Premium Costa Rica in Depth
Tour Operator:
Tour Code:
QBPT
Start City:
San Jose
End City:
Guanacaste
Tour Style:
Tour Quality:
First Class
Tour Length:
12 days
Age Requirement:
15+ Years Old
Tour Capacity:
12
Physical Rating:
2 - Classic
Dates & Prices
| Start Date | End Date | Offers | Brochure Land Price | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, Jul 06, 2024 | Wednesday, Jul 17, 2024 | $6,230 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Jul 20, 2024 | Wednesday, Jul 31, 2024 | $6,780 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Oct 05, 2024 | Wednesday, Oct 16, 2024 | $6,441 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Nov 09, 2024 | Wednesday, Nov 20, 2024 | $6,640 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Sunday, Dec 01, 2024 | Thursday, Dec 12, 2024 | $6,705 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Jan 11, 2025 | Wednesday, Jan 22, 2025 | $7,385 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Feb 08, 2025 | Wednesday, Feb 19, 2025 | $7,385 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Mar 15, 2025 | Wednesday, Mar 26, 2025 | $7,385 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Tuesday, Apr 01, 2025 | Saturday, Apr 12, 2025 | $7,115 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Apr 26, 2025 | Wednesday, May 07, 2025 | $7,115 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Jun 14, 2025 | Wednesday, Jun 25, 2025 | $6,840 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Jul 05, 2025 | Wednesday, Jul 16, 2025 | $6,840 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Jul 26, 2025 | Wednesday, Aug 06, 2025 | $6,840 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Aug 16, 2025 | Wednesday, Aug 27, 2025 | $6,840 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Oct 11, 2025 | Wednesday, Oct 22, 2025 | $6,840 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Nov 22, 2025 | Wednesday, Dec 03, 2025 | $7,115 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Dec 06, 2025 | Wednesday, Dec 17, 2025 | $7,385 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Jan 10, 2026 | Wednesday, Jan 21, 2026 | $6,080 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Jan 31, 2026 | Wednesday, Feb 11, 2026 | $6,080 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Feb 21, 2026 | Wednesday, Mar 04, 2026 | $6,080 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Mar 14, 2026 | Wednesday, Mar 25, 2026 | $6,080 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Tuesday, Mar 31, 2026 | Saturday, Apr 11, 2026 | $6,080 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Apr 25, 2026 | Wednesday, May 06, 2026 | $6,080 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Jun 13, 2026 | Wednesday, Jun 24, 2026 | $6,080 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Jul 04, 2026 | Wednesday, Jul 15, 2026 | $6,080 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Jul 25, 2026 | Wednesday, Aug 05, 2026 | $6,080 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Aug 15, 2026 | Wednesday, Aug 26, 2026 | $6,080 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Oct 10, 2026 | Wednesday, Oct 21, 2026 | $6,080 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Oct 31, 2026 | Wednesday, Nov 11, 2026 | $6,080 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Nov 21, 2026 | Wednesday, Dec 02, 2026 | $6,080 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Dec 05, 2026 | Wednesday, Dec 16, 2026 | $6,080 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
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Tour Itinerary
Welcome to Costa Rica, where trendy gastronomic neighbourhoods rub shoulders with wild rainforests and pristine beaches. Join a local leader to discover the natural, indigenous and modern sides of Costa Rica on an immersive 12-day Premium journey. From the lively charm of San Jose to the cloud forests of Monteverde, culturally significant coffee plantations, pristine wildlife refuges, and spectacular scenery of Arenal National Park - this adventure takes you straight to the heart of it all. Take time to soak up quiet moments of local life and get beneath the surface of a remarkable country that will captivate you at every turn.
Countries Visited
Cities Visited
Guanacaste , La Fortuna , Monteverde , Rio Celeste , San Jose , Tamarindo , Tortuguero
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Day 1
San JoseBienvenidos! Welcome to Costa Rica. Your adventure begins in San Jose, the country’s flourishing capital where you will be collected from the airport on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Here you will meet your local leader and small group for an important welcome meeting at 6pm. Costa Rican coffee is some of the best in the world, with great cafes to match, so if you arrive with time to spare perhaps set out to sample the local brew. After your meeting, head out with your leader and fellow travellers for a welcome meal with some delicious local specialties.
