Holidays in Costa Rica, from packages to super luxury - we are the Costa Rica specialist tour operator from the UK

Day 1.- Private transfer San José.   Welcome to Costa Rica
Arrive at Juan Santamaria International Airport and after passing through Immigration you will be met by your guide. He will take you to Hotel Britannia to overnight

Day 2.- San José. Private transfer to Orchid Botanical Garden, Alajuela. (B)
Visit to Botanical Orchid Gardens.(entrance fee not included) The orchid garden was created 30 years ago in a unique property located in La Garita, Alajuela. It was developed within a former coffee plantation that contained beautiful native trees that luckily survived the land development. Claudio Salas, botanist lover, orchid expert and owner of the property, felt the urgency to preserve these valuable trees, with the vision to create within these an ecosystem for the orchids. This step gave the orchids the perfect habitat to lead a normal development that filled the place with colour and freshness.
Other different kinds of tropical and ornamental plants such as heliconias, gingers and palms were added to the property too, allowing it to achieve a very rich setting. Afterwards, greenhouses, nurseries and a laboratory were built, and from that moment on, Claudio Salas started the process of orchid development.
One of his great achievements is that almost 100% of orchid plants living in the garden are laboratory produced, and then, integrated into the garden. When the orchids find a perfect natural habitat, they begin to settle on the trees and proceed to propagate naturally. This process, together with the great love and dedication that Claudio Salas has for orchid plants, gives life to what is known today as the Botanical Orchid Garden, Costa Rica

Day 3   Private transfer to Turrialba   (B)
Visit to Tapanti National Park (entrance fee not included)
Tapanti National Park formerly known as Tapanti National Wildlife Refuge was established on April 23, 1992. It forms part of La Amistad Conservation Area and is one of Costa Rica’s most diverse areas. Around 45 species of mammals live in the park. Among them, some are in danger of extinction such tapir, pace, brocket deer, cotton tail rabbit, kinkajou, racoon, coatimundi, white face monkey, agouti and wild cats like ocelot, jaguarundi and margay. The park is home to 260 species of birds such as quetzals, hawks, falcons, black guan, scoly robin, tinamou, tanagers, pigeons, doves, oropendola, golden oriole, among others. Many lizards, basilisks and snakes such as the Picado Pitviper, eyelash viper, jumping viper and side-striped palm pit viper can be found. In total there are some 28 different species of reptiles. As well there are 28 species of amphibians including salamanders, frogs and toads. Insects are abundant and there are many species that have not yet been identified. Butterflies of brilliant colours flap theirs wings through the rich vegetation. Among the moths found there, the Thysania agripina is the largest found within North and South America. There are also numerous examples of bees, wasps and crickets.
The rich abundance of vegetation includes different species of bromeliads, ferns, epiphytes, palms, moss, orchids, heliconias. In order to have and idea what biodiverse areas these kinds of forests have, one hectare could contain from 80 to 160 tree species.
Visit to Lankester Gardens.(entrance fee not included) There are more than 1,400 varieties of orchids in Costa Rica, and no fewer than 800 species are on display at this botanical garden in Cartago province. Created in the 1940s by English naturalist Charles Lankester, the gardens are now administered by the University of Costa Rica. The primary goal is to preserve the local flora, with an emphasis on orchids and bromeliads. Paved trails meander from open, sunny gardens into shady forests. In each environment different species of orchids are in bloom. There's an information center and gift shop, and the trails are well tended and well marked.
Plan to spend between 1 and 3 hours here if you're interested in flowers and gardening; you could run through it more quickly if you're not.
Turrialba lies in a valley that carries its name and sits on the slopes of the Turrialba Volcano. Known as the door to the Atlantic, this piece of paradise will take you out of the Central Valley and into the lowlands of the Caribbean, via a scenic road surrounded by landscapes and photo opportunities.
Overlooking the Turrialba Valley, with the magnificent Turrialba Volcano in the background, you will find Guayabo Lodge. This beautiful, light and airy lodge is located 1500 metres above sea level in a lush cloud forest environment. To reach the lodge, which is surrounded by the pastures of a dairy farm, you drive down a pristine private lane. The Lodge is a 2 hour drive from the San Jose Airport, and is ½ hour from the bustling town of Turrialba.
All 20 rooms have a local flavour, each furnished with unique Central and South American art and exquisite antique furniture. Each room has a modern bath with abundant hot water generated by solar panels, and the rooms on the second and third floors have balconies with panoramic views.

