Contact Us

Private Journeys

Off the beaten track Costa Rica: National parks and private reserves

12 days

Costa Rica

  • ShutterStock ©

Overview & Highlights

A Costa Rica wildlife and relaxation holiday with a difference: avoid the busy, commercialised places in favour of less visited, but equally beguiling spots with excellent small eco-lodges.
 

For decades Costa Rica has been a leading light in conservation, and as a result over a quarter of its territory is given over to well managed national parks and private nature reserves. Many of the parks are popular and much visited, with many facilities of all kinds for tourists, all of which provides for a very different experience from the remote wilderness adventure that many wildlife enthusiasts are hoping for.

So for this holiday we have selected a few of our favourite parks and reserves which, although situated in stunning locations, don’t have the infrastructure to receive hoards of visitors. Among them are Carara National Park and the rugged hills and beaches close to Ojochal. Accommodation is in delightful rustic eco-lodges, usually small and family-run, which offer the opportunity to understand how real life is lived in these bucolic areas.  Again, we’ve picked out the best. At these lodges you’ll have the opportunity to participate in optional or included activities, anything from crocodile spotting to coffee tours.

Please note (Jan 2022): Not all lodges featured in this holiday are currently accepting guests. Your Travel Expert will be happy to suggest alternatives.

Read More
  • Guided excursion in Carara National Park and Rio Tarcoles crocdile spotting
  • Guided excursions and activities at Santa Juana Lodge
  • Guided excursion to spot quetzals in San Gerardo de Dota forests
  • Whale-watching at Uvita (depending on season)

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

Charlotte

Charlotte Daubeney

Travel Expert

Talk to our experts

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.

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.

Bartolome, Galápagos

What our clients say

  • Sunrise over the Galapagos from top deck on my first morning on the boat, utterly stunning!

    MG, Leyland
  • It was better than my wildest expectations, especially as value for money is very important for me and I saved 4 yrs for this trip it was worth every penny…

    JS, Malvern
  • The birds were wonderful - especially the time spent looking for, and finding, the Resplendent Quetzal.  Also the camaraderie and the laughs with the group members, the tour leader and…

    FW, Dornoch
  • “Having previously travelled to Patagonia on a Classic tour we knew what the standards are and didn't consider anyone else. Our confidence was fully justified.”

    IJB, Birmingham
  • I loved the beauty of the Solentiname Islands and Corn Islands.  But my favourite part of the trip was definitely Leon as there is so much fascinating recent history.

    FW, Leamington Spa
  • "It was a magical experience, a well organized trip that gave me piece of mind, which is what a holiday should be. Well done Journey Latin America."

    LM, Arbroath
0 1 2 3 4 5

Our Expert's Opinion

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.

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.

Papagaio

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.

View Extraordinary Inspiration
Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • Hannah
    Hannah Waterhouse - Travel Expert

    Hannah had an early introduction to Latin America when her family moved to Ecuador and she returned to study in Buenos Aires for a year before backpacking across the continent.

  • Juliet
    Juliet Ellwood - Travel Expert

    After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Kathryn
    Kathryn Rhodes - Travel Expert

    Kathryn backpacked across Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru before joining us. She has a degree in Philosophy and French and is a keen netball player.

0 1 2 3 4 5