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Costa Rica

'Glamping' on a remote Island, River Rafting, Cloud Forest and Coastal National Parks

Quetzal Tour - 15 Night Itinerary

Ideal for couples and families. Get back to nature with a 'glamping' experience on Isla Jesusita, raft on the Pacuare River, observe the Resplendent Quetzal, and enjoy Costa Rica's best coastal National Parks with their stunning beaches.

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Travel Highlights

  • Visit San Jose with fascinating pre-Colombian Gold Museum 
  • Enjoy thrilling river rafting adventures on the Pacuare River 
  • Explore the cloud forest at San Gerardo de Dota and observe the beautiful Resplendent Quetzal
  • Discover the rainforest, birdlife and wild beaches in Corcovado National Park
  • Stay on the beach and discover Manuel Antonio National Park
  • Stay at a unique 'Glamping' Hotel on a remote Island in the Gulf of Nicoya 

Tour Route

This itinerary can be tailored to your preferences by our specialist advisors, who can provide a guaranteed price based on your choice of departure date, route, duration, flights, cabin, hotels, transport and excursions.

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Map of Quetzal

Tour Itinerary

A surreal green crater lake fills the vast bowl of Poas Volcano, showcasing Costa Rica's raw power.
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Saturday, 19 July 2025

Daytime flight to San Jose

Depart on British Airways daytime flight to San Jose, arriving late in the afternoon. Our guide will transfer you to your chosen hotel for a 2 night stay and give a short orientation tour.


Sunday, 20 July 2025

San Jose

Relax at your hotel or choose from a range of optional excursions, including a tour of San Jose or perhaps a visit to the impressive Poas Volcano.

4807 Hotel Presidente
San Jose & Alajuela - First Hotel

Hotel Presidente

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…

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New Gallery 7
San Jose & Alajuela - Tourist Hotel

Balmoral Hotel

The Balmoral Hotel is located on Avenida Central, San Jose’s most famous street and walking distance to the historic centre. It is easy to visit  the Iglesia de la Merced, the cathedral, the central and Morazán parks, as well as the impressive gold and jade museums.

The hotel’s rooms include double beds, complimentary coffee, safe, hair…

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Grano de Oro Hotel
San Jose & Alajuela - First Hotel

Grano de Oro

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…

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Buenavista Hotel 01
San Jose & Alajuela - First Hotel

Buena Vista Hotel

Buena Vista hotel is a Spanish colonial style resort located just outside San Jose, at the top of a mountain offering panoramic views of three volcanoes in the Central Valley - Poas, Barva and Irazu. It is a super place to stay when you arrive in Costa Rica.

The hotel has 30 air-conditioned and comfortable rooms. Deluxe…

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Room
San Jose & Alajuela - Luxury Hotel

Hotel Alta Las Palomas

Located on the outskirts of San Jose in Santa Ana, the 23 room Hotel Alta is an excellent base to explore the capital city and surrounding attractions, including the Poas Volcano.

Public areas include a swimming pool, excellent dining at the elegant La Luz Restaurant and bar or the more relaxed cafe de Verano.

There are 5…

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4810 Finca Rosa Blanca
San Jose & Alajuela - Luxury Resort

Finca Rosa Blanca

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…

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4808 Xandari Resort
San Jose & Alajuela - First Boutique

Xandari Resort And Spa

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…

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White-water rafting on the Pacuare River through lush rainforest in Costa Rica.
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Monday, 21 July 2025

Transfer to Pacuare & river rafting

Morning transfer to the Pacuare River, followed by an exciting 1 hour river rafting tour to Pacuare Lodge where you will enjoy a 2-night stay on a full board basis.

Pacuare is a protected area in the Caribbean region of Costa Rica beginning near the town of Siquirres and covering approximately 25,000 acres as it descends down the Talamanca Mountain Range. Pacuare’s proximity to the lowlands and high annual rainfall combine to nurture the complex life systems whose abundance makes for extraordinary scenic beauty.


