Costa Rica Adventure
7 Days from $810 per person
Discoveries abound on this Costa Rican all-encompassing adventure. Travel from the vibrant capital of San Jose to quaint artisan settlements before being awestruck by this nation's outstanding natural beauty. From volcanoes to rainforests, you'll quickly understand why Costa Rica is famed for its richly diverse ecosystems and the spectacular and unique flora and fauna it affords.
Overview
Discoveries abound on this Costa Rican all-encompassing adventure. Travel from the vibrant capital of San Jose to quaint artisan settlements before being awestruck by this nation's outstanding natural beauty. From volcanoes to rainforests, you'll quickly understand why Costa Rica is famed for its richly diverse ecosystems and the spectacular and unique flora and fauna it affords.
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Day 1: Arrive San Jose
Pura vida, welcome to Costa Rica. Get settled in at your hotel and start exploring on your own. -
Day 2: San Jose – Monteverde (2 Nights)
Start the day with a brief sightseeing tour of San Jose, Costa Rica's vibrant capital city. Head north and stop in Sarchí, a quaint little town known as the cradle of Costa Rican artisanship. The town is perhaps most widely recognized for its colorful and decorative oxcarts that have been made here for over a century. There's time to browse the beautifully intricate arts, crafts and souvenirs. Continue ascending the Tilaran Mountain range and watch as the landscape changes before your eyes as you enter the stunning Cloud Forest area.
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Day 3: Monteverde Sightseeing and Free Time
This morning, join your Local Specialist as you explore The Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. This world-renowned forest contains a variety of different types of ecosystems. Learn about the thousands of plants and animal species, many of which are endemic to the area—over 400 species of birds alone, including 30 species of hummingbirds. See howler monkeys, sloths, toucans and possibly the resplendent Quetzal bird. Discover unique flora, including orchids, bromeliads and strangler figs, adding to this forest's already impressive beauty. This afternoon, relax or partake in optional activities. This evening, you may want to transfer into town for dinner at a local restaurant.
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Day 4: Monteverde – Arenal (3 Nights)
Today, take in the wonderful vistas of coffee plantations and cattle ranches as you make your way toward Lake Arenal and Arenal Volcano National Park. Arrive at your beautiful resort for a relaxing three night stay. Surrounded by Costa Rica's most richly diverse ecosystems, your secluded resort features spectacular views overlooking the San Carlos River. Enjoy outdoor pools, a botanical and butterfly garden and abundant wildlife, including tame iguanas roaming around the property. Dinner is included this evening at the resort.
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Day 5: Arenal Full Day Sightseeing
Rise and shine for an early guided hike through Mirador 1968. This private reserve, located next to Arenal Volcano National Park, is named in honor of the volcano's greatest eruption which changed the panorama of this region. As you walk along the lava trails, you'll see evidence of the volcanic activity in the area and its effect. Continue to the town of La Fortuna and enjoy some time to browse. This afternoon, head toward the famous Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. Here, “sky walk” with your Local Specialist across suspension bridges and through tree canopies, giving you a close up view of life in the canopy. This evening, visit a hot springs resort where you'll be able to enjoy and relax in the mineral hot pools coming directly from the volcano.
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Day 6: Arenal Sightseeing and Free Time
This morning, enjoy the sights and sounds of the rainforest and experience its peacefulness—on a safari float trip down the Peñas Blancas River. Appreciate the wonders of the Peñas Blancas River and the surrounding rainforest and farm lands as you glide silently taking photos of monkeys, sloths, iguanas, caimans and numerous tropical birds. Your Local Specialist will share with you educational and interesting explanations about the plants and animals that call the jungle home. Along the way, visit a farming family who live on the river, untouched by modern conveniences. Return to the resort in time for lunch, followed by a horseback ride through the rainforest. The rest of the day is at leisure to pursue your own interests. Swim, play tennis, stroll through the botanical and butterfly gardens or partake in optional activities such as ziplining, white water rafting adventures or perhaps a massage at the spa. This evening, get together with your fellow travelers for dinner.
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Day 7: Arenal – San Jose
Transfer back to San Jose International Airport or extend your vacation to Guanacaste.
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Definite Departure
| Depart Date | Return Date | Price | Discount | Availability | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Mar 19 | 5 Apr 19 | $810pp | Request Quote Book Now | ||||
| 13 Apr 19 | 19 Apr 19 | $810pp | Request Quote Book Now | ||||
| 27 Apr 19 | 3 May 19 | $810pp | Request Quote Book Now | ||||
| 11 May 19 | 17 May 19 | $895pp | Request Quote Book Now | ||||
| 22 Jun 19 | 28 Jun 19 | $895pp | Request Quote Book Now | ||||
| 20 Jul 19 | 26 Jul 19 | $895pp | Request Quote Book Now | ||||
| 3 Aug 19 | 9 Aug 19 | $895pp | Request Quote Book Now | ||||
| 10 Aug 19 | 16 Aug 19 | $895pp | Request Quote Book Now | ||||
| 14 Sep 19 | 20 Sep 19 | $895pp | Request Quote Book Now | ||||
| 12 Oct 19 | 18 Oct 19 | $810pp | Request Quote Book Now | ||||
| 16 Nov 19 | 22 Nov 19 | $810pp | Request Quote Book Now |
All prices are per person twin-share. Single rooms available at a supplement.
Please note that Guaranteed Room Share is not available on this trip.
Gratuities: Option to pre-pay tips to Travel Director and Driver $78 per person.
Airport Transfers: Complimentary transfers are available. Conditions apply.
