As a first time visitor, the holiday was a good introduction opportunity. But I’d have to be... Anonymous, 2018 See more reviews
The choice of places to visit on this trip was excellent and showed off the variety of climatic... Anonymous, 2018 See more reviews
A fantastic experience with a great group of people. Loved most activities , especially seeing ... Anonymous, 2017 See more reviews
If you are from the northern hemisphere this is a trip that verify the wonderful pictures one... Anonymous, 2017 See more reviews
A brilliant 12 days, with a feast of wildlife, walking, and relaxing in the company of our very... Anonymous, 2017 See more reviews
Itinerary Include flights Expand all London to London Day 1 Fly to San Jose. Those on group flights will arrive in the evening and be transferred from the airport to the hotel. Land Only clients should aim to arrive at the hotel this afternoon/evening. This evening is the perfect opportunity to meet your guide and get to know your fellow travellers. Accommodation: Hotel Balmoral (or similar)Comfortable Hotel Day 2 To Tortuguero N.P.; short coastal walk. Our adventure begins early this morning, leaving San Jose behind as we travel to the north-east of Costa Rica to Tortuguero National Park. Accessible only by boat or light aircraft, Tortuguero's vast network of waterways, canals and swamps is remarkably tranquil, unspoilt and devoid of noise pollution. On reaching the pier we board a small motorboat for the one hour fifteen minute journey to our lodge. This afternoon we visit Tortuguero village (which lies on a thin strip of land between the sea and the main canal) and take a short walk following a pathway parallel to the coastline. Tortuguero is probably most famous as a nesting site for the endangered Green turtle, which can be seen arriving onto the beach to lay eggs from late July to October (as part of an optional excursion). Hawksbill, Loggerhead and Giant Leatherback turtles also nest in this region, and during November to January baby turtles start to hatch and make their way towards the ocean. Today's travel time will be in the region of six hours including a break for breakfast. Total walking distance: 5km. Time: approx. 3 hours. Accommodation: Laguna Lodge (or similar)Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 3 Boat tour of Tortuguero; kayak the waterways. An early morning boat trip enables us to discover the extraordinary flora and fauna of Tortuguero, passing serenely along the waterways. At this time of day wildlife is usually at its most active and with the help of our expert guide we are likely to encounter monkeys, caiman, iguanas, butterflies and many of the 300+ bird species recorded here. We return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast by the river. Then we take a kayaking tour through the jungle lagoons to have a different perspective on the forest, navigating the streams, canals and rivers. Alternatively the lodge is a tranquil spot to relax if you want to take some time out to enjoy the facilities this afternoon, or there is an nice walk available within Tortuguero National Park. Accommodation: Laguna Lodge (or similar)Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 4 El Toro Waterfall walk; to La Fortuna near Arenal Volcano. We leave Tortuguero the same way we arrived by taking a small boat to the pier. Our bus will be at the pier waiting to drive us to the region of La Fortuna, passing huge banana, pineapple and sugar cane plantations. On the way we stop for a short walk in the area of Bajos del Toro, where the highest and most impressive waterfall of the country is located. Our walking trail takes us all the way to the bottom of the waterfall, which empties at a height of 90 metres into an old extinct volcanic crater. There are several fantastic viewpoints on the first 500 metres of the trail, which is generally flat and surrounded by forest. Over 27 species of hummingbird have been recorded here! The second part of the trail is steep, following concrete steps with hand railings which lead all the way to the base of the waterfall, where the striking rock formations and colours will leave you in awe. We continue our journey to Arenal, reaching the Arenal Volcano National Park. Following a massive eruption in 1968, Arenal was Costa Rica's most active volcano until recently when it entered a resting phase. As well as the volcano, this region has much to offer, including thermal waters, waterfalls and dense vegetation. Total walking distance: 2km. Time: approx. 