Travel details
USD 2,970
/ per person
Note: The displayed price is a reference price converted from the local price using our exchange rate at the time this plan was proposed.
|
Duration |
Departure in 2026/12 | 8 days |
|
Participants |
2 person(s)（Adults 2 person(s)、Children 0 person(s)） |
Travel story
This sample itinerary seeks out rare wild animals living in Costa Rica’s forests, such as quetzals, tapirs, and sloths, and rings in the New Year by the sea.
Designed for families that include a person with a hearing impairment, the entire trip is a private tour accompanied by a Japanese-speaking guide, who gives explanations at a relaxed pace in quiet places.
Get up close to a world of diverse wildlife on rainforest walks and jungle boat tours.
At Tenorio Volcano National Park, take in the mystical milky-blue waterfalls and rivers that emerge from the forest.
In the second half of the trip, head to the Nicoya Peninsula. Enjoy a luxurious break with walks in a nature reserve and leisurely time at the beach.
This year-end and New Year’s trip with a Japanese-speaking guide offers everything from wildlife spotting and spectacular scenery to ringing in the New Year by the sea.
Signature points
An adventure in search of wildlife, from elusive birds to forest giants
Head into the forest early in the morning in search of the quetzal, also known as “the most beautiful bird in the world.”
In Sarapiquí, look for sloths, brightly colored frogs, and rare white tent bats.
In Bijagua, you may also encounter the tapir, the largest land mammal in Central America.
Explore a range of natural environments and experience Costa Rica’s rich ecosystem firsthand.
From forest to sea: a special New Year’s celebration in Costa Rica
In the second half of the trip, head to Montezuma on the Pacific-facing Nicoya Peninsula.
At the Curu Wildlife Refuge, stroll through tropical forest and mangroves, and enjoy a swim at the beach.
Spend New Year’s Eve by the nature-rich coast, with free time set aside on New Year’s Day morning as well.
With support from a Japanese-speaking guide, enjoy a year-end and New Year’s trip that combines adventure and relaxation.
Fully supported by a Japanese-speaking guide! Enjoy a worry-free journey through the great outdoors
A Japanese-speaking guide accompanies you on everything from wildlife spotting and jungle boat tours to walks in national parks.
Enjoy sightseeing while learning about local nature and the characteristics of plants and animals in Japanese.
You can also get help with hotel check-ins and meals, making this a reassuring option for anyone concerned about language barriers.
This itinerary lets you fully enjoy Costa Rica’s great outdoors without having to worry about arranging transportation or sightseeing.
What we took into account on this trip
Background of the request
A family that includes a person with a hearing impairment asked about enjoying wildlife watching in Costa Rica while being able to follow the guide’s explanations clearly.
How the local travel agency responded
- The entire trip is a private tour, not a large group tour, so you can listen to the guide’s explanations from nearby
- Explanations are given at a relaxed pace in quiet places
- Accommodates the use of speech recognition apps (as internet access is often unavailable in forests and mountainous areas, offline-capable apps are recommended)
- Wildlife watching mainly involves enjoying the animals visually
Whether the same arrangements are possible will be confirmed by the local travel agency when you consult with us.
Other plans at this destination
Itinerary
Arrival in Costa Rica
-
Costarica - San José
-
(Not included)
Arrival in Costa Rica
Arrival in Costa Rica. Make your own way from the airport to your hotel in San José.
-
Hotel Balmoral
Arrive at the hotel. Check in if early check-in is available.
If your room is not ready, please leave large pieces of luggage, such as suitcases, at the front desk.
Travel to Quetzal Habitat
-
Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel.
-
Private Transfer
Your Japanese-speaking guide will meet you at the hotel.
Depart San José in a private vehicle and travel to the mountainous region that is home to the quetzal.