Tuesday, 22 July 2025

Optional hiking and canopy tour

Wake up to bird song and the soothing sound of the river nearby. The lodge employs a resident naturalist guide who will provide you with unique insights into the plant and animal world. Today you can choose from optional tours including a guided hike through the emerald rainforest or the Cabecar Indian hike - where visitors may participate in a cultural exchange.  The optional adventure Canopy Tour allows you to view the rainforest from the treetops, as you  glide from tree to tree amidst the tropical rainforest canopy.

There is also an opportunity for more rafting adventure on the Pacuare River.

Pacuare River Lodge
Pacuare River - Tourist Lodge

Pacuare River Lodge

Pacuare River Lodge is a secluded property located amid the exotic rainforest located outside Turrialba, accessible only by 4x4 and river raft.  The lodge's eco-friendly bungalows are surrounded by exuberant tropical foliage, nestled between the river and our private nature reserve, which conserves 300 hectares (740 acres) of primary rainforest.

There are 14 river and jungle…

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Tourist exploring lush cloud forest trails near Trogon Lodge, San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica.
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Wednesday, 23 July 2025

Travel to San Gerardo de Dota

After breakfast, take a 3 hour rafting trip back along the river, from where we continue by private car to San Gerardo de Dota, an area of primary Cloud Forest. Located in a valley between high mountains, it has its own microclimate which often makes it colder than the rest of the country, particularly at night. Frequent rains make the vegatation verdant and lush, but the area has excellent trails for hiking. The main activity in San Gerardo is birdwatching, specifically because it is one of the only places to see the Resplendant Quetzal - one of the most beautiful birds in Costa Rica.

Check into Trogon Lodge for a 3-night stay on a full board basis.

 


Thursday, 24 July 2025

Exploring the rainforest

Excursions can also be arranged from the lodge to visit the best birdwatching spots in the area, including Quetzal Quest, a general Birdwatching Tour, and the “Paramo” is a unique highland area that develops in altitudes higher than 3,000 meters above sea level.


Friday, 25 July 2025

Further explorations

Enjoy further optional excursions from your lodge.

010 2913
San Gerardo de Dota - First Lodge

Trogon Lodge

Trogon Lodge, named after a popular Costa Rican bird has 23 rustic and comfortable wooden cabins, all with heating, private bathroom, hot water, and a small shared terrace. The family style restaurant serves delicious home cooked meals, and there is also a bar with forest view and balcony, pool table and original duke box.

The lodge…

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A couple performs partner yoga on a wooden deck, framed by lush rainforest and a tranquil Costa Rican sunset.
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Saturday, 26 July 2025

Travel to Corcovado National Park

After breakfast, transfer to San Jose airport and take a domestic flight to Puerto Jimenez, from where we travel by road to Luna Lodge, located enviably next to the Pacific Ocean on the edge of Corcovado National Park. We check into Luna Lodge, where we stay 4-nights on a full board basis.


Sunday, 27 July 2025

The Luna Lodge Experience

Luna Lodge features incredible nature tours, yoga, spa treatments, an organic swimming pool and free Wi-Fi in public areas. This sustainable property is run by hydro energy. The property offers private bathrooms with hot water, free toiletries and panoramic views of the surroundings. The bungalows and tents have private decks and the rooms have a terrace. Electricity is available 24 hours a day.  Activities such as bird watching, kayaking and horseback riding on the beach can be arranged. Yoga lessons and spa treatments are also available.


Monday, 28 July 2025

Exploring Corcovado National Park

Explore Corcovado National Park or relax on the beach.


Tuesday, 29 July 2025

Optional Excursions

Enjoy a range of guided excursions from the lodge, or perhaps join a Yoga class on the terrace.

Bungalow 3
Osa Peninsula & Corcovado - Tourist Lodge

Luna Lodge

Luna Lodge is situated within 60 acres of primary and secondary rainforest, on the pristine and captivating Osa Peninsula in Carate near Corcovado National Park. 

Corcovado is one of the largest parks in Costa Rica and protects one-third of the peninsula. Described as “…the most biologically intense place on Earth.” by National Geographic Magazine.

