Wild Costa Rica – Premium Adventure

Wild Costa Rica – Premium Adventure
Wild Costa Rica – Premium Adventure
Wild Costa Rica – Premium Adventure
Wild Costa Rica – Premium Adventure
Wild Costa Rica – Premium Adventure
Wild Costa Rica – Premium Adventure
Wild Costa Rica – Premium Adventure
Wild Costa Rica – Premium Adventure
Wild Costa Rica – Premium Adventure
Wild Costa Rica – Premium Adventure
Wild Costa Rica – Premium Adventure
Wild Costa Rica – Premium Adventure
Wild Costa Rica – Premium Adventure
Wild Costa Rica – Premium Adventure
Wild Costa Rica – Premium Adventure
Wild Costa Rica – Premium Adventure
Wild Costa Rica – Premium Adventure
Wild Costa Rica – Premium Adventure
Wild Costa Rica – Premium Adventure
Wild Costa Rica – Premium Adventure
Wild Costa Rica – Premium Adventure

From:

CAD $9,465

11 Days

Best Rate: Guarantee

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Unknown

The greatest wildlife-watching destinations in Costa Rica? They’re the ones you haven’t heard about… yet. So, journey through untouched rainforests, jungle hillsides and concealed coastlines to search for sloths, monkeys and more with the help of our expert guides.

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 06 Jun 2026

Experience Overview

The greatest wildlife-watching destinations in Costa Rica? They’re the ones you haven’t heard about… yet. So, journey through untouched rainforests, jungle hillsides and concealed coastlines to search for sloths, monkeys and more with the help of our expert guides. The highlights are plentiful. Go deep into the Osa Peninsula, one of the most biologically intense places on Earth, immerse yourself in a remote mountain community, and stay in handpicked Premium accommodation each night – because going remote doesn’t mean giving up the luxuries!
Profile
— Travel by air-conditioned bus and boat — 10 Premium nights (hotel and lodges)
At a Glance
— Travel by air-conditioned bus and boat — 10 Premium nights (hotel and lodges)
Trip For You
This trip is graded Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate) with a Wildlife Rating of 4. Visit our Wildlife Holidays page for more on our Wildlife Ratings. For more on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.
Eating Drinking
Costa Rican specialities include gallo pinto, a black bean and rice dish and a staple part of the local diet. Soups and stews are also common, and fresh fruit is abundant and will no doubt be one of the highlights of your time here. Vegetarians are well catered for but please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests.
Transportation
We travel in a 20-seat Coaster minibus. It’s common for luggage to be transported on the roof, covered by a tarpaulin. The loading and unloading are done by bellboys at your accommodation, assisted by your tour leader and driver.
Joining Instructions
Key information Start hotel: Hotel Grano De Oro, Calle 30, San José, San Bosco, 10101 Phone: +506 2255 3322 Recommended arrival time: There is a welcome briefing at 6pm Airport: Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO) Getting to the start hotel The start hotel is approximately a 45-minute drive from the airport. We provide free arrival transfers to the start hotel for any flight landing on arrival day. Speak to your sales representative before departure to book. Catching your return flight We provide free transfers from the final hotel to the airport on departure day. Speak to your sales representative before departure to book. Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.
Weather Information
Costa Rica is 10 degrees north of the equator and has a tropical climate. The average annual temperature is around 26C (79F) in the lowlands and 10C (50F) in the highest mountain regions. However, it’s essential you prepare for the time of year in which your departure takes place. Dry season (December to April): This is the driest period of the year and can get incredibly hot; on the Pacific side, temperatures may exceed 37C (98F). If passing through areas of dry tropical forest it can be hot, dusty and dry. Prepare for some rain even during this time of year. Green season (May to November):  Expect daily downpours, although these are usually quite short and there is still plenty of sunshine. Typically, there are sunny conditions until approximately 1pm-2pm and then a build-up of cloud from around 3pm, resulting in late afternoon rain (most likely showers between 3pm-5pm). Usually, the sky clears by 6pm.
Spending Money
US dollars are widely accepted as payment in Costa Rica; however, change will likely be given in local currency and the exchange rate will fluctuate. We suggest taking some US dollars with you but then using ATMs to withdraw the rest of your money in local currency while you’re there. Allow extra to cover the cost of meals not included in the price of the trip. Snack lunches are approximately US$15-US$18 and evening meals US$25-US$32 per meal (excluding drinks). Average costs for drinks are US$1-US$2 for mineral water or soft drinks, US$3-US$4 for a bottle of beer and US$4-US$5 for a glass of wine. Optional excursions are available during this tour (bookable locally): La Fortuna/Arenal: — Ecotermales hot springs (four hours): from approximately US$45. — Rainforest Chocolate tour: from US$50 — Don Juan Coffee & Chocolate tour: from US$55 — Night Walk: from US$73 — Ecoglide zipline tour: from US$55 Please note: taking optional activities in Arenal may mean missing other included elements of the tour. Quepos: — Mangrove boat tour: from US$81 — Ocean Kayak & Snorkelling: from approximately US$77 — Horseback riding: from US$86 — Wildlife refuge night walk: from US$35 — Biological Reserve night walk: from US$70 All prices are per person and some excursions require a minimum number of participants. Optional excursions can be paid for by cash (preferably), credit or debit card and can only be booked locally.
Tipping
Our local staff are paid fairly for their work. However, it is usual for groups to tip tour leaders and drivers, and it would be reasonable for each group member to contribute US$70 for the tour leader.