★Your Japanese-speaking guide will accompany you from today through the end of your trip★
[Japanese Guide]
-
Coffee Farm Visit
Visit a coffee farm along the way (private tour). Learn about Costa Rican coffee.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Lunch
Lunch after the farm visit.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private Transfer
Depart the coffee farm and travel to a lodge in the quetzal's habitat.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Costarica - Cerro de la Muerte
-
Albergue Mirador de Quetzales
Arrive at the lodge. Your guide will assist you with check-in.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Dinner
Dinner at the lodge restaurant.
[Japanese Guide]
Meals B/F：⚪︎ LUN：⚪︎ DIN：⚪︎
Quetzal Watching + Transfer to Sarapiquí
-
Early-Morning Quetzal Search Tour
Before breakfast, join an early-morning quetzal search tour (approximately 2 hours, private).
Search for the quetzal, sometimes called the most beautiful bird in the world.
Consideration: The wildlife observation will be private, and explanations will be given at a relaxed pace in a quiet spot between sightings.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Breakfast
Breakfast at the lodge.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private Transfer
Check out of the lodge and travel to the Sarapiquí nature reserve (approximately 4–4.5 hours).
[Japanese Guide]
-
Costarica - Sarapiquí
-
Lunch
After arriving at the reserve, have lunch at the restaurant.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Explore the Nature Reserve
After lunch, explore the reserve with your guide (private tour).
Look for sloths, colorful frogs, toucans, hummingbirds, and vividly colored birds such as tanagers; tropical butterflies such as morphos and owl butterflies; and other insects. You will also search for the Honduran white bat, an exceptionally rare pure-white bat.
Consideration: The wildlife observation will be private, and explanations will be given at a relaxed pace in a quiet spot between sightings.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private Transfer
After the reserve tour, travel to your lodge in Sarapiquí.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Ara Ambigua Lodge
Arrive at the lodge in Sarapiquí and check in. Your guide will assist you with check-in.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Free Time
Free time after check-out.
Your guide will assist you at dinner.
[Japanese Guide]
Meals B/F：⚪︎ LUN：⚪︎ DIN：×
Jungle Boat Tour
-
Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private Transfer
Check out of the hotel and travel to a town near the Nicaraguan border, where you will take a jungle boat tour (approximately 2.5 hours).
[Japanese Guide]
-
Costarica - Los Chiles
-
Jungle Boat Tour
After a break in town, transfer to a boat and begin your jungle boat tour (approximately 3 hours, private).
Take a boat tour on the Río Frío, which flows near the border with Nicaragua. Look for monkeys such as howler monkeys and capuchins, small caimans, basilisk lizards known for running across the water, and various waterbirds, including kingfishers, sandpipers, herons, and ibises.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Lunch
Lunch on the boat. Enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by nature.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private Transfer
After the boat tour, return to your vehicle and travel to a lodge in Bijagua (approximately 2.5 hours).
[Japanese Guide]
-
Costarica - Bijagua
-
Celeste Mountain Lodge
Arrive at the lodge in Bijagua. The guide will assist you with check-in.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Dinner
Dinner at the restaurant inside the lodge.
[Japanese Guide]
Meals B/F：⚪︎ LUN：⚪︎ DIN：⚪︎
Full day exploring Bijagua
-
Breakfast
Breakfast at the lodge restaurant.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Explore Tenorio Volcano National Park
Hike in Tenorio Volcano National Park (private, approximately 2.5–3 hours).
See waterfalls, rivers, and other features that appear milky blue due to volcanic material in the water. You will walk through the tropical rainforest, where you may also spot birds, monkeys, snakes, and other wildlife.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private vehicle transfer
After exploring Tenorio Volcano National Park, transfer by vehicle to an ecolodge in Bijagua (approximately 30 minutes).
[Japanese Guide]
-
Lunch
After arriving at the ecolodge, have lunch at the restaurant inside the lodge.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Forest walk
After lunch, explore the forest within the ecolodge grounds (private, approximately 2 hours).
You may spot birds, insects, frogs, snakes, and other wildlife. You will also walk across a suspension bridge in the forest.
Consideration note: The wildlife viewing will be private, and explanations will be given at a relaxed pace in quiet places between sightings.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private vehicle transfer
After the forest walk, transfer to the lodge in Bijagua (approximately 15–20 minutes).
