Basix
18 to 35s
One Week In Costa Rica
4.9
Excellent
51 reviews
8 days
Start
San Jose, Costa Rica
Finish
San Jose, Costa Rica
Trip Code
QBYC
Min Age
18
Trip Size
1 - 16
Physical Rating
Meals
1 dinner
Transport
Shared Vehicle, Private Vehicle, Public Bus, Boat, Taxi
Accommodation
Hotel (7 nights)
From £589(8 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Explore Cahuita National Park on a hike through the lush vegetation and coastal beaches (where you can take a dip) and look out for the abundant wildlife on the land and in the sky.
Take part in a Caribbean cooking class in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and sit down for lunch with the locals – a blend of African, Indigenous and Spanish flavours mixed with coconut milk, spices, fruits, curry and seafood.
Enjoy plenty of free time to choose your own adventure – maybe hike through the lush forest of La Fortuna, go wildlife spotting near Arenal Volcano or explore Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve looking out for sloths.
Kick back on the Caribbean coast in Puerto Viejo, surrounded by vibrant coral reefs – the perfect spot for some swimming, snorkelling or relaxing under the shade of palm trees.
Start and end your trip in San Jose, the urban centre of Costa Rica, to balance out the outdoor adventure with some nightlife, bar hopping, markets and museums.
Is this trip right for you?
This trip is for travellers who appreciate a bit of independence. You'll get plenty of free time in each location to make your own choices, do your own activities and eat where you like. Your leader is always there to give you tips and suggestions. Please budget spending money for optional activities you want to partake in.
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.
Costa Rica is generally hot and humid year-round, and from May to October can be 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.
Most 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.
This trip is for travellers who appreciate a bit of independence. You'll get plenty of free time in each location to make your own choices, do your own activities and eat where you like. Your leader is always there to give you tips and suggestions. Please budget spending money for optional activities you want to partake in.
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.
Costa Rica is generally hot and humid year-round, and from May to October can be 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.
Most 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.
Itinerary
A nature-focused exploration of Costa Rica’s best beaches, forests and urban hubs
Calling all nature lovers, solo travellers and young adventurers! Spend a week in Costa Rica beginning in San Jose – the thriving urban centre with colourful markets, vibrant nightlife and spontaneous art fairs. Explore Monteverde’s Cloud Forest at your own pace, keeping your eye out for sloths and the elusive quetzal bird. Head to La Fortuna, shadowed by the immense Arenal Volcano, and enjoy free time to chase waterfalls and soak away your worries in the natural thermal hot springs. Explore Cahuita National Park with a hike and a swim, then enjoy some beach time on the Caribbean coast in Puerto Viejo. If you're lucky, spot sloths, hummingbirds, iguanas, monkeys, toucans, coatimundis, quetzals and racoons, then take a cooking class to learn the local cuisine. With a local leader with insider knowledge and a likeminded group of travellers – what better way to dive into Costa Rica?
Inclusions
Meals
1 dinner
Transport
Shared Vehicle, Private Vehicle, Public Bus, Boat, Taxi
Accommodation
Hotel (7 nights)
Included activities
Cahuita National Park - Entrance
Cahuita National Park - Hike
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - Coastal Bicycle ride
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - Caribbean Cooking Demonstration
San Jose - Leader-led orientation walk
Optional activities
San Jose – Bites and Sights Urban Adventure - USD49
San Jose - San Jose By Night: Food and Culture - Urban Adventures - USD74
Monteverde - Butterfly Garden and Insects Farm (entrance fee) - USD22
Monteverde - Canopy Zip Lining (Entrance, Equipment & Transport) - USD101
Monteverde - Coffee & Chocolate tour - USD47
Monteverde - Suspension bridges tour - USD55
Monteverde - Cloud Forest Night Walk - USD45
Monteverde - Cloud Forest Entrance - USD26
La Fortuna - Ecotermales Hot Springs (entrance fee) - USD49
La Fortuna - La Fortuna Waterfall (Entrance only) - USD25
La Fortuna- Caño Negro boat tour - USD94
La Fortuna - Stand up paddle board - USD75
La Fortuna - Arenal 1968 Volcano View and Lava Trails (Entrance fee) - USD25
La Fortuna - Arenal hanging bridges (inc entrance fee, guide and shared transport) - USD75
La Fortuna - Arenal Volcano Base Hike - USD97
Manzanillo - Medicinal Plants Experience - USD45
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
Remaining
Prices From
Important notes
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. 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.
3. This tour includes accommodation in multi-share rooms (triple and quad). This means travelers on the same booking may be split between rooms due to single gender allocation.
Reviews (48)
5 stars
42
4 stars
6
Meghan
Aug 14, 2025
This trip was excellent! In particular, our guide Armando was incredible! He was very knowledgeable, had great local recommendations, and was a very good leader! The trip itself was superb, and I got to see tons of wildlife!
Diamond
Aug 13, 2025
Costa Rica was amazing. The people are very nice and the nature/wildlife reconnected me to appreciate life. Our tour guide Marvin was very enthusiastic and informative. I will always remember my 8 day adventure in Costa Rica with Intrepid.
Madison
Aug 13, 2025
This tour was amazing. I thought the itinerary was very well done and enjoyed each of our accommodations. Armand’s was a fantastic guide and made the whole thing so much more fun!
Samantha
Aug 10, 2025
This trip was life changing for me! I hadn't solo travelled in a while due to health issues that had come up, and this trip really showed me a new perspective on life. Armando was an amazing tour guide and was always transparent with the group about everything we were doing, which made me feel so comfortable knowing I was in good hands. I would 100% travel with Intrepid again.
Molly
Aug 10, 2025
This trip was beyond spectacular! Armando is the best group leader I have ever encountered and this itinerary is thoughtfully and perfectly laid out. I highly, highly recommend this trip to anyone who wants to truly experience the beauty and magic of Costa Rica.
Hannah
Aug 09, 2025
Incredible trip and itinerary! I felt like I was well taken care of as a solo traveler, connected with the group, and had independence if I wanted. The destinations couldn’t be more beautiful!
Nora
Aug 07, 2025
This trip was absolutely amazing. Everywhere we went, we saw lush forests and experienced beautiful nature. If you're lucky enough to get Marvin as a tour guide, you will have the most amazing experience. Don't think twice about booking- this trip is extremely safe, you will be well taken care of, and all of your needs met, especially with Marvin's help. He's an absolutely fantastic tour guide.
Abigail
Aug 05, 2025
This trip was amazing! Everyone was kind, and our tour guide Marvin was the definition of generous. Definitely recommend if looking to see sloths, bananas and so much beauty in the wild.
Theresa
Aug 04, 2025
The trip is definitely fast paced (make sure you read the itinerary and understand how much travel time is involved) but you get to see so much of the country in a little amount of time! Definitely a great trip for those who cannot take a lot of vacation time but still want to cram in as much as possible. If you want to sit at the beach all day, this trip is definitely not for you but if you want to take in as much of Costa Rica as possible, definitely book this trip!
Hanin
Aug 03, 2025
An unforgettable experience! The itinerary was exciting and well-balanced, and our guide Marvin made the trip truly exceptional. His knowledge, energy, and genuine care for the group brought everything to life. I felt safe, inspired, and connected the whole time. Highly recommend Intrepid — especially if Marvin’s your guide!
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