Wild Wonders of Costa Rica 2026

Bienvenido! Welcome to Costa Rica! Cute sloths, boat rides and ziplines are waiting in the Pura Vida playground of Costa Rica and we can’t wait to show you them all. On arrival, you have one group transfer to your hotel. Relax or hit the pool for a swim before meeting your Travel Director and fellow adventurers for some Fiesta Fun at our Kickoff Party.

Hotel: Sheraton San Jose Hotel or similar
Meals: Dinner

Rise this morning and head east through Braulio Carrillo National Park, where we’ll embark on a river journey through protected wetlands to secluded Tortuguero as we glide through canals, lagoons and lowland rainforest. Meet master chocolatiers, Julio Fernandez and George Soriano, to learn about the history of chocolate and how it is produced at this small workshop. Then continue to your Stays with Stories at Laguna Lodge, where you’ll learn the story of how the lodge was built with materials that protect this biodiverse environment and natural habitat (subject to availability).  For dinner tonight enjoy a buffet at the resort’s open-air restaurant.

Hotel: Laguna Lodge Tortuguero (standard room/garden view) or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

There’s nothing like the wake-up call of a troop of howler monkeys to start your day. Set off on a Family Fun cruise through the park’s canals with your Local Specialist and guide to explore the lush waterways of Tortuguero National Park. You may want to start a tally of all the types of wildlife you’ll see. Look out for sloths, green iguanas, caiman, crocodiles and colorful toucans. Of course, you’ll spot tons of monkeys – agile howler and spider monkeys and white-faced capuchins swinging through the dense rainforest canopy. This afternoon, venture back out on the canals to add to your wildlife tally or relax back at the lodge, the choice is yours. A MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience awaits this evening as you enjoy dinner while the young musicians of Tortuguero Music School entertain you with the joyful sounds of the Caribbean.

Hotel: Laguna Lodge Tortuguero (standard room/garden view) or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Bid adiós to the monkeys for now as you boat back to the mainland and travel to Horquetas. Here you’ll “Make Travel Matter” and visit a local Tico family’s palm plantation to learn how they grow this exotic vegetable. Taste something you’ve probably never tried before, the delicate heart of palm. After, head to a local restaurant for some refreshing passion fruit sorbet and view some of the huge green iguanas that hang around. This evening, enjoy a pizza party in an open-air kitchen where kids get to make their own pizza.

Hotel: Hotel Arenal Paraiso Resort and Spa or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, head to the Arenal Hanging Bridges to walk eye-level with the lush canopy, observe the monkeys, sloths and chattering birds up close, and look out to see the towering Arenal Volcano. Later, meet our hosts Rodrigo, Ana Julia and their family, for a Be My Guest experience hearing the amazing stories of the volcano eruptions (subject to availability). Explore the beautiful botanical garden and finish with lunch at the family ranch. Later, relax in the thermal springs or take a swim in the pool back at the hotel.

Hotel: Hotel Arenal Paraiso Resort and Spa or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Imagine yourself soaring high above the jungle floor as you zipline (waiver required) through the treetops, eye-to-eye with the lush foliage and ocean views. Later, head south to Manuel Antonio, renowned for its warm blue waters, beautiful beaches and abundant exotic wildlife.

Hotel: Parador Nature Resort and Spa or similar
Meals: Breakfast

Walking deep into the national park with your Local Specialist guide, you’ll definitely check off a few more creatures on your wildlife list. At last count, there were 109 different animals and 184 species of birds living here. Listen to the whooping bark of howler monkeys and the chattering of mischievous squirrels and white-faced monkeys. Then, it’s time to hit the beach. Laze in the warm Pacific or choose an optional Mangrove Kayak tour, or Open Sea Kayak and Snorkel tour, where you may see various bird species, reptiles, anteaters, and white-faced monkeys. This evening, join your fellow explorers to celebrate new friendships over a Farewell Dinner at the hotel.

Hotel: Parador Nature Resort and Spa or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

Travel back to San Jose’s Juan Santamaria International Airport for your flight home or consider extending your stay at the Sheraton San Jose. Airport arrival on November 8 will be approximately 11:00 am, so flights home will be in the afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotels, activities, and daily itinerary are subject to change