A “Naturally” Thrilling Tropical Adventure
Costa Rica Wildlife
Early Sign-up Discount
$350 off per person, first 6 sign-ups on Dec 2023 and all 2024 departures
Special offers cannot be combined with other discounts
Overview
A tropical realm of cloud forest, mangroves, volcanoes, and pristine beaches, Costa Rica has wisely protected its natural bounty in parks and reserves that are now world-famous. With our expert naturalist Trip Leader, we head out for walks in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, follow hanging bridges high in the forest below Arenal Volcano, and soar by zip line. In Tortuguero National Park, one of the last large areas of tropical rainforest in Central America, we glide through waterways that shelter fascinating wildlife, from manatees to three-toed sloths. Charming lodges give us a warm welcome in this natural wonderland.
Arrive: San Jose, Costa Rica
Depart: San Jose, Costa Rica
Highlights
- Boat in pristine rainforest, hike through cloud forest, walk along hanging bridges, enjoy an optional zip line ride through a treetop canopy
- Monteverde Cloud Forest, with its paths draped in orchids and bromeliads
- Arenal Volcano's inviting thermal springs and waterfalls
- Tortuguero National Park, a rainforest realm of caimans, spider monkeys, and toucans
- Our fantastic naturalist Trip Leader shares in-depth knowledge of Costa Rica's ecosystems
Itinerary
Set at 4,700 feet, Monteverde is a pioneering private nature reserve established almost four decades ago. Among its wonderful avians is the resplendent quetzal, sacred bird of the Maya and Aztecs. In the reserve's Jardin de las Mariposas, we discover more than 40 species of butterflies. At nearby Aguti Wildlife Reserve, we take a guided night walk to look for nocturnal wildlife, from armadillos to two-toed sloths.
A perfect cone rising to 5,300 feet, Arenal is one of the most iconic volcanoes in the Americas. We cross hanging bridges in the park, explore the high rainforest canopy below the volcano, hike to the base of La Fortuna, an impressive waterfall, and enjoy Arenal views from our boutique resort hotel.
Tortuguero protects more than 50,000 acres along Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. In this emerald realm, we explore by boat in tranquil blackwater canals overhung with rainforest. They provide a rich habitat for caimans, manatees, monkeys, three-toed sloths, river otters, and dazzling birdlife including all six species of kingfishers found in the New World. Our riverside lodge offers us fantastic access to this wildlife haven. Depart on Day 8 via San José or join one of our extensions.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
The trip is rated Level 2, Easy to Moderate, according to our trip grading system. Wildlife viewing takes place during nature walks on mountain rainforest trails and on lagoon trips by boat. The walks are about two to four miles, covering a variety of terrain and usually on well-marked trails. There is no extensive hiking on the trip, but you should be in good physical shape to enjoy it to the fullest. Accommodations range from a modern hotel in San Jose to charming wildlife lodges.
The temperature in Costa Rica does not change drastically with the seasons. Lowland areas are warmer, while in the mountains, it is cooler, especially at night. If you are sensitive to the cold, bring a warm layer for cold early mornings and evenings, especially in the winter months, when it can be quite chilly. On the Pacific Coast and in the highlands, the rainy season begins in late May and ends by November. Mornings are usually bright and sunny, with typical afternoon rains that come as short downpours. December through April is the dry season, but Costa Rica is tropical so you can expect some rain at any time of the year.
Client Testimonials
"Our guide was great, hotels were local in feel but also elegant and comfortable, logistics were amazingly smooth, variety of scenery and breadth of feel for the country was wonderful—mountains, tropics, forest walks, jungle river trips, city tour. It was a total package!"
Betsy S.
Kennebunkport, ME
"We had a great trip. We will definitely recommend WT to friends."
Brian S. and Shana S.
Indianapolis, IN
"This trip really exceeded my expectations. Costa Rica is a beautiful country and we were able to see so much of it and all the amazing wildlife, plant life, and landscapes. A full itinerary without feeling overwhelming."
Carrie K.
Oakland, CA
"This was such a wonderful trip. We saw an almost unbelievable variety of wildlife. Our leader was terrific - extraordinary knowledge of the plants and animals of Costa Rica. Education, fun, adventure, and exercise equals a great vacation."
Cathy and Richard L.
Portola Valley, CA
"This trip was spectacularly planned and executed, the best of our WT trip experiences."
Charles and Ruthellen M.
Great Neck, NY
"It was great to get away to such a beautiful and sunny place in February! This trip would be fun to do again."
Corrine D.
Palo Alto, CA
"Typical Wilderness Travel excellence!"
David S.
Potomac, MD
"I am a 'city girl' who was surprised to find herself captivated by ants, birds, bats, and sloths, among other things! Costa Rica is beautiful and this was a great way to experience it."
Dorothy M.
Chicago, IL
"It was truly one of my best vacations EVER!"
Dorothy P.
Las Vegas, NV
"Loved it, loved Costa Rica. Can't wait to do another adventure."
Dr. Leila G.
Maplewood, NJ
"The trip exceeded our expectations and its variety of experiences kept us in constant amazement."
Elizabeth C.
Washington, DC
"This was an outstanding trip. Every stop on our itinerary was nicely planned to realize the maximum enjoyment."
Frank S.
Vestavia, AL
"We thought the trip was well scheduled and our time well spent. We were kept moving and steered to different places and experiences to make the most of our trip, which was just what we wanted. The hotels were excellent, as was the food!"
Gregg S.
Boise, ID
"Having traveled with other companies, WT is by far the best one yet."
Jalien H.
South Dartmouth, MA
"I loved everything about the trip—it was just what we were hoping for."
Judith A.
Silver Spring, MD
"The trip was exactly what I had hoped—a small group of enthusiastic travelers, hikes and boat trips with lots of plants and wildlife to photograph. Plus, it was an excellent break from winter weather!"
Julia M.
Washington, DC
"Your trip leader has a great deal of knowledge and passion regarding the wildlife, history and current events of Costa Rica. His guidance added a whole new level to our enjoyment of this amazing country."
Kristine J.
Orangevale, CA
"It was an experience of a lifetime. Being able to travel and learn with three generations, ages 10-81, was very meaningful."
Laura R.
Warner, NH
"This was my first Wilderness Travel trip. I'll be back!"
Margaret I.
Ada, MI
"A tremendous trip that really helped me understand and appreciate Costa Rica's animals, plants, and natural beauty. Federico was great, the lodges and hotels where we stayed were top notch, the cultural events were very interesting, and the rainforests and animals were unforgettable."
Mark H.
Wilmette, IL
"One of the best trips we’ve ever had. Our 11-year-old granddaughter never stopped smiling."
Paul C.
Cambridge, MA
"Superb trip—all I had to do was enjoy myself!"
Ray B.
Springfield, OR
"Everyone at Wilderness Travel from our first call to our final good-bye at the airport was exceptional!"
Sue M.
San Carlos, CA
"A fantastic trip! Lots of activities for those people like me who want to be on the go all the time and options for those who want to take some down time. I really appreciated the beauty of the country and the chance to see so much wildlife!"
Sylvia B.
Canterbury, NH
"It was an amazing trip, with a perfectly designed itinerary that allowed for personalization, so we could get the most out of our trip."
Zach B.
New York, NY
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Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.