In the heart of Costa Rica, bustling capital city, San Jose, is surrounded by the pretty hillsides of the Central Valley. Scattered with lively towns, characterful villages, coffee plantations and fincas, almost 70% of the country’s population live here.
Rugged mountains of the highlands fringe the valley including two of the country’s most active volcanoes, Irazu and Poas, along with the mystical cloud forests of Villa Blanca and Los Angeles, which are rich in biodiversity and just an hour’s drive from the capital.
Ringed by green hills and rumbling mountains, Costa Rica’s capital city San Jose is relatively modern compared to its Latin America counterparts. It’s certainly worth a visit for a night or two and is brimming with opulent theatres, intriguing museums and a maze of streets where colourful murals rule.
It’s not just about where you go, but how you experience it. I’m here to turn that trip into an adventure you’ll cherish.
Trip ideas
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Essential Costa Rica
Costa Rica Independent Self DriveFrom the bustling streets of a vibrant capital city to the lofty cloud forests of the Highlands, this budget-friendly self-drive trip packs in all the star highlights.
From £1480 Excluding Flights
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Luxury, Wellness and Adventure in Costa Rica
Costa Rica IndependentFrom the wild and remote Osa Peninsula to the chic beach vibes of Santa Teresa, it’s time to treat yourself to the best of Costa Rica.
From £5295 Excluding Flights
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Hike and Drive Costa Rica
Costa Rica Self DriveLace up your boots and put your best foot forward on this active adventure through some of Costa Rica's most stunning and remote spots.
From £2460 Excluding Flights
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Costa Rica Coast to Coast
Costa Rica Self DriveExplore two very different coastlines, from the Caribbean vibes of the southeast to the gorgeous tropical beaches of the Pacific Ocean.
From £2638 Excluding Flights
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Wildlife and Nature of Costa Rica
Costa Rica Self DriveTake a front-row seat for nature’s greatest show: this wildlife journey through Costa Rica provides animal encounters like nowhere else on earth.
From £3902 Excluding Flights
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Costa Rica Discovery
Costa Rica Independent Self DriveDiscover Costa Rica’s best bits, from the flooded canals of Tortuguero to the Osa Peninsula, one of the most biodiverse spots on the planet.
From £3195 Excluding Flights
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Green Season Highlights
Costa Rica Self DriveMake the most of Costa Rica’s quieter green season, exploring the best of the east and the colourful Caribbean Coast.
From £3920 Excluding Flights
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Costa Rican Family Adventure
Costa Rica Independent Self DriveCosta Rica's unique blend of adventure, nature and culture promises unforgettable memories for every generation.
From £4360 Excluding Flights
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Birdwatching Costa Rica
Costa Rica Self DriveStay in seven of our favourite birding hot spots, each with its own unique ecosystem revealing a staggering variety of birds and other wildlife.
From £3232 Excluding Flights
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Authentic Costa Rica
Costa Rica Self DriveTake an immersive journey through Costa Rica’s culture, flavours and traditions.
From £3128 Excluding Flights
Trip experiences
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Don Carlos Coffee Estate Experience, Chayote Lodge
Costa RicaOne of Costa Rica’s signature exports, coffee has been a fundamental pillar of society here for over 200 years. Known locally as the ‘golden bean’, no trip to Costa Rica is complete without finding out more about this ubiquitous part of its national identity.
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Quetzal Experience at Dawn, San Gerardo de Dota
Costa RicaThe striking plumage of the quetzal makes it truly the jewel of Costa Rica’s vibrant bird species. Shimmering tail feathers stream behind, trailing up to 20 inches long, while its dazzling blue and green plumage reveals flashes of a ruby red chest when in flight.
Accommodation ideas
Other Costa Rica regions
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Arenal and the North
It’s like the dramatic terrain of this region was custom-built for adventure. Volcanoes, mountains, thunderous waterfalls, natural hot springs and raging rivers that stretch all the way north to the Nicaraguan border.
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Central Pacific Coast and Central Highlands
Pristine beaches, coral reef, rainforest and sunsets - Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast is ideal for any outdoor enthusiast, with wildlife and birdlife galore. The undoubted jewel of the region is Manuel Antonio National Park but don’t skip the prolific birdlife of Carara National Park.
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Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula
Picture palm-fringed beaches lapped by the azure waters of the Pacific Ocean, stunning wetlands, one of the world's last tropical dry forests, and spectacular volcanic backdrops... Costa Rica’s northwest really is the quintessential tropical paradise.
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Monteverde Cloud Forest
Perched upon the continental divide amid the peaks of the Tilaran Cordillera, towering trees reach high into the mist. Draped in moss, ferns and epiphytes, the atmosphere feels almost prehistoric.
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Osa Peninsula and South Pacific Coast
Breathtakingly beautiful and brimming with wildlife of all shapes and sizes, the Osa Peninsula forms one of Costa Rica’s most important ecosystems.
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Tortuguero and Caribbean Coast
Costa Rica’s east coast is a spectacular blend of golden beaches, swaying palm trees and the warm waters of the Caribbean from Tortuguero to Puerto Viejo.
