The Grand Costa Rica Tour | Yampu Tours | The Grand Costa Rica Tour

Custom Travel Experiences Since 1998

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The Grand Costa Rica Tour

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PRIVATE TOUR - 13 DAY SAMPLE ITINERARY

FROM £$ 8627

Private Tour Highlights

  • Enjoy an educational tour of a fully functioning coffee plantation and observe the production steps of your favorite brew and (of course) savor the perfect blend.
  • Walk through the rainforest high above the treetops to observe plants and animals from a different perspective via the famed hanging bridges.
  • Get the adrenaline pumping and observe Monteverde's forest on a tram ride before flying through it on a zip line, a perfect adventure activity
  • Look for the abundant wildlife within Manuel Antonio National Park, including monkeys and sloths, while taking in the views from scenic overlooks.
  • Take a refreshing swim or just photograph the magical La Fortuna Waterfall and its splendid surrounding.
  • Explore the crater viewpoint of Poas Volcano with Sulphur fumaroles, hiking past Botos Lagoon, and learning about the area's ecosystems
Interested in this tour?   Let us build you a customized quote based on your budget.

Tour Overview

The Grand Costa Rica Tour takes adventure seekers on an adventurous journey through the wonders of Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, and the Osa Peninsula. Enjoy private assistance, transfers, and tours with the top-of-the-line accommodations that have been personally inspected by our elite team of Tour Consultants.

Take in Costa Rica’s pristine wildness with adventure activities galore, from ziplining through the jungle canopies to swimming under stunning waterfalls. After spending time exploring the lush forests, the Grand Costa Rica Tour caps off with time spent soaking in the warm, tranquil waters of Manuel Antonio.

After landing in San Jose, travelers will begin their Costa Rica tour with a visit to the Doka Coffee Estate for an educational tour of this fully functioning coffee plantation. From there, the trip continues on to exploring the main attractions of the La Fortuna region with a volcano hike and walking the jungle canopies from the famed hanging bridges. After a canoe ride along the Frio River, located in Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, explorers continue on to Arenal crossing Lake Arenal by boat.

Get the adrenaline pumping with some ziplining in Curi Cancha Reserve before taking to Manuel Antonio National Park in search of wildlife, including monkeys and sloths. The adventure wraps with two days at leisure relaxing in Manuel Antonio before a visit to Corcovado National Park. Also known as the Amazon of Costa Rica, Corcovado spans over 100,000 acres of virgin and secondary rain forest home to a spectacular variety of stunning flora and fauna.

 

Travelers looking for a more luxurious, all-inclusive experience should be sure to check out the Exceptional Luxury Vacation in Costa Rica with two days soaking in the tranquil beauty of Nosara, One of the top ten beaches in Central America.

Inclusions
Price includes domestic and regional flights within the itinerary; all hotel accommodations including daily continental or buffet breakfast and daily city tax; all transfers between airports and hotels with assistance and baggage handling; guided tours in English including entrance fees.
Exclusions

International airfare (unless specifically included), airport departure taxes that must be paid on-site, gratuities, meals not mentioned, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages with meals, early / late check-out, room service, visa fees/services and other personal items or services not mentioned.

Best Time to Travel
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN
JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Best Good Consult

Package Price: From £$ 8627

Prices shown above are per person. Hotel categories do not adhere strictly to international ratings; Yampu has evaluated the hotels according to destination and availability. Prices include local airfare (where applicable), hotel accommodation including daily breakfast; all transfers with baggage handling, all guided tours in English and all entrance fees.

Please note that prices are subject to change based on availability and seasonality, especially during the holiday season from December 20th through January 5th each year. Please contact a Yampu Travel Specialist for more information on best times to travel.

Trip Type:

All our trips are operated on a private basis unless specified otherwise. This is only a sample itinerary; your Yampu Tour Consultant will personalize this trip for you according to your available dates, interests and type of hotels. This is your trip and we will work on making it perfect!

Tour Itinerary

Day
1

International Flight to San Jose

Upon arrival to San Jose, you will be met at the airport and privately transferred to your hotel.

Upon arrival to San Jose, you will be met at the airport and privately transferred to your hotel.

Day
2

Doka Estate Coffee & Poas Volcano National Park Tour with Lunch

After enjoying a delightful breakfast, begin your road trip to the Doka Coffee Estate, where you'll also enjoy an educational tour of this fully functioning coffee plantation. You will observe the production steps and (of course) savor the perfect blend.