2 hours. Accommodation: Arenal Montechiari (or similar)Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Day 5 Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna Waterfall walks; optional visit to Ecotermales Hot Springs. There is a guided hike this morning through Arenal Volcano National Park. The park has a great system of trails passing through secondary forest and near lava fields created by previous eruptions. The high vantage points on this walk allow great views overlooking Lake Arenal, and the birdlife is plentiful. Waterfalls are abundant in the region of Arenal and this afternoon we visit La Fortuna Waterfall, a 65 metre cascade of water plunging into an emerald pool below. A short trail through the rainforest brings us to a relatively steep set of steps that we must descend to reach the waterfall and then ascend to the exit - the hike/climb takes around 20-30 minutes. Reward your efforts with a dip into one of the natural pools punctuating the foliage to cool off! After today's hike there is an optional visit to Ecotermales Hot Springs to relax any aching muscles. Total walking distance: 7km. Time: approx. 3.5 hours. Accommodation: Arenal Montechiari (or similar)Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Day 6 Hike with views of Lake Arenal; to Tenorio Today's walk begins in Nuevo Arenal and will take in country roads, pasturelands, cattle farms, patches of secondary forest and wonderful views of the surrounding mountains and Lake Arenal. After our lunch stop, we have a short transfer to the region of Tenorio, where we stay for the next two nights. Total walking distance: 16 km. Time: approx. 5 hours. Accommodation: Celeste Mountain Lodge (or similar)Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 7 Walk along Rio Celeste in Tenorio Volcano National Park. After breakfast we travel to the Tenorio Volcano National Park where we join a hiking trail along the Rio Celeste towards 'Tenideros'. After merging with a small creak this section of the river takes on a striking blue turquoise colour, the result of components such as copper and sulphur reacting together. There is a legend that says the colour was created when God washed his paintbrushes in the river after painting the sky. It's a beautiful trail, leading towards the magnificent Rio Celeste Waterfall. This afternoon we return to our hotel and have the afternoon at leisure to rest and enjoy the hotel facilities. Total walking distance: 4km. Time: approx. 3 hours. Accommodation: Celeste Mountain Lodge (or similar)Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 8 Hike from Miravalles Volcano to Aguas Claras with views of Rincon de la Vieja N.P. We depart early towards the area of Rincon de la Vieja, an area that combines dry forest with enchanting waterfalls and is best known for its bubbling mud pots, steaming vents in the earth, hot springs and a whole host of wildlife. The starting point of our hike will be close to the Miravalles Volcano, from which we walk towards Aguas Claras town along a gravel road. Taking in pasturelands and patches of secondary forest, we have great views of the tropical savannah and the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. At the end of today's walk we continue by bus to our hotel, which we should arrive at later this afternoon. Total walking distance: 14 km. Time: approx. 5 hours. Accommodation: Hacienda Guachipelin (or similar)Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 9 Follow walking trails to the 'cauldrons' and waterfall in Rincon de la Vieja N.P. Covering some 14,804 hectares, Rincon de la Vieja National Park is full of geological features and has the active Rincon de la Vieja Volcano (1895m) within its boundaries, as well as a series of other craters and volcanic peaks. This region is still relatively undiscovered but is starting to attract more visitors. This morning we walk inside the national park, widely regarded as one of Costa Rica's hidden gems. We have a one and a half hour hike through the park along a pre-defined trail, the highlight of which is likely to be our visit to Las Pailas, the bubbling mud pools that flank the volcanic crater. Steaming fumaroles and hot springs are also found in park, attesting to how active the volcano is! This afternoon we take La Cangreja Waterfall trail walking through tropical forest and Guanacaste savannah. If we are lucky we may see Howler monkeys, White-faced Capuchin monkeys or any of the 257 species of birds present here. The waterfall is spectacular, plunging 40 metres and forming a clear blue pool at its base as a result of the dissolved copper minerals from the volcano. Total walking distance: 11 km. Time: approx. 6.5 hours. Accommodation: Hacienda Guachipelin (or similar)Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 10 Hike in Santa Rosa N.P; to Samara beach on the Pacific coast. We drive towards Santa Rosa National Park this morning, located in the Gulf of Papagayo. This area is one of the oldest national parks in the country, harbouring the largest area of tropical dry forest ecosystem in Central America. Resembling the African savannah, the area is filled with acacia thorn threes and scrub and provides habitat to a huge amount of wildlife, including some 60 bat species alone. Our hike will take us through the forest, passing another fantastic waterfall and perhaps encountering peccaries, armadillos, monkeys, coyotes, raccoons and coatimundis as we go. After today's walk we transfer around 2.5 hours to the Pacific coast and Samara beach, our home for the next two nights. Total walking distance: 7km. Time: approx. 