Location is an approximation

Costa Rica

Rainforests and volcanoes
Amazing wildlife - turtles, sloths...
Beaches and a hotel with hot springs

 
 

A beautiful land

Costa Rica is a land of breathtaking natural beauty where lush rainforests, majestic volcanoes, and pristine beaches converge. Nestled in Central America, this tropical haven offers a rich tapestry of wildlife, culture, and adventure.

New for this year: Our flight times allow us to spend an extra day in the beautiful coastal town of Tamarindo and the flight route means that we don't need to get a visa waiver for Canada. 

 

San José: Gateway to Costa Rica

Our journey begins in San José, the capital city nestled in the Central Valley. Once a quiet colonial town, San José is now a bustling metropolis.

We travel through the stunning Braulio Carrillo National Park, with its misty mountain passes and verdant rainforests, passing through banana plantations to reach the Caribbean plains. From here, we board a boat to Tortuguero, a remote coastal village accessible only by water. Known as a sanctuary for sea turtles, Tortuguero National Park is a treasure trove of biodiversity.

Please note that the nature of the places we visit means there is regular walking involved in the tour. Feel free to contact us for more details about the type of walking involved. 


 
 
 
 
 

Tortuguero: Haven of Wildlife and Wonder

A boat tour along its canals reveals a world of wonders – ancient trees, playful spider monkeys, and colourful birds. During our stay, we explore trails, learn about turtle conservation efforts, and have the option to relax by the lodge’s pool or paddle through the waterways on a kayak.

Throughout the tour, as we are generally seeing these amazing animals in the wild, we will see some close up and others further away. A pair of binoculars are a handy addition to make the most of our sightings.  

 

Sarapiqui and Arenal: Tropical Beauty

Our journey continues to the northern plains and Sarapiqui, a lush region of wild rivers and exotic fruits.

At Arenal we view its volcano, one of Costa Rica’s most iconic landmarks. During our time here, relax with the hotel’s pool and hot springs. You can also choose an optional activity: treetop walkways or ziplining (costs to be confirmed). The quaint village of Fortuna offers a glimpse of local life in this picturesque region.
 
 
 

Tamarindo: Pacific Coast beaches

From the mountains, we make our way to Tamarindo, a jewel on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. With its golden sands and azure waters, Tamarindo is ideal for relaxation and exploration. Stroll along the beach or ride horseback by the shore. There may also be the chance to hire surf boards or join a snorkelling trip.

 

Costa Rica awaits!

Each evening we will meet together for a time of singing and a Bible talk. 

Costa Rica awaits – a land of wildlife, tranquility, adventure and unforgettable memories.

 
 
"The only holiday I've ever done where I started by paddling in the Atlantic Caribbean ocean and ended with a swim in the Pacific ocean - overall an experience of a lifetime!"
Dawn (2025)
 

Itinerary

 
Below is the provisional itinerary. The letters in brackets indicate B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner.
 
Day #1
Arrive Costa Rica. Overnight stay in San José. (-/-/D)
Day #2
Morning - guided walking tour of the capital city, San José, including the craft market. Afternoon – optional museum visit (payable locally). Overnight stay in San José. (B/-/D)
Day #3
We cross the tropical rainforest of the Braulio Carrillo National Park, with its 2000m mountain passes, before reaching the plains of the Caribbean. We board the boat to Tortuguero, a village on the coast that cannot be reached by road. Buffet lunch. Afternoon – a presentation by the guide about sea turtles and the project to protect them. Free time to explore Tortuguero town. Overnight in Tortuguero (B/L/D)
Day #4
We visit the canals of the National Park by boat with 32,000 hectares of primary forest, home to hundreds of species of plants, as well as century-old trees, caimans, spider monkeys, birds and fish. We also walk on the lodge trails. Buffet lunch. Afternoon - optional activities offered by the lodge (kayak, etc.) or relax by the pool. Overnight in Tortuguero (B/L/D)
Day #5
We leave Tortuguero by boat before taking the Caribbean road to Sarapiqui, the northern plains of Costa Rica with humid jungles, wild rivers and tropical fruits. En route we visit the Pierella Ecological Garden, a family-run eco-tourism site. The tour shows us many tropical butterfly species. The trails also allow you to discover various typical frogs. Overnight in Sarapiqui (B/L/D)
Day #6
Morning – free time to enjoy the local area. Afternoon - continue to the northern plain and the area around the Arenal volcano. Overnight in Arenal (B/-/D)
Day #7
Morning - relax at the hotel’s pool and hot springs or enjoy one of the optional activities (payable in advance) such as the walkways through the trees or the zip wires. Visit La Fortuna. Overnight in Arenal (B/-/D)
Day #8
Depart for the beaches of the Pacific. Afternoon – free time. Overnight in Tamarindo (B/-/-)
Day #9
Tamarindo is famous for its beauty, surf and the lively atmosphere of this seaside village. The long sandy beach is ideal for walks or horseback rides. Overnight in Tamarindo (B/-/-)
Day #10
Travel to San José airport. Depart San José in the evening. (B/-/-)
Day #11
Arrive back in the UK

Dates/Prices

The cost includes flights, airport taxes and charges, hotel accommodation in en-suite rooms for two, breakfast each day, plus lunches and evening meals as shown on the itinerary. It also includes coach transport, £30 of tips, entrance fees and guide for the included excursions.

British citizens do not require a visa. For other nationalities or status, please check with your embassy.

The deposit is £150 if booking more than two months in advance.

In Arenal, the single rooms may be in a separate hotel but if so, transport will be provided between the hotels

. For details of independent travel please scroll to the bottom of this page.

  TripDatesPrice
CR44 - £2948View/Book ->
Availability Key:
Independent Travel Available
Full but waiting list available
Place may be available on request
Places still available
A few places still available
 

Independent Travel

You can select to travel independently during the booking process (NB we are unable to book one way flights or change the date of travel).

You can see the independent discount on the same page as the group flight times (click on 'View/Book' if you are viewing this message on the Dates and Prices page).

The cost for the optional airport transfer is shown later in the booking process.

The airport transfer is booked to coincide with the group flights. Please note that the driver would not be able to wait if you miss the transfer on the first day. If you are not booking on the same flight as the group, we would suggest booking a flight that arrives at least 2 hours before the group flight in case of any delays to your flight.

Note that on the final day we travel from Tamarindo back to San Jose airport for our flight home. If your flight departs earlier you would need to make your own way to the airport. The journey is relatively long so could be complicated or expensive.

Please do not book your flights until you have received an email from Oak Hall confirming your place on this trip.

If you are travelling independently but someone else in your party will use the group flights, please make separate bookings.

If there are any changes to the holiday, we would not be able to cover the cost of changes to your independent flights. We would therefore recommend booking fully flexible tickets or joining the holiday using our flights.