Costa Rica's Coastal Secrets

15 Days Starting and ending in San José, Costa Rica

Visiting: San José, Tortuguero National Park, Tortuguero, Cahuita, Cahuita National Park, Turrialba Valley, Savegre Valley, Drake Bay, Caño Island, Corcovado National Park, San Jose, Cartago

Tour operator:

Exodus Adventure Travels

Tour code:

WUR

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 16

Physical rating:

Easy & Moderate

Age range:

16-99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:

English
From: $5670 (USD)

NB: Prices correct on 29-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 with "Costa Rica's Coastal Secrets," a wildlife tour that takes you through the heart of Costa Rica's most pristine natural habitats. Explore the unparalleled biodiversity of Corcovado National Park, often hailed as the "most biologically intense place on Earth," and navigate the tranquil waterways of Tortuguero, a crucial nesting site for Green turtles. Experience the best of both the Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, with three nights in the remote Drake Bay, a gateway to premier wildlife destinations. Enjoy unrivaled wildlife viewing opportunities, from monkeys and sloths to dolphins and seasonal whales, all while staying in comfortable hotels and lodges with swimming pools. This adventure promises a deep dive into Costa Rica's rich natural beauty and vibrant ecosystems.

Highlights

  • Corcovado National Park - the 'most biologically intense place on Earth'

  • Discover the wildlife and waterways of Tortuguero, an important nesting site for Green turtles (July - Oct)

  • Visit both the Caribbean and Pacific Coastline

  • Three nights in Drake Bay - the remote gateway to some of Costa Rica's premier wildlife destinations

  • Unrivalled wildlife viewing - monkeys, sloths, dolphins & whales (in season)

  • Snorkelling near Caño Island

  • Hike to secluded Cocalito Beach

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrival in San Jose

Location: San José

Accommodation Name: Presidente Hotel or Park Inn (or similar)

The group flight usually arrives into San Jose this evening. Land Only clients should aim to arrive at the hotel this afternoon/evening. Free transfers are available for all clients. This evening is the perfect opportunity to meet your guide and get to know your fellow travellers.

Day 2 : San Jose to Tortuguero National Park

Location: Tortuguero National Park

Accommodation Name: Evergreen Lodge (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our adventure begins early this morning, leaving San Jose behind as we travel to the north-east of Costa Rica to Tortuguero National Park. Accessible only by boat or light aircraft, Tortuguero's vast network of waterways, canals and swamps are remarkably tranquil, unspoilt and devoid of noise pollution. On reaching the pier we board a small motorboat for the one hour fifteen minute journey to our lodge, which is nestled on a small strip of land between the Caribbean Sea and the main lagoon. Our afternoon is spent in Tortuguero village, where it’s possible to visit the Sea Turtle Museum (a donation will be requested at the entrance). Tortuguero is probably most famous as a nesting site for the endangered Green turtle, which can be seen arriving onto the beach to lay eggs from late July to October (as part of an optional excursion). Hawksbill, Loggerhead and Giant Leatherback turtles also nest in this region, and during November to January baby turtles start to hatch and make their way towards the ocean. Today's travel time will be in the region of six hours including a break for breakfast.

Day 3 : Exploring Tortuguero

Location: Tortuguero

Accommodation Name: Evergreen Lodge (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Just after sunrise we board a small boat, enabling us to discover the extraordinary flora and fauna of Tortuguero as we pass serenely along the waterways. At this time of day wildlife is usually at its most active and with the help of our expert guide we are likely to encounter monkeys, caiman, iguanas, butterflies and many of the 300+ bird species recorded here. We return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast near the river. The lodge is a tranquil spot to relax this afternoon if you want to take some time out to enjoy the facilities, or alternatively you can join a second boat trip (included).

Day 4 : Tortuguero to Cahuita

Location: Cahuita

Accommodation Name: Ciudad Perdida or Villas del Caribe (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

We leave Tortuguero the same way we arrived, by taking a small boat to Siquirres pier. Our bus will be at the pier waiting to drive us to the region of Cahuita on the Caribbean coast, where we check into our hotel. Caribbean culture pervades this part of Costa Rica and is reflected in the music, food and laid-back lifestyle. Cahuita’s famous white-sand beach is fringed by tall palms, behind which the dense, wet tropical forest of Cahuita National Park can be found.