Highlights

— See iconic Costa Rican animals in the wildlife hotspots most miss — Search for cute sloths in their natural habitat around La Fortuna — Go birding and enjoy a coffee masterclass in the Esquipulas Rainforest — Stay among the animals in a rainforest lodge in the Osa Peninsula — Immerse yourself in the remote mountain village of San Gerardo de Rivas — Relax in Premium accommodation, often in the heart of the wilderness

Trip Details

Product CodeProduct Code: 35379

Tour TypeTour Type: Small Group

AccommodationAccommodation: Moderate

TransportTransport: d driver.

Guide LanguageGuide Language: English

Tour OperatorTour Operator: Exodus Travel

Supplier CodeSupplier Code: WCR

StartStarts: San José , Arenal Volcano

FinishFinishes: San José , Arenal Volcano

DurationDuration: 11 days

DeparturesDepartures: Not Guaranteed

Physical RatingPhysical Rating: Unknown

Includes

— All breakfasts, four lunches, seven dinners — All accommodation — All transport and listed activities — Tour leader throughout — Arrival and departure transfers — Tips for local staff and driver

Accommodation

Premium hotels and lodge
For this Premium adventure in Costa Rica, we mostly picked accommodation that highlights the natural beauty of the wilderness, while also offering plenty of comfort and luxuries. San José: Hotel Grano de Oro (night 1) Named one of the top hotels in Central America by Condé Nast Traveler, the Grano de Oro is an excellent place to begin our adventure. Taking over a tropical Victorian residence, it’s home to an haute cuisine restaurant serving French Mediterranean dishes, which we enjoy on our first night. La Fortuna: Arenal Kioro Hotel (nights 2-3) Nestled in Arenal Volcano National Park, this all-suite resort captures the full natural beauty of La Fortuna. Within the extensive grounds are two streams and flourishing gardens, plus seven thermal spring pools, a gym and game room, and a spa. Quepos: Si Como No (nights 4-5) Enjoy the serene beauty of the tropical jungle at Si Como No, a resort and wildlife refuge in Quepos on the Central Pacific coast. The 54 rooms sit amid lush vegetation, with views over the Pacific Ocean. During downtime, head to the adults-only pool and pick up a cocktail at the poolside bar. Corcovado: Aguila de Osa Rainforest Lodge (nights 6-7) Overlooking the serene Drake Bay, Aguila de Osa provides comfort and beauty in one of the most remote regions of Costa Rica. When it’s time to relax, head to the Great Room bar, where you can enjoy local cocktails while gazing over the jungle and sea. San Gerardo de Rivas: Hotel Rio Chirripó (nights 8-9) Well off the tourist track, Rio Chirripó has just 11 rooms in a small mountain village. Enjoy views of the Chirripó Valley and primary forest from your room, while the restaurant serves traditional dishes made from fresh produce. Escazú: Hotel Alta las Palomas (night 10) End the adventure at the Alta, part of the exclusive Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection. This luxury boutique sits in the lush hillsides near San José with views over the Sun Valley of Santa Ana. Enjoy the landscaped gardens and peaceful pool area, before dining at La Luz, a farm-to-table restaurant that combines Costa Rican flavours with a Mediterranean influence.

Price

Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $9,465 ($860 /day)

Itinerary

1
Day 1: Adventure begins in historic San José

Begin in San José, the mountain-wrapped capital of Costa Rica, meeting our representative at the airport for a transfer (45 minutes) to the hotel. At 6pm, say hola to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome with a group dinner at the hotel. Want to explore San José further? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative. Accommodation: Hotel Grano de Oro (or similar)

2
Day 2: Tree planting at La Tigra Rainforest Reserve • Arrive in La Fortuna

Bid farewell to San José and transfer (four hours’ drive) to La Fortuna de San Carlos, a popular town watched over by the imposing giant cone of Arenal volcano. En route, we stop at La Tigra Rainforest Reserve to get in touch (and give back!) to nature on a special tree-planting experience. Exploring the rainforest, we learn about its vital contribution to the local communities, while also digging into the earth and planting our own native trees as part of the reserve’s restoration project. We also tour the lodge garden, where the team grow vegetables and greens, before tucking into a delicious lunch made with the produce from that very same garden. Arriving in La Fortuna, we have the rest of the day to relax and enjoy the hotel facilities. Perhaps a dip in the hot spring pools? Accommodation: Arenal Kioro Hotel (or similar)