[Japanese Guide]
-
Celeste Mountain Lodge
[Japanese Guide]
-
Dinner
Dinner at the restaurant inside the lodge.
[Japanese Guide]
Meals B/F：⚪︎ LUN：⚪︎ DIN：⚪︎
Transfer to Montezuma
-
Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private vehicle transfer
Check out of the hotel and transfer to a nature reserve near Bijagua.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Visit to the nature reserve
After arriving at the reserve, explore it with a guide (approximately 2.5 hours, private).
The reserve is home to tapirs, the largest land mammals in Central America, and offers a higher chance of spotting them than other reserves in Costa Rica. In addition to tapirs, you may also see monkeys, sloths, toucans, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, tanagers and other birds, insects, frogs, snakes, and other wildlife.
Consideration note: The wildlife viewing will be private, and explanations will be given at a relaxed pace in quiet places between sightings.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private vehicle transfer
After the tour, depart Bijagua and transfer to Montezuma (approximately 5 hours, including a lunch break).
[Japanese Guide]
-
Costarica - Montezuma
-
Sano Banano Beachside Hotel
After arriving at the hotel, check in. The guide will assist you with check-in.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Free time
The rest of the time after check-in is at your leisure.
If you wish, the guide can show you around the village or recommend restaurants for dinner.
[Japanese Guide]
Full day exploring the area around Montezuma
-
Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private vehicle transfer
After breakfast, transfer to the Curú Wildlife Refuge (approximately 1 hour).
[Japanese Guide]
-
Explore the Curú Wildlife Refuge
After arriving at the wildlife refuge, complete the registration process and explore the area.
Enjoy nature walks through tropical forest and mangroves, as well as swimming at the beach within the refuge.
Consideration note: The wildlife viewing will be private, and explanations will be given at a relaxed pace in quiet places between sightings.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Lunch
Lunch at the restaurant inside the refuge.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Free time
After lunch, you can stay at the refuge and enjoy some free time.
You can relax at the beach, or, if you would prefer to rest at the hotel, the guide can arrange a transfer there, depending on the circumstances.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Sano Banano Beachside Hotel
[Japanese Guide]
Meals B/F：⚪︎ LUN：⚪︎ DIN：×
Transfer to San José
-
Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel.
-
Free time
Enjoy free time in the morning.
If you wish, we can take you to a different reserve near Montezuma from the one you visited the previous day, or to another beach area.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private vehicle transfer
Check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport (approximately 6–7 hours, including lunch and restroom breaks).
[Japanese Guide]
-
(Not included)
Arrival at the airport
Arrive at the airport. You will say goodbye to your guide and driver at the airport entrance.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Departure from Costa Rica
Arrival in Costa Rica
-
Costarica - San José
-
(Not included)
Arrival in Costa Rica
Arrival in Costa Rica. Make your own way from the airport to your hotel in San José.
-
Hotel Balmoral
Arrive at the hotel. Check in if early check-in is available.
If your room is not ready, please leave large pieces of luggage, such as suitcases, at the front desk.
Travel to Quetzal Habitat
-
Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel.
-
Private Transfer
Your Japanese-speaking guide will meet you at the hotel.
Depart San José in a private vehicle and travel to the mountainous region that is home to the quetzal.
★Your Japanese-speaking guide will accompany you from today through the end of your trip★
[Japanese Guide]
-
Coffee Farm Visit
Visit a coffee farm along the way (private tour). Learn about Costa Rican coffee.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Lunch
Lunch after the farm visit.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private Transfer
Depart the coffee farm and travel to a lodge in the quetzal's habitat.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Costarica - Cerro de la Muerte
-
Albergue Mirador de Quetzales
Arrive at the lodge. Your guide will assist you with check-in.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Dinner
Dinner at the lodge restaurant.
