Costa Rica: wildlife & beach beauty

Learn to photograph cloud forest orchids & insects by night, roast & blend your own coffee & spot sloths in Manuel Antonio

What's Included

Max 14 travelers per group
Exclusively for people in their 30s & 40s
All activities mentioned on the itinerary
7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
Stay in hand-picked 3-4 star hotels
Minibus
We offset your carbon emissions
Arrival airport transfer
Accommodation in twin rooms
Experienced Pack Leader with you throughout the trip

Flashpackers are required to produce proof of COVID-19 vaccination 30 days before departure OR proof of a negative test within 72 hours of their adventure starting. Flashpackers must also provide evidence that they have purchased travel insurance for the duration of their adventure. Remember, flights aren't included and prices are based on sharing a twin room. If you'd like to upgrade to a single room, you can add this during the booking process or by contacting our Customer Experience team.

About your trip

From cloud forest insect photography to roasting your own coffee beans; are you ready to go deeper into Costa Rica?

On this eight-day adventure you’ll take in just two iconic destinations: the high-altitude cloud forests of Monteverde and the tropical beaches of Manuel Antonio, staying longer in each spot to fully appreciate its secrets.

Think night hikes in Monteverde’s magical cloud forest for a lesson in smartphone macro-photography of orchids and insects. Immersive visits to spice farms and coffee plantations, where you’ll roast and blend your own bag of beans, plus a chance to pan for gold with artisanal miners.

Ending in Manuel Antonio, you’ll spend your last days exploring the Pacific coast by catamaran and wildlife spotting in the national park (and yes, sloths are even cuter in real life).

See you in San Jose?

Our Favorite Hotels

Here's a taste of the hotels we sometimes use on this adventure. The hotels you'll stay in for your departure will be shared with you one month before you go.

Hotel Presidente, San Jose

This urban retreat in downtown San José boasts an eclectic, modern style: think spacious rooms with reclaimed furniture and vibrant artwork on the walls. Be sure to head up to the rooftop bar for sundowners overlooking the city.

Sibu Lodge, Monteverde

A Costa Rican style mountain lodge with rustic rooms set around a courtyard garden. The whole place has been freshly renovated, making it a clean, comfortable base for forays into the cloud forest and the cute town of Santa Elena.

Shana by the Beach

Expect expansive Pacific views from this boutique hilltop retreat, a 5-minute walk to the beach. The bird-filled grounds are lush with native plants while the spa offers everything from indulgent chocolate massages to rejuvenating coffee scrubs.

Important Notes

Which airport do I need to fly in and out of? Plus airport code

Fly into and out of Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San Jose.

What time should my flight arrive (in time for the welcome meeting)?

At 5 pm you will meet your guide and and the other Flashpackers before our welcome dinner at a top local restaurant. We recommend arriving no later than 3 pm.

What time should my flight depart on the last day?

On your final day, you’ll travel from Manuel Antonio to San Jose airport – a journey of about four hours. We recommend booking an evening flight to ensure you arrive in plenty of time.

Are airport transfers included?

If you arrive on Day 1 of your adventure, or you book pre-tour accommodation with us, your airport arrival transfer will be included. If you book alternative pre-tour accommodation or are arriving by another mode of transport you must arrange your own arrival transfer.

Arrival transfers are private to Flash Pack and will be in groups depending on flight times. Sometimes this means waiting in the airport for a short while until other flights have arrived.

Departure transfers are also included for this trip, from Manuel Antonio so San Jose airport. There will be two different transfer times available.

Do I need a visa?

You do not need a visa if you’re visiting as a tourist from the EU, UK, USA, Australia or Canada. Please check with your local consulate/embassy if the country you are travelling from requires a visa.

Alternatively, you can check the requirements here: https://migracion.go.cr/Paginas/Visas.aspx

We recommend that you have at least six months validity remaining on your passport and can show a return ticket.

What fitness levels do I need for this trip?

We recommend having a read-through of the itinerary above, and getting in touch if you have specific questions on fitness. This is a fairly relaxed trip that should be comfortable for most fitness levels.

Will the itinerary change?

These changes can happen with little notice due to availability, poor weather, seasonal changes, or other circumstances beyond our control – but we’ll always do our best to ensure it has little impact on your experience. From time to time, we may also make changes to your itinerary to try out new ideas and keep things fresh and exciting.

What are the Covid-19 requirements for visiting Costa Rica?

Due to the changeable nature of Covid-19 entry requirements, we strongly advise Flashpackers to consult the travel advice issued by your local consular services well in advance of your departure date. Some countries do still require travellers to comply with pre-arrival testing and/or vaccination requirements. Links to the key consular services can be found on our Safety page.

What other vaccinations and medication will I need?

We recommend checking with your local travel clinic six to eight weeks before your trip to see if any medications or vaccinations are required.

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