Manuel Antionio National Park, Costa Rica

Our Costa Rica Private Journey includes the wild beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park, waterways of Tortuguero National Park, and the volcanic highlands of Manuel Antonio National Park.

Photo by Ron Niebrugge / Mira

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Costa Rica Private Journey route-map
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Trip Details at-a-Glance

Cost From: $3195   see pricing
Length: 8 days
Arrive: San Jose, Costa Rica
Depart: San Jose, Costa Rica
Lodging: 7 nights in comfortable hotels and lodges describe
Meals: All meals included except 3 lunches, 4 dinners
Activity: Wildlife & Natural History
Trip Level: Nature hikes, options including sunset boat cruise with dolphin watching
2 explain

Highlights

  • Explore Tortuguero, a Caribbean coastal rainforest alive with the calls of birds and monkeys
  • Walk “hanging bridges” through rainforest, ride a zip line across the canopy
  • Hike nature trails of Manuel Antonio National Park
  • Optional sea kayaking or a sunset boat cruise on the Pacific


Everything was absolutely perfect. Your staff could not possibly have been better.Daniel S.— Temple Terrace, FL

Choosing the Right Trip

We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please contact us.
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References

We are proud to have an exceptionally high rate of repeat travelers. For more information, we would be happy to put you in touch with a client who has traveled with us.

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Departure Notes

Once you have signed up on the trip, we send a complete packing list, relevant health information, and required travel documents.

Resources

Costa Rica is a paradise for nature lovers—and ideal for adventurers! Enjoy boating through the canals of a wildlife-rich rainforest, view the pyrotechnics of an active volcano, stroll long, palm-fringed beaches, ride a zipline through the rainforest canopy, and enjoy water sports in the shimmering waters of the Pacific.

Itinerary at a Glance

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

Days 1-2
Arenal, Mountain of Fire

In Arenal Volcano National Park, follow an elaborate network of spectacular hanging bridges that give access to the canopy of the park’s primary rainforest, where more than 350 species of birds and a colorful array of butterflies reside. After an active day, enjoy an optional soak in a hot spring and watch the glow of Arenal from your private balcony at your cozy lodge.

Days 3-4
Tortuguero, the Emerald Forest

Set along natural inland waterways of the Caribbean, Tortuguero National Park protects one of the last large areas of tropical rainforest in Central America. In this deep green world accessible only by boat, a maze of tranquil waterways overhung with rainforest provides a rich habitat for caimans, crocodiles, manatees, monkeys, three-toed sloths, river otters, and a dazzling array of birdlife. Explore this wondrous ecosystem by small boat or sea kayak (optional); Tortuguero is also a world-famous nesting spot for green sea turtles (July-October) as well as leatherbacks (March-May).

Days 5-8
Manuel Antonio National Park, Jewel of the Pacific Coast

Try your hand at Costa Rica’s popular adventure sport—the zipline—for a bird’s-eye view of the rainforest canopy! At Manuel Antonio, set beside the Pacific coast, walk through vine-draped forests where monkeys leap from tree to tree, sloths gaze down from the canopy, and iguanas sun themselves on logs. Optional activities include ocean kayaking, surfing, and a sunset sail featuring whale and dolphin watching. Depart on Day 8.

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

Optional Extensions

If you would like to continue your adventure, we offer the following extensions:

What the Trip is Like

This trip is rated Level 2, Easy to Moderate. Although the overall pace of this trip is relaxed and you are free to choose the activities you like, this is an active vacation. The shape you're in will be an important factor in your enjoyment.

Explanation of Trip Levels

 

When to go

January to December

For our Private Journey trips, you choose your own group and your preferred dates—there are no set departure dates. Private Journeys are available to groups as few as two people or as large as you like. Contact us for availability, questions, or to book your adventure!

Tour Costs

$3195 per person double occupancy
Single Supplement: $795
Internal Airfare: from $399 (subject to change)
Peak Season Surcharge: $125 (Dec 15-Jan 4, Feb 13-20, Mar 26-Apr 4)
Optional Upgrade in Manuel Antonio (Arenas del Mar): $290 per person, double occupancy

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Extension from: $690
Pacuare River Rafting Extension from: $149

Prices valid through 2010
Includes all land transportation and local private guides throughout


more on pricing

Tour Cost Includes:

  • Local guides throughout
  • One night at Hotel Grano de Oro (Deluxe Room), one night at The Lost Iguana Resort (Luxury Suite), two nights at Tortuga Lodge (Standard Double Room), three nights at Hotel El Parador (Premium Room), based on double occupancy
  • Meals as noted in the Full Trip Brochure
  • Land transportation and airport transfers as noted in the Full Trip Brochure

Tour Cost Does Not Include:

International airfare, meals not specified in the Full Trip Brochure, airport departure taxes, internal airfare, optional tipping or gratuities to staff, additional hotel nights made necessary by airline schedule changes or other factors, pre-trip expenses such as medical immunizations (if any), travel insurance, or passports and visas; and other expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, and so on).

Trip Payment Schedule

At time of reservation: $500
120 days prior to departure: 20% of tour cost
60 days prior to departure: Balance

Cancellation Fee Schedule*

Minimum fee: $250
46-90 days prior to departure: 25% of tour cost
45 days or less: 100% of tour cost

*Please note that this differs from our regular catalog departures.

Grano de Oro

Day 1 (1 night), San Jose, Costa Rica

A great place to stay for your first or last night in Costa Rica! This historic and elegant 35-room hotel was created from a former Victorian ...
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Lost Iguana Resort & Spa

Day 2 (1 night), Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

This wonderful resort is like an oasis in the middle of nowhere. While the rooms are not luxurious, they are very comfortable and private, and ...
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Tortuga Lodge

Days 3 to 4 (2 nights), Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica

Surrounded by acres of landscaped gardens and dense forest, Tortuga Lodge offers 24 spacious and comfortable rooms with private bathrooms and ...
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Hotel El Parador

Days 5 to 7 (3 nights), Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica

Set atop a majestic bluff overlooking the Pacific and surrounded by 400 acres of tropical rainforest, the Hotel El Parador is a bit larger than what ...
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Arenas del Mar Beach and Nature Resort (Optional Upgrade)

Days 5 to 7 (3 nights), Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica

This 11-acre luxurious beachfront resort has a spectacular setting adjacent to Manuel Antonio National Park. Beautifully furnished Ocean Breeze ...
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Extension Accommodations

If you would like to view the accommodations offered with our extensions options:

Note: Listed above are our signature accommodations for this trip. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.