Airport Arrival to San Jose International Airport will be at approximately 12 noon. Please be aware when booking your flights.
AARP Members are entitled to an exclusive Member Benefit Discount on all Grand European Travel vacations. Plus receive a free travel gift! Call Toll Free: 1-866-847-3858 for details.
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Professional Travel Director
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Sightseeing with Local Experts
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VIP Access
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Expertly Selected Hotels
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Cultural Enrichment
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Hotel Tips
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Most Meals
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Personal Flight Options
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WIFI on Coach and in Hotels
Meal Summary
6 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 2 Dinners, .
Sightseeing Highlights
- Enjoy an orientation tour in San Jose, the capital city of Costa Rica, and explore Sarchi, the arts and crafts capital, famed for its intricately painted oxcarts
- Hike through the Monteverde Cloud Forest with your Local Specialist who offers insights into the region's unique bird and wildlife ecosystems
- In Arenal, enjoy trails and suspension bridges, hike along lava trails through Mirador 1968, a private reserve, located adjacent to Volcano Arenal National Park and take a scenic float trip safari with your Local Specialist
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
Reviews
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Monteverde
El Trapiche Tour
Adult Price: $32.00 | Child Price: $16.00
The tour begins with a walk through the farm where you’ll view sugarcane, banana, orange and coffee plantations. Learn about the coffee making process and how liquor is made of out sugarcane. The farm provides an exciting education to visitors about the various crops and farm life in Costa Rica. Total duration is approximately 3 hours. Gratuity included. (Minimum 2 Guests)
Monteverde
Horseback Riding Tour
Adult Price: $75.00 | Child Price: $61.00
On your horseback excursion, enjoy sweeping views of the Nicoya Gulf and its islands as you ride your way through coffee and sugarcane plantations, tropical forest and open fields. Be on the lookout for wildlife including toucans, green parrots and white-faced monkeys. Total duration is about 2 ½ hours. Gratuity included. (Minimum 2 Guests.)
Monteverde
Sky Tram And Sky Trek
Adult Price: $92.00 | Child Price: $68.00
Board a comfortable gondola and fly among the trees on the lookout for local wildlife. As you glide among the forest, see how the vegetation changes with the elevation level. At the end of the Sky Tram you will be faced with a choice: return to the starting point in the same way you came or you can enjoy the ultimate adrenaline rush on the Sky Trek. With this option, you will fly across the forest in a series of ten zip lines with heights ranging from 100 – 650 feet (30 to 200 meters) and with lengths of over 650 feet (200 meters). All of these zip lines were built to give you a 360° perspective of the rainforest. Gratuity included. (Minimum 2 Guests)
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Passports and Visas
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Currency
The currency in Costa Rica is the colón. You’ll usually find the best exchange rates in your destination and can pay with your debit or credit card in many places. The most convenient way to obtain cash is to use your ATM card at local banks in Costa Rica. It is important that you inform your financial institutions of your travel plans before you leave home so they don’t flag your purchases as potentially fraudulent charges.
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Cuisine
One of the most enjoyable parts of traveling is sampling the local cuisine. In Costa Rica food mild and simple with many dishes centered on rice, beans, vegetables and meat. Try the local ceviche prepared with octopus, shrimp, tilapia and seabass cured with lemon juice and spices. You’ll find an abundance of fresh produce to enjoy including plantains, coconut, papaya and mango. Costa Rican coffee is strong and rich; try it black or order it with milk (café con leche).
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Packing
Costa Rica has an enjoyable climate with sunshine throughout the year. We suggest bringing a variety of comfortable, lightweight clothing that can be layered to save space in your suitcase and give you more options for how to dress. Sturdy walking shoes are important. Insect repellant and sunscreen may come in handy, as well as a light jacket and reusable water bottle. For more helpful information please refer to our Packing Tips & Packing List.
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Tipping
Restaurants in Costa Rica are required by law to add 13 percent tax and 10 percent gratuity to the bill. For this reason Costa Ricans do not tip. If you would like to leave an additional tip to reward good service, it’s appropriate to leave 5-10 percent for your waiter.
At the end of your guided vacation, it’s customary to offer your motor coach driver and Travel Director a gratuity. We recommend the equivalent of $4 per person/per day for your driver and $6 per person/per day for your Travel Director. Recommended gratuity for a Local Host and Local Specialist is the equivalent of 1-2 dollars per person, paid at the conclusion of each guided visit. A convenient option is to prepay your tips before your departure.
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Baggage
Baggage on our trips is restricted to one large suitcase per person with dimensions not exceeding 30x19x10 inches and a maximum weight of 50 pounds. You are also permitted one piece of hand luggage, which should be small enough to fit under your coach seat or on the small overhead shelf compartment. Please note that luggage with an adjustable handle and wheels will not fit in the overhead compartment of the coach. Hotel porterage is included in your vacation.
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Health and Fitness
You will need to be comfortable on your feet, walking and standing for up to three hours in various weather conditions. All of our vacations involve walking, often on cobblestone and uneven surfaces in historic city centers. In order to get the most out of your vacation you need to be able to comfortably walk 1-3 miles unassisted in one day, be in good condition and be able to keep pace with the group.
If you need any medications, it is important that you bring enough to last you the whole trip and keep them in your carry-on bag while you travel.
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Insurance
We highly recommend our optional Travel Protection Plan, which allows you to cancel for any reason up to 24 hours before departure. The plan also includes trip interruption, baggage loss or delay, and medical and emergency assistance. Click here for a summary of coverage details, terms and conditions.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
