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Backpacking Costa Rica

From rainforest treks to sun-soaked beaches, this 13-day Costa Rica adventure packs in volcano views, natural hot springs, vibrant wildlife, and laid-back surf towns. With a mix of iconic spots and local secrets, you’ll dive into pura vida life with a crew of new mates and one epic group leader. Let’s go wild.

  • 15 Meals (Vegetarian Options)
  • All Trips and Excursions
  • No Hidden Charges
  • All Accommodation
  • All In-Country Transport
  • Airport Pick Up
  • International Flights
  • Travel Insurance
  • Airport Drop Off

Enjoyed every second of my trip! Would highly recommend. Had the best time with my Tour guide Tess! she was so lovely and also helpful. If we wanted to go somewhere she’d recommend us places to go/see

Maddie, Google 12 May 2025
Rated 5/5 by 570 Travellers on Facebook

Backpacking Costa Rica

£1785 from
Pay £250 deposit
  • Length13 Days
  • Avg. Age20-45
  • No. Of Activities13
  • No. Of Meals15
  • Avg. Group Size6-20
  • Starting PointSan José
  • Ending PointSan José

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Route Map

Route Map of Costa Rica Tour

Tour Itinerary

Vibrant yellow National Museum of Costa Rica building with fortress-like towers under a blue sky in San José.
A clean hotel room in San José, Costa Rica, with two beds, wooden floors, and a window.
DAY 1

Welcome to Costa Rica!

Hola and welcome to Costa Rica! As soon as you arrive in San José, you'll be collected and taken to your accommodation. Settle in, relax, and breathe in that tropical air. In the evening, meet your group and guide for a chilled welcome evening to get to know each other and get hyped for the adventure ahead.

  • Room TypeHotel
A guide points to a bright yellow building while three tourists listen during a San José city tour.
A vibrant red-eyed tree frog with bright red eyes peeks from behind a green leaf.
DAY 2

San José City Tour

Explore San José on a guided walking tour, discovering its history, colourful architecture, and leafy city parks. Afterward, leave the capital behind and travel into the lush lowlands of Sarapiquí, stopping at the Pierella Butterfly Garden along the way. Wander through tropical gardens filled with butterflies and wildlife while learning about the breeding and conservation process in this peaceful natural setting.

  • Meals IncludedBreakfast, Lunch
  • Room TypeHotel
  • Activities IncludedSan José Walking Tour
Six adventurers in a green raft navigate thrilling white-water rapids surrounded by lush Costa Rican rainforest.
DAY 3

White-Water Rafting & Night Walk

Adventure takes centre stage today! We’ll kick things off with an exhilarating white-water rafting experience through vibrant rainforest scenery. Later, we’ll slow the pace on a fascinating leaf-cutter ant tour. After nightfall, we’ll head out on a guided night walk to spot frogs, insects, and reptiles under the canopy.

  • Meals IncludedBreakfast
  • Room TypeHotel
  • Activities IncludedWhite-water Rafting, Night Jungle Walk
Majestic Arenal Volcano with its peak shrouded in clouds, surrounded by lush Costa Rican rainforest.
Aerial view of a person floating in a blue swimming pool surrounded by lush tropical greenery in Costa Rica.
A bright, clean hotel room with a single and a double bed, featuring teal bed runners and curtains.
DAY 4

Local Organic Farm

This morning we make our way towards La Fortuna, with a special stop to visit a local organic family farm. Learn how fresh produce is grown and harvested before sitting down for a delicious home-cooked Casado lunch and locally grown coffee. We then continue to the iconic Arenal region.

  • Meals IncludedBreakfast, Lunch
  • Activities IncludedLocal Farm Visit
Sunlight streams through the canopy onto tiered waterfalls and natural hot springs in Costa Rica.
A stunning blue waterfall plunges into a vibrant pool surrounded by lush rainforest in Costa Rica.
Several men float on loungers in a clear hot spring pool amidst dense Costa Rican jungle.
Two men walk past vibrant orange and yellow buildings amidst lush tropical plants in La Fortuna, Costa Rica.
Two men relaxing in a bright hostel room with bunk beds and a colorful single bed.
DAY 5

Waterfalls & Natural Hot Springs

Today is all about soaking up La Fortuna’s natural wonders. We’ll visit a breathtaking Waterfall tumbling into a cool jungle pool, followed by a visit to the El Salto pools for a refreshing swim. To finish the day, we’ll wind down in natural hot springs, letting mineral-rich waters soothe our muscles beneath the rainforest canopy.

  • Meals IncludedBreakfast
  • Room TypeHotel
  • Activities IncludedNatural Hot Springs, El Salto Jungle Pools
A long, reddish-brown hanging bridge stretches into the mist through a lush Costa Rican rainforest.
A vibrant toucan with a colorful beak and yellow chest perches on a mossy branch in a lush rainforest.
An adult monkey with a baby on its back sits on a tree branch in a Costa Rican rainforest.
Two men walk past vibrant orange and yellow buildings amidst lush tropical plants in La Fortuna, Costa Rica.
Two men relaxing in a bright hostel room with bunk beds and a colorful single bed.
DAY 6

Hanging Bridges & Rainforest

The outdoors await as we head into the rainforest, hiking across hanging bridges that carve through the jungle. Explore the flora and fauna from the canopy level. The afternoon is yours to enjoy—kick back and relax or choose an optional adrenaline-pumping zipline adventure through the treetops!

