Costa Rica: Wildlife and Conservation
9 daysCosta Rica
Costa Rica: Wildlife and Conservation is a 9-day guided tour with National Geographic Expeditions through Costa Rica. 1 departure is open on Dec 1, 2026. The lowest current price is $7,795 per person (twin share), for the Dec 1, 2026 departure. Included: Transfers upon arrival and departure, Transportation provided on trip, Accommodation as indicated in the itinerary, Meals as indicated in the itinerary and 2 more.
From cloud forests and wetlands to coastal mangroves and pristine beaches, discover Costa Rica’s incredible biodiversity—and the conservation efforts that are helping to preserve it. On an expedition to wildlife refuges and national parks across northern Costa Rica, venture into the rainforests that blanket Arenal Volcano and go birding in the marshes of Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge. Visit a working coffee and cacao farm, follow naturalists on hikes through habitats teeming with wildlife and meet scientists at 3 different research stations for an inside look at critical conservation efforts.
- Length
- 9 days
- Route
- San José, Costa Rica to Guanacaste / Home
- Meals
- 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 8 dinners
- Price basis
- Prices are per person, based on double occupancy
- Trip type
- Signature Land
- Activity level
- Light-Moderate
- Service level
- Premium
- Operated by
- Global Adrenaline
Watch this price
Highlights
- Encounter a wide range of wildlife—from white-faced capuchins and howler monkeys to sloths, caimans, basilisk lizards, toucans and thousands of butterflies.
- Navigate the Río Frío of Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge by boat and identify unusual rainforest species hiking with naturalists from La Selva Biological Station & Reserve.
- Join researchers in the field at La Calandria Reserve and participate in their ongoing cloud forest conservation projects.
- Watch for monkeys and birdlife while navigating the mangroves of Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge and meet with experts from local scientific organizations focused on sustainability and conservation.
Itinerary
- San José, Costa RicaDay 1
- Sarapiquí / Arenal VolcanoDay 2
- Caño Negro National Wildlife RefugeDay 3
- Arenal Volcano National ParkDay 4
- Arenal Volcano / MonteverdeDay 5
- MonteverdeDay 6
- Santa Rosa National Park / GuanacasteDay 7
- Las Baulas National Marine Park / Tamarindo Wildlife RefugeDay 8
- Guanacaste / HomeDay 9
Day 1San José, Costa RicaSan José, Costa Rica
Arrive at Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San José, Costa Rica’s capital city, and transfer to your hotel upon arrival. After time to enjoy a swim or wander through the hotel’s tropical gardens and coffee plantation, meet for a welcome reception and dinner.
Day 2Sarapiquí / Arenal VolcanoSarapiquí / Arenal Volcano
Travel north into the lowland tropical forests of Sarapiquí to La Selva Biological Station & Reserve, home to 470 recorded bird species, 125 mammal species and so much more. On a naturalist-led hike, look for colorful poison dart frogs and unusual plant species, learn about long-term research projects and discover the important role of the reserve in creating a protected biological corridor. This afternoon, drive to your lodgings at the base of Arenal Volcano. Enjoy a talk by an expert before dinner at the hotel.
Day 3Caño Negro National Wildlife RefugeCaño Negro National Wildlife Refuge
Set out on a full-day excursion to one of the world’s great wetlands—Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge. Stretching along the border with Nicaragua, the reserve is a birder’s paradise, attracting hundreds of species of migratory birds to its shallow lagoons. Navigate the waterways in a covered boat, watching for all manner of wildlife—from roseate spoonbills to caimans, monkeys and sloths. Return to Arenal this afternoon.
Day 4Arenal Volcano National ParkArenal Volcano National Park
Spend the morning exploring Arenal Volcano National Park, where lush rainforests flank the conical peak of the most active volcano in Central America. On a naturalist-led hike, learn about the geothermal forces that kept this volcano simmering until 2011 and discover the park’s diverse flora and fauna. Take advantage of a free afternoon to visit the nearby hot springs or relax at the hotel pool, enjoying views of the stunning symmetrical peak of Arenal. Before dinner, try your hand at stirring up a guaro sour, a cocktail made with a Costa Rican sugarcane spirit.
Day 5Arenal Volcano / MonteverdeArenal Volcano / Monteverde
Begin the day with a private boat ride across beautiful Lake Arenal. Continue by road to Don Juan Tours, a family-run coffee farm, where you’ll take a tour of their coffee, cacao and sugarcane plantation. Enjoy a tasting of their fruits and finished products, learning about their different uses in medicine and cuisine. Then journey to the cloud forest-covered mountains of Monteverde.
