Duration14 Days 13 Nights
Max Group Size18
Minimum Age12+i
MealsSome includedi
Start & End LocationSan Josei
HostelMixiWhat's Included
- Get up to $130 cash back per person when you book with us
- Chill out on the Caribbean and Pacific coasts
- Cruise across Lake Arenal with beautiful views of Arenal Volcano
- Explore the misty cloud forest
- All accommodation: 3 nights in hotels, 9 nights in hostels and 1 night in a local home stay
- Meals including breakfast and dinner
- Guidance from an amazing Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
What to Expect
Stay flexible in Costa Rica on this unique two-week adventure!
Hit the volcanoes, a cloud forest and both of the incredible coasts, chill out on white-sand beaches and explore pristine wildlife reserves.
Best of all, this trip gives you the flexibility to create the adventure of a lifetime, so you can soar across the treetops by zipline, rappel down a waterfall, or learn to surf the Pacific breaks.
Take a trip that's packed with just the essentials and includes everything you need to explore the diversity and beauty of Costa Rica!
Where we visit
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!
There are no planned activities so check into our hotel and enjoy the city.
Note: 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. Please check your voucher upon purchse for specific hotel and departure info.
Day 2: San José/Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Travel to the Caribbean coast and enjoy the tropical seascape on Day 2 of your tour, where you'll get to enjoy some free time in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.
Begin the day with an incredible bus ride over the mountains to the Caribbean coast where you'll visit the picturesque village of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca’s white and black sand beaches that are surrounded by exotic tropical vegetation.
Transport: You'll travel by local bus today for approx 5 hours for a distance of 210km.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 3 & Day 4: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Opt to rent a bike, relax on the beach or hike in Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge or enjoy some more free time in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 5: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca/San Carlos
Travel north up the Caribbean coastline before heading inland through varied landscapes on Day 5 of your trip.
You'll be able to immerse yourself in local farming culture with a visit to 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, enjoy a delicious home-cooked lunch and dinner along with an activity with the community.
Travel: You'll travel by private vehicle today for approx 5 to 6 hours for a distance of 272km.
Accommodation: Coope San Juan Homestay
Day 6: San Carlos/La Fortuna
After breakfast in San Carlos, your tour group will travel to La Fortuna. Check out this beautiful area at the base of Arenal Volcano.
There's plenty of optional activities to do here including a soak in Arenal's hot springs, whitewater rafting or waterfall rappelling.
Travel: You'll travel by private vehicle today between San Carlos and La Fortuna
Accommodation: Hostel
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 or enjoy some free time.
Accommodation: Hostel
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 enjoy 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 known as the 'cloud forest region'.
Spend a couple of days exploring the town and a cloud forest reserve. This unique community has several cooperatives worth visiting including artist collectives and a cheese factory. The local guides are also 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.
Travel: You'll travel by van and boat for approx. 1 Hour 15 Minutes total.
Accommodation: Hotel
About Life Monteverde
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!
Day 9: Monteverde
Free day to enjoy; opt to tour the cloud forest or visit a coffee plantation.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 10: Monteverde/Santa Teresa
Travel to the Pacific coast of the Nicoya Peninsula and enjoy this laid-back beach town.
Transport: You'll travel by van and ferry for approx. 3 Hours and 30 Minutes total today, covering around 112km.
Accommodation: Hostel
Day 11 & Day 12: Santa Teresa
Surf or swim the waves, practice yoga on the beach or chill out in this laid-back beach town.
Fill days 11 and 12 of your trip 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.
Check out Cabo Blanco NP to spot some wildlife, hike to the nearby waterfall for a dip or a jump in the local swimming hole or simply lounge on the beach.
You could also 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 - from ziplining to boogie boarding, horseback riding or scuba diving. On the other hand, if relaxation is what you seek, opt for a yoga class or take a leisurely hike to search for orchids.
Accommodation: Hostel
Day 13: Santa Teresa/San José
Travel back to the capital for a final evening with the group and enjoy some last minute shopping.
Travel: You'll travel by bus for approx. 8 hours today to San José.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 14: San José
Depart at any time today, or, if you're not ready to leave, your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Simple and clean hotels and hostels; affordable public and private transport; lots of optional activities.
No, expect some light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.
This tour is fast, fresh and fun with adventures that never slow down, made for young, budget-minded travellers.
Eating is a big part of traveling. On this tour, you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food. 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.
Accommodation will be varied throughout your adventure. Some nights we use multi-share accommodation, on a single-sex basis (typically 4-6 people per room). We have specifically chosen unique accommodations to give local flavour to your trip.
Couples: Please note that due to the variety of accommodation used in Central America, couples will be split into separate rooms when we use multi-share hostels. Pending availability, couples may be able to pay extra while on tour to have their own room in some destinations.
Singles: Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
For details of your joining hotel please refer to your tour voucher.
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.
Packing List
Costa Rica Water Activities:
• Drybag (Will help keep cameras and essentials dry)
• Sport Sandals or Water Shoes (if you plan to do waterfall rappelling and/or rafting)
Documents:
• Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)
• Passport (required) (With photocopies)
• Required visas or vaccination certificates (required) (With photocopies)
• Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)
Essentials:
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
• Cash, credit and debit cards
• Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)
• Ear plugs
• First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
• Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)
• Fleece top/sweater
• Footwear
• Hat
• Locks for bags
• Long pants/jeans
• Moneybelt
• Outlet adapter
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Reusable water bottle
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Sleepwear
• Small travel towel
• Sunglasses
• Toiletries (Preferably biodegradable)
• Watch and alarm clock
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Windproof rain jacket
Health & Safety:
• Face masks (required)
• Hand sanitizer (required)
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)
• Rubber gloves
Warm Weather:
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Shorts/skirts (Longer shorts/skirts are recommended)
• Sun hat/bandana
• Swimwear
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.
Policies
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The minimum age for clients traveling on this tour is 12
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An adult over the age of 18 must accompany each child under the age of 18. It is imperative that one adult accompany each child
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The supplier reserves the right to restrict the number of travelers under the age of 18 on tours
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Date of birth must be submitted for this product
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For a tour departing between January 19, 2022 and April 30, 2023, travellers will be permitted to cancel their confirmed tour services, pre- or post tour accommodation services, extra services, or transfer services at any time prior to 14 days from the date of tour departure at no charge if they also rebook another tour service and/or reschedule travel to a later date, which later date must be within two years of the initial departure date.
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The traveller must rebook their deferred travel at the same time as their cancellation in order for the policy to be applicable.
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For tours booked to depart between January 19, 2022 and April 30, 2023, the traveller will be responsible to pay the difference if the rebooked tour is priced higher than the original tour and will receive a travel credit for the difference that will be kept on file with The Supplier for two years from the date of rebooking if the rebooked tour is priced lower than the original tour.
Reviews for 14 Day Basic Costa Rica Tour: Coastlines and Cloud Forests
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