Next, you'll be making your way to Poas Volcano National Park, exploring the crater viewpoint with Sulphur fumaroles, hiking past Botos Lagoon, and learning about the area's ecosystems. A 10-minute walk to exit the park.

The next adventure begins at La Paz Waterfall Gardens. No doubt your previous trek will mean you've worked up an appetite - good thing lunch is your first activity at this new destination. Amid a luscious jungle, La Paz Waterfall gardens offer monkeys, butterflies, tropical birds, rivers, waterfalls, and even dedicated exhibits!

At the end, continue to the Arenal hotel for an overnight.
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Day
3

Volcano Hike, Waterfall & Bridges with Tabacon Tour, Lunch & Dinner Included

After breakfast, you will pick up at your hotel to begin the combination tour. This tour is designed to share the main attractions of the La Fortuna region. There is no doubt that our volcano is a highlight in the region, so we start with 3.5 km (2 mi.) hike through trails of volcanic lava and primary rainforest.

Move on to the second point of interest. The 70m (230ft) high La Fortuna Waterfall is a breathtaking place where you can take a refreshing swim or just photograph this magical waterfall and its splendid surrounding.

Enjoy a delicious lunch in a restaurant near La Fortuna. Lunch will be served a la carte.

Make your way to the Hanging Bridges to walk through the rainforest high above the treetops to observe plants and animals from a different perspective via the 3.1 km (2 mi.) circuit trail.

As night falls, we head to our last destination, the hot springs where you will enjoy dinner. You will have a few hours to enjoy this part of the night on your own before transferring privately back to your hotel in our modern minivans.
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Day
4

Cano Negro Refuge Canoe Adventure Tour, Lunch Included

After breakfast, depart from La Fortuna town, where we'll drive along a road surrounded by different crops for 1 hour and 45 minutes to Los Chiles.

This experience includes a boat ride that lasts about 2.5 hrs, which takes place along the Frio River, located in Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, a conservation area of wetlands considered one of the richest in biological diversity in Costa Rica. It shelters a great variety of fauna, including resident and migratory birds, three of the four different species of monkeys in Costa Rica, iguanas, sloths, turtles, spectacled caimans, and many other animals. Besides, Cano Negro is also home to incredible fish like the almost prehistoric Tropical Gar and endangered animals, being a place of extreme importance for the country and unique. You will enjoy a delicious lunch.

Later on, return to La Fortuna in your private van to your hotel.
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Day
5

Private Land & Boat Transfer to Lake Crossing Arenal to Monteverde

Today, you will be picked up at your hotel to transfer from the Arenal area to your Monteverde hotel, including a crossing of Lake Arenal by boat. Initially, you will be transferred to Lake Arenal, where you will board a boat to cross the lake's southern end. There you will be picked up at the Rio Chiquito landing and driven overland to your Monteverde hotel, approx. 2.5-hour transfer. The lake crossing takes 1.5 hours less time than driving all the way around. Please be aware that strong winds or heavy rains can make for a rough, bumpy, and wet boat ride. There are no docks.

In the afternoon visit, Monteverde Reserve nature walk, one of the premier natural history destinations in Costa Rica. The forest is dominated by trees densely covered with mats of small plants known as epiphytes, including mosses, lichens, orchids, ferns, and bromeliads. This cool, very green, and the often misty forest is home to various wildlife. On your walk, you may encounter monkeys, coatimundis, agoutis, and numerous bird species such as Toucanets, Chlorophonias, seasonally the Bellbird, and legendary crimson and green Resplendent Quetzal.
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Day
6

Private Curi Cancha Reserve Tour with Zip Line Sky Tram and Sky Trek Monteverde Park Tour

This will be a day full of fun and adrenaline, with the chance to observe the forest on a tram ride before flying through it on a zip line from one treetop platform to another.

The Sky Tram gondolas rise smoothly through the Rain Forest, offering endless views during their mountainous ascent.

At our Sky Trek in Monteverde, you ride the tram up the mountain and then get back to the base riding our thrilling ziplines, making it a perfect adventure activity with no walking segments - get off and jump on to the next cable. You'll ride seven cables, where you will be astounded by its impressive heights, speeds that go up to 70km/h (43.5mph), views, and because you will be able to admire the surrounding mountains like in no other place.

Free afternoon.
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Day
7

Monteverde - Manuel Antonio

Today's drive will be along beautiful mountains and along our Pacific coast, have your camera handy to take pictures of the beautiful landscape. approx. 4 hours drive plus any stops en route.

The driver can make stops on the way for you to stretch your legs, use bathrooms, eat something at a roadside restaurant; just let them know.

After a stop for a homemade lunch, continue your ride to Manuel Antonio.

