Classic Costa Rica

This is an incredible, private Costa Rica trip for those who want to experience all Costa Rica's has to offer  - from white sandy Pacific coast beaches to spectacular views of one of the world's most famous volcanoes. Hike and fly by zip line through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, experience incredible wildlife - sloths, monkeys, and over four hundred species of birds, including the legendary quetzal. An exciting day of snorkeling and kayaking is also included.  This nine... READ MORE >>
Itinerary
DAY 1 SAN JOSÉ – ARENAL
DAY 2 ARENAL VOLCANO WALK– MISTICO ARENAL HANGING BRIDGES – TABACON HOTSPRINGS
DAY 3 RIO CELESTE & TENORIO VOLCANO VISIT
DAY 4 ARENAL - MONTEVERDE – SKY TREK – ZIPLINING
DAY 5 MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST RESERVE
DAY 6 MONTEVERDE – JUNGLE CROCODILE TOUR - MANUEL ANTONIO
DAY 7 OCEAN KAYAKING SNORKELING
DAY 8 MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK – AFTERNOON PACIFIC BEACH FREE
DAY 9 MANUEL ANTONIO - SAN JOSÉ - HOME
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Itinerary
DAY 1 SAN JOSÉ – ARENAL

Arrive San Jose. Your private guide will transfer you to Arenal. (About 2 ½ hours). Check in to your hotel and overnight.

DAY 2 ARENAL VOLCANO WALK– MISTICO ARENAL HANGING BRIDGES – TABACON HOTSPRINGS

Today's destination on your Costa Rica adventure is the Arenal Volcano, one of the Western Hemisphere's most active volcanoes with a perfectly-formed cone. Its frequent eruptions and the many other interesting natural sites in the area make this park a stop on most every Costa Rica ecotour. During the tour the guide will share the history of this majestic area. Return to your hotel for lunch. Later in the afternoon you’ll visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges. For a close-up view of the prolific birds, flowers and lush vegetation of this primary rainforest, you'll take a guided canopy tour via two miles of interpretive trails and across fifteen hanging bridges, ranging in length from sixteen to almost 330 feet to reach Arenal Lake. The trails are paved, and the suspension bridges are built of aluminum galvanized steel and concrete to ensure maximum safety. In the late afternoon, you'll be returned to your hotel. Your Costa Rica ecological tour continues with an evening visit the Tabacon Hot Springs for a superb healing bath with outstanding views. After dinner at Tabacon, return to your hotel to overnight.  (B, D)

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DAY 3 RIO CELESTE & TENORIO VOLCANO VISIT

Explore the wonders of a river with pristine waters, a walk through a tropical and completely off the beaten track forest, and discover the impressing hot springs of the Tenorio Volcano. After a typical Costa Rican breakfast you’ll travel to Río Celeste. This is a beautiful 1 ½ hour scenic drive from Arenal through rural villages. Soon you’ll arrive at the Tenorio Volcano National Park, where you will begin your 7km./4.35 miles hike (approx. 4 hours) through the tropical rainforest. You will not only visit the heavenly blue colored Río Celeste and its waterfall, but you will also hike to the “Ollas”, openings in the earth where you can take a mud bath and a dip in the natural hot springs, while observing the attractions of the Tenorio Volcano. When you arrive at Los Tenideros, where two rivers come together, you'll be amazed at the celestial turquoise blue water color. This is the perfect place to take photos of this unforgettable tour! Lunch will be served at the end of your journey, a perfect reward for your hard work. (B,L)

DAY 4 ARENAL - MONTEVERDE – SKY TREK – ZIPLINING

After beginning this day of your Costa Rica ecological tour with a hearty breakfast, transfer to Santa Elena & Monteverde Area. The trip to arrive in Santa Elena is an adventure in itself. The trip starts by transferring to a boat that crosses the Arenal Lake, created by a dam. If the day is clear, you will have spectacular views of the surrounding areas and Arenal Volcano. From here, transfer to 4x4 vehicles and continue on rough roads until arriving in Montverde. After checking into the hotel and enjoying lunch you’ll experience a highlight of your Costa Rica tour – a zipline adventure. The Sky Trek is an extensive system of trails, canopy platforms, one treetop platform, one suspension bridge, and two zip-lines built deep within the cloud forest. This tour gives you a bird's eye view of the cloud forest, taking you high above the canopy for an experience like no other. For two to three hours, hike along the canopy and have the once-in-a-lifetime experience of flying through the forest on a zip-line. After the adrenaline rush subsides, transfer back to the hotel. (B)

