Costa Rica Holidays
Volcanic peaks, exuberant rainforest and abundant wildlife
14 Night Itinerary from £3,266
Colombus Tour
Explore 5 National Parks with diverse habitats, mountain landscapes and birdwatching. Admire an active volcano, follow forest trails and relax on the beach.
Select your preferred departure date
Tour Route
- San Jose & Poás Volcano - 2 Nights
- Bajos del Toro - 3 Nights
- Arenal Volcano - 3 Nights
- Osa Peninsula and Corcovado National Park - 3 Nights
- Manuel Antonio National Park - 3 Nights
- Return to San Jose & Fly Home - 0 Nights
Travel Highlights
- Experience abundant wildlife, lesser-visited national parks and coastline
- Excursions in diverse ecosystems with expert naturalist guides
- Enjoy great birdwatching
- Stay at Bosque de Paz or El Silencio lodges, hidden in the cloud forest
- Explore hanging bridges and rainforest canopy at Arenal National Park
- Option horseriding, hike at Arenal volcano or cruise through wetlands
- Explore the remote Osa Peninsula and Corcovado National Park
- Relax on the golden Pacific Coast beaches
This itinerary can be tailored to your preferences by our specialist advisors, who can provide a guaranteed price based on your choice of route, duration, flights, hotels, transport and excursions.
Tour Itinerary

San Jose & Poás Volcano - 2 Nights
Day 1 - Departure from UK
Day 2 - Poas Volcano
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Day 1
Departure from UK
Depart on a direct flight to San Jose. On arrival, transfer to your comfortable lodge or hotel in the hills above the city for a 2 night stay.
Day 2
Visit Poás Volcano
Today we visit nearby Poás Volcano, with its active, smoking crater and emerald green crater-lake. We continue to the stunning La Paz Waterfalls Gardens, where walkways lead you past a series of waterfalls which cut through the surrounding lush forest. Afternoon at leisure to relax by the hotel pool, enjoy the spa or walk in the extensive grounds.
Finca Rosa Blanca
San Jose - First Resort
Finca Rosa Blanca Country Inn is situated above the beautiful Central Valley of Costa Rica, offering amazing views of volcanoes, cloud forests and coffee plantations and nestled amongst 10 acres amid hundreds of fruit trees and tropical flora. It offers luxurious rooms including mini bar, Jacuzzi bath and private verandas overlooking the Valley. Each room has its own decoration allowing its unique atmosphere.
The hotel provides lots of amenities such as games room, large swimming pool, TV and reading area and 2 large dinner tables for group dining. The restaurant offers a spectacular view of the coffee plantation and serves delicious local cuisine with fresh products.

Hotel Presidente
San Jose - First Hotel
The Presidente Hotel is located in the heart of San José in the pedestrian zone of Central Avenue, 2 blocks from the National Theatre and the Cultural Square. The hotel has over 100 comfortable and spacious rooms, which all include cable TV, air conditioning, safety box and en-suite bathroom. The hotel offers amenities such as a restaurant-bar, a casino, and a spa with beauty treatments.


Bajos del Toro - 3 Nights
Day 3 - Transfer to Bajos del Toro
Day 4 - Explore the cloud forest
Day 5 - Explore the cloud forest
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Day 3
Travel to Bajos del Toro
Transfer to Bajos del Toro and check into your chosen lodge; either Bosque de Paz (first class) or El Silencio Lodge (Deluxe), staying for 3 nights in luxurious, individual cabins nestled in a secluded area of Cloud Forest. Rest of the day at leisure.
Day 4
Explore the cloud forest
Explore the forest around your chosen lodge or take optional visits to nearby attractions such as Sarchi, Zarcero or the Juan Castro National Park. There also many other activities available, from cooking classes to coffee tasting, horse riding to early morning birdwatching to enjoy.
Day 5
Explore the cloud forest
A further day of optional guided treks in the cloud forest discovering the huge array of birdlife.
El Silencio Lodge & Spa
Bajos del Toro - Deluxe Lodge
Located an hour from San Jose, El Silencio Lodge & Spa is ideally located at Bajos del Toro, a relatively unknown tourist destination offering many beautiful landscapes and activities. The Lodge is set in 500 acres of private tropical forest reserve, flanked by Juan Castro Blanco National Park and Poas Volcano National Park. Ideal for couples, nature lovers and families, the Silencio, Spanish for silence, is befitting of a destination when daily stress hushes the sounds of nature bloom.
The lodge includes a guided hike in the cloud forest and you can even plant your own tree. They provide advice on independent walks to explore the many waterfalls, streams, unique fauna, flora and birdlife. Optional activities include horseback riding, art and cooking classes, coffee tasting or adventure activities in the rainforest. Nearby attractions such as Sarchi, Zarcero and the Juan Castro Blanco National Park are also worth visiting.
Choose from 2 bedroom suites (up to 4 people) or 2 or 3 bedroom private villas (up to 6). All have private bathroom, TV, outdoor whirlpool or heated pool, terrace, coffee maker, hair dryer, safe, amenities and stunning floor to ceiling windows.
The lodge has its own organic farm which provides many ingredients for their excellent Las Ventanas Restaurant. There is also a spa to relax after your days exploring this wonderful remote hideaway.
Rates are on a room and breakfast basis.


