Discover Costa Rica

Name: Discover Costa Rica
Brand: Exodus
SKU: WUC
Availability: LimitedAvailability
Rating: 4.8 (367 reviews)

367 reviews

Overview

Join eagle-eyed guides for a wildlife-watching trip through mountains, rainforest and the Caribbean and Pacific coasts

Experience the extraordinary natural wonders of Costa Rica on a journey through lush rainforests, mist-shrouded cloud forests and dramatic volcanic landscapes. Cruise the wildlife-rich waterways of Tortuguero, explore the forests surrounding Arenal Volcano and venture into the highlands in search of the elusive quetzal. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for sleepy sloths, noisy howler monkeys and colourful toucans, and enjoy memorable stays in lodges surrounded by nature. Throw in visits to both the Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, plus the expert guidance of our highly rated tour leaders, and it’s easy to see why this adventure is among our most popular.

Looking for more time by the coast? Look at Discover Costa Rica – Coastal Edition, which includes two days exploring the beautiful Pacific coastline around Dominical.

Key Information

Travel Style Classic: The quintessential Exodus adventure, pairing iconic sights and cultural discovery with comfortable stays: Classic
Activity: Wildlife
Activity Level: Easy
See our Activity Level Guidelines to check if this holiday is right for you.
Trip Code: WUC
Ways to Travel: Classic, Guided Group
Countries: Costa Rica
Carbon Footprint: 12.5kg CO2e per person per day

What's Included

All accommodation: 14 Comfort nights (8 hotel, 6 lodge)
All breakfasts, eight lunches, seven dinners
Immersive wildlife-focused itinerary with all transport and listed activities such as boat excursions and guided nature walks
Naturalist tour leader with expert wildlife-spotting knowledge to enhance your adventure
Arrival and departure transfers

Positive Impact

We donate to our Foundation and rewild 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller. Find out more about how our adventures support nature and people to thrive.

Don't Forget To

Request a single room if required, purchase travel insurance and arrange any visas and vaccinations. Check Dates & Prices for departures with specialist birdwatching guides or award-winning Exodus tour leaders, and those during green turtle nesting season (July to October). Extend your adventure with extra hotel nights before or after your trip.

Highlights

Cruise Tortuguero's wildlife-rich waterways as your expert guide helps you spot monkeys, caiman and tropical birds

Experience both Costa Rica's Caribbean and Pacific coasts, including the rainforest and beaches of Manuel Antonio

Encounter extraordinary wildlife across diverse ecosystems, from sloths and colourful toucans to the elusive quetzal

Stay deep in the rainforest at Esquinas Lodge, a firm favourite among our travellers

Walk through the mist-shrouded Santa Elena Cloud Forest with an expert guide

Share a traditional lunch with a local family and experience rural Costa Rican life

Itinerary

First Destination: San José
Next Destination: San José

Accommodation:Delta by Marriott San José Aurola (or similar)
Meals included:None

Accommodation:Laguna Lodge (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:Laguna Lodge (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:Eco Arenal/Arenal Montechiari (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:Eco Arenal/Arenal Montechiari (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation:Montaña Monteverde/Monteverde Country Lodge (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation:Montaña Monteverde/Monteverde Country Lodge (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation:Villabosque Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation:Villabosque Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation:Esquinas Rainforest Lodge (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:Esquinas Rainforest Lodge (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:Savegre Hotel & Spa, Suria Hotel or Lauraceas Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:Savegre Hotel & Spa, Suria Hotel or Lauraceas Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:Presidente Hotel or Hotel Balmoral (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: San José
Next Destination: San José

Begin your adventure in San José, the culture-rich capital of Costa Rica. A complimentary transfer from the airport to the hotel is available. Check in and take it easy, there’s plenty of excitement on this trip, so today’s all about relaxing and easing ourselves into the adventure.

Around 7.30pm, say hola to your tour leader and fellow travellers when we gather as a group for a short briefing. Our main briefing takes place tomorrow afternoon in Tortuguero due to the late arrival of some flights today.

