Discover Costa Rica – Coastal Edition

Name: Discover Costa Rica – Coastal Edition
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.8 (14 reviews)

Recommended

15 Days Excluding Flights From

16 Days from

~~£ 3849~~ £ 3079

4.8/5 from

Wildlife

Activity Level

Easy

Comfort Level

Classic

Ways to Travel :

Guided Group

Activity :

Wildlife

Group Size :

4 - 16

Ages :

16+

Trip Code :

WUCD

Carbon Footprint :

34.7kg CO2e per person per day

Experience the rainforest, mountains and coast of this tropical paradise

Costa Rica is renowned for having proportionately more protected land than any other country, making it ripe for wildlife tourism. What is less known is the marvellous, often bizarre, variety of animals from catatonic sloths, screaming howler monkeys, screeching toucans and nesting green turtles. Throw in the Caribbean and Pacific coastlines and it is easy to see why so many return.

This itinerary differs from Discover Costa Rica, spending two nights at Dominical instead of Piedras Blancas. This option is a great alternative as this area has much to offer: beautiful beaches with great sunset views, waterfalls and natural swimming holes, and the chance to explore nearby Marino Ballena National Park.

Highlights

Enjoy unrivalled wildlife viewing – howler monkeys, caimans and sloths
Visit the beaches and waterways of Tortuguero, an important nesting site for green turtles
Discover verdant rainforest, lush mangroves, lava fields and serene cloud forests
Learn from naturalist guides who share their love of Costa Rica with you
Relax on idyllic Pacific coast beaches
Stay in comfortable eco-minded lodges and hotels

Key Information

Accommodation: 14 Classic nights (hotels and lodges)
Travel by air-conditioned bus and boat
Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
See Discover Costa Rica for an alternative itinerary

Countries visited: Costa Rica

What's Included

All breakfasts, eight lunches, seven dinners
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout
Arrival and departure transfers

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request)
Visas or vaccinations

Sustainability and Impact

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.

TRIP

WUCD - Discover Costa Rica – Coastal Edition

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Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

For flights call us on 0203 733 5948 or enquire when booking online

Regional flights available

Competitive flight prices

Specialist Flight Support

ATOL protected

Itinerary

San Jose San Jose

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 and dinner together. 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: Presidente, KC Hotel or Delta by Marriott San José Aurola (or similar)

Meals included: Dinner

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, Tortuguero has a vast network of waterways, canals and swamps that is remarkably tranquil, unspoilt 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 our groups.

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 can be seen coming ashore 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 from late August through to November, baby turtles hatch and make their way to the ocean. Today’s travel time will be in the region of six hours including a stop for breakfast.

Accommodation: Laguna Lodge or Evergreen 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. 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, caimans, iguanas, butterflies and many of the 300-plus bird species recorded here. The lodge is a tranquil spot to relax this afternoon if you want to take time out to enjoy the facilities, or you can join a second boat trip or follow a short walking trail through the forest.

Accommodation: Laguna Lodge or Evergreen Lodge (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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 Arenal region, passing huge banana, pineapple and sugarcane plantations on the way. Arenal was the most active volcano in Costa Rica until fairly recently 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 in the area and you have the opportunity to visit one of the excellent hot springs this evening. In clear weather, there are great views of the volcano from our overnight base in the nearby town of La Fortuna. Today’s travelling time is around 5hr 30min including a lunch stop.

Accommodation: Eco Arenal or Arenal Montechiari (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Waterfalls are abundant in the Arenal region and this morning we visit La Fortuna, a 213ft (65m) cascade 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 lunch, we take a short scenic hike within Arenal National Park, walking through secondary rainforest and passing some of the lava fields from past eruptions. The high vantage points on this walk allow great views overlooking Lake Arenal, and the birdlife is plentiful.

Accommodation: Eco Arenal or 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.

Accommodation: Montaña Monteverde or Monteverde Country Lodge (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning, we have a guided walk 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 in the cloud forest with more 425 species recorded here. 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 or 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, plus 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 Villas Lirio (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) is 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 Villas Lirio (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Transfer south to the enchanting Dominical beach, a treasured destination for surfing, sunsets, wildlife and green landscapes. After settling into our hotel, we visit one of the most beautiful lookout points in the area, which is on a forested mountainside overlooking the coastal plains of Uvita and surrounded by rainforest. Relax and enjoy a tropical drink as you admire the forest around you, Marino Ballena National Park from above and, at low tide, the Whale’s Tail beach.

Accommodation: Villas Rio Mar or Cuna del Angel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We spend the morning at Marino Ballena National Park, where we enjoy a walk through this natural conservation area.

Along our route, we have the chance of seeing howler monkeys, white-faced monkeys, sloths, bats, raccoons, birds (including scarlet macaws) and other wildlife. Plants and trees, including the wonderful mangrove tree, are also part of the trail. Also here is Tombolo (known locally as the Whale’s Tail), a well-known natural barrier reef that looks just like a whale’s tail when viewed from above.