Arenal Volcano - 3 Nights
Days 6-8 - Arenal National Park
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Day 6
Explore Arenal National Park
Transfer to the Arenal National Park where we stay for 3 nights at a hotel by the towering Arenal Volcano. Enjoy a full day exploring the National Park, go horse riding through the forest, walk on hanging bridge trails in the rainforest canopy, relax in hot springs, or take optional excursions, including a hike around the volcano to see the lava flows or boat trip to the wetlands of Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, filled with migratory birds.
Day 7
Explore Arenal National Park
Exploring Arenal National Park
Day 8
Explore Arenal National Park
Exploring Arenal National Park.
Arenal Lodge
Arenal National Park - Tourist Lodge
The Arenal Lodge provides wonderful panoramic views of the Arenal Volcano and Arenal Lake and is a perfect spot for watching unforgettable eruptions and lava flows which can be seen glowing at night. The lodge has a rustic ambiance and has been deliberately constructed to bring the outdoors inside; landscaped gardens full of ferns, flowers and orchids surround the rooms, bar and restaurant. Hiking and bird-watching are some of the activities you can enjoy at Arenal Lodge. Accommodations include room and breakfast.

Arenal Nayara Resort
Arenal National Park - Deluxe Resort
Located in the outskirts of the Arenal Volcano, Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens provides a uniquely natural experience. Surrounded by lush tropical rainforest, each one of its 24 spacious casitas provides an exclusive retreat in which you can relax amidst the breathtaking view of the volcano. Interwoven with rich gardens its tropical grounds create the perfect setting to rest and enjoy nature. A large Jacuzzi and wet bar provide a place to rest after enjoying the various guided activities, including white water rafting, hiking, mountain biking, volcano treks, and hot springs. Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens offers a full service restaurant, where local ingredients blend with a world-class cuisine to provide an incomparable dining experience. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and boasts a direct view of the active volcano.
Every (room) casita at the Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens has been designed to provide the utmost in comfort and style while maintaining a close connection with the natural surroundings. With the guests' experience in mind, Arenal Nayara offers a unique concept of individual casitas separated by lush tropical gardens. Each one of its large suite-size casitas provides independent space and privacy that includes a private backyard with an outdoor shower and a front balcony overlooking the volcano. For a full pampering experience select the Nayara Suites featuring in-room breakfast, bathrobe, and the best panoramic volcano view. Each of the casitas is equipped with a King or two full size beds, Plasma 27" Cable TV, DVD / CD Player, IPod Stand, Internet Access, Safe Box (Laptop capacity), Air Conditioning, private bathroom with hot water and rain shower, backyard with outside shower, in room "mini" bar service, coffee maker, front balcony overlooking the volcano with jacuzzi for two, high speed internet connection. Accommodation includes room and breakfast.

Arenal Springs
Arenal National Park - First Resort
Arenal Springs Resort is the ideal combination of modern comfort and exuberant tropical surrounding. The rooms are all in semi-detached bungalows spread over a wide area directly facing Arenal Volcano. Each room has a patio with seating, as well as air conditioning. The hotel also has its own hot springs, which feed into a number of hot tubs and pool of different temperatures, all of which guests can enjoy at their leisure. There is also a spa, a yoga studio, and two restaurants.


