Adventuring in Nature's Playground
Costa Rica Private Journey
Overview
A tropical realm of cloud forest, mangroves, volcanoes, and pristine beaches, Costa Rica has wisely protected its natural bounty in parks and reserves that are now world-famous. With your private expert naturalist guide, head out for walks in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, follow hanging bridges high in the forest below Arenal Volcano, and glide through Tortuguero's waterways that shelter fascinating wildlife, from three species of monkeys to three-toed sloths. Fun optional add-ons include an optional zip line in Monteverde, hike and swim at La Fortuna waterfall in Arenal, and watching nesting turtles at night at Tortuguero. Charming hotels and lodges give you a warm welcome in this natural wonderland.
Arrive: San Jose, Costa Rica
Depart: San Jose, Costa Rica
Highlights
- Hike trails in the famous Monteverde Cloud Forest
- Walk "hanging bridges" through rainforest, ride a zip line across the canopy
- Explore Tortuguero, a Caribbean coastal rainforest alive with the calls of birds and monkeys
- Optional add-ons include horseback riding, kayaking, or a turtle nesting night tour
Itinerary
From San José, head to Monteverde, set at a cool 4,700 feet. This pioneering private nature reserve was established almost four decades ago and is a haven for unique wildlife. Among its wonderful avians is the resplendent quetzal, sacred bird of the Maya and Aztecs. In the reserve's Jardin de Mariposas, you'll discover more than 40 species of butterflies. At nearby El Refugio Reserve, take a guided night walk to look for nocturnal wildlife, from armadillos to two-toed sloths.
The perfect cone of Volcano Arenal (5,300') is one of the most iconic volcanoes in the Americas. You'll cross hanging bridges in the park that surrounds it, explore the rainforest canopy, hike to the base of the impressive La Fortuna waterfall, and enjoy relaxing at your boutique resort hotel. Optional activities include and Arenal Volcano hike and La Fortuna Waterfall hike and swim.
Tortuguero National Park protects more than 50,000 acres along Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. As you explore be boat in this emerald realm, you'll keep an eye out for caimans, manatees, monkeys, three-toed sloths, river otters, and dazzling birdlife including all six species of kingfishers found in the New World. You'll also enjoy a chocolate tour and your riverside lodge offers fantastic access to this wildlife haven. Depart on Day 8 via San José or join one of our extensions.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 2, Easy to Moderate, according to our trip grading system. 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.
The temperature in Costa Rica does not change drastically with the seasons. Lowland areas are warmer, while in the mountains, it is cooler, especially at night. If you are sensitive to the cold, bring a warm layer for cold early mornings and evenings, especially in the winter months, when it can be quite chilly. On the Pacific Coast and in the highlands, the rainy season begins in late May and ends by November. Mornings are usually bright and sunny, with typical afternoon rains that come as short downpours. December through April is the dry season, but Costa Rica is tropical so you can expect some rain at any time of the year.
Client Testimonials
"I couldn't be more pleased with this trip. It was truly well designed, and the guides were amazing. Transformational, inspiring, and life-changing. I will use Wilderness Travel again, and I will be going back to Costa Rica!"
Ann J.
Tracy, AS
"Both driver and guide were fantastic. We had a great time and felt like we were catered to at every turn. We saw what we wanted to see and had a great time doing it."
Carol L.
Bastrop, TX
"Everything was absolutely perfect. Your staff could not possibly have been better."
Daniel S.
Temple Terrace, FL
"My wife and I took our son to Costa Rica over 20 years ago and wanted to return with our family of six on another visit. This latest trip was excellent in all respects and covered the needs and interests for ages 10 to 80. The wildlife guiding through three distinct ecosystems provided just the kind of experience we wanted for all. The diversity of opportunities was a welcome complement, including zip lining, boating, swinging bridges, night walks, swimming, waterfall, and visiting unique places (such as a chocolate factory, family farm for lunch, walks through towns and stores and the like)."
Jay C.
Madison, WI
"This is my third trip through Wilderness Travel. The high quality of service, care, friendliness, trip guides, places to stay, etc. has been consistent on all the trips and each trip has surpassed my expectations!"
Jennifer R.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
"An excellent trip that was interesting and extremely well organized. All the guides were excellent and enthusiastic about presenting their home country to us."
Lana P.
Lake Louise, Alberta
"We have been home two days and our hearts are aching to return to Costa Rica! Loved being able to see such different environments. Hotels were luxurious and the food amazing. It's a good thing we walked a lot or else we would have gained weight with such yummy food! We were pretty sure we'd love Costa Rica, but we loved it even MORE than we had anticipated thanks to your company and the partnerships you have in country."
Sue B.
Seattle, WA
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Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.