Your Costa Rica Escape begins today in San José! Arrive in the Costa Rican capital and, depending on your arrival time, explore this city set against a backdrop of volcanoes and mountains before meeting up with your tour leader and group at the hotel this evening. After a brief overview of the upcoming itinerary, look forward to a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Get your first taste of Costa Rican cuisine as you get to know your fellow travellers!

Experiences

• Enjoy a welcome dinner in San José

Meals Dinner

Depart San José after breakfast as the tour makes its way to La Fortuna, a town known for being the gateway to the incredible Arenal Volcano National Park. Upon arrival in the afternoon, join your tour leader on an orientation walking tour. The evening is free to explore on your own or to join the Hot Springs optional excursion. This highly recommended activity offers the opportunity to soak in the serene and healing thermal waters that this area is renowned for. As you experience these soothing hot springs, marvel at the crystalline waterfalls. Then, enjoy a delicious buffet dinner!

Experiences

• Visit La Fortuna, near the Arenal Volcano

Meals Breakfast,

Today offers a free day to experience La Fortuna at your own pace. With its spectacular natural scenery all around, there are so many things to see and do. Why not join the half-day Arenal hike to experience some of this nature and the Arenal volcano up close? This expertly-guided hike will take you through the rainforest and give you a deeper insight into the volcano and national park. Tonight offers the opportunity to join a Costa Rican cooking class. This is the best way to discover Costa Rican cuisine and enjoy a delicious meal.

Experiences
Meals Breakfast,

Bid farewell to La Fortuna this morning and hop back on the coach to travel to Monteverde. Journey through the majestic Cloud Forest on the way and prepare for awe-inspiring scenery! Arrive in the afternoon and embark on an orientation tour of Monteverde town. After some time to grab lunch, the rest of the day is free. Choose to explore on your own, relax at the hotel or opt for the Coffee Farm Tour. Learn all about how Costa Rica’s most famous exports (chocolate, sugar cane and, of course, coffee) are produced on this unmissable optional excursion. This evening, sit down for an included dinner at a lively local restaurant.

Experiences

• Take a scenic drive through the Monteverde Cloud Forest

Meals Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy a full free day to experience Monteverde, one of the most stunning regions in all of Costa Rica. Today’s optional excursion is highly recommended for those seeking a bit of adventure combined with breathtaking sights. See the famous cloud forest from above as you walk along the Hanging Bridges! Then, visit a sloth sanctuary and learn all about these loveable creatures. Alternatively, explore Monteverde at your own pace. Wander through the streets, enjoy some local food or visit a butterfly farm. However you choose to spend this day, it’s sure to be memorable.

Experiences
Meals Breakfast,

After breakfast, say goodbye to Monteverde and head to Quepos, a town on the Pacific Coast which boasts exceptional biodiversity. Look forward to spending two nights in this gorgeous location which is renowned for its marine life and wildlife. Check into the hotel and then enjoy free time to explore. Why not swim in the ocean or relax on the beach? Or, join the optional sunset cruise to enjoy a trip on a catamaran featuring awe-inspiring views of the Manuel Antonio National Park. Depending on the season, you may even spot humpback whales, stingrays and dolphins in the water! Choose to go snorkelling or slide down the onboard waterslide and enjoy an included dinner.

Experiences

• Soak up the sun in Quepos

Meals Breakfast,

Wake up and get ready for adventure! Embark on an unforgettable journey through the expansive Manuel Antonio National Park which is teeming with diverse landscapes from sandy beaches to lush forests. This park is home to around 109 species of mammals such as sloths, monkeys and toucans. It is also home to around 184 different bird species! Have your cameras at the ready for the picturesque fauna and flora all around. Enjoy free time to take a dip in the azure waters or laze on the white-sand beaches. Tonight, enjoy a free evening to spend as you wish.

Experiences

• Explore the stunning Manuel Antonio National Park

Meals Breakfast,

Today the tour makes its way back to San José for a chance to get better acquainted with this captivating capital. In the afternoon, set off on a driving tour of San José. Marvel at the impressive Spanish colonial architecture displayed throughout San José and tick off some of this vibrant city’s top sights including the Casa Amarillo, the National Theatre and the main town square. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner and reminisce with the group about the many memorable moments on tour over the last 8 days. Raise a toast to Costa Rica and newfound travel friends!

Experiences

• Discover San José, Costa Rica’s capital city, on a driving tour

• Sit down for a farewell group dinner in San José

Meals Breakfast, Dinner

After one final group breakfast, this life-enriching Costa Rica Escape tour comes to an end this morning. Be sure to exchange contact details to stay in touch and swap pictures with the rest of the group. Expat Explore can’t wait to see you on tour with us again soon!

Experiences
Meals Breakfast,