4-5 hours. Accommodation: Samara Beach Hotel (or similar)Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 11 Free day to enjoy Samara beach or sign up for an optional activity. Samara beach is one of the best kept secrets in Costa Rica! The broad, shady bay stretches for 4 km and is backed by coconut palms. The water is calm and safe for swimming thanks to a coral reef just out to sea on which the normally large, Pacific waves break before reaching the beach. There are plenty of facilities in Samara but there's a noticeable absense of big resort hotels, which makes for a nice atmosphere. Today has been left free for you to spend at your leisure. Spend time relaxing on the beach or join one of the optional excursions available in the area such as a boat tour to see dolphins, kayaking tour, SUP (stand-up paddle boarding) or mountain biking. Accommodation: Samara Beach Hotel (or similar)Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 12 Free morning at Samara; to San Jose. This morning is free to enjoy Samara beach before we leave the Nicoya peninsula and transfer back to San Jose, a journey of approximately 4.5 hours. Accommodation: Hotel Balmoral (or similar)Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 13 Depart San Jose. The trip comes to an end today after breakfast and it's time to bid Costa Rica and the rest of the group goodbye. Those on the group flights will be transferred back to the airport, whilst land only clients are free to make their own arrangements. Meals included: Breakfast Day 14 Arrive London. Those on the group flights arrive back into London today.
Costa Rica Holders of British, US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and most EU passports can enter Costa Rica for a stay of 90 days without a visa. Proof of onward travel may be required when entering Costa Rica - we suggest you take a print out of your flight details in case officials ask to see them. All passengers flying via the USA will have to clear immigration during transit. Prior to travel you must apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (USD14) under the Visa Waiver Programme. Please see www.exodus.co.uk/USVisa for more information. If you are not a UK citizen please check with your local U.S. Embassy.
Costa Rica There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Hepatitis A. The risk of malaria is slight but you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Zika fever is a mosquito‐borne viral disease and a known risk in places visited on this trip. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. The symptoms and impact of the disease is not serious, but a significant risk to foetus development has recently been highlighted. Therefore, if you are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant you should seek additional advice from a health professional.
Hotels & lodges 12 nights in comfortable hotels and eco-lodges, all with en suite facilities. From a rustic wooden lodge set in tropical gardens to a hotel overlooking the Pacific ocean, most of the properties that we use are small, family run establishments offering a warm welcome and relaxing surroundings.
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Reviewed April 2018 Ikuko Shiratori Trip: Costa Rica Coast to Coast Do thorough research before you decide As a first time visitor, the holiday was a good introduction opportunity. But I’d have to be careful who to recommend it. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Tortuguero NP. The most specutacular part of the holiday. What did you think of your group leader? Our main leader was a superb leader. His warm caring personality really helped the team get on. His expert knowledge of birds was also very impressive. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? This holiday felt like a geography trip, which is fine as long as you have a realistic expectation. There was one walk which was so unpopular we thought why we were doing this walk. Generally I am glad I could see things I wouldn’t have if I’d chosen places myself. Is there anything else you would like to add? In Hacienda hotel we had a broken shower in our room. Reported twice no action was taken. Bad management. The sandwich lunch at the same hotel was also terrible. Huge but bland. I don’t think anyone liked it. One thing I realised is that Costa Rica is so expensive you can buy only so much for £3500!
