader, travel with a group of like-minded people on one of our award-winning group tours.
View Group Tours in Costa Rica