Want to explore San Jose further? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Accommodation:Delta by Marriott San José Aurola (or similar)

Our adventure begins early this morning, leaving San José as we travel to Tortuguero National Park in northeast Costa Rica. Accessible only by boat, Tortuguero has a vast network of waterways, canals and swamps that is remarkably tranquil, unspoiled and devoid of noise pollution. On reaching the pier, we board a small motorboat for the 1hr 15min journey to our lodge, which is nestled on a small strip of land between the Caribbean Sea and the main lagoon.

This afternoon your tour leader will host the main welcome briefing when we gather as a group to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. We also visit Tortuguero village, where it’s possible to enter the Sea Turtle Museum (a donation is requested at the entrance).

Tortuguero is probably most famous as a nesting site for the endangered green turtle, which arrives onto the beach to lay eggs from late July to October (witness it as part of an optional excursion, payable locally). Hawksbill, loggerhead and giant leatherback turtles also nest in this region. Today’s travel time is around six hours, including a stop for breakfast.

Accommodation:Laguna Lodge (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A morning boat trip enables us to discover the extraordinary flora and fauna of Tortuguero, passing serenely along the waterways. We’re joined by our tour leader and the keen-eyed boat captain, who knows this area inside out and has a well-honed skill for spotting the more hidden animals.

Our early start means we see the wildlife at their most active; with the help of our expert guide, we are likely to encounter monkeys, caiman, iguanas, butterflies and many of the 300-plus bird species recorded here.

Our lodge is a tranquil spot to relax this afternoon, perhaps take a dip in the pool or relax at the sandy beach. Alternatively, join a second boat trip or follow a short walking trail through the forest.

Accommodation:Laguna Lodge (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We leave Tortuguero by taking a small boat to the pier. Our bus is at the pier waiting to drive us to the Arenal region, passing huge banana, pineapple and sugarcane plantations on the way.

Arenal was the most active volcano in Costa Rica until 2010, when it entered a resting phase, and can no longer be seen spitting ash, smoke or lava. However, there is still a lot of geothermal activity and we recommend visiting one of the excellent hot springs whilst in the area.

In clear weather, there are great views of the volcano from our overnight base in the nearby town of La Fortuna. This afternoon, there’s time to relax after our journey or join an optional chocolate and coffee tour.

Today’s travelling time is around 5hr 30min including a lunch stop.

Accommodation:Eco Arenal/Arenal Montechiari (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

Enjoy a scenic walk through a protected area in the Arenal region this morning, following well-maintained trails that wind through lush secondary rainforest. Surrounded by vibrant vegetation, the experience immerses us in the rich biodiversity of the tropics, where birdsong and the sounds of nature accompany every step.

Later, we visit La Fortuna, a 213ft (65m) waterfall plunging into an emerald pool. 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 and is within the capabilities of anyone with reasonable fitness. Reward your efforts with a cooling dip in one of the natural pools punctuating the foliage. Alternatively, you could visit the lookout point and wait for the group.

After, the rest of day is at leisure to enjoy optional activities such as a chocolate tour or relax at Ecotermales Hot Springs.

Accommodation:Eco Arenal/Arenal Montechiari (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

From Arenal, we travel to the Tilaran mountain range in the central highlands for our first taste of a Costa Rican cloud forest. The journey provides breathtaking views of the Gulf of Nicoya and the islands below as we ascend the hills towards Monteverde, a forest-cloaked region whose name literally means Green Mountain.

The high altitude supports a complex ecosystem where plants thrive, particularly orchids of which there are more than 400 varieties here. Today’s drive is around four hours — the last 25mi (40km) of road is gravel and can be bumpy, particularly following heavy rain.

We should arrive in time for lunch, while the rest of the day is free to relax in our hotel or enjoy one of the many optional activities available in Monteverde, including a night walk to encounter nocturnal wildlife such as sloths, frogs, and the elusive kinkajou – a magical experience under the stars.

Accommodation:Montaña Monteverde/Monteverde Country Lodge (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

This morning, we have a guided walk (around two hours) in Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, one of the first community-managed reserves in Costa Rica and an area celebrated for its biodiversity. To this day, the reserve is managed by the Santa Elena High School with funds channelled into protecting the reserve and providing environmental education classes within the community.

Thanks to its high elevation, Santa Elena is bathed in thick misty clouds, which support a huge range of flowers, ferns, mosses, vines and orchids. Birdlife thrives here with more 425 species recorded. Santa Elena is also one of the best places to spot noisy howler monkeys swinging through the trees.

