On your 10-day excursion to Costa Rica, your tour guide will lead you inside Costa Rica's exquisite rain and cloud forests. More than 27 percent of Costa Rica's land is dedicated to national parks, forest reserves and Indian reservations. Close encounters with unique, colorful wildlife await you in the beautiful Costa Rican rainforests.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - San Jose

Board your flight to Costa Rica. Arrive in the capital of San José, where you’ll be met by a Go Ahead representative and escorted to your hotel. Dinner is included upon your arrival. (D)

Day 2 - San Jose

This morning’s included excursion leads you into the Orosi Valley, one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful natural attractions—a land of mountains, rivers and waterfalls. You’ll then visit Cartago, the country’s former capital. Inside the city’s most historic church, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, lies La Negrita (Black Virgin), a small statue that has become a major pilgrimage site. Also included is a stop at Lankester Gardens, an orchid reserve with over 800 species. Later, your tour director introduces you to the highlights of San José including a visit to the Gold Museum.  (B, D)

Day 3 - Sarapiqui

As you head into Costa Rica’s central mountain region, stop at the Doka Estate, a coffee plantation over a century old. Here, the owners give you a private tour of the farming, milling and delicate roasting process. The plantation is nestled in the mountains, but not as high as your next stop—the Poás Volcano National Park, home of one of the largest active volcanoes. Arrive later in Sarapiquí. (B, D)

Day 4 - Arenal Region

Costa Rica is one of the world’s most progressive countries in its efforts to save the earth’s endangered rainforests. More than 850 species of birds, 200 species of mammals and one-tenth of the world’s butterfly species have been recorded within the country. This morning, visit the Butterfly Garden, a collection of hundreds of specimens. Experts here teach you about the stages of their complex life cycle. Then board a cruise boat for our Sarapiquí River Adventure—look out for howler monkeys, crocodiles and river turtles! (B, D)

Day 5 - Arenal Region

Explore the Arenal Region on a morning hike through Arenal National Park (7,200 acres), where you’ll have stunning views of its mile-high volcano, Costa Rica’s most active volcanic peak for the past 1,000 years. Later, opt to take the ultimate Treetops Walk on the Arenal Hanging Bridges. This evening, unwind with a visit to the local hot springs, a series of pools fed by the natural waters of the Arenal mountains. (B, D)

$49 USD

Treetops Walk *A Go Ahead Favorite excursion!* Discover Costa Rica's tropical birds and mammals on an informed trek through the treetops on Arenal's hanging bridges. See the rainforest below from a unique vantage point atop six hanging bridges.

Day 6 - Guanacaste

This morning, depart for the beaches of Guanacaste. You’ll drive around Lake Arenal on the way, as well as stop for a relaxing rafting excursion down the Corobicí River, where you might see toucans, falcons, iguana and monkeys. The floating tour ends in the Palo Verde Wildlife Reserve, host of 300 bird species. (B, D)

Day 7 - Guanacaste

On a full-day visit to Rincón de la Vieja National Park, a rain/cloud forest located deep in the highlands, visit geothermal hot springs similar to those at Yellowstone. (B, D)

Day 8 - Guanacaste

Guanacaste is known for its spectacular beaches—some are resort-like paradises, others are hidden and secluded. Spend the day exploring the beaches. In the evening, opt for our sunset sail in the harbor. (B, D)

$95 USD

Sunset sailing Sit back and unwind with a glass of wine and listen to relaxing music while enjoying the spectacular sunset over the Pacific Ocean. Please note: This excursion requires advance booking and payment at least 20 days prior to departure.

Day 9 - Guanacaste

Enjoy another day by the beach, or take an opportunity to try a number of outdoor activities, from horseback riding to jetski tours. (B, D)

Day 10 - Guanacaste

Transfer to the airport in Liberia for departure, or continue on to the Caribbean Coast for our relaxing tour extension. (B)

Please note that local weather conditions may necessitate slight variations to this itinerary.