DAY 5 MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST RESERVE

Your Costa Rica travel continues with a visit to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, a 10,500 hectare private reserve established in 1972. It’s located on the eastern extreme of Monteverde and home to a myriad of plants, insects, and over four hundred species of birds. It is one of the few areas in Central America where the stunning quetzal can be found.  The reserve features an excellent network of hiking trails of varying lengths and levels of difficulty. With your naturalist guide, hike through the reserve. Free afternoon to enjoy the charming town of Santa Elena on your own with guide. (B)

DAY 6 MONTEVERDE – JUNGLE CROCODILE TOUR - MANUEL ANTONIO

Private transfer to Manuel Antonio located about 4:30 hour drive. On the way, near Carara National Park, you’ll stop to take an interesting Safari Boat Tour in the Tarcoles River. Upon arrival at the meeting point, you’ll board an open roofed boat to explore the world famous Tarcoles River, which sits at the Guacalillo Estuary. Noted for its mangrove forests, the estuary is also home to many birds including the cuckoo, hummingbirds, Panama flycatcher, herons and egrets. This amazing river also supports a wide variety of water birds such as ospreys, cormorants, pelicans and thrillingly, one of the largest colonies of crocodiles in Central America. There's every chance you may spot one of the crocodiles sleeping in shallow water or on the river bank. You’ll have lunch after the tour and will resume the transfer to Manuel Antonio located about an 1 ½  hour drive. After checking in to your hotel the late afternoon is free for you to enjoy the beach and relax. (B,L)

DAY 7 OCEAN KAYAKING SNORKELING

Pick up from your hotel for the ocean kayak & snorkeling tour. This tour is the perfect choice for those interested in getting wet and seeing nature!. You will kayak for approximately 2 ½ hours (roundtrip), during your journey you will paddle past islands and inlets where you can observe and admire numerous marine aviary species and their nesting grounds. Partway through your route you will stop at a beautiful hidden bay to rest and enjoy a refreshing snack. You can take advantage of the 30 minute pit stop to snorkel on this secluded coastline that goes by the name of Bisanz beach. Water visibility varies depending on the season. You are most likely to spot parrotfish, starfish, angelfish and if you are lucky a sea turtle or two! The tour allows you to discover the stunning examples of nature both above and below the ocean’s surface; from pelicans to flying fish, you can see it all! Upon returning to the dock head back to base camp to enjoy a little conversation over a delicious homemade meal. Kayaks are available in 1 passenger and 2 passenger format. This tour does not require previous experience. Transfer back to your hotel and free afternoon.(B,L)

DAY 8 MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK – AFTERNOON PACIFIC BEACH FREE

Morning pick up at your hotel to Manuel Antonio on this last full day of your Costa Rica ecological tour, overnight in Manuel Antonio. Costa Rica's smallest park packs an impressive collection of natural attractions -- wildlife, rain forests, white-sand beaches, coral reefs, rocky coves with abundant marine life. Then there's the forest, which is thick with massive focus and two- and three-toed sloths, green and black iguanas, agoutis, four species of monkeys, and nearly 200 species of birds. Yes, it's a wild, wild place. Nevertheless, Manuel Antonio is no undiscovered wilderness. It's one of Costa Rica's most-visited attractions, so if you're looking for an undisturbed natural oasis, this is not it. But what Manuel Antonio does have is great wildlife that can be easily spotted from well-marked trails -- a luxury you won't find in the Amazon. Because animals are so used to humans, this is one of the best places to see them up close. In the afternoon choose to relax on the sunny beach or relax at your hotel.  (B)

DAY 9 MANUEL ANTONIO - SAN JOSÉ - HOME

Morning pick up for the drive back to San Jose Airport ( 2 ½ hours) in time for your return flight home, ending Southern Explorations services. (B)

Weather

When to Visit
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  • dec

Costa Rica has a mild, tropical climate with average annual temperatures for most of the country ranging between 70°F (22°C) and 85°F (27°C), with warmer temperatures on the moderately humid coasts and cooler temperatures in the mountains and Central Valley. The coolest months are from November to January and the warmest from March through May. Traditionally, the country's climate has been divided into two major seasons: dry (December to April) and rainy (May to November); however, this description is too simplistic for the complex climate of Costa Rica, which varies locally according to elevation, location, and other topographical influences. With more than a dozen complementary climate zones, Costa Rica is a pleasant place to visit any time of year.

