Costa Rica | Preserving Paradise

11 days
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3 reviews  
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Group Tour
Costa Rica has more than 5 percent of the world’s biodiversity and the world’s highest percentage of protected areas. At the same time, it consistently ranks high in prestigious international quality-of-life studies. On this 11-day expedition, you’ll explore Costa Rica’s national parks and private reserves and learn from naturalists and conservationists who a...
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Compare some of Costa Rica’s most biologically diverse national parks and reserves, including Manuel Antonio National Park, Carara Biological Reserve, and Selva Verde private reserve.
    • Learn about the unique management practices at Juan Castro Blanco National Park, where local residents play an active role.
    • Discuss real-world scientific dilemmas, spanning hydroelectric dam impacts to the effects of climate change in tropical systems and biodiversity management.
    • Witness the intersection of indigenous traditions and modern livelihoods during a hands-on experience at a chocolate farm.
    • Go horseback riding along the Savegre River and discuss rainforest conservation and the history of settlement in this region.

What's this trip about?

    Costa Rica has more than 5 percent of the world’s biodiversity and the world’s highest percentage of protected areas. At the same time, it consistently ranks high in prestigious international quality-of-life studies. On this 11-day expedition, you’ll explore Costa Rica’s national parks and private reserves and learn from naturalists and conservationists who are stewards of this ecologically diverse country. You’ll learn about ongoing research and conservation efforts while earning professional development as you complete a comprehensive exploration of Costa Rica!

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Details

Itinerary focusActive and Outdoor Sports
Group sizeSmall Group - 24 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CitySan José
End CitySan José

Travel Themes

  • Hiking & Walking
  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

  • Central America
  • Costa Rica

Attractions

  • Manuel Antonio National Park

Activities

  • Bird watching
  • Culture
  • Educational/ learning
  • Hiking
  • Horseback riding & Equestrian
  • Kid-friendly activities
  • Nature
  • Photography

Trip includes

    • Accommodations with private bathrooms
    • Activities and meals as mentioned in itinerary
    • All tips
    • Arrival and departure transfers based on individual flight schedules
    • Bottled water or water refill station during transfers
    • Full time guide for the duration of your program
    • Non alcoholic beverage with meals
    • Private transportation and driver for the duration of the program
    • Travel protection, post departure coverage, excludes trip cancellation

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Itinerary

Day 1: San José

Meals: Dinner

Upon arrival in San José, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel. Check in to your room and settle in. Attend an orientation with your group leader at 6:00 pm, followed by a welcome dinner at the hotel restaurant. This evening ...

Day 2: Sarapiqui

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning meet for breakfast, and then transfer to Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve. Upon arrival, receive an orientation to the lodge and the nonprofit Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center. After lunch, visit Cost...

Day 3: Sarapiqui

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast in the hotel restaurant, transfer to Juan Castro Blanco National Park, visit the park's new visitor center, and possibly have the opportunity to speak with a park ranger or other personnel about the park. This par...

Day 4: Sarapiqui

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, visit a local school and participate in a charla (chat) to learn about Costa Rica's education system. After lunch back at the lodge, visit La Selva Biological Research Station for a tour of their facilities and s...

Day 5: Carara

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy early morning birding with your guide. After breakfast, depart for La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Explore the many trails and picturesque waterfalls as well as the hummingbird garden, lush botanicals, and much more. After lunch, continue to Villa Lapas, situated on a 500-acre private reserve near the Pacific coast. Overnight at Hotel Villas Lapas.

Day 6: Carara

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Rise early for birding along the forest trails. After breakfast, explore the biodiversity of the transitional forest during a hike in Carara National Park. Explore the tremendous biodiversity of the overlapping Pacific rainforest and tr...

Day 7: Manuel Antonio

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning after breakfast transfer to Manuel Antonio for a hike in the very popular Manuel Antonio National Park. The park is situated along the Pacific coast and is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna. Spend the day exploring the park...

Day 8: San Gerardo de Dota

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast this morning transfer to the tropical cloud forest realm of San Gerardo de Dota's Savegre Hotel, Natural Reserve & Spa. En route, stop for lunch at Hacienda Barú and hear a talk on rainforest conservation. Con...

Day 9: San Gerardo de Dota

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Spend a full day exploring the hotel and surrounding trails. A highlight includes a horseback ride along the Savegre River. This evening is at leisure to relax and perhaps enjoy the spa. Overnight at Savegre Mountain Hotel, Natural Reserve & Spa.

Day 10: San José

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Begin the day with an early morning hike to look for quetzals. Breakfast is followed by departure for a visit to Irazú Volcano, then continue on to San José for a farewell dinner. Overnight at Wyndham Herradura.

Day 11: Departure from San José

Meals: Breakfast

Transfer to the airport for your flight home. Check-out is at 12:00 pm.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,995
Price per day$272
Last Updated: 5/15/2023

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Holbrook Travel.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Our mission is to facilitate a true connection between our travelers and our destinations. Since 1974, we’ve taken thousands of travelers on expeditions across Latin America, Africa, and destinations beyond. We combine reliable travel support with deep knowledge to create enriching travel experiences that last a lifetime.
In 1971, Giovanna Holbrook took on the challenge of leading two University of Florida science professors and a group of naturalists to the Galápagos Islands. At that time, the Galápagos was just celebrating its 12th year as a national park, conservation work at the Charles Darwin Research Station was still in its infancy, and tourism in the islands was virtually non-existent.

Spurred by memories of her pioneering voyage to the Galápagos, a lifelong love of travel, and close ties to the local academic community, Giovanna embarked on a mission to design travel programs that were both educational and affordable. Her tireless efforts led to the founding of Holbrook Travel a few years later in 1974. As the company matured throughout the years, it built relationships with a variety of organizations throughout the U.S. and overseas and increased its destinations and program offerings.

More than 40 years later, Holbrook Travel continues to serve the needs of teachers, students, academic institutions, conservation organizations, and nature lovers. In the words of Andrea Holbrook, president: “Our goal is to continue the great work my mother started.”

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Carbon Offset
    • International airfare
    • Items of personal nature
    • Trip cancellation coverage
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
  • 11 Breakfasts
  • 10 Lunches
  • 10 Dinners
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
holbro-CosRicHol

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