Current as of: May 8, 2024 - 17:01
Current as of: May 8, 2024 - 17:01
With epic wildlife and wild rides, Costa Rica is a firm favourite for adventurous families. Explore it with your loved ones on this activity-packed trip, which covers some of the most astonishing landscapes in Central America over two weeks. We look for monkeys and caiman in Tortuguero, explore the Tirimbina rainforest after dark, delve into the ancient world of chocolate, zip-line through the treetops of Selvatura Park and hop on a catamaran to scan the seas for dolphins. There’s downtime too, with free time in the surfer hotspot of Tamarindo and a soak or two in mineral-rich hot springs.
Highlights
This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Leisurely/Moderate). Please see the Family Activity Levels on our website for further information. Though this trip has been designed for nine to 12-year-olds, it’s also suitable for 13 to 16-year-olds. Our Family Activity Levels are aimed at children in the primary age group, so if your child is in the secondary age group, they may find it a little easier.
Transport
Most of the roads we travel on 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 a poor surfaces and this can result in slow driving times, particularly following heavy rain. There are also some longer drives on the itinerary; when rest stops and meal breaks are taken into account, a 4-hour drive may take 6-7 hours in total.
Animals
There are some dangerous insects and snakes in the jungle, although incidents are extremely rare. Always follow the guide’s advice – it is the responsibility of parents to ensure children listen to the guide and don’t stray from paths.
Walks
There are some nature walks on the itinerary that occasionally involve walking on rough paths. During times of heavy rain, trails can be muddy and slippery and extra care should be taken. Many of the areas visited on the trip are hot and humid and there is the chance of heavy rain year-round – this is why Costa Rica is so green!
Swimming
In the Tortuguero region, the sea has very strong rip currents and is not suitable for swimming from the beach.
Adult min age: 9
Min group size: 4
Max group size: 20
The group flight usually arrives into San Jose this evening. Land Only clients should aim to arrive at the hotel by 5pm so that you can meet your fellow travellers and tour leader, who will give you a warm welcome to Costa Rica. If you miss today’s welcome briefing, the tour leader will give you all relevant information on the morning of Day 2.
Accommodation: Sleep Inn (or similar)
Welcome to San José, the culture-rich capital of Costa Rica. Aim to arrive at the hotel by 5pm so that you can meet your fellow travellers and tour leader, who will give you a warm welcome to Costa Rica. If you miss today’s welcome briefing, the tour leader will give you all relevant information on the morning of Day 2. A free transfer is available to take you to our hotel in San José. Read the Joining Instructions in the Trip Notes for more information on booking your seat.
Accommodation: Sleep Inn (or similar)
Our adventure begins early this morning, leaving San José as we travel to the northeast of Costa Rica to Tortuguero National Park. Accessible only by boat or light aircraft, the vast network of waterways, canals and swamps in Tortuguero is remarkably tranquil and devoid of noise pollution. On reaching the pier, we board a small motorboat for the journey to our lodge (up to 1hr 30min) , which is a short distance from the main lagoon. Please note the transfer from San José to Tortuguero is not private for Exodus clients.
Our afternoon is spent in Tortuguero village, where it’s possible to visit the Sea Turtle Conservancy Museum. 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; during November to January, baby turtles hatch and scramble to the ocean. Today’s travel time is about six hours including a break for breakfast.
Accommodation: Evergreen Lodge (or similar)
Discover the extraordinary flora and fauna of Tortuguero on a morning boat trip, 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 see monkeys, caiman, iguanas, butterflies and many of the 300-plus bird species recorded here. We return to the lodge and we have the afternoon to relax. There’s a pool if you fancy a splash. Alternatively, join a second boat trip, visit the beach or follow a short walking trail through the forest.
Accommodation: Evergreen Lodge (or similar)
We leave Tortuguero the same way we arrived, by taking a small boat. Our bus is ready at the pier to drive us to the Sarapiqui region, stopping for lunch en route. Sarapiqui, blessed with abundant vegetation and the beautiful Sarapiqui River, is one of the main banana-growing areas in Costa Rica, although coffee, cardamon, cacao, corn and other fruits are also produced here.
