Costa Rica National Parks
Costa Rica National Parks
Costa Rica National Parks
7 Days Starting and ending in San José, Costa Rica
Visiting: San José, Puerto Viejo, Tortuguero
Tour operator:
Tour code:
CRNP20
Specialist Group:
18-30 Somethings
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
18-35
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Costa Rica's stunning national parks with the "Costa Rica National Parks" tour. Begin your adventure in San José, exploring the Poás Volcano National Park with its breathtaking waterfalls and active volcano. Discover the vibrant culture and architecture of Costa Rica's capital before heading to the Caribbean coastal town of Puerto Viejo. Here, you'll enjoy an orientation tour, visit the diverse Cahuita National Park, and relax on the dreamlike beaches of Playa Blanca and Punta Uva. Continue to Tortuguero, where you'll witness turtles in their natural habitat and take a scenic boat trip through wildlife-rich canals. With comfortable accommodations and scenic travel by bus and boat, this tour offers an immersive experience of Costa Rica's natural beauty and wildlife. Optional activities like river kayaking and surf lessons in Puerto Viejo add to the adventure, making this a perfect getaway for nature enthusiasts.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Start San José
Location: San José
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Auténtico Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: Dinner
Well hello there, and welcome to Costa Rica. Today we’ll go from one extreme to the next, with a locally guided tour of the Poás Volcano National Park – which includes a chance to see the summit – followed by a walking tour in San José: Costa Rica’s magnificent capital city. First things first though, it’s time to meet your Contiki crew…
Day 2: San José To Puerto Viejo
Location: Puerto Viejo
Accommodation Name: Villas Del Caribe (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
We’ll rise bright and early this morning to make our way to Puerto Viejo (with a sweet lil stop-off along the way…). We'll head to Turrialba (also known for its volcano, and actually named after the ‘white smoke’ said volcano used to emit), we’ll bask in the area’s sprawling natural beauty, and then visit the Guayabo National Monument for a healthy dose of ancient architecture. This evening, we’ll arrive at the Caribbean coastal town of Puerto Viejo – known for its surf-savvy beaches, rainforests, wetlands and jaguar conservation efforts. You’re free to explore with your Contiki crew, and your Trip Manager will give you a brief orientation tour to help you on your way.
Day 3: Puerto Viejo
Location: Puerto Viejo
Accommodation Name: Villas Del Caribe (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we’ll spend the whole day exploring Puerto Viejo – and boy does this town deserve it. We’ll go hiking in Cahuita National Park (one of the most famous national parks in Costa Rica, where you might just see sloths IRL) and check out some of the best beaches in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica and indeed the world too.
Day 4: Puerto Viejo
Location: Puerto Viejo
Accommodation Name: Villas Del Caribe (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Wakey wakey. It’s Day 4. We have another full day in Puerto Viejo today, and some truly epic optional activities await. With river kayaking, surf lessons and a visit to a sloth sanctuary on today’s menu, there’s something for just about everyone. Also, we won’t be offended if you choose to spend today doing your own thing, or just kicking back on the coast (those white sand beaches are pretty moreish, after all).
Day 5: Puerto Viejo To Tortuguero
Location: Tortuguero
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Pachira Lodge Special Stay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
All aboard! Today we’ll take a boat trip through canals and rivers to reach Tortuguero – another of the unmissable national parks in Costa Rica. Does it get more picturesque than this? We don’t think so. Once we set foot back on dry land, we’ll have a turtle-y awesome afternoon/evening waiting for us. That’s right, we’ll visit a sea turtle conservancy on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience… followed by the unique opportunity to go turtle-spotting at night! Wondering what else to do tonight in Tortuguero? Fear not – your Trip Manager will give you a brief orientation tour, pointing out all the unmissable viewpoints and food spots.
Day 6: Tortuguero
Location: Tortuguero
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Pachira Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sure, Tortuguero is known for its sea turtles, but there’s way more wildlife to spot here – and that’s exactly what we’ll do today. We’ll take a boat trip along the winding canals, keeping our eyes peeled for monkeys, birds and more animals, not forgetting spectacular views. Tonight, after checking out one of the world’s more beautiful national parks, you’ll have another free night to explore.
Day 7: Tortuguero To San José
Location: San José
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Tortuguero, you’ve been tantalising. We’re all better and more well-rounded people now, but sadly it’s time to make our way back to where the adventure began… And that… is… that. We’ve spent one week in Costa Rica. You’re back in San José, where you’re free to explore for a while longer or make your way back to the airport. Whichever path you’re choosing, we’re pretty sure this won’t be the last time you’ll be seeing your new Contiki crew.
