Costa Rica Active Escape

Costa Rica Active Escape

239 Views
8 Days From

$2398

$2160

Costa Rica Active Escape

8 Days Starting in San José and ending in Liberia Airport

Visiting: San José, La Fortuna, Balsa, Monte Verde, Puerto Carrillo, Liberia

Tour operator:

Exodus

Tour code:

AHJ

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 16

Physical rating:

Leisurely / Moderate

Age range:

16-99

Trip Styles:

Active, Adventure Tours

Interests:

Beach Tours, Cultural

From:
$2398
$2160 (USD) Operator discount: -$238

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

The many natural wonders of Costa Rica make the perfect setting for your next big-thrills getaway. Over the course of a week, we go white-water rafting on the Balsa River, swim next to a thundering waterfall, meet the nocturnal wildlife of Monteverde on a night walk, and take to the ocean for a dolphin-watching excursion. After all that excitement, the expedition ends peacefully with a few days on the Pacific coastline, where a sandy bay is shaded by coconut palms and the water is perfect for swimming. This action-packed week will leave you refreshed and with a full understanding of Costa Rica's most famous phrase: 'pura vida' or 'pure life'.

Highlights

  • Enjoy an exhilarating white-water rafting excursion

  • Join a night walk in Monteverde to see the cloud forest come alive at night

  • Relax on Carrillo Beach and enjoy the Pacific coastline

  • Join a fun-filled boat excursion to see dolphins

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Start San Jose

Location: San José

Accommodation Name: Autentico Hotel (or similar)

A free transfer takes you to our hotel in San José, the busy capital of Costa Rica. Check in and take it easy. There’s plenty of excitement on this trip, so today’s all about relaxing and easing ourselves into the adventure. To help, there’ll be a welcome briefing at the hotel in the evening, in which we’ll gather as a group for the first time and meet our guide.



Accommodation: Autentico Hotel (or similar)

Day 2 : To Arenal; La Fortuna Waterfall Walk

Location: La Fortuna

Accommodation Name: Eco Arenal (or similar)

Meals Included: breakfast

We drive to the area surrounding Arenal volcano, which was the most active volcano in Costa Rica until it entered a resting phase in 2010. There is still lots of geothermal activity here, plus natural hot springs, waterfalls and the largest lake in the country, Lake Arenal.



Today, we visit La Fortuna Waterfall, a 215ft (65m) cascade plunging into an emerald pool. A short rainforest trail brings us to steep steps that we must descend to reach the waterfall and then ascend to the exit; this takes around 20 to 30 minutes and will be rewarded with a swim in the pool. You can visit the lookout point to wait for the group if you prefer. There will also be plenty of time to spot forest-dwelling animals along the way; keep an eye out for colourful toucans in the trees.



Accommodation: Eco Arenal (or similar)

Day 3 : Try Grade Ii And Iii White-Water Rafting On The Balsa River

Location: Balsa, La Fortuna

Accommodation Name: Eco Arenal (or similar)

Meals Included: breakfastlunch

After breakfast, we head to the Balsa River for an exhilarating white-water rafting excursion. The rapids here are graded II and III and have nicknames such as Magnetic Rock and Dredges – prepare to get wet and wild on this adventure. No experience of this activity is needed as a full safety briefing and instruction is given before getting into the rafts. Tropical scenery flanks the river and we may spot monkeys, toucans or other animals in the forest. There will also be a stop for drinks and tropical fruits along the way.



On our return to La Fortuna, we stop to enjoy a delicious lunch at Vida Campesina, a traditional country estate that allows visitors to experience typical country life in Costa Rica. Lunch will be made with ingredients harvested on the property and prepared on a wood stove in traditional style.



