Travel from coast to coast, from the Caribbean-flavoured beaches of Costa Rica's Atlantic to the Latin rhythms of Guanacaste, known for its miles of beaches, killer surf and consistently sunny weather. In between, make a stop on the country's volcanic backbone at active Arenal Volcano, a wonderland of rafting, hiking, waterfalls and hot springs.
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Our popular 11-day itinerary
Our G Adventures Pass Costa Rica is the best way to explore Costa Rica. One of our representatives will visit you in the comfort of your hotel shortly after arrival to provide information for the rest of your trip and will remain just a phone call away for the duration of your stay.
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Day 1 Arrive San José
Arrive in San José at any time. There are no planned activities, so enjoy the city. Located in the central highlands, San José enjoys a moderate climate. The heat and humidity of the coast and lowland areas may affect you, with a general sense of lethargy and/or loss of appetite. This is no cause for alarm; it is simply your body’s reaction to the heat. Be sure to drink plenty of water (bottled water is available everywhere) and do not attempt too much in any given day. We prefer fan-cooled rather than air conditioned rooms to avoid having to acclimatize to the heat and humidity every time you go outside. This is also a more eco-friendly approach.
Like most cities, San José has its good and bad sides. It is the centre of government, theatre, and art, as well as of air pollution and congestion. It has beautiful parks and museums, and a few beggars on the streets. It is big and often noisy, but even from its crowded downtown streets, you’ll often enjoy a view of the surrounding lush mountains.
Start your exploration of the city in the main plaza, a great place to people-watch. A mime, juggler, marimba band, magician, or storyteller may be performing for whatever is collected when the hat is passed. Artisan booths are common, creating a regular arts and crafts fair atmosphere.
A source of pride for the ticos (as Costa Ricans are known) is the National Theatre. Inaugurated in 1897, the building was paid for by coffee growers through a voluntary tax on every bag of coffee exported. The National Museum, housed in the Bellavista Fortress, offers exhibits on pre-Columbian art, colonial art and furniture and religious art within a 19th Century building that was converted from a military fortress after the army was abolished.
The Museum of Costa Rican Art, located in La Sabana Park, was once the international airport; the museum is now housed in the old terminal building. The Jade Museum is on the 11th floor of the Instituto Nacional de Seguros building. In addition to the marvellous collection of jade objects, there are pre-Columbian ceramic and stone works as well as displays with archaeological and ethnographic information. The Gold Museum is located underneath the Plaza de la Cultura. Its spectacular collection of indigenous gold art belongs to the Central Bank of Costa Rica.
The best and least expensive places to buy souvenirs in San José are the markets. The two main ones are the ones in Plaza de la Demorcracia, which is an outdoor open market, and the Central Market, where handicrafts are sold along with boots, fish, flour, herbal remedies, shirts and everything else you can imagine. Always watch your belongings and be ready for crowds. If you plan on spending a few days in San José after your tour, there are a number of activities within the city and area that you can participate in, many of them outdoors.
Probably the hardest thing you will do in San José, other than get safely across busy streets, is keep the street numbering systems straight. Street and avenue numbers are posted on buildings at the corners of some intersections. Keep looking as you walk, and you will eventually find one.
NOTE: Like any city where tourism is on the increase, crime also tends to increase and while San José is not a noticeably dangerous city, there are certain precautions you should take. Make sure that you are aware of your things at all times and don't go out carrying expensive gear or jewellery.
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Day 2-4 Cahuita/Puerto Viejo
Hop on the Adventure Bus at approximately 8.30am for your transfer to your hotel in Cahuita or Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean Coast.
Begin with an incredible bus ride over the mountains to the Caribbean coast. The picturesque village of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca’s 14 kilometers of incomparable white and black sand beaches are surrounded by exotic tropical vegetation. Rent a bike or hire a boat to Manzanillo, and hike to Monkey Point through the Gandoca - Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge. Try snorkelling or take it easy and and explore La Isla Botanical Gardens.
Rent a boogie board if the waves are calling, dance the night away to reggae and calypso, taste flavourful Afro-Caribbean cuisine, and succumb to the natural beauty of this tropical paradise. This area of Costa Rica was quite isolated until a road was built a only a couple of decades ago, and it still hasn’t lost its charm.
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Day 5-6 La Fortuna
Hop on the Adventure Bus at approximately 8am for your transfer to your hotel in the town of La Fortuna, located at the foot of the Arenal Volcano.