In the afternoon, it’s possible to join an optional coffee tour to learn about the importance of this crop to the socio-economic development of the country or join a canopy tour to get a different view of the forest.

Accommodation:Montaña Monteverde/Monteverde Country Lodge (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Our journey takes a southeasterly turn today as we follow the Pan-Am Highway along the coastline to Manuel Antonio, passing African oil palm and teak plantations on the way. Manuel Antonio National Park consists of a vast marine reserve as well as 1,700 acres (690ha) of mangrove swamp, primary and secondary rainforest. The forest vegetation stretches as far as the high-tide line and provides a stunning backdrop to the expansive sandy beaches, forested islands and dramatic rocky headlands. Our drive to Manuel Antonio takes around four hours (not including rest stops and lunch). We settle into our accommodation and, depending on our arrival time, can make use of the hotel facilities.

Accommodation:Villabosque Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

A guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park this morning should enable us to have close wildlife encounters. White-faced capuchin monkeys play in the trees and are frequently sighted on the beaches, while noisy howler monkeys are usually heard moving through the trees and calling to each other before they are seen. The endangered titi monkey (squirrel monkey) are fewer in number but can sometimes be spotted in this area. Iguanas, agouti and two- and three-toed sloths are also commonly sighted in the national park. Manuel Antonio’s beaches rank among the most beautiful in the country and we have all afternoon to enjoy them or try one of the optional activities in this region.

Please note: Manuel Antonio National Park is closed on Tuesdays. If your visit falls on a Tuesday, the timing of this activity will be adjusted so you visit the park on the previous day and today will be at leisure to enjoy the many optional excursions of the region.

Accommodation:Villabosque Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Travel four hours south towards Golfito, a relatively wild and undiscovered region. The dense jungle here has hardly been explored or researched. The next two nights are spent in the beautiful Esquinas Rainforest Lodge set in the heart of primary rainforest and bordered by the Piedras Blancas National Park and Golfito Nature Reserve.

The lodge was originally financed by the government of Austria as a project combining forest research, development aid, and nature conservation. Most employees are local and profits are used to help with projects in the nearby village. This afternoon, we discover our peaceful surroundings and search for the abundant bird and insect life that resides here.

Accommodation:Esquinas Rainforest Lodge (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hike through the rainforest this morning with our tour leader and experience all the sights and sounds of the jungle. During this activity, which lasts around two hours, we are likely to see snakes, frogs, birds and if we’re lucky, monkeys and sloths too. This hike can be quite slippery after rainfall but is a real highlight and well worth the effort.

This afternoon has been left free for optional activities – delve deeper into the forest on a network of trails departing directly from the lodge or simply relax by the pool.

Accommodation:Esquinas Rainforest Lodge (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our journey takes a northwesterly turn through San Isidro and up and over the Cerro de la Muerte mountain range to our next destination, the Savegre Valley, around a 4hr 30min drive (not including stops) from Golfito.

The cloud forest here is said to be one of the best places in Costa Rica to see the beautiful, colourful and notoriously shy resplendent quetzal and we have two nights here to discover the region.

These elusive birds rely on the cloud forest for their habitat — the males are striking with a green crest, red breast and tail feathers that can reach a metre long. A good pair of binoculars will be helpful for quetzal spotting as these birds camouflage themselves well among the wet leaves of the forest. In the afternoon, we venture from our lodge into the cloud forest in search of these magnificent birds. Our destination depends on where their nesting and feeding spots have last been seen, though you should come prepared to tackle steep slopes.

Accommodation:Savegre Hotel & Spa, Suria Hotel or Lauraceas Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is free to relax and explore Savegre Valley. Bring your binoculars to spot some of the 170 bird species, trek through the tropical cloud forest or simply enjoy the incredible view from the lodge. You may even wish to wake early to search for the quetzal!

Your tour leader will suggest walks for today, which will involve steep routes, so you can discover the tropical cloud forest and sub-Andean vegetation of the area.

Accommodation:Savegre Hotel & Spa, Suria Hotel or Lauraceas Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Visit the Copey valley this morning to step momentarily into the agricultural lives of those living in the highlands of the Central Mountain Range. We take a short walk through this picturesque area stopping for a typical lunch prepared for us by a local family, which is sure to be a memorable touch of Costa Rican hospitality. We visit the family’s property, where they grow flowers, medicinal plants, fruit and vegetables, and raise farm animals.