Today's drive will be along beautiful mountains and along our Pacific coast, have your camera handy to take pictures of the beautiful landscape. approx. 4 hours drive plus any stops en route.

The driver can make stops on the way for you to stretch your legs, use bathrooms, eat something at a roadside restaurant; just let them know.

After a stop for a homemade lunch, continue your ride to Manuel Antonio.

Costa-rica_manuel_antonio_shore_jungle
Day
8

Manuel Antonio National Park Tour

After breakfast, enjoy a half-day guided nature walk in Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the natural jewels of Costa Rica. Look for the abundant wildlife, including monkeys and sloths, and take in the views from scenic overlooks. Cap it off with time to enjoy the gorgeous beaches and warm pacific waters.

Free afternoon to relax.

After breakfast, enjoy a half-day guided nature walk in Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the natural jewels of Costa Rica. Look for the abundant wildlife, including monkeys and sloths, and take in the views from scenic overlooks. Cap it off with time to enjoy the gorgeous beaches and warm pacific waters.

Free afternoon to relax.

Day
9

Day of Leisure in Manuel Antonio

No scheduled activities on this day. You can relax and enjoy the hotel facilities or if you prefer you can reserve a day tour available from the hotel tour desk at an additional cost.

No scheduled activities on this day. You can relax and enjoy the hotel facilities or if you prefer you can reserve a day tour available from the hotel tour desk at an additional cost.

Day
10

Manuel Antonio - Osa Peninsula (Corcovado)

Today's read more...

Today's drive will be along beautiful mountains and the Southern Pacific Coast.
Arriving at the little town of Sierpe, located in Palmar Sur area, your driver and guide will take you directly to Aguila's dock on the Sierpe River. From there, you will board a boat to Aguila de Osa.

The boat ride takes approximately an hour and goes through the most extensive mangroves on the Pacific Coast in Central America. You'll travel the Sierpe River to the river mouth that connects to the Pacific Ocean. Aguila dock is a short 15 minutes from there, where you'll be met by one of our staff members. Head up to the restaurant for a welcome cocktail and a brief orientation.
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Day
11

Corcovado National Park Tour, Lunch & Dinner Included

Corcovado read more...

Corcovado National Park, also known as the Amazon of Costa Rica, spans over 100,000 acres of virgin and secondary rain forest. A 25-minute boat ride from the Lodge will land you at the northern entrance to the park. Prepare yourself for a wet landing. Dry bags are recommended for camera gear! Trails begin along pristine beaches, wind through a deep rain forest, following riverbeds to magnificent waterfalls and swimming holes. A typical tour consists of two hikes. The two hikes will be separated by a picnic lunch consisting of fresh fruit, sandwiches, and dessert. The morning hike is usually a three-and-a-half-hour, slow-paced walk searching for birds and animals.

Return to the Lodge for your lunch.
Enjoy an afternoon of unlimited use kayak.
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Corcovado-hiking-costa-rica
Day
12

Isa del Cano Island Tour, Lunch & Dinner Included

After breakfast, enjoy Cano Island half day tour .

Cano Island Biological Marine Reserve is 12 nautical miles or 20 km offshore from Drake Bay. The beauty of Isla del Cano is not found on its land but underwater. This island's pristine waters are some of the bluest in the country and are home to a spectacular variety of stunning marine flora and fauna, as well as some gorgeous coral reefs. Isla del Cano Biological Reserve is also home to a wide variety of fish, whales, and sharks.

Afternoon at leisure

After breakfast, enjoy Cano Island half day tour .

Cano Island Biological Marine Reserve is 12 nautical miles or 20 km offshore from Drake Bay. The beauty of Isla del Cano is not found on its land but underwater. This island's pristine waters are some of the bluest in the country and are home to a spectacular variety of stunning marine flora and fauna, as well as some gorgeous coral reefs. Isla del Cano Biological Reserve is also home to a wide variety of fish, whales, and sharks.

Afternoon at leisure

Day
13

International Flight Home

After breakfast, boat and land transfer to Drake airstrip for a domestic flight to San Jose to connect with your international flight home

After breakfast, boat and land transfer to Drake airstrip for a domestic flight to San Jose to connect with your international flight home

San José Province, San José, Costa Rica

Arenal, Costa Rica

Puntarenas Province, Monteverde, Costa Rica

Manuel Antonio, Puntarenas Province, Quepos, Costa Rica

Osa Peninsula, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica

Places You'll See

  • San-Jose-Costa-Rica

    San Jose

    Visit the largest, and one of the most exciting cities in all of Costa Rica, San Jose. Get lost in the beautiful shades of green at the Museo del Jade, home to the largest collection of pre-Columbian Jade in Central America. Take a Barrio Bird Walking Tour, or a tour through the butterfly farm and coffee farm. Watch street performers juggle, play music, and interact with their audience.

