NB: Prices correct on 31-Mar-2025 but subject to change.
This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Costa Rica's natural wonders with the "Costa Rica Natural Paradise" tour. This adventure begins in the vibrant city of San Jose, where you'll settle into your choice of comfortable accommodations. From there, venture into the lush Monteverde Cloud Forest, a haven for nature enthusiasts, offering guided hikes and self-guided tours through its unique misty landscapes. Discover the secrets of coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane on an immersive cultural tour. Next, head to the sun-kissed shores of Tamarindo, renowned for its pristine beaches and thrilling water sports. Enjoy a sunset catamaran cruise, complete with snorkeling and a BBQ meal, as you soak in the breathtaking views of Costa Rica's Gold Coast. With shared transfers and local guides, this tour promises a seamless blend of relaxation, adventure, and cultural exploration, making it perfect for families, couples, and solo travelers alike.
Highlights
Monteverde: A true nature lovers paradise with a marvellous diversity of wildlife and plant life
Monteverde Cloud Forest is unique from Costa Rica’s other rainforests, with a constant mist that looks like clouds and gives the forest its name
Monteverde is a unique blend of natural beauty and tranquillity combined with adventure and adrenaline activities, cultural and culinary experiences to discover the secrets of the forest!Tamarindo: The most developed beach on the vibrant Nicoya Peninsula and one of Costa Rica's best-known surf spots
Tamarindo beach is also a wonderland of adventure and has the serenity of a tropical getaway
This is a destination for anyone that is travelling through Costa Rica, from newlyweds to families
Great swimming, surf, fishing, and water sports during the day, buzzing nightlife come sunset
Itinerary
Not what you're looking for?
People that have booked this tour have also searched for the following:
Accommodation Name: Hotel Park Inn or similar, Hotel Real Intercontinental or similar
Welcome to Costa Rica! A representative will greet you and assist you at the airport. Shared transfer from airport to the hotel in San Jose city. Upon arrival, check-in and enjoy leisure time to refresh, relax and get comfortable in your hotel room. Explore by your own the city and its surroundings.
Overnight in San Jose.
Day 2
:
SAN JOSE – MONTEVERDE (145km – 3.5hrs)
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Monteverde Country Lodge or similar, El Establo Mountain Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Early breakfast at the hotel. Around 7:00 am a representative will pick you up at the lobby and take you on a shared transfer to your next destination: Monteverde Cloud forest region. Upon arrival check-in and later meet your guide and start the hike through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Founded in 1972, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is world-famous for its outstanding biodiversity, conservation actions and contributions, as well as scientific research. The reserve is home to 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity, and it is one of the most important private reserves, not just in Costa Rica but the world. It hosts hundreds of species of mammals, birds, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, insects and arachnids, as well as a large variety of flora, such as mosses, vines or the autochthonous trees of the cloud forest. Rest of day at leisure.
Overnight in Monteverde.
Day 3
:
MONTEVERDE
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Monteverde Country Lodge or similar, El Establo Mountain Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Have a rich breakfast at the hotel and around 10:00 am a representative will pick you up at the lobby to take you to Selvatura Park’s treetop walkways. You will enjoy a self-guided tour walking through the bridges. Pay attention to the opportunity to appreciate the wide variety of flora and fauna of Monteverde and observe the endemic biodiversity of the cloud forest canopy which is not found anywhere else in the world. The treetop walkways tour consists of 1.9 miles of trails and with various lengths which range between 170 feet and 560 feet. Also, discover one of the largest butterfly gardens in the Americas, with an area of 300 feet long by 90 feet wide and 50 feet tall, a great dome structure covered by a special structure that helps control the temperature inside the garden, which enables our garden to host more than 30 different species of butterflies from different altitudes and climates found throughout Costa Rica. Once your visit is finished, shared transport will be available to take you back to your hotel at the time previously coordinated in the park.
Overnight in Monteverde.