What's Included
-
Guided Tour of Poás Volcano National Park
Explore Poás Volcano National Park with a local guide, including waterfalls, a coffee farm, and an active volcano.
-
San José City Tour
Discover the Costa Rican capital's parks and architecture with a local guide.
-
Orientation Tour in Puerto Viejo
Orientation tour highlighting the best bucket list spots in Puerto Viejo.
-
Visit to Cahuita National Park
Visit Cahuita National Park, home to coral reefs, ancient shipwrecks, and tropical forests.
-
Beach Experience in Puerto Viejo
Experience the dream beaches of Playa Blanca, Puerto Vargas, Punta Uva, and Manzanillo.
-
Turtle Watching in Tortuguero
Witness turtles in their natural habitat with an expert guide.
-
Boat Trip in Tortuguero
Boat trip along winding canals to spot wildlife like herons, kingfishers, and monkeys.
-
Visit to Sea Turtle Conservancy
Visit a sea turtle conservancy and go turtle-spotting at night.
-
Transport
Travel between destinations by bus and boat, ensuring a scenic and immersive journey through Costa Rica's diverse landscapes and national parks.
-
Accommodation
Stay at the Auténtico Hotel in San José, Villas Del Caribe in Puerto Viejo, and Pachira Lodge in Tortuguero, offering comfortable and convenient lodging throughout your Costa Rica adventure.
What's Not Included
Optional Activities in Puerto ViejoOptional activities such as river kayaking, surf lessons, and a visit to a sloth sanctuary are not included.
Dining Summary
- 3 Dinner (D)
- 6 Breakfast (B)
- 3 Lunch (L)
Active
- Tortuguero: Even just the words ‘wilderness trail’ give us goosebumps, as we get psyched up to see the Costa Rican wildlife and landscapes.
Culture
- San José: We’ll check out the Costa Rican capital with a local guide on hand to point out the prettiest parks and most awe-inspiring architecture (both of which we’ll see in abundance).
- San José: With archaeological structures dating back as far as 1000 BC, this is a perfect combination of human creativity and the beauty of Mother Nature. No trip to Costa Rica would be complete without it.
- Puerto Viejo: Before you embark on your free night in Puerto Viejo, your Trip Manager will give you a quick orientation tour to show you where the best bucket list spots are.
- Tortuguero: Your Trip Manager will give you a quick orientation tour to show you where the best bucket list spots are. Oh, and don’t panic, they’ll also recommend their favourite eateries too.
- Puerto Viejo: …and marvel at the gorgeous Caribbean Sea as you go!
- Tortuguero: These winding canals are home to all sorts of wildlife, including herons, kingfishers, poison dart frogs and a few types of monkey too – so keep your eyes peeled (and your camera at the ready too).
Included Experience
- San José: Trust us when we say, this one’s really ‘summit’. Home to waterfalls, a coffee farm and a miasmic active volcano too – we’ll explore this momentous national park with a local guide on hand to impart all their knowledge.
- San José: We’ll check out the Costa Rican capital with a local guide on hand to point out the prettiest parks and most awe-inspiring architecture (both of which we’ll see in abundance).
- San José: With archaeological structures dating back as far as 1000 BC, this is a perfect combination of human creativity and the beauty of Mother Nature. No trip to Costa Rica would be complete without it.
- Puerto Viejo: Before you embark on your free night in Puerto Viejo, your Trip Manager will give you a quick orientation tour to show you where the best bucket list spots are.
- Puerto Viejo: Of all the Costa Rica national parks, this might be the most diverse – home to coral reefs, ancient shipwrecks and tropical forests (where you might just see a sloth or two…). Basically, there’s no adventure quite like a Cahuita adventure.
- Puerto Viejo: Basically, when you close your eyes and picture the beach of your dreams, these are what you’re picturing (you just don’t know it yet). Today you’ll experience Playa Blanca, Punta Uva and Manazanillo in all their perfect palm-tree-lined glory. It’s a Caribbean paradise and then some.
- Tortuguero: Your Trip Manager will give you a quick orientation tour to show you where the best bucket list spots are. Oh, and don’t panic, they’ll also recommend their favourite eateries too.