  • Arenal

    Arenal

    Experience the excitement of visiting a 7,000 year old, active stratovolcano by visiting the Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica. Though it is now dormant, Arenal was the most active of Costa Rica’s seven active volcanoes until 2010. Its dense vegetation is also home to numerous species of wildlife.

  • monteverde

    Monteverde

    Take a walk through nature in Monteverde, home to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Take a guided tour through the forests and catch a glimpse of the animals that call it home. Get up early for morning bird watches, or visit the butterfly farms. Go flying through the tree tops with zip-line tours, or walk across the hanging bride for a view of forest canopy.

  • manuel-antonio-sunset-costa-rica

    Manuel Antonio

    This stunning coast side National Park is one of the top destinations in Costa Rica with its pristine beaches and splendid hiking trails. Check out the local vanilla farm after a day at the beach snorkeling with the occasional dolphin feeding in the afternoon. Travel inland and enjoy activities such as rafting and zip lining amongst many other options of activities.

  • Osa Peninsula

    Making up much of the southern Pacific Coastline of Costa Rica, Osa Peninsula is where the lowland rainforests merge with the tranquil, isolated beaches. Home to some of Costa Rica’s most endangered wildlife species and considered to be one of the most biologically intense places on earth, the Osa Peninsula is the premier eco-tourism destination in the county.

Hotel Options

4 Star Properties

San Jose : Presidente Hotel

San Jose : Park Inn Hotel

Arenal : Arenal Observatory Lodge (standard Room)

Arenal : Arenal Manoa Hotel & Spa

Monteverde : Poco a Poco

Monteverde : Trapp Family Lodge (Mountain Suite)

Manuel Antonio : Si Como No

Manuel Antonio : Hotel Parador

Osa Peninsula (Corcovado) : Aguila de Osa

Osa Peninsula : Nicuesa Lodge

5 Star Properties

San Jose : Grano de Oro

San Jose : Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen

Arenal : Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort

Arenal : Nayara Hotel Spa & Gardens

Monteverde : Hotel Fonda Vela

Monteverde : El Establo (deluxe room)

Manuel Antonio : Gaia Hotel & Reserve

Manuel Antonio : Arenas del Mar

Osa Peninsula (Corcovado) : Casa Corcovado

Osa Peninsula : El Remanso

Luxury Properties

San Jose : Finca Rosa Blanca (Santa Barbara)

San Jose : Xandari Resort & Spa (Alajuela)

Arenal : Nayara Springs (Adults only)

Arenal : The Springs Resort & Spa

Monteverde :  Monteverde Lodge

Monteverde : Senda Hotel

Manuel Antonio : Makanda by the Sea (Adults only)

Osa Peninsula (Corcovado) : Copa de Arbol (Luxury Room)

Osa Peninsula : Playa Cativo

Testimonials

Andy and Joan.

Traveled August, 2015

Both Joan and I had a fabulous time away

Both Joan and I had a fabulous time away and very much appreciate everything that you did to make it possible. The wildlife, particularly the sea turtles we saw laying their eggs, the monkeys, the tapir we tracked, and all of the different bird types that we encountered, were all great experiences. We also enjoyed the relaxation time that we had in Belize, where the snorkeling and diving was also good.

Traveled To


Michele

Traveled April, 2016

Best customer care & itineraries

I am recently returned from my third trip organised by Yampu, this time to Costa Rica. As always, it was fabulous from start to finish!

I do look around initially when planning my holidays but each time Karolina offers the best customer care & arranges by far the best itineraries. Value for money is excellent & they keep in constant contact before during & afterwards to make sure everything is going well.

The standard of accommodation & guides they use is superb & they actually listen to your requests as opposed to copying a generic page from their website…. Do I highly recommend Karolina & Yampu? YES!  Will I use them again? YES!  Save time & effort & just use Yampu is my travel tip  🙂

Traveled To

Steve & Mary

Traveled February, 2017

Attention to detail

Thank you for the thoughtful fruit plate that was awaiting us here at the Hotel Belmar. What a treat. Everything is going well, and we are having a great time. We appreciate the attention to detail by you and your colleagues in preparing and implementing such a nifty itinerary.

Just about time for the night walk… hope the mosquitoes have gone to bed.

Traveled To

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