In the evening, we take a night walk through Tirimbina Biological Reserve, crossing a suspension bridge for a different perspective on the rainforest and its many inhabitants: see how many eyes you can spot staring back at you! Our guide focuses on nocturnal species, such as insects, frogs and mammals, who are active in the dark.
Accommodation: La Quinta Sarapiqui (or similar)
After breakfast, we check out and head to a pineapple plantation in La Virgen de Sarapiqui, an area with excellent growing conditions. During our morning tour, we discover the organic philosophy of the farm: learning about crop rotation, companion planting and the concept of rural agritourism – a great introduction to Costa Rican heritage.
After, we transfer to La Fortuna near the now-dormant Arenal volcano, arriving around lunchtime. We have free time to enjoy the hotel facilities – how about a dip in the pool with views of the cone volcano? – or there are optional excursions available for this afternoon/evening.
Accommodation: Arenal Country Inn (or similar)
This morning, we visit La Fortuna Waterfall, a 215ft (65m) cascade plunging into an emerald pool. A short rainforest trail brings us to a relatively steep set of steps that we must descend to reach the waterfall and then ascend to exit – this takes 20-30 minutes and is rewarded with a swim in the emerald pool below. It is also possible to visit the lookout point and wait for the group instead. Keep an eye out for colourful toucans in the rainforest.
Then, enjoy the sweetest rainforest experience of all: discovering the ancient secrets of chocolate. Considered a ‘gift of the gods’, the cacao tree was vital to the ancient culture here: it helped produce their ceremonial drink and the seeds were used as currency. In this hands-on activity, we dive into the fascinating history, learn about the production process and, of course, sample their high-quality chocolate.
This afternoon we have time to explore the Hanging Bridges: a series of treetop walkways, from which we can explore the forest from above and spot the resident wildlife.
Accommodation: Arenal Country Inn (or similar)
From Arenal, we travel to the Tilaran Mountains 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.
Accommodation: Montaña Monteverde, Heliconia or El Establo (or similar)
Today we visit Selvatura Park – 850 acres (345ha) of protected land dedicated to nature and adventure. We begin with a visit to the butterfly garden, which has one of the largest exhibitions of butterflies in the world. After, it’s time to try out your own aerial manoeuvres on a treetop zip-line adventure. Before you fly, guides teach you the proper technique, including how to position yourself and hold the cable correctly, enabling you to safely embark on this adrenaline-pumping adventure suspended above the trees.
Accommodation: Montaña Monteverde, Heliconia or El Establo (or similar)
After breakfast at the hotel, we check out and transfer to Rincón de la Vieja, an area of dry forest and enchanting waterfalls but best known for bubbling mud pots, steaming vents in the earth, hot springs and a whole host of wildlife.
Accommodation: Hacienda Guachipelin or Buena Vista del Rincón (or similar)
There are two activities to choose between today: a canyon canopy tour or tubing. The cost of joining one activity is included, so it’s up to you to decide which you would like to do! The canyon canopy tour is a zip-line adventure involving rappelling, climbing, a Tarzan swing and hanging bridges over a narrow river canyon. Tubing takes place on the Rio Negro, with individual inner tube rafts across 3mi (5km) of class II and III rapids. Experience is not needed for either of these activities and you can decide which you prefer once you’re in Costa Rica.
Afterwards, we visit hot springs. Heated naturally by the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, these feed directly from the Rio Negro and are mineral rich with supposed therapeutic properties. There are 10 human-made pools created to capture the steaming mineral water, surrounded by thick forest. Smooth volcanic clay over yourself, let it dry and wash off with a cool shower or jump in the river before soaking again in the hot pools!
Accommodation: Hacienda Guachipelin or Buena Vista del Rincón (or similar)
Today we travel to Tamarindo on the Pacific Coast, a fairly small beach town with lots to do and see. It is bordered by several breath-taking beaches, which are a few minutes’ away from the downtown area. We have a free afternoon here to enjoy the facilities and discover the area.
