Physical Difficulty
Cultural rating
Wildlife expectation
This 15 day tour will take you from the Caribbean to the Pacific with national parks, jungle and volcanos in between for the complete Costa Rican luxury experience. We can try our hand at coffee processing and cheese-making near the stunning Pacuare river, head to the charismatic Caribbean beaches for coral reefs, snorkelling and a laid back feel, head to the Arenal volcano with its impressive views and adventure activities before we arrive at the Pacific paradise of Santa Teresa. This luxury itinerary has it all!
Special features of our 15 day Top - End Costa Rica Tour:
Type of Tourism: Luxury Nature, Biodiversity, Adventure, Beaches
Places to Visit: San Jose, Turrialba, Puerto Viejo, Arenal, Santa Teresa.
Duration: 15 Days and 14 Nights.
Type of Service: group tours.
Accommodation: 4 star hotels and 5 star options at every destination that you will visit. These hotels had been carefully chosen and we can guarantee that you will feel comfortable and your every need catered for!
Today is arrival day to the San Jose airport! Our driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel in San Jose. You will have a free afternoon and evening to explore the modern Costa Rican Capital with its bustling commerce and modern services for visitors. San Jose offers a variety of touristic, cultural and natural attractions, like the museums of Costa Rican Art, Gold, Jade, National and Children’s Contemporary Art and Design. The National Theatre and historical architecture of the buildings and churches close to parks and m...
Turrialba is home to the Irazu Volcano in the Cordillera Central. This pretty town holds some magnificent attractions for nature lovers and adrenalin seekers from stunning cloud forest to the world-class Pacuare River rafting. Set between the Central Valley and the Caribbean coast, Turrialba is a fertile valley and agricultural centre. Farm trucks filled with sugar cane, palm hearts and the local delicacy pejibaye, can be seen moving along the country roads, as well as humble rustic roadside restaurants serving artisan cheeses, addin...
Today we will visit a coffee processing activity, another traditional activity in the area. We will visit Aquiares community, where we will learn all about coffee its production and the people who produce it. We can visit the church, a site of historical interest, and walk through the picturesque community.
Today we will head to the beach resort of Puerto Viejo on the south Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. From Cahuita to Manzanillo we can appreciate a series of idyllic beaches of golden sand, palm trees, turquoise water and gorgeous coral reefs. Rich in culture, colours, music, and gastronomy, the South Caribbean's local people are the wonderful mix of indigenous and Afro-Caribbean descendants. Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, Playa Cocles, Playa Chiquita, Punta Uva and Manzanillo with the Gandoca-Manzanillo Refuge, are all beach towns with incred...
After breakfast, we will head to Cahuita for a snorkelling trip. The Cahuita National Park has the most extensive Coral Reef system in Costa Rica, including 6 species of coral, a wide range of colourful tropical fishes, and the occasional meeting of a harmless reef shark or stingray. The snorkelling here is stunning! We will then head on a hike through this spectacular coastal forest. All around us will be monkeys, sloths, birds, iguanas and other fascinating animal species. After a delicious Caribbean style lunch, we will visit the ...
Today is a free day to explore the area or relax on the spectacular beaches
La Fortuna is close to the Arenal National park, making it the perfect play to stay to explore the Arenal Volcano. This magnificent conical volcano rises up from San Carlos Plains. The surrounding mountains, lake, natural reserves, rivers, canopy tours, culture tours, hot springs, and rainforests make this an excellent luxury destination. Soak up the incredible hot springs heated by the volcano, surrounded by glorious countryside destination. La Fortuna is the perfect place to stay with the rural roads taking you through stunni...
The Tabacon experience will take us to the hot thermal mineral springs that turn into natural pools and cascades in the middle of the forest. Tabacon features more than 20 natural pools and ponds strategically located along the park's walking trails and provides a nice break from the exploration of the flora and the surprisingly regular sightings of local wildlife. You´ll walk through different scenarios with variable kinds of vegetation where you’ll have the chance to meet the local fauna. You will also stand at a viewpo...
