Costa Rica: A Luxury Journey - 13 Days

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Starting from£5,750ppfor 13 days, including flights

Price includes:

International and domestic flights
All accommodation
Transfers throughout
Activities and excursion as detailed
24/7 support while travelling

Pura Vida awaits. This privately guided escape carries you across the very best of Costa Rica, from the cosmopolitan buzz of San José to the remote, Amazon-like canals of Tortuguero, the Afro-Caribbean rhythm of the south coast, the majestic cone of Arenal Volcano, the misty enchantment of the Monteverde cloud forest, and finally the golden calm of the Guanacaste Pacific.

Designed for couples who want nature without compromise, every leg is connected by private transfers and led by expert naturalist guides, so all you need to do is take it in. You'll glide through the wildlife-rich waterways of Tortuguero National Park, home to over 800 species; walk the beaches and jungle trails of Cahuita in search of sloths, monkeys and morpho butterflies; cross the hanging bridges of Arenal beneath a near-perfect volcano; and explore a cloud forest alive with orchids, hummingbirds and the legendary quetzal. Between adventures, there's time simply to relax: a beach day on the Pacific, a cocktail by the lagoon, or a treatment at the spa. Each night is spent in a carefully chosen boutique or luxury hotel, from the gourmet elegance of Grano de Oro in San José and the jungle-set Manatus in Tortuguero, to the five-star Amor Arenal, the cloud-forest suites of Koora, and the ocean-front Bosque del Mar on Playa Hermosa. Expect plush rooms, standout cuisine, pools, spas and warm Costa Rican hospitality throughout.

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Petra

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Itinerary

Includes international flights from a choice of UK airports, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Flights

Your journey begins with a comfortable flight

Depart09:30London

1 stop

Arrive17:35Juan Santamaria International

Depart19:25London Heathrow

1 stop

Arrive16:40+1London

We partner with leading airlines

Outbound and return flights are arranged as part of your trip. We'll select the most suitable routes and airlines based on availability and your preferences.

Customise your itinerary

This itinerary can be fully customised to your preferences.
Our specialists will work with you to create your perfect experience.

Customise itinerary

Frequently asked questions

It's a 12-night journey staying across six carefully chosen hotels, beginning and ending in San José. You'll travel a natural arc from the Caribbean rainforest of Tortuguero, down the southern Caribbean coast, up to Arenal Volcano, into the Monteverde cloud forest, and finally to the Pacific beaches of Guanacaste before returning to San José for your departure.
It's fully private. You travel as a couple with private transfers throughout and private naturalist-guided activities, backed by 24/7 logistics support across the whole journey.
Your accommodation across all six hotels, all private transfers (including the boat transfers to and from Tortuguero), the guided activities listed on each day, and the meals shown in the itinerary — 20 in total (12 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners).
Breakfast is included almost every day. In Tortuguero you're on full board (all meals). Several lunches and dinners are included elsewhere as set out day-by-day in the itinerary; the rest are at your leisure so you can explore local restaurants.
Yes — this is a private journey, so we can tailor elements to your preferences. The free day on the Guanacaste coast can also be filled with an optional tour arranged through your travel advisor.
Yes. A flight price is included within the package price but we can book different flights or you can book flights yourself.
A private driver meets you in the arrivals area with a sign showing your name and takes you to your San José hotel — typically a 25–45 minute drive depending on traffic. The same private transfer service takes you back to the airport on departure day.
Please wait a moment and call the emergency number provided in your travel documents. For your safety, never go with another driver who approaches you — your designated driver will be holding a sign with your name.

Holiday highlights:

Tortuguero's Amazon-like canals — Cruise by small boat deep into Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica's remote Caribbean rainforest, home to more than 800 species of wildlife and one of the Western Hemisphere's most important green turtle nesting beaches.
Two Caribbean coasts and a Blue Flag Pacific beach — Walk the 7 km trail through Cahuita National Park in search of sloths and monkeys, soak up the Afro-Caribbean culture of Puerto Viejo, and unwind on the Blue Flag, gray-sand shores of Playa Hermosa in Guanacaste.
Arenal Volcano in five-star comfort — Stay at the 5-star Amor Arenal Hotel beneath Costa Rica's iconic, near-perfectly symmetrical volcano, and cross the stunning hanging bridges on a private naturalist-guided walk.
The magic of Monteverde Cloud Forest — Take a private guided walk through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, a misty nature lover's paradise with over 500 orchid species, 400 bird species and the chance to spot the legendary quetzal.
Fully private and effortlessly guided — Travel between six carefully chosen boutique and luxury hotels with private transfers throughout and expert naturalist guides, backed by 24/7 professional logistics support across the whole journey.

