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Best price guarantee Learn More
- Gold Operator
- Explore!
- Group Tour
- Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
- Fully Guided
- An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
- Medium Intensity
- Travelers should be comfortable with somewhat-demanding activities
- Guided in English
- Group Size 7 - 16
- Age range 16 to 85

Highlights
- Admire the classic cone-shape wonder of Arenal
- Discover sloths, monkeys, frogs and spectacular birdlife
- Search for beautiful quetzal in a cloud forest reserve
Itinerary
- Introduction
- Day 1 Join trip in San Jose
- Day 2 Visit the Doka Coffee Estate; take a walk in Arenal National Park
- Day 3 Wildlife float trip on the Penas Blancas river, free afternoon with optional activities including a waterfall hike
- Day 4 Drive to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, night walk through the forest
- Day 5 Drive to Manuel Antonio National Park
- Day 6 Explore Manuel Antonio's wildlife and beaches
- Day 7 Free morning in Manuel Antonio National Park, return by vehicle to San Jose
- Day 8 Trip ends in San Jose
What's Included
- Accommodation
- Guide
- Meals
- Additional Services
- Transport
- Free eSIMTourRadar offers the lead traveler (the person who booked) a free 1GB eSIM for the trip. The eSIM is redeemable only through the TourRadar app 72 hours before departure.
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Insurance
- Optional
- Additional Services
Where You'll Stay
Autentico Hotel
HotelDays 1, 7Hotel San Bosco Inn
HotelDays 2, 3Monteverde Country Lodge
Lodgeday 4Karahé Hotel
HotelDays 5, 6
Customer Photos

Operated by
Explore!
Number of tours
531
Age Range
16 to 85 years old
Response time
within 1 day
Response rate
84%
Explore is a global adventure travel company with 42 years’ experience in...
Read moreSustainability Initiatives
Reduce Carbon Emissions
Animal Welfare
Supporting Destinations
Sustainability Programs
Customer Reviews
- Overall RatingExcellent
- ItineraryExcellent
- GuideExcellent
- TransportExcellent
- AccommodationGood
- FoodGood
- Fay· June 10th, 2025Tour guide Allan was excellent. It was an enjoyable trip.Show moreTrip date: May 2025
- Rosalinda· May 13th, 2025A very pleasant trip.Show moreExplore! commented on this reviewThank you for your Highlights of Costa Rica review. We are glad to hear you enjoyed your time!Trip date: April 2025
- PJPatricia “Pj”· February 7th, 2025This is a tour for sedentary travelers. Very little activity. Lots of sitting in a van and going out to eat. “Hikes” were short walks. Accommodations were in very touristy areas Seemed to be an overemphasis on eating. Activities in Monteverde (rainforest hanging bridges, butterfly garden) were not very good and were way overpriced Morning hike in Monteverde rainforest was not done. Optional activities in Manual Antonio were not available unless you had a group interested in going. Tap water in Costa Rica is potable There is no need to bring manual or chemical filtration.Show moreExplore! commented on this reviewThank you for taking the time to share your feedback. I'm sorry to hear that your trip didn’t fully meet your expectations this time. We classify this trip as a moderate pace, aiming to balance busy days and early starts with opportunities to rest and... Show moreTrip date: December 2024
- YaungHwa· February 6th, 2025Too many days without any activities.Show moreExplore! commented on this reviewThank you for leaving feedback on your recent trip, although you haven't left much detail, it would be great to understand more about your experience. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact cr@explore.co.ukTrip date: January 2025
- MSMark· April 6th, 2024Too much time on the bus and not enough time visiting the country. Very bad lunch at the ox cart village and we had no other options. Spent a lot of time waiting around for other folks who did "extra activities." Luis was a wealth of knowledge about the country, the plant life, and wildlife. Airport transfers were spot on! No night walk in Monteverde. This should be removed from the brochure if it's not always available. Nothing on the website when we booked requiring "travel insurance" so imagine our surprise when asked for it. Update the website! Nice unexpected visit was the hot springs at our sister hotel in La Fortuna. Hotels were good but I wouldn't call then "3 star." One even had no air conditioning, not fans, and although the windows opened, there were no screens so we were visited by an array of 6- and 8-legged crittersShow moreExplore! commented on this reviewHi Mark, Thank you so much for taking the time to review your Highlights of Costa Rica holiday. I have forwarded your comments about the time spent travelling, the lunch at the ox cart vilage, and the hotel on to the Product Manager for Costa Rica.... Show moreTrip date: March 2024
- ASara· February 5th, 2023Nature rafting trip in La Fortuna. Guide was excellent, saw lots of wildlife, all round great experience.Show moreTrip date: January 2023Review collected by Explore!
- AMark· February 5th, 2023Highlights were the dinghy trip down the river, the Pacific Coast swim and the zip liningShow moreTrip date: January 2023Review collected by Explore!
- ARichard· February 10th, 2023Loved the tripShow moreTrip date: January 2023Review collected by Explore!