La Fortuna is an excellent base for adventure. Hike the area’s nature trails, swim in chilly La Fortuna waterfall or join a canopy tour and catch a bird’s-eye view of the forest greenery. Other optional activities include full-day white water rafting on the Toro or Arenal Rivers, 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. Finally, after a long day of exploring, take a relaxing soak in the lush, cascading hot springs of Tabacón Resort. Soak in one of the natural thermal baths and rivers under the shade of the surrounding canopy.
Set on the northern plains of Costa Rica, Arenal Volcano sits on the southeast shore of artificial Lake Arenal (77 square kilometres, or 48 square miles). Separating the mountain ranges of Guanacaste and Tilarán, the lake was created by a hydroelectric dam. Winds sweeping off the Caribbean Sea reach speeds of 48 to 72 km/hr (30 to 45 mph), making Arenal one of the best windsurfing destinations in the world. The volcano, once quite active, has been in a dormant state since the beginning of 2011 but still is a dramatic backdrop to the town of La Fortuna. During the day, its reflection on Lake Arenal is truly enchanting.
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Day 7-9 Guanacaste
Hop on the Adventure Bus at approximately 9am for your transfer to the hotel of your choice on the beautiful beaches of Guanacaste on the Pacific coast.
One of the major beach destinations in Costa Rica, Guanacaste is home to the beaches of Tamarindo, Coco, Ocotal, and Flamingo. Guanacaste’s beaches are the best in the country for swimming and one of the best in the world for sunsets, with a perfect western exposure. Some beaches are a dark volcanic sand, except for Flamingo, which is a soft white sand. Behind the beaches are lush tropical forests ideal for day walks or horseback riding. Like other beach destinations in Costa Rica an abundance of water sports and adventure activities are available to book locally.
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Day 10 San José
Hop on the Adventure Bus at approximately 2.30pm for your transfer back to your San José hotel. Enjoy one last night on the town.
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Day 11 Depart San José
Depart San José at any time. Departure shuttle included, with the last shuttle of the day departing San Jose downtown at 4pm. (Hotel check-out is at 12 noon.)
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Land Transfers & Included Tours/activities: Many of the land transfers and included tours will be by private van, car or taxi, while others may be shared with other travellers depending on availability, nature of the activity and destination. For transfers, you may have a local non English-speaking driver only, for included tours, you will be accompanied by an English speaking local guide.
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A variety of accommodation standards are available for Independent tours, see your dossier for the accommodation class specific to your tour. Please remember that hotel/lodge/resort standards can be different from what you are used to in your home country, which is part of the appeal of adventure travel . Porterage is not included, but can be arranged directly at most hotels.
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Optional activity prices are subject to change and can fluctuate in relation to the high/low season and the number of people on a specific excursion. Not all activities listed here may be available, due to season, or weather conditions.
All prices are per person, estimates in USD amount and are subject to change as services are provided by third party operators.
San Jose
Arenal and Hot Springs $99
The Best of the Pacific $88
San Jose City Tour $29
Irazu Volcano $37
Irazu, Orosi & Lankester Gardens $62
Poas Volcano & La Paz Waterfall $79
Poas Volcano $37
Poas, Grecia & Sarchi $56
Canopy tour San Lorenzo $80
White Water Rafting $95
Pueblo Antiguo Show Day $45
Ram Luna (Typical night) $55
La Fortuna
Arenal hanging bridges tour $47
Arenal Volcano hiking $35
Cano Negro Wilderness Refuge by boat with lunch $52
Horseback riding to Fortuna Waterfalls $39
Combo tour Waterfall & hiking with lunch $100
Kayaking at the Arenal Lake $50
Canopy tour $42
Rafting trip at Sarapiqui River (full day) $78
Safari float at Penas Blancas River $42
Sunset boat trip at the Arenal Lake $47
Monteverde
Canopy Tour $45
Walkways at Monteverde $25
Natural History Walks at Monteverde Biological Reserve $50
Package (Walk ways/Butterly/Hummingbird Garden with lunch) $50
Hummingbird garden at Monteverde $6
Manuel Antonio
Damas Island Boat Tour $55
Coastal Kayak $60
Manuel Antonio National Park Tour $45
Nauyaca Waterfalls Tour $90
Rafting Savegre River $90
Sunset Catamaran Sail $80
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Eating is a big part of traveling. Travelling with G Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. 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 group leader will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. The above information applies to G Adventures group trips. For Independent trips please check the itinerary for details of meals included. For all trips please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and meal budgets.
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Enjoying the surf and relaxing with a cocktail on the beach, keeping active around Arenal Volcano, kayaking the estuaries along the coast at Guanacaste.
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No minimum
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Hotel (10 nts)
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Adventure bus
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Breakfast daily at most hotels.
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Costa Rica airport exit tax: $28USD
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