Costa Rica Escape
Costa Rica Escape
Costa Rica Escape
7 Days Starting and ending in San José, Costa Rica
Visiting: San José, Arenal, Monteverde, South America
Tour operator:
Tour code:
K3-2024
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Costa Rica Escape" tour and immerse yourself in the natural wonders and vibrant culture of Costa Rica. Begin your journey in San José, where you'll meet your Tour Director and explore the historic National Theater and Metropolitan Cathedral. Travel to Arenal, home to the majestic Arenal Volcano, lush rainforests, and abundant wildlife. Experience the breathtaking Arenal Hanging Bridges and the scenic drive to Monteverde's cloud forest, teeming with diverse flora and fauna. Visit the artisan village of Sarchi to witness traditional craftsmanship before returning to San José. Enjoy comfortable accommodations and daily breakfasts throughout this unforgettable adventure.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In San José,Costa Rica
Location: San José
Accommodation Name: Park Inn Radisson
Meet your Tour Director at your hotel.
ARRIVE IN SAN JOSÉ, COSTA RICA Welcome to San José! Meet your Tour Director at your hotel.SAN-JOSE-WELCOME.jpg
Day 2: San José,Arenal
Location: Arenal
Accommodation Name: Magic Mountain Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
SAN JOSÉ–ARENAL Lava LoveDepart on a scenic drive past banana groves and pineapple and sugar cane fields en route to Arenal. Visit to La Fortuna Village in the shadow of mighty Arenal Volcano (currently dormant but known for consistent lava flows before 2010). Arenal is home to cascading waterfalls, thriving rainforests, abundant wildlife, and a wealth of outdoor activities with nearby nature trails and 400-year-old trees. Watch for frogs, monkeys, birds, and native wildlife. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTWONDERS OF NATURE For 42 years, Arenal Volcano was Costa Rica’s most active volcano until 2010 when entered a passive phase. This area is one of the most bio-diverse areas in the world and is home to more than 850 species of birds and other wildlife. Time here can be spent hiking the trails around the volcano or relaxing in the many thermal hot springs. ARENAL-VOLCANO.jpg
Day 3: Arenal
Location: Arenal
Accommodation Name: Magic Mountain Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
ARENAL Bird’s Eye View Today, take a guided excursion with your Naturalist to Arenal Hanging Bridges. Explore the jungle canopy atop 15 bridges suspended in the treetops to see various species of plants, birds, butterflies, monkeys, sloths, and other local wildlife. On a clear day, get a 360-degree view of the tropical rainforest and stunning views of Arenal Volcano. Free time the remainder of the day. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTPICTURE PERFECT Explore the rainforest from a bird’s-eye perspective high above the jungle floor from the Arenal Hanging Bridges. This Naturalist-guided tour introduces you to the flora and fauna of the Costa Rican rainforest. With some bridges spanning over 700 feet long and 200 feet high, this is truly a unique way to admire the forest canopy. ARENAL-HANGING-BRIDGE.jpg
Day 4: Arenal,Monteverde
Location: Monteverde
Accommodation Name: Monteverde Country Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast
ARENAL–MONTEVERDE Heads in the CloudsThis morning, depart Arenal on scenic drive to Monteverde for the next two nights. Arrive in the cloud forest of Monteverde, situated on the continental divide under misty cloud coverage in one of the world’s most bio-diverse areas. Enjoy an afternoon and evening at leisure. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTWILD & WONDERFUL Explore Monteverde Cloud Forest, home to over 3,000 species of plants, 400 species of birds, 60 species of bats, 1,200 species of amphibians, and 700 species of butterflies in one of the last remaining natural habitats of all six Costa Rica wildcat species—ocelots, jaguars, jaguarundi, pumas, oncillas, and marguays. Perhaps you’ll catch a glimpse of one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful birds, the resplendent quetzal.MONTEVERDE-QUETZAL.jpg
Day 5: Monteverde
Location: Monteverde
Accommodation Name: Monteverde Country Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast
MONTEVERDE Creatures of the Cloud ForestThis morning, take a Naturalist guided walking tour of Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve home to forest fauna such as sloths, jaguars, ocelots, monkeys, coatis, and numerous species of birds. With almost 100% humidity throughout the year, the cloud forest experiences almost 12 feet of rain per year. Free time this afternoon. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTPARADISE FOUND This unique, high-elevation ecosystem of Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve is constantly enveloped in moisture-rich clouds formed from the warm winds from the Atlantic Ocean as they sweep over the Continental Divide, creating one of the most bio-diverse and rich ecosystems in the world. Prolific in many animal and plant species, this is a nature lover’s paradise. MONTEVERDE-SLOTH.jpg
Day 6: Monteverde,Sarchi,San José
Location: San José
Accommodation Name: Park Inn Radisson
Meals Included: Breakfast
MONTEVERDE–SARCHI–SAN JOSÉ Artistry & Drama En route to San José, visit Sarchi Village, the hub of Costa Rican craftsmanship, and see the artists in their workshops making their famous ox carts. Upon arrival in San José, a guided city orientation introduces downtown San José includes the historic National Theater and the Metropolitan Cathedral. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTCULTURE & TRADITION Visit the local village of Sarchi and see firsthand how the traditional ox carts are hand-painted. Once used to transport coffee and sugarcane, these are now pieces of art with intricate designs. SARCHI-OX-CART.jpg
Day 7: San José
Location: San José
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
SAN JOSÉ Adios y Gracias, San José!Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)SAN-JOSE-MARKET.jpg
What's Included
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Accommodation
Stay at Park Inn Radisson in San Jose, Magic Mountain Hotel in Arenal, and Monteverde Country Lodge in Monteverde.
