Costa Rica wildlife holiday
Our Costa Rica holiday takes you through wildlife-rich cloud forests, parks and mountain highlands, staying in a mix of small family-run accommodation and exemplary ecolodges which actively contribute to conserving the biodiverse forests they are set amongst.
Tortuguero Monteverde Arenal Volcano Zip wires Esquinas Ecolodge Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve Manuel Antonio National Park Piedras Blancas National Park Savegre Cloud Forest Turtle nesting (in season)
Price
£3599£3039To£4599excluding flights
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More info
Optional single supplement from £910 - £1320.
Minimum age 16.
Minimum age 16.
Offers
Up to £840 off selected dates.
Late availability on these dates: 27 Dec, 05 Feb, 14 Feb, 05 Mar, 19 Mar, 26 Mar
Late availability on these dates: 27 Dec, 05 Feb, 14 Feb, 05 Mar, 19 Mar, 26 Mar
Description of Costa Rica wildlife holiday
Immerse yourself amongst the ecosystems of Central America. This Costa Rica wildlife holiday will have you peering through the undergrowth in jungles, cloud forests and mangrove swamps, and checking out the beaches on both Pacific and Caribbean coastlines.
You'll hike in the realm of Arenal Volcano and stay overnight in a rainforest lodge in Piedras Blancas National Park. Trips to Monteverde and Savegre Cloud Forest help to make this Costa Rica wildlife holiday an incredibly exciting and immersive experience.
Costa Rica is blessed with an absolute abundance of animal action. You might see sloths, monkeys and toucans occupying rainforest canopies, whilst the green turtles of Tortuguero National Park make the most of protected beaches.
From hiking trails and boat journeys to free time and guided tours, this Costa Rica wildlife holiday provides the perfect introduction to the natural world of Central America.
Map
Price information
£3599£3039To£4599excluding flights
Convert currency:
Optional single supplement from £910 - £1320.
Minimum age 16.
Minimum age 16.
Check dates, prices & availability
Travel guides
Wake to howler monkeys in the morning, and fall sleep to the sounds of the jungle.
This tiny Central American country is big on biodiversity and adventure. Find out more in our guide.
Holiday information
Small group tour, ideal for solos & couples:
Small group travel is not large group travel scaled down. It is modeled on independent travel – but with the advantage of a group leader to take care of the itinerary, accommodation and tickets, and dealing with the language. It’s easy to tick off the big sights independently – but finding those one-off experiences, local festivals, travelling markets and secret viewpoints is almost impossible for someone without the insider knowledge gained from years in the field. For those with limited time, a small group tour will save valuable time in planning, and on holiday.
Our top tip:
This tour is fast-paced, so pack light. But do bring warm layers the cloud forest gets chilly at night.
Trip type:
Small group tour, min. age 16.
Activity level:
Leisurely included and optional walks of up to 2-3 hours.
Accomm:
Small hotels and ecolodges many family run, often with pools.
Solos:
Solo travellers welcome. Single rooms available with surcharge.
Included:
Lodging, transport, transfers, listed activities. Flights if booked.
Meals:
Buffet-style breakfasts, 8 lunches, 6 dinners.
Citizen science:
A few departures each year include citizen science projects. These special departures offer you the opportunity to be involved in the collection of freshwater samples during the trip. The environmental DNA information derived from this sample will contribute directly to the eBioAtlas; the world's largest repository of flora and fauna species data, contributing to the conservation and restoration of biodiversity both locally and globally. To book onto one of these special departures, please ask for more information.
Indigenous communities:
This trip benefits various indigenous communities in Costa Rica by supporting education and local development. Through the Costa Rican Association of Tour Operators, the trip contributes school supplies to children and teenagers in indigenous communities, enhancing their educational opportunities. Additionally, travellers have the opportunity to support local schools in Copey by gifting educational supplies, with the cost included in the tour package.
