The Best of Costa Rica: Exploring Natural Wonders

12 days
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4.3/5 Great
100+ reviews  
81%
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Small Group Tour
With more than 5% of the world’s biodiversity, 121 volcanic formations, 801 miles of coastline and hundreds of endemic birds, Costa Rica is a true Mecca for nature lovers to explore.
From$2,629
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • I like to spend much of the day exploring
    • Whether walking through historic neighborhoods at a moderate pace or out and about on a coach, I prefer to keep my days full
    • Stairs don’t bother me, and I love to keep up with the group

What's this trip about?

    With more than 5% of the world’s biodiversity, 121 volcanic formations, 801 miles of coastline and hundreds of endemic birds, Costa Rica is a true Mecca for nature lovers to explore.

Compare to similar trips

Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 24 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transport
Start CitySan José
End CitySan José

Travel Themes

  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Culinary & Wine
  • Photography
  • National Parks
  • Yoga, Meditation & Wellness
  • Relaxing Retreats
  • Holy Land

Destinations

Activities

  • Nature
  • Photography
  • Relaxing Retreat
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Yoga & Meditation

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 10

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 24

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive San José, Orientation, Welcome Dinner San José

Participants must book flights that arrive into San José no later than 4:30 p.m. if they plan to attend the program orientation. Some Road Scholar gateways require the use of overnight flights in order to arrive in San José by the suggested time. Please contact your R...

Day 2 National Museum, Coffee Experience San José

Getting on/off a bus with several steps up/down; driving about 19 miles, approximately 1.5 hours total riding time. Walking and standing at field trip sites, up to 2 hours; mostly flat terrain, some unpaved paths.

We’ll be joined by a local expert for a presenta...

Day 3 Tortuguero National Park, Sea Turtle Conservancy Tortuguero

Getting on/off a bus, on/off a river boat. Driving about 75 miles, approximately 3.5 hours including stop. River boat ride to Tortuguero approximately 1.5 hours.

We will ride to a local dock and board a riverboat to Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coas...

Day 4 Canal Safari 1, Forest Hike, Canal Safari 2 Tortuguero

Early morning (pre-breakfast) canal safari in Tortuguero National Park to spot local wildlife. Getting in/out of motorized river boats. Walking 1-2 miles; often muddy lodge trails; wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes you can get dirty; hat, sunscreen, insect...

Day 5 Transfer to Sarapiquí, Rainforest Hike, Chilamate Sarapiqui

Getting on/off a bus; driving about 53 miles approximately 2.5 hours riding time. Getting on/off a riverboat; ride from Tortuguero approximately 1.5 hours.

After check-out, we’ll transfer by boat and bus to our lodge in Sarapiquí in Costa Rica’s Caribbean lowlan...

Day 6 Early Morning Birding, River Rafting, Plantation Field Trip Sarapiqui

Early morning (pre-breakfast) birding walk in lodge environs. Wear comfortable clothes, walking shoes, insect repellent; binoculars recommended. For river rafting, wear a bathing suit and water shoes or sport sandals; apply sunscreen well before water activity. Class ...

Day 7 Transfer to Arenal, School Visit, Arenal Volcano Arenal Volcano

Getting on/off a bus; driving about 61 miles, approximately 3 hours including stops. Walking about 2.5 miles, approximately 1 hour; irregular terrain, forest trails, sharp lava rocks.

We will check out of the lodge and begin our transfer to Arenal. Upon arrival,...

Day 8 Hanging Bridges, Farm Visit, Traditional Dinner Arenal Volcano

Getting on/off a bus; driving about 30 miles approximately 1 ½ -2 hours riding time. Walking; forest trails, hanging bridges. Wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe walking shoes.

We’ll board our bus for a field trip to Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges in Fortun...

Day 9 Transfer to Punta Leona, Cloud Forest Conservation Punta Leona

Getting on/off a bus; driving about 100 miles to Punta Leona/Pacific Coast, approximately 4 to 4.5 hours including stops. Walking on unpaved forest trails with a possibility of mud; wear closed-toed shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent, and hat.

We will check out,...

Day 10 Birding Walk, Carara National Park, Free Time Punta Leona

Early morning (pre-breakfast) birding walk; paved lodge paths, flat trails. Wear comfortable clothes, walking shoes, insect repellent; binoculars recommended. Getting on/off a bus; driving about 20 miles throughout the day, approximately 1 hour riding time total. At C...

Day 11 Crocodile Safari, Transfer to San José, Farewell Dinner San José

Getting on/off a bus; driving about 55 miles throughout the day, approximately 2.5 hours total riding time. Getting on/off an excursion boat; boat ride on Tarcoles River is tide dependent.

We’ll say farewell to Punta Leona and begin our transfer to San José. En ...

Day 12 Program Concludes, In Transit from Program In Flight

Hotel check-out 11:00 a.m. Participants with independent travel arrangements and/or scheduled on later flights can keep their hotel rooms until check-out time on this day. Except for breakfast (depending on flight times), all other meals today are on your own. See you...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,629
Price per day$219
Last Updated: 2/23/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Road Scholar.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Road Scholar Reviews & Ratings

4.3/5  Great
Excellent
236
Great
9
Average
2
Disappointing
9
Terrible
46
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Other Road Scholar Reviews

M

Michal McGinnis

Feb 2025

Written on

Wonders of Costa Rica at a slower pace

When I signed up for the Wonders of Costa Rica at a slower pace. The hotel listed in the itinerary for day 8&9 was a 4 star hotel on the beach called the Punta L...

F

Floralin

Jan 2025

Written on

Same complaint as everyone else

Same complaint as everyone else. While I can see why the Cancel for Any Reason clause may be necessary for the business model, the problem is that THIS IS NOT EXPLA...

L

Lolly Kauss

Dec 2024

Written on

Road Scholar SCAMS older adults

If you want a real review and not their good reviews on their website, read this. Their customer service is horrible and they try to get as much money as possible by...

Write a Review

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Logistics

Accommodation

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
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Meals Included
  • Number of Breakfast: 11
  • Number of Lunch: 10
  • Number of Dinner: 10
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
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Trip ID
roadscholar-19073

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