Embark on a Costa Rica adventure and soak up sun, sand and scenery in this beautiful Central American destination!
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!
Hotel in San José
Hotel in San José
8 Nights, (3 & 4 star hotels)
8 Nights
(3 & 4 star hotels)
8 Breakfasts | 3 Dinners
8 Breakfasts
3 Dinners
Air-conditioned coach
Air-conditioned coach
Fully-guided tour
Fully-guided tour
Hotel in San José | Welcome meeting at 06:00 PM
Hotel in San José | 10:00 AM (after breakfast)
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!
Tuck into a delicious meal of patacones (fried plantain) and your choice of main course!
Tuck into a delicious meal of patacones (fried plantain) and your choice of main course!
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.
La Fortuna is renowned for its natural hot springs as well as being the gateway to the Arenal Volcano National Park.
La Fortuna is renowned for its natural hot springs as well as being the gateway to the Arenal Volcano National Park.
Relax in the rejuvenating waters of the Baldi hot springs! The mineral water reservoirs flow right from the base of the Arenal volcano.
Relax in the rejuvenating waters of the Baldi hot springs! The mineral water reservoirs flow right from the base of the 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!
Hike along the volcano skirts and old lava flows of the Arenal Volcano National Park while learning about the history of this volcano.
Hike along the volcano skirts and old lava flows of the Arenal Volcano National Park while learning about the history of this volcano.
Indulge in the diverse culinary traditions of Costa Rica by enjoying a traditional cooking lesson, a drink and a hearty home-cooked meal!
Indulge in the diverse culinary traditions of Costa Rica by enjoying a traditional cooking lesson, a drink and a hearty home-cooked meal!
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.
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!
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!
Tour one of the Cloud Forest’s top coffee farms! Learn about the history of coffee in Costa Rica and enjoy freshly-brewed coffee.
Tour one of the Cloud Forest’s top coffee farms! Learn about the history of coffee in Costa Rica and enjoy freshly-brewed coffee.
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!
Explore the hanging bridges in the rainforest of Monteverde and visit a sloth sanctuary! Admire the incredible scenery and wildlife as you go.
Explore the hanging bridges in the rainforest of Monteverde and visit a sloth sanctuary! Admire the incredible scenery and wildlife as you go.
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!
This tropical paradise is where the rainforest meets the Pacific Ocean resulting in unparalleled biodiversity. Look out for incredible marine and wildlife!
This tropical paradise is where the rainforest meets the Pacific Ocean resulting in unparalleled biodiversity. Look out for incredible marine and wildlife!
Embark on an extraordinary tour through nature aboard a catamaran and see whales (seasonal), dolphins and stingrays as you cruise.
Embark on an extraordinary tour through nature aboard a catamaran and see whales (seasonal), dolphins and stingrays as you cruise.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sit down for one last dinner with the group as you bid farewell to Costa Rica.
Sit down for one last dinner with the group as you bid farewell to Costa Rica.
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!
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!
Hike along the volcano skirts and old lava flows of the Arenal Volcano National Park while learning about the history of this volcano.
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.
Indulge in the diverse culinary traditions of Costa Rica by enjoying a traditional cooking lesson, a drink and a hearty home-cooked meal!
Explore the hanging bridges in the rainforest of Monteverde and visit a sloth sanctuary! Admire the incredible scenery and wildlife as you go.
You'll Love
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.
Relax in the rejuvenating waters of the Baldi hot springs! The mineral water reservoirs flow right from the base of the Arenal volcano.
Hike along the volcano skirts and old lava flows of the Arenal Volcano National Park while learning about the history of this volcano.
Indulge in the diverse culinary traditions of Costa Rica by enjoying a traditional cooking lesson, a drink and a hearty home-cooked meal!
Tour one of the Cloud Forest’s top coffee farms! Learn about the history of coffee in Costa Rica and enjoy freshly-brewed coffee.
Explore the hanging bridges in the rainforest of Monteverde and visit a sloth sanctuary! Admire the incredible scenery and wildlife as you go.
Embark on an extraordinary tour through nature aboard a catamaran and see whales (seasonal), dolphins and stingrays as you cruise.
If you are planning to travel a different year, please select here to view the relevant itinerary:
Price is based on a sharing twin room. Single room (optional).
Price is based on a sharing twin room. Single room (optional).
Price is based on a sharing twin room. Single room (optional).
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.
Explore more with our diverse selection of tours, featuring similar adventures with unique destinations and unforgettable experiences.
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.
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.