Compare Costa Rica Experience by Intrepid Travel vs Costa Rica & Nicaragua Highlights by Great Value Vacations
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| Trip |
4.5 | Great
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4 | Great
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| Duration | 9 days | 13 days |
| Price From | $ 1,472 | $ 2,186 |
| Price Per Day | $ 164 | $ 168 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Self-guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | NA |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description |
Discover a region of natural diversity, cultural riches and laidback vibes on a nine-day jungle jaunt through Costa Rica. Thanks to a longstanding tradition of preserving its natural assets, much of the country’s primary rainforest still stands. Opportunities for nature-based activities are endless here and the beaches on both coasts are well worth your free time. Kick back in the rustic beach town of Quepos, explore the steamy cloud forests of Monteverde and get to know the locals by lending a hand on a rural farmstay near Santa Rosa de Pocosol. Explore the depths of this colourful and vibrant country with plenty of time to make this trip your own. |
This two-country vacation will take you through breathtaking natural wonders, charming colonial cities and so much more. Arrive in Costa Rica's capital of San Jose for the night before picking up your rental car and driving to Arenal, home to an impressive active volcano. On the way, stop as much or as little as you'd like. Next, you will head to Monteverde, a sprawling cloud forest home to monkeys, birds of every shade, and a sea of green foliage. Take your pick of exciting outdoor activities, from zip lining to walking across a hanging bridge! The second part of your journey will have you exploring Costa Rica's sister country, Nicaragua. Rest and relax in the beach village of San Juan del Sur on the Pacific Ocean before moving on to Granada, one of Latin America's most beautiful colonial cities. This ancient town on the shores of mighty Lake Nicaragua is full of history and Spanish colonial charm, and is one of the oldest European settlements in the western hemisphere. Further up north you’ll have the chance to visit Leon, Nicaragua's colonial former capital, founded in the early 17th century and home to more than 12 colonial period churches, each one unique in its design - from tiny parish-size chapels to the mighty Cathedral, Central America's largest church. Important car details: Helpful links for travel to Nicaragua: Visa & Passport/Travel Advisory Info Helpful links for travel to Costa Rica: |
Day 1 San Jose
Hola! Welcome to Costa Rica. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm today in San Jose. With over half the country's population living within its parameters, San Jose is a dynamic atmosphere. If you arrive early, why not wander around at your own pace – a good place to start exploring is the main plaza, perfect for some people watching. Tonight, maybe head out to get to know your group with an optional welcome dinner.
Day 2 Santa Rosa de Pocosol
Travel by private vehicle to Santa Rosa de Pocosol today, where you’ll spend the night in a homestay. Just down the road is the Juanilama agricultural community, where you can get to know the locals, help with farm chores, and take an informal cooking lesson. Several villagers have built comfortable rooms for guests next to their homes, and you’ll stay in one of them this evening. Please note that these rooms use shared facilities. In order to make the most of this homestay experience, it may take a bit of effort from your side to break the ice first. Learn as many Spanish words as you can before you arrive!
Day 3 La Fortuna
Today, continue to La Fortuna – a small town situated just a few minutes away from Costa Rica's famous Arenal Volcano. Besides its panoramic views, the town offers a range of other activities such as the 70-m-high La Fortuna waterfall, stunning lush forest, rare plants, animal watching and water-based activities on the lake. The volcano’s inner workings also mean that the area has a number of thermal springs where lava-heated water gushes to the surface. These springs have been sculpted into several pools and waterfalls, making them the ideal place to relax. Spend the rest of the day as you please in this exciting town, maybe even testing your balance on a stand-up paddleboard.
Day 4 Monteverde
Today, you’ll take the scenic route to Monteverde. Monteverde was founded as an agricultural community in 1951 by a group of North American Quakers – they cleared virgin forests to create verdant pastures ideal for dairy farming. These environmentally aware settlers were conscious of the danger that unrestricted settling and farming could cause to this precious habitat, so they established a small, privately owned wildlife sanctuary, which has grown to become the internationally renowned Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve. More than 2000 species of plants, 320 bird species and 100 different types of mammals call Montverde home. When you arrive, you can choose from a range of outdoor activities to wildlife spot, hike or cruise on the waters.
Day 5 Monteverde
Today is free for you to choose how you'd like to spend your time in this beautiful area. Maybe start your exploration with a tour of the suspension bridges that hang in the trees, or head to the Serpentarium to see some crawly critters. Watch butterflies at play in the specially created garden, hire a local guide to show you around the area, visit a community cooperative or zip-line through the lush canopy. Whatever you do, be sure to keep an eye out for the resplendent quetzal – one of the most elusive birds in the world.
Day 6 Quepos
Travel through the mountains to Quepos by private minibus. Located close to the beautiful Pacific beaches and exotic wildlife of Manuel Antonio National Park, Quepos is a laidback town with a vibrant nightlife. This afternoon, you'll get the chance to meet three generations of Costa Ricans and tuck into a traditional cooking class for lunch with them in their home. Prior to the pandemic, the family ran one of the most popular restaurants in Quepos for almost 20 years. Now, you're lucky to learn the secret flavours and spices of their traditional dishes and get to know the whole family. Once the sun goes down, why not grab a spot at a waterfront restaurant and sink your teeth into some fresh seafood with your travel crew – this is the life.
Day 7 Quepos - Manuel Antonio NP
Spend your time enjoying all that Manuel Antonio National Park has to offer with a free day today. Perhaps head out for a hike along one of the many trails, keeping one eye on the great views and the other looking for the abundant wildlife. Monkeys, armadillos, sloths and hundreds of birds are among the species you can spot here. The park also boasts turquoise seas and white-sand beaches – perfect for swimming, kayaking, sailing and fishing. It would be easy to spend your whole time here in, or by, the water.
