1. Strand von Tortuguero
Dieser Strand im Tortuguero Nationalpark ist eines der bestgehüteten Geheimnisse Costa Ricas. Tauche in das warme, türkisfarbende Wasser ein und entspanne an den Ufern des idyllischen, naturbelassenen Paradieses.
2. Manuel Antonio
Lasse die Hektik des Alltags hinter Dir und entspanne Dich an diesem wunderschönen Strand, der sich innerhalb eines Nationalparks befindet. Verbringe den Tag damit, den angrenzenden Regenwald zu erkunden, bevor Du Dich im herrlich kühlen Wasser erfrischst.
3. Jaco
Der Strand Jaco liegt nicht weit entfernt von San José, der Hauptstadt Costa Ricas, und ist aus diesem Grund gut besucht. Unter Surfern ist der Strand aufgrund der guten Windverhältnisse und Wellen sehr beliebt. Die Gegend um den Strand Jaco bietet außerdem ein sehr vielfältiges Nachtleben.
4. Strand von Tamarindo
Der Strand von Tamarindo ist bekannt für seinen weißen Sand und das kristallklare Wasser. In der Umgebung gibt es viele Strandbars und abends kannst Du Dich in den naheliegenden Diskotheken und Bars vergnügen.
5. Corcovado
Corcovado liegt abseits der Touristenpfade und bietet eine Vielfalt an Landschaften, Farben und Tieren. Dieses Idyll ist ideal für diejenigen, die Strände mit einzigartigem Charme suchen.
Aufgrund der Tatsache, dass es das ganze Jahr über warm in Costa Rica ist, gibt es eigentlich keine ungünstige Zeit, das Land zu besuchen. Die Monate von Dezember bis April sind die trockensten. Allerdings sorgen die vielfältige Topographie Costa Ricas sowie die vielen Regenwälder dafür, dass Du Dich immer auf etwas Regen vorbereiten solltest – egal zu welcher Jahreszeit Du Deine Reise antrittst. Die gute Nachricht ist, dass es selbst während der regenreichsten Monate tendenziell nur ein paar wenige Stunden pro Tag regnet. Nutze diese Zeit, um den weltberühmten Kaffee Costa Ricas in einem der vielen Cafés zu genießen. Die Temperaturen variieren je nach Höhenlage. In San Jose liegen sie zwischen 15°C und 21°C, wohingegen die Küstengebiete wesentlich wärmere Temperaturen aufweisen.
Costa Rica, umgeben vom Pazifik und dem karibischen Meer, ist vor allem für seine wunderschönen Strände und beeindruckenden Regenwälder bekannt. Der Name des Landes (welcher soviel wie “reiche Küste” bedeutet) könnte zu der Annahme führen, dass die Schönheit Costa Ricas sich lediglich auf die traumhaften Strände beschränkt. Tatsächlich zeichnet sich das Land aber auch durch beeindruckende Gebirgszüge aus, in denen sich viele aktive und erloschene Vulkane befinden. Aus diesem Grund sind Abenteuersportarten wie Zip-Lining, Wildwasser-Rafting und Radfahren in Orten wie La Fortuna und Monteverde sehr beliebt. Costa Rica grenzt im Norden an Nicaragua und im Süden an Panama und ist somit ideal gelegen, um die vielfältigen Landschaften zu erkunden.
Costa Rica ist nicht nur bekannt für seine atemberaubenden Strände, sondern auch für seine biologische Vielfalt. Mehr als die Hälfte des Landes ist von Wäldern bedeckt und beheimatet eine Vielzahl an einzigartigen Pflanzen- und Tierarten. Auch unter Tauchern ist Costa Rica sehr beliebt, da das Land einige der schönsten Buchten, Strände und Riffe der Welt zu bieten hat.
Trinkgeld zu geben ist in Costa Rica nicht obligatorisch. Allerdings ist es üblich, die Rechnung aufzurunden und in Restaurants und Cafés Wechselgeld zu hinterlassen. 500 Colones sollten dafür ausreichen.
In den Städten Costa Ricas hast Du Zugang zum Internet in Internetcafés und Hotel-Lobbys. In ländlichen und abgelegenen Gegenden kann der Internetzugang allerdings eingeschränkt sein.
Das Mobilfunknetz ist in den größeren Städten und Ballungsräumen Costa Ricas im Allgemeinen gut. Bereite Dich aber darauf vor, dass Du in abgelegenen oder gebirgigen Regionen eventuell kein Netz haben wirst. Vergewissere Dich, dass Du das Global Roaming Deines Mobilfunkanbieters aktiviert hast, bevor Du Deine Reise nach Costa Rica startest, falls Du Dein Handy dort benutzen möchtest.