Meals: Dinner -
Day 2
TortugueroLeave the hotel early this morning and descend to the Caribbean lowlands on a scenic (and slightly bumpy) journey that ends at the port of La Pavona, your entry point to Tortuguero National Park. Next you’ll transfer to a boat and get your first taste of the magic of the Tortuguero, where roads are replaced by sun dappled canals and the only traffic noises are the calls of tropical birds. After lunch, tour the town of Tortuguero and learn about the Miskito, the Miskito-Zambo and Afro-Caribbean people who call it home. As you tour the town, learn about the lifestyle of its people, their customs and their daily life. If you are visiting between July and October, it’s possible to book an optional evening turtle tour which offers the chance to see turtles laying their eggs.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 3
TortugueroAwaken to the sound of birdsong and perhaps enjoy a morning walk through the hotel gardens after breakfast. It’s a magical and relaxing way to experience the biodiversity of the area. This morning take a boat tour along the National Park’s canals with the chance to see up to 13 of Costa Rica’s 16 most endangered mammals such as manatees, ocelots and jaguars, as well as hundreds of bird species. This national park is also the largest green turtle nesting ground in the Western Hemisphere. Lesser numbers of the critically endangered hawksbill turtle, plus loggerheads, and giant leatherback turtles also nest within the park at different times of the year. You’ll need to be ready for all seasons – waterproof clothing and shoes are recommended – on this nature focused day.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 4
La FortunaAfter breakfast, travel by boat from Tortuguero to La Pavona where you’ll be driven to La Fortuna, famed for its mellow atmosphere, bubbling hot springs and mighty Arenal volcano. Check in to your hotel and enjoy its unbeatable location surrounded by luxuriant jungle and soaring volcano views. Spend some time poolside, listening to the songs of birds, then enjoy dinner with your group at the fantastic on-site restaurant which features creative local cuisine.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 5
La FortunaToday you’ll visit the Arenal Volcano for a gentle hike. Along the way you will learn about the history of the volcano, forest formation processes, and general volcanology and see plants, wildlife, magnificent rock formations and a wonderful view of Lake Arenal. Keep your eyes open for local wildlife, including capuchin monkeys, great curassows, toucans, colourful parrots, and more. After your walk, it’s time for lunch. You’ll be invited into the kitchen of a local family for a one-of-a-kind lunch experience. Here you’ll learn how to make tortillas by hand. You’ll enjoy the fruits of your labour with a tasty lunch featuring simple traditional dishes.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 6
MonteverdeAfter breakfast, depart La Fortuna and begin the journey to Monteverde via a scenic drive. Admire the dramatic views of the Arenal volcano unfolding in front of you while your leader points out interesting wildlife along the way. In the early afternoon you’ll arrive in Monteverde, which is renowned for its spectacular cloud forests and rich biodiversity, and visit a family business that is famous for two of Costa Rica’s most famous (and delicious) products – coffee and chocolate. The staff will take you through the entire process, from the seed to a delicious cup of coffee or a chocolate bar, with tastes along the way. If you’re feeling adventurous, you may like to join an optional canopy zip lining tour and zoom through the jungle.
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 7
MonteverdeAfter breakfast, explore the Cloud Forest from above as you traverse suspension bridges through the canopy. Hiking through the clouds along the network of suspension bridges provides a different and unique perspective on this ecological wonderland, and is the best way to spot some of the more than 400 species of birds found here, including the Resplendent Quetzal (one of the most reclusive birds in the world). In the afternoon, visit the Montverde Cloud Forest Reserve which is famous for its biodiversity, conservation, contributions, and scientific research. These 3,500 hectares of land hold 2.5 per cent of the world’s biodiversity and are one of Costa Rica’s most important private reserves. Explore the different ecosystems housing hundreds of mammals, birds, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, insects, and arachnids, and marvel at the mosses, vines and trees of the Cloud Forest.
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 8
Rio CelesteAfter breakfast, drive to Tenorio Volcano National Park where you’ll visit the Rio Celeste: a river fed by two different water sources. Where they collide, the water takes on a distinctive light blue colour that has to be seen to be believed. Spend the afternoon exploring the sky-blue falls and streams and keep your eyes peeled for tapirs, monkeys, anteaters and other animals hiding in the jungle canopy. You’ll spend the next two nights your Feature Stay hotel, known for its dedication to sustainability and laid-back luxury. Settle into your cosy casita (bungalow) and surround yourself with the soothing sounds of nature.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 9
Rio CelesteWith plenty of included and optional activities available today, your toughest decision will be what to do first. How about an optional guided tubing excursion at Rio Celeste? The light-blue waters of the river are generally off-limits to travellers, however you’ll have the opportunity to float along them in an inflatable tube. If you’re a thrill-seeker, there’s the option to embark on a 7-hour guided rafting tour at nearby Rio Tenorio. You’ll tackle 20 rapids with plenty of natural beauty to admire along the banks during the lulls. Those who prefer a nature tour with less adrenaline might like to take a 3-hour safari cruise along the Rio Tenorio, with a guide who will help you spot howler monkeys, crocodiles, river otters and an abundance of tropical birds. Or you could simply relax at your hotel and take advantage of the free activities included in your stay, like yoga classes, walks along the RÃo Celeste River and El Tapir Preserve trails, games room and guest lounge. Spa treatments (at an additional cost) and lounging by the pool are a couple of other tempting options.
