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Experience Overview
Glide through tree-lined waterways, relax in thermal pools, sample chocolate made from the world's best cacao and journey back in time with a native Quaker in Old Town Monteverde. Your Costa Rica tour captures the natural highlights of this biodiverse country including 3 days in Guanacaste. From 2027, this tour will become a Small Group tour, with an average of 16 guests. Enjoy a smaller group setting while discovering the places, people and stories that make each destination special.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 4 Dinner (D)
- 9 Breakfast (B)
- 3 Lunch (L)
Must-see Highlights
- Visit Tortuguero Village, Sarapiqui and Monteverde Cloud Forest
- View Arenal Volcano
- Explore Cocoa Farm with Master Chocolatier in San Isidro de Heredia, Monteverde with Quaker pioneer descendants
- Hike through Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve guided by a Local Specialist
- Cruise the canals of Tortuguero National Park
How You'll Travel
- Deluxe coach travel
- Selected hotel dinners plus a locally hosted meal
- 4-star stays
Iconic Experience
- San Isidro: Meet master chocolatiers, Julio Fernandez and George Soriano, to learn about the history of chocolate and how it is produced at this small workshop.
- Tortuguero National Park: Join Cloied, a charismatic community member from one of Tortuguero’s pioneer families, and hear the story of his village as you help prepare a traditional coconut dessert. It’s a lively, hands-on experience that connects you to the flavors and spirit of the neighborhood.
- Tortuguero: Cruise through Tortuguero's canals and lagoons both in the morning and in the evening, seeking out incredible tropical wildlife species such as monkeys in the treetops, toucans and egres flying through the air and crocodiles in the cool waters.
- Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park: Explore the rainforest canopy with a Local Specialist. Cross hanging bridges as you spot howler monkeys, hummingbirds and blue morpho butterflies.
- Monteverde: Meet Monteverde's Quaker descendants and Local Specialist to learn about Old Town Monteverde and the fascinating history of the American Quakers who settled in the area in the 1950s.
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve: Join a local Specialist for a guided hike through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve will astound you with its beauty, bounty, and biodiversity. Wind-sculpted elfin woodlands give way to rainforests where tall trees, orchids, bromeliads, ferns, vines and mosses rise high into the sky.
Trafalgar Difference
- Tortuguero: Welcome to Laguna Lodge Tortuguero, a remote 15-acre retreat which embraces the rich natural environment Costa Rica is known for. You’ll feel a part of nature among towering trees, exotic plants, and spacious gardens that host a number of birds and butterflies. Feel good knowing that the lodge itself protects this biodiverse environment by using alternate materials and structures that don’t permanently harm the land but instead preserve the natural resources you’ll come to appreciate. Take in this slice of paradise lounging by the pool, strolling in the garden or drifting off to sleep to the gentle sound of jungle rain.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
- Tortuguero National Park: Meet the Tico family at their palm plantation to learn about and sample the delicate heart of palm surrounded by tropical forest. Your experience directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
Be My Guest
- Sarapiqui: Visit the Quintana family's Hacienda Pozo Azul and discover how they reduce their carbon footprint and support the local community.
Trip Details
Product Code: 34520
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles: Explorer, Budget
Tour Operator: Trafalgar (CA)
Supplier Code: 660.1799A
Starts: San Jose (Costa Rica), Costa Rica
Finishes: Liberia, Costa Rica
Duration: 10 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating: Easy
Includes
Whats Included
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- All transport and transfers shown
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Optional Experiences and free time
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $5495 ($550 /day)
Itinerary
Learn the secrets of Pura Vida – Costa Rica’s inimitable zest for life that will linger throughout your effortlessly delivered encounter with a land that boasts no artificial ingredients. This evening, join your Travel Director and fellow expeditioners for dinner.
Accommodation: Sheraton San Jose
Meals: Dinner
Journey to San Isidro de Heredia where you’ll Dive into Culture with master chocolatiers Julio Fernandez and George Soriano to learn about the history of chocolate and its production at this artisanal workshop. Then, continue towards the coast where you'll embark on a river journey through protected wetlands and on to secluded Tortuguero, gliding through canals, lagoons and lowland rainforest. Arrive at your Stays with Stories at Laguna Lodge, where you’ll learn the story of how the lodge was built with materials that protect this biodiverse environment and natural habitat. Later, enjoy dinner at your hotel accompanied by the enchanting sounds of resident cicadas and tree frogs.