Day 4
:
MONTEVERDE
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Monteverde Country Lodge or similar, El Establo Mountain Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Recharge your energies with breakfast at the hotel and around 9:30 am a representative will pick you up at the lobby and take you to an entertaining experience: the 3 in 1 Coffee Tour. A unique experience between culture and tradition. The coffee tour, which begins with the wonderful history of coffee in the world, followed by its history in our country and importance in Costa Rica’s development. The second part of this tour is the famous chocolate tour, which is a differential feature, and the perfect complement for coffee, it’s a contributor to rescuing the traditions and culture of our country. You will have an experience between aromas and history, where you will participate in the chocolate process and be able to enjoy, share and taste the fruit of the cocoa. The third part of the tour will be about sugar cane, where you’ll learn about its history, plantations, different types of harvest, processing, obtainment of various products and you’ll be able to live the experience of handcrafting sugar cane juice. The duration approximate of the tour is 2.5 hours. Rest of the day at leisure to relax or continue exploring Monteverde on your own.
Overnight in Monteverde.
Day 5
:
MONTEVERDE – TAMARINDO (160km – 4hrs)
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Wyndham Tamarindo or similar, Tamarindo Diria or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a tasty breakfast at the hotel and around 9:00 am check-out and departure on a shared transfer to your next destination: Tamarindo beach, a beach town on Costa Rica’s north Pacific, the world-famous Gold Coast, best known for its white-sand beaches and spectacularly azure Pacific waters. Enjoy a relaxing time at the hotel facilities or exploring this vibrant beach town.
Overnight in Tamarindo.
Day 6
:
TAMARINDO
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Wyndham Tamarindo or similar, Tamarindo Diria or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Indulge in a rich breakfast at the hotel. Today take advantage of free time to rest on the beach, cool off in the pool, shop and discover the town of Tamarindo and its surroundings on your own.
Overnight in Tamarindo.
Day 7
:
TAMARINDO (4hrs by catamaran)
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Wyndham Tamarindo or similar, Tamarindo Diria or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Leisure morning to enjoy the sun and the beach. Around 1:00 pm, join a sunset catamaran. Meet your guide at the meeting point previously indicated. Once onboard, you silently glide along Costa Rica’s Gold Coast while passing some of Guanacaste’s exotic bays, white-sand beaches, and tropical jungles. Gaze off the bow with a cold tropical drink, prepared and served by the crew, as you scan the seas for dolphins, sea turtles, flying fish, or even a breaching whale. Stop in a tranquil bay, drop anchor, and frolic in the blue Pacific. Snorkel in the bay or run down the deserted white sand beach while the ever-helpful crew prepares a BBQ meal (included). Hear the waves slide along the giant catamaran as the sun sets, illuminating the clouds left in the sky. This experience takes an approximate of 4 hours.
Overnight in Tamarindo.
Day 8
:
TAMARINDO – DEPARTURE SAN JOSE (4.5hrs – 245km)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Wake up to one last breakfast at the hotel. Around 8:00 am a representative will pick you up at the lobby and take you on shared transportation to Juan Santamaria International Airport.
What's Included
TOUR GUIDE:
Operated with English- and Spanish-speaking local guides during the scheduled activities. Please note you will be accompanied by local guides for the activities only. There is no guarantee that you will be part of a group, or part of the same group during the tour.
ACCOMMODATION:
7 night’s accommodation
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Day 1 San Jose:
Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Park Inn or similar 3*
Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Real Intercontinental or similar 4*
Day 2-4 Monteverde:
Standard Hotel Category = Monteverde Country Lodge or similar 3*
Superior Hotel Category = El Establo Mountain Hotel or similar 3*
Day 5-7 Tamarindo:
Standard Hotel Category = Wyndham Tamarindo or similar 3*
Superior Hotel Category = Tamarindo Diria or similar 4*
MEALS:
7 Breakfasts
TRANSPORT:
Arrival and departure shared transfer in an air-conditioning bus from/ to Juan Santamaria Airport
Shared transportation in an air-conditioning bus throughout the tour
ENTRANCE FEES & ACTIVITIES:
All entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary: guided hike in Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve (Day 2), Self-guided tour to Selvatura Hanging bridges, butterflies garden in Monteverde (Day 3), Coffee, Chocolate and Sugar Cane tour (Day 4), Sunset Catamaran with BBQ lunch and snorkelling equipment (Day 7)
OTHER:
Meet & Greet
Hotel Taxes
What's Not Included
Visa fees
Domestic flights
International flights
Drinks during meals (unless specified otherwise)
Optional tours (if any)
Any visit not mentioned in the program
Porterage and gratuities
Expenditures of a personal nature, drinks and meals or items not stated explicitly in the program
Any alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, mineral water, camera/video camera fee (if any)
Travel Insurance or any loss or extra cost arising due to unforeseen circumstances such as flight delays, accidents, etc.
