Costa Rica Expeditions

Costa Rica Expeditions logo. Legendary Service...Unforgettable Memories Since 1978.

Costa Rica Expeditions is a pioneer in Central America travel. They are also known worldwide as a leader in ecotourism and sustainable travel. The company owns and operates a selection of Costa Rica eco-lodges that serve as the foundation for scheduled and custom guided adventure trips throughout Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Expeditions History

The company was founded in 1978 by long time white water rafting guide Michael Kaye and his wife Yolanda. Michael was the first to run many of Costa Rica’s whitewater rivers. They founded Costa Rica Expeditions with the goal of creating unique travel experiences that transcend conventional sightseeing and travel and to promote the type of tourism which is mutually beneficial and nourishing to both the visitor and the visited. All these years later they are still involved in the day to day operations of the business and promoting sustainable travel. 

Costa Rica Expedition Guides

Without question, guides can be the single most important element of a successful trip. Costa Rica Expeditions understands that guides provide the interpretive elements necessary for a rewarding journey through the rainforest and share the personal insight into the local traditions and customs needed to ensure that precious Costa Rica vacation time yields unforgettable memories.

With university degrees in botany, zoology, biology, behavioral ecology and coastal ecosystems backed by extensive empirical experience in the field, the master naturalists and naturalist guides of Costa Rica Expeditions are more than qualified; they are experts at revealing the subtle mysteries of Costa Rica’s magnificent wilderness.

Costa Rica Expedition Lodges

The wilderness lodges of Costa Rica Expeditions are labors of love, love for the wild and beautiful places they help preserve and provide access to, and love for the ancient art of inn keeping. They are integral and organic with their settings, providing simple elegance and complex comforts. And they are staffed by people who are guided by four words: “Legendary Service and Unforgettable Memories.”

Monteverde Lodge & Gardens: a post-modern building set in a world-class botanical garden in the misty mountains of Monteverde; Tortuga Lodge & Gardens: a deceptively simple tropical lodge on the edge of a slow-moving rainforest river that local people still ply in dugout canoe. Both share an underlying philosophy and integrity that sets them apart from other lodges.

Each lodge offers tours that take full advantage of its natural assets. The gardens at Monteverde Lodge steep visitors in the cloud forest, steps from their Forest View Rooms. Tortuga Lodge, situated on the Caribbean coast, is surrounded by water, and here you are immersed in a world where the rainforest merges with ancient rivers in lush, primeval rhythms.

Costa Rica Expeditions Rafting

Founded by a world class rafting guide who pioneered many of Costa Rica’s rivers, it’s no wonder the company is still famous for its rafting trips. Costa Rica may have more world-class rafting rivers than any other country in the world.  Now offering connoisseur rafting, the company offers a different brand of river running experience, where quality never gives in to quantity and where clients are secure in the knowledge that their elite guides are the finest and most experienced in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Expeditions Family Travel

Traveling as a family in Costa Rica gives children, parents and grandparents an opportunity to enjoy each other’s company in beautiful, exciting surroundings. Costa Rica Expeditions offers trips for the adventurous family in search of fun, active learning experiences while on vacation. When kids arrive at a Costa Rica Expedition’s property, they’re instantly taken under the wing of the whole staff, and taken care of by waiters, guides, gardeners, receptionists and cooks. Costa Rica is still the “village” that raises children, and Costa Rica Expeditions offers customized itineraries for families for kids of all ages.

Costa Rica Expeditions & AdventureSmith

AdventureSmith founder and president Todd Smith worked with Costa Rica Expeditions for many years before  he started AdventureSmith. He developed a respect for and friendship with Michael Kaye when the two spoke on a panel at the Adventure Travel World Congress in Chicago. Todd learned about the tenants of sustainable travel from Michael and his colleagues and AdventureSmith is proud to continue the legacy of ecotourism developed by companies like Costa Rica Expeditions. 

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