Irazu Volcano in Costa Rica

Costa Rica Eco Tour: Off the Beaten Track

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist

Countries Visited

Costa Rica

Places Visited

San Jose, Heredia, Irazu Volcano, Bajo Tigre...

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Suggested Duration

10 Days

This luxurious, 10-day eco-adventure leads you from coffee plantations to an active volcano and immersive rainforest. Venture off the beaten track in Costa Rica, which is the home of eco-adventures and lazy days of exploring the rainforest in a variety of different ways. In addition to experiencing some of the very best natural landscapes, you will be immersed with the monkeys and sea turtles of the Caribbean coastline. Including organic spa treatments, luxurious eco-lodges, and intimate connections...

Customizable Itinerary

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Trip Highlights

  • Raft through the jungle to a luxurious eco-lodge escape, where you can spend four days away from the bustle of a major metropolis
  • Learn about sea turtle conservation during two days on the Caribbean beaches of Tortuguero
  • Hike through organic coffee and cacao plantations before tasting your way through the local, artisanal produce
  • Stand on top of an active volcano and be amazed by its spectacular crater pools
  • Gasp at monkeys and strange reptiles when cruising through the forest canals of Tortuguero National Park
  • Immerse yourself in an indigenous Cabecar community for a day deep in the Talamanca Mountains
  • Zipline through a rainforest canopy, abseil down a waterfall, and feel the adventure of a Costa Rican eco-tour
  • Snorkel along the Caribbean coast and come face to face with many exotic marine creatures
  • Indulge in spa treatments that make organic use of Costa Rica’s rich, natural resources

Detailed Description

If you were to dream of the classic Costa Rican experience, it would probably include a volcano, some beautiful beaches, and exploring a rainforest canopy. The country is dominated by volcanos and a cloud forest, so you do need to follow a standard route to enjoy these iconic images. Most visitors venture to the Pacific Ocean beaches along the Pan-American Highway, but there is a spectacular Caribbean coast that mostly goes unnoticed. With this Costa Rican tour, you will venture off the beaten track to discover nature without the crowds. The attractions and experiences will be just as impressive as the landmarks, except they will feel more authentic because they remain so unexplored.

Eco is a buzzword in the travel industry, especially in this Central American nation. Almost everything and everywhere claims to be eco, which can be inspiring given that Costa Rica aims to become the world’s first carbon-neutral country. This adventurous ten days handpicks Costa Rica’s best eco-experiences, including staying at a luxurious lodge that is hidden deep within its own reserve, organic spas and plantations, and activities that will help you to preserve sea turtle and monkey populations for future generations. You will also hike to meet an indigenous, Cabecar community, where you will actively support their continued traditions. With the rafting, canyoning, hiking, and snorkeling, the focus will be on sustainable operators that can use tourism to preserve Costa Rica’s special and unique places.

Instead of rushing around the country, you will have a leisurely ten days that features three different overnight locations. You will land in San Jose, where you will spend your first two days in Heredia at a charming lodge that will be located on an organic coffee plantation. Here, you can enjoy Costa Rica’s natural resources from coffee and cacao to spa treatments and organic gastronomy. On day three, you will peer inside Irazu Volcano to get a feel for the country’s volcanic allure before drifting down a river to one of the world’s ultimate eco-lodges. This haven away from home is off the grid, completely sustainable, and rustically luxurious. You will have four nights hidden inside this lodge’s private reserve, and your days can be customized to your interests.

During a stay at this Bajo Tigre lodge, you will meet with the Cabecar people in the Talamanca Mountains, zipline through the rainforest canopy, explore nature on hikes and water-based activities, and discover how an eco-lodge can be one of the leading lodges of the world. Tortuguero National Park will complete your tour, and here, you can bask in the beauty of the Caribbean coast for three days at a lodge that is hidden within a forest but also overlooks the ocean. Here, you will cruise the Tortuguero canals in search of monkeys and reptiles, snorkel at pristine reefs, and spend a day helping with sea turtle conservation. Just like in Heredia and Bajo Tigre, you will enjoy exciting, Costa Rican experiences that do not need to be shared with others.

Starting Price

$2,335 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.

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