Basic Costa Rica: Coastlines & Cloud Forests

Arrive at any time. Tonight, discover the vibrant nightlife and culture of San José alongside your fellow travelers. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Depart at any time.

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

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