Nestled between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Costa Rica possesses a wealth of natural beauty and wildlife that belies its diminutive size. Join us to discover its pristine landscapes and learn about the unique environments of cloud and rain forests.
Costa Rica's Natural Treasures
11 days from $4,281 | includes airfare, taxes and all fees
Nestled between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Costa Rica possesses a wealth of natural beauty and wildlife that belies its diminutive size. Join us to discover its pristine landscapes and learn about the unique environments of cloud and rain forests.
Tour Details
TOUR BROCHURE

WHAT OUR TRAVELERS SAY
- Judith H.What are you waiting for? Go now!
- Gretchen G.This was an exceptional first time tour group experience. Smithsonian gets an A+ for combining learning and fun as a way to see new lands.
- Stephanie B.The diverse perspectives and knowledge shared by and with the fellow travelers makes each trip unique, special, and memorable in ways words cannot express.
JOURNEYS DISPATCHES
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* Click on hotel name to visit hotel web-site.
JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa (Superior First Class)
Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Located just ten miles outside of the town of Tamarindo in a beautiful ocean-front setting, this 310-room hacienda style resort hotel has multiple restaurants, lounges, spa, fitness center, heated outdoor pool, and hiking/jogging trails. Each of the guest rooms has air conditioning, private bath with hair dryer, in-room safe, minibar, coffee and tea-making facilities, TV, balcony or terrace, phone, and complimentary WiFi internet access.
Number of nights: 3
InterContinental Costa Rica (Superior First Class)
San Jose, Costa Rica
The hotel is well situated in Escazu, one of San Jose’s exclusive suburbs, and located within the Multiplaza Mall complex (close to shops and restaurants). The 372-room hotel has four restaurants, lounges, spa, fitness center, and heated outdoor pool (surrounded by tropical gardens). Each of the guest rooms has air conditioning, private bath with hair dryer, in-room safe, mini-bar, complimentary in-room wi-fi, TV, and phone.
Number of nights: 2
Arenal Manoa
Arenal Region, Costa Rica
The Hotel Arenal Monoa offers panoramic views of Arenal Volcano while surrounded by meditative gardens and a Costa Rican farm. La Palma River runs through the property, nourishing a gallery forest complete with a vast selection of bird and plant life. The 80-room hotel features a restaurant and bar, walking gardens, Jacuzzi, spa, and outdoor pool with swim-up bar. Air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, in-room safe, mini-bar, Internet access, TV, and phone.
Number of nights: 3
El Establo Mountain Hotel
Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica
Nestled in Costa Rica’s Monteverde Cloud Forest, El Establo Mountain Hotel offers outstanding views and is just minutes from Monteverde Reserve. Amenities at the 155-room lodge include hiking trails, canopy tours, two indoor pools, tennis courts, fitness center, spa with massage and beauty treatments, Internet access, laundry and dry cleaning services, and two restaurants and two bars. Comfortable guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, safe-deposit box, coffee-making facilities, TV, phone, and private balcony or terrace overlooking the Gulf of Nicoya. The rooms are not air conditioned since the typically cool “mountain” climate at Monteverde rarely requires it.
Number of nights: 2
Tortuguero National Park Pre-Program Option— 4 Days, 3 Nights
Encounter exceptional bio-diversity, from rainforest to marsh, where fresh water meets the sea to form canals, lagoons, and wetlands, and also to provide an important turtle nesting reserve. Your tour extension price includes:
- Round-trip transfers San Jose/Tortuguero by van and boat
- Accommodations for 3 nights: 2 nights in Tortuguero National Park at Mawamba Lodge (First Class); 1 night in San Jose at InterContinental Costa Rica (Superior First Class)
- 8 meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
- Included sightseeing: Tortuguero town and Caribbean Conservation Center; two boat safaris along the Tortuguero canals
- Services of expert staff and guides at Mawamba Lodge
InterContinental Costa Rica
The hotel is well situated in Escazu, one of San Jose’s exclusive suburbs, and located within the Multiplaza Mall complex (close to shops and restaurants). The 372-room hotel has four restaurants, lounges, spa, fitness center, and heated outdoor pool (surrounded by tropical gardens). Each of the guest rooms has air conditioning, private bath with hair dryer, in-room safe, mini-bar, complimentary in-room wi-fi, TV, and phone.
Accommodations in Costa Rica:
Your accommodations in Tortuguero will be at an environmentally compatible lodge that is comfortable but not luxurious. Although you may not have air-conditioning, television, or telephones in your room, most travelers find the accommodations to be an excellent complement with the natural environment.
Activity Level 3: Moderate / Active
Expectations: Most trips will feature long touring days, many full-day excursions, and a full and active itinerary with a faster pace and longer distances. Some tours may have activities with higher intensity and more active choices/options. Excursions require standing and walking for extended periods of time over more difficult terrain (cobblestones, city hills, stairs without handrails, limited or no access to elevators, muddy/slippery walking/hiking trails), and walking to city centers where coaches are prohibited. Specific itineraries may feature hiking, use of local transportation, extended overnight train travel, extensive use of Zodiac crafts or other smaller ship conveyances, or multiple internal plane rides. Some itineraries may require early morning departures and later evening returns. Travelers may be in remote and/or rugged regions, and may be touring at higher altitudes with steep ascents/descents. Leisure time may be limited (sometimes only in the later evenings). Certain tours feature more active excursions (such as moderate hiking, swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, bicycling, rafting, or kayaking), though another choice may be offered for an alternate skill level. Walking/hiking tours may feature up to six-mile walks/hikes.
Appropriate for: Travelers who are physically fit, lead active lives, are comfortable participating in long days of activities, and expect some physical exertion.
WHAT OUR TRAVELERS SAY
- Judith H.What are you waiting for? Go now!
- Gretchen G.This was an exceptional first time tour group experience. Smithsonian gets an A+ for combining learning and fun as a way to see new lands.
- Stephanie B.The diverse perspectives and knowledge shared by and with the fellow travelers makes each trip unique, special, and memorable in ways words cannot express.
Highly Recommended
Also Recommended
For the convenience of our travelers, Travel Guard provides an on-tour Insurance Plan. On-tour emergency evacuation insurance (up to $100,000), medical expense coverage (up to $25,000), dental expense coverage (up to $500), travel medical assistance and worldwide travel assistance (U.S. Residents only). It also includes up to $25,000 medical and up to $500 dental expense coverage, and 24-hour worldwide travel and medical assistance. Please click here to view complete coverage details.
Please visit www.TravelGuard.com/SmithsonianJourneys or call Travel Guard at 1-800-208-6142 to learn about additional (optional) coverage.