Day 5 : Cahuita National Park

Location: Cahuita National Park

Accommodation Name: Ciudad Perdida or Villas del Caribe (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Cahuita National Park has 2711 acres of land and an impressive 600 acres of coral reef, forming Costa Rica's largest reef system. Today we visit the national park, taking a 7km walk from the southern entrance of the park which follows the coastline, leads through rainforest and passes impressive Caribbean beaches. Although a fairly small park in terms of size, there is plenty of diversity here. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore the beach, join an optional snorkelling excursion to discover the underwater world or simply relax.

Day 6

Location: Cahuita

Accommodation Name: Ciudad Perdida or Villas del Caribe (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today is free to relax into the Caribbean pace of life and enjoy some free time around Cahuita. It is possible to join an optional excursion to the indigenous communities of Kekoldi & Bri Bri Reserve, where you'll learn about the properties and uses of native plants, as well as the process of making artisan chocolate. Chocolate is very important in Bri Bri culture and used for purification rituals, food and medicine.

Day 7

Location: Turrialba Valley

Accommodation Name: Villa Florencia or Guayabo (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Our next destination is Turrialba Valley, a rich agricultural region located in the Central Highlands. On the way to Turrialba we visit La Marta Wildlife Refuge, an area of both primary and secondary forest within La Amistad Biosphere (recognised as a UNESCO World Patrimony of Humanity). The topography of this region is mountainous, with waterfalls, rivers and caves - the varied elevation supports a wide range of plants (such as orchids, bromeliads, lichens and mosses) and animals (such as anteaters, ocelots and tapirs).

Day 8

Location: Savegre Valley

Accommodation Name: Savegre Hotel, Nature Reserve & Spa or Trogon Lodge (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast we depart towards San Gerado de Dota and Savegre Cloud Forest. This is said to be one of the best places in the whole of Costa Rica to see the beautiful, colourful and notoriously shy Resplendant Quetzal and we have two nights here to discover the region. These endangered birds rely on the cloud forest for their habitat - the males in particular are striking with a green crest, red breast and tail feathers that can reach a metre in length. A good pair of binoculars will be helpful for quetzal spotting as these birds camouflage themselves well amongst the wet leaves of the forest! After lunch we take a short walk into the cloud forest.

Day 9

Location: Savegre Valley

Accommodation Name: Savegre Hotel, Nature Reserve & Spa or Trogon Lodge (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is free to relax and explore Savegre Valley. Bring your binoculars to spot some of the 170 bird species, trek through the tropical cloud forest or simply enjoy the incredible view from the lodge. Your leader will suggest walks for today so that you can discover the tropical cloud forest and sub-Alpine vegetation of the area. Birds that may be seen in this area include hummingbirds, colibri, tanagers and trogons, whilst tapirs and Squirrel monkeys may also be seen.

Day 10

Location: Drake Bay

Accommodation Name: Drake Bay Wilderness Resort (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our journey continues towards the small town of Sierpe, where we board a small motorboat to Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula. Passing the huge mangrove swamps that line the Sierpe River, our boat crosses the ocean before arriving into Drake Bay. This region is very remote and with extremely limited road access, which means the majority of supplies, as well as visitors and locals, must arrive by boat. Originally discovered by Francis Drake, getting here is part of the adventure! The bay is spectacular, with just a handful of lodges scattering the horizon and the rest thick verdant forest and rocky coves as far as the eye can see. Our next three nights will be spent at the Drake Bay Wilderness Resort, a family run property positioned close to the 'town' of Drake Bay and with ocean views from every corner.

Day 11 : Snorkelling near Caño Island and walk to secluded Cocalito Beach (December to August) OR walk the Trillo de la Danta (September to November)

Location: Caño Island

Accommodation Name: Drake Bay Wilderness Resort (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

