Original
Wildlife
Classic Costa Rica
4.9
Excellent
circle795 reviews
location_on 15 days
location_on
Start
San Jose, Costa Rica
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Finish
San Jose, Costa Rica
tour
Trip Code
QVSR
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Min Age
15
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Trip Size
1 - 16
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Physical Rating
restaurant_menu
Meals
5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
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Transport
Private vehicle, Public Transportation, Boat
bed
Accommodation
Hotel (11 nights), Lodge (2 nights), Homestay (1 night)
From £1,147(15 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
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Swap the concrete jungle for real jungle on this journey into the rainforests, waterways, hot springs and the palm-lined beaches of Costa Rica.
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Spot long-nosed tapirs, white-faced capuchin monkeys, ocelots and three-toed sloths on this wildlife adventure – Costa Rica is home to many exotic animals, and this trip puts you in the perfect position to see them all.
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Go deeper than the average tourist with a homestay in a quiet agricultural community – the perfect opportunity to experience local life and practice your Spanish. You’ll even have an informal cooking lesson with the locals to make dinner!
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Refresh yourself after jungle hikes, spotting wildlife in the rejuvenating hot springs of volcanic La Fortuna.
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Visit the indigenous Maleku community to share a traditional meal and learn about their way of life – this small tribe has big ambitions for regenerating local forests and natural habitats.
Is this trip right for you?
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Many of the activities (both included and optional) on this trip take place in the great outdoors. This means you'll need to be prepared to deal with insects and occasionally rustic conditions. It's all part of immersing yourself in this natural paradise.
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Costa Rica is generally hot year-round, and from May to October can be pretty wet too. At nighttime and in locations at higher elevations it can get chilly. Protect yourself from the sun, bring light clothing you can layer and a waterproof jacket, and stay hydrated. Please carefully consider which time of the year you'll feel most comfortable travelling.
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There are many opportunities to get active on this adventure. Some of the optional activities require a moderate level of fitness and sturdy walking shoes. If you'd prefer to take it easy, however, there are plenty of other things you can do instead.
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The homestay is a wonderful opportunity to witness everyday local life. A hearty homecooked dinner and breakfast will be served during your stay, which can be a lot more basic than what you're used to.
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With so much to see and do, Costa Rica can sometimes be expensive. Expect to pay more than you would in other Central American countries for a lot of things.
verified
Many of the activities (both included and optional) on this trip take place in the great outdoors. This means you'll need to be prepared to deal with insects and occasionally rustic conditions. It's all part of immersing yourself in this natural paradise.
verified
Costa Rica is generally hot year-round, and from May to October can be pretty wet too. At nighttime and in locations at higher elevations it can get chilly. Protect yourself from the sun, bring light clothing you can layer and a waterproof jacket, and stay hydrated. Please carefully consider which time of the year you'll feel most comfortable travelling.
verified
There are many opportunities to get active on this adventure. Some of the optional activities require a moderate level of fitness and sturdy walking shoes. If you'd prefer to take it easy, however, there are plenty of other things you can do instead.
verified
The homestay is a wonderful opportunity to witness everyday local life. A hearty homecooked dinner and breakfast will be served during your stay, which can be a lot more basic than what you're used to.
verified
With so much to see and do, Costa Rica can sometimes be expensive. Expect to pay more than you would in other Central American countries for a lot of things.
Itinerary
Dive into diverse Costa Rica, from the towering jungle to the palm-lined coast
Discover incredible, lush Costa Rica and understand why this part of the world is called the ‘rich coast’. This 15-day adventure, beginning and ending in lively San Jose, is a journey through the jungles, farmlands, beaches and cities of a pure Central American location. Stay with a local family in Santa Rosa de Pocosol and help your hosts prep a traditional meal. Soak in springs that get their heat from an active volcano in La Fortuna and take on a huge array of nature-based optional activities in the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Spot three-toed sloths in the thickets of the Manuel Antonio National Park, then relax beneath swaying palms on the nearby beaches.
