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Explore mystical waterways and wildlife rich National Parks emerging from this biodiverse wonderland. Trace along old lava flows at the foothill of Arenal Volcano, walk above rainforest canopies in Selvatura Park.
Depart London on your scheduled flight to San Jose and meet your tour guides upon arrival. Transfer to tonight's hotel and become acquainted with your fellow travellers during a welcome dinner this evening.
Savour your first taste of traditional gallo pinto (black beans and rice) during breakfast at the hotel before travelling to the enchanting town of Tortuguero on Costa Rica's biodiverse Caribbean Coast, stopping en route in Guapiles. Arrive at your lodge for a lunch before departing on your first excursion visiting Tortuguero, the 'home of the turtles'. With the rest of your afternoon at leisure, explore Tortuguero's exotic beaches and be sure to look out for endearing turtles who are renowned for nesting upon the sandy shores (from July through mid October).
Embark on a captivating nature hike through well-established rainforest trails, nestled within Tortuguero National Park; watch as mantled howler monkeys swing through the treetops, and listen to the tuneful changing of green macaws during this truly unforgettable experience. This afternoon, cruise Tortuguero's intricate rivers for the best glimpse of the park's most famous residents.
Return through a system of snaking canals before continuing to Arenal, whose dramatic landscape is spectacularly dominated by the mighty Arenal Volcano. Pause en route to enjoy a traditional Costa Rican lunch.
A verdant haven framed by the grandiose Arenal Volcano, enjoy a scenic morning tour of the town of La Fortuna before tracing old lava flows around a private 4.5km hiking trail at its base. Along the way, discover wild sloths, monkeys and toucans inquisitively peer out of their fertile habitats, and relish in vistas overlooking the imposing Volcano. Return to your hotel for some time at leisure, or alternatively, relax in a serene web of natural thermal springs at Tabacon Hot Springs (at a fee).
A picturesque journey from Arenal zigzags through a landscape of surpassing beauty; from rustic villages, rolling hills and the panoramas of stunning Lake Arenal, arrive in time for lunch at a hospitable ranch in the small community of Monteverde Cloud Forest. Dine on a flavourful traditional meal whilst enjoying a folklore dance presentation, before visiting a prospering coffee plantation which harvests one of Costa Rica's greatest agricultural produces. Prior to arriving at tonight's hotel, stop off in the town of Santa Elena, known as the home to one of South America's most mesmerising birds, the Quetzal.
Soaring high above the clouds, bask in a vision of tranquillity in Monteverde Cloud Forest this morning, observing a hazy mist which drifts under the cloud forest; teeming with an astonishing 3000 species, witness some of nature's most stunning creatures, ranging from vibrant butterflies to prowling primates who reside in this biodiverse oasis. Delight in awe-inspiring jungle views from the dizzying heights of Sky Adventure Park's Treetop walkways before indulging in a delicious lunch, freshly prepared in front of your eyes. Laden with an enormous selection of colourful orchids, conclude today with a gentle hike in the tropical lowlands of the Ecological Sanctuary, a small patch of rainforest with an incredible variety of birds, mammals, plants and insects.
Transfer to San Jose airport for your return flight to the UK.
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 Gatwick. 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.
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.
Depart UK | Arrive UK | Price | |
---|---|---|---|
2022 Dates | |||
18 Oct 2022 | 25 Oct 2022 | €2037.00 | |
2023 Dates | |||
17 Jan 2023 | 24 Jan 2023 | €2642.00 | |
14 Feb 2023 | 21 Feb 2023 | €2631.00 | |
18 Mar 2023 | 25 Mar 2023 | €2463.00 | |
22 Apr 2023 | 29 Apr 2023 | €2239.00 | |
13 May 2023 | 20 May 2023 | €2015.00 | |
10 Jun 2023 | 17 Jun 2023 | €2127.00 | |
22 Jul 2023 | 29 Jul 2023 | €3135.00 | |
19 Aug 2023 | 26 Aug 2023 | €2967.00 | |
23 Sep 2023 | 30 Sep 2023 | €2351.00 | |
17 Oct 2023 | 24 Oct 2023 | €2351.00 | |
14 Nov 2023 | 21 Nov 2023 | €2351.00 | |
2024 Dates | |||
16 Jan 2024 | 23 Jan 2024 | €2642.00 | |
13 Feb 2024 | 20 Feb 2024 | €2631.00 | |
16 Mar 2024 | 23 Mar 2024 | €2463.00 | |
20 Apr 2024 | 27 Apr 2024 | €2239.00 | |
11 May 2024 | 18 May 2024 | €2015.00 | |
08 Jun 2024 | 15 Jun 2024 | €2127.00 | |
20 Jul 2024 | 27 Jul 2024 | €3135.00 | |
17 Aug 2024 | 24 Aug 2024 | €2967.00 | |
21 Sep 2024 | 28 Sep 2024 | €2351.00 | |
15 Oct 2024 | 22 Oct 2024 | €2351.00 | |
12 Nov 2024 | 19 Nov 2024 | €2351.00 |
Colon
21 °C / 33 °C
Please familiarise yourself with the climate charts below.
Located on Costa Rica's western coastline, Punta Leona is a 750-acre private nature reserve. Populated by unique flora and fauna, the area provides insight into the country's rich biological diversity while its white sandy beach is one of the best in Costa Rica.
View Tour + ExtensionExtend 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 + ExtensionExtend 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