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Humpback whale breaching off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica

TURTLES · WHALES · DOLPHINS

Costa Rica Wildlife: Turtles, Whales & Dolphins

Coast to coast — Tortuguero's canals, cloud-forest quetzals and the whales of Marino Ballena

Costa RicaTailor-Made8 days / 7 nightsFlights IncludedPrice on enquiry

An eight-day wildlife odyssey that crosses Costa Rica from the Caribbean to the Pacific. Cruise the jungle canals of Tortuguero — the "Little Amazon" and a key green-turtle nesting site — climb into the cloud forests of Cerro de la Muerte in search of the resplendent quetzal, then descend to the Marino Ballena National Park for humpback whales, dolphins and the famous "whale-tail" sandbar.

We arrange it as a private, tailor-made holiday with return UK flights, eco-lodges and boutique hotels, all land and boat transfers and expert naturalist guides — ATOL protected from the moment you book.

Pair of dolphins leaping from the sea off the Costa Rican coast

WHAT YOU'LL SEE

Holiday Highlights

Tortuguero canals — boat safaris through the Caribbean "Little Amazon", with monkeys, caimans and toucans
Green sea turtles (seasonal) — night nesting walks on Tortuguero's beaches (July–October)
Resplendent quetzals — cloud-forest birding at Cerro de la Muerte and the Paraíso del Quetzal
Whale & dolphin watching — Marino Ballena humpbacks (Antarctic Jul–Oct, Alaskan Dec–Apr) and resident dolphins
Sierpe mangroves — a boat safari through Central America's largest mangrove system, home to scarlet macaws
Diquís stone spheres — the mysterious UNESCO-listed pre-Columbian spheres of the Osa region
ATOL protected & flight-inclusive — return UK flights and full financial protection (licence 10898)

Your Itinerary

Day 1: Fly from the UK · Arrive San José

Fly from the UK to San José (typically via Madrid or a US gateway). Your private driver transfers you to your hotel for an evening welcome briefing with your guide.

Day 2: To Tortuguero — the "Little Amazon"

A land-and-boat journey to the Caribbean coast and Tortuguero National Park, with a canal cruise and village visit; in nesting season (July–October) join a guided night walk to watch green turtles come ashore.

Day 3: Tortuguero National Park

A morning rainforest and garden walk, then an afternoon canal boat safari spotting monkeys, caimans, toucans and an extraordinary variety of birds.

Day 4: Into the highlands — Cerro de la Muerte

Leave Tortuguero by boat, then drive high into the cloud forest above 3,000m for quetzal and highland birdwatching, with an evening owl walk.

Day 5: Quetzals & down to Dominical

An early birding tour at the Paraíso del Quetzal in search of Costa Rica's most dazzling bird, before descending to the Pacific surf town of Dominical on the Ballena coast.

Day 6: Sierpe mangroves & stone spheres

A boat safari through the Térraba-Sierpe mangroves — squirrel monkeys, crocodiles and scarlet macaws — followed by a visit to the UNESCO-listed Diquís stone spheres.

Day 7: Whale watching at Marino Ballena

A boat tour in Marino Ballena National Park for humpback whales and dolphins, and a walk on the Punta Uvita "whale-tail" sandbar at low tide, before returning to San José.

Day 8: Fly home

Transfer to San José International Airport for your flight back to the UK, arriving home the following day.

Fiery-throated hummingbird perched on a branch in the Costa Rican cloud forest

Where You'll Stay

A coast-to-coast mix of city hotel, jungle lodge, cloud-forest lodge and a Pacific-coast hotel (or similar), with full board in remote Tortuguero.

San José (1 night)

A comfortable city hotel for arrival and your welcome briefing.

Tortuguero (2 nights, full board)

A jungle lodge on the canals, with guided boat excursions and meals included.

Cerro de la Muerte (1 night)

A cosy cloud-forest lodge famous for its quetzals and hummingbird feeders.

Ballena Coast / Uvita (2 nights)

A boutique hotel above the Pacific, perfectly placed for whale watching and the mangroves.

San José (1 night)

A final city night before flying home.

What's Included

  • Return international flights from the UK to San José
  • 7 nights' accommodation across city, jungle, cloud-forest and Pacific-coast properties (B&B; full board in Tortuguero)
  • All private land and boat transfers and a bilingual naturalist guide
  • Tortuguero canal safaris, quetzal birding, Sierpe mangrove boat safari and Marino Ballena whale-watching tour
  • National park entrance fees as per the itinerary
  • 24/7 in-destination support and ATOL financial protection (licence 10898)

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance (required — we can recommend specialist providers)
  • Meals and drinks not specified, and optional excursions
  • Gratuities, personal expenses and single-room supplements

Frequently Asked Questions

Humpback whales visit Marino Ballena from the Antarctic roughly July–October (peak August–September) and from Alaska December–April, so whales are possible much of the year. Green turtles nest in Tortuguero July–October. Tell us what you most want to see and we'll time the trip accordingly.

Timing is everything for wildlife — see when to visit for the turtles and whales in our month-by-month Costa Rica guide.

Plan your Costa Rica wildlife holiday

Speak to one of our Latin America specialists for a tailored quote and your preferred dates. Flights, lodges, transfers and guides all arranged — ATOL protected from the moment you book.

Enquire About This Holiday
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Tailor-Made Holiday
Price on enquiry
tailored to your tripATOL protected (10898)
Flights Included
Private holiday
Flexible dates
8 days / 7 nights (suggested)
Fully customisable

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Real reviews

What our customers say

From travellers who visited Costa Rica with us

“
We've wanted to visit Costa Rica for years and Travelfab put together a brilliant two-week trip. Arenal Volcano with the hot springs was the perfect start. Tortuguero's canals were teeming with wildlife — monkeys, sloths, caimans, an incredible variety of birds. The Caribbean coast around Puerto Viejo had a completely different vibe — reggae, jerk chicken, and lovely reef snorkelling. Pura vida indeed.

Graham & Pat D.

“
Costa Rica was pure magic. Monteverde cloud forest was eerie and beautiful — we saw a resplendent quetzal on our first morning which our guide said was rare. The hanging bridges walk was thrilling. We finished at Manuel Antonio where the white-faced monkeys came right up to our sun loungers. The biodiversity is staggering. Travelfab arranged everything including an excellent local driver-guide.

Victoria & Mark P.

“
Costa Rica is paradise for nature lovers. We saw toucans, sloths, monkeys and hummingbirds — all within the first two days. The Arenal Volcano area and Monteverde cloud forest were highlights.

Oliver & Gemma P.

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Tailor-made · ATOL 10898

Want to customise this trip?

Every Travelfab holiday is tailor-made — extend a leg, swap a hotel, combine with another country. Tell us the shape you want and a specialist will redesign it around you.

Customise this trip with a specialist
Price on enquiry
ATOL 10898