I see the minimum age is 16...my son will be 9 and has just traveled and hiked all over Iceland with zero issues on a 20 person tour - he is very active, able, and quiet and calm on the bus. Would he be able to join this tour?

Our minimum age is 16 so we would not be able to make any exceptions and accept someone under that age on the tour. For children under 16 we would recommend looking at our Family tours.

Is there an option for a single person

We do have a single room available for this departure. If you prefer to book a two-bedded room to share with another traveller same sex that is also possible to avoid paying the single room supplement.

Are the meals included in the package?

For this tour, there are 7 breakfasts included. The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten. Lunch price USD$30. Dinner price USD$35. Beer price USD$8. Water price USD$5.

If I am travelling alone will there be anytime that I am left alone or will there always be a group of people for me to join? Meals? Excursions? I would prefer to not have too much alone time other than a solo room if that is an option.

For meals not included on this tour you will usually join the group and not be left alone. Group lunches and dinners are arranged locally by the trip leader.

Can you arrange a triple room for our group?

We do not offer triple rooms for this tour. We offer either double rooms or singles.

Several quick questions: 1- Hotel Accommodations: Are these 'shared rooms' with other travelers or they private rooms? 2- What kind of Hotel Rooms are these? Mid-Moderate-Lower 3- Can you assist on Air Fare? From Columbia, SC to San Jose 4- Last: Does this trip offers a lot free time?

If two people travelling you will have your own room. Accommodation is largely small, local-run hotels with en-suite rooms, air-conditioning or fan, and often swimming pools. WiFi available in common areas. Hotels are mostly 3 star small family run hotels. We are unable to assist with flights. Refer to trip notes for detailed day by day itinerary and free time information.

How active is this adventure and suitable for the age ranges over 75 year old?

The pace of this tour is considered Moderate. Moderate pace tours are ideal if you want a tour which combines exciting travel experiences with time to unwind. Typically you will balance busy days with early starts, with time to rest and recharge your batteries.

How can I update my personal and flight details online?

You can update all necessary details via the customer gateway provided in your booking confirmation.

Is there a way to check the itinerary and optional tours available?

Detailed itinerary and optional activities are available in the Trip Notes on your dashboard.

How can we manage dietary restrictions during the tour?

Please inform us of any dietary requirements in advance, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

From

US $1,930 per person

Highlights of Costa Rica

8 days

•

Start and end in San Jose

4.4

43 traveler reviews

View all
The boat ride stood out along with ziplining. It was a good introduction to Costa Rica and the culture of the country.
S
Sarah Frieze, traveled in November
5.0
View all

From

US $1,930 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Platinum Operator: Explore!
Group Tour: Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
Fully Guided: An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Medium Intensity: Travelers should be comfortable with somewhat-demanding activities
Guided in English
Group Size 7 - 16
Ages 16+

Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

Day 1
San Jose
Start point
San José, San José, Costa Rica (Say hello at the Quality Real Hotel, 16:00)
Accommodation
Hotel (Autentico Hotel), Hotel (Autentico Hotel (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Explore San Jose's barrios
- Visit the National Museum (Museo Nacional De Costa Rica)
- Go out for dinner with tour group
Landmarks
National Museum (Museo Nacional De Costa Rica)
Day 2
San Jose to La Fortuna
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel (Hotel San Bosco Inn), Hotel (Hotel San Bosco Inn (or similar))
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Doka Estate coffee plantation
- Guided walk on the flanks of Arenal Volcano in Arenal National Park
- Viewpoint visit for volcano observation
Optional Activities
- Evening dip in nearby geothermal hot springs
Landmarks
Doka Estate
Arenal National Park
Arenal Volcano
Day 3
La Fortuna
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel (Hotel San Bosco Inn), Hotel (Hotel San Bosco Inn (or similar))
Included Activities
- Guided rafting safari on calm waters for wildlife spotting
Optional Activities
- Local hikes to waterfalls
- Walks on lava trails
- Enjoy hot springs in the area
Landmarks
Arenal Lake
Day 4
La Fortuna to Monteverde
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Lodge (Monteverde Country Lodge), Lodge (Monteverde Country Lodge (or similar))
Included Activities
- Guided night walk in cloud forest for nocturnal species observation
Optional Activities
- Walk hanging bridges over the cloud forest canopy
- Zip-line through the trees
- Visit local butterfly garden
- Visit local orchid garden
Landmarks
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Continental Divide
Day 5
Monteverde to Manuel Antonio
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel (Karahé Hotel), Hotel (La Foresta Nature Resort (or similar))
Included Activities
- Short walk in Carara Biological Reserve
Optional Activities
- Early morning revisit to cloud forest reserve
- Observation of crocodiles from Rio Tarcoles Bridge
Landmarks
Rio Tarcoles Bridge
Carara Biological Reserve
Manuel Antonio National Park
Gulf of Nicoya
Peninsula of Nicoya
Day 6
Manuel Antonio
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel (Karahé Hotel), Hotel (La Foresta Nature Resort (or similar))
Included Activities
- Guided morning exploration of Manuel Antonio National Park
Optional Activities
- Relax on white sandy beaches
- Swimming in warm azure waters
- Watch the sunset
Landmarks
Manuel Antonio National Park
Day 7
Manuel Antonio to San Jose
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel (Autentico Hotel), Hotel (Autentico Hotel (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Revisit Manuel Antonio National Park (depending on day of week)
- Relax on beaches around Manuel Antonio town
Day 8
San Jose
End point
San José, San José, Costa Rica (Say goodbye from the Quality Real Hotel, 09:00)

