Overview of Your Undiscovered Costa Rica Tour
Though bio-diverse Costa Rica is Central Americas most popular destination, areas of the country are still off the beaten track for most visitors who travel to Costa Rica. This nine-day trip takes you on hikes to the tallest volcano in Costa Rica and the ethereal cloud forests of San Gerardo de Dota in the mountainous interior and explores three top locations for observing humpback whales that migrate to Costa Ricas southern Pacific coast from the Arctic and Antarctica to breed and give birth. You will travel to two little-visited coastal national parks, Ballena and Corcovado, and snorkel in marine waters. Much wildlife and few tourists make these Costa Rica tours a most memorable vacation.
Trip Features
- 9 Days
- Starting at $4,795 per person
-
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate -
ACTIVITIES
Hiking, Snorkeling, Waterfalls -
HIGHLIGHTS
San Gerardo de Dota, Uvita, Bahia Ballena, Osa Peninsula, Corcovado National Park, Cano Island, Irazu Volcano
Book your Costa Rica trip or let us customize a travel plan just for you!
Talk to a Travel ExpertArrival at the San Jose International Airport where a Southern Explorations guide will meet you to transfer you to a hotel in the capital for your overnight stay.
Early morning departure to San Gerardo de Dota visiting the Irazu Volcano on the way. Our first visit will take us the Irazu Volcano (11,155), the highest volcano in the country. This active volcano, presently in a dormant phase, is located about a 90 minute drive from San Jose and about 45 min drive from Cartago, the countrys former capital city. Our drive will take us through a rural landscape formed by colorful villages, plantations and patches of forest with impressive views of El Guarco Valley as you gain altitude. Once on the top, take a short walk to the mouth of its two craters, where you’ll be able to observe the volcano in all its magnitude. Our tour continues with a drive to Santa Gerardo with a lunch stop on the way. Check in at your lodge and rest of the day at leisure. San Gerardo de Dota, submerged between the mountains that make up part of the Continental Divide and surrounded by extensive cloud forests, offers an ecological paradise in its purest state. Explore the abundant biodiversity of the tropical forest during a hike along the various nature trails and discover why this is considered one of the most authentic natural destinations in the country. Due to its high altitude at more than 2000 meters above sea level, San Gerardo de Dota benefits from a template and cool climate, which combined with the mystery emanating from the cloud forest, make this a perfect destination for natural history lovers and hiking. (B,L)
Today, you’ll enjoy a pleasant five-hour guided hike in the highlands of the scenic Cerro Buena Vista. From your hotel, you will be transferred to the starting point at 11,450 ft above sea level, the top of Buena Vista mountain, to follow a trail leading down through the cloud forest that ends in the secluded valley of San Gerardo de Dota, elevation 7,220 feet. The hike travels through a sub-alpine forest characterized by dwarf vegetation. This zone, also known as pramo, is only found at the high elevations of the Talamanca Mountain Range and in the Andes. On a clear day, it is possible to see the central and southern Pacific Coast as well as some of the volcanoes of the Central Mountain Range. On the descent, you watch the eco-system change until you are totally immersed in cloud forest with its huge oaks, perpetually green vegetation and stunning wildlife. You will be returned to your hotel and have the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Overnight at your selected hotel. (B,L)
Early morning transfer from your hotel to the area of Uvita at Bahia Ballena on the southern Pacific coast, about a three and a half hour drive from San Gerardo de Dota. Bahia Ballena is named for the humpback whales that arrive annually for courting and calving. This beautiful coast is comprised of many unique, beautiful deserted beaches and majestic mountains that meet the sea. The area also features lush tropical forests, teeming with wildlife, scenic waterfalls and plenty of opportunities for adventure. On the way, near the village of Dominical, you’ll stop and take a guided hike to the impressive Nauyaca Waterfalls, considered some of the most beautiful in Costa Rica. The Nauyaca Waterfalls lie deep in the tropical rainforest in southern Costa Rica and sits in a wide canyon that is covered in lush greenery, made even greener from the constant mist of the cascading water. With two sets of falls measuring a combined 61 meters (200 feet) tall and a large natural pool for swimming, the Nauyaca waterfalls are indeed a sight to see. Our hike will take you through an emerald rain forest following a well-maintained trail that goes parallel to the beautiful Baru River and then ascending a steep hill proving great chances to spot some wildlife, like monkeys or birds. From the trailhead, the hike is 2 miles in each direction (about 1 hr. each way). The trail is very easy in places, following a rough dirt road, and moderately difficult in others, with a few steep, rocky areas near the falls. Once we reach the falls, you will have time to admire both, the upper and lower falls and take a swim to cool off in a huge pool of blue water with plenty of room for everyone to have their space and relax. You’ll have some snacks around the pool before our hike back to your vehicle. After completing your hike, you will be transferred to your hotel in Uvita. Guide/driver at your disposal for the rest of the day.
