Go Local in Costa Rica

15 days

Indicative cost incl. flights:

A typical 3* holiday costs from £5,445pp

(Based on two people travelling. Low season can be a lot cheaper, and peak season or4 / 5* hotels can be substantially more expensive.)

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Arenal

Boca Tapada

Manuel Antonio

Monteverde Cloud Forest

Day 1

Fly to San Jose today. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your mountainous hotel in the central valley.

Day 2

Enjoy a visit to a local home and learn how Costa Rican food is prepared using traditional ways. Doña Elida will share with you her culinary secrets making “gallo pinto” the national dish of Costa Rica in her wood stove! This authentic and delicious experience is a must for foodies.

Day 3

Travel to Boca Tapada, which is far from the beaten tourist path. This is an area that true eco-travellers embrace for its natural beauty and tranquility.

Day 4

Today’s wildlife adventure will take you downstream on the San Carlos River in search of crocodiles, tortoise, bats, herons, kingfishers, king vultures, and much more! Make a stop at the remote village of Boca San Carlos town to meet the locals.

Day 5

Included in your stay is a guided rainforest hike, a visit to a local school, the use of canoes on the lagoon, as well as the opportunity to support sustainable tourism by planting a tree in the rainforest.

Day 6

Transfer to the Arenal region to visit due to the impressive spectacle of its imposing peak when the weather is clear, and also for the wealth of activities on offer in the surrounding area. Here, you will find tropical forests set up with hanging bridges, canopy zip lines, hiking trails, and horseback riding routes to tumbling waterfalls.

Day 7

Arenal Volcano's forest is home to many sloths, which you will go out looking for together with your guide, who knows their favourite spots to relax. On the way you may also get a chance to see monkeys, leaf cutter ants and poison dart frogs.

Day 8

Today's visit to La Tigra agro-ecological farm is where we will learn about the daily lifestyle of traditional Costa Rican families, their customs, culture, and traditions, and how they sustainably maintain their property.

Day 9

Transfer to Monteverde, Costa Rica’s most famous cloud forest and another of the country’s prime visitor attractions to discover the wildlife of the cloud forest after dark.

Day 10

Your guided tour with your sloth expert will allow you to observe many sloths as they roam among the trees and foliage of the sanctuary. Selvatura Park supports education and promotes environmental conservation, which helps the sloths be reintroduced back into their natural habitat.

Day 11

Heading next to find golden-sand beaches fringed by an emerald jungle, Manuel Antonio is the perfect spot for some rest and relaxation.

Days 12 & 13

Free time in Manuel Antonio to relax or start exploring some of the nearby beaches. If you decide you would like to arrange some activities, suggestions here would be the Damas Islands mangroves kayaking tour, whale watching, and time for a sunset cocktail.

Day 14

Transfer to the international airport in San Jose today for your flight back to the UK.

Day 15

Arrive home today.

Where you'll go
What you'll do
Where you'll stay

Similar Holidays

Everything we do is tailor-made; our itineraries are just suggestions to give you an idea of what is possible. Please contact us so we can tailor the perfect holiday exclusively for you.

The best way to enjoy beautiful, friendly, laidback Costa Rica is to spend time with its amazing, friendly locals! Be it through learning about their daily lives or getting stuck in cooking classes, learning how important sustainability is to this green and vibrant country, our go-local Costa Rica itinerary is for those wishing to appreciate the country beyond the standard must-sees and really get to know Costa Rica and its friendly people. This trip will also show you some of the most important highlights of this diverse and beautiful country, as well as some incredible wildlife viewing opportunities. At a slower pace, a greater understanding of life in Costa Rica will also be achieved. Pura Vida!

2 nights Naranjo – 3 nights Boca Tapada – 3 nights Arenal – 2 nights Monteverde – 3 nights Manuel Antonio