A 2hr 30min journey takes us back to San José, where there may be time to explore the modern capital. Tonight we have a farewell dinner at a local restaurant, a chance to toast the end of our adventure and look back on the highlights of the trip.

Accommodation:Presidente Hotel or Hotel Balmoral (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel before we start saying our goodbyes.

If you aren’t quite ready to leave, speak to your sales representative about extending your adventure – relax on the beach, treat yourself to some spa time, or discover more nature. To ensure total relaxation, you can stay for as many nights as you wish in a range of hotels, and we’ll organise airport transfers in either direction for you.

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

Need flights or extra nights? Book through us and fly with confidence

Call us: 020 3733 5948

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Accommodation

Accommodation is an integral part of this Costa Rica adventure, with 14 nights in a mix of comfortable hotels and characterful lodges. From a secluded lodge reached by boat in Tortuguero to a wildlife-rich rainforest retreat and a peaceful hideaway in the cloud forest, each offers a different perspective on this remarkable country. Many properties also have swimming pools, ideal for unwinding after a day of adventure.

Below are some of our favourite places to stay. Please see the day-by-day itinerary for details of the accommodation typically used throughout the trip.

Tortuguero: Laguna Lodge (nights 2-3)

Laguna Lodge

Accessible only by boat, Laguna Lodge enjoys a wonderful setting on a narrow strip of land between the Caribbean Sea and Tortuguero’s waterways. Surrounded by lush tropical gardens, it’s the perfect place to slow down and immerse yourself in nature. Keep an eye out for sloths and monkeys among the trees, relax by the pool or enjoy a drink at the waterside bar as you soak up the peaceful surroundings. With its beautiful setting and abundant wildlife, it’s easy to see why this lodge is a firm favourite among our travellers.

Esquinas Nature Reserve: Esquinas Rainforest Lodge (nights 10-11)

Esquinas Rainforest Lodge

One of the most memorable stays on this adventure is Esquinas Rainforest Lodge, nestled in lush tropical rainforest beside Piedras Blancas National Park and much loved by our travellers for its extraordinary setting. Each cabin has a covered porch, perfect for relaxing and watching for monkeys, raccoons, coatis and some of the 300-plus bird species found here. Enjoy Costa Rican cuisine in the lodge’s restaurant, cool off in the outdoor pool or follow walking trails through the surrounding rainforest. As night falls, listen to the rainforest come alive with the sounds of insects and other nocturnal wildlife.

Savegre: Savegre Hotel & Spa (nights 12-13)

Savegre Hotel and Spa

Set within a beautiful private forest reserve, Savegre Hotel is a haven for nature lovers and birdwatchers. Lush gardens attract colourful hummingbirds, while walking trails wind through the surrounding cloud forest, home to the elusive resplendent quetzal. A lookout point offers sweeping views across the forested slopes. After a day exploring, enjoy fresh, seasonal Costa Rican and international dishes at Las Bromelias restaurant, before unwinding with a cocktail or locally grown coffee at Los Robles bar-lounge.

Tailor your trip: Why not extend your adventure with extra hotel nights before or after your trip? Whether you’d like time to settle in after your flight, explore further or simply relax before heading home, our sales team can help arrange an extended stay to suit your plans.

Worth knowing

Wi-Fi may be limited at some properties or only available in communal areas. You may wish to consider an eSIM to stay connected during your trip.
Some properties have ceiling fans rather than air conditioning.
The properties featured are examples of our preferred accommodation and may vary by departure. We aim to select alternatives offering a similar standard and experience. Please contact our customer operations team if you’d like details of the accommodation planned for your departure.
Monteverde accommodation: Due to the humid cloud forest climate, room temperatures can vary and belongings may become damp. We recommend keeping clothing and personal items in your closed suitcase when not in use. The nearest village and activities are approximately a 15–20-minute walk away, with some hills along the route. Hot water may also take longer than usual to reach taps and showers.

