Family Costa Rica Rainforest and Wildlife Adventure

14 days
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4.6/5 Excellent
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Small Group Tour
Towering volcanoes, unspoilt beaches and tropical rainforest are all part of this family holiday to Costa Rica. Journey from the Caribbean to the Pacific Ocean through one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world. Discover cloud forest home to the magnificent Resplendent Quetzal, learn how to make chocolate and zip wire through the forest canop...
19%
$4,600
From$3,740
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • Spot prolific wildlife including howler monkey, sloth and armadillos
    • Witness active volcanoes smouldering above dense rainforest
    • Go snorkelling in the Pacific Ocean and walk along the beaches of the Caribbean Sea

What's this trip about?

    Towering volcanoes, unspoilt beaches and tropical rainforest are all part of this family holiday to Costa Rica. Journey from the Caribbean to the Pacific Ocean through one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world. Discover cloud forest home to the magnificent Resplendent Quetzal, learn how to make chocolate and zip wire through the forest canopy. Costa Rica is truly a magical, all round family destination. Wildlife - Look out for some of the world's weirdest and most wonderful creatures, such as howler monkeys, sloths and beautifully-coloured birds Jungle - Cruise along the waterways of the Tortuguero 'mini Amazon' and 'fly' through the canopy of Monteverde Golden beaches - Spend time on the Pacific Coast and visit Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula.

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range16 to 85 years
Flights and transportN/A
Start CitySan Jose
End CitySan Jose Airport

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Hiking & Walking

Destinations

  • Central America
  • Costa Rica

Attractions

  • Caribbean
  • Central America
  • Corcovado National Park
  • La Fortuna
  • Manuel Antonio National Park
  • Monteverde
  • Pacific Coast
  • Pacific Ocean
  • Tortuguero National Park

Activities

  • Hiking

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Join trip in San Jose

Arrive in San Jose. The Costa Rican cosmopolitan capital lies in a fertile valley at an altitude of 1150 metres. Coffee and sugar cane are big industries here and coffee is even planted between new buildings and along the roadside on the outskirts of the city. For...

Day 2 Drive to Turrialba via the former capital Cartago and Irazu volcano

This morning head out of San Jose, driving half an hour to the old colonial capital of Cartago where we make a brief stop before continuing to Irazu volcano. Situated at 3,432m altitude, the drive to Irazu climbs through fertile farmland, giving out fantastic views t...

Day 3 In Turrialba. Free morning with optional white water rafting. Afternoon visit to a local farm for cheese making tour

This morning is free for you to spend as you wish. You may choose to try whitewater rafting on the Pejibaye River and with grade II to III rapids (operates between May and November), this is a fun ride with plenty of birds to spot in the trees along the banks. Alterna...

Day 4 Drive and boat cruise through the jungle waterways to Tortuguero

Our drive to Cano Blanco takes us through extensive banana plantations. From Cano Blanco a boat will take us to our spectacular lodge in the Tortuguero National Park, where we spend the next two nights. As we travel through a fascinating network of jungle waterway...

Day 5 Full day to explore Tortuguero National Park in search of wildlife

This morning we will take to the waterways for further exploration and on our travels, we may come across the howler monkey, aptly named by the way it noisily protects its territory and if you are lucky, you may also see the elusive ocelots cat and jaguar. This aft...

Day 6 Boat transfer to Cano Blanco, drive to Sarapiqui. Visit La Tirimbina for a chocolate tour

Leaving our lodge this morning, we travel by boat back to Cano Blanco, before heading on to Puerto Viejo Sarapiqui. After lunch, we plan to visit La Tirimbina for a chocolate tour if time permits (if not, we will do this excursion the following day). This two and ...

Day 7 Drive to Arenal area via a nature reserve at the foot of Arenal volcano

This morning's drive skirts around the great central volcanic massif, passing through fertile farmlands that are rich with tropical crops. Soon we catch sight of the famous Arenal Volcano. This classic cone rising to 1,670 metres is covered by a tangled mass of vegeta...

