A tropical paradise bursting with wildlife; Christopher Columbus was right to christen Costa Rica the ‘Rich Coast’ when he discovered it in 1502. Home to 6% of the world’s plant and animal species, many endemic, the country’s rich biodiversity is extremely colourful. Over 850 bird species have been recorded here - far more than found anywhere in North America, Europe and Australia. A cornucopia of exotic flora and fauna, Costa Rica is a nature lover’s delight.



  • Discover the tranquil waterways of Tortuguero, an important nesting site for Green turtles
  • Abundant wildlife viewing with sightings of monkeys, birds and sloths expected
  • Comfortable eco-friendly lodges and hotels throughout 
  • Two boat trips included at Tortuguero and a boat safari in the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge 
  • Visit multiple wildlife habitats in one week: verdant rainforest, lush mangroves, lava fields and serene cloud forests

On this Costa Rican adventure, we spend seven nights in comfortable hotels and lodges, aiming to use family-run establishments where possible. Below are the accommodations typically used on this trip.



San José: Aurola Holiday Inn San José (nights 1 and 7)







We begin and end our adventure at this high-rise hotel, which is conveniently located for the downtown area of the city. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and amenities include an indoor pool, fitness centre and a selection of restaurants (head to the 17th-floor El Mirador for a view over the city and Central Valley volcanoes).



Tortuguero: Pachira Lodge or Evergreen Lodge (nights 2-3)







In Tortuguero, we stay at either Pachira Lodge or Evergreen Lodge (above), depending on availability. Both are firm favourites with our groups: ideally situated for access to Tortuguero National Park by boat and with comfortable accommodation in the Costa Rican wilderness. Both even have a turtle-shaped swimming pool.



Arenal: Arenal Montechiari (nights 4-5)







Arenal Montechiari is a 10-minute walk from La Fortuna town. Each chalet bungalow is set within tropical gardens where hummingbirds gather, and there are wonderful views of Arenal volcano.



Monteverde: Monteverde Country Lodge or Montaña Monteverde (night 6)







Our night in Monteverde is spent at either Monteverde Country Lodge (above) or Montaña Monteverde, depending on availability. The former is a cosy retreat for the cool cloud forest climate with a restaurant serving fusion cuisine made with Costa Rican produce. The latter is adjacent to a private reserve and has a bar and restaurant serving homecooked Costa Rican dishes.



Worth knowing



One or several of the named properties might be substituted for similar alternatives to secure hotel availability. Please discuss with your customer operations executive if you require more details regarding your specific departure date.