December to August (drier months)This morning, we board a small boat towards Caño Island. During this 45-minute boat ride, there may be opportunities to spot migrating whales or playful dolphins (orca are occasionally spotted here between December to April and humpbacks might be seen in July and August). Marine life is the biggest highlight of this area, with hawksbill and olive ridley turtles, manta rays and white-tipped reef sharks just some of the likely encounters on today’s snorkelling excursion. This area has been rated as having some of the best snorkelling in Costa Rica, with a huge marine diversity living in the protected reef (visibility subject to weather conditions).On returning to Drake Bay, we enjoy lunch then embark on a 1mi (1.5km) walk to Cocalito Beach. Wildlife including iguanas, macaws and toucans are often spotted along the route, and elusive tapirs are also seen less frequently. There is time to rest on the golden sands and take in the secluded beauty of Cocalito before returning to the hotel.September to November (wetter months)Today we visit a community rural tourism project that has developed to protect the area's flora and fauna, and provide an economic benefit to the local people. We start the day with a short boat ride to the village of Drake Bay then take a 30-minute transfer to Finca Paz y Flora, home to many bird species who are attracted by the resplendent gardens.We walk on the Trillo de la Danta, or Tapir's Trail, within a primary tropical forest. Keep an eye out for collared peccaries, agouti, monkeys and shy tapirs. Towards the end of the walk, we reach a scenic waterfall where it's possible to cool off with a dip in the clear waters. We enjoy a traditional lunch served in banana leaves before returning to our hotel.Accommodation: Drake Bay Wilderness Resort (or similar)

Day 12

Location: Corcovado National Park

Accommodation Name: Drake Bay Wilderness Resort (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

When National Geographic describes an area as ‘the most biologically intense place on earth’ it has to be worthy of investigation! This morning we board a small boat for a 30 minute journey to San Pedrillo Ranger Station, our entrance point to Corcovado National Park. This is undoubtedly Costa Rica's most secluded and tranquil region. Protecting around one third of the Osa Peninsula (some 164 square miles), Corcovado is Costa Rica's largest national park and encompasses 13 major ecosystems across various elevations, with montane forest, cloud forest, freshwater and mangrove swamps being just some of these. Scientists have recorded half of all of the species in Costa Rica on this peninsula alone. On today's hike along the parks trails we may see all four of Costa Rica's monkey species (Squirrel, Howler, White-faced Capuchin and Spider monkeys), tamandua (anteater), two and three-toed sloths, peccary, tapirs (including the endangered Baird's tapir) and of course many reptiles, insects and amphibians. Puma and jaguar are known in this area but very difficult to see. With over 500 tree species, the bird count stands at an impressive 365 and the park protects the largest population of Scarlet macaws in the country, which can frequently be seen and heard flying overhead.

Day 13

Location: San Jose

Accommodation Name: Presidente Hotel or Park Inn (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast, we board another boat to depart from Drake Bay and return to Sierpe town. On the way our boat will take a short tour of the huge mangrove forest that lines the Sierpe River. Delving into the network of tributary rivers and streams is fascinating and a chance to learn more about the role of mangroves in the eco-system and the numerous creatures that depend on them, such as fish, crabs, birds, molluscs and shell fish. In Sierpe town we transfer to our private minibus and commence our journey to San Jose.

Day 14

Location: Cartago

Accommodation Name: Presidente Hotel or Park Inn (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today begins with a trip to the Irazu Volcano National Park in the Cartago province of Costa Rica, located within the Central Mountain Range around a 1.5 hour journey from San Jose. Passing different types of vegetation from coffee plantations to ferns, we'll drive towards the summit and then follow a path that leads to a wonderful view across the huge crater, overlooking the mystical green lagoon and jagged rocks. Irazu is one of Costa Rica's most active volcanoes, though it has recently entered a dormant phase which has brought great relief to the farmers and property owners who make their living on its fertile slopes. On a clear day, both the Caribbean and Pacific coastlines can be seen from the summit. Remember to bring a jacket as it can be windy and cold at the viewpoint of this elevation (Irazu summit is 3,432m). Following this we continue to the city of Cartago with its famous Basilica, and the Orosi Valley, an area of natural beauty. After lunch in one of the many traditional restaurants, we join the Orosi Coffee tour to learn about the ancient techniques used to produce some of the best coffee in the world! This involves understanding the cultivation, harvesting and roasting of coffee beans, before you have a chance to savour the end product yourself. Afterwards we return to San Jose for our last night of the holiday.

Day 15

Location: San Jose

Meals Included: Breakfast

Our adventure comes to an end today after breakfast and it's time to bid Costa Rica and the rest of the group goodbye.Alternatively, extend your adventure with a stay at the Punta Leona Beach Club in Jaco, where you can relax on one of two white-sand beaches, treat yourself to some spa time, or join an educational tour through their protected nature reserve, which is home to more than 200 bird species, including toucans, owls and flycatchers. To make things extra relaxing, your booking includes a transfer to the hotel and another at the end of your stay to San José Airport. Speak to your sales representative to book.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    14 nights in comfortable hotels and lodges, most with swimming pools.

