Costa Rica Pura Vida Adventure
About the Trip
November 16–27, 2025 | 12 Days
Explore Costa Rica’s diverse landscapes, wildlife and culture on a 12-day odyssey through mountains and rainforests. Begin in San José, delving into the city’s vibrant history and culinary delights with a market-to-table cooking experience. Venture to Tortuguero to spot colourful birds and frogs along its picturesque canals. Journey to the Arenal Volcano area for thrilling canopy adventures and rejuvenating hot springs. Discover Monteverde’s cloud forests, a haven for biodiversity, and experience a captivating coffee and chocolate tour. Finish in Tamarindo, where you can relax on sun-kissed beaches and enjoy a catamaran voyage along the stunning coastline. This tropical adventure promises unforgettable encounters with nature at every turn.
Member Exclusive Benefits
We reward all our CAA Members on our Extraordinary Explorations® tours.
- Plaza Premium Lounge pass†
- 50 CAA Dollars®^
- 25% savings on CAA Travel Insurance◊
Extraordinary Experience
CAA has curated an exceptional experience unique to your tour. Details of this experience are listed below:
Costa Rica Coffee and Chocolate Discovery Tour
Prepare your tastebuds for a delicious treat as you visit a local plantation for a coffee and chocolate tour including a hands-on chocolate-making lesson and tasting. First, you’ll learn about the history of coffee and its importance to Costa Rica. During the tour, you’ll see the entire coffee process unfold, from selecting the seeds to tasting a delicious cup of coffee. The next part is a chocolate-lover’s heaven as you participate in the complete process of making and enjoying some delicious chocolate samples.
Package Includes:
- Airfare from Toronto or Winnipeg to San José, and return from Liberia to Toronto or Winnipeg
- 2-night stay in moderate-class accommodation in San José
- 2-night stay in first-class lodge accommodation in Tortuguero
- 2-night stay in moderate-class accommodation in Arenal
- 2-night stay in moderate-class lodge accommodation in Monteverde
- 3-night stay in first-class accommodation in Tamarindo
- 11 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners and 1 tasting
- Land transportation via first-class motor coach
- All bridge, ferry and road tolls
- Sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary
- Local English-speaking naturalist guide
- Prepaid gratuities
- Destination transfers
- CAA Host
Costa Rica Pura Vida Adventure
Activity Level: Active. Indulge your spirit of adventure on a 12-day tour of Costa Rica from San Jose to Tamarindo filled with wildlife, hiking and culinary experiences.
Day 1
San José – Arrive, and meet your naturalist guide and driver.
Day 2
San Jose – After breakfast, explore the city with your guide. Visit the Gold Museum, National Museum, National Theater, Cathedral and La Sabana Park. Prepare and enjoy a locally-sourced farm-to-table dinner with a personal chef. (B/D)
Day 3
Tortuguero – Start the day with breakfast in Guapiles before arriving in La Pavona for a boat tour of the canals of Tortuguero. (B/L/D)
Day 4
Tortuguero – Discover the wonders of Tortuguero National Park and visit the eco-conscious village of Tortuguero. Immerse yourself in the region’s natural beauty and sustainable practices. (B/L/D)
Day 5
Arenal – Travel from Tortuguero to the Arenal Volcano area, with scenic stops and a delicious lunch along the way. Arrive and relax before a group dinner. (B/L/D)
Day 6
Arenal – Experience the thrill of a canopy tour of Arenal Volcano. Explore the Sky Walk for breathtaking panoramas. Visit the Sloth Territory Rescue Sanctuary and unwind at Ecotermales Hot Springs. Option to join a zipline tour through the forest canopy. (B/L/D)
Day 7
Monteverde – Explore Arenal Volcano National Park and the Fortuna Waterfall before heading to Monteverde. Enjoy a night walk through Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. (B/D)
Day 8
Monteverde – Trek the Curicancha Path to observe birds and mammals in the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Visit a local plantation for a coffee and chocolate making tour including hands-on experiences and tastings. (B/L/T)
Day 9
Tamarindo – Travel to Tamarindo on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, where you can enjoy leisure time by the ocean. (B)
Day 10
Tamarindo – Spend the day relaxing or exploring Tamarindo, with an optional visit to Playa Grande for a chance to see turtles. (B)
Day 11
Tamarindo – Embark on a catamaran adventure along the coastline. Return for a leisurely day at the resort and a farewell dinner. (B/D)
Day 12
Transfer from the hotel to Liberia Airport for your return flight home. (B)
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner | T - Tasting
Terms & Conditions
*All CAA Member prices are per person, based on single occupancy, in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated and are subject to change without prior notice until final payment is paid. All prices are correct at press time and apply to new bookings only, based on availability at time of booking. To receive CAA Member-exclusive benefits, there must be one valid CAA Member travelling per booking. Non-members booking Extraordinary Explorations will not receive Member-exclusive benefits.
†Plaza Premium Lounge is based on one voucher per person and applies to departures from Canadian airports where applicable. Subject to availability.
^CAA Dollars awarded per adult Member. To earn and redeem CAA Dollars, you must be a current CAA Member in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). CAA Dollars will be credited at time of departure. For more information on CAA Dollars, please visit www.caasco.com/caadollars.
