Discover Costa Rica

• Accommodation: 14 Classic nights (8 hotel, 6 lodge)
• Travel by air-conditioned bus and boat
• Some departures with specialist birdwatching guide (see Dates & Prices tab)
• Green turtle nesting season: July to October
• Citizen Science departures available on this trip

Costa Rica is 10 degrees north of the equator and has a tropical climate. The average annual temperature is around 26C (79F) in the lowlands and 10C (50F) in the highest mountain regions. However, it’s essential you prepare for the time of year in which your departure takes place.

Dry season (December to April): This is the driest period of the year and can get incredibly hot; on the Pacific side, temperatures may exceed 37C (98F). If passing through areas of dry tropical forest it can be hot, dusty and dry. Prepare for some rain even during this time of year.

Rainy season (May to November):  Expect daily downpours, although these are usually quite short and there is still plenty of sunshine. Typically, there are sunny conditions until approximately 1pm-2pm and then a build-up of cloud from around 3pm, resulting in late afternoon rain (most likely showers between 3pm-5pm). Usually, the sky clears by 6pm.

This trip is graded Activity Level 1 (Easy) with a Wildlife rating of Three. Visit our Wildlife Holidays page for more on our Wildlife ratings. For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.

Travel: Driving distances are not very long and most of the roads we use are good quality. However, the road that leads to the river on the way to and from Tortuguero and the road into and out of Monteverde have poor surfaces and this can result in slow driving times, particularly following heavy rain.

Walks: There are several included and optional walks, which occasionally involve walking on rough paths. These are suitable for most fitness levels and usually last two to three hours. During times of heavy rain, trails can be muddy and slippery and extra care should be taken.

Swimming: In the Tortuguero region, the sea has very strong rip currents and is not suitable for swimming from the beach.

Birdwatching departures: For keen birders, we have designated several departures that are accompanied by a specialist birdwatching guide. Walks and visits to national parks are led with the intention of seeing as much birdlife as possible. Please check the Dates & Prices tab for more details.