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 10
TamarindoAfter breakfast, continue to your final destination in the Guanacaste area, Tamarindo Beach, which is renowned for its crystal-clear waters and conserving one of the area’s most beautiful and diverse marine ecosystems. On the way, you’ll visit Matambu, the only indigenous territory of the Chorotegan peoples. Their legacy in the use of clay ovens, dances, handicrafts with colour ceramics and other traditions are still around today and visiting helps with their preservation. After lunch, get to know local artisan, Ezequiel, at his pottery workshop where you will learn about the ancient art of pottery and how its traditions are passed down from generation to generation.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 11
TamarindoToday is yours to explore your way with a choice of free activities and optional excursions. Sign up for a surfing lesson or continue your search for the solemn, white faces of the capuchin monkeys who live in the trees on an optional mangrove tour. Alternatively, kick-off your shoes and feel the sands of Tamarindo Beach between your toes. It’s easy to spend a whole day enjoying this beautiful coastline where towering green trees provide solace from the sun and a refreshing cocktail made with guaro, Costa Rica’s traditional sugar cane liquor, is never far away. This evening, it’s time to get out on the water and enjoy a sunset sailing trip followed by a delicious farewell dinner as you toast the end of your Costa Rica adventure.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 12
TamarindoYour Costa Rica trip comes to an end after breakfast. If you would like to stay on Guanacaste or return to San Jose, speak to your booking agent to arrange additional accommodation ahead of time (subject to availability). Transfers to nearby Liberia Airport can also be arranged.
Meals: Breakfast
OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-935-2620
- San Jose - Welcome Dinner
- Tortuguero - Town Visit
- Tortuguero - Canal Boat Tour
- Tortuguero - Garden Walk
- Tortuguero - National Park Entrance
- La Fortuna - Arenal Volcano Hike
- La Fortuna - Tortilla Making Class
- Monteverde- Cacao & Coffee Experience
- Monteverde - Cloud Forest Reserve Hike
- Monteverde - Hanging Bridges Tour
- Rio Celeste - On Site Activities
- Matambu - Pottery Demonstration
- Tamarindo - Sunset Sailing Tour
- Guanacaste - Farewell Dinner
Meals
11 Breakfast(s) Included
5 Lunch(es) Included
6 Dinner(s) Included
Style: Premium
OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-935-2620
Comfortable hotel (9 nights), Feature Stay (2 nights)
OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-935-2620
Question: How many suitcases can I take with me on my trip?
Each person is allowed one "check-in," and one "carry-on." Remember to take all valuables with you as "carry-on", because electronic equipment, cameras, laptops, jewelry, business documents and money are not covered by the airlines' liability, so always carry them aboard with you.
Question: Is Airfare Included in the Price?
Airfare from your point of origin to and from the trip is not included in the land price.
Overall Rating
4
Accommodations
3.6
Itinerary
4.2
Professional Staff
4.4
Repeat with Operator
4.1
Value for Money
3.7
Our tour guide was wonderful. She was knowledgeable, fun, energetic, and made our week run very smoothly. The trip itself was fantastic! We saw a lot and the islands are absolutely beautiful. Great food, great new friends made on the tour, and would absolutely book with Intrepid again.
Intrepid tour is great company. Will use this company again.
The trip was both both educational and exciting. I very much enjoyed the sights and culture.
The itinerary was just as I expected! The guide was very good as were the accomodations
Intrepid did such a great job. I never had to worry about where I was supposed to be and it felt so good not to worry about a thing but just to enjoy myself. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about culture and history.
Taiwan people very friendly. Accommodation were centrally located and easily accessible. Did extra activities then in brochure which was greatly.
Larus our tour guide did an excellent job and was very attentive to our needs. He is very knowledgeable and has a great sense of humor.
Our guide Tarang chandola was exceptional. Courteous, knowledgeable, organized, polite, professional and went above and beyond taking care of our needs and requests offen anticipating what that might be. He made sure we all had the best possible time and offered suggestions to meet the needs of everyone on the tour. This made the trip even more enjoyable.
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Operator: GlobusStarts
San JoseEnds
San JoseDays
10From
$1469 -
Operator: GlobusStarts
San JoseEnds
GuanacasteDays
11From
$3069 -
Operator: GlobusStarts
San JoseEnds
San JoseDays
10From
$1559 -
Operator: GlobusStarts
San JoseEnds
Manuel AntonioDays
11From
$3179
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