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Meals
Breakfast is provided daily.
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Guided Tours
Guided excursions with a Naturalist to Arenal Hanging Bridges and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve.
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Transportation
Scenic drives between destinations including San José, Arenal, Monteverde, and Sarchi.
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Small Group Discovery
Limited to an average of just 20 guests per departure, ensuring extra space and personalized experiences.
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City Orientation
Guided city orientation in San José including the historic National Theater and the Metropolitan Cathedral.
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Visit to Sarchi Village
Visit to Sarchi Village to see artists making their famous ox carts.
What's Not Included
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Flights
International and domestic flights are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, laundry, and tips are not included.
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Optional Activities
Optional activities and excursions not mentioned in the itinerary are not included.
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Meals Not Mentioned
Meals other than breakfast are not included unless specified.
Small Group
Globus offers Small-Group Discoveries on all South America tour dates. A Small-Group Discovery is limited to an average of just 20 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Globus escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery trip is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.
Meals
Breakfast daily
Accommodation
San Jose: Park Inn Radisson, Arenal: Magic Mountain Hotel, Monteverde: Monteverde Country Lodge
Notes
Maximum elevation on tour is 9,000 ft.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of wildlife can I expect to see during the tour?
During the tour, you can expect to see a variety of wildlife including frogs, monkeys, birds, sloths, jaguars, ocelots, coatis, and numerous species of butterflies. The Arenal area is home to over 850 species of birds and other wildlife, while Monteverde Cloud Forest is home to over 3,000 species of plants, 400 species of birds, and 60 species of bats.
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What activities are included in the Arenal area?
In the Arenal area, you will visit La Fortuna Village, explore nature trails, and take a guided excursion to the Arenal Hanging Bridges. You will have the opportunity to see various species of plants, birds, butterflies, monkeys, sloths, and other local wildlife. There is also free time to relax in the thermal hot springs or hike the trails around the volcano.
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What can I expect during the visit to Monteverde?
In Monteverde, you will enjoy a scenic drive to the cloud forest, which is one of the world's most bio-diverse areas. You will take a Naturalist guided walking tour of Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, where you can see forest fauna such as sloths, jaguars, ocelots, monkeys, and numerous species of birds. The cloud forest experiences almost 12 feet of rain per year, creating a rich ecosystem.
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What is special about the visit to Sarchi Village?
In Sarchi Village, you will visit the hub of Costa Rican craftsmanship and see artists in their workshops making their famous ox carts. These traditional ox carts, once used to transport coffee and sugarcane, are now pieces of art with intricate designs.
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What is the maximum elevation reached during the tour?
The maximum elevation reached during the tour is 9,000 feet.
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What is included in the Small-Group Discovery option?
The Small-Group Discovery option is limited to an average of just 20 guests per departure. It includes all the features of a traditional Globus escorted tour, complete with an expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides. This option ensures extra space between travelers while still providing up-close and personal experiences.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
For over 90 years.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
The Globus Lighthouse Project - an illuminating initiative where we can all come together to tread lightly and give generously for the globe's greater good. Globus, along with sister companies Avalon Waterways and Cosmos, invite our travellers and partners to help us in supporting causes that provide for a more sustainable planet and a brighter tomorrow.
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Low Deposit
Globus requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of globus charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
Enquire for huge savings
Rated 5* on Trust Pilot & ABTA Protected.