◊CAA Travel Insurance, an Orion Travel Insurance product, is underwritten by Echelon Insurance. Twenty-five percent (25%) Member savings is made up of a ten percent (10%) Member savings as well as a promotional fifteen percent (15%) savings when you purchase an Extraordinary Explorations tour through CAA Travel, applies to CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba Members in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). This promotional offer is valid until December 31, 2025. Ten percent (10%) Member savings applies to Members in good standing of all other CAA clubs. Savings apply to the total premium excluding applicable taxes. Minimum premium applies. Visitors to Canada Insurance is limited to promotional savings. Certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply. Subject to change without notice. A Medical Questionnaire may be required to purchase travel insurance.
Extraordinary Explorations vacations are organized and booked by CAA Travel (South Central Ontario) Inc. and CAA Manitoba (“CAA Travel”) on behalf of CAA Club Group (o/a CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba). In the event of an increase in any of the cost factors, CAA Travel reserves the right to increase the price whereby the provisions of the Travel Industry Act shall prevail. CAA Extraordinary Explorations packages are 100% non-refundable at final payment. CAA Travel service fee for cancellation prior to final payment varies by program. For full payment terms and conditions, please ask your CAA Travel Consultant. CAA Travel reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule any tour departure in accordance with operating requirements (minimum number of participants) or circumstances beyond its control. Additional fees for checked luggage or other incidentals may be incurred and vary according to itinerary and airline. Air schedules with some tours are not available at press time and may include several connections or forced overnight at passenger’s expense. CAA Travel strongly recommends the purchase of trip cancellation and emergency travel and emergency medical insurance at the time of booking.
Please note: Participants must be able to embark and disembark cruise ships and coaches without assistance as well as have a good level of mobility for walking tours in destinations where stairs and traditional cobblestone streets can be challenging. International transportation vehicles and facilities may not meet accessibility standards.
Flight
IncludedTour Itinerary
Day 1
San Jose
Upon arrival, meet your naturalist guide and driver who will be with you throughout the tour.
Day 2
San Jose
After breakfast, explore the city with your guide by visiting the Gold Museum, National Museum, National Theater, Cathedral and La Sabana Park. Your tour ends with a visit to the Central Market to purchase the products needed for your cooking class this evening. Your personal chef will join you at the market to assist with your food selections, then lead your cooking class before you sit down to enjoy the market-to-table meal you’ve prepared. (B/D)
Day 3
Tortuguero
Early morning departure for a drive to the Caribbean lowlands. Stop in the city of Guapiles for breakfast. Continue to La Pavona and take a boat to access the canals of Tortuguero. Renowned for its extensive network of meandering canals, which crisscross throughout the verdant landscape, the Tortuguero canals offer a serene and immersive way to explore the region’s rich biodiversity. (B/L/D)
Day 4
Tortuguero
Today you’ll set out to explore the breathtaking expanse of the Tortuguero National Park along Costa Rica’s picturesque Caribbean coast, and visit the village of Tortuguero, which epitomizes the essence of sustainable ecotourism. Surrounded by lush, tropical lowland rainforests teeming with life, this enchanting village offers visitors a gateway to a world of natural wonders. (B/L/D)
Day 5
Arenal
After breakfast, meander through the canals until you reach the dock where your driver is waiting to take you to the Arenal Volcano area. Enjoy a lunch stop along the way. Upon arrival, enjoy the rest of your day at leisure until your group dinner. (B/L/D)
Day 6
Arenal
This morning you’ll go on a canopy tour with spectacular views of the Arenal Volcano. Take the Sky Walk along a series of bridges and metal structures offering spectacular views of the rainforest and lake. You’ll also take the Sky Tram to go up to the mountain's highest point, offering incomparable views of the landscape below. Visit the Sloth Territory Rescue Sanctuary this afternoon to see these incredible animals up close. Soak away your stress this evening at the Ecotermales Hot Springs, followed by dinner. (B/L/D)
Optional Tour: Canopy Tour Ziplining
You can choose to see the forest from a different angle on a Sky Trek, which combines a Sky Tram ride up to the mountain’s highest point followed by a zipline descent along a series of steel platforms.
Day 7
Monteverde
Spend some time exploring the Arenal Volcano National Park and Fortuna Waterfall, which is fed by the Río Fortuna and its small tributaries. At the base of the waterfall, you’ll find a natural pool where you can enjoy a refreshing swim. Enjoy the breathtaking views around Arenal Lake as you head towards Monteverde. This evening, enjoy a night walk through Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve to discover the nocturnal wonders of the forest. (B/D)
Day 8
Monteverde
This morning, take a tour of the Curicancha Path which begins in the lowest part of a private farm. You’ll walk along nature trails through a variety of habitats as you observe birds and mammals in open areas bordering the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Continue towards your Extraordinary Experience and visit a local plantation for a coffee and chocolate-making tour and tasting. First, learn about the history of coffee and its importance to Costa Rica. During the tour, see the entire coffee process from seed to cup. Next is a chocolate-making tour where you’ll have the opportunity to make and sample some delicious chocolate. (B/L/T)
Day 9
Tamarindo
After a leisurely breakfast, head towards the northern part of Costa Rica’s Pacific coast to the oceanside town of Tamarindo. The rest of your day is at leisure. (B)
Day 10
Tamarindo
Spend the day at leisure relaxing at the hotel or exploring the town. This evening, you’ll have the opportunity to visit Playa Grande for a chance to see turtles on the beach. (B)
Day 11
Tamarindo
After breakfast, head out on a catamaran boat to explore the coastline from the water. Return to the resort with the rest of your day at leisure to enjoy the facilities and the beach until it’s time for your farewell dinner. (B/D)
Day 12
Transfer from the hotel to Liberia Airport for your return flight home. (B)
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner | T - Tasting
Ziplining on Canopy Tour
Optional tour for Day 6.