Home/ South America Tours /Costa Rica Escape
hanging-bridges-monteverde-costa-rica-swiper-hero-galleryLa-Fortuna-Costa-Rica-volcano-swiper-hero-gallerycity-san-jose-costa-rica-swiper-hero-gallerySloths-costa-rica-swiper-hero-galleryHot-Springs-Costa-Rica-swiper-hero-gallerymanuel-antonio-national-park-bird-swiper-hero-gallerySan-Jose-city-costa-rica-swiper-hero-gallerycloud-forest-monteverde-costa-rica-swiper-hero-galleryla-fortuna-village-costa-rica-swiper-hero-gallery
Home/ South America Tours /Costa Rica Escape

Costa Rica Escape

Embark on a Costa Rica adventure and soak up sun, sand and scenery in this beautiful Central American destination!

9 Days | 1 Countries
San JoséSan José
Up to $2,200
From
$1,492
View Dates & Rates
Flexible bookings: 10-day money-back guarantee

Costa Rica Escape

9 Days | 1 Countries

Summary

This 9-day Costa Rica coach tour takes you to the active Arenal Volcano and through the misty Monteverde Cloud Forest! Swim in Quepos' tropical waters and discover the sweeping beauty of Manuel Antonio National Park. You'll also explore San José, Costa Rica's vibrant capital city!

Europe tour map

Tour Overview

Start Point IconStart Point

Hotel in San José

End Point IconEnd Point

Hotel in San José

Accommodation IconAccommodation

8 Nights, (3 & 4 star hotels)

8 Nights

(3 & 4 star hotels)

Meals IconMeals

8 Breakfasts | 3 Dinners

8 Breakfasts

3 Dinners

Transport IconTransport

Air-conditioned coach

Air-conditioned coach

Tour Type IconTour Type

Fully-guided tour

Fully-guided tour

Europe tour map

Itinerary

Start Point IconStart Point

Hotel in San José | Welcome meeting at 06:00 PM

End Point IconEnd Point

Hotel in San José | 10:00 AM (after breakfast)

San-José-Costa-Rica-city-aerial-view

Welcome to your Costa Rica Escape! Arrive in San José, the capital, and meet up with your tour leader and fellow travellers at the hotel this evening. After an overview of the exciting upcoming itinerary, head to a local restaurant for a delicious welcome dinner. Get to know your tour leader and group over an authentic Costa Rican meal!

mealsDinner
Experiences:
Included
Enjoy a welcome dinner in San José

Tuck into a delicious meal of patacones (fried plantain) and your choice of main course!

Included
Enjoy a welcome dinner in San José

Tuck into a delicious meal of patacones (fried plantain) and your choice of main course!

hotelHotel Balmoral (or similar)
La-Fortuna-costa-rica-Arenal-Hot-Springs

After breakfast, head to La Fortuna. This small town is the gateway to the spectacular Arenal Volcano National Park. Arrive and set off on an orientation walk. This evening is free to join the highly recommended Hot Springs optional excursion! Admire the crystalline waterfalls and relax in these hot spring waters before enjoying an included buffet dinner.

mealsBreakfast
Experiences:
Included
Visit La Fortuna

La Fortuna is renowned for its natural hot springs as well as being the gateway to the Arenal Volcano National Park.

Included
Visit La Fortuna

La Fortuna is renowned for its natural hot springs as well as being the gateway to the Arenal Volcano National Park.

Optional
Arenal Hot Springs & Dinner Experience

Relax in the rejuvenating waters of the Baldi hot springs! The mineral water reservoirs flow right from the base of the Arenal volcano.

Optional
Arenal Hot Springs & Dinner Experience

Relax in the rejuvenating waters of the Baldi hot springs! The mineral water reservoirs flow right from the base of the Arenal volcano.

hotelHotel Magic Mountain (or similar)
Costa-Rica-Arenal-Volcano

From volcano views to lush rainforests and plenty of hiking trails, La Fortuna has so much to offer on this free day. To experience the beauty of the Arenal Volcano, join today’s optional excursion for an expertly-guided hike around the volcano and national park. This evening, learn more about (and taste more) Costa Rican cuisine with an interactive cooking class!

mealsBreakfast
Experiences:
Optional
Arenal Half-day Volcano Hike

Hike along the volcano skirts and old lava flows of the Arenal Volcano National Park while learning about the history of this volcano.

Optional
Arenal Half-day Volcano Hike

Hike along the volcano skirts and old lava flows of the Arenal Volcano National Park while learning about the history of this volcano.

Optional
Costa Rican Cooking Class

Indulge in the diverse culinary traditions of Costa Rica by enjoying a traditional cooking lesson, a drink and a hearty home-cooked meal!

