- Costa Rica
- Best of Costa Rica with Volcano Mini Tour Extension
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 Sky Adventure Park.
Extend your stunning Costa Rican experience with this 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 Irazu Volcano and the Valley of Orosi; this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to discover natural beauty at its most impressive.
Dinner
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.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This morning you will leave Alajuela and start your journey to the mystical town of Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast. We schedule breakfast before leaving the hotel for your first taste of the traditional gallo pinto (black beans and rice), then a quick stop in Guapiles. Continuing your journey to the port you will travel through small villages and banana plantations. A gentle boat ride through the jungle canals will follow to arrive at your lodge in Tortuguero. Following lunch, travel by boat through the maze of canals within the national park, for the best chance to spot the wildlife of the rainforest. Tortuguero literally means 'region of turtles' and it is no surprise that it is home to seven species of turtles as well as being the most important nesting site for the green sea turtle. The area also contains a great diversity of crustaceans and many species of freshwater fish.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Following an early breakfast, start your day with a fascinating hike through the rainforest nature trails at your lodge, home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. Enjoy lunch at your lodge and then a visit to Tortuguero town. With no cars or streets, the town is sandwiched between a Caribbean beach on one side and waterways on the other. Spend some time exploring this charming town where you may even be lucky enough to spot some turtles nesting on the beach if you are travelling between July and October. The rest of the afternoon will be free to relax with dinner at your lodge.
Breakfast & Lunch
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.
Breakfast
After breakfast, trace old lava flows around a private hiking trail at its base of the Arenal Volcano. Along the way, discover wild sloths, monkeys and toucans inquisitively peer out of their fertile habitats, and relish in vistas overlooking the imposing Volcano, as well as visit the remains of the last volcanic eruption in 1968. Once you have completed the hike, you will visit the La Fortuna Village with free time for shopping and lunch.
Breakfast & Lunch
Monteverde is a world above the coastal towns at high altitude (1440m above sea level) allowing it to receive the steady supply of clouds and the life-giving moisture they contain. On the journey, take in the beautiful landscape of Lake Arenal and pass through some typical country villages, before visiting the Arenal Vida Campesina Cultural Experience. During the tour of the organic farm, we will enjoy the cultural activity of grinding sugar cane in the trapiche troja with a tasting of three different derivatives: sugar cane juice, guaro (national liquor), and peeled cane. Folkloric dances will be performed accompanied by music and colourful typical Costa Rican costumes. You will also be able to taste the fruits in the harvest of the farm and receive a tortilla class, where you will have to demonstrate your skills to knead and prepare the tortilla with the palms of your hands. In the end, you will be delighted with a delicious typical organic lunch prepared over wood and buffet style. Later, arrive at your hotel where you will be taken for an introduction to the town of Santa Elena, famous for one of South America's most resplendent birds, the Quetzal.
Breakfast & Lunch
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. After, travel to San Jose for dinner and your final night.
Breakfast
Transfer to Alajuela, Costa Rica's 2nd largest city. Upon arrival check-in to your hotel.
Breakfast & Lunch
After breakfast you'll begin your journey to Poas Volcano National Park. Measuring an impressive 8,885 ft, this stratovolcano is 1,050 feet deep and its crater spans over a mile across. During you visit, you'll have time to enjoy the impressive main crater with its sulphur fumaroles. From here, enjoy a delicious lunch at Doka Estate and learn about the 'golden bean', a term used to describe the unique coffee of Costa Rica. The next stop for the day is to the town of Grecia; deemed one of the cleanest towns in Latin America, Grecia is home to one of the only metal churches in Central America. The final destination of the day is the town of Sarchi, known as the cradle of Costa Rican artists. Famed for their intricate and beautifully decorated oxcarts, the artists of this town are immensely proud of their creations and welcome visitors.
Breakfast & Lunch
After an early breakfast you'll be picked up at your hotel. Today's tour will begin with a trek south along the Pan-American Highway until you reach the base of 'Iztaru', the name of an indigenous village situated on the flanks of the volcano, which is most likely the origin for the current name of the Irazu Volcano. Traversing the winding roads over fertile lands, you'll be treated to incredible panoramic views of the surrounding hills and valleys. If the weather is clear when you reach the top of the summit, enjoy breath-taking views of both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Descending into the city of Cartago, the group will stop at the Virgin of the Angels Basilica, a famous peregrination site for many believers who undertake long pilgrimages to reach the site. Teeming with amazing vaulted ceilings and impeccable examples of stained-glass windows, this Basilica is a must-visit attraction. From here, you'll enjoy a visit to the Lankester Gardens, a University of Costa Ria Centre that researches and protects more than 800 species of orchids, bromeliads and countess other plant species. To end the day, you'll continue to the Valley Orosi, an area that overflows with unrivalled beauty. Visit one of the few remaining colonial churches and enjoy a delightful traditional lunch at one of the local restaurants.
