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Explore some of the highlights of this incredibly beautiful country on our classic journey, which incorporates the very best that Costa Rica has to offer.
Depart London on your scheduled flight to San Jose, via Newark (USA). On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner tonight with your group.
This morning you will leave Alajuela and start your journey to the mystical town of Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast. We schedule breakfast before leaving the hotel for your first taste of the traditional gallo pinto (black beans and rice), then a quick stop in Guapiles. Continuing your journey to the port you will travel through small villages and banana plantations. A gentle boat ride through the jungle canals will follow to arrive at your lodge in Tortuguero. Enjoy lunch at your lodge and then a visit to Tortuguero town. With no cars or streets, the town is sandwiched between a Caribbean beach on one side and waterways on the other. Spend some time exploring this charming town where you may even be lucky enough to spot some turtles nesting on the beach if you are travelling between July and October. The rest of the afternoon will be free to relax with dinner at your lodge.
Following an early breakfast, start your day with a fascinating hike through the rainforest nature trails at your lodge, home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. Following lunch, travel by boat through the maze of canals within the national park, for the best chance to spot the wildlife of the rainforest. Tortuguero literally means 'region of turtles' and it is no surprise that it is home to seven species of turtles as well as being the most important nesting site for the green sea turtle. The area also contains a great diversity of crustaceans and many species of freshwater fish.
Traveling to La Fortuna with a stop for a traditional Costa Rican lunch. Along the way, you will be able to observe pine plantations and giant iguanas.
Explore a private 4.5-kilometre path around the base of the volcano and ascend to a lookout point to experience a fantastic view of the Arenal Volcano including the remains of the last volcanic eruption in 1968. Your lunch stop will be at a wonderful local ranch, where you will be served a traditional local meal along with a folklore dance presentation, plus the chance to visit the farm.
Today you will visit Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge. One of the most important wetland areas in the world and a region of huge biological importance due to the immense variety of flora and fauna in the area. The refuge is home to several endangered species including cougars, jaguars and tapirs, and whilst these elusive animals are very difficult to see there are several species of monkeys and a phenomenal variety of birdlife that are much easier to find. Later, enjoy the afternoon at leisure to visit the hot springs or relax and take in the views.
Monteverde is a world above the coastal towns at high altitude (1440m above sea level) allowing it to receive the steady supply of clouds and the life-giving moisture they contain. On the journey, take in the beautiful landscape of Lake Arenal and pass through some typical country villages, before visiting a local coffee plantation. Later, arrive at your hotel where you will be taken for an introduction to the town of Santa Elena, famous for one of South America's most resplendent birds, the Quetzal.
Today's tour takes you high above the clouds to the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Here, clouds hover above the canopy of the forest before condensing on leaves creating a specialized ecosystem and habitat found nowhere else on earth. With the help of your guide, you will be able to spot some of nature's most splendid creations, from colourful butterflies, to low-lying lizards and fearless primates; this forest is said to be home to over 3,000 known species. The morning will be spent in Sky Adventure Park. The skywalk combines trails and suspension bridges, with lengths of 984 feet and heights above the canopy of Monteverde cloud forest. Lunch today will be at a family-run kitchen at an ecological sanctuary. Your food will be prepared in front of you whilst you learn about the traditional recipes and dishes along with the opportunity to join in, perhaps becoming an expert in tortilla making by the end of the meal! The afternoon will continue at ground level as a gentle hike will allow you to closely examine some of the 500 species of orchids growing amongst the 3,000 varieties of plants on the moist forest floor.
Depart to Manuel Antonio. Make a stop en route at the Tarcoles River Bridge to see the giant crocodiles sunning themselves on the river backs below. .
Visit the stunning Manuel Antonio National Park home to spectacular white-sand beaches, tropical lowland wet forest and coral reefs. The area is home to an astonishing variety of exotic wildlife that you can seek out on a guided rainforest walk from white-faced and squirrel monkeys to three toed sloths, iguana and toucans.
Transfer to San Jose for your overnight, return flight back to the UK, or continue on to your chosen extension.
UK passport holders are not currently required to obtain a visa for Costa Rica prior to travel. You must also pay a departure tax of USD $29 when leaving the country. This must be paid before you check-in at San Jose airport and must be paid in USD cash. Further visa advice should be sought from the applicable tourist authority for other nationalities and for general queries. We strongly advise you to check with your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up to date guidelines regarding required passport validity.
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras. To arrange your travel insurance with Holiday Extras, please call 0800 781 4237 and quote 'WK830' for preferential rates. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24-hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
If booking more than 10 weeks before departure a deposit of €300pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 10 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 10 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
Your flight is to San Jose Airport will be direct with British Airways, departing from London Heathrow. Each passenger is entitled to 23kg of hold luggage and hand luggage Size and weight restrictions will be finalised on your final documentation. Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check-in. Check-in should be at least 3 hours before departure.
From May 2023 - Your flight is to San Jose Airport will be direct with United Airlines, departing from London Heathrow. Each passenger is entitled to 23kg of hold luggage and hand luggage Size and weight restrictions will be finalised on your final documentation. Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check-in. Check-in should be at least 3 hours before departure.