Day 8 In Arenal area with optional whitewater rafting, zodiac boat wildlife tour or walking to a waterfall

Today has been left free to explore the area as you choose. There are local treks to waterfalls where you can take a dip, as well as along lava trails. For the thrill seekers, optional whitewater rafting is available (operates between May and November) and we recommen...

Day 9 Drive to Monteverde cloud forest, cooking lesson and optional forest walk

Today we travel around Arenal Lake up into the cloud forest region of Monteverde - one of the most well-known places in Costa Rica to see wildlife. The last part of our journey is on bumpy roads, but we are rewarded with a two-night stay here to enjoy all that this ar...

Day 10 Visit Santa Elena Reserve with free time to try a canopy tour or wire walkways

The famous, but now very rare, resplendent quetzal can be seen in this area, one of the last remaining places in Central America where its habitat has been preserved. Sacred to the ancient Maya and Aztec people, it is considered to be one of the most beautiful birds i...

Day 11 Drive south to the Pacific coast

Leaving the cloud forest behind us this morning, we descend to the Pacific Coast with staggering views over the Gulf and Peninsula of Nicoya. Heading south, we pause at Carara Biological Reserve, famed for the scarlet macaws and abundant birdlife which populate this t...

Day 12 Free day to enjoy the beautiful beaches of the Pacific Coast

Enjoy a full day to explore the area and relax on the fine beaches of the Pacific Ocean. Our hotel offers an immense swimming pool, expansive landscaped grounds and has a beautiful beach nearby. There are many great beaches in the area and the sunsets from the coas...

Day 13 Full day trip to explore the wildlife haven of Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula

This morning travel into the heart of the Osa Peninsular, famed for its beautiful beaches and rich wildlife. Travelling a short distance to Punta Uvita we board a boat for a thrilling ninety minute crossing to San Pedrillo Ranger Station in Corcovado National Park....

Day 14 Drive to San Jose Airport where the trip ends

Departing the hotel this morning we drive 190km back to San Jose's Juan Santamaria International Airport (airport code SJO), where we will arrive at about 10:30am and this is where our trip ends. The earliest your flight can depart is 12:30pm. For those on early mo...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,740
Price per day$267
Last Updated: 4/26/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Explore!.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Explore! Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
6,528
Great
2,169
Average
377
Disappointing
116
Terrible
53
S

Susan and Tony

Apr 2024

Written on

Family Costa Rica Rainforest and Wildlife Adventure

Our guide was excellent, catering for both older and youngest generation. Juan Carlos, our guide, produced a splendid birthday treat for our our 10 year old grand d...

S

Stewart

Sep 2023

Written on

Family Costa Rica Rainforest and Wildlife Adventure

It was a fantastic experience. The accommodation and transport were excellent. The country is beautiful. The wildlife we saw was unbelievable. We had an exceptional ...

T

Trusted Customer

Aug 2023

Written on

Family Costa Rica Rainforest and Wildlife Adventure

A fantastic holiday with our 16 and 14 year old boys to celebrate the end of the GCSEs. The highlight for them was the white water rafting, zip lining and high speed...

T

Trusted Customer

Aug 2023

Written on

Family Costa Rica Rainforest and Wildlife Adventure

The itinerary was superb and we covered a huge amount o...

T

Trusted Customer

Aug 2023

Written on

Family Costa Rica Rainforest and Wildlife Adventure

Tortuguero NP (turtle laying eggs), rafting and Corcovado NP (wildlife and birds)

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Tour Operator

Explore!

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About Explore

We've been taking small groups on adventure vacations for over 41 years. Our authentic adventure travel experiences explore the sights and culture of a country, with hand-picked accommodation that balances comfort and location. Our average group tour size is just 11; perfect for meeting new people and getting to the heart of our destinations. Explore is one of the world's most trusted adventure travel companies with over 350 trips to more than 100 countries. We are passionate about travel and have developed a wide range of unique activities and adventures which give our customers an unforgettable experience with a team of award-winning Explore leaders. With Explore, you'll get to see your destination from a whole new perspective that takes you away from the typical well-trodden tourist track. You'll have the chance to meet, dine and stay with local people, rest in authentic accommodation with other like-minded explorers and travel to must-see destinations with a unique Explore twist. From family holidays to trips for solo travelers; cycling tours to wildlife safaris; trekking on mountains or exploring miles of scenic coastline, there is something for every kind of traveler with Explore. We will provide our expert knowledge, exciting itineraries and outstanding service as part of our sustainable travel experiences which take you under the skin of the country you're visiting for the adventure of a lifetime.


