Costa Rica Quest

Arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica’s colourful capital, and meet the rest of your group and your CEO (G Adventures group leader) at your welcome meeting. Depending on what time you arrive, you might have some free time to explore the city. Perhaps explore the museums, including the Gold Museum and the Jade Museum, or browse the central market, which sells just about anything you could ever think of. Alternatively, you could check out the Teatro Nacional, a lavish building over a century old and with a great little café if you’re feeling peckish.

Autentico Hotel (or similar)

Today, you’ll leave the city behind and head for Sarapiqui, where you’ll call in at the Mi Cafecito Community Coffee Plantation, which is supported by G Adventures. Here you’ll have the chance to learn more about coffee production and taste a freshly brewed cup of coffee. Afterwards, you’ll continue to La Fortuna, where you’ll have the afternoon and next day free to relax in the hot springs at Arenal Volcano, hike the nature trails, swim in the waterfalls, try whitewater rafting or stand up paddle boarding, or have a go at canyoning (all extra cost). Don’t forget to look out for monkeys and sloths!

Hotel Eco Arenal (or similar)

Travelling by bus, you’ll head for the misty cloud forest at Monteverde. Here you’ll enjoy a guided night walk in the jungle to look for nocturnal wildlife, and then have a full free day to explore. Take your pick from ziplining, horse riding, walking along the cloud forest’s suspension bridges, touring the Santa Elena Cloud Forest (look out for the colourful quetzal) and visiting a butterfly garden. For something a little different, head to the sugar mill at El Trapiche and lean about sugar cane, banana, coffee and cocoa harvesting with the farmers.

Hotel Historias Lodge (or similar)

Continue on to Quepos, gateway to Manuel Antonio National Park. Choose to relax on the soft white beaches, head into the park or perhaps sign up for a salsa class. Manuel Antonio National Park offers plenty of activities – try hiking the trails, photographing the views, looking for sloths and monkeys, swimming in the clear blue sea. If you fancy something more adventurous, try kayaking, whitewater rafting, surfing or sailing, and don’t forget to look out for dolphins, rays and myriad tropical fish.

Hotel Mimos (or similar)

After a free morning on the beach, return to San José. At an altitude of 1,200m, Costa Rica’s capital is a mountainous place surrounded by verdant valleys, and is a great place to simply wander around, taking in the historic architecture, the hustle and bustle and the cute cafés. Perhaps head down to the Plaza and watch the street performers, or try the market for some last-minute souvenirs. In the evening, say goodbye to your group over a farewell dinner.

Autentico Hotel (or similar)