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Private Journeys

Explore and Relax in Costa Rica: Volcanoes to the beach

11 days from £2,830pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

Costa Rica

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Overview & Highlights

Stay in gorgeous countryside properties and eco-lodges to explore volcanic landscapes, bird-filled cloudforest before lazing at a top Pacific beach resort.

Combine outdoor adventures with beach wind-down time on the Pacific coast. Costa Rica is bursting with an extraordinary diversity of flora and fauna and its people are among the friendliest in Latin America. The comprehensive network of national parks with their extensive trails is always very accessible. This short holiday uses modern, shared minibuses for transport between hotels.

Begin your adventure with a couple of days exploring the beautiful landscapes in the shadow of the picture-perfect Arenal Volcano Move on to discover the densely packed canopy in the Monteverde cloud forest, with its rich bird and animal life on display. After this, travel to the Pacific coast and stay at a beach resort on the Nicoya Peninsula for a few days’ relaxation.

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  • Arenal: Guided excursion to the Ecotermales Hot Springs
  • Monteverde: twilight tour at El refugio
  • Monteverde: Guided exploration of Santa Elena Reserve

THE UK’S NO. 1 SPECIALIST IN TRAVEL TO LATIN AMERICA

Lina

Lina Fuller

Travel Expert

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Outline itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in San José and transfer to countryside resort..

Day 2

At leisure on the property.

Day 3

By road to Arenal volcano area.

Day 4

Excursion to the hot springs at Ecotermales

Day 5

Optional hanging bridges, lake kayaking or Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge.

Day 6

Drive to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve; twilight tour.

Day 7

Guided exploration of Santa Elena Reserve.

Day 8

Transfer to beach resort hotel on the Nicoya Peninsula, Pacific coast.

Days 9-10

At leisure on the beach.

Day 11

Transfer to airport for international flight home.
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Things to do

We proudly offer the widest range of activities, excursions and one-of-a-kind experiences across all our destinations, tried and tested personally by our travel experts.

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Soak in Arenal’s hot springs
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Spot quetzals in the cloud forest
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Visit Caño Negro Wildlife Reserve
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Nature trail across Arenal’s hanging bridges

Accommodation

Browse our unrivalled portfolio of accommodation . Every option has been carefully chosen by our team of travel experts, so you can rest assured that you’ll relax in utter comfort.

Xandari Resort and Spa

Costa Rica / San Jose, central highlands and central valleys

Xandari Resort

  • This is a Satisfaction Rating based on our own customer feedback
Nayara Gardens

Costa Rica / Arenal and the north

Arenal Nayara spa and gardens

  • This is a Satisfaction Rating based on our own customer feedback
Monteverde Lodge and Gardens

Costa Rica / Monteverde and the cloud forest

Monteverde Cloud Forest and Gardens

  • This is a Satisfaction Rating based on our own customer feedback
Lagarta Lodge

Costa Rica / Nicoya Peninsula

Lagarta Lodge

  • This is a Satisfaction Rating based on our own customer feedback
Itinerary Essentials
Bartolome, Galápagos

What our clients say

  • JLA is one of the best Tour Operators I have been with - nothing in the booking process was too much trouble. They stick to specialising in one continent, the…

    LS, Didcot

  • Lots of things, but, the statue of Christ the redeemer, iguazu falls, the tango dinner show, BOLIVIA, The group leader is a major part of the trip. A person who…

    MD, Hawick

  • This was the first time I travelled with JLA and I have been impressed with the quality of personal service and enjoyed the itinerary very much.

    PM, Wirral

  • Jam packed itinerary with so many great places and sights in such a short time! Iguacu Falls, Rio, La Paz, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu- it really had it all.…

    LM, London

  • I enjoyed the mountain scenery and also walking in the forests. Watching a ship passing through the lock on the Panama Canal. Zip lining and the Tarzan swing was a…

    RL, Devizes

  • So well organised and efficient, yet personal, easy-going, fun. Felt looked after and well-informed throughout. Also particularly enjoyed being on the less touristy Tico Tico tour – an excellent recommendation…

    DS, Invergordon
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Our Expert's Opinion

Lina
Lina Fuller Travel Expert Lina's passion for the continent where she was born really took off when she moved to Córdoba (Argentina) to study, spending the holidays travelling between Argentina and her native Colombia.
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Inspired by this trip

Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.

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Your edit for Latin American inspiration

Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.

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San Jose Costa Rica

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48 hours in… San José
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Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

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  • Mary
    Mary Anne Nelson - Travel Expert

    Born in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, Mary’s insider knowledge and dry sense of humour make her a highly valued member of the Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tour sales team.

  • Hannah
    Hannah Donaldson - Travel Expert

    Having spent part of her childhood in Colombia and worked in Brazil and Costa Rica, Hannah's ties to Latin America run deep. Hannah is a much valued Travel Expert in our Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tours sales team.

  • Heloise
    Heloise Buxton - Travel Expert

    Heloise started her Latin American journey as an exchange student in Santiago, Chile. With extended summer holidays this was the perfect opportunity to backpack through Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.

  • Charlotte
    Charlotte Daubeney - Travel Expert

    Charlotte's fascination with Latin America began with a family holiday to Belize. She went on to study Spanish in school and at university before spending a year living in Santiago, Chile.

  • Sallly
    Sally Dodge - Travel Expert

    A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.

  • Ben
    Ben Line - Travel Expert

    Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.

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