It’s hard to imagine a first-time visitor to Northern California not putting San Francisco, Yosemite, and the Wine Country on their wish list. But, as you know, locals often studiously avoid the too-popular sites in those iconic places suggested by guidebooks. For example, we love San Francisco, but it’s been quite a while since we’ve ventured down to Fisherman’s Wharf, and we urge visiting friends to ferry over to Angel Island for its fantastic views of the city and the Golden Gate Bridge rather than being crammed aboard a boat to Alcatraz.

Well, the same goes for deservedly iconic and much-visited Costa Rica. Our 20 years of going there have taught us that if you want to visit classic destinations like Tortuguero, Monteverde, Arenal, and Manuel Antonio, you’re well advised to stay off the beaten path, as we do in Classic Costa Rica. Even better is exploring that rarer path with our expert naturalist guide.

Day 1: arrive in San José • Day 2: drive to Monteverde, with stop at Parque Aventura Río Barranca for rain forest canopy tour • Day 3: Monteverde • Day 4: to Arenal via Río Chiquito • Day 5: Arenal and Safari Float • Day 6: to Tortuguero via Tirimbina Biological Reserve • Day 7: Tortuguero • Day 8: fly to San José and visit the Orchid Gardens • Day 9: depart.

• Currency Information
• General Description
• Health Precautions
• Reading List
• Travel Conditions
• Visa Information
• Weather Information

• More Costa Rica Trips
• More Touring Trips