Why we love this operator
They explore a place beyond the typical tourist traps and offer exciting activities that bring the “wow factor” intrepid travelers want.
What they’re known for
Famous for our expert local guides that help ease the unknowns of adventure travel while bringing a unique richness and spontaneity to each and every

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Logistics

Transportation & Flights

Bus, Boat,

Transportation & flights

Bus, Boat
Guides
Explore Tour Leader, Boat Crew, Driver(s), Local Guide(s)
Cancellation policy
These conditions are applicable to Discovery & Wildlife, Cycling, Walking and Family Trips. These conditions were updated November 2022. Booked a Polar trip? Please refer to our Polar booking conditions. To make it easy to know the detail of our flexibility, we’ve put it in a grid (these terms apply to all trips apart from our Polar Voyages.) Standard cancellations or changes within 69 days of travel If you’re getting closer to your trip, cancellation charges will apply as follows: For trips confirmed by 31st December 2022: 59-42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100% For trips confirmed from 1st January 2023: 69 -42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100%
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Costa Rica: Citizens from the UK, US, Canada and most EU countries do not require a visa for a stay up to 90 days. Citizen of Australia, New Zealand and the Republic of Ireland do not require a visa for stays up to 30 days. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure. USA: If your flights pass through the USA, even if only in transit, you will require either a visa or an ESTA (an e-visa). Please read on for more information. Citizens of the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and passport holders from several EU countries can apply for an ESTA under certain conditions. This applies if you enter the country by sea or by air, and this must be done online via https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov, no later than 72 hours prior to travel. Travellers who have not registered before their trip are likely be refused boarding. You must have a biometric passport to apply for an ESTA. UK passports which are biometric feature a small gold symbol (camera) at the bottom of the front cover. If you have visited Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen since 2011 or are dual nationals of these countries, you cannot travel with an ESTA and instead you will need to apply for a visa from the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. If you are unable to provide a valid visa before boarding flights to the US, or entering via another method, you may not be permitted to travel. You should also be aware that if you have travelled to or have been in Cuba since the 12th of January 2021, you will not be eligible for an ESTA visa waiver and will need to apply for a US visa. You should consult the US State Department website to determine which you will need. Your ESTA application will ask for Point of Contact information. Please note that if you're only transiting through the USA then this is not required. If you're visiting or staying in the USA on an Explore trip, then our USA contact information will be listed on your final documentation which you will receive approximately 3-4 weeks before departure. Entry requirements for the USA can change regularly, therefore, please ensure you have the most up to date information before you travel by checking the US embassy website. Visa applications - http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/apply.html Canada: An electronic travel authorisation (ETA) is required by British citizens transiting via Canada. For more information see the official Canadian government website: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta.asp Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office.
Health & Safety
Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against typhoid, infectious hepatitis and polio. Please consult your travel clinic for the latest advice on Malaria, Dengue and Zika Virus. Please take preventative measures to avoid mosquito bites - these include mosquito repellent as well as long trousers and long sleeve shirts to cover up when necessary. Please note many countries in Central America, South America and the Caribbean require a yellow fever vaccination certificates if travelling from infected areas. A detailed list of these countries can be found on the NaTHNaC website - http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries. Also on the NaTHNaC site there is a list of Countries (and specific areas within a country) which are at risk of infection and a vaccination is therefore recommended. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at <a href="https://www.explore.co.uk/essential-information/know-before-you-go/travel-health">Explore Travel Health</a> and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast : 12
  • Dinner : 2
  • Lunch : 5
Age Requirements
16 to 85 years
Additional Information
Trip ID
explore-FCC

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