Reviewed March 2018 Barry Smith Trip: Costa Rica Coast to Coast Overall a very good walk and travel through Costa Rica's diverse countryside The choice of places to visit on this trip was excellent and showed off the variety of climatic conditions, scenery, flora & fauna, and people that Costa Rica has to offer. The two knowledgeable guides informed us about Costa Rica's past history and right up to modern conditions found here. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? No one moment. Just walking and travelling through Costa Rica's diverse countryside. What did you think of your group leader? We had two guides, Katia & Carlos. Both of whom were excellent with their people skills as well as there job as guides. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? This trip consists of walking up to 10 miles in 30 deg.C heat. Make sure you are fit enough to do this and you will enjoy the trip. You can get hot sun then rain, so lots of sun screen and a lightweight waterproof jacket. Is there anything else you would like to add? Advice to Exodus - You use United Airlines. They are not a very good airline for long haul flights. The transfer in Houston through US immigration & security is tedious. On the return journey the flight out of San Jose was delayed by 1 1/2 hrs, which only left 1/2 hr for me to rush through US procedures. I just made the connecting flight but my luggage didn't, causing me some worry at Heath Row. My luggage was eventually delivered to my home 3 days later.
Reviewed May 2017 Marilyn Boyce Trip: Costa Rica Coast to Coast An amazing country This is a wonderful trip with so much wildlife to see and hear! . What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Like the other reviews, kayaking in Tortuguera was my favourite part. It's one of those 'good for the soul' things where you feel at one with nature. Seeing a troop of monkeys crashing through the trees with a baby in tow was very special. What did you think of your group leader? Pedro and Katia were excellent and attentive guides. Both are keen birdwatchers with a keen eye and encyclopedic knowledge. Pedro often organized an extra early-morning stroll to maximize our bird-spotting. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Don't underestimate how draining the humidity and heat can be. A couple of the walks are on open rolling hills and the duration meant we were out at midday so take heaps of water. A camel pack is easer than water bottles. Is there anything else you would like to add? This really was an excellent trip and the accommodation far surpassed my expectations.
Reviewed March 2017 Mary Mckean Trip: Costa Rica Coast to Coast Costa Rica Coast to Coast A fantastic experience with a great group of people. Loved most activities , especially seeing all the wild life while kayaking in Tortuguero Natioal Park. Climbing Cerro Chato was a challenge due to humidity, but very self - satisfying to have reached the summit. As a break from the hiking, getting a chance to do canopying and horseback riding, for me, was a must - do activity while in Costa Rica. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Kayaking in Tortuguero, watching beautiful birds flitting from branch to branch, seeing three species of monkeys clinging from branches (some moms with babies on their back), being woken by the howl of the howler monkeys, climbing a volcano, walking in the rain and cloud forests to waterfalls and turquoise ponds, admiring the beautiful fauna, relaxing at beautiful lodges. I could go on and on. What did you think of your group leader? Pedro was fantastic- very knowledgeable about all flora and fauna and passionate about his country. Great personality. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Take lots of sunscreen, a water bottle, a hat, insect repellant and expect to be challenged. Is there anything else you would like to add? Costa Rica is a beautiful country with amazing wildlife. A must see!S
Reviewed March 2017 Cheryl Mulholland Trip: Costa Rica Coast to Coast Costa Rica Coast to Coast If you are from the northern hemisphere this is a trip that verify the wonderful pictures one sees of the tropics.. Also, it will introduce you to the unknown -- for me -- a cashew tree or a pineapple plant growing. All very exciting. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Early Morning (6-8AM) boat tour at Tortuguera. We saw so much wild life & vegetation. What a wonderful start to our tour. Also at Tortuguera being educated about the green turtles was wonderful. What did you think of your group leader? Friendly, helpful, engaging, knowledgeable. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Big hats or umbrellas -- breathable clothing -- good sunscreen. If you do not regularly walk hills -- train before you do this tour. Is there anything else you would like to add? Try to get early start to your activities to avoid the mid day heat (as much as possible).
Reviewed March 2017 Philip Arthur Trip: Costa Rica Coast to Coast Costa Rica Coast to Coast A brilliant 12 days, with a feast of wildlife, walking, and relaxing in the company of our very convivial group of 7 plus excellent guide. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The start of the trip in Tortuguero..including the river journey to get there. The place is a real feast of new and exotic birds and animals; it set the bar really high for the rest of the trip. What did you think of your group leader? Pedro..he was really excellent. He had an encyclopaedic knowledge of all the plants, birds and animals, not to mention his country and it's history and geography. He also had a terrific sense of humour. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Make sure you take plenty of water on walks. Very hot and humid. Is there anything else you would like to add? Do go! An unmissable feast of wildlife.
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