Accommodation: Eco Arenal (or similar)

Day 4 : To Monteverde In The Tilaran Mountains; Night Walk To Experience The Cloud Forest In The Dark

Location: Monte Verde

Accommodation Name: Montaña Monteverde (or similar)

Meals Included: breakfast

From Arenal, we travel to the Tilaran mountain range in the Central Highlands for a taste of the Costa Rican cloud forest. Reaching Monteverde involves a fast boat across Lake Arenal, which is incredibly scenic and will take roughly half an hour. Our journey is then completed by private minibus as we ascend the hills towards Monteverde, a forest-cloaked region whose name literally means Green Mountain. The high altitude supports a complex ecosystem where plants thrive, particularly orchids of which there are some 400-plus varieties here. Our journey time will be about 3hr 30min, including the lake crossing.



Around 6pm, we have a night walk to experience the forest in the dark. This gives an entirely new perspective on the cloud forest habitat with many pairs of eyes staring back at you. We may see sloths, armadillos, porcupines, possums and coatis and will likely hear a cacophony of insects and amphibians.



Accommodation: Montaña Monteverde (or similar)

Day 5 : Visit The Hanging Bridges And Butterfly Garden; Afternoon Free For Optional Activities

Location: Monte Verde

Accommodation Name: Montaña Monteverde (or similar)

Meals Included: breakfast

Today we visit Selvatura Park, 850 acres (345ha) of protected land dedicated to nature and adventure. We begin with the hanging bridges excursion, a system of treetop walkways designed to let you experience the beauty of the cloud forest and observe the many inhabitants. We also visit the butterfly garden, one of the largest butterfly exhibitions in the world, and the hummingbird garden, where more than 14 hummingbird species amaze you with their aerial manoeuvres.



In the afternoon, there is time to try aerial manoeuvres of our own on an optional zip line adventure through the tree tops. Before we fly, guides teach us the proper technique, including how to position ourselves and hold the cable correctly, enabling you to safely embark on this adrenaline-pumping adventure above the trees.



Accommodation: Montaña Monteverde (or similar)

Day 6 : To The Pacific Coast; Afternoon At Leisure To Enjoy Carrillo Beach

Location: Puerto Carrillo

Accommodation Name: Leyenda Hotel (or similar)

Meals Included: breakfast

We travel to the Samara region on the Pacific Coast, a destination to rival any for beauty in Costa Rica but yet to be discovered by mass tourism. The broad, shady bay is backed by coconut palms and the water is calm and safe for swimming thanks to a coral reef on which the normally large Pacific waves break before reaching the shore. There are plenty of facilities in this area but there's a noticeable absence of big resort hotels, which makes for a nice atmosphere. We have a free afternoon to enjoy the facilities and discover the area.



Accommodation: Leyenda Hotel (or similar)

Day 7 : Boat Trip To See Dolphins Offshore From Carrillo Beach; Have A Go At Snorkelling

Location: Puerto Carrillo

Accommodation Name: Leyenda Hotel (or similar)

Meals Included: breakfast

Today we take a private boat from Carrillo Beach in search of dolphins. You could be lucky enough to see spotted dolphins, Central American spinners or common bottlenoses, which all inhabit this area year round. Feel the ocean breeze and enjoy the coastal scenery as we search for these playful animals who love to swim in the bow wave of the boat. As we return along the coast, we anchor near the shores of Isla Chora, a white-sand beach full of hermit crabs and iguanas. This is a great spot for a refreshing swim and a chance to observe the underwater world with a mask and snorkel. Beneath the surface teems a lively world with huge marine diversity. In total, today’s excursion lasts around four hours, with the rest of your time at leisure to enjoy the area.



Accommodation: Leyenda Hotel (or similar)

Day 8 : To Liberia And End

Location: Liberia

Meals Included: breakfast

A final breakfast at the hotel is your chance to say goodbye to the group, swap numbers, and perhaps start planning your next adventure. For those joining our post-trip extension to Tamarindo Beach, the wait won’t be long.

What's Included

  • Meals
    7 breakfasts, 1 lunches, 0 dinners.