There are eight…

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Elevated jungle deck at Si Como No Resort, overlooking tropical forest in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica.
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Wednesday, 30 July 2025

Travel to Manuel Antonio National Park

Today we travel to Manuel Antonio, one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica, due to its combination of lowland tropical rainforest, National Park and wide sandy beaches. A small busy town has built up on a hill overlooking the coast, where many hotels, bars and restaurants can be found offering a variety of services. If you feel like relaxing there are beautiful beaches at the bottom of the hill, where some beach bars and restaurants can also be found. For those feeling more adventurous it is easy to explore the National Park, either on your own or on a guided tour. The park has more than one hundred mammal species and one hundred and eighty species of birds, including the rare white ibis. Squirrel monkeys (another endangered species) play in the trees above the trails in the Park and there are also two-toed sloths, raccoons, white-nosed coatis, howler and white faced monkeys, and squirrels.

We check into the first class Is Como No Hotel for a 2-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis.


Thursday, 31 July 2025

Explore Manuel Antonio

Explore the national park or relax on the beach.

2031 Si Como No
Manuel Antonio National Park - First Resort

Si Como No

The Hotel Si Como No is surrounded by lush tropical rainforest, sandy beaches and nearby rafting rivers; and the hotel offers a number of guided excursions exploring these areas. The hotel has 58 rooms within 10 separate terraces and located on 10 acres of protected tropical forest. Choose from Superior, Deluxe, Deluxe Plus or the…

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A spacious glamping tent with cozy furnishings and wooden deck invites relaxation amid the natural beauty of Costa Rica.
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Friday, 01 August 2025

Travel to the Gulf of Nicoya

We travel north today to the Gulf of Nicoya, via a ferry from Puntarenas to the small island of Jesusita where we check in to the Isla Chiquita Glamping Hotel for a 2-night stay on a full board basis including the per fee and activities at the hotel.

Glamping blends the adventure and eco-friendly appeal of a camping holiday with the comforts and amenities of a traditional hotel. Isla Chiquita elevates the glamping experience with premium tent accommodations featuring plush bedding, organic bath products and lounging decks with gorgeous ocean or tropical forest views.  The 18 premium tents with king beds are designed to offer both rustic charm and modern convenience, each tent includes an en-suite bathroom with local, organic products, deluxe bedding, cooling ceiling fans, and a spacious private lounging deck with remarkable views. 

 

Enjoy delicious seafood meals at Donde Tía Nora Restaurant, or sip a drink at Harry’s Bar & Restaurant as you survey the beauty that envelops you.  

 


Saturday, 02 August 2025

Guided explorations

Various activities are included, by land or sea. Choose from bioluminescence expeditions, birdwatching, forest bathing hikes, snorkelling excursions, and a boat trip visiting other nearby islands.

You can choose to stay on longer for extra nights, please call us if you require.

Plunge Pool
Nicoya Peninsula - Luxury Hotel

Nantipa Hotel

Nantipa is the Chorotegan word for blue, aptly named for this stylish beachfront hotel in the heart of the Nicoya Península. A hidden treasure where deep blue waters are framed by vividly green tropical rainforests. 

Public facilities include the excellent Manzu Restaurant located on the beach, swimming pool, bar and spa.

The hotel has 15 guest bungalows and…

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A grand historic building in downtown San Jose, proudly flying the Costa Rican flag, reflects the capital's cultural and political heritage.
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Sunday, 03 August 2025

Transfer to San Jose and fly home

Early morning transfer by road to San Jose Airport for your overnight flight back to the UK.


Monday, 04 August 2025

Arrive in the UK

Arrive in the UK in the morning.

Price Guidelines

Season Low Season
Travel Dates Year round
Room Arrangement First Deluxe
Multiple Travellers - Twin Rooms £3,762 £4,232

Prices are a guideline per person, for travel within the next year and booking early and are subject to availability. Please see below what is included and request a detailed quotation with a guaranteed price for your specific departure date and for Special Events, Summer, Christmas, New Year's Eve & Easter.

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What's Included

  • 17 Days / 15 Nights
  • International flights (1 overnight)
  • Internal flight San Jose to Puerto Jimenez
  • 15 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 9 dinners
  • River rafting adventures in Pacuare 
  • Accommodation as shown on the itinerary
  • Transfers and transport throughout
  • Prices per person

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020 8762 0616

Contact Email

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Monday - Saturday : 9am - 6pm

Closed Sunday & Public Holidays

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