Accommodation: Laguna Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Take a morning cruise through the waterways of Tortuguero National Park with a Local Specialist, keeping an eye out for monkeys, toucans and other wildlife unique to this region. Visit the village of Tortuguero before returning to your lodge for lunch. After your morning introduction on the waterways, explore deeper as you drift on an afternoon cruise in one of Costa Rica’s most biodiverse corners. Later, Dive into Culture as you join Cloied, a well-known figure from one of Tortuguero’s pioneer families, to prepare a traditional coconut dessert together before dinner at the lodge.
Accommodation: Laguna Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Bid adiós to Tortuguero as you travel through the Sarapiqui region, where you’ll meet the Tico family for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at their palm plantation. Here, you'll learn about and sample the delicate heart of palm. Later, at Hacienda Pozo Azul, you’ll meet the Quintana family to experience how their eco-friendly hacienda, originally built as a retirement project, has blossomed into an eco-adventure hub. During this Be My Guest experience, you’ll learn firsthand how they’re reducing their carbon footprint while supporting the local community.
Accommodation: Arenal Paraiso Resort and Spa, Magic Mountain Spa & Conference Center
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Head to the Arenal Hanging Bridges to walk eye-level with the rainforest canopy. Look out for monkeys swinging through the trees, sloths tucked into the foliage and birds calling overhead, with views out to the majestic Arenal Volcano. The rest of this afternoon is yours to explore or unwind at your own pace, immersed in Arenal's beauty. Whether you're craving adventure or relaxation, a variety of Optional Experiences await. Choose to take a guided walk through La Fortuna to learn about native wildlife, paddle across Lake Arenal by kayak or soak in natural thermal pools followed by dinner surrounded by rainforest.
Accommodation: Arenal Paraiso Resort and Spa, Magic Mountain Spa & Conference Center
Meals: Breakfast
Enjoy a leisurely morning, with time to relax and take in your surroundings before you set off for the stunning Monteverde Cloud Forest. As you arrive in this mist-covered paradise, you’ll be immersed in the wonder of one of Costa Rica’s most unique ecosystems. This evening, you'll enjoy an engaging Pioneer Quaker Presentation. You’ll meet a descendant of Monteverde’s Quaker pioneers, whose families made the courageous journey from Alabama in the early 1950s. They’ll share their personal stories of settling in this remote area and reflect on the changes they’ve witnessed in the community over the years. It’s an evening where history, culture, and connection come to life in the heart of Monteverde.
Accommodation: El Establo Mountain
Meals: Breakfast
This morning, join your Travel Director for an excursion through the lush rainforests of a Monteverde Cloud Forest. Later this afternoon, opt to ascend to the treetops high above the jungle floor below, treading lightly along the Sky Walk suspension bridges amongst the wildlife that find sanctuary in the boughs of the surrounding canopy. As our epic eco-adventure nears its end, we share stories with newfound friends at a dinner.
Accommodation: El Establo Mountain
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Bid farewell to your Travel Director and the cloud forests of Monteverde as you drive to the Pacific coast. Arrive in Guanacaste and continue to your beachfront retreat in Tamarindo Beach. This laid-back surfer town is the perfect base for coastal Costa Rica. After check-in, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you please. Stroll the palm-lined sands, browse the beachside boutiques or simply relax with a cool drink and watch the sun slip into the ocean.
Accommodation: Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort
Meals: Breakfast
Spend today your way in Tamarindo. Swim in the Pacific, explore the town’s surf shops and galleries or take it slow at a beachfront cafe. If you’re after more adventure, choose an Optional Experience sailing Tamarindo’s Gold Coast by catamaran, with time to swim and a barbecue served on board as the sun sets.
Accommodation: Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort
Meals: Breakfast
Bid farewell to your fellow travelers as your Costa Rican journey ends. Enjoy a complimentary transfer to Guanacaste Airport, taking pura vida memories with you.
