The Best of Costa Rica
The Best of Costa Rica
The Best of Costa Rica
12 Days Starting and ending in United Kingdom
Visiting: San José, Tortuguero, La Fortuna, Monte Verde, Manuel Antonio, United Kingdom, ሀመር።
Tour operator:
Tour code:
LCOSTA
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
15 - 35
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans, Please make us aware of any specific dietary requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Tour Overview
Explore enchanting Costa Rica from the Caribbean to the Pacific. A destination where incredible highlights include Tortuguero National Park which looks out to the Caribbean Sea, the mighty Arenal Volcano and lush Manuel Antonio National Park. Breathtaking views of primary forest and incredible wildlife are the norm here, so look out for sloths, monkeys, crocodiles and more. You'll journey by boat amongst jungle-canopied canals, view the Arenal Volcano, and explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest, home to the incredibly vocal howler monkey and finish off with a relaxing stay on the Pacific Coast.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 Uk - San José
Location: San José
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Studio Hotel
Today you will fly to San José. We will transfer you to your hotel on arrival.
Day 2 San José - Tortuguero
Location: Tortuguero
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Pachira Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, BLD
Today you're heading to Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean Coast, home to an array of wildlife including monkeys, sloths, crocodiles and caimans. Our journey takes us through the Braulio Carrillo National Park and across the Continental Divide, where you'll take in breathtaking views of primary forests. Towards the end of your journey, we will transfer you to your lodge by boat. This afternoon you'll learn all about sea turtles when we visit the Tortuguero Village and the Caribbean Conservation Museum.
Day 3 Tortuguero National Park
Location: Tortuguero
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Pachira Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, BLD
Today you will discover Tortuguero National Park, which sits in the heart of the jungle. It's one of the best places in Central America to observe turtles nesting up close, and you will experience this remote rainforest on a boat trip through jungle-sheltered canals.
Day 4 Tortuguero National Park - Muelle De San Carlos
Location: La Fortuna
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Mountain Paradise
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, BL
After breakfast we leave Tortuguero by boat and then drive to the village of Muelle de San Carlos. We'll stop at a restaurant for lunch on the way, and then visit 'Mi Cafecito Coffee Tour' in the afternoon. During our tour of this community coffee plantation, we will gain an insight into the lives of Costa Rica's coffee producers. There will also be an opportunity to sample the coffee and purchase some to take home as a souvenir.
When we arrive in Muelle de San Carlos, the rest of the day will be free for you to relax and enjoy the facilities at the hotel. You could take a dip in the swimming pool or perhaps enjoy a drink with your travelling companions.
Day 5 Muelle De San Carlos
Location: La Fortuna
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Mountain Paradise
Meals Included: Breakfast, B
Enjoy a day relaxing or join our optional excursions. This morning, you can choose to join our optional excursion, Safari Float on the Caño Negro River. This is a leisurely paddle along the river spotting wildlife and plant life as we go. And, this afternoon there is the opportunity to join our excursion to the La Fortuna Hot Springs which has dinner included. The hot springs are naturally heated and set within a beautiful surrounding - perfect for relaxing!
Day 6 Muelle De San Carlos - Monteverde
Location: Monte Verde
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Cala Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, B
After breakfast we will begin our journey to Monteverde, on the way we will visit the Hanging Bridges of Arenal. Explore the rainforest on a walking trail which crosses 15 bridges, six of which are hanging in the rainforest canopy, offering a spectacular view of the scenery below. Keep your eyes peeled as you walk - more than 250 species of bird live in this rainforest reserve along with a vast array of reptiles, mammals and insects.
American Quakers set up the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve in the 1950s and now it's home many different species of birds and mammals, including the howler monkey and you may be lucky enough to spot abundant wildlife, and this evening you could choose to join our optional guided forest walk excursion.
Day 7 Monteverde
Location: Monte Verde
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Cala Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, B
Early this morning we will go on a guided tour through the Monteverde National Reserve. Only 1% of all remaining forests on the planet are classified as cloud forests, so our visit to one today is a real privilege. Within the reserve, over 30 species of orchid that were new to science at the time of their discovery have been found!
Day 8 Monteverde - Manuel Antonio
Location: Manuel Antonio
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Crocs Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, B
After breakfast at our hotel we will drive to the Pacific Coast and to the Manuel Antonio region. On the way we will stop at Carara National Park. Carara National Park is known as a haven for birds with; scarlet macaws, motmots and several species of trogon all frequenting the national park.
Day 9 Manuel Antonio
Location: Manuel Antonio
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Crocs Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, B
Although the smallest national park in Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the most beautiful and diverse, today we will visit it. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the rare squirrel monkeys that call the park home!
Day 10 Manuel Antonio - San Jose
Location: San José
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Studio Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner, BD
Today we will travel to San José, the capital of Costa Rica. We'll introduce you to sights such as the National Theatre and the Gold Museum. Then, when you have your bearings, the rest of the day is yours to do as you please.
This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and sample typical Costa Rican cuisine. Why not try a casado, a popular dish of rice, black beans, salad, plantains and a tortilla. The name casado means 'married man' in Spanish, and is thought to originate from restaurant customers who asked to be treated like 'casados', since married men ate such meals at home.
Day 11 San Jose - Uk
Location: United Kingdom
Meals Included: Breakfast, B
After breakfast we'll transfer you to the airport in San José for your flight back to the UK.
Day 12 Uk
Location: ሀመር።
Meals Included: B
Arrive in the UK today.
What's Included
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Return flights from London
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10 nights in 3 and 4-star hotels plus 1 night in flight
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16 meals: 10 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners
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Travelsphere Holiday Director and Specialist Local Guide
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Overseas transfers, other transportation, porterage
Check out our Q&As
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
Requirements do change, and you must check the up to date position in good time before departure so that you have the correct documentation and are adequately vaccinated. Information on health is available from your GP surgery and from the National Travel Health Network and Centre www.travelhealthpro.org.uk
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
No. Min age is 18 years.
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Are flights included in this tour?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Travelsphere’s Flexibility Promise has been created to give you complete peace of mind and make you feel confident when booking your holiday with us. We have also been awarded the WTTC safe travels stamp which recognises businesses and destinations worldwide that have adopted a new set of global protocols to support the return of 'Safe Travel' around the world.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Travelsphere has been operating escorted touring holidays for 60 years
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Travelsphere, we are committed to operating our business operations responsibly, with integrity and always act ethically in all our business dealings and relationships. We are committed to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure slavery and human trafficking does not take place in our own business or in any of our supply chains
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
You will receive Holiday conformation upon booking, and then several documents detailing any adddiotnal information and the optional excursions that you can book before you travel. The final information covering your flights, hotels and itinerary will be sent to you around 14 days before your departure date.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
No, we do not offer single share options
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
No, Im afraid not
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If we can accomadate a change in date - we will always do our best to help you. Just pick up the phone and ask one of our friendly advisors - and make sure you have your booking number to hand.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Our Travelsphere Cares programmes, in partnership with the Planeterra Foundation, support local projects and social enterprises by helping them earn an income from tourism. We simply donate a portion of the funds from our tours, so it’s great to know that when you travel with us you are helping to change lives and turn travel into real impact.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Like minded travellers
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
All of our accommodation providers will be working to the very highest standards of hygiene – you already always enjoy a private room of your own on all of our trips, all of our partners will be guided by local government operational standards of hygiene and the new protocols we have issued to them.
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Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
Why book with Barrhead?
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Your flight & hotel package is fully ATOL protected.
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Reliable & unbiased advice from our trusted travel experts.
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We look after you every step of the way.