In Costa Rica wirst Du beides vorfinden – Spültoiletten wie wir sie kennen, aber auch in den Boden einbetonierte Toilettenschüsseln. Trage am Besten Deinen eigenen Vorrat an Toilettenpapier und Seife mit Dir, da diese in Costa Ricas öffentlichen Sanitäranlagen nicht immer zur Verfügung stehen.
Kokosmilch = 250 CRC
Erfrischungsgetränk = 450 CRC
Flasche Bier = 1000 CRC
Einfaches Mittagessen = 2000 CRC
Abendessen im Restaurant = 5000-7500 CRC
Obwohl das Leitungswasser in den Städten Costa Ricas als sauber gilt, empfehlen wir, das Trinken des Wassers eher zu vermeiden. Aus Umweltgründen solltest Du außerdem versuchen, den Kauf von abgefüllten Wasserflaschen aus Plastik zu vermeiden. Am Besten benutzt Du einfach eine wiederverwendbare Flasche. Frage einfach Deinen Reiseleiter, wo Du gefiltertes Wasser finden kannst. Einige Hotels, in denen wir übernachten, verfügen über gefiltertes Trinkwasser. Ebenso ist es ratsam, Eiswürfel in Getränken zu vermeiden und Obst und Gemüse vor dem Essen zu schälen.
Kreditkarten werden von größeren Geschäften, Hotels und Restaurants in Costa Rica akzeptiert. Du solltest Dich jedoch darauf einstellen, dass Deine Kreditkarte von kleineren Anbietern wie Familienrestaurants oder Marktverkäufern eventuell nicht akzeptiert wird.
In den großen Städten und Flughäfen sind Geldautomaten leicht zu finden. Allerdings verfügen einige kleinere Dörfer und ländliche Gebiete möglicherweise nicht über Geldautomaten. Bereite Dich also darauf vor, bevor Du Dich weit von einer größeren Stadt entfernst.
Auf jeden Fall. Alle Kunden, die mit Intrepid reisen, müssen vor Reiseantritt eine Reiseversicherung abschließen. Die Reiseversicherungsdetails werden von Deinem Reiseleiter am ersten Tag des Trips dokumentiert. Aufgrund der unterschiedlichen Art, Verfügbarkeit und Kosten der Gesundheitsversorgung weltweit ist die Reiseversicherung ein wesentlicher und notwendiger Bestandteil einer jeden Reise.
10/10 for both intrepid trips that we have done, we have other friends who will only use intrepid. travel tip always insure that you have on hand your guides mob no. in case of emergencies – remember your guide is not always next to you.
Before you go, look for a lot of information about the country so that if you are there you can enjoy and listen after the tips of the group leader
the tours give a great opportunity to see many places and cultures during one trip but sometimes it can feel as though you are constantly travelling with maybe just a day in each town/City. I was lucky enough to have 2 fantastic tour guides (Isaac assisted by Laura & Mau), all very different but extremely knowledgeable, approachable, helpful and friendly. They certainly made a difference in highlighting particular activities and/or just being their energetic selves which certainly helped those long travel days.
Intrepid provides a stress-free trip while maintaining the feeling that you’re on an adventure. With the inclusion of home stays and trips on local buses, you’re not isolated from the local people the way you might be on other package tours. The groups are a good size, making it easy to get to know your fellow travelers, but not so intimate that you tire of their company. I would book another trip with Intrepid in a heartbeat.
This was my 4th segment travelled with intrepid as part of a larger journey. Booked this one based on my previous experiences, and was not disappointed. Perfect style of travelling for me. Great guide. Awesome area.
An easy way to travel in countries where transport can be complex .
This is my trip with Intrepid and for sure will not be the last! I took the 17 days trip in Central America which was an amazing trip. Our leader Pablo was amazing and VERY helpful ! I would really recommend everyone to not even think about going on trips with Intrepid they are the best ! Thank you Intrepid for an amazing trip and and many more !!
This is a great build your own Costa Rica trip. There are not a lot of included meals or activities. But the positive side is that you can choose the activities you want to do. Bring US dollars or credit card for the optional activities.
This was a short holiday, but an excellent reintroduction for an apprehensive traveller who has got out of the habit of long haul trips. It is also a great way for the single traveller to make the most of their time in Costa Rica.
This was the perfect style of travel for me. You could do one of the recommended activities or do your own thing. You could hang out with the group, or go off by yourself. Very flexible. Rafael did an incredible job and showing his love for each place and was very knowledgeable. I loved Antigua, the Copan Ruins, everything about Granada (Masaya Volcano IS INSANE), Bogarin Sloth Forest in Costa Rica. Best part was El Salvador. Totally fell in love. Do every single tour option you can, while in El Salvador. True local experience. I knew this going into it, but don’t choose this trip for the food. I love plantains, beans, and rice, but that is all you will be eating 🙂
– Bring your own water bottle – the tap water is amazing – Bring an umbrella, water resistant shoes and water proof camera – The best coffee – Beso Espresso and Roaster in Santa Elena (Monteverde) – Start every day with a rain Forrest walk
Travellers should keep packing to a medium-sized, wheeled suitcase for ease of travel.