- DAY 1Day 1 • San Jose
- DAY 2Day 2 • Tortuguero National Park
- DAY 3Day 3 • Tortuguero National Park
- DAY 4Day 4 • Santa Rosa de Pocosol Homestay
- DAY 5Day 5 • Tenorio Volcano National Park Area - Rio Celeste Area
- DAY 6Day 6 • Rio Celeste
- DAY 7Day 7 • La Fortuna
- DAY 8Day 8 • La Fortuna
- DAY 9Day 9 • Lake Arenal - Monteverde
- DAY 10Day 10 • Monteverde
- DAY 11Day 11 • Manuel Antonio
- DAY 12Day 12 • Manuel Antonio
- DAY 13Day 13 • Manuel Antonio
- DAY 14Day 14 • San Jose
- DAY 15Day 15 • San Jose
Inclusions
restaurant_menu Meals
5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
airport_shuttle Transport
Private vehicle, Public Transportation, Boat
bed Accommodation
Hotel (11 nights), Lodge (2 nights), Homestay (1 night)
festival Included activities
circleTortuguero - Boat ride to Tortuguero
circleTortuguero - National Park Entrance
circleSanta Rosa de Pocosol - Home-cooked Meal
circleSanta Rosa de Pocosol - Homestay experience
circleLeader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
circleGuatuso - Maleku Community Experience
circleMonteverde - Cloud Forest Entrance
circleManuel Antonio - Homecooked lunch
circleManuel Antonio National Park - (Entrance fee)
circleManuel Antonio National Park - Tour with a Naturalist Guide
museum Optional activities
circleSan Jose - Pre-Colombian Gold Museum (Entrance fee) - USD17
circleSan Jose - Jade Archaeological Museum (Entrance fee) - USD16
circleSan Jose - National Museum (entrance fee) (Closed Sunday & Monday) - USD11
circleTortuguero - Sunrise canoe trip around canals - USD45
circleTortuguero - Turtle Watching Night Tour - USD45
circleSanta Rosa de Pocosol - Soap-making workshop (cash only) (requires a minimum of 3 travellers to operate) - USD20
circleSanta Rosa de Pocosol - Waterfall hike (Cash Only) - USD10
circleRio Celeste - River Tubing Adventure (cash only) - USD55
circleRio Celeste - National Park Guided Trail Walk (cash only) - USD70
circleLa Fortuna - Arenal 1968 Volcano View and Lava Trails (Entrance fee) - USD25
circleLa Fortuna - La Fortuna Waterfall (Entrance only) - USD25
circleLa Fortuna - Paradise Hot Springs (entrance fee) - USD47
circleMonteverde - Cloud Forest Night Walk - USD45
circleMonteverde - Butterfly Garden and Insects Farm (entrance fee) - USD22
circleMonteverde - Coffee & Chocolate tour - USD47
circleMonteverde - Suspension bridges tour - USD55
circleMonteverde - Canopy Zip Lining (Entrance, Equipment & Transport) - USD101
circleManuel Antonio – Cruise (Inc transport, guide, lunch and drinks onboard) - USD95
circleManuel Antonio - Mangrove Kayak Activity (with lunch) - USD75
circleManuel Antonio National Park (Entrance fee) - USD18
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
Remaining
Prices From
Saturday Sep 06, 2025
Saturday Sep 20, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - Sold Out
Thursday Sep 11, 2025
Thursday Sep 25, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - Sold Out
Saturday Sep 13, 2025
Saturday Sep 27, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 12 spaces left
£1,909£1,336
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Saturday Sep 20, 2025
Saturday Oct 04, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 11 spaces left
£1,876£1,313
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Saturday Sep 27, 2025
Saturday Oct 11, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 10 spaces left
£1,876£1,500
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Saturday Oct 04, 2025
Saturday Oct 18, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 10 spaces left
£1,529£1,223
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Thursday Oct 09, 2025
Thursday Oct 23, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 8 spaces left
£1,529£1,223
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Saturday Oct 11, 2025
Saturday Oct 25, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 9 spaces left
£1,529£1,147
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Thursday Oct 16, 2025
Thursday Oct 30, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 11 spaces left
£1,529£1,223
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Saturday Oct 18, 2025
Saturday Nov 01, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 12 spaces left
£1,529£1,147
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Tuesday Oct 21, 2025
Tuesday Nov 04, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 11 spaces left
£1,529£1,223
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Saturday Oct 25, 2025
Saturday Nov 08, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 12 spaces left
£1,590£1,272
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Thursday Oct 30, 2025
Thursday Nov 13, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 14 spaces left
£1,590
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Saturday Nov 01, 2025
Saturday Nov 15, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 1 space left
£2,387
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Tuesday Nov 04, 2025
Tuesday Nov 18, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 16 spaces left
£2,063
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Important notes
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1. Full passport details are required at the time of booking in order to purchase entrance tickets to Manuel Antonio National Park. Delays to provide this information may result in changes to your itinerary and we will not be able to guarantee entry. Details provided must be accurate as per your passport bio page.