Day 8 San Jose
Take a public bus back to San Jose today, arriving back in time for you to pick up some last-minute souvenirs at the city's colourful and vibrant markets. Then, head out for an optional dinner and a night on the town, getting a taste of the huge variety of nightlife on offer here.
Day 9 San Jose
With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end after breakfast today. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Day 1 Welcome to San Jose, Costa Rica!
Touch down in sunny San Jose and meet up with your welcoming guide, who will provide you with all of the necessary documentation you'll need on this trip, and then transfer you to your hotel for the night! With a few parks, and some bars and restaurants right in the area, perhaps you'd like to take a stroll and see some of your surroundings!
Day 2 San Jose - Arenal Volcano
Pick up your rental car from your hotel and hit the open road! Follow the road signs and your itinerary throughout your trip. Today you're heading to the stunning Arenal Volcano. If you drive non stop, you'll reach your hotel in about 3 and a half hours. But those who enjoy the arts may want to stop by Sarchi, a charming city known for its beautiful artisanship. If you're a nature fan, stopping by Zarcero Park and church lets you see a wide variety of agricultural plantations, beautiful decorative plants, and even cattle ranches! With stops at both of these places, driving would take about 5-7 hours instead, so leave with plenty of time to explore!
Day 3 Arenal Volcano
Today is yours to explore the lush life thriving on and around Arenal Volcano. You can hike the active volcano (keep an eye out for unique animals), wobble your way across suspended bridges threading through the treetops, go for a dip at the base of La Fortuna Waterfall, soak away your worries in the volcanic hot springs, and so much more!
Day 4 Arenal Volcano - Monteverde
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before packing up and heading for the clouds, well, the Cloud Forest. Drive over gravel roads to Monteverde, an area known for its stunning views of Arenal Lake, Arenal Volcano, and of course the untamed beauty of the jungle. You can also explore the highlands of the cloud forest, which is incredibly popular for eco-tourists and adventure seekers. Check into your hotel and check out the small local settlements devoted to the land, raising crops and livestock to keep this area of the world beautifully green.
Day 5 Monteverde
Rise and shine! Today is all about exploring Costa Rica's picture-perfect natural beauty in marvelous Monteverde Cloud Forest. Discover rare plants, rich biodiversity, amazing wildlife, and oh so much more. Adrenaline junkie? You've come to the right place! Consider thrilling activities such as the Sky Walk, a maze-like network of hanging bridges, horseback riding, or the Sky Trek Canopy Tour. Feel yourself flutter with excitement in the local butterfly garden and take tons of photos of the postcard-worthy landscapes that surround you.
Day 6 Monteverde, Costa Rica - San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
Say goodbye to Costa Rica as you head to San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. The first part of your drive will take you up to Peñas Blancas (the Costa Rica/Nicaragua border), an estimated 4-hour drive. This journey is accompanied by incredible views of the Gulf of Nicoya and quaint rural villages, until you reach the Pan-American Highway, where you’ll notice the change between the tropical rain forest and tropical dry forest, which characterizes the province of Guanacaste. After you drop off your Costa Rican rental car and go through immigration and the border crossing on your own, you’ll obtain your new rental car. From there, drive to San Juan del Sur, approximately one hour away.
Day 7 San Juan del Sur
Enjoy a free day in San Juan del Sur! Consider taking a hike up to the Christ statue overlooking the bay of San Juan. Pay a small entrance fee to enter the chapel, then admire the breathtaking views from this perfect vantage point. Later today, you might want to head back into town or lay out on one of San Juan's beautiful beaches like Playa Maderas or Playa Marsella. End your day with a delicious Nicaraguan treat like quesillo, a thick corn tortilla stuffed with soft cheese, pickled onions and vinegar.
Day 8 San Juan del Sur
On your own, you can enjoy the different beaches close to San Juan del Sur, like Chacocente, Punta Sardinas, Popoyo, El Yanqui, La Flor and Majahual. Also located nearby are the La Flor Wildlife refuge and Playa Hermosa Surf Camp, situated in 2000 acres of virgin beach.
Day 9 San Juan del Sur - Granada
Today you will continue your adventure by driving to Granada (approximately a 2-hour drive). Granada is the oldest city in Central America, founded in 1524. This city also lies on the north shore of the Nicaragua Lake, the biggest in Central America. Take time to stroll the beautiful city and find a local restaurant to settle in.
Day 10 Granada
Spend the day at leisure as you enjoy the local atmosphere of Granada. Head first to Central Plaza, surrounded by the Cathedral, which is a perfect place to enjoy a delicious Nicaraguan coffee. Stroll past the beautiful neo-classical building of the Casa Pellas and the old City Hall, then visit Fortín de la Pólvora and San Francisco Convent. Since you have a car, you also have the option of touring the area surrounding Granada including the islets and Mombacho Volcano.
Day 11 Granada - Leon
Today, continue to the city of Leon. The scenic road to Leon borders Lake Managua with impressive views of Momotombo. The Spanish conquistadors founded the first city of Leon in 1524 at the slopes of the Momotombo Volcano. Due to constant earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in 1610, this city was later relocated 53 miles further north from Managua. Settle into your accommodation, then explore the city at your leisure.
Day 12 Leon
Have the day to yourself! You could visit the Cathedral of Leon, El Cavario Church, Sutiaba Church, Hervideros de San Jacinto, a rum distillery or Juan Venado Natural Reserve. Enjoy one last meal before flying home tomorrow.
Day 13 Depart Nicaragua
Your two-country adventure ends today. Drive to Augusto Cesar Sandino International Airport in Managua (approximately 2 hours away), drop off your rental car and head to your departure gate.
