Tropical Costa Rica

Dates: January 27–February 4, 2026
Registration: Open. (How to Book Your Trip)
Registration deadline: July 20, 2025 (to receive price shown below)

Your trip to Costa Rica opens in the colorful capital city of San José, the perfect place to relax and soak up the sights as your adventure begins. Tour a local coffee plantation, highlighting the history and cultivation of this driver of the Costa Rican economy. Explore a family-owned farm, getting a peek into the daily lives of the locals. Embark on a Cano Negro guided riverboat trip in a covered canoe known as a panga.

Off to the secluded Monteverde Cloud Forest, a place you have to see to believe, where trees grow to heights of 100 feet! Set off on a nature walk through this spectacular ecosystem. Join an expert in Monteverde for a leisurely paced “Hanging Bridges” walking tour to gain a different perspective of the cloud forest’s lush ecosystem, or take an exhilarating ride on one of the longest canopy zip line tours in Costa Rica.

Fun in the sun is in store as you explore the nearby beaches in Guanacaste. Visit the delightful beach town of Samara for some local culture.

Itinerary

9 days, 14 meals, including 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 5 dinners 

A toucan sitting among tropical vegetationThe overall activity level of this tour is a level 3. This means you’re an on-the-go traveler. You don’t want to miss a thing, so walking and standing for longer periods of time (2-3 hours) isn’t a big deal. A moderately paced two-and-a-half-hour walking tour, covering several miles, hills, and uneven surfaces, is no problem for you. Walking four miles over the course of a day is very doable, as is climbing into and out of various modes of transportation (tuk-tuk, cable car, zodiac, etc.). You can climb three flights of stairs easily and handle altitudes between 6,000 and 9,000 feet. Expect some longer days with early mornings or late nights balanced with free time to recharge or set out on your own adventure.

It is important that you know this tour is an adventure! You will view spectacular scenery while experiencing the culture and heritage of the region. We have selected small, comfortable hotels for their locations, and they may be considered rustic. Many accommodations can be spread out and you should be prepared to walk a variety of terrain to get to public spaces like resort lobbies and restaurants; you may need to access your room through outdoor pathways. Elevators and air conditioning are not available in most accommodations used on this tour.

Highlights include: San José, coffee plantation, Arenal Volcano, Cano Negro Refuge, Lake Arenal cruise, farm tour and lunch, Monteverde Cloud Forest, choice on tour: Monteverde Hanging Bridges or Canopy Adventure, Guanacaste

  • Day 1: San José
  • Days 2–4: Arenal
  • Days 5–6: Monteverde
  • Days 7–8: Guanacaste

Visit Collette Travel’s website for the detailed itinerary

Cost Per Person

  • Double occupancy: $3,599
  • Single occupancy: $4,099
  • Triple occupancy: $3,569

Included in cost: Round-trip air from a Washington area airport, air taxes and fees/surcharges, hotel transfers

Not included in cost: Cancellation waiver and insurance of $549 per person

Note: Collette Travel provides transportation from the State College area to the airport and back. Depending upon the airport selected for each trip, the bus may make a stop at the Penn State York campus as well.

For bookings made after July 20, 2025, call for rates.

Additional Information

For information on extensions and options for this tour, please visit the Collette website.

How to Book Your Trip with Collette Travel

  • To book your trip by phone, please call 1-800-581-8942 and refer to booking #1302779.
  • To book your trip online, please visit Collette Travel’s website.
  • A deposit of $698 per person is due upon reservation. Reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations made after the seat reduction date of July 20, 2025 are based upon availability. Deposits are refundable up until July 27, 2025.
  • Final payment due by October 29, 2025.