Basic Costa Rica: Coastlines & Cloud Forests

from $1,086.75 USD 14 Days Tour

Stay flexible in Costa Rica on this unique two-week adventure. You'll hit the volcanoes, a cloud forest, and both of the incredible coasts. Chill out on white-sand beaches and explore pristine wildlife reserves. Best of all, this trip gives you the flexibility to create the adventure of a lifetime, so you can soar across the treetops by zipline, rappel down a waterfall, or learn to surf the Pacific breaks. Take a trip that's packed with just the essentials — everything you need to explore the diversity and beauty of Costa Rica.

Travel Style

18-to-Thirtysomethings

Service Level

Basic

Physical Grading

2 - Light

What's Included

Your G for Good Moment: Coope San Juan Homestay, Cantón de San Carlos
Your G for Good Moment: Life Monteverde Experience, Monteverde
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends
Your Discover Moment: La Fortuna
Your Discover Moment: Monteverde. Beach time in Puerto Viejo and Santa Teresa. Free time in La Fortuna and Monteverde. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

What are the main highlights of this trip?

Chill out on the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, cruise across Lake Arenal with beautiful views of Arenal Volcano, explore the misty cloud forest

How large will the group be?

Max 18, avg 14.

What meals are included in this trip?

1 breakfast, 1 dinner

What are the modes of transportation on my trip?

Local bus, boat, taxi, private vehicle, walking.

Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?

We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

Where will we stay during the trip?

Simple hotels (3 nts), hostels (9 nts, multi-share), local homestay (1 nt).

Itinerary

Day 1

San José

Arrive at any time. Tonight, explore the La California barrio with your fellow travellers. Stop in at one of the many bars to get to know your group over a few drinks. Cheers to new friends and new adventures! Arrive in San Jose at any time. There are no planned activities so check into our hotel and enjoy the city.

Day 2

San José/Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Today begin with an incredible bus ride over the mountains to the Caribbean coast. The group will be travelling to the picturesque village of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to enjoy the tropical seascape and sandy beaches surrounded by exotic tropical vegetation. Spend time enjoying the picturesque village of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. The white and black sand beaches are perfect for lounging about and catching up on some relaxation.

Day 3

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

It's a full free day in absolute paradise! What are you waiting for? Opt to rent a bike, relax on the beach, or hike in Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge.

Day 4

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

It's a full free day in absolute paradise! What are you waiting for? Opt to rent a bike, relax on the beach, or hike in Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge.

Day 5

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca/San Carlos

Travel north up the Caribbean coastline before heading inland through varied landscapes. Stop at Coope San Juan for a homestay in the local community and cooperative that includes lunch, dinner, and an activity with the community.

Day 6

San Carlos/La Fortuna

After breakfast in San Carlos the group will travel to La Fortuna. Check out this beautiful area at the base of Arenal Volcano. Options abound—soak in Arenal's hot springs or get the adrenaline pumping with whitewater rafting or waterfall rappelling. Get your adrenaline pumping and pre-book the Costa Rica Adrenaline Bundle on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.

Day 7

La Fortuna

Enjoy an entire free day in La Fortuna. Opt to go whitewater rafting, mountain biking, caving, horseback riding, or a tour of the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. Like much of Costa Rica, the area is a birders’ paradise, with over 600 species as permanent residents. After a long day of exploring, you can choose to take a relaxing soak at Baldi Hot Springs.

Day 8

La Fortuna/Monteverde

Travel from La Fortuna to Monteverde and into the cool mountain air of the area. Stop at Life Monteverde, a coffee cooperative for coffee tastings, and a tour of their farm to learn about sustainable agriculture. In the afternoon, take time to venture out and explore the mountainous town of Monteverde. From the central valley, ascend to the Monteverde cloud forest region. Spend a couple of days exploring the town and a cloud forest reserve, truly a bird lover's paradise. This unique community has several cooperatives worth visiting including artist collectives and a cheese factory.

Local guides are extremely knowledgeable about the area and passionate about conservation of this precious ecosystem.

Optional activities include a walk along suspension bridges through dense forest, a coffee tour, or an adrenaline-filled zipline above the cloud forest on one of the many famous canopy tours.

Day 9

Monteverde

There's so much to see and do in Monteverde and you'll have plenty of time on this free day to explore on your own. Opt to wander the cloud forest or visit a coffee plantation.

Day 10

Monteverde / Southern Nicoya Peninsula

Travel to the Pacific coast along the southern Nicoya Peninsula. Enjoy the laid-back beach town vibes of Santa Teresa or Montezuma.

Day 11

Santa Teresa / Montezuma

Fill your days with as much or as little as you like. Start off with an early yoga class or sleep in before setting off to explore nearby beaches in search of a perfect, tranquil spot for a day of relaxing along the beautiful Pacific coast. Take a day trip to the beautiful Isla Tortuga, where you can snorkel along a volcanic rock reef or check out the nearby surf havens of Mal Pais and Santa Teresa. Adrenaline junkies can take their pick of activities as well - ziplining, boogie boarding, horseback riding or scuba diving are all options. On the other hand, if relaxation is what you seek, opt for a yoga class or take a leisurely hike to search for orchids.

Want to learn how to surf in Costa Rica? Pre-book the Santa Teresa Surf Lesson on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.

Day 12

Santa Teresa / Montezuma

Fill your days with as much or as little as you like. Start off with an early yoga class or sleep in before setting off to explore nearby beaches in search of a perfect, tranquil spot for a day of relaxing along the beautiful Pacific coast. Take a day trip to the beautiful Isla Tortuga, where you can snorkel along a volcanic rock reef or check out the nearby surf havens of Mal Pais and Santa Teresa. Adrenaline junkies can take their pick of activities as well - ziplining, boogie boarding, horseback riding or scuba diving are all options. On the other hand, if relaxation is what you seek, opt for a yoga class or take a leisurely hike to search for orchids.

Want to learn how to surf in Costa Rica? Pre-book the Santa Teresa Surf Lesson on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.

Day 13

Southern Nicoya Peninsula / San José

Travel back to the capital for a final evening with the group. Return to San José for some last-minute shopping and a final night on the town.

Day 14

San José

Depart at any time.

Is travel insurance required for my trip?

Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your CEO, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that all clients must have medical coverage and that we require a minimum coverage of USD 200,000 for repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.

Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.

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