Recommend participants keep packing to a medium-sized wheeled suitcase for ease of travel.
We have travelled with Intrepid for over 10 trips over the past few years and would no hesitation in recommending them for their unique skills in putting clients requirements first
The trip really did cover a lot of Central America in a reasonable amount of time which was exactly what I was looking for in a trip! The trip felt authentic and showed us a lot of the culture rather than just being a tourist. The day tours done by the locals especially in El Salvador were eye opening into other cultures. Felt safe traveling as a solo female and the activities we did like zip lining were so fun. Made som really good friends on the trip too! The food places suggested by our guide were also really affordable and delicious. Definitely do the sloth walk in la Fortuna it was amazing and worth getting up early for!
Really great way to see multiple countries in one hit!!
Basic is basic.
This trip is good for those who are interested in flora/fauna/nature. Has less emphasis on people/history/culture like some other Intrepid trips. Cost of individual activities adds up and you may not be able to do all you want due to numbers/other people interested. Also beware that you will like not be able to go to Nicaragua for the near future due to safety concerns, which alters the intinerary and puts you in Costa Rica longer, which can be more expensive. I suggest arriving in Antigua early as it is a lovely town and requires more time than included in the intinerary.
If you want to see many things in a short time and don’t want to organise all by yourself, want to see more about a country and not just one beach and one hotel, don’t want to travel alone and meet new friends from everywhere in the world, this would be the right trip for you!
We travelled in the beginning of the rain season and it rained every afternoon, but this didn’t disturb our experience at all. We had a great time and learned a lot from our tour guides about Costa Rica’s nature, wildlife and history.
Great way to see many highlights of Costa Rica in a short space of time. Went in June which is rainy season, but don’t be put off – it was still really enjoyable! Be prepared for all the extra activities – not much included- but they were all great! Bring good shoes and lots of insect repellent!
The Costa Rica experience was amazing! The package was not expensive, but remember that a lot of activities and food are not included. Our tour guide Brayan was amazing with planning inexpensive dinners and lunches so that shouldnt be a problem, but the optional activities do add up after a while, so try planning out what you like to do in advance.
The trip was amazing, we were able to see so much wildlife and experience Costa Rican culture in such a short space of time. Our guide was so helpful and helped make the trip even better. The activities can be more pricey than expected so bear this in mind when budgeting.
Really highlights the best bits of Central America.
Intrepid is all about passion and duty of care to travellers Ive travelled Sth America and Central America with intrepid and have found them to be more than professional and a whole lot of fun with their knowledge. I love group travel and find this is a great way of forming lifelong friendships with like minded people. Ill be back for more Intrepid trips!
Intrepid is all about passion and duty of care to travellers Ive travelled Sth America and Central America with intrepid and have found them to be more than professional and a whole lot of fun with their knowledge. I love group travel and find this is a great way of forming lifelong friendships with like minded people. Ill be back for more Intrepid trips!
The joyful experience of my Costa Rica trip is unforgettable!
We can not fault any of Intrepids tips. From our experience, ask for precise points of your interest before deciding what Optional Activities you would pay for while at La Fortuna.
I want to thank @IntrepidTravel and especially our guide, Brayan for making our Costa Rica adventure so memorable. We had a great group . Brayan worked very hard to see to it that everyone got to experience CR in their own way. It made me appreciate how hard these guides work to coordinate everything. We could never have done or seen all that we did in such a short time frame without them. They were all very proud of their country and shared Pura Vida with us! ??????????????
This was an excellent tour. It is primarily nature focused, depending on the optional activities chosen. The pace was good but not overwhelming.
When traveling, ask if and when credit cards can be used. Be sure to bring enough cash to the right destinations.
We loved this Trip! Everything was great! The hike was fun and a bit challenging but there was always time to relax and feel like your on holidays. You do need a reasonable level of fitness for it and Id strongly suggest waterproof hiking boots. The parts of costa rica the tour took us to we wouldnt have seen any other way. The scenery was beautiful. The home stays were wonderfull. We really enjoyed meeting and sharing meals with actual Costa Rican families. And the home cooked food!! Great! Our guides were really lovely and all of the activities surpassed expectations. Id do it all over again!
The trip overall was fantastic. The guide was excellent and knowledgeable and really added more value to our experience! The trek was by far the best part of the tour, it was challenging and really tested our mental and physical endurance and grit. I loved the concept of responaible travelling and getting to know the locals better. It’s a better way to giveback to the local economy and to gain a different perspective while traveling.