  • Meals

    All breakfasts, 8 lunches, and 7 dinners are included.

  • Transport

    All transport and listed activities are included.

  • Tour Leader

    Tour leader throughout the trip.

  • Arrival and Departure Transfers

    Free transfers are available for all clients.

  • Activities

    Boat tours, wildlife walks, and visits to national parks and research centers.

What's Not Included

  • Visas or vaccinations

    Visas or vaccinations are not included.

  • Travel insurance

    Travel insurance is not included.

  • Single accommodation

    Single accommodation is available on request but not included.

Food

All breakfasts, eight lunches and seven dinners are included.



Hotel breakfasts are normally buffets, and lunches and dinners at Tortuguero are also buffets. Vegetarian and vegan options are limited but food is plentiful and tasty – please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests.



Costa Rican specialities include gallo pinto, a black bean and rice dish, which is a staple part of the local diet. Soups and stews are also common, and fresh fruit is abundant and will no doubt be one of the highlights of your time in the tropics.

Accommodation

On this Costa Rican adventure, we spend 14 nights in comfortable hotels and lodges. Make sure to bring your swimwear, as most have swimming pools. Notable stays include Evergreen Lodge in Tortuguero, Savegre Hotel & Spa or Trogon Lodge in Savegre, and Drake Bay Wilderness Resort in Drake Bay.

Mode of Transport

Transportation includes a mix of private minibus, small motorboats, and public transfers. The journey to Tortuguero involves a motorboat ride, while travel to Drake Bay includes a boat crossing the ocean. The tour also features a variety of boat trips for wildlife viewing.

Check out our Q&As

  • What type of accommodation can I expect during the tour?

    During the Costa Rica's Coastal Secrets tour, you will stay in comfortable hotels and lodges for 14 nights. Most accommodations have swimming pools, and notable stays include Evergreen Lodge in Tortuguero, Savegre Hotel & Spa or Trogon Lodge in Savegre, and Drake Bay Wilderness Resort in Drake Bay. Some properties may have ceiling fans instead of air conditioning, and there might be substitutions for similar alternatives to secure hotel availability.

  • What wildlife can I expect to see during the tour?

    You can expect to see a diverse range of wildlife including monkeys, sloths, dolphins, whales (in season), caimans, iguanas, butterflies, and over 300 bird species in Tortuguero. In Corcovado National Park, you may encounter all four monkey species in Costa Rica, tamanduas (anteaters), two- and three-toed sloths, peccaries, tapirs, and many reptiles, insects, and amphibians. The park also protects the largest population of scarlet macaws in the country.

  • What activities are included in the tour?

    The tour includes a variety of activities such as boat tours around Tortuguero waterways, wildlife walks in Cahuita National Park, a visit to the CATIE research center, snorkelling near Caño Island, hiking to secluded Cocalito Beach, and a boat trip to Corcovado National Park. Additionally, there are opportunities for optional excursions like snorkelling in Cahuita and visiting the indigenous communities of Kekoldi & Bri Bri Reserve.

  • What should I bring for the tour?

    You should bring your swimwear as most accommodations have swimming pools. A good pair of binoculars will be helpful for spotting wildlife, especially birds like the resplendent quetzal in Savegre Valley. It's also advisable to bring a jacket for the visit to Irazu Volcano National Park as it can be windy and cold at the summit.

  • Are there any optional excursions available during the tour?

    Yes, there are optional excursions available during the tour. In Cahuita, you can join a snorkelling excursion to explore the coral reef or visit the indigenous communities of Kekoldi & Bri Bri Reserve to learn about native plants and artisanal chocolate making. Additionally, during the turtle nesting season in Tortuguero (late July to October), you can opt for an excursion to see the turtles arriving on the beach to lay eggs.

  • What meals are included in the tour?

    The tour includes all breakfasts, 8 lunches, and 7 dinners. Hotel breakfasts are typically buffet style, and lunches and dinners at Tortuguero are also buffet style. Vegetarians are well catered for, but it's recommended to inform the tour operator of any special dietary requests before departure.

  • What is the best time to see turtles in Tortuguero?

    The best time to see turtles in Tortuguero is from late July to October when endangered green turtles arrive on the beach to lay eggs. Hawksbill, loggerhead, and giant leatherback turtles also nest in this region, and from November to January, baby turtles hatch and make their way towards the ocean.

