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Costa Rica budget holiday

COUNTRY:
Costa Rica
HOLIDAY TYPE:
A small group adventure
DEPARTURES:
2012: 27 Mar, 10 Apr, 24 Apr, 22 May, 19 Jun, 17 Jul, 14 Aug, 11 Sep, 9 Oct, 6 Nov, 4 Dec
2013: 1 Jan, 29 Jan, 26 Feb, 26 Mar, 16 Apr, 7 May, 4 Jun, 2 Jul, 30 Jul, 27 Aug, 24 Sep, 22 Oct, 19 Nov, 17 Dec
PRICE:
From £465 (10 days) excluding flights
MORE INFO:
Local payment USD 200.00 .
VOUCHERS:
Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday
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Costa Rica budget holiday

Costa Rica budget holiday

Small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.

How this holiday makes a difference

By participating in this trip you are making a difference in two key ways. Costa Rica is 25% national park and we spend a great deal of time in these parks, spotting a wide range of wildlife. A progressive, sustainable approach to wildlife-based tourism in Costa Rica means that by visiting these parks, we are supporting them financially and ensuring their success.

This trip is focused on respecting and benefiting the local people and the environment of this country. On this trip you will be lead by an experienced local leader passionate about their country's history, heritage and natural beauty that will help you to get 'under the skin' of their country and see it through the eyes of a local. This trip stays at locally run accommodation; we eat at local restaurants and travel on local transport. This ensures the financial return to the local economy opens up training and employment opportunities - and allows for informal and meaningful interaction between our travellers and local people.

We are constantly seeking new and innovative ways of neutralising our impact on the environment. We will become the first Australian adventure tour operator to offer a voluntary carbon offsetting option on the land component of all its tours, as well as the accompanying flights. Our Community Trust provides funds for local community projects and initiatives that promote responsible and sustainable tourism development in the destinations in which we operate. First and foremost, but not exclusively, the Trust supports projects and initiatives that advance education and employment within the tourism and hospitality industry. The Trust operates on a not-for-profit basis, with every cent of funds donated by us, our staff and our travellers, going to the nominated projects.

The maximum group size on all of our adventures is 16 passengers – with exception of some African trips (24 max) and in the Polar Regions, where our ship carries a maximum of 110 passengers. Travelling in small groups ensures we make significantly less impact on the natural environment, as well as breaking down many of the communication barriers presented by a larger group.

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How we choose providers
Costa Rica budget holiday

Costa Rica budget holiday

Reviewed 03 Aug 2007 by Tracey Reed3 star rating

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?


Zip lining in the Monte Verde forest canopy. The scenery was breathtaking and the experience invigorating.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?


Take at least $250 for food and $400 for additional activities as there is only one activity included in the tour cost (visiting the Arenal volcano).

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?


Yes. This company only books accommodation owned by local people in each location so the money stays in the area. Although no information was given about how they care for the environment or attempt to neutralise the carbon footprint we create with all the overland transport, electricity use etc.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?


It was a lot of fun and the people were down-to-earth and warm. The only recommendation I have for this tour is to make customers clearly aware that none of their recommended activities are included in the price of the tour and that the price of most activities begins at $40.

Reviewed 12 Dec 2006 by Amy Angelilli4 star rating

It's no surprise that the most fantastic part of the trip was being close to the animals without bars between us. We visited amazing creatures in their "homes" without harming their surroundings.

At one point in Caño Negro we saw a baby monkey staring at us while perched on his mama's back -- precious. When talking to people about Costa Rica I'd advise them that the rain forest is called a rain forest for a reason! Next time I'll be bringing rubber boots to combat the mud that's a byproduct of all the rain.

Our tour operator was a local woman who chose restaurants, bars and activities run by other local people and their families. The money we spent went to the native residents -- not to American transplants who are starting businesses in Costa Rica. We also respected the land by staying on marked paths, using trash and recycling receptacles and taking nothing but photographs along the way.

I'd rate this a **** holiday and have the photos to prove it! I'll be returning and working with the local tour operator in the future.

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Holiday Reviews

We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same holiday can have different views!

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Costa Rica budget holiday
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