After breakfast we will head out on a horse ride to the La Fortuna waterfall. A beautiful example of the Costa Rican country site will be found along the way, cattle farms and agriculture, also the chance to see some bird species such as the oropendola and tucan. We will hike into the forest to see the stunning 70 m high waterfall. At the base of the waterfall, there is a “natural pool” where we can swim in the freshwater of La Fortuna River to freshen up.
Today, we will travel to the beach town of Santa Teresa on the pacific coast. Bathed by the effervescent waves of the Pacific Ocean, this small town has everything you could possibly need. Relaxing walks by the beach, relaxing yoga sessions, admiring the lush vegetation, adrenaline charged surfing or zip-lining over the treetops of the tropical forest, beachfront restaurants that offer a variety of fusion and local menus with the freshest seafood and delectable fruits …After the spectacular golden sunset, the nightlife is invi...
After breakfast, we will head to Cabo Blanco, with its hanging bridge and numerous waterfalls. This is the perfect place for wildlife lovers. As we pass over the hanging bridges and trails to the Montezuma falls, we can learn all about Costa Rican biodiversity through the exuberant tropical scenery. This lush biological reserve, consists of a tropical forest and a diverse ecosystem, making it the home to howler monkeys, white face monkeys, a wide variety of birds, agoutis and other animals. Perfect for those who enjoy bird watching a...
Free day to explore the spectacular area or take it easy on the beach.
Free day to explore the spectacular area or take it easy on the beach.
Today, we will leave this Pacific paradise and head back to the capital of San Jose, for our final evening of this luxury tour.
We will collect you from the hotel to head to the San Jose airport, making sure you arrive in time for your international flight back home or on to your next exciting destination!
You can check our safety protocols in the following link: https://www.horizontes.com/travel-bubbles
We do not include travel or health insurance and we strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance for any unexpected circumstances. This is not obligatory, however. An full travel insurance policy that covers cancellations and delays as well as medical insurance.
Hepatitis A Food & Water
Recommended for most travellers
Hepatitis B Blood & Body Fluids
Recommended for travellers to most regions.
Typhoid Food & Water
Recommended for travellers to most regions.
Yellow Fever Mosquito
Required if travelling from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.
Rabies Saliva of Infected Animals
A High-risk country. The Vaccine ris ecommended for long-term travellers and those who may come in contact with animals.
Malaria
There are often outbreaks of malaria in Costa Rica. While there is no vaccine for malaria you can take certain medications.
We suggest that you speak with your doctor to ensure that you are up-to-date with the recommended vaccinations when travelling to the destination.
We suggest that you speak with your doctor to ensure what medications you will need to bring to the destination. Pharmacies and drugstores are common in all cities, however, it is not certain that you will be able to find a specific drug that you can find in your country of origin.
As in any city in the world, there can be pickpockets in crowded places. We suggest being vigilant at all times, but if you are in a group you will always be safer.
We do not include the cost of any domestic or international flight in any of our programs. These services must be booked independently by each guest.
Yes, hotels will charge the cost of a double room as standard, so a single supplement will be charged if you are traveling alone.
VA Expeditions is supported by Valencia Travel, a company with more than 12 years of foundation with a solid financial position. We have insurance from the insurance company La Positiva, that supports us and protects our guests from any eventuality at the destination, covering our guests for more than 5 million US dollars.
Each trip is customizable, but there may be additional restrictions and expenses in each case. We suggest contacting your sales representative for more information.
Yes, in addition to multi-day programs, we offer half-day experiences and excursions without overnight, which you can purchase as additional services. In case you wish to purchase one of these services, you can ask your guide, the transfer representative or your sales representative to provide you with the support you need.
Yes, you can add additional or optional services to your regular tour. We appreciate contacting your sales representative for any changes you wish to make.