Welcome to Costa Rica — a land full of nature, culture and Pura Vida. On arrival at Juan Santamaría International Airport, your professional driver will be waiting with a sign displaying your name, ready to assist with your luggage and take you comfortably to your hotel in San José. The private drive typically takes between 25 and 45 minutes depending on traffic. (If you don't see your driver upon exiting the airport, please wait a moment and call the agency's emergency number, and do not go with another driver — your safety is the top priority.)

San José is Costa Rica's capital and the largest city in the country, considered among the most cosmopolitan in Latin America. Downtown is the busiest part of town: a maze of streets and avenues home to most of the city's museums, hotels and plazas. In the centre you'll find attractions such as the National Theater, the National Museum and the Jade Museum, along with parks like Plaza de La Cultura and Parque Morazán. The city offers a wide variety of dining, from the famous Barrio Escalante gastronomic district to the tasty, typical food of the central market.

Accommodation: Grano de Oro Hotel (or similar) — San José — 4 stars — Deluxe Room (1 King Bed) — 1 night

Meals included: None

Activities included: Private transfer in from SJO Airport to hotel (transport only)

Optional activities: None specified
The best natural expedition awaits. Your expert guide meets you early at the hotel and you travel northeast towards the Caribbean lowlands, stopping for breakfast at a local restaurant in Guapiles town. From there you continue to La Pavona dock and board the special boat that carries you to your lodge, immersed in the jungle.

Tortuguero lies in the north Caribbean of Costa Rica — one of the most remote places in the country, accessible only by boat or plane. This little village with strong Afro-Caribbean roots is best known for attracting sea turtles such as Leatherback, Loggerhead and Hawksbill, with peak turtle season in July and August. The Canals of Tortuguero are known as Costa Rica's Amazon-like rainforest, home to more than 800 species of wildlife, especially many types of birds.

This afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of the Village of Tortuguero, walking around the town to learn about the relaxed Caribbean way of life, how the village developed and how attitudes towards turtle conservation changed over time.

Accommodation: Manatus Hotel (or similar) — Tortuguero National Park — 4 stars — Deluxe Room — Full board — Night 1 of 2

Meals included: Breakfast (en route at Guapiles), Lunch, Dinner

Activities included: Roundtrip transfer San José–Hotel (shuttle and boat); guided tour of the Village of Tortuguero

Optional activities: None
Accommodation: Manatus Hotel or similar
After breakfast, set out on a boat tour of Tortuguero National Park with a local expert nature guide. The small boats go deep into the canals of the national park, further beyond where other boats can go — and because of this, you'll have the opportunity to find rarer species of wildlife.

Tortuguero National Park was declared on 24 September 1970. It is internationally recognised for protecting the most important green turtle nesting beach in the Western Hemisphere. Made up of an extensive network of rivers and canals accessible only by small boats, it is a paradise for research and ecotourism, where humid and very humid tropical forest predominate. Annual average precipitation reaches around 6,000 mm, and the annual average temperature ranges between 25°C and 30°C.

This afternoon, your guide takes you on a light guided walk through the hotel's private trails to discover Tortuguero's rich biodiversity — relaxed and slow-paced along a flat trail. The rest of the day is at your leisure: relax at the swimming pool, enjoy a cocktail while admiring the river lagoon, or spend the afternoon on the beach.

Note: The entrance fee to Tortuguero National Park is not included. It is $17 USD per person.

Accommodation: Manatus Hotel (or similar) — Tortuguero National Park — 4 stars — Deluxe Room — Full board — Night 2 of 2

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Activities included: Boat tour of Tortuguero National Park (with local nature guide); light guided walk on the hotel's private trails

Optional activities: None
Accommodation: Manatus Hotel or similar
After breakfast, your guide meets you at the hotel's main dock for the boat journey back to Pavona's dock. From there you continue by land to Guapiles town, where you'll enjoy another delicious Caribbean lunch. After the meal, a representative collects you for the private transfer onward to Puerto Viejo (travel time approximately 2 hours).