Great tour,fun wildlife spotting with a great tour leader
Good way for solo travellers to find fellows.
Take a water bottle with a filter so not buying lots of plastic. Most hotels don’t supply hairdryers. I used a travel card with multi currencies on it and it sets the exchange rate when loaded. Take a smile and a sense of adventure with you.
A fun filled adventure in Central America! Get ready to have lots of fun, meet some lovely people and have some new experiences. It’s a great way to get a snapshot of so many countries in a short space of time. The holiday itself will fly by. There are a lot of intense travel days but it it’s worth it to see so much. My favourite destinations were Caye Caulker and Costa Rica. I regret not booking an extra few days in Costa Rica. You will be well looked after by your tour guides and the Intrepid team so if in doubt just book it-you won’t regret it.
Intrepid trip at well thought out and are a great balance of travel and relaxation. I’d highly recommend taking a trip with these guys, they work with excellent local guides who really go above and beyond to make your experience memorable.
Action Packed Trip! Be ready to get wet! Rafting, Snorkeling, and Kayaking is the only way to see Costa Rica!!!!!
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really great short introduction to several different tropical biomes. Great Flora and Fauna. I had 78 new bird species on this short trip even though birding was not the focus. Recommend highly
It was the perfect way to start my travel in costa rica (I stay here for one month). I had an awesome time with the group and felt really welcome here in costa rica. I learned so much helpful things for the rest of my trip. I warmly recommend Intrepid to everyone! 🙂
This trip made me an animal expert! Or at least feel like one. Be prepared for LOTS of outdoor time & looking for animals. Each of our guides (including our leader Edgar) were SO knowledgable and SO passionate about wildlife that it made it very easy to get excited over each & every bird. The trip is a great combination of relaxing time, socializing with locals & the great outdoors. But the outdoors is definitely the passion of the country so if you embrace that & go for the extra activities you’ll really enjoy your time. My favorite activities were the included homestay & the extra activity of the night walk. Edgar was an amazing leader to have. Super fun, knowledgable & obviously very good at his job! I’d go back to Central America just to take another trip with him.
Costa Rica is heaven on earth. People are hospitable and friendly. Lots of exciting activities to do for all age groups. Food is excellent. Overall the trip can be a little more costly compared to other South / central America but it’s worth it!
I found with Intrepid they get you there and you can select from the extra activities at your cost what you want your trip to be
Research the locations before you go as little accurate info in provided by guide
Research the locations before you go as little accurate info in provided by guide
A wonderful adventurous holiday with lots of interesting places to explore. There is a lot of travelling involved but you meet great people and the countryside is really interesting to see and you travel by bus and boats.
Got to see some of the less famous, but still amazing parts of Costa Rica. Panama is so much more than a canal. Boquete with its stunning green mountains, is the most scenic place I saw in all of Central America.
A good trip overall – fast moving!! It is a tour for tourists as opposed to travelers (which does suit a lot of people). Just to be aware there is more emphasis on activities rather than culture. Some lovely spots visited
A good trip overall – fast moving!! It is a tour for tourists as opposed to travelers (which does suit a lot of people). Just to be aware there is more emphasis on activities rather than culture. Some lovely spots visited
This trip was fantastic 🙂 if you are looking for a trip where you can see a lot in a relatively short space of time then this is it. A diverse mix of mountains/forest/beaches and cities. Energetic guide and met a great bunch of people from all over the world.
Intrepid is perfect for any traveller who wants to be immersed in local culture, surrounded by like minded travellers and have a safe and relaxing holiday with help through the challenges of transport, border crossings and language barriers. A local guide adds invaluable knowledge to everyday experiences and with plenty of time to do your own thing as well, intrepid is the best way to travel!
This is my first of many with intrepid, I have friends that travel with intrepid often and I definitely plan to use you guys again!
For travelers interested in wildlife, this offered amazing opportunities, both within included activities and lots of additional optional activities in the places where there was unallocated time.
Highly recommend classic Costa Rica – holiday of a lifetime an experience that will stay with you forever.
Think sloths ( everywhere), pina coladas ( kids slushies but with the alcohol), poison dart frogs (super cute), waterfalls (breath taking)), rice and beans(!), ziplining (fantastic fun), friendly people (smiles), monkeys( just hanging out), beaches and a sunset sail (chill time) …. and all packaged into this great little tour, superbly led by our ever patient, extremely knowledgable tour leader. Jason, thank you for sharing your gorgeous country with us…..