In the afternoon, we return to the hotel where there is time to enjoy the facilities, visit the beach or join an optional activity such as a whale and dolphin tour.

Accommodation: Villas Rio Mar or Cuna del Angel (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 mountains to our next destination, the Savegre Valley, around a 4hr 30min drive from Golfito (not including stops). The cloud forest of Savegre 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 endangered birds rely on the cloud forest for their habitat; the males are particularly striking with a green crest, red breast and tailfeathers 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 take a short walk from our lodge into the cloud forest.

Accommodation: Savegre Hotel & Spa or Suria 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. Your leader will suggest walks for today, which will involve steep trails, so you can discover the tropical cloud forest and sub-Andean vegetation of the area.

Accommodation: Savegre Hotel & Spa or Suria 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 snacks prepared for us with a local family, which is sure to be a memorable touch of Costa Rican hospitality. A 2hr 30min journey takes us back to San José, where there is time to explore the modern capital.

Accommodation: Presidente, KC Hotel or Delta by Marriott San José Aurola (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

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

Post-trip Extensions

Costa Rica Hotels

Discover Costa Rica – Coastal Edition
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 Info

Is this trip for you?

This trip has been graded Activity Level 1 (Easy) with a Safari rating of 3. 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.

Driving distances are not very long and most of the roads we travel on are of good quality. However, the road that leads to the river on the way to/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. There are several included and optional walks on the itinerary, which occasionally involve walking on rough paths. These are suitable for most fitness levels and usually last from two to three hours. 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.

Please note that in the Tortuguero region, the sea has very strong rip currents and is not suitable for swimming from the beach.

Please also note that 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 have a free day to enjoy the many optional excursions of the region.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as not suitable for full wheelchair users, but it may be suitable for other persons of reduced mobility. Please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Joining Instructions

Key information

Start hotel: Hotel Presidente, Avenida Central, Calle 7, 11801, San José
Phone: +1 800 707 8604
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today, but we recommend by 6pm to join the optional welcome dinner at 7:30pm.
Airport: Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately a 35-minute drive from the airport. Your options for this journey are:

Take an Exodus transfer

Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel for any flight landing on arrival day. Speak to your sales consultant before departure to book.

Make your own way

You can reach the start hotel relatively easily by taxi. A cab from the airport costs around US$40. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.

Catching your return flight

Exodus provides free transfers from the final hotel to the airport on departure day. Speak to your sales consultant before departure to book.

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.

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 Jose
Location end: San Jose

Vaccinations and Health

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.

Passport

Remember to check the expiration date of your passport if travelling internationally. Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after the date of your scheduled return.

Visa

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.

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

Food & Drink

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 and 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.

Weather

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.

Rainy 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.

TRIP

WUCD - Discover Costa Rica – Coastal Edition

Departure Date

Number Of Passengers*

Message*

To enquire about an existing booking click here

First Name *

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Email *

Phone *

Keep me up to date with news and offers from Exodus by email.

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

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Request a Brochure

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Well-located hotels and lodges

We spend 14 nights in hotels and lodges, most of which have swimming pools. The accommodations were chosen for their location (typically lodges in tropical gardens or in the heart of the rainforest) and we have been careful to avoid chain hotels where possible.

The day-to-day itinerary details the properties typically used; however, below are some of the notable hotels on this trip.

Savegre: Savegre Hotel, Nature Reserve & Spa or Suria Hotel (nights 12-13)

Discover Costa Rica – Coastal Edition

In Savegre, we stay in either Savegre Hotel, Nature Reserve & Spa (above) or Suria Hotel. The former has a lookout point with views over forested slopes and we sleep in wooden lodges. The latter has gardens and green spaces, plus a restaurant, bar and cafe.

Dominical: Villas Rio Mar or Cuna del Angel

Discover Costa Rica – Coastal Edition

In Dominical, we stay in either Villas Rio Mar (above) or Cuna del Angel, depending on availability. The former has a large palm tree-wrapped swimming pool, tropical gardens, and a rainforest trail to explore, plus Playa Dominical beach is just a 10-minute walk away. The latter also has a pool, plus there’s a restaurant with treetop views and a bar serving cocktails and more.

Worth knowing

Some hotels only have wifi in the reception area. You may want to consider bringing an eSim for your mobile device.
Some properties have ceiling fans rather than air conditioning.
One or several of the named properties might be substituted for similar alternatives to secure hotel availability. Please discuss with your customer operations executive if you require more details regarding your specific departure date.

TRIP

WUCD - Discover Costa Rica – Coastal Edition

Departure Date

Number Of Passengers*

Message*

To enquire about an existing booking click here

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

Keep me up to date with news and offers from Exodus by email.

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Find out more about how we use your data

Request a Brochure

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Ilenia Barausse

Reviewed January 2025

Amazing country and wildlife!