Protect your investment with affordable travel protection

Basic Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage
Protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your trip or leave your tour unexpectedly due to an emergency. Or choose one of the comprehensive packages below, and receive a discounted rate!

TravelSafe Plus — For one low price, you’ll receive:

• Trip cancellation & interruption protection
• Medical & accident protection
• Baggage & property protection

TravelSafe Gold with Flight Cancellation Protection
Take advantage of the best possible deal for your investment dollar. For $60 USD more, you’ll get all of the above plus additional coverage (up to $1,000 USD) if the flight to your tour is cancelled due to reasons beyond your control.

Purchase your travel protection package early and receive an added benefit!
Purchase one of the above TravelSafe packages within 14 days of reserving your tour, and you’ll automatically receive AnyTime Travel Protection at no additional charge. This means you can cancel for any reason up to 72 hours prior to the departure of your initial flight and still protect your investment. You will be provided with a credit voucher towards your next Go Ahead tour.

What’s unique about these protection plans?

• Most primary travel protection companies don’t cover international travel.
• Under the AnyTime Travel Protection Plan, you can cancel for any reason and your investment is protected in the form of a credit voucher.
• Efekta travel protection covers lost or stolen cash while on tour.
• Efekta travel protection covers the cost towards replacement of valuable documents—such as passports, airline tickets and visas while on tour.
• In the event that your roommate cancels for a reason covered under the policy, you will be reimbursed for the single supplement fee, should you still choose to travel.
• The following policies are also available to be purchased separately:
  • Medical & Accident: $70 USD
  • Baggage & Property: $60 USD

Extended Protection Plan
The Extended Protection Plan allows you to purchase extended coverage for any travel you do before or after meeting up with your Go Ahead Tours tour group (with flights arranged by Go Ahead Tours).

For more detailed descriptions of the benefits available under Efekta Insurance International LTD's Travel Protection Plans please call 1-800-597-0350 or download a PDF copy of the Efekta Travel Protection booklet here.

Passport & Visa

In order to enter Costa Rica, U.S. citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return to the United States. No visa is required for U.S. citizens. If you are not a U.S. citizen, contact the Costa Rican consulate for your particular entry requirements.

Health

Travelers should be reasonably fit (see “Walking on Tour” for more information). Take proper care for sun exposure.

There is also some risk of mosquito-born diseases, especially in the rainforests and national parks. Consult your doctor at least eight weeks prior to departure about possible preventive measures and personal travel requirements.

Transportation / Walking on tour

Round-trip flights arrive in and depart from Guanacaste (Liberia). Included transportation on “Costa Rican Rainforests” is by private motorcoach. Destinations on tour are all easily walkable, although some local buses may be available.

Clothing & Packing Tips

Your Costa Rican itinerary focuses on the outdoors, so your clothing should be casual and appropriate for outdoor use. Loose-fitting, layered clothing that can accommodate varying temperatures will probably be most comfortable. A sun hat, sunglasses, and a bathing suit are recommended. Sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots are crucial. Occasional rain showers are common in the areas you will be visiting, so pack light rain wear. Binoculars are very useful for bird and animal-watching, along with a field guide if you are particularly interested in specifics about the different species you’ll spot. Insect repellent is highly recommended for visits to the rain forests.

Be sure to visit www.travelsmith.com, official outfitter for Go Ahead Tours. Please enter JY9220 in the field for Catalog Key Code when creating your account!

Currency

The Costa Rican colón is the currency you will be using on your tour, but U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere. Better rates of exchange are usually
available at your destination rather than in the United States, although it is worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive. We strongly advise that you take a combination of debit/bank cards and credit cards, which may be exchanged at local banks for cash as needed. You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.

We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.

Please note: It has been increasingly difficult to exchange traveler’s checks outside of Costa Rica’s major cities—both at banks and shops—and they often attract higher fees.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Go Ahead Tour Director and driver a gratuity. We recommend $2 per person per day for your driver and $4 to $6 per person per day for your tour director. If applicable, we also recommend $1 per local guide. Tips can only be paid in cash.