Requirements
Comfortable and light and quick dry clothing is the most suitable for travelling. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, tennis shoes, hiking shoes, sandals, raincoat or jacket, bathing suit, a hat or cap and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
Please Note
Please be advised that the airport departure transfer is a shared service with an estimated arrival at the airport between 12:30 and 13:30. If you need to arrive at the airport earlier, an upgrade to a private transfer is necessary (available at an additional cost)
We reserve the right to change itineraries and activities due to weather conditions, technical problems or security reasons
Early check-in, late check-out, connecting or adjoining rooms in the hotel are subject to availability and not guaranteed
In many hotels in Costa Rica, the triple rooms are a double room with an additional bed or sofa bed. Their comfort conditions are lower than the international standards of the triple room
No refund for unused services. Splitting of the package is not allowed
Accommodation options
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Day 1 San Jose:
Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Park Inn or similar 3*
Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Real Intercontinental or similar 4*
Day 2-4 Monteverde:
Standard Hotel Category = Monteverde Country Lodge or similar 3*
Superior Hotel Category = El Establo Mountain Hotel or similar 3*
Day 5-7 Tamarindo:
Standard Hotel Category = Wyndham Tamarindo or similar 3*
Superior Hotel Category = Tamarindo Diria or similar 4*
Accommodation options
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Day 1 San Jose:
Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Park Inn or similar 3*
Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Real Intercontinental or similar 4*
Day 2-4 Monteverde:
Standard Hotel Category = Monteverde Country Lodge or similar 3*
Superior Hotel Category = El Establo Mountain Hotel or similar 3*
Day 5-7 Tamarindo:
Standard Hotel Category = Wyndham Tamarindo or similar 3*
Superior Hotel Category = Tamarindo Diria or similar 4*
Mode of Transport
Includes arrival and departure shared transfers in an air-conditioned bus from/to Juan Santamaria Airport, as well as shared transportation in an air-conditioned bus throughout the tour.
Accommodation
Enjoy 7 nights' accommodation in Costa Rica, with options ranging from standard to superior hotel categories in San Jose, Monteverde, and Tamarindo.
Check out our Q&As
What kind of wildlife can I expect to see in Monteverde?
In Monteverde, you can expect to see hundreds of species of mammals, birds, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, insects, and arachnids. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is home to 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity.
What activities are included in the Monteverde portion of the tour?
In Monteverde, the tour includes a guided hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, a self-guided tour to Selvatura Hanging bridges and butterflies garden, and a Coffee, Chocolate, and Sugar Cane tour.
What can I expect during the Coffee, Chocolate, and Sugar Cane tour in Monteverde?
During the Coffee, Chocolate, and Sugar Cane tour, you will learn about the history and importance of coffee in Costa Rica, participate in the chocolate-making process, and experience handcrafting sugar cane juice. The tour lasts approximately 2.5 hours.
What is included in the Sunset Catamaran tour in Tamarindo?
The Sunset Catamaran tour in Tamarindo includes a 4-hour experience where you can enjoy a BBQ meal, snorkeling, and the opportunity to see dolphins, sea turtles, flying fish, or even a breaching whale. The tour also includes tropical drinks prepared and served by the crew.
Are there any meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour package includes 7 breakfasts and a BBQ lunch during the Sunset Catamaran tour in Tamarindo.
What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes 7 nights' accommodation with options ranging from standard to superior hotel categories in San Jose, Monteverde, and Tamarindo.
Is transportation included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes arrival and departure shared transfers in an air-conditioned bus from/to Juan Santamaria Airport, as well as shared transportation in an air-conditioned bus throughout the tour.
Are there any additional costs not included in the tour package?
Yes, additional costs not included in the tour package are visa fees, domestic and international flights, drinks during meals unless specified, optional tours, city tax, unmentioned visits, porterage and gratuities, personal expenditures, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and travel insurance.
What should I pack for the tour?
You should pack comfortable and light quick-dry clothing, sun protection, sunglasses, tennis shoes, hiking shoes, sandals, a raincoat or jacket, a bathing suit, a hat or cap, and mosquito repellent.
Do you offer any travel insurance?
We do not offer Travel Insurance but would strongly recommend that you purchase a comprehensive Travel Insurance Policy prior to departure.