It was an amazing experience, the guides are exceptional a do really provide a very personal assistance that enables to really have the trip of your dreams without any trade-offs. You also get the best to know of the countries by having not only local guides but also very knowledgeable ones in every aspect. I’ve rarely experience guides able to connect to all of their group members and being able to discuss any topic of interest. Definitely to be repeated! 🙂
Fantastic trip. Loved the activities and the food. Our leader found the most amazing place to eat, can’t say that I had a bad meal the entire trip. Our group was amazing and will travel with Intrepid again.
This is the last field on the feedback form for free text, so I have to explain that, when completing this form, once I’d tabbed into the fields that were not relevant or optional, I was forced to give an answer to continue onto the next screen – so I just gave a medium rating in these fields in order to move on.
Great small trip very suitable for single travellers. Very personalised attention give by tour guide.
Highly recommend as small group tours, excellent tour leaders and local guides. All accomodation, transportation used are local operaters. Great opportunities to really get to know the real Costa Rica. Ideal for single travellers
Trip went to plan and saw a good variety of Costa Rica in a short period of time.
Definitely the way to experience the country if you only have a bit of time, whether alone or with friends, I loved this trip!
A fantastic trip to explore a best of from Central America – including maya ruins, colonial cities, beautiful beaches, volcanos and rain forest.
Fantastic trip in one of the happiest countries in the World. Amazingly friendly people who are rightly very proud of where they live. The trip has lots of variation and is well paced allowing time to see a lot of wildlife and also some adrenaline activities. Budget accordingly as it is not a cheap country in which to travel. Our leader, Brayan, added so much to our enjoyment!! Pura Vida
Anyone with a passion for watersports should take this trip! 2 days white water rafting, a whole morning surfing (as snorkelling was cancelled) and a whole morning kayaking! Water shoes are needed for the kayaking (just an FYI). An amazing way to see an alternative side to Costa Rica!
This is such a wonderful trip! I got exactly what I was looking for: activity, adventure and fun. Accommodations are simple but clean so do not expect luxurious hotels. This is definitely an active tour so only sign up if you are willing to do a fair bit of activity. Our leader was great and so was our group. The real key to trips like this is going with the flow as things are not always perfect but if you go with the flow, you are bound to have a great time!
This was a relatively chilled tour. I enjoyed it because we had a great tour leader who I believe got the most out of our itinerary options and provided great options to maximise our value for money.
Fantastic trip, well organised with a good mix of activities to choose from be that adrenaline, nature, food and drink.
A really enjoyable trip, offering a nice variety of activities, amazing sites, interesting cultures and bit of relaxation. The trip involves a fair amount of travelling, (although this is generally efficient and comfortable. It is fairly action packed, but it is worth it for seeing all the amazing sites, beautiful towns/cities and taking part in the adrenaline pumping activities. I really had some truly memorable experiences with a great bunch of people!
This tour is a good introduction and taster of some lesser known Central American countries such as Nicaragua and El Salvador. Youll get an eye opening look at at the economic and social environment, as well as access to amazing natural scenery – for me, climbing Volcán Concepcion, Mountain biking around Arenal, and seeing sloths and snakes in the wild were highlights. As always, the tour leader hugely shaped your tour experience and our leader, Rafa, was outstanding.
A great trip with loads of flexibility. We saw some amazing sights, vistas and wildlife, and had a lot of fun throughout! Catamarans, Quetzels and Cocktails, a brilliant time had.
Great trip for the money. But be prepared to rough it a little. Transportation was not always private and not all the hotels were that good. Overall, great experience.
This was my first time to travel with Intrepid or any travel company of similar nature. And it gave me one of the best experiences ever! I was so fortunate to be traveling with a group of 7 other solo travelers who provided the right mix of craziness, seriousness, discovery, compassion, care, and generosity . And even more fortunate to have had Rafael Piqueras as our tour leader! He made the journey delightful and stress-free!
I liked the Classic Costa Rica trip because it covered a lot of ground but I didn’t feel like all I did was travel. It was good to spend a couple of days in most places to get a feel for the place and still have time to do some activities.
Intrepid use only the best local guides to take you on the trip of a lifetime. If you want to have an authentic experience of any location, Intrepid are the people to do it with.
It youre looking for adventure, choose Intrepid!
Our tour guide Pablo Aguilar Silva made all the difference for this trip – his local knowledge and guidance was so appreciated. He went above and beyond to make sure every person was happy and getting to do the activities they were interested in. He was knowledgeable about local customs, historical references/history of the region and specific countries as well as just generally upbeat and friendly at all times. He was excellent in every way.
