Where to Stay
Every captivating tailor-made itinerary needs a perfect base. Our team has handpicked this collection of properties to give you luxury options in styles to suit any adventure.
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Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
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We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
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The people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education.
North & Central Pacific Coast
The Pacific Coast stretches from the Nicoya Peninsula in the north to the Osa Peninsula in the south. This coastal plain rises up to become the Talamanca and Tilaran mountain ranges.
Scores of fishing hamlets and villages dot the coastline, which is easily accessible from San Jose and consequently a popular beach choice for both Costa Ricans and visitors.
Carara National Park was once part of the largest hacienda in Costa Rica before it was protected in 1978. It contains many pre-Columbian archaeological sites, some of which date back to 300BC. It is also host to an amazing diversity of plant life with over 750 recorded species.
Guanacaste
The Guanacaste province in the north comprises of arid lowlands and the Nicoya peninsula, that sweeps some 140kms to its tip, boasts some of the most secluded beaches in the country. Tropical dry forests such as Carara National Park give way to the greener Central Pacific zone and tropical rainforest. The wildlife is abundant in both ecosystems and are common commuters between the two. The lively town of Jaco with its long stretches of golden sand and bustling nightlife is popular with surfers.
Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park, one of Costa Rica’s leading attractions, is situated just south of Quepos on the Central Pacific Coast, and is less than three hours by road from the capital. This is the country’s smallest nature reserve and one of the few remaining habitats of the endangered squirrel monkey. The park is also home to the two-toed sloth, pacas, agoutis, iguanas and a vast array of bird species. Manuel Antonio offers that rare combination of a few days at a tropical sandy beach with crystal clear waters and a National Park of tropical forest teeming with wildlife.
Ballena Marine National Park
Continuing south of Manuel Antonio are the smaller coastal communities of Matapalo, Dominical and Uvita, between which can be found long stretches of deserted coastline. Ballena Marine National Park is host to bottle-nosed dolphins, turtles and is a good spot to see humpback whales (December to April and August to October). Frigate birds, white ibis and brown pelicans nest on Las Tres Hermanas and Isla Ballena. Activities along the North and Central Pacific Coast include whale-watching, bird-watching, horse-riding, surfing, kayaking, snorkelling and swimming in the azure waters of the pacific.
Our Specialists' "Must Do"
While in Manuel Antonio, you should take the “Santa Juana Mountain Tour”. This fantastic trip takes you up into the Fila Chonta Mountains, birthplace of the Rodeo and Paquita rivers, for a full day of walking forest trails, swimming under waterfalls, horse riding and learning about coffee and sugar production whilst surrounded by tremendous birdlife. You can try your hand at fishing for tilapia and even add on a white knuckle zip-line experience. A delicious Tico campesina lunch is included to recharge the batteries. On a clear day, you have views from the mountain top down to the coast.
Experiences
What do you really love doing? We’ll tailor your itinerary to suit you.
Idea
Costa Rica
Journey through Costa Rica & Nicaragua
Combining the prolific wildlife and outdoor pursuits of Costa Rica‘s Carribean coast with the colonial architecture and volcanic islands of Nicaragua‘s Pacific coast, this customisable trip is suited to intrepid travellers who seek a balance of exhilarating explorations with time spent unwinding…
Idea
Costa Rica
Highlights of Costa Rica
Through a combination of protected areas and community-based, sustainable tourism, Costa Rica has successfully restored its forest cover to over 52%. Suited to thrill seekers, nature lovers and those with a curiosity to learn more about conservation, this holiday dips a toe…
Idea
Costa Rica
Remote Hiking in Costa Rica
Unveiling some of the unknown highlights of Costa Rica, this itinerary takes in the cloud forests of Monteverde and the ancient indigenous paths of Chirripo National Park on a journey that seamlessly blends down and dirty hiking with a 3,821-metre summit attempt.…
Idea
Costa Rica
Journey through Costa Rica & Nicaragua
Combining the prolific wildlife and outdoor pursuits of Costa Rica‘s Carribean coast with the colonial architecture and volcanic islands of Nicaragua‘s Pacific coast, this customisable trip is suited to intrepid travellers who seek a balance of exhilarating explorations with time…
Idea
Costa Rica
Highlights of Costa Rica
Through a combination of protected areas and community-based, sustainable tourism, Costa Rica has successfully restored its forest cover to over 52%. Suited to thrill seekers, nature lovers and those with a curiosity to learn more about conservation, this holiday dips…
Idea
Costa Rica
Remote Hiking in Costa Rica
Unveiling some of the unknown highlights of Costa Rica, this itinerary takes in the cloud forests of Monteverde and the ancient indigenous paths of Chirripo National Park on a journey that seamlessly blends down and dirty hiking with a 3,821-metre…
Costa Rica
Ylang Ylang Beach Resort
Ylang Ylang Beach Resort is located on a stunning stretch of coast at the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula and just a short walk along the beach from the small seafront town of Montezuma. Flanked…
Costa Rica
Latitude 10
Latitude 10 is quite simply an exquisite hotel of the highest calibre. A relaxed no-fuss atmosphere with excellent service. Ideal to take over for a family party, or book as a romantic retreat for two. The…
Costa Rica
Capitan Suizo Hotel
Capitan Suizo is one of the original beach hotels in the centre of Tamarindo. With 35 rooms in total, comprising of standard and superior rooms, bungalows and beachfront suites, it is an old favourite and boasts…
Costa Rica
Tropico Latino
Tropico Latino is a great beachfront hotel located in Santa Teresa with a wide range of accommodation to suit every traveller. Set in lush tropical gardens, the 21 rooms offer several categories including garden view bungalows…
Meet our experts
A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.
John Faithfull
Costa Rica is simply the best spot in Central America for nature lovers, and is always John’s top recommendation for those wishing to hike, swim, zip, raft, ride or float through outstanding scenery and rich biodiversity.
Talk with our experts
- 01285 880 980
Start planning your trip
Explore other regions
Central Valley
Plantations, fincas, primary rainforest and ravines of a truly beautiful wilderness area.
Puerto Viejo and Caribbean Coast
It has wonderful beaches with fine volcanic sand lapped by warm water.
South Pacific Coast
According to National Geographic, Corcovado National Park is 'the most biologically intense place on the planet'.
Volcanoes
Costa Rica, straddling the tectonic plates of the Pacific and Caribbean, boasts 110 volcanoes, five of which are still active.
Wetlands
The wetlands of Costa Rica are some of the best areas to experience a variety of birds and wildlife.
Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?
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