Reviews
48 Reviews of Costa Rica wildlife holiday
4.5 out of 5 stars
In depth story review
“Its not like looking out at your garden at home. You have nice birds, of course, but you just dont have the colours that you have in Costa Rica. ”
Learn more about this itinerary in Responsible Travel's interview with Stephen Lindsay, a traveller on this tripRead full interview
Reviewed on 07 Jul 2025 by Natalie Cooper
The entire trip was amazing. We saw so much wildlife, incredible landscapes, beautiful ecosystems all within the context of conservation in a country with a deep commitment to conservation in collaboration with local communities. Our guide Guillermo was incredible and really made the trip special and informative. Read full reviewReviewed on 27 Jan 2025 by Stephanie Elcock
Excellent. Our first fully guided holiday and we very much enjoyed it. Read full reviewReviewed on 24 Jan 2025 by Tracy Ogden
Staying right in the rain forest with all the sights and sounds of nature... Wonderful experience. Read full reviewReviewed on 31 Mar 2025 by Susan Rogers
Excellent. I had a terrific time with great people and saw plenty of wild life. Loved it! Seeing wildlife unique to Costa Rica and making new friends. Read full reviewReviewed on 14 Mar 2025 by Ann Griffiths
Seeing a quetzal on the last day in the forests - 4 stars. Read full reviewReviewed on 21 Oct 2024 by Katharine Bowlus
It was amazing to witness a green sea turtle laying her eggs and then to watch a different nest come alive as the baby turtles emerged!... Highly recommend this fabulous itinerary! Read full reviewReviewed on 23 May 2024 by Deborah Ehrenberg
13 out of 10!...The boat tours at Tortuguero, the cloud forest at Monte Verde (including the optional hanging bridges and zip wire excursions) the optional mangrove tour at Manuel Antonio, and staying at Esquinas - all in terms of spending time soaking up, understanding more and appreciating the different types of rainforest and ecosystems and their flora and fauna. Read full reviewReviewed on 31 Jan 2024 by Nikki Hancock
It was an amazing experience and a holiday too. We fell in love with Costa Rica, its people, food, and wildlife. Tortuguero was amazing and we got up really close to a sloth. The 13 zip lines were exhilarating and the monkeys, iguanas and beach at Manuel Antonio were all high points. Too many high points really! Read full reviewReviewed on 17 Jun 2024 by Renate Nahum
[The most memorable was] our guide Randall Obsney who knows everything about botany, animals, birds and humans! - Very good! Read full reviewReviewed on 28 Jan 2024 by Stella Jales
Excellent. A very different place to the UK. It was lovely to walk in the tropical forest and see the massive trees as well as spot the local animals although a bit too focused on the birds for those of us who were not 'bird watchers'. Great to meet local people on the chocolate and coffee plantations we visited. The accommodation was excellent and clean. Read full reviewReviewed on 28 May 2023 by Angie Rickard
10 out of 10! Johnny the guide is the best!!!! And Victor the driver was excellent and safe. The accomodations were great, meal options very good, lots of free time to go wandering.....and so much wildlife! Read full reviewReviewed on 05 Dec 2022 by Janie Hermans
Probably the best holiday for seeing so much nature and wildlife in different regions of Costa Rica. A lot of variable landscapes and you get to see so much of the country. Absolutely the best memorable holiday ever!!! Read full reviewReviewed on 22 Aug 2022 by Loris McEwan
Viewing all the wildlife, Seeing the Resplendent Quetzal and watching the Green Sea Turtles coming up the beach, making the nests, laying the eggs and covering up the eggs before going back to the sea... Excellent. Read full reviewReviewed on 15 Mar 2020 by Peter Linecar
Excellent. Would not hesitate to recommend the operator. Read full reviewReviewed on 12 Mar 2020 by Judith Barford
The holiday was great and our guide was brilliant. He knew so much about the wildlife and plants and trees and also gave us some history to the developments in Costa Rica. He was friendly and respectful and really made the holiday. The landscape did the rest. Read full reviewReviewed on 27 Jan 2020 by Helen Roberts
Fantastic. We all fell in love with Costa Rica and its Pura Vida. I have wanted to visit for many, many years and I was not disappointed. Read full reviewReviewed on 16 Feb 2020 by Alan Lees
The most memorable part of the holiday was river boat trip at Tortuguero which enabled close encounters with birds and animals.. Read full reviewReviewed on 14 Apr 2019 by Tim Graham
One of the best we have ever had. The whole trip was memorable for two main reasons the variety of scenery and the superb wildlife. Read full reviewReviewed on 27 Feb 2019 by Paula Cooke
Included memories are - Spider monkeys swinging jumping above us to reach the trees on opposite side of jungle river, finding red eyed tree frogs at night... an incredible display by the resplendent quetzal during a courting session Read full reviewReviewed on 25 Feb 2019 by Jean Thirkettle
The stay at Laguna Lodge was an amazing start with river trips and accommodation overlooking the river. Seeing Sloths close up and watching the antics of the capuchin monkeys was fun. Read full reviewReviewed on 21 Feb 2019 by Judith Dean
Where to start? The boat trips around the waterways of Tortuguero, the beach in the Manuel Antonio National Park, the Esquinas experience and having amazing views of Resplendent quetzals. Read full reviewReviewed on 02 Sep 2018 by Lee Truong
I had a great time! We had a great mix of personalities within our group, saw plenty of wildlife and ate lots of great food. Read full reviewReviewed on 28 May 2018 by Alan Nunn
The great diversity of this country, the climate and geographical changes, together with the plants, birds and mammals. Read full reviewReviewed on 15 May 2018 by Chris Schaefer