Optional
Costa Rican Cooking Class

Indulge in the diverse culinary traditions of Costa Rica by enjoying a traditional cooking lesson, a drink and a hearty home-cooked meal!

hotelHotel Magic Mountain (or similar)
Arenal-Volcano-in-the-background-costa-rica

This morning, begin the journey to Monteverde travelling through the magnificent Cloud Forest. Arrive and embark on an orientation walk through town. The rest of the day is free to explore or join the Coffee Farm Tour and discover how Costa Rican coffee, chocolate and sugar cane are made. Later, enjoy dinner at a vibrant restaurant surrounded by lush greenery.

mealsBreakfast, Dinner
Experiences:
Included
Drive through the Monteverde Cloud Forest

Known as the “Crown Jewel” of the world’s cloud forests, Monteverde is by far the country’s most famous and stretches over 10,000 hectares!

Included
Drive through the Monteverde Cloud Forest

Known as the “Crown Jewel” of the world’s cloud forests, Monteverde is by far the country’s most famous and stretches over 10,000 hectares!

Optional
Coffee Farm Tour

Tour one of the Cloud Forest’s top coffee farms! Learn about the history of coffee in Costa Rica and enjoy freshly-brewed coffee.

Optional
Coffee Farm Tour

Tour one of the Cloud Forest’s top coffee farms! Learn about the history of coffee in Costa Rica and enjoy freshly-brewed coffee.

hotelHotel Cipreses (or similar)
Costa-Rica-Monteverde-Hanging-Bridges

Make the most of a free day in this beautiful part of Costa Rica. Explore Monteverde’s famous cloud forest and take to new heights on the Hanging Bridges & Sloth Sanctuary excursion for an adrenaline-pumping experience featuring amazing views followed by a visit to a sloth sanctuary! Or, explore the area at your own pace. The choice is all yours!

mealsBreakfast
Experiences:
Optional
Hanging Bridges & Sloth Sanctuary

Explore the hanging bridges in the rainforest of Monteverde and visit a sloth sanctuary! Admire the incredible scenery and wildlife as you go.

Optional
Hanging Bridges & Sloth Sanctuary

Explore the hanging bridges in the rainforest of Monteverde and visit a sloth sanctuary! Admire the incredible scenery and wildlife as you go.

hotelHotel Cipreses (or similar)
Costa-Rica-Quepos-boat-view

Journey from Monteverde to coastal Quepos, a paradise for beach lovers and wildlife enthusiasts with its clear waters and rich biodiversity. After hotel check-in, enjoy free time or join the optional sunset catamaran cruise offering marine wildlife viewing, snorkeling, and stunning views of Manuel Antonio National Park. Depending on the season, you may even spot whales, dolphins, and stingrays!

mealsBreakfast
Experiences:
Included
Soak up the sun in Quepos

This tropical paradise is where the rainforest meets the Pacific Ocean resulting in unparalleled biodiversity. Look out for incredible marine and wildlife!

Included
Soak up the sun in Quepos

This tropical paradise is where the rainforest meets the Pacific Ocean resulting in unparalleled biodiversity. Look out for incredible marine and wildlife!

Optional
Quepos Sunset Catamaran

Embark on an extraordinary tour through nature aboard a catamaran and see whales (seasonal), dolphins and stingrays as you cruise.

Optional
Quepos Sunset Catamaran

Embark on an extraordinary tour through nature aboard a catamaran and see whales (seasonal), dolphins and stingrays as you cruise.

hotelHotel Mono Azul (or similar)
Costa-Rica-Manuel-Antonio-National-Park

This morning, set off on an adventure through the impressive Manuel Antonio National Park. Experience a vast diversity of landscapes from white-sand beaches to forests and mountains! Within this park, around 184 species of birds and 109 species of mammals reside including sloths, monkeys, and toucans. Take the opportunity to swim in the crystal clear waters of the beautiful beaches!

mealsBreakfast
Experiences:
Included
Explore Manuel Antonio National Park

Keep an eye out for toucans, monkeys, sloths and iguanas! Take a dip in the crystal-clear waters of one of the park’s picturesque beaches.

Included
Explore Manuel Antonio National Park

Keep an eye out for toucans, monkeys, sloths and iguanas! Take a dip in the crystal-clear waters of one of the park’s picturesque beaches.

hotelHotel Mono Azul (or similar)
San-José-Costa-Rica-city-sunset

Departing Quepos this morning, the tour travels back to San José! This afternoon, get to know Costa Rica’s vibrant capital on a driving tour. Admire San José’s unique Spanish colonial architecture and see top sights including Casa Amarillo, the National Theatre and the main town square. This evening, sit down for one last farewell dinner with the group.

mealsBreakfast, Dinner
Experiences:
Included
Discover San José on a driving tour

As Costa Rica’s capital and largest city, San José is full of historic buildings, attractive architecture and natural scenery in its parks and surrounding landscapes.

