Costa Rica offers everything from fly-and-flop idyllic beach holidays to eco-adventure travel experiences, so we asked operators to select their best itineraries for three very different types of client, all starting from the capital, San José.
The client: Luxury honeymooners
Budget: £5k-£7kpp
The itinerary: The couple can explore the cultural highlights of San José such as the National Theatre (Teatro Nacional Costa Rica) or one of the museums, such as The National Museum of Costa Rica, which houses exhibits on the country’s archaeology and natural history – so a good starting point before heading off to see Costa Rica. They can then escape to the cloud forests and waterfalls of Bajos del Toro, a small town located between two volcanoes -Volcan Poas and Volcan Viejo – less than two hours’ drive north of the capital.
After a day touring the Bajos del Toro village, which includes a visit to an orchid garden and a trip to a local restaurant to learn how to make authentic tortillas, they will stay in a villa at the El Silencio Lodge & Spa, a retreat nestled in its own 500-acre nature reserve complete with cloud forests and waterfalls.
Their next stop will be two hours further north to Arenal Volcano National Park, to stay at the Amor Arenal Hotel. Located in the foothills of the volcano (which last erupted in 1968), the hotel has a rainforest spa, a meditation deck and a full wellness programme.
The holiday finishes with three days in the laidback beach resort of Santa Teresa on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. It’s around a six-hour drive from Arenal, but guests will then have time to relax at the 15-room beachfront property Nantipa Hotel.
The cost: The 11-day tailormade tours costs from £5,199pp including international flights with Latin Routes.
Business Development Executive Julia Ross said: “Costa Rica has been a trending destination for the past few years now, and it is understandable why. It’s s a dream destination for luxury travellers and honeymooners alike.”
The client: Friends looking for a budget-conscious, eco-adventure group trip
The budget: £2kpp
The trip: This small group itinerary (16 people maximum) takes in a big chunk of the country, all by land. Leaving San José, the tour heads north to La Fortuna, first stopping at G Adventures’ community project Cafecito Coffee Cooperative so clients can interact with local coffee producers and grind their own coffee.
It’s then onto La Fortuna, close to the main attraction of nearby Arenal Volcano, where there’s an option to hike the area’s nature trails, swim in La Fortuna waterfall or go canyoning.
On day four it’s time to head across to the country’s cloud forest region, Monteverde Cloud Forest, via a van and boat to experience ziplining through the rainforests and even taking a night walk in the jungle. The itinerary then heads south and across to the Pacific Coast to the town of Quepos, which will act as a base to visit Manuel Antonio National Park. It’s the smallest of Costa Rica’s national parks, but it’s still home to hundreds of butterflies, hummingbirds, toucans and monkeys. The tour includes an entrance ticket into the park, or for an extra fee pre-book the Manuel Antonio Catamaran tour.
Accommodation varies, but the hotels on offer are described as ‘comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character’.
There is only one lunch included on this tour, so guests can choose to eat in local restaurants on a budget that suits.
As well as included excursions already mentioned, G Adventures’ trips have plenty of free time for guests to explore on their own.
The cost: The nine-day ‘Costa Rica Quest’ group trip costs from £764pp, excluding international flights, with G Adventures.
National Sales Manager Stu Darnley said: “Costa Rica has always been one of our top-selling destinations. With surf-ready beaches, misty volcanoes, roaring rivers, and lush jungles teeming with wildlife, it’s the ultimate place for adventure seekers.
“This high-volume destination boasts a solid tourism infrastructure, giving agents confidence in booking a trip that truly has something for everyone.”
The client: A 50th birthday trip with Costa Rica’s must-do experiences
Budget: £2k-£4kpp
The itinerary
The trip: Clients spend a night in San Jose at the centrally-located Presidente Hotel, with time to visit the National Museum of Costa Rica or just hang out drinking coffee and relaxing after travelling. It’s then on for wildlife-spotting – one of the main reasons to visit Costa Rica – with a chance to see howler monkeys, sloths and toucans during a canyon canopy tour in Monteverde Cloud Forest, which has around 2,500 species of plants, 100 species of mammals, and hundreds of butterflies and birds.
Clients are then driven by private car inland (around 3.5 hours) to Rincón de la Vieja, another natural playground with two volcanoes, rivers and a diverse variety of flora and fauna. Here clients can experience another Costa Rica highlight – the natural hot springs and mud baths. The journey concludes with three days unwinding at the beach with a stay at the Hotel Bosque de Mar in the Pacific coast resort of Hermosa beach, home to family-friendly shores for swimming and snorkelling.
The price: The nine-night ‘Pura Vida Costa Rica’ package costs from £2,599pp, including international flights, with Travelpack.
Marketing Manager Sharel Dsa said: “This itinerary is a great introduction for travellers. Costa Rica is an ideal destination for agents to promote due to its unique mix of adventure, natural beauty, and relaxation that caters to a broad range of travellers. Known for its eco-friendly tourism and commitment to preserving its rich biodiversity, Costa Rica appeals to clients who want an unforgettable, sustainable getaway.”