IMPORTANT: Please note that final flight details will be confirmed on your final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 10 days before departure. A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport to the staff at the desk and your boarding pass will be given to you.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
This tour is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves full days of sightseeing, often on foot and includes some climbing of stairs and getting on and off coaches and boats. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.
This is a fully escorted tour, meaning that you will be met on arrival and will have a guide with you throughout the tour ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times.
Currency is Costa Rican colon. Prices in Costa Rica are frequently listed in US dollars, especially in hotels and restaurants, where you can expect to pay international prices. US dollars are widely accepted and some ATMs dispense dollars. Credit cards are also accepted as a form of payment. It is very important that you budget carefully and ensure you have the right form or currency before you arrive in the country.
You will need to take money with you to cover any personal purchases such as souvenirs, laundry and extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £300 will be sufficient for the duration of the tour, depending on how much of a bargain-hunter you are!
| Depart UK | Arrive UK | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Dates | |||
| 13 Sep 2023 | 23 Sep 2023 | €3919.00 | |
| 04 Nov 2023 | 14 Nov 2023 | €3359.00 | |
| 18 Nov 2023 | 28 Nov 2023 | €3751.00 | |
| 2024 Dates | |||
| 06 Jan 2024 | 16 Jan 2024 | €3919.00 | |
| 27 Jan 2024 | 06 Feb 2024 | €3807.00 | |
| 03 Feb 2024 | 13 Feb 2024 | €4367.00 | |
| 24 Feb 2024 | 05 Mar 2024 | €4143.00 | |
| 09 Mar 2024 | 19 Mar 2024 | €3695.00 | |
| 24 Apr 2024 | 04 May 2024 | €3807.00 | |
| 01 May 2024 | 11 May 2024 | €3135.00 | |
| 11 Sep 2024 | 21 Sep 2024 | €3247.00 | |
| 02 Oct 2024 | 12 Oct 2024 | €3807.00 | |
| 02 Nov 2024 | 12 Nov 2024 | €3807.00 | |
| 16 Nov 2024 | 26 Nov 2024 | €3919.00 | |
Unfortunately, we do not have any places with no single supplements on this tour. However, if you are happy to share with another passenger of the same gender, then let us know at the time of booking and we will endeavour to find you a travelling partner. Alternatively, please ask about our single supplement prices in order to book your own twin room
If the group departure dates are not suitable for you and you would prefer a more personal and flexible experience then you can choose to book a private guide for your tour at a reasonable supplement.
Please note the hotels given are a guidelines only and may change. If the hotels detailed are not available, alternatives will be used of a similar standard. Please refer to your final documentation for confirmation of your hotels. You will receive this between 7-10 days before departure.
Colon
21 °C / 33 °C
Please familiarise yourself with the climate charts below.
Despite the problems with due to Covid-19, our holiday was excellent, due in main to our guide and I am sure the people behind the scenes.
The guide was the best 11 out of 10.
Hotels were all excellent
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All hotels excellent loved Poas lodge .
Hotels were all of a good standard, with Poas Volcano Lodge being outstanding. We wished we could have stayed more than one night there as it was fabulous!
Our guide (Jose Herrera) was excellent - informative and engaging. He gave just the right amount of information during the long drives and was clear with all the arrangements - times to meet etc. Vehicle was comfortable.
All the hotels were of an excellent standard.
My favourites were The Pachira Lodge Tortuguera,The Poas Volcano Lodge and El Parador Manuel Antonio.
However the Country inns and Suites in San Jose also gets a special mention.
Las Lagos Arenal was good the evening meal was not so good.
El Establo was good we were lucky to have rooms high up overlooking the rain forest and there was a lovely pool.
All the hotels were good, would expect nothing less on a Mercury Holiday. The highlight of the holiday, as far as hotels go, was Poas Volcano Lodge. It was 5 star luxury, with our room being more of a suite. The dinner and breakfast were superb and to find a hot-water bottle in your bed on a chilly evening was absolute heaven! It was such a shame we were only there for one night, we left feeling there was so much more to explore.
The hotels chosen by Mercury were excellent. All different but comfortable and interesting and not too large or corporate. The rooms were spacious and pretty well equipped (including fridges and drink making) and well located in rural areas for wildlife spotting. Poas Volcano lodge was exceptional.
The food at both the hotels and restaurants on the tour was very good and of a high standard. Lunches could in fact have been smaller.
Extend your stunning Costa Rican experience with a 3-day Volcano Mini Tour and marvel at some of the most incredible natural creations in the world. From Poas Volcano National Park and Grecia, to the indigenous village of 'Iztaru' and the Valley of Orosi; this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to discover natural beauty at its most impressive.
View Tour + Extension
Extend your stay in Costa Rica and spend three nights relaxing on the white sandy shores or choose to take part in some of the various activities on offer in the local area including hiking, guided tours and canopy walks.
View Tour + Extension