I absolutely loved Costa Rica, it is such a special place and it makes you appreciate how wonderful our world can be when we look after it! This trip is quite a busy trip and with long drives at times but it is worth it as you get to see so much of this country and its extraordinary diversity of landscapes. Lots of great scenery, wonderful cloud forests, beaches, countryside and amazing wildlife including sloths, hummingbirds, toucans (and numerous other colourful birds), iguanas, monkeys, tree frogs and the most beautiful butterflies I have ever seen. I loved every place we visited but my favourite has to be Tortuguero nature reserve. The boat trips around its waterways spotting wildlife was definitely one of my highlights.

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to pick as too many. Spotting wildlife in its natural habitat is wonderful. And the beautiful sunrise on the beach in Tortuguero.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring good waterproofs, camera with a good zoom lens and strong trainers or walking shoes. Also a torch is useful as it can be quite dark at night around the lodges and in Dominical we experienced a few power cuts.

Dave Boothroyd

Reviewed December 2024

A lovely trip, but it could be much better with a slightly updated itinerary

This is a great trip if you like your wildlife. Make sure you bring the best camera/lens that you have got as you can get some amazing photographs.

Having said that there are a few things that could be better:
– Tortuguero is famous for its turtles. We didn’t see any even though we went to the beach around dawn both mornings we were there. Subsequently we found out that you can go on a local guide tour overnight, they then liaise with other guides to share where the turtles are (it is a long beach) to give you the best chance of seeing them. You may have to ask about it at the Lodge about booking a guide
– Manuel Antonio. Likewise a local guide would help find more of the wildlife here, as they know the area & have the required spotting scopes
– Savegre. To see the Quetzal (which is the main reason for going there, & is spectacular) again, you need a local guide to take you to the right area. These can be booked via the hotel
Hopefully Exodus will include these local guides/trips going forward as I have shared this feedback with them.

We enjoyed the coffee/chocolate tour at La Fortuna, where you get to make your own chocolate (you need to add a lot of sugar otherwise it’s very bitter !)
We also did a night trip to see more frogs & other night animals while at Manuel Antonio which was good

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the Quetzal at Savegre

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our driver Victor was excellent

Advice for Potential Travellers

See summary

Reply from Exodus

Thank you for your detailed and insightful review. We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the incredible wildlife and were able to capture some amazing photographs—bringing the best camera gear is definitely a great tip!

We appreciate your suggestions regarding local guides at Tortuguero, Manuel Antonio, and Savegre. You’re absolutely right that their expertise can make a big difference in spotting wildlife, especially in areas like the Quetzal’s habitat. We’ll certainly consider integrating these local guide experiences into future itineraries to enhance the overall trip value.

Excellent. Very knowledgeable, hard working and caring

Advice for Potential Travellers

Very warm. Sun tan lotion, insect repellent and binoculars essential. Think carefully about clothing and footwear for daytime and evenings.

Reply from Exodus

We’re delighted to read that John had such a great time in Costa Rica, but did want to acknowledge his comment about having shirts stolen from his suitcase, possibly at one of the lodges on this trip. This was raised with John’s tour leader during the holiday and the management of both properties John mentions were contacted, but had no success in finding the missing shirts. We’ve used the Laguna Lodge and the Hotel Eco Arenal for some time now and have never had customers face any issues to do with theft. While we can’t pinpoint exactly what happened to John’s shirts, we do apologise that they went missing on the trip.

– The Exodus Travels Team

Julie Graham

Reviewed February 2024

My favourite trip!

Costa Rica is incredible and made more so with our guide Johnny.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a sloth

Thoughts on Group Leader

Johnny was the best guide I have ever had. He is extremely knowledgable.

Karen Horn

Reviewed February 2024

Costa Rica

We enjoyed our tour very much. Pick up from the airport was a little chaotic as a lot of flights had been altered due to strikes and we didn’t seem to be on any of the reps lists. Other arrangements went well. Saw a lot of the country in a short time and the programme had been well thought out.
Some of the accommodation in the early part of the trip was very dated and needed some serious reinvestment.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing so much wildlife and beautiful flora.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader David was excellent. Always willing to help and was very good at spotting all manner of wildlife especially birds. He went out of his way to put in extra activities and it was really appreciated by all the group.

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Discover Costa Rica – Coastal Edition

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~~£ 3849~~ £ 3079

Discover Costa Rica – Coastal Edition

Experience the rainforest, mountains and coast of this tropical paradise

Sustainability and Impact

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Your Group, Your Adventure

Itinerary

San Jose San Jose

Post-trip Extensions

Costa Rica Hotels

Essential Info

Is this trip for you?

Joining Instructions

Key information

Getting to the start hotel

Catching your return flight

Vaccinations and Health

Passport

Visa

Costa Rica

Food & Drink

Weather

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Well-located hotels and lodges

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Trip Experts

Pablo Ledezma

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Reviews

Amazing country and wildlife!

Most Inspirational Moment

Advice for Potential Travellers

A lovely trip, but it could be much better with a slightly updated itinerary

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Reply from Exodus

Well organized tour.

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

amazing, stunning and just so much to absorb

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Amazing variety of habitat

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

A memorable trip with a lovely group!

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

A brilliant adventure

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Costa Rica

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Reply from Exodus

My favourite trip!

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Costa Rica

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

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