Osa Peninsula and Corcovado National Park - 3 Nights
Days 9-11 - Pacific Coast to the Osa Peninsula
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Day 9
Pacific Coast to the Osa Peninsula
Transfer to San Jose domestic airport and fly to the Osa Peninsula, one of the last truly wild national parks, and to your chosen lodge overlooking the Golfo Dulce. We stay for 3 nights in the rainforest, surrounded by exotic birds, monkeys, sloths and the sounds of nature. Enjoy guided hiked in the forest, bird watching and boat trips onto the bay to see dolphins and other marine life. There is also access to beaches within walking distance. For the more adventurous there is also waterfall rappelling on offer.
Day 10
Exploring the Osa Peninsula
At leisure - there is so much to enjoy.
Take a guided hike in Corcovado National Park. Explore the shoreline and mangroves by kayak, discover the rainforest by horseback or go snorkelling. Visit the Sirena Park Station, go sport fishing, dolphin watching or take a tour at night to hear the sounds of the rainforest.
Day 11
Exploring the Osa Peninsula
At leisure. Perhaps a day to relax on the beach in the natural wonderland.
Casa Corcovado
Osa Peninsula & Corcovado - First Lodge
Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge is tucked away in the trees and cooled by the Pacific Ocean. A 170 acre private reserve bordering Corcovado National Park, the lodge was carefully designed and built by an American naturalist with over twenty-five years of local experience. The lodge is ideal for both couples, solo travellers and family groups.
The accommodations are constructed with the highest concern for conservation in harmony with the landscape and the environment, with a choice of deluxe bungalows, junior suites or honeymoon suites. Each room has private bathroom, ceiling fans, hammock, safe and mini-bar. Public facilities include two swimming pools, bar, lounge, the Los Vitrales Restaurant, spa, gift shop and private sandy beach.
Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge provides the ideal base to explore the rainforest with many guided tours available, plus water based activities in the nearby Pacific ocean.
The rates include accommodation, all meals and activities.

Lapa Rios
Osa Peninsula & Corcovado - Deluxe Lodge
Lapa Rios is a wonderful combination of a sustainable luxury lodge and eco-conservation project spread over 1000 acres of tropical rainforest on the Osa Peninsula overlooking the Golfo Dulce. The main lodge and bungalows line three ridges, connected by walking paths and many steps.
Nearly all of the 17 thatched bungalows have an ocean view and all are surrounded by the rainforest. Each bungalow has huge windows, a ceiling fan (no air-conditioning), private deck and patio garden.
The buildings are of native materials, existing in harmony with the surrounding forest and beach environment. The main building houses the reception, bar and restaurant. There is also a swimming pool, access to the beach, and many trails throughout the forest leading to rivers with natural pools and waterfalls. There are daily guided excursions and activities inside and outside the property that take advantage of the pristine natural setting and discover the abundant wildlife, particularly birds.
The rates include transfers from Puerto Jimenez, accommodation, all non-alcoholic drinks, 3 meals a day and all on-site guided tours.


Manuel Antonio National Park - 3 Nights
Days 12-14 - Manuel Antonio National Park
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Day 12
Travel to Manuel Antonio National Park
Transfer north along the Pacific Coast to Manuel Antonio National Park, staying for 3 nights at a hotel surrounded by rainforest and overlooking beaches and coves. The pristine Manuel Antonio National Park is for many the best National Park in Costa Rica. The area has well-marked trails and is teeming with wildlife, including birds, toucans, monkeys and sloths.
You can relax at your lodge, on the beach or explore the National Park on a wide range of optional activities bookable locally.
Day 13
Wildlife, hikes and protected beaches
You can relax at your lodge, on the beach or explore the National Park on a wide range of optional activities bookable locally.
Day 14
Wildlife, hikes and protected beaches
At leisure.
Playa Espadilla
Manuel Antonio National Park - Tourist Hotel
A comfortable and friendly tourist class hotel only a 3 minute walk from the entrance to the National Park of Manuel Antonio and a 2 minute walk from the beach. Known as a place in harmony with nature, their private reserve and delightful gardens allow guests to learn more about the flora and fauna of the Central Pacific.
Each air conditioned room is fully equipped with private bathroom, hot water, cable TV, coffee maker, fridge, telephone and safe. Other amenities include a tennis and basketball court, billiards table, laundry service, FREE Wi-FI, private parking and 24 hours room service. There is a Restaurant" and also a poolside "Tropical Bar".
The hotel offers a range of tours and excursions including guided hikes, white water rafting, snorkelling, canopy adventures, horseback riding, surfing and fishing.
The rates are on a room and breakfast basis.

Makanda by the Sea
Manuel Antonio National Park - Deluxe Hotel
Makanda by the Sea is the ideal location for adults wishing to experience Manuel Antonio's natural splendour, magical sunsets and wildlife while enjoying the comforts of first-class accommodation within 12 acres of rainforest sanctuary. All of the 11 air-conditioned villas and studios are uniquely contoured into the surrounding jungle and descending mountain terrain, and provide spectacular views of the sixty mile coastline.
The hotels open air design enhances the views while taking advantage of the cool Pacific breezes and the swimming pool is perched on the hillside. Enjoy the Arbol restaurant, spa and stunning infinity pool. There are many activities available at the hotel including guided walks in the National Park, cycle tours, fishing horse riding, scuba diving, zip line adventures, white water rafting and kayaking. Or just relax on the beach.
Accommodation includes room and breakfast.