Meals: Breakfast
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Tour Operator
Trafalgar (CA)
Family owned and run since 1920, The Travel Corporation (TTC) is the world leader in immersive travel experiences across an extensive range of travel categories. Each year TTC's 40 award winning hospitality and travel brands connect over 1 million happy travellers to the world. We give you access to the 12 DMC’s behind these brands, so you can build your business by capitalizing on the extensive experience, local expertise, and financial assurance of TTC. LOCAL EXPERTISE The world leaders in travel for over 100 years, we offer unparalleled local expertise with a global footprint. Our 12 DMCs, led by experienced in-destination teams, deliver experience rich travel solutions in more than 80 countries. Additionally, our market based teams are on hand to support across our 40 offices worldwide
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Leeann Stermer - Traveled, April 2025
We had a wonderful time on this tour. I appreciated that when traveling, we would stop every couple of hours for a presentation or a lunch break. Our guide, *Personal information removed by Feefo*, was extremely knowledgeable. He did start a what’s app chat group to keep us informed. It also allowed our group to share photos with each other. We learned a lot from the local specialists. Walking on the suspension bridges was a once in a lifetime experience. The tour optionals were amazing. We loved white water rafting, lava flow hikes, and zip lining.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/06/2025
Sandra Ecker - Traveled, April 2025
A Wonderful Experience. Trafalgar trips are educational and provide a wonderful experience. Excellent guides, great people, and a great experience in Costa Rica.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/04/2025
Kristie Maloney - Traveled, March 2025
Memories to hold on to. *Personal information removed by Feefo*, our bus driver was outstanding! Our guide, *Personal information removed by Feefo*, was so personable and knowledgeable. The group with were with also made the adventure enjoyable. We absolutely loved this adventure. The historical information was quite interesting. We were very busy with activities and loved the delicious food.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/24/2025
Trusted Customer - Traveled, March 2025
Costa Rica Eco Adventure was everything we wanted it to be! This was our forth tour with Trafalgar and we would be hard pressed to choose any other tour company for our vacations! The service of the tour director, driver, hotels and restaurants Trafalgar offers are always wonderful. This tour had excellent accommodations (albeit a couple a little more rustic-which was expected!), excellent food (loved most meals were included), fully enjoyed the stops and destinations, especially the family owned farms we visited. Our tour director (*Personal information removed by Feefo*) and driver (*Personal information removed by Feefo*) were second to none! The focus of seeing wildlife , flora and fauna was what we went for and did not disappoint.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/28/2025
Trusted Customer - Traveled, March 2025
The itinerary was great. It kept us busy but not too busy. I liked hearing the locals' stories.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/22/2025
Trusted Customer - Traveled, March 2025
Trafalgar know how to organize a quality trip, so I highly recommend them.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/24/2025
Trusted Customer - Traveled, March 2025
It was a great trip and we covered a lot of ground! It was my 4th visit to Costa Rica and my first with Trafalgar. We had a great guide in Yader and were well taken care of. Overall very satisfied and would recommend to other travelers. Minor observations - we had four local talks which were well done and very interesting, but were too long, over an hour each. Usually after a long bus ride. People were tired and had been sitting for a long time. Would suggest making them shorter and perhaps over a meal. Also surprised that not all the meals were included, not a big deal but thought it was all inclusive. Also apparently not all the tips were included either, I had paid tips in advance. Well organized and fun and highly recommended!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/22/2025
Trusted Customer - Traveled, March 2025
The service was excellent! Super well planned, all the necessary instructions and assistance were clearly laid out. The whole trip was extremely well planned from start to finish. A great mix of leisurely activities and more active ones, plus some really special experiences with local folks making a difference in their communities. All the guides were exceptionally well informed and personable, and our travel director *Personal details removed by Feefo* was an absolute star.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/26/2025
Trusted Customer - Traveled, March 2025
Great itinerary and *Personal details removed by Feefo* were fantastic! I like how Trafalgar has partnered with local people to provide their stories and be able to sustain their livelihoods. My only suggestion would be to limit their time to 30 minutes (*Personal details removed by Feefo* with coconut demonstration, Quaker history). It’s hard to sit in a hot space after a long day. Or perhaps give their speeches while eating (Quintano family).
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/27/2025
John Maloney - Traveled, March 2025
Trip of a lifetime! This trip was geared towards morning people. Many great opportunities available in which to participate. Loved learning about Costa Rica and the people and animals. We enjoyed this trip immensely. We thought the educational talks were very interesting, but the time was too long after a long bus ride. An hour talk would be preferred.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/27/2025