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance

  • Single accommodation (available on request)

  • Visas or vaccinations

Food

All breakfasts and one lunch are included. Hotel breakfasts are normally buffets. Vegetarians are well catered for but please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests.



Costa Rican specialities include gallo pinto, a black bean and rice dish and staple part of the local diet. Soups and stews are also common, and fresh fruit is abundant and will no doubt be one of the highlights of your time here.

Accommodation

We stay in four comfortable hotels during this tour for a total of seven nights.



In San José, we stay at the modern three-star Autentico Hotel, which has easy access to the downtown areas of the city.



In Arenal, our accommodation will normally be the Arenal Paraiso Hotel. This property is close to Arenal volcano and has large natural grounds with wonderful volcano views. There are also several spring water-fed pools in which you can relax.



In Monteverde, we stay at the Monteverde Country Lodge, a three-star property providing cosy, comfortable and warm accommodation. This property doesn’t have a swimming pool or air conditioning as it’s in an area of Costa Rica that is typically much cooler.



By the Pacific Coast, we stay at the three-star Leyenda Hotel by Carillo Beach, which has a swimming pool and jacuzzi.

Check out our Q&As

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews of this Operator

Gergana Racheva  

Very helpful and prompt service

06-Jan-2023

Very helpful and prompt service. I called to check for an already booked trip and once we sorted this, the agent was ready to help me with another booking as well. He actually waited for me to book my flight tickets, answered all my questions, informed me of all my options. Exodus is a tour company I am using regularly due to the quality of their trips, ease of booking and helpfulness of their customer service team

Trustpilot
Tim Hardy  

Stunning walking. Walking the Amalfi Coast

04-Nov-2021

This trip takes you through the most beautiful parts of the Mediterranean walking with a guide and also discovering the wonders of Pompeii and Vesuvius. The hotel had a nice feel as family run, spotless and comfortable rooms, we were well looked after for breakfasts and dinner each day, and the barmen fixed some mean cocktails for us.!

Paul Green  

It's amazing what you can do in a week! Cycling the Dalmatian Coast.

08-Oct-2021

This holiday was extremely enjoyable. The itinerary is well planned and the route takes you to a variety of destinations. Not having been to Croatia before I didn't know there were so many beautiful small islands and I loved the ferry and catarmaran rides. The coastal route we took was dramatic and the World Heritage sites in Split and Dubrovnik very interesting and worth visiting. The Adriatic Sea was warm, blue and inviting, good for swimming even in October. The hotels we stayed in varied in size from medium to large. I particularly liked the one just outside Dubrovnik as I had a sea view. Tourists were plentiful in Split and Dubrovnik but in the other places we stayed there was an end of season feel and it was quiet on the roads and in the resorts. The food was good and our guide was always able to recommend a nice restaurant for our evening meal. The weather in October was good for cycling - not hot, partly cloudy most days and one day it rained!

Mrs Y Morrison  

Fabulous company and trip

06-Jan-2023

We went overland from Cape Town to Zimbabwe through Botswana and Namibia. What a fantastic trip. Our first time with Exodus although we have travelled extensively around the world. We would highly recommend this company for such a brilliant trip - we got everything and more all at a good price. Thanks to everyone involved. We are looking at our next trip!

Trustpilot
John Edwards (Google Reviewer)  

I went cycling in Albania...

19-Aug-2023

I went cycling in Albania with exodus as my first holiday with them. Such a well organised and wonderful experience where I met multiple fellow travellers who have been advocates of them for many years. You can't argue with happy repeat customers and I'm planning my next adventure with them soon

Rob Burridge (Google Reviewer)  

I'v just come back from...