Accommodation: Wyndham Tamarindo (or similar)
We hop on an open catamaran in Playa Tamarindo and travel along the Gold Coast, passing exotic bays, white-sand beaches and tropical jungles as we scann the seas for dolphins, sea turtles, flying fish or even a breaching whale. We stop in a tranquil bay with time to snorkel or relax on the deserted white-sand beach as the crew prepares a feast of barbecue chicken, yellow Spanish rice, fruit, chips, black bean puree, pico de gallo (a zingy salsa) and homemade chocolate chip cookies for lunch. In the afternoon, we return to our hotel in Tamarindo with time to relax.
Accommodation: Wyndham Tamarindo (or similar)
Today has been left free for you to enjoy the Pacific coast, Tamarindo Beach and the hotel facilities.
Accommodation: Wyndham Tamarindo (or similar)
We return to San José today, where the afternoon is free for you to explore the city or relax by the pool.
Accommodation: Sleep Inn (or similar)
The trip ends after breakfast and it’s time to bid Costa Rica and the rest of the group goodbye. Transfers to San José Airport are available to everyone today. If you don’t want the adventure to end, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay and enjoy more time in the capital.
The trip comes to an end today after breakfast and it’s time to bid Costa Rica and the rest of the group goodbye. Transfers to San José airport are available to all clients today.
Arrive London
We spend 14 nights in hotels and lodges, most with swimming pools.
In San José, we stay at the Sleep Inn.
In Tortuguero, we usually stay at the Evergreen Lodge. Within Tortuguero National Park, this 66-room resort provides an away-from-it-all experience within the jungle. There’s a turtle-shaped swimming pool (this is green turtle country after all) and dining rooms where you can tuck into Caribbean cuisine with views of a tranquil waterway. Residents you might spot include sloths, toucans and iguanas, and we stay in rustic wooden bungalows with comfortable beds and ceiling fans.
In Sarapiqui, we usually stay at La Quinta Sarapiqui, a lodge with bungalow-style accommodation looking out onto gardens filled with flowers and birdlife.
In Arenal, our accommodation will normally be the Arenal Country Inn, where the pool has views of the volcano.
In Monteverde, we normally stay at Montaña Monteverde, Heliconia or El Establo.
In Rincón de la Vieja, our accommodation is usually the Hacienda Guachipelin or the Buena Vista del Rincon. The Hacienda Guachipelin is an expansive property with rooms in gardens full of native trees and exotic flowers. It is set on an expansive ranch bordering Rincón de la Vieja National Park.
By the Pacific Coast, we normally stay at the Wyndham Tamarindo.
Single supplement from £ 850
All breakfasts, four lunches and three dinners are included.
Hotel breakfasts are normally buffets, as are lunches and dinners at Tortuguero. Vegetarian and vegan options are limited but food is plentiful and tasty – please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests.
Costa Rican specialities include gallo pinto, a black bean and rice dish considered to be 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 here.
Most of our travel is in an air-conditioned 16-seater minibus, but we also use small motorboats to access remote areas, such as Tortuguero. Due to the type of vehicles we use, it’s common for luggage to be transported on the roof, covered by tarpaulin. There is a shared transfer to Tortuguero on Day 2 of the itinerary in a larger coach.
Costa Rica is 10 degrees north of the equator and has a tropical climate. The average temperature is 10C-13C (50F-55F) in the highlands and 22C-26C (72F-79F) in the lowlands. There is a rainy season from May to November when there are daily downpours, though these are usually quite short and there is still plenty of bright sunshine, so midsummer is not necessarily a bad time to go. December to April is the driest time of the year but you should still expect some rain.
Start hotel: Sleep Inn, 3rd Avenue 9 & 11, San José, 10101, Costa Rica
Phone: +506 2521 6500
Recommended arrival time: Afternoon/early evening
Airport: Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)
The start hotel is approximately 35 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
Exodus provides free departure transfers for all customers to Juan Santamaría International 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 weeks before the tour starts.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: San José
Location end: San José
We advise you to pack light, as you move a fair bit on this trip. Below is a suggestion of what you might find useful, though it is not exhaustive. Prepare for a variety of climates.
Other packing tips
Please note: When travelling to/from Tortuguero there is a luggage limit on the boats and you are allowed one regular size suitcase/bag and one carry-on size bag. Technically there is also a weight limit of 25lb (11.3kg) but in practice this isn’t enforced.