Breakfast
This day is yours to spend at leisure.
Breakfast
After breakfast transfer back to San Jose for your return flight to the UK.
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The order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. The schedules of the domestic airlines in country are subject to frequent changes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. Some road construction &/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however, order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions.
If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of £295.00pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
A visa is not required for your trip to Costa Rica. Further advice should be sought from the applicable tourist authority for other nationalities and for general queries. We strongly advise you check your destinations’ Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding passport validity. Please note if your flight is via America an ESTA will be required.
(April to October) - Your flight is to San Jose Airport will be with United Airlines ( UA) via Houston, departing from London Heathrow. Each passenger is entitled to 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. *If any passengers have travelled to Cuba since 2021, they cannot apply for an ESTA and will need to apply for a USA visitor visa .
(November to March) 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 21 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.
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.
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.
The currency in Costa Rica is the Costa Rica Colon, known as CRC, but US Dollars are also widely accepted in the major cities. It is preferable if you have smaller denominations. We recommend that you exchange your currency before you leave the UK. It is important that you budget carefully and ensure you have the right form of currency before you arrive in the country. Cash machines will also be available throughout the tour in order to withdraw money in your local currency.
As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit. MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels as well as American Express.
You will need to take money with you to cover any personal purchases such as souvenirs, laundry, any meals not included in the itinerary as well as drinks (and alcoholic drinks) and any additional snacks; Approximately £200- £400 per person will be sufficient for the duration of the tour. It is a good idea to try and maintain a supply of small notes and change in the local currency for tipping or small purchases.
It is at your discretion to tip both your driver and guide. We would recommend to tip approximately US$5.00 per person per day for the tour guide and US$3.00 per person per day for the driver. This is a total of USD64 per person to budget for tips on your trip. As tipping is at your discretion, please tip as and when you feel appropriate too. Tips are accepted in the local currency and US Dollars.
The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 10, and the maximum will be 40. If in the unlikely event there are less than 10 people booked on your tour date, we will endeavour to reduce any disruption to your holiday and try to operate your tour with lower passenger numbers. If we are not able to operate your departure date, then you may be asked to change to a different date and a full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.
There is no minimum number of travellers for this extension however the main tour passenger numbers will apply for the main part of the tour. If in the unlikely event there are less than the required number of people booked on your main tour date then you may be asked to change to a different date. A full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.
Best Of Costa Rica: This is a fully escorted tour, meaning that you will be met on arrival by your national guide who will remain with you for the duration of your trip. You will also be joined by a local guide in each of the cities which you visit, ensuring that you always have first-hand knowledge. Should the tour not meet minimum numbers, then it will be operated with local guides only.
Private Tour: If you have booked a private tour then you will be accompanied by a Driver Guide or a Driver and Local Guides. These will be available to you during all scheduled sightseeing. Private Tours can depart on any day of the week depending on flight and train schedules and the opening days of the attractions. They will follow the itinerary as described in the brochure unless you have been advised otherwise and you will still have all of the same meals, sightseeing and local excursions included.
Volcano Mini Tour: You will not have a tour guide throughout the whole of your extension. A tour guide will accompany you only for any excursions during your extension.
Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort or character, and can range from business hotels to leisure hotels. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist compared to what you might expect in the UK. All group tours hotels have private bathroom facilities and air-conditioning, where needed. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs.
Breakfast is always western style and served in the hotel each morning. Lunch and dinner (when included) will be taken in local restaurants or at the hotel. A variety of restaurants are visited giving you the chance to experience a range of dishes and flavours.
On your arrival in San José you will be met by a representative from our local agent, Best of Costa Rica, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays”. The Mercury Holidays/Best of Costa Rica representative will show you to your transfer vehicle. Your national guide will be on hand 24 hours a day should you have any queries.
If you need to contact your representative during your stay the details are:
Best of Costa Rica: Contact number: 00506 2290 1302 E-mail: mercuryholidays@bestcostaricadmc.com
Emergency contact information: Please find below the emergency contact details for Best of Costa Rica Contact details: 24 hour telephone: 00506 8936 1212 24 hour email dddress: mercuryholidays@bestcostaricadmc.com