San José, Guanacaste & Monteverde
Active pace with longer touring days. Expect intermittent walking at a moderate pace for 2–3 hours over a variety of terrain, including cobblestones, hills and uneven pavements. Must be able to negotiate stairs of varying heights, sometimes without handrails. Can tolerate periods of standing during guided tours and be able to climb in/out of various modes of transportation. Some days may include 5–7 km of walking over the course of the day.
We fly to San José and transfer to our hotel.
Our tour of San José is mix of history, culture, and urban charm, with a stop at the Teatro Nacional, one of the city’s most beautiful historic buildings. Then, it’s off to learn all about the country’s #1 export—coffee—with a fascinating tour of Britt Coffee Plantation, with coffee tasting and lunch. This evening is our Welcome Dinner.
This morning we leave for Guanacaste, stopping at El Viejo Wetlands for an eco-tour of scenic beauty and incredible biodiversity. We will learn about local culture with a visit to a working hacienda, and cruise along the river for a chance to see monkeys, iguanas, crocodiles and birds. After lunch, we check in to our all-inclusive hotel, with the rest of the day at leisure.
Our morning will be spent exploring the towns of Santa Cruz and Guaitil. Santa Cruz, known as the “Folkloric City of Costa Rica,” is celebrated for its vibrant cultural traditions and warm, welcoming atmosphere. Guaitil is known for its traditional Chorotega pottery, which has been passed down through generations for 800 years. Afternoon at leisure.
Today we head to Nature Discovery Pass at Diamante, a sanctuary for rescued animals unable to survive in the wild. It’s an incredible place to learn about Costa Rica’s wildlife preservation efforts. Afternoon at leisure.
This vibrant destination s the place to go for relaxation, adventure, shopping, entertainment— or a little bit of everything!
Morning at leisure. In the afternoon, we will take a luxury catamaran tour, cruising along the beautiful Costa Rican coastline, snorkeling, swimming and relaxing. Enjoy cocktails and delectable snacks as we view Guanacaste’s stunning scenery.
Today we make our way to our beautiful Monteverde, where we will float down the river on a raft to see monkeys, lizards, crocodiles, river otters, and an astounding variety of tropical birds. Lunch is at Hacienda La Pacifica, a 19th-century hotel.
In the morning, we embark on an immersive tour through the enchanting Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Wander along winding trails enveloped in mist, marveling at the lush greenery and vibrant wildlife. In the evening, it’s time for a twilight walk through Bosque eterno de los niños (the children’s eternal rainforest) to observe the transition to night. We will likely see snakes, tarantulas, fireflies, walking sticks, bats, agoutis, coatimundis, and owls, and may even spot sloths, wide-eyed kinkajous, or armadillos.
Today we spend the morning at Selvatura Park. It has one of the largest butterfly gardens in the Americas, with more than 30 species. It’s also home to a wonderful sloth sanctuary, where we can observe these fascinating creatures and learn about the park’s conservation efforts. Afternoon at leisure.
Today we head back to Costa Rica’s capital city, crossing Lake Arenal and taking in incredible views of the Arenal Volcano and the Monteverde Cloud Forest. We will explore the Arenal Hanging Bridges, a thrilling adventure through the rainforest canopy. After lunch, we’re off to Ecotermales Fortuna, volcanic hot springs where we can relax and recharge in the heart of nature.
Today we hike Irazú Volcano National Park, which boasts the country’s highest active volcano. We will stop at Orosi, which has the oldest church in Costa Rica, have lunch at a local restaurant, and visit Lankester Botanical Garden, a lovely spot that dates back to the 1940s.
Today is about exploring Costa Rica’s incredible Central Pacific area. We will take a jungle crocodile safari along the Tarcoles River, see the Jaco area to get a taste of rustic, authentic Costa Rica, and visit beautiful Jaco Beach for a few hours of sand, surf and sun.
Another day of adventure begins with a hike in Poás Volcano National Park, an incredible place with an active volcano, beautiful landscapes, and diverse flora and fauna. We will also stop at La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park, which has 5 waterfalls and the largest animal sanctuary in Costa Rica with toucans, scarlet macaws, capuchin monkeys, jaguars, ocelots, 26 types of hummingbirds and much, much more. Tonight is our Farewell Dinner.
Transfer to San José airport for our flight home.
You may cancel your tour up to 60 days prior to departure (90 days prior for tours requiring a visa, cruises or rail journeys) for any reason, and receive a full refund of your deposit / payment (less the $75 administration fee).
Cancellation & trip interruption insurance included!
Included in the cost of your tour is our Cancellation Insurance Policy, which provides coverage in case of emergency injury or illness (including Covid), right up to your date of departure (terms and conditions apply).
Our Manulife Out-of-Country Health Insurance Plan covers expenses related to Trip Interruption in case of emergency injury or illness. For tours within Canada, Senior Discovery Tours will cover such expenses (terms and conditions apply to all policies).
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