3
Day 3: Search for sloths in the guarumo trees around La Fortuna

Just outside La Fortuna, wilderness abounds, providing a natural haven for sloths with an absence of predators and plenty of life-giving guarumo trees. Head there with our tour leader this morning, watching sloths in their natural habitat. Returning to the hotel, we have the rest of the afternoon to enjoy the hot springs more; then, when the sun goes down, we head to a local family project for an immersive cookery experience. Start with an exploration of their garden, where we collect vegetables and aromatic spices for the kitchen. Then, under the expert guidance of a chef, we learn the art and techniques behind Costa Rican cuisine, learning how to cook a traditional dish and tortillas over a wood fire. Dinner will be delicious. Accommodation: Arenal Kioro Hotel (or similar)

4
Day 4: To coastal Quepos

We’re off to Quepos on the Central Pacific coast after breakfast. Popular with sun-seekers, it’s the perfect place to unwind following a busy couple of days. After the 4hr 45min journey, take the opportunity to relax. There’s plenty of facilities at the hotel to enjoy, including an adults-only pool and sunset terraces. Accommodation: Si Como No (or similar)

5
Day 5: Birding in Esquipulas Rainforest • Coffee-tasting masterclass

Embark on an unforgettable journey through the lush landscapes of Esquipulas Rainforest Private Reserve today, a birder’s paradise with more than 200 bird species, including king vultures and hummingbirds. Accompanied by an expert guide, explore winding trails where every step reveals the beauty of Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity. After our hike (2hr to 2hr 30min), indulge in a coffee-tasting masterclass. We sip exceptional organic coffee, learning how to identify key qualities such as acidity, aroma and subtle tastes. More than just a tasting, this experience digs into how growers are looking to produce coffee in a sustainable way that’s better for nature. Accommodation: Si Como No (or similar)

6
Day 6: To the Osa Peninsula, the ‘most biologically intense place on earth’

Bid farewell to Quepos, travelling to Corcovado on the Osa Peninsula, where we spend two nights in the jungle-covered hillsides overlooking Drake Bay. Our journey includes a two-hour transfer to Sierpe Dock, where we catch the boat for a one-hour cruise to Drake Bay. The Osa Peninsula – which National Geographic called ‘the most biologically intense place on earth’ – is one of the greatest wildlife-watching destinations in the Americas, still mostly untouched by development. Accommodation: Aguila de Osa Rainforest Lodge (or similar)

7
Day 7: Explore the ‘Amazon of Costa Rica’ • Swim at San Pedrillo waterfall

Journey deep into Corcovado National Park today, starting with a 30-minute boat ride along the west coast of the Osa. After a wet landing at the ranger station, enjoy a brief talk from one of the resident rangers about Corcovado and the vital conservation work taking place here. Then, set off on a hike, while our local guide points out many of the diverse species along the trail. You may see white-faced, spider and howler monkeys, white-lipped peccaries (wild pigs), scarlet macaws, coati, and countless species of birds and insects. The trails are clearly marked and easy to navigate, ascending and descending through the primary and secondary rainforest. Late morning, we hike to the beautiful San Pedrillo waterfall, spotting more flora and fauna en route. Upon arrival, relax or take a refreshing swim in the natural pool. After, we return to the ranger station to catch the boat back to the hotel; on the way, if we’re lucky, we may spot humpback whales or dolphins breaching and spinning. Accommodation: Aguila de Osa Rainforest Lodge (or similar)

8
Day 8: To the remote mountain village of San Gerardo de Rivas

We leave our lodge after breakfast and return to Sierpe Dock by boat (one hour), before transferring (2hr 30min) to San Gerardo de Rivas, a small village in the untouched Chirripó Pacífico valley. Here, we can enjoy the peace and quiet of a traditional Costa Rican community in the scenic mountains. Accommodation: Hotel Rio Chirripó (or similar)

9
Day 9: Hike the wild Finca Talari estate • Enjoy dinner at the beautiful home of Doña Leila

Go deep into the wilderness today, exploring the natural private reserve, Finca Talari. Hiking 3mi (5km) along the trails, we look for monkeys, agoutis, the resplendent quetzal and, the most famous bird in the area, the motmot, with the help of our expert guide, while also visiting the Talari River. Those brave enough can take a dip in the frigid river waters! Later, we visit the beautiful wooden home of Doña Leila, which was built in 1950 and has a lovely garden. Here, Doña Leila tells her story about how she inherited the property, before enjoying a homecooked dinner prepared by our welcoming host. Accommodation: Hotel Rio Chirripó (or similar)

10
Day 10: To a boutique hotel outside San José city

Depart San Gerardo de Rivas after breakfast and drive (3hr 45min) to Escazú, in the San José Province, where we stay in a boutique hotel on a lush hilltop overlooking the Sun Valley of Santa Ana. This evening, we enjoy a memorable farewell dinner at the hotel restaurant, tucking into farm-to-table Costa Rican cuisine. Accommodation: Hotel Alta las Palomas (or similar)

11
Day 11: Finish the adventure

The trip ends today after breakfast and there’s a free 45-minute transfer for you to the airport. If you’d like to extend your adventure, speak to your sales representative about booking additional hotel nights.

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Tour Operator

Exodus Travel

It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.

In Business Since 1974

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