Although rainfall patterns in Costa Rica are seasonal, they vary greatly throughout the country due to the mountain ranges that run from the northwest to the southeast and divide the nation into the Pacific and Caribbean slopes, and the central highlands. The wonderful thing about the Costa Rican rain is that it often comes later in the day, offering at least about 5 hours of daily sunshine, and when one coast receives more rain, the other coast tends to be far drier so even the "rainy" season is not what one might expect.

The Pacific coast of Costa Rica is generally a few degrees warmer and less humid than its Caribbean counterpart, receiving most of its rain from May through November. The North Pacific Region is often called the "Gold Coast" due to its sunnier and much drier climate, which averages around 89°F (32°C). During the dry season, no rain may fall for several months in this microclimate. The Central Pacific is greener, due to more rainfall, and gets increasingly humid as you head south.

While the Caribbean slope of Costa Rica tends to receive more rain than the Pacific coast, these showers give the coastal micro-climate more lush vegetation and less crowds. This humid coast is a bit cooler, with an average temperature of 82°F (28°C), and experiences its driest months during February and March. Annually in July and August, you can also expect the predictable, dry veranito, or little summer, to break up the green season.

The Central Valley and highlands, including the capital city of San Jose, are prized for their relatively mild temperate climate, with a mean annual temperature of 70°F (22°C). The higher altitude of this area makes for the pleasant weather year round that the locals call the "eternal spring."
 

SAN JOSE

Min-Max Air Temp

Avg Rainfall

JAN58-750.3
FEB58-760.4
MAR59-790.5
APR62-793.1
MAY62-8010.5
JUN62-7911.0
JUL62-777.1
AUG61-7810.9
SEP61-7914.0
OCT60-7713.3
NOV60-775.3
DEC58-751.3

*Year Round Temperatures in °F, Rainfall in Inches

PUERTO LIMON

Min-Max Air Temp

Avg Rainfall

JAN73-8112.6
FEB72-827.9
MAR74-837.6
APR75-8511.3
MAY76-8411.1
JUN77-8510.9
JUL76-8416.1
AUG75-8311.4
SEP77-856.4
OCT77-867.8
NOV76-8311.4
DEC74-8215.8

*Year Round Temperatures in °F, Rainfall in Inches

QUEPOS

Min-Max Air Temp

Avg Rainfall

JAN69-872.8
FEB69-871.4
MAR71-892.4
APR71-896.6
MAY71-8915.4
JUN71-8717.0
JUL69-8718.1
AUG69-8618.8
SEP71-8320.8
OCT71-8625.3
NOV71-8615.3
DEC69-866.6

*Year Round Temperatures in °F, Rainfall in Inches

LIBERIA

Min-Max Air Temp

Avg Rainfall

JAN74-900.0
FEB76-910.0
MAR76-940.3
APR79-950.9
MAY79-949.2
JUN77-8812.3
JUL77-885.3
AUG76-898.1
SEP75-8812.8
OCT75-8611.2
NOV75-874.1
DEC75-890.5

*Year Round Temperatures in °F, Rainfall in Inches
 

Maps

Classic Costa Rica

Pricing
Per Person
$3,695

Single Supplement: Contact Us
Single Supplement is the additional cost of a single traveler not sharing a room in double occupancy.

 

Included in tour cost
  • Private guide/driver Day 1-6
  • All airport/hotel transfers
  • All hotel accommodations
  • All listed activities
  • English-speaking certified guides
  • Entrance fees for all scheduled tours, national parks & archaeological sites
  • Meals as indicated
  • Southern Explorations pre-departure services
Excluded from tour cost
  • Airport taxes, international and local
  • Domestic airfare within South America
  • International airfare to and from Central & South America
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Medical & travel insurance (highly recommended)