Are flights included in the tour?
No, they are not included
When are there specific hotel names confirmed?
Confirmed hotel names are informed latest 10 days prior to client´s arrival
What documents will I receive before I travel?
Booking confirmation with Itinerary and confirmation vouchers
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You can change it by logging into your profile and click on Bookings. Please check your cancellation policy.
Is there any option for solo traveller?
Yes of course. Please note that the default selection shows the price per person per double room. For solo travellers, you will have to select a single room when available.
What does the price include?
What is included is stated specifically on the product Description. Gratuities are at your discretion. Prices do not include (unless stated otherwise) - gratuities to the guide, driver or tour manager.
Are Visa fees included in the price?
No, visa fees are not included
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Reviews of this operator
Brian
Exotic Costa Rica
12-Feb-2022
We were delayed a couple of times in getting to Costa Rica and our tour operator, Roy, was extremely accommodating of the changes. The trip was partially guided, so though lodging and transportation were covered there were a few days where I could have used help coordinating afternoon activities.
Peter Herbert
Essential Costa Rica - Package with Guanacaste
11-May-2022
A little aprehensive on 1st day with no tour leader... but ran better that clockwork, a few natural obstacles overcome. Good hotels, transport , drivers AND OUTSTANDING GUIDES.....A THEN THERE WAS THE WILDS OF COSTA RICA AND ITS PEOPLES ....
Jean Walsh
Exotic Costa Rica
17-Mar-2022
This trip was much anticipated and lived up to all of our expectations. We had a wonderful experience. If we had questions, Andres was immediately responsive. It was such a nice feeling to know we could reach him.
Susan Langton
Essential Costa Rica - Package with Manuel Antonio National Park
06-Jan-2022
Our trip was well organized, all of the service providers ( transfers, guides, accommodations) we friendly and professional, and each location was as promised. A bit more local information would have been useful in preparing for the trip, but nothing that wasn't able to be accommodated on the fly.
Marianne Brownell
Essential Costa Rica - Package with Manuel Antonio National Park
03-Oct-2022
Terrific experience!
Debra R
PURAVIDA CR
26-Jun-2023
Great staff taking care of us along the way! Hotel choices were unique and beautiful and accommodating.
Keith
Essential Costa Rica - Package with Guanacaste
08-Mar-2022
A good tour with 4 completely different ecosystems. A couple of long travel days.
Destination Services Costa Rica requires a minimum deposit of
20%
or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of destination services costa rica charges.
At 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
Not what you're looking for?
People that have booked this tour have also searched for the following:
[{"title":"Day 1: ARRIVAL SAN JOSE (15km – 30min)","name":"","description":"<p>Welcome to Costa Rica! A representative will greet you and assist you at the airport. Shared transfer from airport to the hotel in San Jose city. Upon arrival, check-in and enjoy leisure time to refresh, relax and get comfortable in your hotel room. Explore by your own the city and its surroundings. </p><br/><p></p><br/><p><strong>Overnight in San Jose. </strong></p><br/>","lat":"9.930845","lng":"-84.07983"},{"title":"Day 2: SAN JOSE – MONTEVERDE (145km – 3.5hrs)","name":"","description":"<p style=\"font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6; color: #57646f; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em\">Early breakfast at the hotel. Around 7:00 am a representative will pick you up at the lobby and take you on a shared transfer to your next destination: Monteverde Cloud forest region. Upon arrival check-in and later meet your guide and start the hike through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Founded in 1972, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is world-famous for its outstanding biodiversity, conservation actions and contributions, as well as scientific research. The reserve is home to 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity, and it is one of the most important private reserves, not just in Costa Rica but the world. It hosts hundreds of species of mammals, birds, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, insects and arachnids, as well as a large variety of flora, such as mosses, vines or the autochthonous trees of the cloud forest. Rest of day at leisure.</p><p style=\"font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6; color: #57646f; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em\"><strong>Overnight in Monteverde.