Bookings Closed: COSTA RICA CENTRAL HIGHLANDS Hiking, Snorkeling, Volcanos

COSTA RICA
RAINFORESTS, REEFS AND CENTRAL HIGHLANDS
OCTOBER 10-19, 2025

Costa Rica is an incredible destination with diverse landscapes, rich wildlife, and amazing outdoor adventures

Here’s some of what we’ll be doing and seeing:

Carara National Park

• Known for its diverse birdlife, especially scarlet macaws, and other fauna, such as monkeys, sloths and much more
• A mix of dry and humid forests, making it a transition zone with rich biodiversity.
• hiking with well-maintained trails in the rain forest

Marino Ballena National Park

• Famous for the whale tail-shaped sandbar and seasonal whale watching
• Snorkeling, diving, and beach relaxation
• Boat tours for dolphin and whale spotting.

Caño Island

• A marine biological reserve with some of the best snorkeling and diving in Costa Rica.
• Expect to see coral reefs, sea turtles, manta rays, and reef sharks.
• Accessible via boat from Uvita.

Orosí

• A charming valley known for coffee plantations, hot springs, and colonial history.
• The Orosí Church (one of the oldest in Costa Rica) is worth a visit.

We’ll be doing an extensive walking tour of this charming town

Irazú Volcano

• The tallest volcano in Costa Rica (3,432m) with crater lakes and panoramic views (on clear days, you can see both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans).
• Best visited in the morning before clouds roll in.

Reserva La Marta

• A lesser-known ecotourism and conservation area with hiking, waterfalls, and wildlife.
• Perfect for off-the-beaten-path adventure and birdwatching.
• Located near Turrialba, great for combining with a visit to Guayabo National Monument

Our itinerary (tentative)

Day 1/10 October

Arrive and shuttle to Hampton Inn , San Jose Airport

Day 2/11 October

Breakfast and bus transfer to Carara Natl Park, with a short stop at the crocodile bridge at Tarcoles

Guided visit to see the spectacular avian wildlife and diverse fauna and flora of this beautiful rainforest national park

Continue afterwards to our hotel in Uvita with a stop for lunch en route.

Day 2-6
11-15 October

Lodging in Uvita, Hotel Ballena Rey

Breakfast daily and dinner on 14 October

12 October whale and dolphin watching in Marino Ballena National Park

13 October snorkeling full day tour to Cano Island National Park

14 October free day to visit Nauyaca Waterfall or Manuel Antonio Natl Park or just visit the beach or hang out in town.

Day 6
15 October

Transfer to Orosi Valley with a lunch stop en route

Upon arrival in Orosi, afternoon tour with Spanish lesson of Orosi to get to know your surroundings and visit the highlights of the oldest town in Costa Rica

Lodging with breakfast daily in Orosi Orocay Lodge.

Welcome dinner in Orosi.

Day 7
16 October

Full day tour of Irazu Volcano and the Orosi Valley with lunch along the way after the visit to Irazu

Day 8
17 October

Full day tour of Reserva La Marta Wildlife Preserve with a guide for the walk around the Preserve and lunch included

Day 9
18 October

Free day for whitewater rafting, bike descent down Irazu, or just exploring the charm of the Orosi Valley

Transfer to Termales Hacienda Orosi hot springs for an evening soak and farewell dinner

Return to hotel

Day
19 October

Breakfast and then transfer to San Jose Airport for return flight to USA

Please schedule your return flight to USA after 12:00 pm

Price:

$2249 pp, shared room
$2869 pp, private room

Including

- 1 night, Hampton Inn, San Jose Airport
- 4 nights, Ballena Rey, Uvita
- 4 nights, Orosi Orocay, Orosi
- guided tour with snacks, Carara Natl Park
- whale watching tour with lunch, tax, Marina Ballena Natl Park
- snorkeling tour with lunch, tax, Cano Island National Park

• guided walking tour of Orosi, and Spanish language lesson
  - guided tour with bus, lunch, tax, Irazu Volcano Natl Park
  - guided tour with bus, lunch, tax, Reserva La Marta Wildlife Preserve
  - Termales Orosi Hot Springs with entrance fees, towel, locker
  - breakfast daily
  - lunch en route from Carara Natl Park to Uvita
  - farewell dinner in Uvita
  - welcome dinner Orosi
  - farewell dinner Termales Orosi Hot Springs with natural juices included
  - bus transportation from

1. San Jose Airport to Hampton Inn San Jose Airport
   2. Hampton Inn to Carara National Park
   3. Carara National Park to lunch stop en route to Uvita
   4. Lunch stop to Uvita Hotel Ballena Rey
   5. Hotel Ballena Rey Uvita to Orosi Orocay Lodge
   6. Orosi Orocay Lodge to Termales Orosi and return
   7. Orosi Orocay Lodge to San Jose Airport.

Not included:

- airfare
- drinks exclusive of those mentioned as included
-tours not mentioned as included
- other items not specifically mentioned as included