Intrepid was a great company to travel with. The locations in Central America were great,educational, beautiful, adventurous, and HOT. The weather was beautiful in Midmarch, the tour had a variety of locations from urban centres to rural communities. Towns inland, and stops by the ocean, lake, hot springs, and natural springs… bring your bathing suit! I have never traveled alone before, and this was the first time… meeting up with 8 new people was a lot less intimidating than having to introduce myself to a crowd and I really like that intrepid limits the numbers of individuals on the trip to give you a better experience! Overall an amazing 17 days, volcano boarding in Nicaragua was a major highlight, and we also got to see an active volcano by night… if you have the chance I highly recommend, it was breath taking, a glimpse of mother natures side Ive never seen before. Dont worry about bringing local currency just bring lots of American $1 and $5 bills that can be used throughout all of the countries or can be exchanged for local currency along the way, saves you time at home prior and its not a hassle at all! Bring water shoes… best investment since youre entering lots of unfamiliar water bodies, and while is Costa Rica you have the option to do canyoning… DO IT! Thanks again, Your Canadian friend- Taija
We loved our Central American trip with Intrepid. We had all the worry taken out of our travel – organising accommodation & transport plus not being able to speak speak Spanish. We had the best guide ever, Vin, who lead us through Central America with great enthusiasm and knowledge. We felt safe and learnt so much over the month we spent travelling with our Intrepid familia.
Costa Rica is a wonderful destination with fantastic National Parks where wildlife can be seen up close.
This was a really well organised and fun trip. All of the highlights of Costa Rica are included with many opportunities to experience animals, beautiful scenery and local culture. There is no shortage of activities either. Many thanks to our leader Fabian also for making it such a memorable trip.
Intrepid intinerary was very well planned and offered good value. We saw wide range of environments and cultural experiences.
Make sure you take a waterproof jacket on this trip! Oh and make sure it really is waterproof 🙂
Costa Rica was a lovely country to explore and I was very lucky to share my holiday with a fantastic group of people and a wonderful guide Brian, I saw lots of wildlife and was a nature lovers paradise! things were a lot more expensive than expected so would advise people to take more money with them that they think they would need! and also be aware that a lot of the activities on offer are optional so budget for that too- but I would recommend this trip and I had a really good holiday!
This trip is a must-do for wildlife lovers! It’s an excellent way to explore Costa Rica, especially when you only have a couple of weeks to play with. We could not have asked for a better trip leader in Pedro. Particular highlights for us were seeing a turtle laying her eggs at night on the beach of Tortuguero, visiting the hot springs in La Fortuna, and the homestay in Juanilama where we treated to a traditional dance show by local children.
View the whole trip on website. Trust in your guide and just sit back and enjoy the roller coaster.
Being in our seventies, we were unable to go on a two of the included excursions due to the terrain, which were very hilly.
This trip is harder than described, I am a cyclist, the surfaces vary from tar sealed, rough, very rough and some steep hills and long ascents. You need a good level of fitness and off-road biking skills. The tour I would recommend to all, stunning array of wildlife, magnificent scenery, beautiful jungles, forests and a chance to get to experience local culture at village level. Be prepared to rough a little in homestay and some of the accommodation is two/three star.
There were some challenging days of cycling however the payoffs were worth it. Central America is an awesome destination. Again, Intrepid you have organised an excellent adventure. 5 stars!!!
First time I have been on an intrepid trip. We did 3 while away in south and Central America for 3 months. Normally bacpack and do our own thing so was unsure how it would go. I was very impressed. Did things that I may not have found on my own and met some amazing people. Love intrrepids policy of giving back to the community and using local guides with amazing knowledge.
Intrepid is a great way to travel! They put the needs of the group first and are always trying to get the most out of the experience for the travelers.
We like that the types occasion and accommodation vary from place to place so you get lots of variety. The tour leaders/ guides are local so provide insights into all aspects of local life. You can do as many of as few organised activities as you want, leaving space for rest, and your own activities, if fulling your time with organised activities.
I wouldnt hestitate to book with Intrepid – fantastic itinerary, excellent guide. The small group size was perfect. Best trip weve ever done!
A fantastic way to discovery a new country
On the 4 day trek take walking boots or approach shoes, a sheet sleeping bag (sleeping bag liner) would have made the bedding more acceptable.
This was such an amazing adventure, hiking through the jungle I have never felt more like being in the middle of nowhere, the views were fabulous and the home stays really let you take in the culture. You really have to be fit for this hike though.
I loved the itinerary this tour took, the places were fantastic, the optional tours were amazing and the guide very knowledgeable. If you are like me and enjoy making your own decisions, don’t choose a tour. The group I was with did want everything done for them and certain members of the group should have been on a comfort tour as they complained about everything possible.
Awesome trip. Really beautiful country with nice people, beautiful nature and good food!
Great way to meet the country. Get ready to fall in love with central America. You will not want to leave.
I would 100% recommend a trip with Intrepid. My first trip was 6 months ago and I have just returned from my 2nd trip. I love the fact that no time is wasted wondering how to get to the next destination all you have to worry about is meeting at reception on time and a bus takes you to the next adventure. I believe the groups are made up of like minded travellers who respect each others desire to travel and take in the sights and culture of a country. I can’t wait until my next trip.
