Essential Upgraded Costa Rica
G Adventures Classic
Experience Costa Rica’s diverse geography and incredible wildlife on on this compact adventure, taking you from the foot of an active volcano to cloud forests and finishing off on the beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park. Hear about conservation initiatives from a researcher at Monteverde Institute, learn the art of tortilla-making with a local family, and spot monkeys, sloths and birds in the jungles and forests of this incredible country that will leave you wanting to come back for more.
Highlights
- Visit a G Adventures-supported coffee co-op
- Learn how to make tortillas in a local home
- Soak in a hot spring fed by an active volcano
- Hear about forest conservation at the Monteverde Institute
- Go birdwatching in Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve
- Spot monkeys and sloths while exploring Manuel Antonio National Park
Pricing
Small group tour starting at $2,169* CAD per person, based on double occupancy
9 Days – San José to San José
Travel Style: Classic
All of the highlights, culture, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments, all at a great price.
Service Level: Upgraded
Quality accommodations and more inclusions than on other G Adventures tours, like meals, private transport, and activities.
Physical Grading: 2 – Light
Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.
Trip Type: Small Group
Small group experience; Max 16, Avg 12.
What’s Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Mi Cafecito Coffee Cooperative Tour, Sarapiquí
- Your Discover Moment: La Fortuna.
- Arrival transfer.
- Guided nature walk in the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve.
- Guided excursion to Manuel Antonio National Park.
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
Day
Day 1
Location(s)
San José
Meals
Description
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.
Accommodation: Hotels vary greatly throughout Central America and even within Costa Rica depending on the location. We do our best to pick comfortable accommodations, but in popular locations options can be limited and we often use various different hotel depending on seasonality.
Day 2
San José – La Fortuna
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart San José by private vehicle and stop a G Adventures–supported coffee cooperative to lear about the process of coffee production from bean to cup. After a typical lunch, continue to the town of La Fortuna, situated at the foot of the Arenal Volcano. This evening, visit a local home to learn how to make tortillas and dig into a traditional Costa Rican meal of black beans and plantains.
Day 3
La Fortuna
Breakfast
Enjoy a full free day to explore La Fortuna and its surrounding areas. Choose from a variety of optional activities like stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Arenal, take a canyoning excursion, soak in some local hot springs, take a boat tour of Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, and more.
Day 4
La Fortuna – Monteverde
Breakfast
Travel by van and boat to the cloud forests of Monteverde, a nature lover’s paradise. Take the afternoon for yourself and choose to go zip-lining in the forest canopy, go horseback riding, or just relax in the pool at the hotel.
Day 5
Monteverde
Breakfast, Lunch
Hike in the lush Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, looking out for birds and wildlife. Afterward, visit the Monteverde Institute to hear from a researcher about some of the institute’s conservation initiatives, including a successful reforestation project. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon to choose from more optional activities like a visit to the hanging bridges in the canopy, horseback riding or a visit to the Monteverde Butterfly Farm, to name a few.
Day 6
Monteverde – Manuel Antonio
Breakfast
Depart Monteverde and head to Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, near Manuel Antonio National Park. Opt to go surfing, horseback riding, dolphin watching on a catamaran or just spend the rest of the day relaxing on the beach.
Day 7
Manuel Antonio
Breakfast
Take a guided tour along the jungle trails and and white-sand beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park, keeping an eye out for wildlife like monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and countless species of birds. Go swimming in the park’s lagoons and tidal pools and then enjoy free time to take an optional surfing lesson, head out for a snorkelling excursion or just relax on the beach.
Day 8
Manuel Antonio – San José
Breakfast
Return to San José and enjoy one final night on the town.
Day 9
San José
Breakfast
Depart at any time.
Interested in the itinerary above? Click on the “START PLANNING” button below and reference “Essential Upgraded Costa Rica” in the form, or give us a call at 587.997.5969 to book.
An adventure designed specifically for you
Let us work with you to tailor a journey based on your travel style and interests. We can use the existing itinerary above as a foundation, or build one from scratch to create your ideal vacation. Connect with us to start the conversation.
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*Prices are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to change and availability.