Tour Type
International Tours
DEPARTURE INFORMATION
Lower Mainland
January 15, 2026 – 14 Days
Vancouver Island
January 14, 2026 – 15 Days
BC Interior
January 14, 2026 – 15 Days
Activity Level 3
GROUP SIZE
TOUR SUMMARY
Costa Rica
Costa Rica covers only 0.03% of the planet’s surface but is home to 5% of all living organisms on earth. Active volcanoes, lush cloud forests, lowland jungles, rolling savannas, and coral beaches create a spectacular setting to experience the country’s natural beauty and exotic flora and fauna. During this unique tour, we travel through some of the richest habitats of Costa Rica, from Caribbean lowland rain forests to central volcanic highlands, from a cloud forest interior to coastal resorts. Enjoy the Tortuguero wildlife cruise, Arenal Volcano, Ecotermales Hot Springs, and Rincon de La Vieja National Park. Another highlight is a three-night stay at the Diria Resort at beautiful Tamarindo Beach. Come and admire the natural eco-wonders of Costa Rica and get away from a Canadian winter for two relaxing weeks.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
-
Meals
-
31 meals
-
30 meals
-
-
Transportation
-
-
Accommodation
-
-
Guides & Gratuities
-
-
Knowledgeable Wells Gray tour director
-
Tour Highlights (Included)
-
TOUR FARES
| Departure Point | Fares per Person |
|---|---|
$9,595$11,430 |
|
$9,745$11,580 |
|
$9,425$11,070 |
- Please add 0.3% GST.
- There is an additional cost to fly from Nanaimo or Comox to join this tour.
Early Booking Bonus!
$150 discount on first 8 seats; $75 on next 4.
DEPARTURE POINTS & DATES
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Level
High Activity: You are an active traveler who wants to explore wherever you go. You don’t mind a mix of full days, early morning starts, and some late nights. You can walk longer distances, up to 4 km without difficulty which may be over uneven ground, beaches/shorelines, or at higher elevations; climb in and out of small boats without any assistance; stand for prolonged periods; and participate in nature walks looking for birds and animals. You can climb three flights of stairs easily and unassisted and can handle your own luggage in airports or at hotels where luggage handling may not be available.
This tour is not appropriate for people with canes, walkers, wheelchairs, or other mobility assistance devices. Hiking poles are fine. Additionally, this tour is not appropriate for those who have cognitive impairments such as memory loss or confusion, difficulty expressing thoughts, repeating questions, or getting lost. The tour director and driver have many responsibilities, so please do not expect them, or your fellow travelers, to provide ongoing assistance. If you are not capable of keeping up with the group or require frequent assistance, the tour director may stop you from participating in some activities or some days of the tour. In extreme situations, you may be required to leave the tour and travel home at your own expense; travel insurance will probably not cover you.
Please read the Activity Level 3 declaration attached to this brochure. By paying the tour deposit, you agree that you are capable of travelling on an Activity Level 3 tour.
Tour Size
This tour is limited to 25 participants, making it a more intimate travel experience.
-
Documentation: A passport is required, valid until your return date. A visa is not required for Canadians.
-
Currency & Expenses: The currency in Costa Rica is the colon; $1 Canadian = 355 colons as of March 2025. US dollars are widely accepted and exchanged. Gratuities are included for all group meals and for Costa Rica guides, naturalists, and driver-guides. As this tour has been planned and priced 11 months before departure, it is possible that exchange fluctuations could affect the fare, in which case you will be notified of the increase or decrease. All meals are included in Costa Rica except 3 lunches and 3 dinners at the Diria Resort and one other dinner. See also the note about beverages.
-
Departure Tax: Costa Rica charges a departure tax at the Liberia airport. Air fares usually include this tax.
-
Flight seating: We are unable to take requests for window or aisle seating on the planes. The airline will not accept them, as group seating is assigned as a block. If this is important to you, we suggest you take the “No Flight” option with a fare reduction of $1,500 and book your own flight which allows seat selection.