Day 4.- Free leisure day at Turrialba's Guayabo Lodge(B)

Day 5.- Arenal (B)
Accommodation at Arenal Springs (Junior Suite)(B)
“Awesome” is the only way to describe the feeling one has when seeing Arenal Volcano for the first time. Moving through the valleys of the agriculturally rich Northern Zone up through San Carlos and into the towering rain forest, this is one of the most inviting regions in Costa Rica.
Accommodation at Arenal Springs (Junior Suite): Wood and concrete bungalows, with private bathroom, and air conditioning, surrounded by some of the most astonishing flora and fauna of Costa Rica, that you will be able to enjoy from your own porch with a perfect view of the volcano.
Night visit toTabacón hot water springs with dinner included You might observe the Arenal Volcano so close that you can feel the colossus vibrate, we will visit the most beautiful gardens with hot springs that complete the fascinating night of natural wonders. A delicious buffet dinner is included.

Day 6.-Private transfer to Monteverde (B)
Accommodation at Trapp Family Lodge. (superior room) (B)
Founded in the 1950's by a group of Quakers from the U.S., Monteverde has gained international renown as one of the most outstanding wildlife sanctuaries in the tropics. The reserve spreads out over 10,500 hectares of land that hold six different life zones. The climate and terrain of the preserve produce an incredible bio-diversity. There are at least 400 bird species in this high elevation rain forest, including the Resplendent Quetzal, ancient holy bird of the Mayans, over 100 species of mammals, 120 species of amphibians and reptiles and an estimated 2,500 species of plants making Monteverde a true "nature lover's paradise". Delicate orchids, more than 400 species, grace the limbs of majestic trees. Their captivating colours of whites, lilacs, and yellows contrast with the emerald green of the forest.
Aside from the preserve, some other places merit attention while you're staying in nearby Santa Elena. The Children's Eternal rain forest, the first international children's rain forest in the world, the Monteverde Butterfly Garden, and the Hummingbird Gallery a must for those with a penchant for these winged, brightly coloured jewels of the forest, to name just a few. The Trapp Family Lodge is the closest lodge to Monteverde Reserve (a 15 minute walk, great for bird watching), this cosy inn pays tribute to its setting with beautiful tropical wood appointments, private balcony in each guest room, and a family-style restaurant fronted by huge picture windows and a balcony overlooking gardens and verdant rain forest. Set in a small private reserve, the lodge is ideal for families or anyone appreciative of a warm, homey atmosphere and a convenient location just a few minutes walk from the Monteverde Cloud Forest.
Exotic rainforest vegetation surrounds the property on all sides, and many activities await nearby. It is an ideal home away from home in this fascinating area of Costa Rica.

Day 7.- Monteverde. Trapp Family Lodge. (B)
Visit to Monteverde Orchid Gardens Gardens. (entrance fee not included) The garden contains more than 400 species including the national flower of Costa Rica, the Guardia morada (Cattleya skinneri). Larger and showier flowers include Maxillaria, Epidendrum, and Oncidium species. The smallest known orchid species in the world, Platystele jungermannioids is found in the greenhouse. Your visit helps support the scientific goals of the Monteverde Orchid Conservation and Research Project. The plants you see are study material in a biological catalogue as the owners attempt to learn the distribution, habitat, flowering season, and pollinating agents of all the orchid species found in Monteverde.

Day 8.- Manuel Antonio   (B)
Accommodation at Hotel Villas Lirio - Garden Villa (B)
Enjoy a tropical rainforest lodge in a secluded setting, Manuel Antonio National Park. In this 682 - hectare national park you will see beaches, islands offshore, lush rainforest with good trails, and may have close-up encounters with monkeys, sloth's and lots of birds. Manuel Antonio National Park attracts the visitor with tropical jungle that borders white sand beaches and blue-green waters. A splendid combination of nature experience and beach fun.

Day 9.- Manuel Antonio. Accommodation at Hotel Villas Lirio (B)
A day at leisure to relax and unwind.

Day 10.- San José. Accommodation at Hotel El Rodeo. Deluxe Room (B)

Day 11.- Private vehicle transfer to Juan Santamaria International Airport.(B)
Appropriately timed transfer for your return flight to the UK.

Tour cost (Land only): £ 1,510 per person, based on double/twin sharing and minimum group size of 10 people

Single Supplement: £ 536

Estimated additional cost for international flights from London Heathrow to San Jose £480 to £760 per person, depending on availability at time of booking