  • What kind of transportation is used during the tour?

    The tour uses a combination of private minibus, small motorboats, and light aircraft for transportation. For example, the journey to Tortuguero National Park involves a small motorboat ride, and the transfer from San José to Tortuguero is not private for Exodus clients.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Great trip

A really full trip. Travelling to areas remote and beautiful with plenty of scenery and wildlife.

An amazing holiday!

We had spent a long time saving for and planning this trip for myself and my boyfriend. It did not disappoint. It was even better than we expected. From the moment we stepped off the plane, everything was organised. We got the direct flight from Gatwick. The flight was 10 hrs and went very quickly. The rest of our group went via Miami and unfortunately got delayed so ended up arriving at the hotel in the early hours and only had a few hours sleep before the tour started. If you get the direct flight you also stay an extra night at the end of the trip so you get a day to explore San Jose which we did but we felt there is not a great deal to do there. We had 8 in our group and it was a nice mix of ages and we all got on well. The minibus is nice and comfortable with aircon and plenty of room.

If you care about conservation this trip will bring a smile to your face

Costa Rica has clearly learned that conservation and habitat preservation bring benefits not only to wildlife and the environment but also to local populations and the national economy. The guides who support Costa Rica’s ecotourism industry are nothing short of inspirational; their training, level of knowledge, understanding of ecosystems and their enthusiasm to impart their knowledge bode well for our planet. Anyone who cares about the natural world and its well-being cannot fail to love this trip which will bring a smile to their face every single day. The trip takes in just about all of the biomes of a country which can rightfully boast to be one of the most biodiverse in the world. To achieve this, it’s a busy trip which covers a lot of miles with stays at some very attractive lodges on both coasts and in the mountains. It also features some wonderful destinations which are off the well worn tourist track. The September trip had some rain on most days, although never for long and although it was hot and humid a lot of the time, our air-conditioned coach with wifi and Carlos, a brilliant driver, made the travelling comfortable for us. We loved the trip and came home with memories (and photographs) to share and to last through many years.

Excellent

A great trip for those interested in the wildlife of the country, with some walking but also boat trips and viewing in the grounds of the lodges.

What an adventure

What an amazing trip! Walking through jungle, swimming beside a waterfall, snorkelling in clear blue waters, boat rides along canals and through mangroves. Incredible wildlife everywhere, huge crabs, monkeys, sloths, turtles, whales, dolphins, caimen, crocodiles, frogs, snakes ,hummingbirds, butterflies. ...i could go on and on..The trip was full on. Early starts, that are not really a problem because of jet lag and extra walks included by our guide Alex who ensured that we all made the very best of our time in Costa Rica. We saw so much on our excursions but also lots just in the areas around our accommodation. We were a group of 14 , plus guide Alex, ranging in age from 19 to 70. It was very special being in a group of like minded people who were all there to get the most out of the trip, see a lot of wildlife and have lots of fun at the same time.

Great holiday

Loved every minute of this trip. The animals, birds, insects and scenery are amazing.

Wonderful wildlife

This trip packed in a great variety of wildlife locations each with its own range of habitats and communities of organisms. Overall, the accommodation and food was good.

Wildlife aplenty

A fantastic taste of Costa Rica

Fantastic experience

Lovely group of 12, knowledgeable & hard-working guide, good safe driver, wonderful locations & wildlife

Pretty accurate title, though we had 3 days in the interior

We had a terrific fortnight. I would have given 5 stars but for the hotel in Cahuita and for the choice of that location. We saw a great many birds and animals, did some wonderful walks and boat trips and experienced some of the lesser known parts of Costa Rica which were well worth experiencing. A small group - only 6 of us - but we got on excellently and it was a lovely atmosphere. I think I would have reduced the amount of road travel slightly. The drive to and from Cahuita was long and I don't think any of us felt it was really worth it, although we did good sloth spotting there and the walk in the National Park was lovely. We couldn't go in the sea as it was too rough (both there and in Tortuguero) which was a big disappointment, as it meant we only swam and snorkelled on the Pacific side at Drake's Bay, and for me, the snorkelling was one of the main draws.

Read all 69 reviews

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Saturday - Saturday

May 09, 2026 - May 23, 2026
$6600 (USD)

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May 23, 2026 - Jun 06, 2026
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Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

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