A great trip itinerary to start exploring the incredible variety Costa Rica has to offer. Be prepared for very early mornings to avoid the heat and catch the best wildlife, which we saw in super abundance thanks to our eagle-eyed and expert guide Pedro.
The guides and the people make Intrepid Tours unforgettable. Our homestay provided an unforgettable experience for my family.
Excellent trip, affordable and gives you a well rounded view of Costa Rica. Pura Vida
What a fun trip! This trip exceeded my expectations, my fellow companions, our team leader and a slick itinerary made this busy trip effortlessly manageable and super rewarding in terms of the nature we saw, the people we met, the activities undertaken and the memories we have all made.
Costa Rica is a beautiful place and very worth a visit especially if you love nature and wildlife. The local people are so kind and welcoming, you feel at home straight away. A few tips to help – take a refillable water bottle and buy large water containers to refill, no need for water purification tablets. Umbrellas and ponchos are the best! Bite cream/bug spray essential! When using card machines, take card straight away as it will take it back into bank very quickly as security measure. Easier to take local colones than dollars even though both accepted. ??
I have travelled with Intrepid to Indonesia and made the trip from Jakarta to Ubud. It was the best holiday I had, because you really got to know the culture and we have seen a lot of the country. Since then, I love to travel with intrepid, because the groups are very small (max. 15 people) and you have a lot of great activities. The guides can show you places, that you wouldn´t find on your own. In Indonesia, we were for example invited to a local wedding, it was a pleasure to see this! My second trip was to Costa Rica! It is a really great country, we have seen a lot of animals and had the chance to stay one night at a local family. I have a lot of memories of great holidays. I still meet with the people of our groups because we really get along well, so I know a lot of people in different countries around the world.
Classic Costa Rica packs in a great deal with a full-on schedule that includes lots of different places and activities, yet achieves it with the minimum of stress. After two weeks it’s hard not to become rather blasé about the quantity and variety of animals, birds, insects, flowers, trees, scenery etc. A nature lover’s paradise.
Costa Rica Experience is a great tour for nature and adventure lovers. It starts off quite active with multiple activities per day and slows down nicely towards the end with more beach and boat fun.
This was my first time traveling with a group and with intrepid. The trip gave a great opportunity to get to know costa rica with its extremely friendly people, stunning wildlife and nature in a short time in a very relaxed way. I had a great time and would definitely go on a trip with intrepid and to costa rica again.
This trip is perfect: you can meet locals, know the country and enjoy your time. A big plus is the tour leader we had, Zender, a great guy that made our trip the most amazing experience. Costa Rica is really a paradise on earth
I really loved my first Intrepid trip. Great guide, wonderful group of people, good accommodations and transport, and fun activity options at each stop. Love Intrepid and will be doing more trips with them in the future!
Lovely trip, great locations, superb guide but long travel days towards the end. Don’t expect any support from Intrepid if something goes wrong with flights if you booked them through their travel agents. They don’t even tell you your flight is cancelled.
My main gripe is that this trip was 3 tours combined but Intrepid only count it as one. This has happened to me in the past. Not good maybe I better book them separately. Also only need one night in San Jose for the transition.
Intrepid offers a wealth of variety in its trips! Be prepared to throw yourself into every aspect of a different culture and give everything a go!
I would definitely recommend Intrepid for a tour. The trip was just as described, the leader was excellent and the activities were so fun. There was a good mix of group time and free time. My daughter, who was 18, travelled with me. I loved how our group leader treated her with such respect and also took extra time to make sure she was looped in. The group was very inclusive of her, and also very protective, and I was so touched. Thank you everyone for a great holiday!
My tour guide, Edgar was exceptional. Not only did he share his knowledge of Costa Rica but he made sure that every group member felt comfortable with their accomadations. He also gave many suggestions for optional activities that allowed for flexibility in addition to the included activities. As a solo traveller, this is my second trip with Intrepid and I enjoyed the experience even more than the last trip. If you’re looking for a variety of activities such as hiking, snorkeling, beach activities and nature walks than this is your trip! Book it… you won’t regret it!