  • Meals IncludedBreakfast
  • Room TypeHotel
  • Activities IncludedHanging bridges
Samara, Costa Rica, features a wide crescent beach, clear turquoise ocean, and lush tropical vegetation.
A colorful hotel room with two single beds and a patio overlooking a garden in Samara.
DAY 7

To the Beach: Hello Samara

We say goodbye to the mountains and make our way to the chill beach town of Samara. Once we arrive, the afternoon is yours. Think cocktails by the beach, beach volleyball, or just zoning out on a hammock. This is what pura vida is all about.

  • Meals IncludedBreakfast
  • Room TypeHotel
Two men lie relaxed on a golden sandy beach, hands behind heads, as ocean waves roll in.
A colorful hotel room with two single beds and a patio overlooking a garden in Samara.
DAY 8

Surf Lessons & Salsa Rhythms

Start the day strong with a surf lesson, learning to ride the waves with local legends. Later, we’ll swap surfboards for dance shoes with a lively salsa class. It’s a day of high energy as we learn the moves and rhythms that are woven into the heart of Costa Rican culture!

  • Meals IncludedBreakfast
  • Room TypeHotel
  • Activities IncludedSurf Lessons, Salsa Dance Class
Three men walk happily through a sunny palm grove on a tropical beach day in Costa Rica.
Waves crash on a beautiful tropical beach bordered by lush green jungle in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
A colorful hotel room with two single beds and a patio overlooking a garden in Samara.
DAY 9

Coastal Beach Day in Guanacaste

It’s time for a beach-hopping adventure along Guanacaste’s stunning coast. You’ll spend the day soaking up sun, swimming in crystal-clear waters, and exploring hidden coves. If you’re up for it, bring a football, a speaker, or just a towel and enjoy a full-on tropical beach day.

  • Meals IncludedBreakfast
  • Room TypeHotel
  • Activities IncludedSecluded Beaches
A powerful crocodile partially submerged in muddy water, surrounded by green plants in Costa Rica.
A large crocodile with its powerful jaws wide open, partially submerged in a Costa Rican river.
A white glamping dome on a wooden deck with lounge chairs, surrounded by lush tropical greenery.
DAY 10

Arrival in Esterillos

After a relaxed morning in Samara, we continue our journey south, stopping along the way for lunch and scenic views. By late afternoon, we arrive in the laid-back beach town of Esterillos. Check into the hotel, unwind, and enjoy a peaceful evening, maybe even catching the sunset by the ocean.

  • Meals IncludedBreakfast
  • Room TypeGlamping Dome
White sand beach with turquoise water and lush jungle, a paradise in Manuel Antonio National Park.
A tamandua anteater with black and tan fur climbs a mossy branch in a Costa Rican rainforest.
Turquoise waves gently lap a white sand beach with dense jungle in Manuel Antonio National Park.
A peaceful brown sloth with a white face sleeping in a tree in Manuel Antonio National Park.
A white glamping dome on a wooden deck with lounge chairs, surrounded by lush tropical greenery.
DAY 11

Manuel Antonio National Park

Today is one of the highlights! Head into the rainforest trails of Manuel Antonio National Park, spotting sloths, monkeys, and colourful birds. After our wildlife fix, chill out on the park’s beautiful beaches. It’s all white sand, jungle backdrops, and clear water, a total paradise.

  • Meals IncludedBreakfast
  • Room TypeGlamping Dome
  • Activities IncludedManuel Antonio National Park
Aerial view of San José, Costa Rica, showing a vibrant city park, church, and colorful buildings.
A white glamping dome on a wooden deck with lounge chairs, surrounded by lush tropical greenery.
DAY 12

Chocolate Tour & Farewell Dinner

Leaving the coast, we head back to San José. On the way, we stop for a cultural "Cacao" experience. Learn how chocolate has been vital to Costa Rica for millennia and enjoy a tasting. Tonight, we’ll gather for our farewell meal and drinks to toast to an unforgettable journey.

  • Meals IncludedBreakfast, Lunch
  • Room TypeGlamping Dome
  • Activities IncludedCacao (chocolate) Experience
An expansive view of San Jos es city nestled against lush green mountains under a cloudy sky.
DAY 13

Onward Travel

After breakfast, it’s time to pack up and check out. Your guide will be on hand to help with any onward travel, whether you're heading to the airport or continuing your adventures through Central America. It’s been an epic journey full of waterfalls, jungles, beaches, and wildlife and of course, amazing new friends. We'll miss the pura vida vibes, but they’re now a part of you. Safe travels and see you on your next adventure!

  • Meals IncludedBreakfast

Tour Dates

Optional Extras

£80

Extra Night in Costa Rica

Extra nights in Costa Rica before the tour/after the tour.

Add to your tour
£700

Private Room in Costa Rica

You have the option to book a private room for yourself throughout the tour.

Add to your tour

All This Included & More!

  • San José Walking Tour
  • Local Farm Visit & Lunch
  • Hanging Bridges
  • Natural Hot Springs
  • Night Jungle Walk
  • White-water Rafting
  • Pierella Butterfly Garden
  • Salsa Dance Class
  • Secluded Beaches
  • Surf Lesson
  • Manuel Antonio National Park
  • Cacao (chocolate) Experience
  • El Salto Jungle Pools

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