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Latin America
Costa Rica Adventure

Costa Rica Adventure

10 days, 4 cities760
See dates and prices

From $2019 without flightsPayments as low as $52

A person walking along a suspension bridge with green trees surrounding the bridge
A person walking along a suspension bridge with green trees surrounding the bridge
A waterfall falling into blue water surrounded by trees
A large volcano surrounded by a forest on a cloudy day
A Capuchin monkey resting on a large leaf
Trip Type:
or
Activity Level:
Special Departures:

Why go?

In Costa Rica, you’ll discover a new way of life — la pura vida. Experience lush rainforests, rich biodiversity and unspoiled beaches on an adventure to reconnect with nature — and hey, maybe even yourself.

Picture yourself

  • Sipping the best coffee you’ve ever had, right at the source

  • Basking in the sun next to turquoise-blue waters

  • Snapping selfies with sloths, monkeys, and dolphins

  • Ziplining high above the lush Santa Elena Cloud Forest

  • Paddling through the rapids of the Sarapiqui River

What you'll get

  • Round-trip flights & airport transfers (or book 'em yourself)

  • 9 nights in handpicked accommodations

  • 9 breakfasts

  • 2 dinners

  • Kayaking tour and hot springs experience in Arenal

  • Waterfall and cloud forest hikes

  • Beach days at Playa Manta and Manuel Antonio National Park

  • Expert Tour Director

  • 24/7 support

Map for the Costa Rica Adventure tour
Full trip itinerary

Itinerary

  • Day 1: Fly to San José

    Welcome to San José, Costa Rica, the cultural and political capital of this vibrant, thriving nation. Crack open a coconut and crank up the calypso music, you’re about to get tropical for the next 10 days.

    Today's highlights:

    • Land at the airport and meet a waiting EF representative.
    • Transfer to your hotel to check in and check out your room.
    • Explore the area as you meet up with your fellow travelers, arriving one-by-one.
  • Day 2: Travel to Arenal Region + Kayak Lake Arenal + Welcome Dinner

    The rainforest is filled with secrets and today you get to be its closest confidant; Travel by bus to the Arenal region of Costa Rica, a quaint tropical town known for it’s not-so-quaint andesitic stratovolcano. Keep your eyes and ears open as you explore all of Arenal’s mysterious landforms, wildlife, and waters.

    In the evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner of local cuisine and drinks with fellow travelers at an authentic local spot. Afterwards, you’re free to take the party elsewhere!

    Today's highlights:

    • Travel by bus from San Jose to your next Costa Rican destination
    • Kayak the pristine waters of Lake Arenal and take in volcanic views of the surrounding dormant magma-makers
    • Enjoy an included Welcome Dinner in Arenal at a local spot
  • Day 3: Free Day in the Arenal Region or Optional White Water Rafting, & Evening Hot Springs

    Wake up and smell that fresh jungle air. They don’t make it like that back home, do they? After a full first day in the Arenal region, take the day to swim, explore, and enjoy the beautiful volcano-lined skyline of inner-Costa Rica on your own schedule. If you need a little adventure before you relax, spend the day on the Sarapiqui rapids with the optional White Water Rafting excursion before joining your group in some natural hot springs to cap off the night.

    Today's highlights:

    • Enjoy a free day in the Arenal region
    • For an additional cost, traverse the rapids of Sarapiqui with the White Water Rafting optional excursion
    • Kick back and soak in the springs with an included natural hot springs experience this evening

    Free time suggestions

    Orchid hunting: Admire the crazy-vibrant flora of the Arenal Region, including nearly 500 breeds of orchid.

    Imperial: Help yourself to an Imperial or two, a tasty lager beloved by beer drinkers across Costa Rica.

    White Water Rafting the Sarapiqui River (extra cost)

    Experience the rainforest from a new perspective on a white-water rafting adventure. Hop in a raft with a local river guide and work up an appetite before an included lunch.

    Why wait? Save money by booking this optional excursion before your trip departs.

  • Day 4: La Fortuna Waterfall + Travel to Monteverde + Optional Night Hike

    Today is full of highs and lows… geographically, of course. Before taking to the cloud forests of Monteverde, spend your morning at one of Costa Rica’s most sought-after natural wonders: La Fortuna Waterfall. See La Fortuna up close and personal as you hike to the base and cool off with a plunge its famous pool. Once you’ve had your La Fortuna fill, hop on the bus to Monteverde, a jumping off point for Costa Rica’s surreal cloud forests. The fun continues!

    Today's highlights:

    • Hike to the base of La Fortuna Waterfall, one of the most spectacular sights in Central America.
    • Cool off with a swim in the waterfall’s plunge pool
    • Board your bus bound for the village of Monteverde—founded as a Quaker farming settlement, now the go-to hub for Costa Rican adventure seekers.

    Monteverde Night Hike (extra cost)

    Hit the trails when the sun goes down. Follow your guide to see Monteverde after-dark, and listen up as they point out nocturnal critters like armadillos, silky anteaters, and even cute little kinkajous.

    Why wait? Save money by booking this optional excursion before your trip departs.

  • Day 5: Explore the Santa Elena Cloud Forest

    Today, you’ll experience a whole different rainforest habitat: the Santa Elena Cloud Forest. High altitude and moisture (12 feet of rain per year) combine to make this a one-of-a-kind ecosystem—oh, and did we mention there’s ziplining?