Option to take a 4 X 4 transfer to the waterfall. Please confirm in advance.
Todays Costa Rica tours provide an overview of the area. The half-day boat tour starts at Punta Uvita Beach and visits the famous Punta Uvita Whale Tale, Ballena Island, Tres Hermanas Islets and Ventana Sea Caves. During the tour, you will search for humpback and pilot whales as well as three different species of resident dolphins. Humpback whales regularly pass through Costa Ballena between mid-July and October, and again in December through March, as they migrate to and from feeding and mating grounds. With luck, you will see and hear the humpback whales or observe the acrobatics of the dolphins. You also visit the coral and rock reefs to snorkel and search for the abundant marine wildlife. While cruising along the beautiful coastline of Costa Ballena, you will observe the diversity of pelagic birds in the islets and the amazing caverns of Ventanas Beach. If conditions permit, your experienced boat captain will navigate through these natural water passages for some spectacular views. You are returned to your hotel around noon and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at your selected hotel. (B)
In the morning, you will be transferred from your hotel to Sierpe, about a one-hour drive. Upon arrival at the Sierpe dock, you’ll take a ninety-minute boat ride downriver, viewing mangrove wetlands along the river’s edge until reaching your jungle lodge on the Osa Peninsula. After lunch, spend a leisurely afternoon exploring the nature trails and the beach. Overnight at your selected lodge. (B,L,D)
Casa Corcovado / Most other Corcovado Hotels CLOSED September 1-November 14
These two memorable days of Costa Rica ecological tours will be spent observing wildlife. This wilderness park is home to many endangered species: monkeys, jaguars and tapirs as well as 400 bird species including the country’s largest population of scarlet macaws, making it a popular stop for tropical biologists and eco-tourists alike. Here you will enjoy full-day excursions to Corcovado National Park and Cano Island Biological Reserve accompanied by a naturalist guide (the order of the tours may vary depending on weather conditions). The tour to Cano Island includes time to snorkel. A picnic lunch will be provided on both tours. You will be returned to the lodge in the afternoon. Overnight at your lodge on the Osa Peninsula. (B,L,D)
Casa Corcovado / Most other Corcovado Hotels CLOSED September 1-November 14
In the morning (depending upon the tides), you will depart the coast to fly from Palmar Sur or Drake Bay back to San Jos to connect with your international flight home. (B)
Let us customize a Costa Rica travel plan for you!
Speak with our expert team so we can get you exactly the trip to Costa Rica you’re looking for.
Phone
1-877-784-5400Trip FAQs
We have so much to share with you! How does this all work? Start with the frequently asked questions below, and if you want to talk to us directly, simply reach out by phone or form.
Talk to a Travel ExpertYou have the flexibility to choose your own travel dates on most of our trips. Certain trips, such as cruises, have fixed schedules. Availability on these trips is always changing so please contact us with your preferred travel time and we can find the perfect itinerary for you
We provide full service tours so in general our trips include all guided activities with professional English-speaking guides, accommodations, transportation, airport transfers, entrance fees and permits, select meals, and pre-departure services. You will be responsible for international airfare while we will book all in-country airfare. Contact one of our expert travel planners for even more details on this specific tour.
The first step is to get in touch with a Southern Explorations travel planner for date availability and information on activities, accommodations and other travel aspirations you may have. Give us a call at 1.877.784.5400, fill out this form or email info@southernexplorations.com.
Yes! All of our posted itineraries can be considered a starting point and we’re happy to tailor a trip to your exact desires. There may be some elements of a trip, such as a cruise or all-inclusive lodge stay, that cannot be modified but we can always adjust the tours around those components.
We have more detailed information about each destination in the Plan Your Trip section of this website. Our team of friendly travel planners is also available to walk you through various options and to work with you on the perfect trip!
Plan Your Trip to Costa Rica
Browse our in-depth travel guide of Costa Rica to learn more about the destination.
Learn More About Costa RicaTestimonials
Our guide, Carlos Vargas, was absolutely exceptional. Not only was he a fantastic guide, pointing out interesting plants and animals we would have surely missed without him, but he was also genuinely a good guy and added to the fun our family had in Costa Rica. Outside of Carlos, the trip was great. Memorable activities, jaw-dropping locations. Wouldnt change a thing.
– Eric Deriemer