[Japanese Guide]
Meals B/F：⚪︎ LUN：⚪︎ DIN：⚪︎
Quetzal Watching + Transfer to Sarapiquí
-
Early-Morning Quetzal Search Tour
Before breakfast, join an early-morning quetzal search tour (approximately 2 hours, private).
Search for the quetzal, sometimes called the most beautiful bird in the world.
Consideration: The wildlife observation will be private, and explanations will be given at a relaxed pace in a quiet spot between sightings.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Breakfast
Breakfast at the lodge.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private Transfer
Check out of the lodge and travel to the Sarapiquí nature reserve (approximately 4–4.5 hours).
[Japanese Guide]
-
Costarica - Sarapiquí
-
Lunch
After arriving at the reserve, have lunch at the restaurant.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Explore the Nature Reserve
After lunch, explore the reserve with your guide (private tour).
Look for sloths, colorful frogs, toucans, hummingbirds, and vividly colored birds such as tanagers; tropical butterflies such as morphos and owl butterflies; and other insects. You will also search for the Honduran white bat, an exceptionally rare pure-white bat.
Consideration: The wildlife observation will be private, and explanations will be given at a relaxed pace in a quiet spot between sightings.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private Transfer
After the reserve tour, travel to your lodge in Sarapiquí.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Ara Ambigua Lodge
Arrive at the lodge in Sarapiquí and check in. Your guide will assist you with check-in.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Free Time
Free time after check-out.
Your guide will assist you at dinner.
[Japanese Guide]
Meals B/F：⚪︎ LUN：⚪︎ DIN：×
Jungle Boat Tour
-
Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private Transfer
Check out of the hotel and travel to a town near the Nicaraguan border, where you will take a jungle boat tour (approximately 2.5 hours).
[Japanese Guide]
-
Costarica - Los Chiles
-
Jungle Boat Tour
After a break in town, transfer to a boat and begin your jungle boat tour (approximately 3 hours, private).
Take a boat tour on the Río Frío, which flows near the border with Nicaragua. Look for monkeys such as howler monkeys and capuchins, small caimans, basilisk lizards known for running across the water, and various waterbirds, including kingfishers, sandpipers, herons, and ibises.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Lunch
Lunch on the boat. Enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by nature.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private Transfer
After the boat tour, return to your vehicle and travel to a lodge in Bijagua (approximately 2.5 hours).
[Japanese Guide]
-
Costarica - Bijagua
-
Celeste Mountain Lodge
Arrive at the lodge in Bijagua. The guide will assist you with check-in.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Dinner
Dinner at the restaurant inside the lodge.
[Japanese Guide]
Meals B/F：⚪︎ LUN：⚪︎ DIN：⚪︎
Full day exploring Bijagua
-
Breakfast
Breakfast at the lodge restaurant.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Explore Tenorio Volcano National Park
Hike in Tenorio Volcano National Park (private, approximately 2.5–3 hours).
See waterfalls, rivers, and other features that appear milky blue due to volcanic material in the water. You will walk through the tropical rainforest, where you may also spot birds, monkeys, snakes, and other wildlife.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private vehicle transfer
After exploring Tenorio Volcano National Park, transfer by vehicle to an ecolodge in Bijagua (approximately 30 minutes).
[Japanese Guide]
-
Lunch
After arriving at the ecolodge, have lunch at the restaurant inside the lodge.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Forest walk
After lunch, explore the forest within the ecolodge grounds (private, approximately 2 hours).
You may spot birds, insects, frogs, snakes, and other wildlife. You will also walk across a suspension bridge in the forest.
Consideration note: The wildlife viewing will be private, and explanations will be given at a relaxed pace in quiet places between sightings.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private vehicle transfer
After the forest walk, transfer to the lodge in Bijagua (approximately 15–20 minutes).
[Japanese Guide]
-
Celeste Mountain Lodge
[Japanese Guide]
-
Dinner
Dinner at the restaurant inside the lodge.
[Japanese Guide]
Meals B/F：⚪︎ LUN：⚪︎ DIN：⚪︎
Transfer to Montezuma
-
Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private vehicle transfer
Check out of the hotel and transfer to a nature reserve near Bijagua.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Visit to the nature reserve
After arriving at the reserve, explore it with a guide (approximately 2.5 hours, private).