Water included: Single-use plastic bottles are banned in Costa Rican national parks and we are always looking to reduce the number of single-use plastics used on our trips. Therefore, we provide safe drinking water throughout this adventure. Please bright a reusable bottle to refill along the way.
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.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/americas/costa-rica
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/costa-rica
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/costa-rica/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Costa-Rica.html
If you are travelling via the USA and are eligible to transit under the Visa Waiver Program, you are required to register in advance for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). There is a US$21 charge, which is only payable online. Please see our website www.exodus.co.uk/usvisa for further information.
Please note, not all nationalities have the same eligibility for travel to or transit via the USA, and you may not be covered by the visa waiver program. Regulations stipulate that any person who has travelled to Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen since March 2011, or have dual nationalities of these countries, may no longer qualify. In addition, if you have travelled to Cuba since 12 January 2021 you will not be eligible for the visa waiver program and should instead apply for a visa.
If you are in doubt of your eligibility, please check the visa requirements with your local US embassy.
There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, rabies and typhoid. The risk of malaria is slight, but you may wish to consult your doctor or travel clinic for further advice.
Many travellers will also require a yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission, Tanzania and Zambia.
Dengue and zika, both viral diseases spread by mosquitoes, are known risks in Costa Rica. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, so we strongly recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
Please check all requirements and travel vaccination recommendations with your doctor or travel clinic.
Costa Rica's time zone: America/Costa_Rica (UTC -06:00)
Costa Rica's electricity: Plug types A (two flat pins, US standard) and B (three pins, US standard) – 120V, 60Hz
Costa Rica's currency: Costa Rican colon (CRC); however, US dollars are widely accepted
ATMs are widely available in Costa Rica, particularly in the main tourist areas. A flat fee of up to US$5-$7 and a small commission usually applies with debit card withdrawals. Mastercard and Visa are quite widely accepted in the bigger hotels, restaurants and tourist shops, though not in rural areas. Always check the handling fee when paying by credit card as it can be high. It is much more convenient to carry as much of your money in cash as possible, so long as you are security conscious. We recommend you bring some small denomination notes (US$1 and US$5 notes) since getting change is often a problem when paying for small items.
US dollars are widely accepted as payment in Costa Rica; however, change will likely be given in local currency and the exchange rate will fluctuate. We suggest taking some US dollars with you but then using ATMs to withdraw the rest of your money in local currency while you’re there.
You should allow extra to cover the cost of meals not included in the price of the trip. Snack lunches are approximately US$15-US$18 and evening meals US$25-US$32 per meal (excluding drinks).
Average costs for drinks (in restaurants) are US$2-US$3 for mineral water or soft drinks, US$4-US$5 for a bottle of beer, US$7-US$10 for cocktails and US$7-US$10 for a glass of wine.
Our local staff are paid well and fairly for their work. However, it is usual for groups to tip guides and drivers and it would be reasonable for each group member to contribute approximately US$5 per day for the driver and US$7 per day for the tour leader, although you may wish to tip more if travelling in a small group. Porters at the airport and hotels are normally tipped about US$1 per piece. Occasionally the tour leader will organise a tipping kitty to facilitate these and other tips (such as waiting staff in restaurants), which will be collected in advance at the start of the trip.
We work hard to create trips that have a positive impact on the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Learn more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.
Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:
People
How this trip helps improve life for local communities.
Places
How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.
Planet
How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.
Tips for sustainable travel on this trip
Optional activities and excursions
If you would like to join an optional activity or excursion outside those listed in the itinerary, your leader may be able to assist with selecting a provider. However, Exodus has not assessed the safety standards of activities or excursions that are not listed in the Trip Notes. All optional activities or excursions are undertaken at your own risk.
Water safety
This trip includes time by a lake, river or sea, where there may be opportunities to swim. You should always seek local advice before deciding whether to swim. Open-water or wild swim spots should be treated with extreme caution. Information on how to keep yourself safe while swimming is shown here.
Your safe participation
When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.
By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.
After booking
You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.
Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.
Trip Note validity
These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
Licensing
Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.