Costa Rica Eco Adventure
8 Days from $1,639 per person
Overview
-
Day 1: Arrive San José
Welcome to San José where your journey begins with a warm greeting from a local host at the airport and a transfer to your hotel. At 6 p.m., gather at the hotel with your Travel Director and traveling companions for a Welcome Reception. -
Day 2: San José – Braulio Carrillo National Park – Tortuguero National Park (2 Nights)
After breakfast, head toward the small town of San Isidro de Heredia, where you are welcomed by master chocolatiers, Julio Fernandez and George Soriano, for a taste of gourmet chocolate, a Cultural Insight. Learn about the history of chocolate and how it is produced at this small workshop. Continue to Siquirres and embark on a river journey through protected wetlands. Later, stroll the streets of Tortuguero Village and explore the fascinating Green Turtle Research Station. Enjoy dinner at the hotel this evening. -
Day 3: Tortuguero National Park Sightseeing
Glide through the canals and waterways of the park today as howler monkeys watch from the treetops, toucans and egrets fly through the air, and crocodiles ply the cool waters. If you're here in July, take an optional trip to see the sea turtles laying eggs on the beach. -
Day 4: Tortuguero – Sarapiquí
Board your boat and bid adiós to Tortuguero. Enjoy lunch along the way before a visit a Tico family's palm plantation where you'll learn about and sample the delicate heart of palm, a Cultural Insight. After a mid-afternoon arrival at your hotel, join your Travel Director on an easy hike looking for the exotic birds. With a little luck, you may spot the endangered great green macaw. Your evening is free. -
Day 5: Sarapiquí – Arenal
For the early risers, there is time for an optional rafting trip. Or relax, sleep in and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the area surrounding your lodge. Enjoy a special Be My Guest lunch at an eco-friendly hacienda built by the Quintana family as a retirement project. Today, it is home to an organic farm, restaurant and related eco-adventures. The family welcomes you with lunch and shares stories of how their retirement dreams have benefited the local community. Depart for the town of La Fortuna de San Carlos, home of the colossal Arenal Volcano. Later, spend time in the thermal pools of your resort as well as the gardens with beautiful birds. In the evening, relish some of the best views of the volcano as you enjoy a leisurely dinner. -
Day 6: Arenal – Monteverde Cloud Forest (2 Nights)
Enjoy a free morning before heading to the Monteverde Cloud Forest, straddling the Continental Divide, home to luxuriant vegetation, abundant wildlife, coffee plantations and spectacular views. Tonight, you'll meet a native Quaker, and Local Specialist, who will share stories of Old Town Monteverde. -
Day 7: Monteverde Cloud Forest Sightseeing
Join your guide for an excursion through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Covering 26,000 acres of tropical rainforest, the Reserve consists of 6 ecological zones and offers extremely high biodiversity. Later, ascend to the treetops for a bird's-eye view of the forest on the unforgettable Sky Walk, a chain of 6 suspension bridges at canopy level. Tonight, trade stories of your experiences at a Farewell Dinner. -
Day 8: Monteverde – Depart Liberia or San José
Transfer to either Liberia or San José International Airports or travel on to Guanacaste Beach for those extending their stay.
Request a Quote
-
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.
-
Definite Departure
| Depart Date | Return Date | Price | Discount | Availability | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Oct 18 | 13 Oct 18 |
|
$1,725$1,639pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | ||
| 8 Dec 18 | 15 Dec 18 |
|
$1,725$1,639pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now |
Price is per person and is based on two people sharing a twin bedded room. Single rooms are available at a supplement.
Single Room Supplement: from $475.
Guaranteed Room Share is not available on this trip.
Gratuities: Option to pre-pay gratuities for Travel Director and Driver $85 per person.
Luggage: For the two night excursion to Tortuguero National Park guests are permitted to bring a maximum of 25 lbs of luggage. Your primary suitcase will be transferred and securely stored at your Sarapiqui hotel.
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.
Past Travelers: Save an additional 5% off the Land Only price of the vacation.
-
Professional Travel Director
-
Sightseeing with Local Experts
-
VIP Access
-
WIFI on Coach and in Hotels
-
Cultural Enrichment
-
Expertly Selected Hotels
-
Hotel Tips
-
Most Meals
Meal Summary
16 meals: 7 full breakfasts, 4 lunches , 5 dinners, all with tea and coffee.
Included Highlights
Hidden Treasure
- Enjoy at least one surprise Hidden Treasure
Be My Guest
- Join Don Alberto and Doña Ana Quintana for a traditional Costa Rican lunch at their Hacienda Pozo Azul, a 2000-acre working ranch
Cultural Insight
- Indulge in gourmet chocolate made from the world's best cacao beans. Visit a Tico family's palm plantation to learn about and sample the delicate heart of palm
Local Specialist
- Listen to a Quaker share stories of the beginning of Monteverde's colorful history
Sightseeing Highlights
- Visit Tortuguero National Park, Sarapiquí, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
- View Arenal Volcano
Request a Quote
-
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
-
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.
-
Passports and Visas
-
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.
-
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).
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
-
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.
