SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA
Costa Rica: San José, Sarapiquí, La Fortuna, Rincón de la Vieja, Pacific Coast
Small groups of no more than 16 travelers, guaranteed
Swirling white-water rivers, hot springs, and tropical forests beckon you to explore Costa Rica. We'll journey by horseback, raft, and trail from the rapids of the Río Sarapiquí to the sun-drenched Pacific Coast. Along the way, we'll discover Costa Rica's culture-its people-as our small group dines with a local family, visits farmers and artisans, and meets children at a village school, supported in part by Grand Circle Foundation.
14 days starting from $3,595
including international airfare from Miami
Single Supplement: FREE
Departure Dates: Jan-Dec
Activity Level: Moderately Easy
IT'S INCLUDED
-
13 nights accommodation
-
International airfare, airport transfers, government taxes, fees, and airline fuel
surcharges unless you choose to make your own air arrangements -
All land transportation
-
31 meals-13 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 9 dinners (including 1 Home-Hosted Lunch)
-
14 small group activities
-
Services of a local O.A.T. Trip Experience Leader
-
Gratuities for local guides, drivers, and luggage porters
-
5% Frequent Traveler Credit toward your next adventure
ITINERARY
DAY 1 • Depart U.S. • Arrive in San José, Costa Rica
Fly to San José, where you'll meet your fellow travelers, including those arriving from the pre-trip extension to Antigua & Tikal: Guatemala's Colonial Capital and Mayan Ruins.
Hotel Palma Real or similar
DAY 2 • Explore San José
Spend the day exlporing San José during a panoramic city tour.
Meals: B,L,D | Hotel Palma Real or similar
DAY 3 • Explore Poás Visit coffee finca • Sarapiquí
Begin the day exploring the town of Poás. Then, enjoy a tour of a family-owned coffee finca, or farm, located on the fertile slopes of Poás Volcano. Later, we'll depart for Sarapiquí.
Meals: B,L,D | La Quinta Sarapiquí Lodge or similar
DAY 4 • River rafting • Optional pineapple farm tour
We'll drive to the nearby Río Sarapiquí for elective white-water rafting along Class I-III rapids- challenging enough to be fun, but mild enough to be enjoyed by first-timers. Later, you can choose to join an optional tour to a pineapple farm.
Meals: B,L,D | La Quinta Sarapiquí Lodge or similar
DAY 5 • Cruise the Río Frío
Travel to the Río Frío, where we board a small boat to explore this inland waterway. Keep an eye out for birds, sloths, caimans, turtles, and butterflies during our cruise. Later, we'll learn to make a typical Costa Rican bocas (appetizer). Meals: B,L,D | Magic Mountain Hotel or similar
DAY 6 • A Day in the Life of San Francisco de Dos Ríos school Home-Hosted Lunch
Today, we'll drive out to San Francisco de Dos Ríos to spend A Day in the Life of a Costa Rican village. We'll also visit a local elementary school, supported in part by 
Grand Circle Foundation, followed by a Home-Hosted Lunch with a local family.
Meals: B,L | Magic Mountain Hotel or similar
DAY 7 • La Fortuna Arenal Volcano National Park Optional Forest Canopy Ride
Today, we travel to La Fortuna, stopping at Arenal Volcano National Park for a nature walk along the Peninsula Trail. Then, we depart for our hotel in La Fortuna, the "front yard of the Arenal Volcano," a town of thermal spas and verdant hills. This afternoon is free for your own discoveries, or you can fly above the rain forest on an optional Forest Canopy Ride.
Meals: B,L | Magic Mountain Hotel or similar
DAY 8 • La Fortuna Cacao farm visit. Rincón de la Vieja
On our way to Rincón de la Vieja, we'll stop at a local organic cacao farm to learn about the production of one of Costa Rica's most prized agricultural products. We'll arrive at our lodge in the foothills of Rincón de la Vieja Volcano by late afternoon.