The reserve is home to tapirs, the largest land mammals in Central America, and offers a higher chance of spotting them than other reserves in Costa Rica. In addition to tapirs, you may also see monkeys, sloths, toucans, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, tanagers and other birds, insects, frogs, snakes, and other wildlife.
Consideration note: The wildlife viewing will be private, and explanations will be given at a relaxed pace in quiet places between sightings.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private vehicle transfer
After the tour, depart Bijagua and transfer to Montezuma (approximately 5 hours, including a lunch break).
[Japanese Guide]
-
Costarica - Montezuma
-
Sano Banano Beachside Hotel
After arriving at the hotel, check in. The guide will assist you with check-in.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Free time
The rest of the time after check-in is at your leisure.
If you wish, the guide can show you around the village or recommend restaurants for dinner.
[Japanese Guide]
Full day exploring the area around Montezuma
-
Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private vehicle transfer
After breakfast, transfer to the Curú Wildlife Refuge (approximately 1 hour).
[Japanese Guide]
-
Explore the Curú Wildlife Refuge
After arriving at the wildlife refuge, complete the registration process and explore the area.
Enjoy nature walks through tropical forest and mangroves, as well as swimming at the beach within the refuge.
Consideration note: The wildlife viewing will be private, and explanations will be given at a relaxed pace in quiet places between sightings.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Lunch
Lunch at the restaurant inside the refuge.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Free time
After lunch, you can stay at the refuge and enjoy some free time.
You can relax at the beach, or, if you would prefer to rest at the hotel, the guide can arrange a transfer there, depending on the circumstances.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Sano Banano Beachside Hotel
[Japanese Guide]
Meals B/F：⚪︎ LUN：⚪︎ DIN：×
Transfer to San José
-
Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel.
-
Free time
Enjoy free time in the morning.
If you wish, we can take you to a different reserve near Montezuma from the one you visited the previous day, or to another beach area.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private vehicle transfer
Check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport (approximately 6–7 hours, including lunch and restroom breaks).
[Japanese Guide]
-
(Not included)
Arrival at the airport
Arrive at the airport. You will say goodbye to your guide and driver at the airport entrance.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Departure from Costa Rica
Price Includes / excludes
Accommodation
As stated in the itinerary
Car
As stated in the itinerary
Guide / Assistant
As stated in the itinerary
Activity
As stated in the itinerary
Meal
B/F：7 LUN：5 DIN：3
As stated in the itinerary
Includes (Others)
・Accommodation: Lodging costs for the portions listed in the itinerary above.
・Meals: Meals for the portions listed in the itinerary above.
・Transportation: Transportation and driver arrangements listed in the itinerary above. Travel throughout the entire itinerary is by private vehicle.
・Admission fees: Admission fees and tour costs for the attractions listed in the itinerary.
・Guide fees: A Japanese-speaking guide will accompany you throughout the entire itinerary. Local English-speaking guides will also accompany you on some tours.
Excludes (Others)
・International airfare and airport taxes.
・Personal expenses, such as laundry service and international phone calls, and any costs incurred for requested services.
・Tips for drivers and guides. *These are not mandatory.
・Any stops or admissions at places not shown in the itinerary, as well as facility usage fees, service charges, and other such costs.
・Porter fees at airports, hotels, and other locations.
・Meals not listed in the itinerary above.
Accommodation list
| 1 |
San José
Hotel Balmoral
2person(s) 1rooms
|
|
| 2 |
Mountain of Death
Albergue Mirador de Quetzales
2person(s) 1rooms
|
|
| 3 |
Sarapiquí
Ara Ambigua Lodge
2person(s) 1rooms
|
|
| 4 |
Bijagua
Celeste Mountain Lodge
2person(s) 1rooms
|
|
| 5 |
Montezuma
Sano Banano Beachside Hotel
2person(s) 1rooms
|
|