Post-trip Extensions

Exclusive Add-ons

Costa Rica Hotels

Recharge with a few relaxing nights by the beach and make your adventure feel even more extraordinary. Costa Rica’s coastline is a paradise of golden sands and warm Pacific waters, perfect for unwinding after wildlife encounters and rainforest exploration. Here are a few of our favourites to inspire your stay:

Si Como No Resort, Spa & Wildlife Refuge: Nestled above Manuel Antonio’s coastline, boasting jungle-to-ocean views and access to a private wildlife refuge. Its comfortable rooms, relaxing spa and proximity to Manuel Antonio National Park make it ideal for nature lovers wanting both comfort and adventure.

Alma del Pacífico Beachfront Hotel: A colourful, boutique beachfront escape set along Playa Esterillos, offering spacious villa-style rooms just steps from the sand. With an oceanfront spa, tropical gardens and a peaceful atmosphere, it’s perfect for travellers seeking tranquillity by the Pacific.

Punta Leona Beach Club & Nature Resort: Set within a private nature reserve, this resort has two beautiful white-sand beaches, swimming pools and wildlife-spotting opportunities. Monkeys roaming the grounds, sloths lazing in the trees, a butterfly garden, and free guided walks to spot toucans or hummingbirds.

This is just a glimpse of what’s possible. Speak to your sales representative, who can guide you through the options and arrange everything for you.

Essential Information

Trip Expert

Pablo Ledezma

Expert Leader: Costa Rica

Introducing Pablo A passionate conservationist at heart, Pablo finds joy in sharing the wonders of Costa Rica with Exodus groups.

This trip is graded Activity Level 1 (Easy) with a Wildlife rating of Three. Visit our Wildlife Holidays page for more on our Wildlife ratings. For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.

Dates: The most popular time to visit Costa Rica is during the dry season from December to April. Demand is high and our trips typically sell out quickly (check the Dates & Prices tab for availability). If the trip is sold out but you still want to visit Costa Rica during this time, consider joining Discover Costa Rica – Coastal Edition, which spends two nights at the beach destination of Dominical instead of Piedras Blancas.

Travel: Driving distances are not very long and most of the roads we use are good quality. However, the road that leads to the river on the way to and from Tortuguero and the road into and out of Monteverde have poor surfaces and this can result in slow driving times, particularly following heavy rain.

Walks: There are several included and optional walks, which occasionally involve walking on rough paths and, in the Savegre Cloud Forest, steep trails. These are suitable for most fitness levels and usually last two to three hours. During times of heavy rain, trails can be muddy and slippery and extra care should be taken.

Swimming: In the Tortuguero region, the sea has very strong rip currents and is not suitable for swimming from the beach.

Birdwatching departures: For keen birders, we have designated several departures that are accompanied by a specialist birdwatching guide. Walks and visits to national parks are led with the intention of seeing as much birdlife as possible. Please check the Dates & Prices tab for more details.

Key information

Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today, but we recommend by 6pm to join the briefing at 7:30pm.
Airport: Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately 35-45 minutes’ drive from the airport. We provide free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers.

Catching your return flight

We provide free departure transfers for all customers to Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO) from the end hotel.

Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two to three weeks before the tour starts. Transfers are available for any flight but can only be added to your booking once we have received your flight schedule.

There are no mandatory vaccination requirements; however, if you have travelled to a country at risk of yellow fever prior to arriving in Costa Rica, you will be required to have a valid Yellow Fever Certificate with you. It’s also recommended that you get a hepatitis A vaccine.

The risk of malaria is slight but you may wish to consult your doctor or travel health clinic for further advice. Dengue and zika, both mosquito‐borne viral diseases, are also known risks in places visited on this trip. There are currently no vaccines or prophylaxes available. We therefore strongly recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Methanol: The FCDO warns travellers to be cautious of methanol poisoning when travelling in destinations visited on the trip.

Costa Rica

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica; however, proof of onward travel may be required – we suggest you take a physical copy of your flight details in case officials ask to see them.

Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

The following establishments provide visa advice for citizens of the named country,

Australia: Smartraveller
Canada: Travel Advice and Advisories, Government of Canada
United Kingdom:  Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
USA:  Bureau of Consular Affairs

Hotel breakfasts are normally buffet style, and lunches and dinners at Tortuguero and Esquinas Rainforest Lodge are also buffet style. Vegetarians are well catered for but please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests. Costa Rican specialities include gallo pinto, a black bean and rice dish that forms a staple part of the local diet. Soups and stews are also common, and fresh fruit is abundant and will no doubt be one of the highlights of your time in the tropics.