Parador Resort & Spa
Manuel Antonio National Park - First Resort
The Parador Resort & Spa is located on Punta Quepos in the most pristine and tranquil area of Manuel Antonio, yet within minutes from the world famous Manuel Antonio National Park and only a 5-minute walk to the beach. Its elegant Mediterranean style architecture, modelled after traditional Spanish Paradores and European boutique hotels, has made the resort quite unique.
The grounds cover 12 acres of lush rain forest that you can explore on well planned nature trails and the resort can arrange many tours and activities, from zip wire adventures to snorkelling trips, that appeal to couples and families.
All 129 air-conditioned rooms and suites offer all the expected amenities of a resort, with European comforts and a warm tropical touch! All the rooms have private bathroom, telephone, safe, FREE Wi-FI, coffee maker, mini bar, hair dryer and TV. The hotel also features three swimming pools, two restaurants, three bars, a jacuzzi, spa, tennis court, mini-golf and a fitness centre.
The rates are on a room and breakfast basis.


Return to San Jose & Fly Home - 0 Nights
Day 15 - Return flight to the UK
Day 16 - Arrive in the UK
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Day 15
Return flight to the UK
Transfer to San Jose airport for your direct overnight flight home.
Day 16
Arrive in the UK
Arrive in the UK in the morning.
Grano de Oro
San Jose - First Hotel
Situated on a shady street just off Paseo Colon, San Jose's main street, the Hotel Grano de Oro is a welcome retreat in the heart of this bustling city. Converted from a tropical Victorian mansion, the hotel preserves the warmth and comfort of a private home, with its atrium terrace and corridors of sparkling fountains and lush tropical plants.
There is a rooftop deck ideal for sunbathing and also featuring a Jacuzzi. The hotel's restaurant is one of the best in San Jose and offers continental cuisine in an intimate and cordial atmosphere.

Xandari Resort
San Jose - First Boutique
Xandari Resort and Spa is perfectly located for excursions to Poas Volcano, La Paz waterfall gardens, and Doka coffee plantation, and is only 30 minutes’ drive from San Jose International airport. Over 3km of scenic trails through coffee and fruit orchards lead into a lush natural tropical setting with a year-round river and five beautiful waterfalls.
The hotel consists of 24 comfortable and spacious villas, decorated in bright colours and adorned with original works of art. Set on top of a hill on a 40 acre coffee and fruit plantation, all the rooms are overlooking the Costa Rica's Central Valley, featuring private terrace. Each room has a bar kitchen and a private bathroom with toiletries. The resort has 3 swimming pools, with one overlooking the valley, as well as a spa offering a variety of treatments.

Hotel Presidente
San Jose - First Hotel
The Presidente Hotel is located in the heart of San José in the pedestrian zone of Central Avenue, 2 blocks from the National Theatre and the Cultural Square. The hotel has over 100 comfortable and spacious rooms, which all include cable TV, air conditioning, safety box and en-suite bathroom. The hotel offers amenities such as a restaurant-bar, a casino, and a spa with beauty treatments.

Price Guidelines
Season | Low Season | High Season | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Travel Dates | 31 Dec -19 Jul, 22 Aug-13 Dec | 20 July - 21 Aug, 14 Dec- 30 Dec | ||||
Room Arrangement | Tourist | First | Deluxe | Tourist | First | Deluxe |
Multiple Travellers - Twin Room | £3,266 | £3,617 | £6,135 | £3,743 | £4,116 | £6,634 |
Multiple Travellers - Own Room | - | £4,763 | £8,764 | - | £5,262 | £9,263 |
Single Traveller - Own Room | - | £5,596 | £9,891 | - | £6,095 | £10,390 |
Prices are a guideline and per person. Please request a quote for Special Events, Christmas, New Year's Eve & Easter.
What's Included
- 16 Days / 14 Nights
- International flights (1 overnight)
- Internal flights
- Accommodation as shown on the itinerary
- Breakfast everyday and meals as described on the itinerary
- Transfers to and from airports
- Transport throughout the itinerary
- Excursions listed, all with expert, English-speaking guides
- Prices are per person
- Prices for Special Events, Christmas, New Year's Eve, Easter on request
Speak with a Specialist
Travel Enquiries
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