    Today's highlights:

    • Find out what clouds are really made of as you walk through them—yes, through them— in the densely vegetated, misty trails of the Costa Rican rainforest.
    • Soar high above the rainforest canopy, zooming from one platform to the next at speeds of up to 60 mph on a zipline.
    • Return to Monteverde as the town turns up for the night.
  • Day 6: Beach Day in Puntarenas

    After a day of adrenaline in the heart of the jungle, you could use some time to lay on a beach and bask in the sun. Today you’ll trade leafy rainforest greens for sandy scenes as you head from Monteverde to Puntarenas for a little beachside R&R at Playa Mantas.

    Today's highlights:

    • Let the lush scenery blow your mind as you travel via bus from Monteverde to Puntarenas.
    • Take that Pura Vida attitude out to sea with some stand-up paddleboarding at the beach.
  • Day 7: Explore Manuel Antonio National Park + Beach Time

    There’s two kinds of people in the world: beach people and mountain people. Oh, and swamp people—but we won’t get into that now. The breathtaking Manuel Antonio National Park somehow has both mountains and beaches. See Costa Rica’s most beautiful, most visited national park today up close and personal.

    For more information on Ultimate Break’s commitment to responsible tourism, please visit this page.

    Today's highlights:

    • Trek through cliff-side rainforest and soak up the sun at the two main immaculate white-sand beaches of the park: Espadilla Sur Beach and Playa Manuel Antonio.
    • Keep an ear out for howler monkeys, the only land animal louder than your 8am Calculus professor.
    • Spot other amazing animals like capuchins, coati, iguanas, and dolphins.
  • Day 8: Free Day in Quepos + Optional Catamaran Cruise

    Quepos may be small, but it makes up for it in spirit. Today is yours to explore the tiny town, consider grabbing a Guaro Sour (the national drink made from distilled sugar cane), or heading down to the docks to hear the fishermen swap sport fishing stories.

    Free time suggestions

    Soda: Chow down at a soda—you heard that correctly. Costa Rican lunch cafés are called sodas, and they’re an absolutely delicious way to eat authentically and affordably.

    Costa Rican Catamaran Cruise (extra cost)

    Cruise on a catamaran through the Pacific Ocean, kick back and admire the coastline, and try and spot manta rays, reef sharks, sea turtles, and even dolphins in the crystal clear waters.

    Why wait? Save money by booking this optional excursion before your trip departs.

  • Day 9: Travel to San José via Sarchí + Farewell Dinner

    On your way back to San José, stop for a guided tour of a coffee plantation. Toast your trip goodbye with your Farewell Dinner, then time for dancing, drinks, or heck, maybe even creating a detailed scrapbook to commemorate your time in paradise.

    For more information on Ultimate Break’s commitment to responsible tourism, please visit this page.

    Today's highlights:

    • Stop off for a coffee plantation tour on your way back to San José.
    • Watch as the little red berries become morning buzz brew right before your eyes, then sample the freshest coffee of your life.
    • Return to San José to share some laughs (and maybe shed a few tears) at an included Farewell Dinner with your group.
  • Day 10: Fly Home

    ¡Adiós, amigos!

    Your next destination awaits—home. Before you head to the airport, make sure to take one more group photo and grab that final drink. But this isn’t goodbye because you can always get the gang back together for another trip soon. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, we have a couple ways to keep your vacation going.

    EXTEND YOUR TRIP 2 WAYS

    1. Double the fun
    A lot of our trips line up back to back! Give us a call—we can help you add another and save big while you're at it.

    2. Go ahead or stay behind
    Extending your trip is easy! During checkout, you'll have the option to fly to (or from) the gateway of your choice for an additional fee. We'll adjust your flights accordingly, but you'll be responsible to take care of your transportation, hotels, and other logistics outside of tour.

    Note: Depending on your desired gateways, additional fees may apply.

Reviews


Overall rating: 4.9 out of 5
Based on 760 authentic traveler reviews
  • PURA VIDA!!!

      Sabrina, traveled Sep. 2021

    This was my first trip thru EF and it was BEYOND amazing! Just got back and ready to book my next trip! We did SO much and learned a lot from our tour director, Erick. We learned alot about the culture and the country, so beautiful . The waterfall was breathtaking. The whitewater rafting and zip lining was exhilarating!! I won’t ever stop talking about this ... See more

  • SO FUN!!! GORGEOUS VIEWS!

      Anonymous, traveled Aug. 2021

    Where do I even begin??? Honestly I had no idea what I was getting myself into since it was my first EF tour ever, however I am extremely glad I chose Costa Rica. The views, the food, the rain! Don't get me started on our tour guide Johnathan P. He is from Costa Rica so he knows it all. Not only is he knowledgeable but a very easy going guy to get along with... See more

  • Everything you want and more!

      Bree-Ana, traveled Mar. 2024

    I cannot put into words how amazing this trip was. The perfect combination of exciting and relaxing. Despite any bumps in the road like less than satisfying service, malfunctioning AC, or stomach bugs, none of it got in the way of everyone having the time of their lives. 1000% worth it. But all the credit belongs to our phenomenal guide Walter. He is everyth... See more

  • Wonderful first trip

      Hannah, traveled Mar. 2024

    Rhyan (our TD) and Jose (our bus driver) made this trip so special. I felt safe and welcome during the entire trip- and enjoyed every activity! I also loved our group and felt so comfortable with everyone- despite it being my first trip! The hotels we stayed in were absolutely beautiful, and the food was great too. I cannot thank Rhyan, Jose, and the rest ... See more

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Dates: May 17, 2024 – May 26, 2024May 17, 2024 – May 26, 2024

Additional costs may apply on departures within 60 days.

    Travel Protection
    Excursions
Total price$2,499

Stress-free booking: You have 48 hours to cancel and receive a full refund.

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