Costa Rica is 10 degrees north of the equator and has a tropical climate. The average annual temperature is around 26C (79F) in the lowlands and 10C (50F) in the highest mountain regions. However, it’s essential you prepare for the time of year in which your departure takes place.

Dry season (December to April): This is the driest period of the year and can get incredibly hot; on the Pacific side, temperatures may exceed 37C (98F). If passing through areas of dry tropical forest it can be hot, dusty and dry. Prepare for some rain even during this time of year.

Green season (May to November): Expect daily downpours, although these are usually quite short and there is still plenty of sunshine. Typically, there are sunny conditions until approximately 1pm-2pm and then a build-up of cloud from around 3pm, resulting in late afternoon rain (most likely showers between 3pm-5pm). Usually, the sky clears by 6pm.

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

You’ll also find Thriving Nature, Thriving People moments across our trips. These experiences are often a highlight of your adventure, while also benefiting the natural world or local communities.

On this trip, we:

Hike in the community-managed Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, where our fees help to protect the reserve and provide environmental education classes within the community.
Visit a family property in the Copey valley for a home-cooked lunch, learning firsthand from our hosts about their culture, customs and homegrown produce.

In addition, we support jaguar conservation in Costa Rica through our Foundation’s Jaguar Rewilding Project.

Spare Space:
The Spare Space initiative encourages travellers to use extra luggage space to donate practical items to local communities – see the ‘What to Take’ section of your trip notes for more information.

Reviews

Add new review

Julie Langman

Added August 2026

Discover Costa Rica

An excellent itinerary covering a wide variety of habitats and environments perfect for nature lovers

Most Inspirational Moment

Turtles in Tortuguera, Manuel Antonio, spotting sloths along the way, Esquinas lodge and the night walk, Savegra quetzal, being out in nature at each location

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic, the trip ran like a well oiled machine, super organised, he made sure we all had the necessary info about the programme without overloading us, and gave us a lot of info on the various places we visited. Very sociable, warm and friendly. He also offered us lots of opportunities to walk with him in the early mornings looking for wildlife to make the most of our time in each area.

Helen Law

Added July 2026

Discover Costa Rica

Fantastic holiday. Good experience at booking. All lodges were beautiful. The tour very well planned and our guide was just amazing - ensuring we did everything we wanted to do.

Most Inspirational Moment

The wildlife, visiting a local farm, learning about the country from local Costa Rican

Thoughts on Group Leader

Can't praise her highly enough. Her knowledge was fantastic - sharing insights into her country and spotting and naming wildlife. Amazingly hardworking - nothing was too much trouble. Organised us into perfect efficiency without feeling we were bossed around. Fun and friendly to be with at all times. Definitely went over and above our expectations to ensure our holiday was everything we wanted it to be.

Anna Neville

Added June 2026

Calling all birders and wildlife enthusiasts!

As an Exodus employee, this was my first Exodus trip and a fantastic way to experience Costa Rica firsthand. Our leader, Johnny, was outstanding throughout, and the combination of incredible wildlife, beautiful scenery and a welcoming group atmosphere made it a memorable experience. A great trip for solo travellers and groups of friends alike.

Rebecca Halstead

Too many to mention them all but here are a few which spring to mind....listening to the roar of the sea from my room at the lodge at Tortuguero ; seeing my first toucan; hearing the howler monkeys at night; seeing a real sloth in the wild; seeing the elusive quetzel twice( thanks to Alejandro's expert knowledge of nesting sites) ; celebrating my husband's birthday in Costa Rica ( with a rousing song from the waiters and cake, again organised by Alejandro); seeing all the exotic birds in the botanical gardens at Equinas and Savegre.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I am overawed by his excellent knowledge of the Costa Rican wildlife (flora and fauna) and his ability to communicate his knowledge and enthusiasm. His organisational skills were excellent, as was his method of telling us or daily itinerary in advance, then messaging it to us with timings as well as , telling us what to bring, when we would get comfort stops etc. Plus, he was caring and also had a great sense of humour. His daily talks on the bus were very informative. I learnt loads about the costa Rican way of life. And I think he went above and beyond with the early morning guided walks to see the wildlife (The Awakenings)

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