Meals: B,L,D | Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin or similar
DAY 9 • Alajuela Horseback ride
Today, we saddle up for an elective horseback ride that takes us through the jungle. This afternoon, you can enjoy the surrounding nature trails or spend some time at your own leisure.
Meals: B,L,D | Cañon de la Vieja Lodge or similar
ADVENTURE HIGHLIGHT
On Day 3, visit a family-owned coffee finca, or farm, and learn about how this local delicacy is harvested, grown, and processed.
DAY 10 • Rincón de la Vieja National Park. Visit a local cantina
Today, we explore the Rincón de la Vieja National Park, a stunning showcase of Costa Rica's natural beauty with its diverse ecosystems, volcanic landscapes, and abundant wildlife. Later, visit a local cantina for an opportunity to interact with the locals.
Meals: B,L,D | Cañon de la Vieja Lodge or similar
DAY 11 • Pacific Coast
Transfer to Puntarenas and the Pacific Coast. We'll arrive at our hotel in Puntarenas later this afternoon. Meals: B,D | Hotel Punta Leona or similar
DAY 12 • Outrigger canoe ride
Visit Agujas Beach, a protected cove where we'll board an outrigger canoe to catch the spirit of pre-Columbian Costa Rica. We'll disembark along the white sands of Limoncito Beach where you'll have some free time. Spend the afternoon in Punta Leona's private nature reserve, home to more than 300 species of bird, including the endangered Scarlet Macaw. Then, you may want to visit Punta Leona's butterfly garden to see the rare and colorful species that reside here.
Meals: B,L,D | Hotel Punta Leona or similar
DAY 13 • Rio Tarcoles crocodile cruise • San José
This morning, enjoy a cruise through a mangrove forest on the Tarcoles River in search of crocodiles. As you cruise, you'll discover the many ways in which mangroves contribute to their environment. Later, drive to San José and enjoy a Farewell Dinner.
Meals: B,L | Hotel Palma Real or similar
DAY 14 • Return to U.S.
Return to the U.S. or begin your Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast: Tortuguero National Park post- trip extension.
Meals: B
ADVENTURE HIGHLIGHT
On Day 9, saddle up for a horseback ride that takes us down a countryside road and through sloping pastureland, showcasing the surrounding landscape.
Want to know more? Find the full itinerary and dates & pricing at www.oattravel.com/rac
Special Departure available on this adventure. Call for details.
OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS
Choose to maximize your discoveries and value when you add a pre- or post-trip extension-or both-to your adventure.
Antigua & Tikal: Guatemala's Colonial Capital and Mayan Ruins
PRE-TRIP: 5 nights from $1,895
Discover a land of mystery and majesty, home to 1,700-year-old Maya temples and the deepest lake in Central America.
IT'S INCLUDED
-
Roundtrip flight to Tikal and flight from Guatemala City to San José
-
5 nights accommodation
-
9 meals-5 breakfasts, 1 lunches, 3 dinners
-
4 small group activities
-
Services of a local O.A.T. Trip Experience Leader
-
Gratuities for local guides, drivers, and luggage porters
- All transfers
Learn more at www.oattravel.com/rac-guatemala-2026
Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast: Tortuguero National Park
POST-TRIP: 3 nights from $1,095
Extend your Costa Rica travel in Tortuguero National Park, renowned for its lush jungle canopy and the fascinating abundance of wildlife that call this protected haven home.
IT'S INCLUDED
-
Airfare from San José to Tortuguero
-
3 nights accommodation
-
8 meals-3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 2 dinners
-
3 small group activities
-
Services of a local O.A.T. Trip Experience Leader
-
Gratuities for local guides, drivers, and luggage porters
- All transfers
Learn more at www.oattravel.com/rac-tortuguero-2026
ARRIVE EARLY
We recommend that you relax after a long flight or explore more in depth before your trip. Price shown includes accommodations and private airport transfer.
- Arrive early in Guatemala City before your Guatemala pre-trip extension from $150 per room, per night
- Arrive early in San José before your main adventure from $120 per room, per night