9-day
Specific Tour
Unlimited
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Costa Rica is the very definition of “pura vida”: a small country between two oceans that shelters almost five percent of the planet’s biodiversity. Volcanoes, cloud forests, rivers and palm-fringed beaches follow one another within just a few hours’ drive. Your individual trip gives you the freedom to experience them all at your own pace.
Before the Spanish arrived, the region was home to indigenous peoples such as the Chorotega and the Bribri, whose culture produced the remarkable stone spheres of the Diquis Delta. Christopher Columbus landed on these shores in 1502 and gave the country its name, “rich coast”. Independence came in 1821, and in 1949 Costa Rica abolished its army, investing instead in education, healthcare and the protection of nature.
The perfectly conical Arenal Volcano, with hot springs at its foot, is the country’s signature image. Monteverde offers walks on hanging bridges through the cloud forest, home to quetzals and hummingbirds. Manuel Antonio National Park combines rainforest full of monkeys and sloths with beautiful beaches, while Guanacaste is famed for its long Pacific coastline.
The cuisine is simple, fresh and balanced, led by rice and black beans in the classic breakfast gallo pinto. Casado, a full plate of rice, beans, plantain and meat or fish, is the everyday lunch of the locals. Do not miss the tropical fruit, the ceviche of the coast and, of course, the excellent highland coffee.
In San Jose you will find lively bars, salsa and merengue music venues and modern restaurants in the Escalante and Heredia neighbourhoods. On the coast, Tamarindo and Manuel Antonio have laid-back beach bars with live music until late. In La Fortuna and Monteverde evenings are quieter, often spent on guided night walks watching wildlife.
The dry season runs roughly from December to April and is considered the ideal time to travel, although the country is beautiful all year round. Pack light clothing, a rain jacket and good walking shoes for the national park trails.
Currency: Costa Rican Colon (CRC)· Time: 9 hours behind Greece in summer (8 hours in winter)· Arrival airport: San Jose – Juan Santamaria (SJO)
This destination lies within the tropics, where temperature varies little through the year and the seasons differ mainly in rainfall. The trip runs year-round.
The trip runs for 9 days and starts from €1,625 per person, departing from Athens. You pick the dates — there is no fixed departure.
The price includes: round-trip flights Athens – San Jose – Athens with connections, accommodation in selected hotels and lodges with breakfast, private car with driver for the transfers in the programme, guided walks with local naturalists where indicated, 24-hour support from our office.
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No account needed. We will let you know if anything worth knowing happens.
Optional tours, tickets and activities you can book for your days there. We arrange the trip — these you choose yourself.
Activities, experiences and local guides — book ahead and keep your days free of queues.
These activities are provided and sold by our partners. You complete the booking on their page, at exactly the same price.
This is a made-to-order trip, so you choose the dates. We are happy to advise on the best season for this destination and on how the weather, prices and crowds change through the year — just tell us roughly when you are thinking of travelling.
The main inclusions are:
The full list of what is and is not included appears in the "Included / Excluded" section on this page.
For destinations outside the European Union you need a passport valid for at least six months beyond your return date, with blank pages for stamping. A national ID card is not accepted. Some countries also require a visa or an electronic travel authorisation to be obtained before departure, and a few ask for specific vaccinations. Entry rules change, so please confirm the current requirements with our office before you book.
The local currency is Costa Rican Colon (CRC). Cards are widely accepted in cities and hotels, but it is worth carrying some cash for small shops, markets and tips. Tell your bank you are travelling so your card is not blocked.
Changes and cancellations follow the terms of the airlines, hotels and suppliers booked for you, so the cost depends on how close to departure you are and on the fare rules of each booking. Tell us as early as possible and we will look for the least costly option. The general terms of participation apply to every booking.
Travel insurance is not included in the price unless the "Included" list on this page says otherwise. We strongly recommend it, especially for trips outside the EU, so that medical care, cancellation and lost luggage are covered. We can arrange a policy for you — just ask when you book.
Yes — this is an individual trip, not a group departure. There is no fixed itinerary and no coach schedule: you travel on your own, at your own pace. We can change the number of nights, the class of hotel, add or drop destinations and arrange transfers, car hire or private guides.
Send us a request through the form on this page, call us, or drop by the office. We will come back with availability and a written quotation before anything is charged. The trip as shown runs for 9 days.