</strong></p>","lat":"10.302315","lng":"-84.79579"},{"title":"Day 3: MONTEVERDE","name":"","description":"<p style=\"font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6; color: #57646f; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em\">Have a rich breakfast at the hotel and around 10:00 am a representative will pick you up at the lobby to take you to Selvatura Park’s treetop walkways. You will enjoy a self-guided tour walking through the bridges. Pay attention to the opportunity to appreciate the wide variety of flora and fauna of Monteverde and observe the endemic biodiversity of the cloud forest canopy which is not found anywhere else in the world. The treetop walkways tour consists of 1.9 miles of trails and with various lengths which range between 170 feet and 560 feet. Also, discover one of the largest butterfly gardens in the Americas, with an area of 300 feet long by 90 feet wide and 50 feet tall, a great dome structure covered by a special structure that helps control the temperature inside the garden, which enables our garden to host more than 30 different species of butterflies from different altitudes and climates found throughout Costa Rica. Once your visit is finished, shared transport will be available to take you back to your hotel at the time previously coordinated in the park.</p><p style=\"font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6; color: #57646f; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em\"><strong>Overnight in Monteverde.</strong></p>","lat":"10.302315","lng":"-84.79579"},{"title":"Day 4: MONTEVERDE","name":"","description":"<p>Recharge your energies with breakfast at the hotel and around 9:30 am a representative will pick you up at the lobby and take you to an entertaining experience: the 3 in 1 Coffee Tour. A unique experience between culture and tradition. The coffee tour, which begins with the wonderful history of coffee in the world, followed by its history in our country and importance in Costa Rica’s development. The second part of this tour is the famous chocolate tour, which is a differential feature, and the perfect complement for coffee, it’s a contributor to rescuing the traditions and culture of our country. You will have an experience between aromas and history, where you will participate in the chocolate process and be able to enjoy, share and taste the fruit of the cocoa. The third part of the tour will be about sugar cane, where you’ll learn about its history, plantations, different types of harvest, processing, obtainment of various products and you’ll be able to live the experience of handcrafting sugar cane juice. The duration approximate of the tour is 2.5 hours. Rest of the day at leisure to relax or continue exploring Monteverde on your own. </p><br/><p></p><br/><p><strong>Overnight in Monteverde. </strong></p><br/>","lat":"10.302315","lng":"-84.79579"},{"title":"Day 5: MONTEVERDE – TAMARINDO (160km – 4hrs)","name":"","description":"<p>Enjoy a tasty breakfast at the hotel and around 9:00 am check-out and departure on a shared transfer to your next destination: Tamarindo beach, a beach town on Costa Rica’s north Pacific, the world-famous Gold Coast, best known for its white-sand beaches and spectacularly azure Pacific waters. Enjoy a relaxing time at the hotel facilities or exploring this vibrant beach town. </p><br/><p></p><br/><p><strong>Overnight in Tamarindo. </strong></p><br/>","lat":"10.309","lng":"-85.83412"},{"title":"Day 6: TAMARINDO","name":"","description":"<p>Indulge in a rich breakfast at the hotel. Today take advantage of free time to rest on the beach, cool off in the pool, shop and discover the town of Tamarindo and its surroundings on your own.</p><br/><p></p><br/><p><strong>Overnight in Tamarindo. </strong></p><br/>","lat":"10.309","lng":"-85.83412"},{"title":"Day 7: TAMARINDO (4hrs by catamaran)","name":"","description":"<p>Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Leisure morning to enjoy the sun and the beach. Around 1:00 pm, join a sunset catamaran. Meet your guide at the meeting point previously indicated. Once onboard, you silently glide along Costa Rica’s Gold Coast while passing some of Guanacaste’s exotic bays, white-sand beaches, and tropical jungles. Gaze off the bow with a cold tropical drink, prepared and served by the crew, as you scan the seas for dolphins, sea turtles, flying fish, or even a breaching whale. Stop in a tranquil bay, drop anchor, and frolic in the blue Pacific. Snorkel in the bay or run down the deserted white sand beach while the ever-helpful crew prepares a BBQ meal (included). Hear the waves slide along the giant catamaran as the sun sets, illuminating the clouds left in the sky. This experience takes an approximate of 4 hours. </p><br/><p><strong>Overnight in Tamarindo. </strong></p><br/>","lat":"10.309","lng":"-85.83412"},{"title":"Day 8: TAMARINDO – DEPARTURE SAN JOSE (4.5hrs – 245km)","name":"","description":"<p>Wake up to one last breakfast at the hotel. Around 8:00 am a representative will pick you up at the lobby and take you on shared transportation to Juan Santamaria International Airport. </p><br/>","lat":"10.309","lng":"-85.83412"}]