17-Jul-2022

I'v just come back from an amazing Wildlife & Wilderness trip in Botswana and I highly recommend Exodus Travels. Our guide Brian, was extremely knowledgeable on both the wildlife and history of Botswana and neighbouring countries. The other three staff, Abbis, Chief & Mr T, who accompanied us through out our 2 week trip, put in the hard work and made sure our camp was always prepared and that we we're well fed and looked after. The tour took us to some beautiful places and we saw some amazing wildlife, and on several occasions this was due to Brian's knowledge of the area and wildlife behaviour. Exodus have been very quick to respond to any queries I had, and the whole experience ran smoothly. I was also pleased to hear that during lockdown they provided staff with food packages 👍. I'd normally go on self organised trips, however, with this trip, the tour and guide Brian took us to places not possible otherwise and showed us things that we would'v missed out on. All of which were the highlights of the tour.

Daphne Partridge (Google Reviewer)  

After 14 roup adventure holidays...

26-Nov-2023

After 14 roup adventure holidays with Exofus we would not hesitate to recommend them as an excitingholiday company. They take you off the beaten track but offer great support and expertise :)

Alison Payton (Google Reviewer)  

I've done 8 trips in...

17-May-2023

I've done 8 trips in the last 14 years with Exodus, and have been rewarded with a 10% discount on all future bookings. I feel very confident that I'll receive pleasant, efficient service, and have the unusual holiday experience that I'm looking for each time. I've trekked to the top of snow-capped peaks, wild-camped in the desert, seen amazing spectacles of nature, visited 4 capital cities in a week, and learned about local culture and experienced local hospitality in a way that I simply wouldn't on a conventional holiday. The quality of the accommodation and guides can vary, but this is mainly down to cultural differences and things that Exodus can't control. I've only ever complained once, my complaint was taken seriously, and I was sent a discount voucher - you can't say fairer than that. I remain a loyal customer.

Jacquelyn Moore (Google Reviewer)  

Food came quickly. Staff very...

07-Mar-2024

Food came quickly. Staff very friendly and polite . However the chef or person preparing the food did not seem to read the menu! If it says a meal should come with vegetables, you should not have to ask for them. They served shepherds pie with garlic bread! The munchies ice cream sundae said it should come in a glass with a flake but came in a little bowl with just a few munchies! When asking the staff were happy to replace and correct but customer should get what they order and what menu says first time round!!

johanna leonor (Google Reviewer)  

If you like to be...

07-Sep-2023

If you like to be mistreated Exodus is perfect for you. If you enjoy terrible choices for hotels and pseudo restaurants Exodus is perfect for you. Careless about their clients and loveless about their propositions. Exodus has been a dissatisfaction and disappointment about every dealing i and my group have had with him. Especially a man called Simone who just cares about the money he can get from you couldn’t care less about service.

Dates & Availability

Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Saturday

Jul 13, 2024 - Jul 20, 2024
$2400 (USD)
Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Saturday

Aug 10, 2024 - Aug 17, 2024
$2398 $2160 (USD)

Operator discount: -$238 (USD)

Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Saturday

Nov 09, 2024 - Nov 16, 2024
$2550 (USD)
Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Saturday

Dec 07, 2024 - Dec 14, 2024
$2550 (USD)
Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Saturday

Jan 18, 2025 - Jan 25, 2025
$2700 (USD)
Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Saturday

Feb 15, 2025 - Feb 22, 2025
$2700 (USD)
Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Saturday

Mar 15, 2025 - Mar 22, 2025
$2700 (USD)
Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Saturday

May 10, 2025 - May 17, 2025
$2700 (USD)
Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Saturday

Jul 12, 2025 - Jul 19, 2025
$2700 (USD)
Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Saturday

Aug 09, 2025 - Aug 16, 2025
$2700 (USD)
Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Saturday

Nov 08, 2025 - Nov 15, 2025
$2700 (USD)
Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Saturday

Nov 22, 2025 - Nov 29, 2025
$2700 (USD)
Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Saturday

Dec 06, 2025 - Dec 13, 2025
$2700 (USD)

Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

Similar Tours