Off Menu Costa Rica! from the Cloud Forest to the Caribbean Coast

Costa Rica Group Trip Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in San José, and check into a beautiful historic hotel with root top jacuzzi and a gorgeous courtyard. We’ll enjoy a group welcome dinner and an option for a night out, enjoying local spots, or catch up on sleep!

Day 2

Transfer via private shuttle to Monteverde, about a 3 hour journey that takes us into the cloud forest. It reminded me of tropical Swiss alps, verdant, mountainous and cool. This is one of the most unique ecosystems in the world, so be prepared to see cows as well as many endemic bird species and plants! We’ll check into our hotel, and tour the grounds for the next three nights before enjoying a group dinner featuring local cheese!

Day 3

After a leisurely breakfast, we will explore the magic of this area, from waterfalls to a coffee farm and a night hike where we can see lots of wildlife you can’t spot during the day! We will have a local guide who will share history of Monteverde as well as guide us on the tours. Some hiking/walking will be necessary to see the falls. We are immersed in the wildlife and agriculture of Costa Rica and the incredible hospitality of the Ticos.

Day 4

Today we start with a delicious breakfast from products grown in the area. Spend the day as you wish – you can book an optional activity such as zipline or go hiking, or just explore the town and surrounding areas or relax at the hotel. Back at the hotel, we will enjoy dinner prepared from their farm before heading to bed, back into town, or to watch the stars.

Day 5

After a private yoga class and delicious breakfast, we head to Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. This area is rich in cultural diversity, culinary treasures and natural beauty. Beauty is an understatement. This is a long travel day, about 6-7 hours with a stop for lunch. Once we arrive at our ocean front hotel, we will enjoy a delicious welcome dinner.

Day 6

Free day! After breakfast, enjoy the beach, wander into Puerto Viejo, rest. The day is yours! We will reconvene for a group dinner.

Day 7

Today is a local food and culture immersion day. We will have a chance to learn about the indigenous communities of Costa Rica. With a local guide we will immerse ourselves in  BriBri culture, learning how to make chocolate from scratch. We will also enjoy a mini cooking class and dinner learning to make AfroCosta Rican food–and of course eating it.

Day 8

On our final day in Puerto Viejo we will start the morning with a nature hike to see wildlife. You’ll see sloths, macaws and who knows what else! This guided tour will take us to Cahuita National forest. This is a flat hike by the mosts stunning coast. The afternoon is for the beach or whatever you desire! We’ll enjoy a delicious dinner and watch the sunset before getting ready to head back to San Jose in the morning.

Day 9

After a delicious breakfast and farewell to the ocean, we will head back to San Jose and enjoy last minute shopping or relaxation before our final group dinner.

Day 10

Departure Day! After breakfast your private transfer will take you to the airport. But don’t worry Costa Rica will be there for you.

COST: Starting at $4095/pp BASED on double occupancy

INCLUSIONS:

• 9 nights lodging in boutique or historic hotels
• Meals throughout the duration of the trip as listed including breakfast daily
• All activities including the private tours, classes and more as listed
• Regional and local transportation in private air-conditioned vehicles
• Expert local guides
• On the ground concierge services
• Tips for all included meals and local guides/classes

Deposits/Payments

DOUBLE OCCUPANCY: $4095/pp

SINGLE OCCUPANCY: $4620/pp

Deposits/Payments: To hold your spot in the tour a $500 non-refundable deposit is required. This can be paid by credit card, Zelle or Venmo (may incur fees). 

Remaining balance due on or before 90 days before the tour

Flexible Booking/Cancellation:A $500 non refundable deposit is required to hold your spot. Your final payment is due 30 days before the tour. The non-refundable deposit can be transferred one time only to another trip if you cancel before 60 days before the tour. After that the deposit is forfeited.

Refunds and adjustments: There will be no refunds or adjustments for unused portion of the tour.

