Tour overview

This 15-day trip covers Costa Rica's rainforests, volcanoes and Pacific beaches at great value. A local leader travels with the group, which numbers no more than sixteen. You stay fourteen nights in hotels, a Tortuguero lodge and a family homestay, with a few meals included.

From San José you travel to Tortuguero National Park for two nights among its jungle canals, then stay with a family in Santa Rosa de Pocosol, with a home-cooked dinner.

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You hike to the turquoise river of Rio Celeste, spend two days beneath Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna and explore the cloud forest of Monteverde, finishing with three nights at Manuel Antonio among monkeys and beaches.

The physical rating is medium. This trip suits travellers who want the whole of Costa Rica with plenty of free time.

Trip highlights

  • Tortuguero National Park (Days 2–3)
  • A family homestay (Day 4)
  • Rio Celeste (Day 6)
  • Arenal Volcano (Day 7)
  • Monteverde cloud forest (Day 10)
  • Manuel Antonio (Days 11–13)

Your route

8 stops from San Jose to Manuel Antonio

15-day route: San José – Tortuguero – Santa Rosa de Pocosol – Rio Celeste – La Fortuna – Monteverde – Manuel Antonio – San José
  1. San Jose Days 1 & 14–15
  2. La Pavona Day 2
  3. Tortuguero Days 2–3
  4. Santa Rosa de Pocosol Day 4
  5. Rio Celeste Days 5–6
  6. La Fortuna Days 7–8
  7. Monteverde Days 9–10
  8. Manuel Antonio Days 11–13

Why choose this tour

The whole of Costa Rica in two weeks. Great value with a local leader.

Best suited to

  • Wildlife lovers
  • First-time visitors to Costa Rica
  • Solo travellers
  • Budget-minded travellers
A turtle basking on a log in Tortuguero

Day-by-day itinerary

15 days from San José, Costa Rica to San José, Costa Rica

  1. Day 1 · San José San José

    Welcome to Costa Rica.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Tortuguero National Park Tortuguero

    Jungle canals.

    Hotel
    Lodge
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Tortuguero Tortuguero

    A free day.

    Hotel
    Lodge
  4. Day 4 · Santa Rosa de Pocosol Pocosol

    A family homestay.

    Hotel
    Homestay
    Meals
    Dinner
  5. Day 5 · Rio Celeste Rio Celeste

    To the north.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  6. Day 6 · Tenorio Volcano National Park Rio Celeste

    A blue river.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano La Fortuna

    Arenal.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  8. Day 8 · La Fortuna La Fortuna

    A free day.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  9. Day 9 · Lake Arenal, Monteverde Monteverde

    By bus and boat.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  10. Day 10 · Monteverde Cloud Forest Monteverde

    The cloud forest.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  11. Day 11 · Manuel Antonio Manuel Antonio

    To the Pacific.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Lunch
  12. Day 12 · Manuel Antonio National Park Manuel Antonio

    Monkeys and beaches.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  13. Day 13 · Manuel Antonio Manuel Antonio

    A free day.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  14. Day 14 · San José San José

    Back to the capital.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  15. Day 15 · San José San José

    The trip ends.

    Meals
    Breakfast
The blue waters of the Rio Celeste

Where you stay

  • San José (1 night) Hotel
  • Tortuguero (2 nights) Lodge
  • Santa Rosa de Pocosol (1 night) Homestay
  • Rio Celeste (2 nights) Hotel
  • La Fortuna (2 nights) Hotel
  • Monteverde (2 nights) Hotel
  • Manuel Antonio (3 nights) Hotel
  • San José (1 night) Hotel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 14 nights in hotels, a lodge and a homestay
  • Meals 5 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 1 dinner
  • Private vehicles, public buses and boats
  • Tortuguero National Park
  • Family homestay with home-cooked dinner
  • Manuel Antonio National Park
  • Local leader throughout

Not included

  • Flights
  • Meals not included 9 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 13 dinners
  • Optional activities
  • Travel insurance and personal spending
A trail through the cloud forest

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want most meals included
  • You want luxury hotels
  • You dislike long travel days
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2, 5–7 and 15 · Lunch: Days 5 and 11 · Dinner: Day 4
FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Costa Rica
The coast of Manuel Antonio from above

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £1,553 per person, twin share, tour only. 278 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Do I need a visa for Costa Rica?

No, UK citizens can visit Costa Rica visa-free for up to 90 days.

What is the homestay like?

A night with a local family, with a home-cooked dinner and simple shared facilities.

Will I see wildlife?

Very likely: sloths, monkeys, birds and turtles in season, though sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Which meals are included?

A few breakfasts, two lunches and a homestay dinner.

Can I have my own room?

A single supplement may be available; otherwise solo travellers share with someone of the same gender.

How many people travel together?

No more than sixteen travellers, with a local leader.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

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