Landmarks
National Museum (Museo Nacional De Costa Rica)

Landmarks
Doka Estate
Arenal National Park
Arenal Volcano

Landmarks
Arenal Lake

Landmarks
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Continental Divide

Landmarks
Rio Tarcoles Bridge
Carara Biological Reserve
Manuel Antonio National Park
Gulf of Nicoya
Peninsula of Nicoya

Landmarks
Manuel Antonio National Park

What's Included

Expand All

Accommodation
Guide
Meals
Additional Services
Transport
Free eSIM
TourRadar offers the lead traveler (the person who booked) a free 1GB eSIM for the trip. The eSIM is redeemable only through the TourRadar app 72 hours before departure.

What's Not Included

Flights
Insurance
Optional
Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

All accommodations are subject to change

Autentico Hotel
Hotel
Days 1, 7
Autentico Hotel (or similar)
Hotel
Days 1, 7
Hotel San Bosco Inn
Hotel
Days 2, 3
Hotel San Bosco Inn (or similar)
Hotel
Days 2, 3
Monteverde Country Lodge
Lodge
day 4
Monteverde Country Lodge (or similar)
Lodge
day 4
Karahé Hotel
Hotel
Days 5, 6
La Foresta Nature Resort (or similar)
Hotel
Days 5, 6

Operated by

Explore!

4.5

(8,634 reviews)

Number of tours

581

Age Range

16 to 85 years old

Response time

within 1 day

Response rate

96%

Explore Worldwide has over 40 years’ experience in creating expert-led small...

Sustainability Initiatives

Reduce Carbon Emissions

Animal Welfare

Supporting Destinations

Sustainability Programs

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation Policy

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Travel Insurance

Be covered for any unforseen circumstances.

Traveler Moments

Traveler Reviews

4.4

Overall rating based on 43 Reviews

Itinerary
4.3
Transport
4.7
Guide
4.8
Accommodation
4.0
Food
4.0
Tour Operator
4.5