The highlight was Tortuguero National Park. An excellent trip; travelling for circa 3 to 4 hours every other day was acceptable and allowed approximately a day and a half at each new location. Guide was well informed, articulate and considerate. Read full reviewReviewed on 04 Apr 2018 by Andrew Newbold
Opportunity to see a wide range of wildlife in a good range of varied habitats. Facilitated by an excellent guide. Read full reviewReviewed on 06 Mar 2018 by Julie Taylor
The range of places, experiences and wildlife that we saw was the highlight. Outstanding. Read full reviewReviewed on 26 Feb 2018 by Hazel Nelson
The highlight was staying at Esquinas Lodge. Seeing 2 and 3 toed sloths, several different monkeys and masses of colourful birds. Excellent holiday! Read full reviewReviewed on 20 Mar 2018 by Jennifer Anderson
Despite it being the dry season, the colours, landscapes and sounds of Costa Rica were a continuing delight. So many birds, mammals, reptiles and interesting ecosystems to discover. Read full reviewReviewed on 19 Mar 2018 by Barry Singer
This trip includes walks through various forests; coastal, mountain, cloud forests and volcanos, and each was a wonderful experience. Both my wife and I had a wonderful, educational, and healthy trip. At the end we wanted to do it all over again. Read full reviewReviewed on 14 Dec 2017 by Stephen Lindsay
It was truly memorable, superbly organised and our guide Johnny Villalobos was absolutely brilliant. We stayed in 6 lodges in around the major National Parks plus San Jose, the capital. Read full reviewReviewed on 06 Apr 2017 by Alan Scarisbrick
Seeing a quetzal bird at close quarters was the highlight. Excellent trip. Read full reviewReviewed on 24 Mar 2017 by Alan Hunton
Seeing wildlife close-up and in wonderful country. Read full reviewReviewed on 07 Feb 2017 by Sandy Bagnall
The vast wealth of wildlife in this beautiful country and the ability and skill of our guide to find it ... and the abiding memory is the sound of a rainforest with all the insects, cicadas, and frogs and birds - day and night - continuous - MEMORABLE!! A lovely holiday, a beautiful country, welcoming people, an excellent guide. Read full reviewReviewed on 03 Oct 2016 by Steve Clements
The whole experience was mind blowing but I guess seeing a Sloth on the first day's lunch stop has to be the one (of the highlights). Read full reviewReviewed on 22 Feb 2016 by Duncan Priddle
Great variety of eco-lodge type locations enabled great wildlife watching. Playa blancas area favourite location. Read full reviewReviewed on 14 Feb 2016 by teresa yates
A wonderful experience with a good group of people Read full reviewReviewed on 10 Nov 2016 by Martyn Todd
The natural landscapes and forests along with the different mammals and birdlife. Resplenent Quetzal say no more!! Read full reviewReviewed on 08 Oct 2015 by Ursula Stanton
Staying in Tortuguera and floating down the canals thru the jungle watching birds, monkeys and iguanas. Read full reviewResponsible Travel
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) holiday so that you can travel knowing we've worked to maximise the benefits of your holiday to local people and places, and minimise any negative impacts.
Planet
Accommodation and Meals:We spend two weeks in a combination of hotels and eco-lodges around Costa Rica. We use fairly small, family run and locally staffed establishments which ensures that we are benefiting local communities. Our local operator is a leading member of the Rainforest Alliance and has been awarded a "4 Leaf" award from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute for their sustainable tourism practice & dedication to improving standards. An example of eco-friendly accommodation on this trip is the Esquinas Rainforest Lodge, a model project combining conservation, environmental research and community development in a rural area. It is 100 % carbon neutral and helps to fund local healthcare and education.
Activity:
Being a wildlife based tour, we are very conscious of our effects on the environment and how we can reduce negative impact and aid conservation. On this trip we visit national and private parks, including the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, one of the first community-managed reserves in the country. Entrance fees directly support conservation efforts in the areas we visit. Our activity also benefits the rural village of Copey, which is nestled in the highlands of the Central Mountain Range. By passing through this area, seeing how the locals live and work and having lunch in a typical home, we are encouraging cultural exchange and providing valuable avenues of income here.
UK Office:
It all starts at home so we have first worked at reducing our carbon footprint in our UK Offices. Through energy conservation measures and recycling policies, we are proud to be actively reducing the waste produced and our impact on the environment. We support various projects all over the world to try and give something back to the places we visit.
People
Charity:Last January we contributed school supplies though the Costa Rican Association of Tour Operators (ACOT). We organised the donation of school packages to children and teenagers in indigenous communities (Dueri, Cerro Alto, Tolok Saku, Jamaikiri, Tsinikicha, Mata de Limσn, San Miguel, Gandoca and Yorkin). If guests would like, they are also able to support local schools by delivering a gift of educational supplies when we visit Copey area on this tour. The cost of this is included in the full price of the tour. In terms of environmental charity, we give a monetary donation on a monthly basis to the Organisation for Tropical Studies.
Group Size:
This small group tour has a maximum of 16 participants, meaning that we have a low impact on the environments and communities we visit and are able to ensure that we do not disrupt or lead to the displacement of local people. The small number also allows us to stay in unique, family-run hotels that cannot benefit from coach tours and other mass tourism due to their limited sizes.
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