Included
Discover San José on a driving tour

As Costa Rica’s capital and largest city, San José is full of historic buildings, attractive architecture and natural scenery in its parks and surrounding landscapes.

Included
Sit down for a farewell dinner in San José

Sit down for one last dinner with the group as you bid farewell to Costa Rica.

Included
Sit down for a farewell dinner in San José

Sit down for one last dinner with the group as you bid farewell to Costa Rica.

hotelHotel Balmoral (or similar)
San-José-Costa-Rica-city

Enjoy the last breakfast with the tour group this morning, after which this jam-packed Costa Rica coach tour comes to an end. Don’t forget to swap contact details with your newfound travel friends before travelling onwards to your next destination. Expat Explore wishes you a safe journey and hopes to see you soon!

mealsBreakfast

Tour Highlights

Included Experience
Drive through the Monteverde Cloud Forest
Drive through the Monteverde Cloud Forest

Known as the “Crown Jewel” of the world’s cloud forests, Monteverde is by far the country’s most famous and stretches over 10,000 hectares!

Optional Experience
Arenal Half-day Volcano Hike
Arenal Half-day Volcano Hike

Hike along the volcano skirts and old lava flows of the Arenal Volcano National Park while learning about the history of this volcano.

Included Experience
Explore Manuel Antonio National Park
Explore Manuel Antonio National Park

Keep an eye out for toucans, monkeys, sloths and iguanas! Take a dip in the crystal-clear waters of one of the park’s picturesque beaches.

Optional Experience
Costa Rican Cooking Class
Costa Rican Cooking Class

Indulge in the diverse culinary traditions of Costa Rica by enjoying a traditional cooking lesson, a drink and a hearty home-cooked meal!

Optional Experience
Hanging Bridges & Sloth Sanctuary
Hanging Bridges & Sloth Sanctuary

Explore the hanging bridges in the rainforest of Monteverde and visit a sloth sanctuary! Admire the incredible scenery and wildlife as you go.

Highlights

You'll Love

7 Included Experiences!

  • Enjoy a welcome dinner in San José
  • Visit La Fortuna
  • Drive through the Monteverde Cloud Forest
  • Soak up the sun in Quepos
  • Explore Manuel Antonio National Park
  • Discover San José on a driving tour
  • Sit down for a farewell dinner in San José

Optional Experiences

Enhance your tour with these carefully selected optional experiences. Each one is designed to add depth and excitement to your journey, allowing you to customize your adventure according to your interests.

Book On Tour
Arenal Hot Springs & Dinner ExperienceUS$100

Relax in the rejuvenating waters of the Baldi hot springs! The mineral water reservoirs flow right from the base of the Arenal volcano.

Book On Tour
Arenal Half-day Volcano HikeUS$110

Hike along the volcano skirts and old lava flows of the Arenal Volcano National Park while learning about the history of this volcano.

Book On Tour
Costa Rican Cooking ClassUS$100

Indulge in the diverse culinary traditions of Costa Rica by enjoying a traditional cooking lesson, a drink and a hearty home-cooked meal!

Book On Tour
Coffee Farm TourUS$90

Tour one of the Cloud Forest’s top coffee farms! Learn about the history of coffee in Costa Rica and enjoy freshly-brewed coffee.

Book On Tour
Hanging Bridges & Sloth SanctuaryUS$180

Explore the hanging bridges in the rainforest of Monteverde and visit a sloth sanctuary! Admire the incredible scenery and wildlife as you go.

Book On Tour
Quepos Sunset CatamaranUS$150

Embark on an extraordinary tour through nature aboard a catamaran and see whales (seasonal), dolphins and stingrays as you cruise.

Dates & Rates

You are viewing the unfiltered Dates and Rates

If you are planning to travel a different year, please select here to view the relevant itinerary:

Exclude Sold Out Dates
Show Special Offers
Price Breakdown
Standard Tour Cost US$1,492
Total Price US$1,492

Price is based on a sharing twin room. Single room (optional).

Contact Us

Full payment is required on tours starting within the next 60 days

Price Breakdown
Standard Tour Cost US$1,995
Total Price US$1,995

Price is based on a sharing twin room. Single room (optional).

Contact Us

Full payment is required on tours starting within the next 60 days

Price Breakdown
Standard Tour Cost US$1,815
Total Price US$1,815

Price is based on a sharing twin room. Single room (optional).