Fay
June 10th, 2025
4.0
Tour guide Allan was excellent. It was an enjoyable trip.
Traveled in May 2025
Reply from: Explore!
Thank you for your lovely review, Fay. We hope to see you on another adventure soon!
Show more
Rosalinda
May 13th, 2025
4.0
A very pleasant trip.
Traveled in April 2025
Reply from: Explore!
Thank you for your Highlights of Costa Rica review. We are glad to hear you enjoyed your time!
Show more
P
Patricia “Pj”
February 7th, 2025
3.0
This is a tour for sedentary travelers. Very little activity. Lots of sitting in a van and going out to eat....
This is a tour for sedentary travelers. Very little activity. Lots of sitting in a van and going out to eat. “Hikes” were short walks. Accommodations were in very touristy areas Seemed to be an overemphasis on eating. Activities in Monteverde (rainforest hanging bridges, butterfly garden) were not very good and were way overpriced Morning hike in Monteverde rainforest was not done. Optional activities in Manual Antonio were not available unless you had a group interested in going. Tap water in Costa Rica is potable There is no need to bring manual or chemical filtration.Show more
Traveled in December 2024
Reply from: Explore!
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. I'm sorry to hear that your trip didn’t fully meet your expectations this time. We classify this trip as a moderate pace, aiming to balance busy days and early starts with opportunities to rest and recharge. Our itinerary is designed to showcase the many highlights of Costa Rica, which does involve some longer drives and this is something we do mention in our trip notes. We appreciate your comments regarding the activities and are currently working with our Local Partner and Product Manager to look into this further. While this trip may not have been as fast-paced as you had hoped, we offer a variety of other adventures that might be a better fit for you. We’d love the opportunity to welcome you on another journey in the future.
Show more
YaungHwa
February 6th, 2025
4.0
Too many days without any activities.
Traveled in January 2025
Reply from: Explore!
Thank you for leaving feedback on your recent trip, although you haven't left much detail, it would be great to understand more about your experience. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact cr@explore.co.uk
Show more
M
Mark
April 6th, 2024
3.0
Too much time on the bus and not enough time visiting the country. Very bad lunch at the ox cart village and we had...
Too much time on the bus and not enough time visiting the country. Very bad lunch at the ox cart village and we had no other options. Spent a lot of time waiting around for other folks who did "extra activities." Luis was a wealth of knowledge about the country, the plant life, and wildlife. Airport transfers were spot on! No night walk in Monteverde. This should be removed from the brochure if it's not always available. Nothing on the website when we booked requiring "travel insurance" so imagine our surprise when asked for it. Update the website! Nice unexpected visit was the hot springs at our sister hotel in La Fortuna. Hotels were good but I wouldn't call then "3 star." One even had no air conditioning, not fans, and although the windows opened, there were no screens so we were visited by an array of 6- and 8-legged crittersShow more
Traveled in March 2024
Reply from: Explore!
Hi Mark, Thank you so much for taking the time to review your Highlights of Costa Rica holiday. I have forwarded your comments about the time spent travelling, the lunch at the ox cart vilage, and the hotel on to the Product Manager for Costa Rica. In regards to travel insurance, we do mention this information in several places on our website, including on the trip page https://www.exploreworldwide.com/holidays/highlights-of-costa-rica under the "Essential Information" section. Additionally, this information is also given in your Booking Confirmation and Final Documentation. I do apologise that this came as a surprise to you as we do our best to inform all of our customer's that this is a condition of travelling with us. We are delighted to see that you found Luis to have been a highlight whilst on tour and that your airport transfers were prompt and efficient. Once again, we do thank you for your review and hope we have the chance to welcome you back in the future. Kind regards, Explore!
Show more
A
Sara
February 5th, 2023
5.0
Nature rafting trip in La Fortuna. Guide was excellent, saw lots of wildlife, all round great experience.
Traveled in January 2023
Review collected by Explore!
A
Mark
February 5th, 2023
4.7
Highlights were the dinghy trip down the river, the Pacific Coast swim and the zip lining
Traveled in January 2023
Review collected by Explore!
A
Richard
February 10th, 2023
4.5
Loved the trip
Traveled in January 2023
Review collected by Explore!
A
Diana
February 13th, 2023
4.5
Great seeing sloths - our driver spotted one hanging on a fence by the road, amazing seeing it so close.
Traveled in February 2023
Review collected by Explore!
A
Criona
February 16th, 2023
4.2
Although the weather wasn't the best the rain/cloud forrest was lovely. Down at the coast was so different.
Traveled in February 2023
Review collected by Explore!

Dates & Availability

Select departure month and travellers

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1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Upcoming departures

From Saturday
21 Feb, 2026
To Saturday
28 Feb, 2026
English
Almost Sold Out
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
From:
US $2,110 per person
Multiple Room Types
From Saturday
7 Mar, 2026
To Saturday
14 Mar, 2026
This departure date is not available or sold out
Sold out
From:
US $2,110 per person
See Similar Tours For These Dates
From Saturday
11 Apr, 2026
To Saturday
18 Apr, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
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Multiple Room Types
From Saturday
25 Apr, 2026
To Saturday
2 May, 2026
English
Filling Fast
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
From:
US $1,930 per person
Multiple Room Types
Instant Confirmation
From Saturday
23 May, 2026
To Saturday
30 May, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
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Multiple Room Types
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From Saturday
25 Jul, 2026
To Saturday
1 Aug, 2026
English
Filling Fast
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
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From Saturday
15 Aug, 2026
To Saturday
22 Aug, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
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From Saturday
3 Oct, 2026
To Saturday
10 Oct, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
From:
US $1,970 per person
Multiple Room Types
Instant Confirmation
From Saturday
17 Oct, 2026
To Saturday
24 Oct, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
From:
US $1,970 per person
Multiple Room Types
Instant Confirmation
From Saturday
7 Nov, 2026
To Saturday
14 Nov, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
From:
US $2,110 per person
Multiple Room Types

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What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.