Classic Costa Rica

Trip Dates
Southern Explorations can arrange a private departure on any date that works with your schedule. Custom tours are also available. Contact us for details at 1-877-784-5400 or info@southernexplorations.com.
Available
Arenal
Hotel upgrades are available, please contact us to discuss your options.
Manuel Antonio
Hotel upgrades are available, please contact us to discuss your options.
Monteverde
Hotel upgrades are available, please contact us to discuss your options.
San Jose
Hotel upgrades are available, please contact us to discuss your options.
costa rica travelI have dreamed about going to Costa Rica for years and this trip exceeded all of my expectations! The pre-trip planning by the Southern Explorations was exceptional. With short notice, your team pulled out all of the stops to put together a customized, self-guided itinerary for us during one of the busiest times of the year. Your flawless attention to detail ensured that everything ran like clockwork, from the moment we were met at the airport and delivered to our first hotel to the final day when we dropped off our rental car at the airport before flying home. Each location on the itinerary offered a different type of scenery (and weather!) and an endless variety of activities to pursue, all of which were spectacular. Overall, it was a fascinating adventure and we will always treasure the memories. We look forward to booking our next adventure with Southern Explorations. - Lisa & Geoffrey Marsden, Canada (Costa Rica)

costa rica travelWhat a beautiful country and your company helped plan a seamless trip that flowed for us from place to place and let us experience Costa Rica in all its natural beauty- Gracias. Pura Vida. - Carol & Barry Berger, Florida (Costa Rica)

We absolutely enjoyed travelling with you. It was a great introduction to Costa Rica, the friendly Ticos and their beautiful country. The quality of your tour, the guides, the lodges & hotels, transportation and wide variety of activities was just perfect. This was certainly a grand way to have a celebration with my Canadian nursing class on the occasion of our 45th graduation anniversary! Thanks for making it an experience we will always remember fondly! ‘Rainforests & Volcanoes’ was a great tour. Thanks to all of your excellent staff in Seattle & in Costa Rica for making it so very interesting & exciting!  - Flo & Vic Boyko, Canada (Costa Rica)

Excellent trip, very well organized an choreographed by SE! Will most definitely recommend you to friends that may wish to plan similar trips. Thank you all, and best wishes to you.  - Lee Schultz, Maryland (Costa Rica)


Wonderfull trip, every day exceeded expectations. Thank you for the last minute work to get this organized, all went well. - Ken Stead (Custom Costa Rica)

We had a wonderful trip to Costa Rica. All of the accommodations were better than expected and the food was terrific. The Costa Rican people are warm and friendly. We had a bridge wash out , due to the rainy season, which caused a major detour to get to our final destination. But that ended up being the most fun adventurous part of the vacation. We had a great time and will try to go back in the future.  - Les & Deb, Louisiana (Costa Rica)


We loved pretty much all of the excursions. Some of our favorite excursions included - Tabacon hot springs, Cloud forest hike, zip line and hike, and white water rafting. At Monteverde, we went to a local farm and had a tour of the coffee and sugar cane produced - it was fun, and very interesting. The accommodations were very nice, they all were immaculate and had wonderful surroundings. Our favorites were the Trapp family lodge (very bed and breakfast like, in the woods, close to the cloud forest) and the Costa Verde in Manuel Antonio (huge studio with kitchen, view of the ocean from the room's deck and walking distance to the national park and beach). I think the guide team of Roxana and Antonio was a huge part of what made this a fantastic trip. Everybody's need was a priority and attended to with a lot of thought. Roxana was well educated and articulate in an interesting way about Costa Rica, all the places visited and everything seen along the way. They were both very friendly and welcoming - this created a fun vacation atmosphere and all activities were very enjoyable.  - Janet Murphy, Connecticut (Costa Rica)


There wasn’t a guide that I wouldn’t recommend on this trip. They were all very knowledgeable and enjoyable to talk to and ask questions. They seemed to enjoy being with travelers and we would recommend them to future travelers. Thank you for all your help for our memorable trip. After giving our comments we want to say that we did enjoy the trip very much and would love to go back down to Costa Rica in the future. A special thanks to Jonathan for his help in arranging the tour and helping to get things set up. - David and Jennifer Watt (Costa Rica)ica in all its natural beauty- Gracias. Pura Vida. - Carol & Barry Berger, Florida (Costa Rica)