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca sits on the south Caribbean — a perfect destination for beach lovers and travellers who want to discover local culture and traditions. Once a small fishing village, it has become a popular destination with a wide variety of restaurants and bars and a vivid nightlife, a relaxed atmosphere and a unique blend of Latino, Afro-Caribbean and Bribri indigenous cultures. Popular activities include snorkelling, hikes, cooking classes, surfing, or simply relaxing on the white-sand beach. Nearby are Cahuita National Park and the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, both ideal for admiring wildlife and beautiful beaches.

Accommodation: Le Caméléon Boutique Hotel (or similar) — Puerto Viejo — 4 stars — Junior Suite with Pool — Night 1 of 2

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch (Caribbean lunch at Guapiles)

Activities included: Boat and land return transfer from Tortuguero to Guapiles; private transportation from Guapiles to Puerto Viejo

Optional activities: None specified
Today's tour is a 7 km walk along the trail of Cahuita National Park. The activity starts from the Cahuita Tours office in the community of Cahuita, entering the national park through the Playa Blanca sector and following the trail to Punta Cahuita.

Along the way you'll cross beautiful beaches where you can swim in the calm waters of the Caribbean Sea. In Cahuita you may observe various types of snakes (boas, bocaracas, terciopelos, oropeles, micas, raneras and others), sloths, white-faced monkeys, howler monkeys, anteaters, armadillos, raccoons, blue morpho butterflies, birds, and much more — alongside medicinal plants, orchids, trees, ferns and bromeliads.

Accommodation: Le Caméléon Boutique Hotel (or similar) — Puerto Viejo — 4 stars — Junior Suite with Pool — Night 2 of 2

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Activities included: Walking tour at Cahuita National Park (lunch, entrance fee and transfer included)

Optional activities: None
After breakfast, enjoy a private transfer from Puerto Viejo to Arenal (travel time approximately 4 hours and 40 minutes).

La Fortuna is home to the greater Arenal recreation area — paradise on Earth for outdoor adventurers. Volcanic views grace the landscape and heat several geothermal hot springs, while a lake and rivers beckon you toward aquatic adventure and refreshing waterfalls reward you after hikes. Arenal Volcano is one of Costa Rica's most notable natural features. Standing at 1,657 metres (5,437 feet), the volcano has been resting (not active) since 2010, rising above the surrounding rainforest and framing the skyline with near-perfect symmetry.

Accommodation: Amor Arenal Hotel (or similar) — Arenal Volcano — 5 stars — Bungalow Canyon Casitas — Night 1 of 2

Meals included: Breakfast

Activities included: Private transportation from Puerto Viejo to Arenal

Optional activities: None specified
Today, enjoy a unique experience walking across the stunning hanging bridges on the private Místico Natural History Guided Walk, led by a naturalist expert in the park's fascinating wildlife. With deep knowledge of the rainforest's diverse species and vegetation, your guide will reveal small animals that would otherwise go unnoticed — making the journey both educational and unforgettable as you explore with trained eyes.

Accommodation: Amor Arenal Hotel (or similar) — Arenal Volcano — 5 stars — Bungalow Canyon Casitas — Night 2 of 2

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Activities included: Místico Natural History Guided Walk — private (private transfer included)

Optional activities: None specified
After breakfast, a private transfer takes you from Arenal to Monteverde (approximate travel time 3 hours, depending on traffic conditions).

Monteverde is home to cool, misty cloud forests and deep green foliage almost everywhere you look — there's no mistaking that you've stepped away from everyday life. From zip-lining across a canopy to tours of coffee plantations, there are plenty of activities to keep you moving in the fresh air. Monteverde translates as "green mountain", and on reaching the mountaintop you first come upon the quaint town of Santa Elena, with gift stores, accommodations, restaurants, cafés, a supermarket and banks. Monteverde proper has no town centre as such, but rather a dirt road leading to the Cloud Forest Reserve, lined with hotels, cafés, restaurants, galleries and excellent views.

Accommodation: Koora Monteverde Boutique Hotel & Spa (or similar) — Monteverde Cloud Forest — 4 stars — Forest Signature Suite with Plunge Pool — Night 1 of 2

Meals included: Breakfast

Activities included: Private transfer from Arenal to Monteverde

Optional activities: None specified
Enjoy a private walk in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, with transfer and guide included. The reserve is the largest of these private protected areas, covering over 25,730 acres (10,415 hectares). More than 500 species of orchids cling to the limbs of enormous trees, while vines, ferns, mosses and lichens fill every other available space. The cloud forest is home to more than 130 species of mammals, 400 species of birds (including the beautiful quetzal), 30 species of hummingbirds, 5,000 species of moths and 3,000 species of plants — a true nature lover's paradise.

