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Costa Rica Experience

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Fully Guided Adventure Small Group

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Trip Length

8 Days

Trip Starts

San Jose

Trip Finishes

San Jose

8 Day Costa Rica Experience Itinerary (Intrepid)

Countries Explored: Costa Rica

Trip Operator

Intrepid Travel

166 Reviews

Trip Style

Original

Departures

Mar 2026 to Dec 2028

Budget

Affordable

Max. Group Size

Pace

Leisurely

Guide Level

Fully Guided

Trip Code

QVSS

Overview

Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on Intrepid's 8 Day Costa Rica Experience. Discover a region of natural diversity, cultural riches and laidback vibes on an eight-day jungle jaunt through Costa Rica. Thanks to a longstanding tradition of preserving its natural assets, much of the country’s primary rainforest still stands. Opportunities for nature-based activities are endless here and the beaches on both coasts are well worth your free time. Spot monkeys and sloths in the cloud forests of Monteverde, hike to hidden waterfalls and kick back in the surf town of Manuel Antonio. Explore the depths read more

Itinerary

Hola! Welcome to Costa Rica. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm in San Jose. With over half the country's population living within its parameters, San Jose has a dynamic atmosphere. If you arrive early, why not wander around at your own pace – a good place to start is the main plaza, perfect for some people watching. Tonight, maybe head out to get to know your group with an optional welcome dinner.

Head to Tesoro Escondido Waterfall this morning. Meaning ‘hidden treasure’, this 46-m-high waterfall plunges into turquoise pools and is the perfect place for a dip. The trail to get there involves hiking through the forest, over a hanging bridge and across a rock-strewn river. Don’t worry if you work up a sweat, as you’ll cool right down when you jump in! Have lunch at a nearby restaurant, then continue to La Fortuna – a small town just a few minutes from the famous Arenal Volcano. Spend the rest of the day as you please. Maybe make another splash at the 70-m-high La Fortuna waterfall, hike the lava field of the 1968 Arenal Volcano eruption or test your balance on a stand-up paddle board on the volcano’s namesake lake. There are also several geothermal hot springs in the area, so why not relax your muscles with a soothing soak? (B/L)

You have a free morning in La Fortuna. In the afternoon, take a minibus to Lake Arenal where you'll hop on a scenic boat ride across the water. Another minibus will be waiting to take you to Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. Monteverde was founded as an agricultural community in 1951 by a group of North American Quakers who cleared virgin forests to create pastures for dairy farming. These environmentally aware settlers were conscious of the dangers of unrestricted farming, so they established a small, privately owned wildlife sanctuary, which has grown to become an internationally renowned reserve with over 2000 species of plants, 320 bird species and 100 different types of mammals. Check into your hotel, then maybe do a night walk to spot some of the area’s nocturnal critters. (B)

Join your leader for a guided walk in the Monteverde Cloud Forest this morning. Keep your eyes peeled (and your camera handy) for monkeys, toucans, sloths and coatis. You’re free to explore for the rest of the afternoon. Maybe get closer to the creatures who dwell in the trees on a suspension bridge tour – or if you’re feeling extra adventurous, zip line through the canopies! You could also head to the Serpentarium to check out some crawly critters, see up to 30 species of butterfly in specially created gardens or get your caffeine fix on a coffee and cacao farm tour. Whatever you do, be sure to watch out for the resplendent quetzal – one of the most elusive birds in the world.

Travel through the mountains by private minibus to the surf town of Manuel Antonio, stopping along the way to join a local family in their home to prepare a traditional lunch and sip on local Costa Rican coffee. You'll have the chance to jump in and help, learning traditional techniques as the meal comes together! After lunch arrive at your accommodation and enjoy some downtime. Tonight, you could watch the sun set over the Pacific and then grab a spot at a waterfront restaurant. (L)

Spend your morning exploring Manuel Antonio National Park with a naturalist to understand its incredible ecosystems. Monkeys, armadillos, sloths and hundreds of species of birds are among the wildlife you can spot here. The park also has turquoise seas and white-sand beaches – perfect for swimming and kayaking. It would be easy to spend your whole time here in or by the water – and with a free afternoon, you can do just that! If you’re feeling active, you could continue exploring the park’s trails. (B)

This morning, head to a mangrove forest on Damas Island for a kayaking adventure. This activity is run by a naturalist near their home along the canals, so you’ll be exploring with someone who really knows the twists and turns of these protected tropical wetlands. If you’re lucky, you might spot a troop of curious white-faced capuchins in the trees above. Take a public bus back to San Jose, then head out for an optional farewell dinner and maybe raise a glass to a great trip. (B)

With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end after breakfast. If you’d like to extend your stay in Costa Rica, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Trip Inclusions

Try to spot the elusive resplendent quetzal as you explore Monteverde’s cloud forests. Better yet, why not consider a jungle zip-line to get high in the sky for the best views?
Explore a maze of mangroves on a kayaking trip on Damas Island. The best part? You’ll paddle alongside a local naturalist and get insider knowledge of the ecosystems and creatures that live here – including white-faced capuchins who often make an appearance.
Take a (fffresh) plunge beneath the cascades of Tesoro Escondido Waterfall. The hike there is half the fun, with river crossings and suspension bridges.
Take in the size and stature of the mighty Arenal Volcano, maybe while soaking in one of La Fortuna’s lava-heated thermal springs.
With plenty of time to chill out at your own pace, Manuel Antonio’s surf vibe is ideal for catching some waves, lazing on the white-sand beaches or hiking the trails of the national park with your travel pals.

Hotel (7 nights)

4 Breakfasts included
2 Lunches included

Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
Intrepid regularly update their itineraries throughout the year based on feedback and local conditions. Therefore the itinerary you see now may differ from when you booked. Global Journeys will provide you with detailed trip notes at the time of quoting, along with a finalised itinerary and trip notes before your trip departs.

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A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.

Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Intrepid. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.