Excellent trip with many beautiful locations giving the opportunity for jungles treks, waterfalls, cloud forests, snorkelling & diving in UNESCO world heritage sites. Some great surf spots too! We were all up for fun & adventure and that’s what we got! We saw monkeys, sloths, snakes, iguanas, exotic birds & fish, dolphins, turtles, manta rays and even a humpback whale. If you love nature and want to learn about biodiversity you’ll love this trip. I’m a culture vulture so what this trip lacked in, I made up for in Panama City’s fascinating Caso Viejo at the end of the tour. I wouldn’t waste any time in San Jose, so spent a few days in Manuel Antonio before joining the tour so that I could see more of Costa Rica. If you want to see the Panama Canal it’s an expensive day trip so allow extra time and money for this, there are other day trips from Panama City which seemed worth doing. Some travel days were long and I felt that time could have been utilised more effectively to incorporate more interesting stop offs or activities en route i.e. the national park north of San Jose on the way to Puerto Viejo, as we were left with little time but to drink and eat when we arrived at our destinations. We had a great tour leader Edson, who got on well with everyone and was really supportive and helpful as well as being lots of fun. Have an open & considerate mind about group travel, different people & age groups with different expectations, may not suit everyone but well worth it for great memories I’ll keep for ever!
Overall experience was good, the intrepid tour provided safe and comfortable transportation and accommodation whilst allowing personal flexibility and options to the individual.
Excellent trip with a vast range of activities, not one for relaxing but definitely one for exploring a new place and culture!
All the activities on this trip are really excellent, with great equipment and guides. You really get a feel for the country and experience loads of nature. The local guides are enthusiastic, friendly and knowledgable, and you know that the travel is responsible both ethically and environmentally. Costa Rica is a great country where travellers are valued!
I enjoyed a lot but I have to say that I can’t recommend the hotel centroamericano in Panama city. The last day, while I was waiting for taxi driver to the airport in the robby, it happened. one guy came in the hotel, and he went to the restaurant right away-I didn’t care so much. but as soon as he is out from the restaurant, he started to talk to me. He spoke Spanish..a bit English? but I realized that he needed money as soon as possible. He constantly keep talking like in a hurry. I was so scared.. I was at a loss for the answer…and just said “No entiendo” in Spanish. And fortunately, maybe tourist(man) came to the robby from upstairs so the guy started to talk to him as well. He said, “I don’t trust you but I will help you” so that he passed the guy some coin. anyways, the guy left soon… and any stuff in the hotel didn’t support… I don’t want intrepid recommend this hotel.. and also my shower was hot but most of my friends shower were always cold and the place is nothing around. Have to catch a cab anywhere.
This is my second intrepid trip I’ve been to Everest Baseball Camp and the Costa Rican Hiking, Rafting and Canyon trip and both were well organised and fantastic. I highly recommend intrepid especially because they engage with local businesses in the each country visited. I will definitely do another intrepid tour in the future!!
We really enjoyed all of the accommodation and our tour leader made us all feel comfortable and was keen to make sure everyone in the group was happy with the plan for the day. I personally got a lot out of the optional extra activities and our guide gave really good recommendations for these. It was also great to share the week with my family and a group of strangers from all around the world as we quickly got to know each other.
The guide was really inclusive and made us all feel comfortable with all the activities. It was great to see so much of the country from the water, as well as learn about all the wildlife. I would recommend bringing shoes (and clothes) you don’t mind getting wet that will probably stay wet for most of the trip, as well as plastic bags or something to keep them separate from the rest of your luggage. A towel is also essential!
Just the right amount of adventure, local culture and comfort all in one exciting package. No worries. Pure Vida!
What a way to travel! Having a home stay on these trips is everything for me. You learn from locals about their culture, habbits, family and views on life…and what you learn is that we are not different at all:) I loved every bit of these trips. Your guides are so knowledgable,friendly and posses hreat interpersonal skills! Safe and fun way to travel! Hmm so where should I travel next with you..
Great experience and wonderful way to see the country! Edgar made this trip amazing for all and can’t imagine experiencing Costa Rica with any other guide!
I haven’t had an opportunity to provide feedback about our Tour Guide Eddie so I would like to just say that he was fantastic throughout this trip. Eddie know a lot of history about both Costa Rica and Panama which he shared throughout the tour and he created a very fun vibe for the group to really enjoy the travel as well as each others company. This is one of the best and most fun tours I have been on and it has a lot to do with how Eddie ran the tours. You can tell that he is an experienced tour leader and really cares about people. Thanks heaps Eddie!!
Excellent trip more expensive than you will expect
Costa Rica is a must see country. Tour guide Edgar was fantastic we saw all types of wildlife…visited beaches rainforests cloudforest local farms ..ate and drank local food and drink which was fab! Can’t recommend thus trip enough.
This is a really great trip if you unsure if this type of travelling is for you. It’s accessible and shorter than other trips. There is a great amount of variety and if you are interested in wildlife at all, this trip is for you!
I had amazing time and loved every second of it. Our tour leader Eddie was amazing and very helpful and organized. I have met many interesting people and done some pretty cool stuff.
I had a great time on this trip! My travel group was very diverse and the travel leader was knowledgeable, accomdating, and really made the trip!!!