-
Flight upgrades: Please enquire about current prices for upgrades on the flights from Vancouver to San Jose. Premium economy and business class may be available. We are unable to book upgrades for the return flight.
-
Flight delays or cancellations: Flights can be delayed or cancelled at the last minute, sometimes causing a missed connection. Wells Gray staff will try to assist with rebooking, but the airline usually wants to talk with the individual passenger. There may be an extra payment required if the issue is weather. Wells Gray Tours is not allowed to interfere with this process. Check that your travel insurance policy has a flight delay benefit because that is usually your best recourse for recouping additional flight costs.
-
Accommodation: Even though Costa Rica has a busy tourism industry, it is still considered a developing country and accommodation outside the cities may not be up to the standards of Canadian hotels. We generally select the best available lodging in each location, but please do not expect to stay in luxury hotels.
-
Triples: Triples are not available on this tour.
-
Beverages: In many countries outside Canada and USA, it is not standard practice to include beverages with tour meals. On this tour, a soft drink or bottled water is usually included with each meal and other beverages can be purchased.
-
Food Allergies: You must notify us no later than at final payment if you have a food allergy. This tour goes to some remote places where restaurants may not be able to satisfy all food allergies. An allergy causes medical distress, a preference does not. For some allergies, please consider bringing your own snacks or food items so you are not dependent on what restaurants are able to serve.
-
Vaccinations: Costa Rica is a tropical country, so you may need vaccinations. Please visit your local Travel Health Clinic for advice on required vaccinations. Bring this itinerary.
-
Payments: A deposit of $800 per person is requested at time of booking and balance is due October 9, 2025. By paying the deposit, you agree to the Terms & Conditions, Activity Level 3 Declaration, and Cancellation Policy outlined. Payments can be made by online banking or cheque (1.5% discount on tour fare), or by Visa or Mastercard ($5,000 limit per person on credit cards).
-
Early Booking Bonus: Receive a $150 discount on the first 8 seats and $75 on the next 4 seats for booking early with deposit. The discount is not offered after October 9, 2025.
-
Cancellation Policy: Up to September 9, 2025, your tour payments will be refunded less an administrative charge of $100 per person. From September 10 to October 9, the cancellation charge is $300 per person. From October 10 to November 10, the cancellation charge is 70% of the tour fare. After November 10, there is no refund.
-
Itinerary and Fare Changes: Our many suppliers may notify us about changes to the itinerary prior to departure and sometimes during the tour. We do our best to substitute a similar service if something cancels, but occasionally the only alternative is to provide a refund for the missed activity. Please note that if we are forced to cancel a tour component due to an issue beyond our control, the current penalties still apply if you choose to cancel the entire tour. Fuel surcharges and changes to taxes, currency exchange rates, or other tour costs can occur at any time, therefore Wells Gray Tours reserves the right to increase fares due to such changes up to departure.
-
Travel Insurance: A Comprehensive Insurance policy is available through Wells Gray Tours and coverage is provided by Travel Guard. Policies purchased at deposit include a waiver of the pre-existing condition clause for medical and cancellation claims, otherwise policies can be purchased no later than at final payment. Medical questionnaire is not needed. Please contact us for details. If you have your own travel insurance, please read the policy carefully to be sure that you are adequately covered for medical, cancellation, interruption, and luggage.
-
Photo Credits: Pixabay (Arenal Volcano, Toucan), Adobe Stock (La Paz Waterfall Gardens), and tour director Laura (Wells Gray Group at Playa Tortuguero 2025, Tortuguero Canals).
-
Experience Points or E-points: This tour earns 181 e-points. Each time you travel on a Wells Gray tour, you earn e-points that are added to your account after the tour returns. One e-point equals $1. Redeem your earned points on select tours or accumulate enough points to earn a free tour! Redemptions offered until October 9, 2025.
-
Consumer Protection BC Licenses: Kamloops 178, Vernon 655, Kelowna 588, Penticton 924, Victoria 65842