Contact Us

Full payment is required on tours starting within the next 60 days

Accommodation

We partner with a range of hand-picked hotels in each destination. The hotels listed below are those we stay at most frequently. However, you may stay at different hotels of a similar standard. 

A confirmed list of hotels is emailed to all travellers prior to their tour departure. To extend your stay in Rio de Janeiro, click here to book pre and post-tour accommodation through our partner Booking.com.

hotel-balmoral-hotel-roomhotel-balmoral-bathroom
Accommodation Icon Hotel Balmoral
hotel-magic-mountain-hotel-roomhotel-magic-mountain-pool-area
Accommodation Icon Hotel Magic Mountain
hotel-cipreses-hotel-roomhotel-cipreses-hotel-building
Accommodation Icon Hotel Cipreses
hotel-mono-azul-quepos-hotel-roomhotel-mono-azul-quepos-hotel-pool
Accommodation Icon Hotel Mono Azul

Reviews

Overall RatingRatings Star/50 Reviews

Similar Tours

Explore more with our diverse selection of tours, featuring similar adventures with unique destinations and unforgettable experiences.

Map View

Additional Information

For pre-departure and visa information, as well as frequently asked questions regarding preparing for and travelling on this tour, please visit our Help Centre.

Help Center

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting destination for the first day of your tour. Make sure you keep departure times and possible delays in mind when booking flights. Please click here to visit Skyscanner - a useful tool for comparing prices from the vast majority of airlines.

When you book for more than one person, we will by default group you together in the same room(s), unless you request single supplements or specifically request us not to. 

If there are unequal numbers (3, 5, 7 etc.) then the remaining traveller will be roomed with another passenger of the same gender. Please note that minors under the age of 18 cannot share with another traveller outside of your group's booking.

If you are making separate bookings and would like to share the same room(s), please send us an email with the booking references for each of the travellers and the details of your preferred rooming allocation.

Yes, and you are responsible for arranging your own insurance. Passengers and their personal property travel with Expat Explore solely at their own risk. A suitable insurance policy should provide adequate cover for medical expenses arising through illness or accident prior to or during the holiday, and loss of holiday monies through cancellation or curtailment of the holiday or other insurable reasons. Clients should ensure that there are no exclusion clauses limiting protection for the type of activities in their tour. 

For a relatively small price, travel insurance provides you with the peace of mind so that you can enjoy your tour without any worries. To receive a quote from our preferred travel insurance partner please visit World Nomads*.

For more information on what to look for in a travel insurance policy, click here.

While Expat Explore cannot assist with booking pre or post-tour accommodation, we have partnered with Booking.com for affordable accommodation options prior to and after the tour. 

If you would like to receive the hotel list in advance so that you can book accommodation at or nearby the start hotel, please request this by sending an email to info@expatexplore.com with your booking reference.

Expat Explore can provide travellers requiring visas with visa support documents on a request basis. Please note that you are required to pay for your tour in full in order to receive the documents. This is an embassy/consulate requirement by law. Once you have received confirmation that your booking has been paid in full, you can request your visa support documents by emailing info@expatexplore.com - please allow up to 10 working days to receive these documents.

All travellers are required to carry their own bags. Our walking tours can last up to 3 hours and certain places involve walking up and down stairs. We want you to enjoy your tour, so read through the itinerary thoroughly and make your own conclusions as to whether you feel that you are fit and healthy enough.

Our tours are not suitable for young children, so we set a minimum age limit of 10 years old. However, at the discretion of Expat Explore we may consider younger children on certain tours if they meet certain criteria and a request is received in writing via email for consideration. Expat Explore reserves the absolute right to accept or decline a booking at our discretion.

Your deposit secures your spot on tour and locks in the price you pay. Although the deposit you pay at the time of booking is non-refundable, you're protected by our 10-Day Money-Back Guarantee – a full refund if you cancel within 10 days of making your booking.

For more information, please refer to the 10-Day Money-Back Guarantee in our Terms & Conditions.

Before the tour starts, you will receive an email from us requesting your dietary requirements. There is always a vegetarian option available. We try as much as we can to offer you the traditional local cuisine.

No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting point for the first day of your tour. We have partnered with Welcome Pickups to secure a hassle-free service. You will be met at the arrivals gate by your driver. Your driver will track your flight, so they'll wait for you even if it's delayed. Please click here to book an airport transfer.

This is up to you and will vary depending on how much you wish to spend on snacks, drinks, souvenirs etc. We do not include entrance fees to attractions and museums. We do, however, provide you with free time to see everything you want, and our tour leaders will have all the information on pricing and locations so you can manage your own budget. Please refer to your tours specific pre-departure information and optional excursions guide for further details.