Accommodation: Koora Monteverde Boutique Hotel & Spa (or similar) — Monteverde Cloud Forest — 4 stars — Forest Signature Suite with Plunge Pool — Night 2 of 2

Meals included: Breakfast

Activities included: Private walk in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve (transfer and guide included)

Optional activities: None specified
After breakfast, a private transfer takes you from Monteverde to Hermosa Beach in Guanacaste.

Hermosa, which means "beautiful" in Spanish, is an aptly named gray-sand beach perched between two mountains. Guanacaste's Playa Hermosa sits between Playa del Coco and Playa Panamá and is seldom as crowded as its neighbours — a fabulous getaway for those seeking quality relaxation. While it maintains an overall laidback atmosphere, it has grown as an epicentre of ongoing development, with the town running north to south along the beachfront. A winner of the 'Bandera Azul' (Blue Flag), awarded to beaches that demonstrate high environmental standards and excellent safety facilities, Playa Hermosa enjoys warm water temperatures and ideal weather conditions all year long.

Accommodation: Bosque del Mar Hotel (or similar) — Hermosa Beach, Guanacaste — 4 stars — Ocean Front Suite — Night 1 of 2

Meals included: Breakfast

Activities included: Private transfer from Monteverde to Hermosa Beach

Optional activities: None specified
Enjoy a leisure day in your own way. If you'd like to explore more of this area, an optional tour can be arranged according to your preferences — simply contact your travel advisor so they can book your selected activity.

Accommodation: Bosque del Mar Hotel (or similar) — Hermosa Beach, Guanacaste — 4 stars — Ocean Front Suite — Night 2 of 2

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Activities included: None (free day at leisure)

Optional activities: Optional tour available on request, according to your preferences (booked through your travel advisor)
After breakfast, a private transfer takes you from Hermosa Beach back to San José for your final overnight stay before departure.

Accommodation: Grano de Oro Hotel (or similar) — San José — 4 stars — Deluxe Room (1 King Bed) — 1 night

Meals included: Breakfast

Activities included: Private transfer from Hermosa Beach to San José

Optional activities: None specified
All good things must come to an end, and it's time to say goodbye to this magical land and its wonderful people. Your professional driver will pick you up on time in the lobby of your hotel in San José, assist you with your luggage, and take you comfortably and safely to Juan Santamaría International Airport. We recommend being ready ahead of time and arriving at the airport at least 3 hours before your flight to avoid any last-minute stress. We truly hope to welcome you back to experience the pura vida that only Costa Rica can offer.

Accommodation: None (departure day)

Meals included: Breakfast

Activities included: Private transfer out from hotel in San José to SJO Airport (transport only)

Optional activities: None specified

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Costa Rica: A Luxury Journey - 13 Days

ABTA Member

Price includes:

Speak to our experts

Itinerary

Flights

We partner with leading airlines

Customise your itinerary

Frequently asked questions

How long is the trip and how is it structured?

Is this a group tour or private?

What's included in the price?

Which meals are included each day?

Can the itinerary be customised?

Do you book the international flights?

How do I get from the airport to my hotel?

What if I can't find my driver at the airport?

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Holiday highlights:

Day 1: Arrival in San José: Welcome to Costa Rica Arrival Day

Day 2: Into the Caribbean Jungle: San José to Tortuguero

Day 3: Exploring Tortuguero National Park

Day 4: Caribbean Coast: Tortuguero to Puerto Viejo

Day 5: Cahuita National Park

Day 6: South Caribbean to Arenal Volcano

Day 7: Arenal: Hanging Bridges & Rainforest

Day 8: Arenal to Monteverde Cloud Forest

Day 9: Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

Day 10: Monteverde to the Pacific: Playa Hermosa

Day 11: Free Day on the Guanacaste Coast

Day 12: Return to San José

Day 13: Departure: See You Soon, Costa Rica

How do I reach Tortuguero — is it true it's only accessible by boat?

Are the transfers between regions long?

What time should I arrive at the airport for my departure flight?

What standard are the hotels?

Are the named hotels guaranteed?

What wildlife might we see?

Will we see sea turtles?

How physically demanding are the activities?

Is Arenal Volcano active? Is it safe?

What are the hanging bridges like — are they suitable if I'm nervous about heights?

What should we pack?

Do UK travellers need a visa?

Are any vaccinations or health precautions needed?

Is the tap water safe and is the food suitable for varied diets?