Savor the natural wonders of Costa Rica as you explore the waterways of Tortuguero, the wildlife-rich reserves of Arenal, and the endless beaches of the Pacific coast.

Request a Tailor-Made Itinerary Request Itinerary or Ask Us A Question or Call 855-215-8690
 Tortuguero Beach Credit:  Etienne Delorieux
Tortuguero Beach Credit: Etienne Delorieux
 White-faced capuchin monkey
White-faced capuchin monkey
 Dart frog in Costa Rica
Dart frog in Costa Rica
 Costa Rica's Arenal Volcano
Costa Rica's Arenal Volcano
 Costa Rica hummingbird
Costa Rica hummingbird
 Hanging bridge through the jungle canopy Credit: Christina Victoria
Hanging bridge through the jungle canopy Credit: Christina Victoria
 One of many butterfly species of Costa Rica
One of many butterfly species of Costa Rica
 Beach along the coast of Guanacaste
Beach along the coast of Guanacaste
 Aerial view of the Guanacaste coast Credit: Robin Canfield
Aerial view of the Guanacaste coast Credit: Robin Canfield
 Sunset in Guanacaste
Sunset in Guanacaste

Costa Rica Coast to Coast: A Tailor-Made Journey

9 days from $3,950

Savor the natural wonders of Costa Rica as you explore the waterways of Tortuguero, the wildlife-rich reserves of Arenal, and the endless beaches of the Pacific coast.

Request a Tailor-Made Itinerary

or call 855-215-8690
Accommodations

* Click on hotel name to visit hotel web-site.

Hotel Grano de Oro

San José, Costa Rica

Situated on a shady street just off Paseo Colón, San José's main thoroughfare, Hotel Grano de Oro is a beautifully converted Victorian mansion. The 35 rooms are furnished in an old-fashioned style with wrought-iron beds and rich damask. The art and furnishings are handcrafted by Costa Rican artists and no two rooms are alike. The elegant Grano de Oro restaurant serves excellent Costa Rican and European cuisine with seating available in an intimate courtyard.

Mawamba Lodge

Tortuguero, Costa Rica

Mawamba Lodge is situated on a thin strip of land between Tortuguero's canals and the Caribbean Sea. The accommodation consists of 58 simple but comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, hot water, and ceiling fans. There is a swimming pool with Jacuzzi, two family-style restaurants serving local and international cuisine, a barbecue area, a bar, a souvenir shop, a sand volleyball court, and a conference room where daily lectures on Tortuguero's natural history are presented. There is also a frog garden and butterfly sanctuary on site.

Arenal Springs Resort and Spa

Arenal, Costa Rica

Set in expansive grounds surrounded by swathes of tropical gardens, Arenal Springs is a pleasant and comfortable choice for your time in Arenal. Spacious suites are located in bungalows throughout the property, each with a terrace with views of the Arenal Volcano.  The resort has three restaurants, as well as a swimming pool, spa,  and mineral hot springs set amid the gardens.

Hotel Bahía del Sol

Bahia del Sol, Costa Rica

Bahia del Sol is an unpretentious tropical hideaway with a sustainable ethos and a lot of charm. The staff are exceptionally friendly, and there's a laid-back atmosphere that encourages guests to relax and enjoy themselves. The hotel features a spa and an ample-sized swimming pool, a Jacuzzi and a wet bar; all surrounded by comfortable sunbeds and shaded by huge palm trees. Rooms are spacious and inviting, with contemporary furnishing combined with natural elements.

Gift Membership – Friends of Smithsonian

When you travel on a tailor-made journey, you will receive a Friends of the Smithsonian Archivist Circle membership*. Benefits include:

  • A Smithsonian annual engagement calendar with full-color images of exceptional art and artifacts, mailed in the fall.
  • Subscription to Smithsonian, the award-winning magazine of the arts, sciences, and history. Early access to Smithsonian magazine produced events.
  • Invitations to four exclusive virtual programs for Friends of the Smithsonian members with Smithsonian experts.
  • 10% discount in Smithsonian Museum Stores (good on purchases up to $200); 10% discount with the SmithsonianStore.com, and Folkways Recordings
  • Recognition in the Friends of the Smithsonian Honor Roll, displayed electronically on the National Mall in the Membership Reception Center
  • Special member rate for tickets to the Smithsonian’s IMAX® theaters and Einstein Planetarium.
  • Free admission to the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City.
  • A complimentary copy of the annual Smithsonian museum guidebook.
  • Invitation to a special welcome event for new members at a Smithsonian venue.

*Offer only available for first-time Smithsonian members. 

Reading List

Highly Recommended

The Wildlife of Costa Rica: A Field Guide (Zona Tropical Publications)
By: Reid, Fiona A., Leenders, Twan, Zook, Jim, Dean, Robert
The Ticos: Culture and Social Change in Costa Rica
By: Mavis Hiltunen Biesanz, Richard Biesanz, Karen Zubris Biesanz
Costa Rica: A Traveler's Literary Companion (Traveler's Literary Companions, 1)
By: Barbara Ras, Oscar Arias
Lonely Planet Costa Rican Spanish Phrasebook & Dictionary 5
By: Kohnstamm, Thomas

Also Recommended

Costa Rica - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture (40)
By: Koutnik, Jane, Culture Smart!
Lonely Planet Costa Rica 14 (Travel Guide)
By: Bremner, Jade, Harrell, Ashley, Kluepfel, Brian, Vorhees, Mara
Wild Costa Rica: The Wildlife and Landscapes of Costa Rica (The MIT Press)
By: Hepworth, Adrian
A Brief History of Central America (Brief History Of... (Checkmark Books))
By: Foster, Adjunct Faculty Member Hispanic Studies Department Lynn V
Volcanoes
By: Fisher, Richard V., Heiken, Grant, Hulen, Jeffrey
Nature of the Rainforest: Costa Rica and Beyond (Zona Tropical Publications)
By: Adrian Forsyth
Tropical Nature: Life and Death in the Rain Forests of Central and South America
By: Adrian Forsyth, Ken Miyata
The Birds of Costa Rica: A Field Guide (Zona Tropical Publications)
By: Garrigues, Richard
Costa Rica: A Journey through Nature (Zona Tropical Publications)
By: Hepworth, Adrian
24x36 World Wall Map by Smithsonian Journeys - Tan Oceans Special Edition (24x36 Laminated)

*As an Amazon Associate, Smithsonian Journeys earns from qualifying purchases.

Travel Insurance

For the convenience of our travelers, Smithsonian Journeys includes a basic medical expense and evacuation plan through Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand, at no additional charge. This plan provides post-departure Medical and Dental coverage of $250,000 per person and Emergency Assistance and Transportation coverage of $1,000,000 per person (U.S. Residents Only). Note: For full details regarding these coverages please review the following Plan Documents here.

In addition, we recommend that travelers purchase a travel protection plan to help protect their travel investment from unforeseen events such as cancellation due to illness, flight delays due to adverse weather, baggage loss, and more. For your convenience, Smithsonian Journeys offers an optional Travel Protection Plan administered by Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand. For those interested, optional "Cancel for Any Reason" coverage is available for an additional charge. Note: Certain eligibility requirements apply and Cancel for Any Reason coverage is not available to New York residents. For full details regarding this coverage please review the following Plan Documents here.

To learn more about the Travel Protection Plan, you may visit https://www.generalipartner.com/smithsonianjourneys or call the administrator, Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand at (866) 501-3252.

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