Discover the wild beauty of Costa Rica on an unforgettable journey through lush rainforests, misty cloud forests, and sun-drenched Pacific beaches. From the towering slopes of Arenal Volcano to the treetop canopy of Monteverde and the wildlife-rich shores of Manuel Antonio, each day reveals a new side of this vibrant country. Sip freshly brewed coffee, cruise tropical rivers, and watch scarlet macaws glide overhead as you experience the landscapes, flavors, and "pura vida" spirit that make Costa Rica so captivating.
- Explore Manuel Antonio and Poas Volcano National Parks
- Experience the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
- Visit with students at a local school and participate in a traditional cooking class
- Enjoy the Ecotermales Hot Springs
- Appreciate Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity
This tour requires excellent mobility.
DAY 1: WELCOME TO COSTA RICA!
Your adventure begins the moment you land, with a meet and greet at San Jose International Airport with your local Costa Rican guide. Transfer to the hotel and get settled into your room before enjoying a warm Welcome Dinner. D
DAY 2: POAS VOLCANO/DOKA COFFEE ESTATE/BOTANICAL GARDEN
Journey to see Poas Volcano National Park, which rises over a mile high to high, and have a chance to look into its main crater. Next, travel down the fertile green hills which provide a lush backdrop for the Vargas Ruiz family’s Doka Coffee Estate. Here you will learn from an expert about the production, harvesting, roasting, and packaging of the “Golden Bean.” After lunch, learn about Costa Rica’s diverse plant life at Else Kientzler Botanical Garden. B, L, D
DAY 3: FLOATING SAFARI/HOT SPRINGS
After breakfast, get ready to see Costa Rica from a new perspective—on a floating safari down the Sarapiquí River. This experience offers the perfect opportunity to spot wildlife such as birds, iguanas, monkeys, butterflies, and sloths. This afternoon, immerse yourself in the rainforest at Ecotermales Hot Springs. These impossibly clear pools vary in temperature from 91 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit and allow you to relax and connect with nature. B, L, D
DAY 4: SCHOOL VISIT/COOKING CLASS
Today, you will observe Costa Rica’s education system firsthand with a visit to a local school. Tour the school, participate in a language exchange with the children, and watch a special folkloric dance performance! You will then have a Costa Rican cooking class at a local home, where you can prepare tortillas on a wood stove and enjoy lunch prepared by the mothers and grandmothers of the schoolchildren. B, L
DAY 5: LAKE CROSSING/MONTEVERDE SELVATURA PARK
This morning, take a scenic drive to Arenal Lake and board a pontoon boat to the small town of Rio Chiquito. Onboard, witness views of Arenal Volcano. Travel to Monteverde, an area which is globally renowned for its misty cloud forests and immense biodiversity. Explore Selvatura Park, where suspension bridges make this part of the rainforest accessible for visitors. Get out your camera to capture the lush leaves, abundant tropical fruits, and diverse wildlife in the rainforest canopy. B, L
DAY 6: CLOUD FOREST RESERVE
Explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, one of the most famous conservation areas in Central America and the most well-known cloud forest in the world. Called a cloud forest because of its high altitude, this tropical rainforest experiences almost 100% humidity year-round. This area is home to rare and unusual wildlife, such as jaguars, pumas, and 450 species of birds. This afternoon, marvel at over 460 species of orchids at the Monteverde Orchid Garden. B
DAY 7: MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK
Say farewell to Monteverde and travel towards the coast. Arrive at Manuel Antonio National Park, which is known for its rainforest trails, white-sand beaches, and abundant wildlife. Spot monkeys, sloths, and even take a dip in the Pacific Ocean! This afternoon, check into the stunning Parador Resort, perched on a hill overlooking the Pacific for a luxurious two-night stay. B, D
DAY 8: SPICE GARDEN TOUR
Participate in a true farm-to-table experience at a rural Costa Rican spice farm. Experience how coffee is harvested and processed, cacao turned into chocolate, and learn about spices grown on the ranch such as vanilla, cinnamon, and pepper. Enjoy an authentic Costa Rican lunch and free time to explore. B, L, D
DAY 9: PARADOR RESORT/SAN JOSE
Partake in a morning at leisure to enjoy the amenities of Parador Resort. Take a swim in the pool, explore the nature trails, or perhaps visit the spa. Then, the group will transfer to San Jose for a final evening in Costa Rica. B
DAY 10: FAREWELL, COSTA RICA
After breakfast, transfer with the group to the airport in San Jose with new friends and fond memories. Pura Vida! B
ACCOMMODATIONS:
Nights 1-2: Radisson Hotel, San Jose
Nights 3-4: Tilajari Hotel Resort, La Fortuna
Nights 5-6: El Establo Mountain Hotel, Monteverde
Nights 7-8: Parador Resort, Manuel Antonio
Night 9: Doubletree by Hilton Cariari, San Jose
Departure Cities:
- St. Louis
- Kansas City
- Springfield, MO
Depart: October 23, 2027
Return: November 1, 2027
Price Per Person:
- DB $4,599
- SG $5,699
Price includes roundtrip airfare from STL/MCI/SGF. Please call for other gateway cities.
Passport required.
Excellent mobility required.
Other General Information
We will send 3 key communications for your tour; “Get Ready” is your email confirmation and initial tour information sent upon registration, “Get Set” email will be sent about two months before departure, “Go” trip documentation mailing is sent via USPS 3-4 weeks before departure and will include your daily itinerary, luggage tags, and final departure information.
Travel Protection is optional but highly recommended and can be purchased until the day before departure. We offer plans through battleface, information about which will be sent with your Get Ready email or can be found HERE.
Unless otherwise noted, your Sunrise Tour includes: Professional Sunrise Tour Director, meals as indicated, local step on guides including gratuity (international tour guide gratuity inclusion vary by tour), deluxe motorcoach transportation with onboard restroom, admission to activities and events as indicated, airfare from designated airports, transportation to/from designated airports from our convenient local pickup points*, luggage handling at hotels when available
We believe tipping is a personal and discretionary interaction between our guests and our staff. A typical gratuity for your Sunrise Tour Director and motorcoach driver may be $6-10 per person, per day on tour. Sunrise Shuttle drivers appreciate gratuities (suggest $5 per person) for excellent service as well. Our staff will not solicit gratuities or pass out envelopes.
We are happy to offer refreshments on most motorcoach travel days on tour. We recommend you bring a refillable water bottle to maintain healthy hydration.
If less than 4 people request a pickup point, we may ask that you choose another pickup point from which to join your Sunrise Tour.
If you would like to join a tour from a city not listed as a departure point, we would love to have you! Please discuss arrangements with our friendly reservation team. From a departure city not listed, typical airfare will be +$100 higher than our published fare for domestic tours, and +$200 for international tours.
If you have a TSA precheck or Airline Rewards numbers, you MUST give those numbers to our reservations team at least 60 days before departure, otherwise they may not be applied.
Preferred seating may not be available on group air. In some cases, seats are not assigned until the airport. Your tour fare includes an economy seat on the flight; it does not include seat selection. Seat upgrades may be available at an additional cost.
To help make our tours the most comfortable in the business, we limit Sunrise Tours motorcoaches to 80% capacity, or 44 passengers on a coach built for 55. We reserve the right to amend this practice.
Your Tour Director will rotate seats on the motorcoach each day of your tour. A single fare does not guarantee two seats on coach; you may be seated next to another friendly Sunrise Tours guest.
Terms and Conditions
Please refer to our policies HERE for more information on our terms and conditions.