Yes, you can travel with children and we have many activities to do as a family, however, depending on your itinerary, some experiences can be a bit demanding for young children. As a recommendation, we suggest that you ask your sales consultant if the tour you wish to book is suitable for children.
We work with a maximum group size of 12 passengers for sustainability reasons and a more personaized experience.
We suggest making your reservations at least one month before your trip in order to reserve the best hotels, transportation and services for your travel dates, however, in last minute cases, we can reserve up to 15 days in advance.
We suggest consulting with your embassy to review any documents, tests or special visa you need for your trip.
The official currency in Costa Rica is the Costa Rican colón (CRC). In large cities there is a good chance that you will find ATMs or ATMs, however, we suggest that you do not rely entirely on this solution, as it may not be enabled to work with your bank.
Yes, we cater for all special dietary requirements. Please let us know at the time of booking if you have any allergies or special dietary needs.
As a committed tour operator we follow the next steps in order to promote sustainability with our collaborators, suppliers and clients:
We undertake sustainability certification processes to improve our operation and promote our green credentials.
We promote sustainable practices among our suppliers and evaluate their performance.
We educate travelers in how to be a responsible traveler.
With our Horizontes Foundation we work with local communities to improve livelihoods and preserve ecosystems.
Tips are not included in the cost of the tour. You should plan to tip 10% in restaurants and for your guided services, however, tipping is never required.
Cultural norms vary within each Latin American country, even within each city within the country, however, we recommend the following measures to have a pleasant visit in each destination: Latin American culture in general tends to be closer and more informal than in others cultures, so there is usually always a friendly approach in all conversations, and going directly to the point could be considered offensive to some people. Personal space can be much shorter as well, but without being interpreted as sexual in nature.
The schedules are also usually more relaxed and informal, however, this is not the case of VA EXPEDITIONS, since we will always respect the hours indicated in your itinerary. This may be different for other appointments that you can book on your own at other locations.
This depends on each itinerary, and will be indicated in the detail of the day. However, our itineraries always usually include free times to offer more flexibility to our guests.
For any emergency, we appreciate contacting the 24/7 Operations Phone & WhatsApp number: (506) 8730-0396
We have put together a vast selection of highly qualified organizations that we consider to have influenced their specific fields and the sustainable development of Costa Rica.
Costa Rica is known for being a green sustainable country and you can do activities such as:
Visit National Parks
Visit rural communities and share with locals
Try local gastronomy
Immerse in nature and wildlife
Volunteer
Plant a tree
For more information you can check our Hands on Learning in Costa Rica Program on the following link: https://horizontes.s3.amazonaws.com/dev/ks/images/VNYhAKY31Ed7w0bY.pdf
All our guests have 24/7 support for any type of emergency or eventuality. For emergencies you can contact the following number: (506) 8730-0396. For general inquiries, you can write to us at the following email: info@valenciatravelcusco.com
This depends on each itinerary, but generally is a ratio of one guide for every nine guests.
This depends on the type of the type of Travel insurance that the passenger has. We recommend that you have a comprehensive travel insurance policy for better care and hospital facilities.
The tours are carried out by an expert team that has determined the optimal times of visits to make the most of our guests' time, without rushing. All our programs are customizable, so if at any time at the destination you want to adjust the pace of the trip, you can ask your guide to reach a consensus with the whole group in case you need to make adjustments to the pace of the trip.
Each trip is customizable, but there may be additional restrictions and expenses in each case. We suggest contacting your sales representative for more information.
Yes, you can safely store any luggage at your hotel.
For city tours, there are public bathrooms available, in remote destinations bathroom facilities are more sparse.
In the mountains and remote places there is no Internet connection. Hotels and public places usually have WIFI available.
In cities and tourist centers you will have good telephone reception. In remote areas, there may be no cell phone reception.
It depends on each itinerary. We suggest contacting your account representative to give you specific information regarding your program.
We suggest that you bring a refillable water bottle or purchase bottled water if necessary. Depending on your destination, at various points on your trip there will be places where you can fill your water bottle.
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