I just wanted to let you guys know what an amazing time we had in Costa Rica. The itinerary you set up for us was outstanding and the guides were superb. The support and help we received from Jonathan (Borgida) booking our trip at your office was first class. We enjoyed everything about the trip, the accommodations, food, guides, everything was perfect. Thank you so much and we will definitely use you again and recommend your services to anyone who is planning a trip to Costa Rica.  - Josh Cook, Colorado (Costa Rica)


Our tour guide, Pedro Bollannios was terrific. He was a true naturalist genuinely interested in passing on his knowledge of the environment to us, as well as providing a sense of adventure. Overall, an excellent trip. I definitely plan to return to Costa Rica in the future for a more in depth exploration of the culture and rain forests. Thanks! - Vishal Patel (Costa Rica)

 

Costa Rica - Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I choose an itinerary?
A: We offer both active and cultural tours that take you from volcanoes to beaches, with all of the natural beauty, wildlife, and adventure found in between. These itineraries vary in length and level of accommodation. Our Adventure Travel Coordinators would be happy to chat with you to help you find the itinerary that best meets your needs and interests.
Q: Can I make changes or additions to these tours?
A: Yes! We are happy to put together a custom Costa Rica tour for you if our current itineraries are not quite what you are looking for. We can also add extensions onto any of our existing tours.
Q: When is the best time to go to Costa Rica?
A: Costa Rica is best visited during the dry season, which runs from December to May, with the busiest times of year being around Christmas, the New Year, and Easter.
Q: What is the weather like?
A: Costa Rica’s mild, tropical climate makes it a great destination most of the year. From November to May you can expect temperatures in the low-70s to upper-80s, depending on the region you’re exploring, and little rainfall. The rainy season (May to November) offers similar temperatures with frequent afternoon rain storms. May and November are transitional months and can offer nice weather. Please see the weather tab on your specific trip for more details.
Q: What is a typical day like on a Costa Rica tour?
A: A typical day in Costa Rica will vary from tour to tour, but you can generally expect to start your excursions right after breakfast, with a full day of scheduled activities or sightseeing. A lunch break is included and you’ll retire to your accommodations in the late afternoon, with evenings free.
Q: How physically fit do I need to be to enjoy a trip to Costa Rica?
A: Our Costa Rica trips vary in level of activity, so the requirements differ based on itinerary. Please check our physical ratings for each itinerary to see what may be required of you when assessing your ability to enjoy a trip. If you have any specific questions, please contact your Adventure Travel Coordinator. We have personal experience with these activities and can help you decide whether a trip is right for you.
Q: How much time do we need to visit Costa Rica?
A: Most of our Costa Rica trips are between seven and 10 days, depending on how much of the country you would like to see.
Q: How far in advance should I book?
A: For the best guide availability and selection in hotels, we recommend booking three to six months in advance. December through April are especially popular times for Costa Rica travel, so more advance planning is ideal. For the Christmas holiday season and the week prior to Easter, we recommend booking a year in advance.
Q: What are your booking and cancellation policies?
A: Click here to see our booking and cancellation policies.
Q: Do you use certified guides?
A: Our guides have been carefully selected for their knowledge, professionalism, experience and ability to effectively manage groups with finesse. We only hire guides who are native to the destination and licensed or certified in accordance with the government regulations of their country. All are fluent in Spanish and English. Most have advanced degrees in tourism, biology, native culture or other related field. All guides are experienced in the outdoors and trained in basic first aid.
Q: What kind of accommodations can I expect?
A: In major cities we offer a variety of hotels including boutique properties and larger business-style hotels. Throughout the rest of the country we work with a combination of resorts, small traditional hotels, and remote lodges. The majority of the properties are family-run or locally owned. All of our accommodations are clean and comfortable, with private bathrooms and hot water. We offer basic or luxury options in many locations, depending on taste and budget.
Q: Do tours include airfare?
A: Travelers are responsible for their own international airfare. Internal flights are quoted separately from our base trip costs. We will include any necessary internal flight pricing in your quote.
Q: How many people are on your tours?
A: Eight travelers is the maximum for our Costa Rica trips, but the majority of our departures are private.
Q: Will I get more information on packing, vaccines, currency, electricity, etc.?
A: After booking you will receive a link to our online trip portal, which includes all of the need-to-know information that is specific to your itinerary. This includes packing lists, restaurant recommendations, tipping guides, FAQs, vaccine recommendations and currency information. Your Adventure Travel Coordinator will also be a great resource for any other information you may need.