- Tortuguero: On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, you’ll meet the good folks who work tirelessly to protect and rehabilitate the sea turtles of Costa Rica. Oh, and you’ll also see the turtles for yourself…
- Tortuguero: With an expert guide on hand to impart all their knowledge, we’ll head out to witness turtles in their natural habitat. You may even see babies hatching too!
- Puerto Viejo: …and marvel at the gorgeous Caribbean Sea as you go!
- Tortuguero: These winding canals are home to all sorts of wildlife, including herons, kingfishers, poison dart frogs and a few types of monkey too – so keep your eyes peeled (and your camera at the ready too).
- Tortuguero: Even just the words ‘wilderness trail’ give us goosebumps, as we get psyched up to see the Costa Rican wildlife and landscapes.
Nature
- San José: Trust us when we say, this one’s really ‘summit’. Home to waterfalls, a coffee farm and a miasmic active volcano too – we’ll explore this momentous national park with a local guide on hand to impart all their knowledge.
- Tortuguero: On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, you’ll meet the good folks who work tirelessly to protect and rehabilitate the sea turtles of Costa Rica. Oh, and you’ll also see the turtles for yourself…
Check out our Q&As
-
What type of wildlife can I expect to see during the tour in Tortuguero?
In Tortuguero, you can expect to see a variety of wildlife including herons, kingfishers, monkeys, and possibly even sea turtles in their natural habitat.
-
Are there any optional activities available during the tour?
Yes, in Puerto Viejo, there are optional activities such as river kayaking, surf lessons, and a visit to a sloth sanctuary.
-
What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
The tour includes travel between destinations by bus and boat, providing a scenic and immersive journey through Costa Rica's diverse landscapes and national parks.
-
What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?
Accommodation includes stays at the Auténtico Hotel in San José, Villas Del Caribe in Puerto Viejo, and Pachira Lodge in Tortuguero, offering comfortable and convenient lodging throughout the adventure.
-
Is there an opportunity to see sea turtles during the tour?
Yes, in Tortuguero, you will visit a sea turtle conservancy and have the opportunity to go turtle-spotting at night.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
In 1961, a guy called John Anderson founded Contiki in New Zealand. Whilst later bought by The Travel Corporation, the tour company had already been using the name ‘Contiki’ since its inception.
-
Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Contiki trips are designed & operated exclusively for those aged 18-35 years. Your travelling companions will be like-minded adventurers within that age range. The age range is adhered to strictly.
-
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
-
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
-
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® is our commitment to protect people, wildlife and the incredible planet we all share. Powered by The TreadRight Foundation, a non-profit organisation and Contiki’s guiding hand when it comes to making travel matter.
-
What documents will I receive before I travel?
All documentation will be sent via email around 21 days prior to your trip departure. You can also access information on your trip by signing up to My Contiki via the top right icon of the homepage.
Reviews of this operator
Save on this tour
Request your exclusive discount code now and unlock savings for your next adventure!
Send me one now.1 Select your preferred date
Monday - Sunday
Jun 23, 2025 - Jun 29, 2025Monday - Sunday
Jul 14, 2025 - Jul 20, 2025Monday - Sunday
Jul 28, 2025 - Aug 03, 2025Monday - Sunday
Aug 18, 2025 - Aug 24, 2025Monday - Sunday
Sep 08, 2025 - Sep 14, 2025Monday - Sunday
Oct 06, 2025 - Oct 12, 2025Monday - Sunday
Jun 22, 2026 - Jun 28, 2026Monday - Sunday
Jul 13, 2026 - Jul 19, 2026Monday - Sunday
Jul 27, 2026 - Aug 02, 2026Monday - Sunday
Aug 17, 2026 - Aug 23, 2026Monday - Sunday
Sep 07, 2026 - Sep 13, 2026Monday - Sunday
Oct 05, 2026 - Oct 11, 2026Book with Confidence
-
Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
-
Terms and Conditions
Why book with Barrhead?
Fully Protected
All our holidays are fully financially protected.
Your flight & hotel package is fully ATOL protected.
Range
Our bespoke holidays are tailor-made to suit your personal requirements.
We can book flights, rail journeys, accommodation, cruises, attraction tickets and much more.
Industry leading discounts, we won't be beaten on price.
Expert Knowledge
We know because we go – our Touring & Adventure specialists have travelled to over 55 countries.
Reliable & unbiased advice from our trusted travel experts.
Trusted Agent
Multi award-winning agency with almost 50 years experience.
Rated 4.9/5 on Trustpilot – the highest-rated high-street travel agent.
We look after you every step of the way.