Classic Costa Rica
From $2,584 per person | 15 Days
Dive into diverse Costa Rica, from the towering jungle to the palm-lined coast
Discover incredible, lush Costa Rica and understand why this part of the world is called the ‘rich coast’. This 15-day adventure, beginning and ending in lively San Jose, is a journey through the jungles, farmlands, beaches and cities of a pure Central American location. Stay with a local family in Santa Rosa de Pocosol and help your hosts prep a traditional meal. Soak in springs that get their heat from an active volcano in La Fortuna and take on a huge array of nature-based optional activities in the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Spot three-toed sloths in the thickets of the Manuel Antonio National Park, then relax beneath swaying palms on the nearby beaches.
Travel period:
- 2025-26 All year
Why you'll love this trip?
- Swap the concrete jungle for real jungle on this journey into the rainforests, waterways, hot springs and the palm-lined beaches of Costa Rica.
- Spot long-nosed tapirs, white-faced capuchin monkeys, ocelots and three-toed sloths on this wildlife adventure – Costa Rica is home to many exotic animals, and this trip puts you in the perfect position to see them all.
- Go deeper than the average tourist with a homestay in a quiet agricultural community – the perfect opportunity to experience local life and practice your Spanish. You’ll even have an informal cooking lesson with the locals to make dinner!
- Refresh yourself after jungle hikes, spotting wildlife in the rejuvenating hot springs of volcanic La Fortuna.
- Visit the indigenous Maleku community to share a traditional meal and learn about their way of life – this small tribe has big ambitions for regenerating local forests and natural habitats.
Is this trip right for you?
- Many of the activities (both included and optional) on this trip take place in the great outdoors. This means you'll need to be prepared to deal with insects and occasionally rustic conditions. It's all part of immersing yourself in this natural paradise.
- Costa Rica is generally hot year-round, and from May to October can be pretty wet too. At nighttime and in locations at higher elevations it can get chilly. Protect yourself from the sun, bring light clothing you can layer and a waterproof jacket, and stay hydrated. Please carefully consider which time of the year you'll feel most comfortable travelling.
- There are many opportunities to get active on this adventure. Some of the optional activities require a moderate level of fitness and sturdy walking shoes. If you'd prefer to take it easy, however, there are plenty of other things you can do instead.
- The homestay is a wonderful opportunity to witness everyday local life. A hearty homecooked dinner and breakfast will be served during your stay, which can be a lot more basic than what you're used to.
- With so much to see and do, Costa Rica can sometimes be expensive. Expect to pay more than you would in other Central American countries for a lot of things.
Classic Costa Rica
SKU: ITP21JAN25
$2,584.00Price
Trip Overview
- Start: San Jose, Costa Rica
- End: San Jose, Costa Rica
- Destinations: Costa Rica
- Meals: 5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
- Transport: Private vehicle, Public Transportation, Boat
- Accommodation: Hotel (7 nights), Lodge (6 nights), Homestay (1 night)
- Days: 15
- Group size: Min 1 - Max 16
- Ages: Min 15
- Theme: Wildlife
- Style: Original
- Physical rating: 2/5
Tour Inclusions
Meals- 5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
Transport
- Private vehicle, Public Transportation, Boat
Accommodation
- Hotel (7 nights), Lodge (6 nights), Homestay (1 night)
Included Activities
- Tortuguero - Boat ride to Tortuguero
- Tortuguero - National Park Entrance
- Santa Rosa de Pocosol - Home-cooked Meal
- Santa Rosa de Pocosol - Homestay experience
- Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
- Guatuso - Maleku Community Experience
- Monteverde - Cloud Forest Entrance
- Manuel Antonio - Homecooked lunch
- Manuel Antonio National Park - (Entrance fee)
- Manuel Antonio National Park - Tour with a Naturalist Guide
Optional Activities
- San Jose - Pre-Colombian Gold Museum (Entrance fee) - USD17
- San Jose - Jade Archaeological Museum (Entrance fee) - USD17
- San Jose - National Museum (entrance fee) - USD12
- Tortuguero - Sunrise canoe trip around canals - USD47
- Tortuguero - Turtle Watching Night Tour - USD47
- Santa Rosa de Pocosol - Soap-making workshop - USD20
- Santa Rosa de Pocosol - Waterfall hike - USD11
- Rio Celeste - River Tubing Adventure - USD58
- Rio Celeste - National Park Guided Trail Walk - USD74
- La Fortuna - Arenal 1968 Volcano View and Lava Trails (Entrance fee) - USD26
- La Fortuna - Ecotermales Hot Springs (entrance fee) - USD49
- La Fortuna - La Fortuna Waterfall (Entrance only) - USD21
- Monteverde - Cloud Forest Night Walk - USD45
- Monteverde - Butterfly Garden and Insects Farm (entrance fee) - USD22
- Monteverde - Coffee & Chocolate tour - USD47
- Monteverde - Suspension bridges tour - USD58
- Monteverde - Canopy Zip Lining (Entrance, Equipment & Transport) - USD65
- Manuel Antonio – Cruise - USD100
- Manuel Antonio - Mangrove Kayak Activity (with lunch) - USD79
- Manuel Antonio National Park (Entrance fee) - USD19