Day 6MonteverdeMonteverde
Awaken early for a specially arranged excursion to La Calandria Reserve after enjoying breakfast at the hotel. Split into groups to join researchers in the field for orientation and learn about effective strategies for habitat resoration, water conservation and increasing community participation in the Monteverde zone and the Bellbird Biological Corridor. Afterwards, sit down to a well-earned lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, hike trails through the cloud forest and cross hanging bridges to get a close-up view of the canopy.
Day 7Santa Rosa National Park / GuanacasteSanta Rosa National Park / Guanacaste
Head for the coastal province of Guanacaste and set out on a guided visit to Santa Rosa National Park, one of the oldest national parks in Costa Rica. Here, tropical dry forests reach all the way to the beach, harboring a wealth of wildlife. On a drive through the park, watch for some of the resident creatures, as well as 500-year-old trees and stunning scenery. Get a closer look on a guided walk along a forest trail. End your day with a presentation at the hotel by experts in the subject of sea turtle conservation, where they will provide general information about Las Baulas National Park and their efforts—which include citizen science, environmental education and communication to support the community of Playa Grande and the national park. You will learn about the Marine Litter Lab, which you will visit the next day.
Day 8Las Baulas National Marine Park / Tamarindo Wildlife RefugeLas Baulas National Marine Park / Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge
This morning, following a brief presentation, visit a sea turtle nursery for some field work—which includes a beach clean-up—before meeting with representatives from the scientific organizations Sostenibilidad en Grande (Sustainability at Large) and FUNDECODES (Foundations for Balance Between Conservation and Sustainable Development). After lunch, board small boats to explore the mangroves of the adjacent Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge. Be on the lookout for crocodiles, white-faced capuchin monkeys and many bird species. This evening, join your fellow Guests for a farewell dinner.
Day 9Guanacaste / HomeGuanacaste / Home
After breakfast, transfer to the Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Guanacaste to catch your flight home.
What’s included
Included
- Transfers upon arrival and departure
- Transportation provided on trip
- Accommodation as indicated in the itinerary
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Daily activities and excursions as indicated in the itinerary
- All gratuities except the Expedition Leader
Not included
- Airfare to and from destination
- Trip cancelation insurance or any other travel insurance
- Visas when applicable
- Alcoholic beverages
- Expedition Leader gratuities
Dates and prices
Per person, twin share
Good to know
- Please note: There are inherent risks with travel. In addition, there are unique risks associated with the following activities on this itinerary: Suspension, Animal, Boating. View a list of risks for these and other activities that may pertain to a modified itinerary or optional excursion.
- What to Expect: This trip has an activity rating of light/moderate and suits a range of interests and abilities. Guests should be physically fit, comfortable walking or standing for extended periods and able to navigate uneven or slippery terrain. Guests can choose easy or moderate hikes ranging from one to five or more miles. There will be several long driving days with up to 5 hours of travel time and multiple stops.
- Accommodations
- Throughout the expedition, you will stay in accommodations selected for their exceptional quality, location and character.
- Expedition Team
- A National Geographic Expert and an Expedition Leader will accompany this trip, and local guides join you along the way.
- Transportation
- National Geographic Expeditions has arranged for all transportation needs during your stay in Costa Rica as specified in your trip itinerary. When spending time on your own, you may choose to visit a site that requires transportation. If this is the case, your Expedition Leader will happily recommend convenient transportation options.
Questions about Costa Rica: Wildlife and Conservation
How much does Costa Rica: Wildlife and Conservation cost?
The lowest current price is $7,795 per person (Dec 1, 2026 departure). Prices are per person, twin share, and depend on the departure date; the page lists every date with its price.
When does Costa Rica: Wildlife and Conservation depart?
1 departure is open in December 2026. Departures marked "On request" are confirmed by an advisor.
What is included?
Transfers upon arrival and departure, Transportation provided on trip, Accommodation as indicated in the itinerary, Meals as indicated in the itinerary, Daily activities and excursions as indicated in the itinerary and All gratuities except the Expedition Leader. Not included: Airfare to and from destination, Trip cancelation insurance or any other travel insurance, Visas when applicable, Alcoholic beverages and Expedition Leader gratuities.
Where does Costa Rica: Wildlife and Conservation go?
The 9-day itinerary visits San José, Costa Rica, Sarapiquí / Arenal Volcano, Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Arenal Volcano / Monteverde, Monteverde, Santa Rosa National Park / Guanacaste, Las Baulas National Marine Park / Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge and Guanacaste / Home.
How do I book Costa Rica: Wildlife and Conservation?
Send a request and an advisor confirms the current fare and availability and books it for you. You do not pay on the website. Prices are read from the supplier and shown only while they are less than 14 days old, so a price on this page is never older than that. The final price is confirmed when you book.