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Located in Costa Rica’s lush Central Valley, the capital San José is a busy, vibrant Latin American metropolis, with the country's pristine natural attractions on its doorstep.

Standing in the centre of the country at an elevation of around 1,200 metres, it enjoys an average temperature of 21⁰ C year round, is the home of the main international airport and where the majority of Costa Rican’s live and work. 

The city is almost entirely European in flavour, partly due to the influx of Spanish, soon after Costa Rica’s discovery by Christopher Columbus. The tendency, also, for the wealthier classes to travel and study in Europe during the 19th and early 20th centuries added to the European influence, which can be seen in the city’s architecture.

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Key info

  • Where: San Jose Province, Costa Rica

Wildlife trips

This location is featured in the following itineraries:

Natural Highlights

An exceptional trip to discover Costa Rica’s abundant birds and wildlife amid its forests, lagoons and beaches. Highlights include the canals of Tortuguero, Arenal’s volcanic landscapes and howler monkeys, spectacular birdwatching in Monteverde’s cloud forests and the idyllic beaches of Manuel Antonio. Find out more about Natural Highlights

  • Price (inc. flights): 14 days from £4,495
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
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Cloud Forests & Mountains

Discover the beauty and biodiversity of Costa Rica's flora and fauna on this superb tailor made trip, showcasing the country’s rainforests, cloud forests and Pacific coast. Watch nature unfold as you experience national parks and private reserves simply brimming with wildlife, birds and plant species. Find out more about Cloud Forests & Mountains

  • Price (inc. flights): 14 days from £5,595
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
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Cloud Forests, Jungles & Volcanoes

Costa Rica boasts spectacular mountains and active volcanoes, pristine beaches, lowland rainforest, high cloud forest festooned with orchids and bromeliads, and tropical wetlands. The amazing diversity of its bird and plant life makes it one of the most fascinating tropical countries to visit. Find out more about Cloud Forests, Jungles & Volcanoes

  • Price (inc. flights): 14 days from £6,495
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
  • When to go:
    • F
    • M

Coast to Coast

Explore the coral reefs of the Caribbean Sea and the cloud forest clad interior, tropical rainforests and smouldering volcanoes of the central valley, en route to the sunset beaches of the Pacific Ocean on this epic trip to Costa Rica. For staggering biodiversity and scenic beauty, look no further. Find out more about Coast to Coast

  • Price (inc. flights): 15 days from £4,195
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
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Costa Rica Family Adventure

This family trip has plenty of interesting activities to introduce you to tropical wildlife, yet there is also ample time to relax (all hotels have a pool) if you wish. The distances are not great, so you won’t waste time travelling, but have maximum opportunity to enjoy Costa Rica to the full. Find out more about Costa Rica Family Adventure

  • Price (inc. flights): 16 days from £3,495
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
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Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast

Explore the best of the west as you traverse Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, home to nesting turtles, humpback whales, scarlet macaws and a huge array of lush rainforest dwellers. In combination with the misty cloud forests of Monteverde, this stunning tailormade holiday can be customised to suit. Find out more about Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast

  • Price (inc. flights): 13 days from £5,795
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
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Costa Rica’s Wildlife Wonders

The verdant country of Costa Rica is a must-visit destination for any wildlife enthusiast - this small nation is bursting with fascinating flora and fauna. Our extensive 12-day group trip visits some of the finest wildlife locations within Costa Rica to encounter some of its more exotic species. Find out more about Costa Rica’s Wildlife Wonders

  • Price (inc. flights): 12 days from £5,595
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
    Tailor-made can be arranged
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Festival of Wildlife Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a tropical paradise, whilst small it punches well above its weight when it comes to wildlife and biodiversity. Nowhere is this experienced more keenly than the Osa Peninsula in the country’s south-west, jutting out into the Pacific Ocean and the setting for our Festival of Wildlife in 2027. Find out more about Festival of Wildlife Costa Rica

  • Price (inc. flights): 11 days from £9,745
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
  • When to go:
    • J

Costa Rica: Caribbean Rainforest Photography Workshop

Costa Rica has long been an established wildlife destination, renowned for its remarkable biodiversity. Join acclaimed photographers Nick Garbutt and Alex Hyde on this unique itinerary that includes stays in prime locations to discover some of the country’s best preserved ecosystems. Find out more about Z) Costa Rica: Caribbean Rainforest Photography Workshop

  • Price (inc. flights): 15 days from £9,895
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
  • When to go:
    • A
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Suggested accommodation options are shown below. Please contact us for further recommendations.

Bosque de Paz Lodge

Bosque de Paz Lodge

Set in a private reserve just over an hour’s drive northwest of San José, between Juan Castro Blanco and Poás Volcano national parks, this small lodge is in a jungle paradise, surrounded by magnificent cloud forest and rainforest. Consisting of just 12 rooms, it is the perfect stop en route to Sarapiqui. Find Out More about Bosque de Paz Lodge

Hotel Bougainvillea

Hotel Bougainvillea

Situated in a quiet suburb just north of San José, 25 minutes from the international airport and a mere 15 minutes from the city centre, this pleasant hotel makes a good base for exploring the Central Valley. Its extensive gardens are particularly beautiful and attract a variety of birds and frogs. Find Out More about Hotel Bougainvillea

Hotel Grano de Oro

Hotel Grano de Oro

Situated on a shady side street just off Paseo Colon, San José main thoroughfare, the Grano de Oro is a true oasis, a peaceful sanctuary in the heart of the city. Originally a tropical Victorian mansion, it is now an elegant and refined boutique hotel, yet still maintains the warmth and comfort of a private home. Find Out More about Hotel Grano de Oro