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2. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1. There are no activities planned for the final day so you may depart at any time.
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3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
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4. Please be careful when booking flights to/from San Jose; make sure you fly into/out of Juan Santamaria International Airport [SJO]. Please do not book flights to/from Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport [SJC] as this is located in California, United States.
Reviews (756)
5 stars
675
4 stars
69
3 stars
8
2 stars
3
1 star
1
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Jessica
Aug 21, 2025
The classic Costa Rica tour is a must do for wildlife and adventure enthusiasts. The activities are amazing, the education and integration into local communities is brilliant and welcoming. Such a fantastic trip!
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Tuende
Aug 21, 2025
We had an amazing time on the tour and learned so much about Costa Rica’s wildlife and environment, all thanks to Liza’s passion and knowledge. The whole trip felt really authentic and enjoyable, especially with such a friendly group and nice places to stay. I’d definitely recommend this tour to anyone wanting a fun and memorable adventure!
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Pauline
Aug 14, 2025
Nature lovers that also appreciate a bit of ‘downtime’ will love this experience!
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Sally
Aug 14, 2025
Our guide Jordan was great. He was a very knowledgeable biologist and was very good at giving us information about all the things we saw. He went above and beyond and was happy to search for animals with members of our group day or night. He obviously loves doing what he does and brings everyone along for the ride with him
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Isobel
Aug 14, 2025
Our trip was amazing from start to finish! We did so many things and saw so much wildlife during our two weeks there. Our tour leader Jordan, was fantastic and really made our experience the best!
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Gemma
Aug 14, 2025
This was my first Intrepid tour and I will definitely be booking another group tour with them. The activities were diverse and there was something for everyone. Our tour leader was knowledgeable and really helped me to understand the culture and biodiversity of Costa Rica.
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Satinder
Aug 14, 2025
This trip was very well organised and we were very lucky to have such an experienced tour guide, Jordan, who went out of his way to ensure that we saw the beauty of Costa Rica. Jordan explained how important conserving the wildlife and the Costa Rican rainforests was to maintain a balance for all the animals and their survival.
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Matt
Aug 04, 2025
A spectacular journey through a beautiful country led with care and expertise by an ever-smiling guide. Amazing!
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Angela
Aug 03, 2025
Intrepid provided us with a fantastic Costa Rica experience, where we were able to see amazing wildlife, including sloths, monkeys, turtles, birds, and more! Our expert local guide, Marvin, was so friendly, helpful and shared so much local knowledge. My heart is full knowing that I have experienced so much of what Costa Rica has to offer in the way of fun adventures, flora, fauna, rivers, mountains, and beaches!
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Sara
Jul 31, 2025
My trip to Costa Rica with Intrepid was an unforgettable adventure. The itinerary was well-balanced, combining nature, culture, and just the right amount of activity and relaxation. From lush rainforests and volcanic landscapes to beautiful beaches and vibrant local towns, every destination offered something unique and exciting.
The activities were thoughtfully planned—whether it was spotting wildlife in national parks, ziplining through the canopy, or enjoying delicious local cuisine, there was always something to look forward to. The accommodations were comfortable and well-located, and transport between stops was smooth and efficient.
What truly made the trip special was the group dynamic and the guidance of our incredible tour leader, Sofi. Her passion for the country and genuine care for each traveler added so much depth and enjoyment to the experience.
This trip was the perfect way to explore Costa Rica in a meaningful and memorable way. I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking for adventure, connection, and a deeper understanding of this beautiful country.