All questions

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Try a different search term or ask a question to this adventure's experts

A
Amber
Asked on November 18th, 2025
I see the minimum age is 16...my son will be 9 and has just traveled and hiked all over Iceland with zero issues on a 20 person tour - he is very active, able, and quiet and calm on the bus. Would he be able to join this tour?
Age Range
Group size
- Explore!Operator•Written November 2025
  Our minimum age is 16 so we would not be able to make any exceptions and accept someone under that age on the tour. For children under 16 we would recommend looking at our Family tours.
A
Audrey
Asked on June 24th, 2025
Is there an option for a single person
Accommodation
Single supplement
- Explore!Operator•Written June 2025
  We do have a single room available for this departure. If you prefer to book a two-bedded room to share with another traveller same sex that is also possible to avoid paying the single room supplement.
E
Erica
Asked on January 12th, 2025
Are the meals included in the package?
Meals
- Explore!Operator•Written January 2025
  For this tour, there are 7 breakfasts included. The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten. Lunch price USD$30. Dinner price USD$35. Beer price USD$8. Water price USD$5.
B
Bruce
Asked on December 26th, 2024
If I am travelling alone will there be anytime that I am left alone or will there always be a group of people for me to join? Meals? Excursions? I would prefer to not have too much alone time other than a solo room if that is an option.
Group size
Meals
Tour Details
- Explore!Operator•Written December 2024
  For meals not included on this tour you will usually join the group and not be left alone. Group lunches and dinners are arranged locally by the trip leader.
J
Jorge
Asked on December 10th, 2024
Can you arrange a triple room for our group?
Accommodation
- Explore!Operator•Written December 2024
  We do not offer triple rooms for this tour. We offer either double rooms or singles.
- J
  Jorge
  Traveler•Written December 2024
  What is the status of my booking?
- Explore!Operator•Written December 2024
  The tour you are looking at is different from the one you requested. You will need to reach out to the specific tour operator for your booking.
R
Robert
Asked on December 9th, 2024
Several quick questions: 1- Hotel Accommodations: Are these 'shared rooms' with other travelers or they private rooms? 2- What kind of Hotel Rooms are these? Mid-Moderate-Lower 3- Can you assist on Air Fare? From Columbia, SC to San Jose 4- Last: Does this trip offers a lot free time?
Accommodation
Flights / Transfers
Tour Details
- Explore!Operator•Written December 2024
  If two people travelling you will have your own room. Accommodation is largely small, local-run hotels with en-suite rooms, air-conditioning or fan, and often swimming pools. WiFi available in common areas. Hotels are mostly 3 star small family run hotels. We are unable to assist with flights. Refer to trip notes for detailed day by day itinerary and free time information.
A
Arthur
Asked on November 22nd, 2024
How active is this adventure and suitable for the age ranges over 75 year old?
Age Range
Tour Details
- Explore!Operator•Written November 2024
  The pace of this tour is considered Moderate. Moderate pace tours are ideal if you want a tour which combines exciting travel experiences with time to unwind. Typically you will balance busy days with early starts, with time to rest and recharge your batteries.
M
Miguelina
Asked on November 20th, 2024
How can I update my personal and flight details online?
Travel Support
- Explore!Operator•Written November 2024
  You can update all necessary details via the customer gateway provided in your booking confirmation.
M
Martina
Asked on November 15th, 2024
Is there a way to check the itinerary and optional tours available?
Tour Details
- Explore!Operator•Written November 2024
  Detailed itinerary and optional activities are available in the Trip Notes on your dashboard.
C
Caitlin
Asked on November 11th, 2024
How can we manage dietary restrictions during the tour?
Meals
- Explore!Operator•Written November 2024
  Please inform us of any dietary requirements in advance, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

From

US $1,930 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 124389

Currency
₡
Costa Rican Colon
Costa Rica
Plugs & Adapters
Vaccines
- These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
- Typhoid - Recommended for Costa Rica. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Hepatitis A - Recommended for Costa Rica. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Hepatitis B - Recommended for Costa Rica. Ideally 2 months before travel.
- Yellow fever - Certificate of vaccination required if arriving from an area with a risk of yellow fever transmission for Costa Rica. Ideally 10 days before travel.
Visa
- Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
- Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
Payment information
- For any tour departing before May 1st, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after May 1st, 2026, a minimum payment of 10% is required to confirm your booking with Explore!. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 75 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
- Some departure dates and prices may vary and Explore! will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
- The following cards are accepted for "Explore!" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
Cancellation Policy
- Your money is safe with TourRadar, as we only pay the tour operator after your tour has departed.
- TourRadar is an authorized Agent of Explore!. Please familiarize yourself with the Explore! payment, cancellation and refund conditions.
Accessibility
Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.
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Sustainability

Highlights of Costa Rica

Itinerary

San Jose

Optional Activities

San Jose to La Fortuna

Included Activities

Optional Activities

La Fortuna

Included Activities

Optional Activities

La Fortuna to Monteverde

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Monteverde to Manuel Antonio

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Manuel Antonio

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Manuel Antonio to San Jose

Optional Activities

San Jose

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What's Included

What's Not Included