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Important Please Note

For departures before 29 February 2012 this trip has variations.
Please click here for details.

Costa Rican Highlights

Trip Length

Trip Code
10 days GSCH

Activities
Walking (Moderate), Culture (Easy)

Maximum Passengers
16 people

Countries Visited
Costa Rica

Start City

End City
San Jose San Jose
Costa Rican Highlights

Costa Rican Highlights

This tour offers a snapshot of one of Central America's friendliest and most beautiful countries. With twenty five percent of the country devoted to national parks and reserves, this is a nature lover's paradise and the sheer quantity and diversity of wildlife is staggering. Mix this in with some stunning Caribbean beaches and some impressive volcanoes and you are in for a sensational holiday.

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1: San Jose

Our trip starts with arrival in San Jose. There’s no activities planned for Day 1, so you can arrive at any time. There will be a pre-departure meeting at the joining hotel with your leader at 6.30pm this evening. Please check the noticeboard in the foyer of the joining hotel for details of this meeting and for any messages from your leader. Please bring your passport and travel insurance to the briefing.

Day 2: San Jose

Today is your free time for exploring San Jose, the cosmopolitan capital of Costa Rica and the centre of Costa Rica’s theatre and art world. The beautiful National Theatre is a 'must-see'. San Jose's most impressive public building, the National Theatre, is the centre of Costa Rican culture, with its superb interiors of marble staircases, gilded ceilings and local hardwood parquetry floors. The city boasts some excellent museums; among the most famous is the Jade Museum housing the world's largest collection of American jade. Pre-Columbian gold, Costa Rican art and collections of live snakes and native reptiles are among some of the other museum offerings. The friendliness of the people, breathtaking flora and fauna, ancient artefacts, and its central market with all you can imagine make this city a fascinating and memorable cultural experience.

Day 3 - 4: Monteverde

We climb up the mountains to the village of Monteverde, or 'Green Mountain', in the northwest of Costa Rica. Here we set foot upon the outstanding Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. This preserved dense forest is just to the east of the community of Monteverde, a small village founded by North American Quakers in the 1950s. Experiencing the mystical and fragile environment here is a highlight of Costa Rica, with the constant cloud cover enveloping the top of the mountains and providing a misty magical tropical atmosphere in a place that is home to more than 2500 recorded species of plants, 400 birds and 100 species of mammals alone! As well as unexceeded bird-watching opportunities, we also have the option of taking the giant 'Sky Walk'. Traversing the rope ladders and fixed rope bridges on a series of suspension bridges in the jungle canopy over 40 metres above ground, we can view a veritable spectrum of birdlife, marvel at other breathtaking fauna and flora and maybe glimpse the elusive, brilliant quetzal. Travelling from the cool highland cloud forest to the dense rainforest reveals to us the rich diversity of Costa Rica’s ecological highlights.

Day 5 - 6: La Fortuna - Arenal

Our next stop is the town of La Fortuna, whose main attraction is the nearby spectacular Arenal Volcano (1633 metres). This active volcano with its almost perfect conical shape is a spectacular sight, especially at night as red-hot molten lava can often be seen flowing from the crater. During our two-day stay we enjoy a hike around the volcano and absorb the stunning scenery that surrounds its base. There are also some great options for white-water rafting and horse riding. An optional night trek to the volcano is also recommended as there is often a display of molten lava and luminous rocks flying through the sky. We also get to enjoy a dip at the beautiful local waterfalls of La Catarata de Fortuna.

Day 7 - 9: Puerto Viejo & Cahuita

We spend the next three nights in the beautiful beach town of Puerto Viejo which is located on the Caribbean Sea and offers a wide range of activities including hiking, mountain biking , kayaking , diving, and snorkelling. Or you may prefer to soak up some of the local culture, discover the local reggae or sample the indigenous handicrafts on offer. On Day 8 we take a day trip to Cahuita which has a relaxed ambience while its authentic Creole culture remains evident in the country’s food and music. We also visit the Cahuita national park, wildlife abounds and there are good opportunities for sightings of coatis, sloths, armadillos, iguanas, howler and capuchin monkeys, as well as scores of other animals. Cahuita National Park is also renowned for its attractive unspoiled beaches, with long stretches of pristine white sand, coral reef and coastal rainforest, making it a haven for both swimming and snorkelling.

Day 10: San Jose

On our final day we return by bus back to San Jose, where our short Costa Rican journey comes to an end. It is possible to book additional accommodation in San Jose, if you intend on staying on after the tour. If you are departing San Jose today, please do not book to depart until after 19:00 hrs.

About Gecko's

Sharing the adventure is all part of the fun. Our groups are large enough to remove the hassles of go-it-alone travel, yet small enough for you to enjoy the benefits and freedom of independent travel. The average tour has nine people, with a maximum of sixteen. The exception is Africa which has a maximum of 24 and an average of 17. On group trips you travel with a highly-trained local tour leader, who was raised in the region and can show you a side of their homeland that other travellers miss out on. We include the 'must see' sights, and on many trips we venture off the beaten track for some unforgettably unique and unusual experiences.

Nuts and Bolts

An experienced local guide plus there will be the services of local guides at some sites. Entrance fee to Arenal volcano, All transport, accommodation, sightseeing as indicated.

Not Included

International flights, arrival and departure transfers, departure and airport taxes, visas, meals, entrance fees, all optional tours or activities during free time, transfers outside of the tour program, travel insurance, tips and items of a personal nature.

Optional Extras

Visas and Permits

Costa Rica

Australians, Americans, Canadians, British and New Zealanders do not currently require a visa for Costa Rica. For all other nationalities please reconfirm your visa requirements with your travel agent.

Please note that Costa Rican authorities require a Yellow Fever Certificate for visitors arriving from some countries in South America (Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela).

Important Information

Important - A Word on Central America
Central America is different and that’s what makes it such an fascinating destination. You will find that things don’t always go according to plan or work the way they do back home. Buses and planes often run late and sometimes the water in your bathroom can run cold and the electricity fail. The locals live with these issues everyday. In order to get the most out of your holiday, a degree of patience, good humour and understanding is a definite advantage. If you approach your holiday with an open and enquiring mind, the warm welcome you receive from Central Americans will ensure you a rich and rewarding holiday experience.

Public Holiday Inconveniences
Please be prepared for the inconvenience of sights such as museums and churches being closed to tourists on public holidays (ie. Christmas Day and New Years Day). Throughout Latin America, most museums also tend to be closed on Mondays.

About this Information

The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please ensure that you have the most up-to-date information for your trip. We recommend that you check the trip notes for your tour around one month before departure. If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Australia. We are here to help you!

Last Updated

30 November 2011