A coffee on a terrace facing Arenal Volcano, a sloth spotted by the guide above the trail, a late afternoon in the warm water of a hot spring: Costa Rica is very well suited to active seniors. It requires neither long hikes nor sporting feats, as long as the stops, lodging and means of transport are well chosen. Here is our advice, drawn from the tailor-made trips we prepare, on request, for travelers over 60.
Here is a sample itinerary at an easy pace, with two or three nights per stop.
The volcano can be admired from many hotels. The national park trails are easy, and the region’s hot springs, set in tropical gardens, are a much-appreciated moment of relaxation. The quietest establishments, such as Eco Termales, limit the number of visitors. See our La Fortuna guide.
The hanging bridges let you explore the canopy on well-kept trails. The hummingbird garden, a coffee or cacao plantation visit and a guided night walk complete the stay. The air is cooler, and a jacket is useful in the evening. Between La Fortuna and Monteverde, the “jeep-boat-jeep” transfer crosses Lake Arenal by boat. See our Monteverde guide.
Manuel Antonio combines forest and beaches. With a guide, the national park trails, mostly flat, reveal monkeys, sloths and birds; the park is closed on Tuesdays. A catamaran trip to watch dolphins requires no effort. See our Manuel Antonio guide.
Tortuguero and its canals, explored by boat, or San Gerardo de Dota for the quetzal (from February to May, with cool mornings at altitude) are easily added to this route.
This is the decision that shapes the comfort of the trip. For most of our senior travelers, we recommend:
Those who enjoy driving can also rent a car, limiting drives to four or five hours a day and avoiding night driving. See our guide getting around Costa Rica.
We choose the hotels with you according to a few simple criteria: a room close to reception or accessible without too many steps, an on-site restaurant, air conditioning on the coasts, easy car access. Some forest lodges, built on a slope, have many stairs: we let you know in advance. As a rough guide, allow 100 to USD 125 per night in a lodge and 100 to USD 250 in a boutique hotel.
See your doctor before leaving and bring enough of your medication, with a copy of your prescriptions. The private hospitals in San José offer good-quality care, but at a cost: travel insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation is essential. Check that it covers your age and any known health conditions. See our health and vaccinations guide.
From December to April, the dry season offers easier roads and sunny days; February, March and April are often quieter than the holiday season and Holy Week. The green season, from May to November, also has its advantages: lush nature, fewer visitors and rain that often falls in the afternoon. See our guide When to go.
Being able to walk for an hour at an easy pace is enough. We adapt the activities to your wishes and condition.
Yes. Our Le Puma small-group tour brings a few travelers together around a guide, at a shared pace.
That is our job: longer stops, ground-floor hotels, private transfers. Let’s talk about your project.
Learn more
Let’s talk about your trip
Your dates, your wishes, the pace that suits you: a travel consultant based in Costa Rica will suggest a tailor-made itinerary within 48 business hours.
