Custom travel to Costa Rica

Costa Rica packs into 51,100 km² (10% of France) a density of biodiversity that defies imagination: 6% of the world's biodiversity on 0.03% of Earth's surface, 25% of the territory in national parks (a world record), 850 birds and 12,000 plants. A small country of 5 million inhabitants, 12-13 h from Paris with a stopover via Madrid, Miami or Mexico, it is also Latin America's most democratic nation per the Economist Intelligence Unit, having abolished its army in 1948 to invest in education and health. Its national motto, Pura Vida, sums up a philosophy of simple happiness, ecology and community. The flagship sites anchor a 10- to 14-day itinerary: Arenal volcano (1,670 m) and its Tabacón thermal springs; Manuel Antonio, a 16-km² coastal park renowned for its four monkey species and sloths; Tortuguero, the Caribbean 'Costa Rican Amazon' where four marine turtle species nest July through October; Monteverde, a cloud forest at 1,440-1,860-m altitude, kingdom of the sacred Mayan quetzal; Corcovado, on the Osa Peninsula, described by National Geographic as one of Central America's most intact ecosystems (2.5% of world biodiversity, jaguars, tapirs); Caños Island for diving with manta rays and hammerhead sharks; and Guanacaste, on the North Pacific, with its exclusive Papagayo beaches and Four Seasons 5★ lodges. A fundamental destination for lovers of preserved nature, ecotourism and tropical good cheer.

Highlights

  • Arenal Volcano and Tabacón thermal springs
  • Manuel Antonio (coastal park, monkeys, sloths)
  • Tortuguero ('Costa Rican Amazon', turtles)
  • Monteverde (cloud forest, quetzal)
  • Corcovado (2.5% world biodiversity, jaguars)
  • Pura Vida (national philosophy, ecotourism)

Frequently asked questions

When?

December-April (dry season). Tortuguero turtle nesting: July-October. Monteverde quetzal: March-June.

How long?

10 days for essential Costa Rica (Arenal + Monteverde + Manuel Antonio). 12 days with Tortuguero or Corcovado. 14 days for complete version.

Budget?

€3,800-€5,000 per person for 10 days in comfort, excluding flights. Premium: €6,800-€9,500. Flights: €800-€1,200.

Visa?

No visa for French citizens (90-day stay, passport valid 6 months).

Costa Rica safety?

One of Latin America's safest countries (no army since 1948). Vigilance downtown San José.

Family?

EXCELLENT family destination (widely spoken English, accessible biodiversity, safe beaches, tropical climate, top tourist infrastructure).

How to get around?

4×4 Spanish-English-speaking driver. Sansa domestic flights for Tortuguero and Corcovado.

Tortuguero or Corcovado?

Tortuguero for TURTLES (July-October, easy accessibility). Corcovado for LAND WILDLIFE (jaguars, tapirs, adventurous level).

Combine?

Yes: Costa Rica + Panama (canal, San Blas), Costa Rica + Nicaragua, Costa Rica + Belize or Guatemala (Maya).

Tips?

10% in restaurants (often included '10% servicio'). $5-$10/day for guides and drivers.