Zelle and Venmo transfer accepted for no additional fee; credit card payments incur a 5% processing fee – please make a note in the booking form.

Tour Policies and Procedures incl. Covid updates

Covid Protocol and Safety Measures:

We will adhere to local mask mandates and safety protocol as required.

If you test positive and must quarantine, you will be fully responsible for any fees associated with your stay including but not limited to health care costs and lodging. By joining the tour each participant voluntarily agrees to assume all of the foregoing risks and accept sole responsibility for any injury (including, but not limited to personal injury, disability, and death), illness, damage, loss, claim, liability or expense of any kind that they may experience or incur in connection with their Otehlia Travels trip and its activities.

Cancellation and Refund: If Otehlia Travels cancels the tour, all fees paid MINUS your $500 deposit (service fee) will  be refunded. We strongly encourage trip insurance in case of unforeseen events that result in the cancellation of your trip.

Travel Insurance: Otehlia Travels requires travel insurance for all travelers with at least basic coverage for trip cancellation, delay or interruption. Two companies that offer insurance that I recommend are AIG or Allianz. You can get a quote from AIG and also Allianz offers it. You definitely need to read the fine print regarding Covid-related coverage. You would purchase your own coverage. There are various levels, but at a baseline, you want trip cancellation or delay, and medical emergency – Once you reach out to a provider, you can see the basic coverage and additions.

A) Minimum Group Size:

Otehlia Travels’ trips are priced based on a minimum group size that varies by trip, making our trips financially viable to operate. Otehlia Travels reserves the right to cancel any trip if the trip does not attract the minimum number of clients required to make the trip financially viable. Otehlia Travels will not, however, cancel a trip due to minimum group size any later than 21 days prior to the commencement of the trip. In the event of cancellation, Otehlia Travels shall not, in any case, be responsible for nonrefundable expenses incurred by the client, including, but not limited to airline cancellation fees or insurance purchases.

Alternatively, clients may choose to pay a small group surcharge that would be assessed to each guest in groups that fall below the minimum group size, which avoids us having to cancel the trip.

B) Force Majeure:

Otehlia Travels reserves the right to cancel a trip at any stage prior to the scheduled departure due to terrorism, natural disasters, political instability or other external events which make it unviable for Otehlia Travels to operate our planned schedule. In such a case, Otehlia Travels will, at its own discretion, refund a portion of the trip price (less incurred costs and the non-refundable deposit), reschedule the tour, or offer an alternative tour. Should the client choose to purchase “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) insurance coverage, and the tour becomes unviable for Otehlia Travels to operate or reschedule, Otehlia Travels will cover the client’s CFAR deductible up to 25% of the price of the tour.

BOOKING AMENDMENTS

If you wish to change your booking in any way, you must contact us as soon as possible and we will accommodate your request to the best of our ability. Surcharges may apply.

SUBSTITUTION OF A CLIENT

If any member of the party is prevented from traveling because of the death, injury or serious illness of the passenger, close relative or friend, redundancy or jury service, it may be possible to transfer the booking to another suitable person (acceptable to Otehlia Travels) provided that written notice is given at least 30 days prior to departure. An administration fee of up to $150 may be imposed by the company to cover non-refundable costs. Airlines may impose 100% cancellation charges and the cost of a new ticket.

Photography release: The tour participants permits Otehlia Travels, LLC to photographs, films, images, text, testimonials of participants for its own commercial use without compensation to participants.

Any dispute related to these terms and conditions or the program itself, directly or indirectly shall be settled solely in the courts of Madison, WI. In such litigation, Wisconsin law will apply.

*Does not include round trip airfare to San José Costa Rica, airport taxes, personal expenses, housekeeping and instructor/guide tips, travel insurance. Includes meals, alcoholic beverages and excursions as specified in itinerary as well as all tips to staff and guides for included excursions. 

By registering, you agree to our Policies & Procedures including our Waiver & Liability Release policy.