- ADiana· February 13th, 2023Great seeing sloths - our driver spotted one hanging on a fence by the road, amazing seeing it so close.Show moreTrip date: February 2023Review collected by Explore!
- ACriona· February 16th, 2023Although the weather wasn't the best the rain/cloud forrest was lovely. Down at the coast was so different.Show moreTrip date: February 2023Review collected by Explore!
Dates & Availability
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- Instant ConfirmationFrom Saturday4 Oct, 2025To Saturday11 Oct, 2025EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:$3,120
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Saturday18 Oct, 2025To Saturday25 Oct, 2025EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:$2,860
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Saturday1 Nov, 2025To Saturday8 Nov, 2025EnglishFilling FastThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:$2,860
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Wednesday12 Nov, 2025To Wednesday19 Nov, 2025EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:$3,120
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Saturday15 Nov, 2025To Saturday22 Nov, 2025EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:$3,120
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Saturday22 Nov, 2025To Saturday29 Nov, 2025EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:$3,120
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Saturday29 Nov, 2025To Saturday6 Dec, 2025EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:$3,120
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Saturday20 Dec, 2025To Saturday27 Dec, 2025EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:$3,330
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Saturday10 Jan, 2026To Saturday17 Jan, 2026EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:$3,520
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Saturday24 Jan, 2026To Saturday31 Jan, 2026EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:$3,520
Best price guarantee Learn More
What our customers ask about this tour
The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.- E
Erica
Asked on January 12th, 2025Are the meals included in the package?
- Explore!Operator•Written January 2025
For this tour, there are 7 breakfasts included. The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten. Lunch price USD$30. Dinner price USD$35. Beer price USD$8. Water price USD$5.
- B
Bruce
Asked on December 26th, 2024If I am travelling alone will there be anytime that I am left alone or will there always be a group of people for me to join? Meals? Excursions? I would prefer to not have too much alone time other than a solo room if that is an option.
- Explore!Operator•Written December 2024
For meals not included on this tour you will usually join the group and not be left alone. Group lunches and dinners are arranged locally by the trip leader.
- J
Jorge
Asked on December 10th, 2024Can you arrange a triple room for our group?
- Explore!Operator•Written December 2024
We do not offer triple rooms for this tour. We offer either double rooms or singles.
- J
Jorge
Traveler•Written December 2024What is the status of my booking?
- Explore!Operator•Written December 2024
The tour you are looking at is different from the one you requested. You will need to reach out to the specific tour operator for your booking.
J2 more answers - R
Robert
Asked on December 9th, 2024Several quick questions: 1- Hotel Accommodations: Are these 'shared rooms' with other travelers or they private rooms? 2- What kind of Hotel Rooms are these? Mid-Moderate-Lower 3- Can you assist on Air Fare? From Columbia, SC to San Jose 4- Last: Does this trip offers a lot free time?
- Explore!Operator•Written December 2024
If two people travelling you will have your own room. Accommodation is largely small, local-run hotels with en-suite rooms, air-conditioning or fan, and often swimming pools. WiFi available in common areas. Hotels are mostly 3 star small family run hotels. We are unable to assist with flights. Refer to trip notes for detailed day by day itinerary and free time information.
- A
Arthur
Asked on November 22nd, 2024How active is this adventure and suitable for the age ranges over 75 year old?
- Explore!Operator•Written November 2024
The pace of this tour is considered Moderate. Moderate pace tours are ideal if you want a tour which combines exciting travel experiences with time to unwind. Typically you will balance busy days with early starts, with time to rest and recharge your batteries.
- M
Miguelina
Asked on November 20th, 2024How can I update my personal and flight details online?
- Explore!Operator•Written November 2024
You can update all necessary details via the customer gateway provided in your booking confirmation.
- M
Martina
Asked on November 15th, 2024Is there a way to check the itinerary and optional tours available?
- Explore!Operator•Written November 2024
Detailed itinerary and optional activities are available in the Trip Notes on your dashboard.
- C
Caitlin
Asked on November 11th, 2024How can we manage dietary restrictions during the tour?
- Explore!Operator•Written November 2024
Please inform us of any dietary requirements in advance, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
- P
Paul
Asked on July 19th, 2024What is the single supplement?
- Explore!Operator•Written July 2024
Single supplement means if you would like to have your own room it is possible to arrange that for an additional cost. If you are happy to share room on tour you do not need to pay any extras.
- L
Laura
Asked on May 18th, 2024Is the Itinerary changing? Concerned about last review mentioning a hotel with no air conditioning, no fans & no bug screens preventing opening windows. Also no night walk even though it's listed in the Itinerary.
- Explore!Operator•Written June 2024
We have looked into this review and taken steps with our local agent regarding the hotel. We have worked with our tour leaders to ensure that the guided night walk in the cloud forest is carried out, this is still an included activity in the tour.
Good to Know
Tour ID: 124389
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