Costa Rica: Wild at Heart
About the Trip
November 3–14, 2025 | 12 Days
Tap into your adventurous side and explore the best of Costa Rica’s stunning landscapes, wildlife and culture on this soul enriching 12-day journey. From the vibrant city of San José to the serene canals of Tortuguero, the majestic Arenal Volcano, mystical Monteverde Cloud Rainforest and breathtaking Manuel Antonio coastline, every moment is an exploration of beauty and adventure. With expert guides and fellow thrill-seekers by your side, you’ll encounter diverse wildlife, immerse yourself in sustainable experiences and indulge in organic culinary delights. Whether kayaking along pristine coastlines or marvelling at bioluminescent forests, this itinerary is tailored for the wild-at-heart traveller seeking a perfect blend of untouched nature and authentic cultural encounters.
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:
Farm to Fork Organic Culinary Tour and Class
Visit a charming family-run organic garden nestled in Costa Rica’s lush countryside. Here you’ll discover how fruits, legumes and vegetables are cultivated with sustainable practices. After exploring the farm, indulge in a hands-on cooking experience using freshly harvested organic ingredients to create a traditional Costa Rican dish that you and your fellow travellers will enjoy together.
Package Includes:
- Return airfare from Toronto or Winnipeg to San José
- 1+1-night stay in first-class accommodation in San José
- 2-night stay in first-class accommodation in Tortuguero
- 2-night stay in first-class accommodation in Arenal
- 2-night stay in first-class accommodation in Monteverde
- 3-night stay in first-class accommodation in Manuel Antonio
- 11 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 6 dinners
- Land transportation via first-class motor coach
- All bridge, ferry and road tolls
- Sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary
- Professional English-speaking naturalist tour guide
Costa Rica: Wild at Heart
Activity Level: Active. Discover Costa Rica’s natural wonders on an exciting 12-day trip designed for travellers seeking a blend of natural beauty and authentic culture.
Day 1
San José –Fly from Toronto or Winnipeg to San José. Meet your guide and transfer to the hotel.
Day 2
Tortuguero –Drive to Guapiles for breakfast, then explore Tortugero’s extensive canal network and rich biodiversity. (B/L/D)
Day 3
Tortuguero – Discover Tortuguero National Park and visit the eco-minded village of Tortuguero. (B/L/D)
Day 4
Arenal – Meander through the canals, then drive to the Arenal Volcano area. Leisure time at the hotel. (B/L/D)
Day 5
Arenal – Visit the Arenal Volcano National Park and La Fortuna Waterfall with your guide. In the afternoon, visit a family-run organic garden for a special hands-on cooking experience. (B/D)
Day 6
Monteverde – Drive around Lake Arenal to admire the breathtaking views. This evening, take a night walk tour through the Monteverde Cloud Rainforest to marvel at the wildlife and experience the amazing bioluminescent plants. (B/D)
Day 7
Monteverde – Take the Treetopia Sky Tram and cross high above the Costa Rican cloud rainforest, then take the Sky Walk to see spectacular views from its hanging bridges. You can also choose to take the thrilling Sky Trek zipline course through the treetops. (B)
Day 8
Manuel Antonio – Stop at the Tárcoles River for a jungle river and crocodile adventure safari on your way to Manuel Antonio. View the formidable American Crocodile, Costa Rican’s top predator, up close. (B/L)
Day 9
Manuel Antonio – Explore Manuel Antonio National Park with your guide, taking in its vast diversity of tropical plants and wildlife. In the afternoon, enjoy leisure time on the beach. (B)
Day 10
Manuel Antonio – The adventure continues with a full day of guided kayaking and snorkelling along the stunning Manuel Antonio coastline. (B)
Day 11
San José – Spend your morning at leisure enjoying the beach before departing for San José. This evening, you’ll meet with your group for a delicious farewell dinner. (B/D)
Day 12
Transfer to the San José Airport for your return flight to Toronto or Winnipeg. (B)
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner
Terms & Conditions
*All CAA Member prices are per person, based on double 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 José
Depart Toronto or Winnipeg to San Jose. Upon arrival, meet with your naturalist guide and transfer to your hotel.
Day 2
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 Toruguero’s extensive network of meandering canals, which crisscross throughout the verdant landscape and offer a serene and immersive way to explore the region’s rich biodiversity. (B/L/D)
Day 3
Tortuguero
Today you’ll set out to explore the breathtaking expanse of the Tortuguero National Park and visit the village of Tortuguero, which epitomizes the essence of sustainable ecotourism. Surrounded by lush, tropical rainforests teeming with life, this enchanting village offers visitors a gateway to a world of natural wonders. (B/L/D)
Day 4
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. Arrive at your hotel with time to relax. (B/L/D)
Day 5
Arenal
Visit the Arenal Volcano National Park and La Fortuna Waterfall with your guide. The 70-metre-high waterfall is in a sustainably managed biological reserve and was formed by an old lava flow of the dormant Cerro Chato volcano. Please note: There are 500 steps down to arrive at the waterfall.
In the afternoon, visit a family-run organic garden to discover how fruits, legumes and vegetables are cultivated with sustainable practices. After exploring the farm, indulge in a special hands-on cooking experience using freshly harvested organic ingredients to create a traditional Costa Rican dish. (B/D)
Day 6
Monteverde
Drive around Lake Arenal to admire the breathtaking views. This evening, you’ll explore the charm and mystery of the Monteverde Cloud Rainforest with a night walk tour. Venture into the shadows of the forest to marvel at the wildlife that emerges under the gentle glow of the moon, including sloths gliding from the trees and frogs revealing their vibrant colors. You’ll also experience the amazing phenomenon of bioluminescence that illuminates plants in a nocturnal natural light show. (B/D)
Day 7
Monteverde
Experience Monteverde from the air in an unforgettable day of adventure in the Cloud Forest. Take the Treetopia Sky Tram to cross high above the Costa Rican rainforest, then take the Sky Walk to see spectacular views from a series of hanging bridges. You can also choose to take the thrilling Sky Trek zipline course where you can observe the native flora and fauna as you glide through the treetops. (B)
Day 8
Manuel Antonio
Stop at the Tárcoles River for a jungle river and crocodile adventure safari on your way to Manuel Antonio. Authentic thrills await you along the majestic Tárcoles River, where you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the biodiversity of this unique ecosystem and view the formidable American Crocodile, Costa Rican’s top predator, up close. (B/L)
Day 9
Manuel Antonio
Today you’ll visit the famous Manuel Antonio National Park with your guide. Renowned for its vast diversity of tropical plants and wildlife, the park encompasses rugged rainforest, white-sand beaches and coral reefs. In the afternoon, enjoy leisure time to explore or relax on the beach. (B)
Day 10
Manuel Antonio
The adventure continues with a guided kayaking and snorkelling experience along the Manuel Antonio coastline. From your kayak you’ll have the best view of the mountainous city of Manuel Antonio and your accompanying bilingual nature guide will explain what you’re seeing in the mountains and along the beautiful coastline. Your guide will take you to the best snorkelling spots, after which you’ll continue enjoying your magical surroundings as you paddle your way back to shore. (B)
Day 11
San José
Spend your morning at leisure enjoying the beach before departing for San Jose. This evening you’ll meet with your group for a delicious farewell dinner. (B/D)
Day 12
Transfer to the San Jose Airport for your return flight to Toronto or Winnipeg. (B)
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner