We would also recommend experiencing this trip as a self-drive for ultimate flexibility, allowing you to explore at your own pace. Please refer to the price example provided above for this option.
Day 1 – We know the way to San José
After a long flight, you’ll be pleased to see a representative from our local office waiting to whisk you away to your modern hotel. The next morning, you’ll visit the office of our local partne,r where you’ll be greeted with a Costa Rican coffee. Bustling markets, shopping districts, numerous museums and galleries are within easy reach.
Day 2 – San José city tour
This morning, you’ll be picked up and taken to our local office, where you’ll be greeted with a steaming cup of Costa Rican coffee. One of our local team members will talk you through your Costa Rica trip and give you some great tips to help make the most out of your time in Costa Rica. San Jose may not be the most beautiful of cities, but there’s still fun to be had!
As some of the areas of interest are not too easy to find, we’ll map out a 2-hour walk for you around the city, with an English-speaking guide. You’ll be able to ask them any questions you might have. You’ll stop by museums, the park and the central market. Here you can learn all about typical food, tropical fruits and perhaps enjoy a delicious ice cream or a coffee. The tour will end at around lunchtime time giving you the rest of the day free.
Day 3 – Nature calls!
Today you’ll be picked up from your hotel in central San Jose and transferred by private car to rural Boca Tapada. This journey will take just over 3 hours. Today you’ll travel to an area well known for its wildlife and in-particular its bird spotting opportunities. Set along the Rio San Carlos, the lodges we use in this area are perfect to relax in. Surrounded by nature and with your food included, there’s no need to worry about leaving this little piece of paradise! During your stay, you’ll have your own bungalow with a private bathroom and porch, perfect for relaxing after your day’s activities.
Day 4 – Exploring Boca Tapada
You’ll usually wake up pretty early as the forest comes alive when the sun rises, and you’ll have breakfast with the sounds of wildlife all around you. During the day you’ll be heading out on a walk with one of the lodge’s guides. They’ll spot the wildlife you’d likely miss and will be happy to answer any questions you might have about Costa Rica’s abundance of animals and insects! Your afternoon is free to relax – you can cool off in the pool or try your hand at canoeing.
Later this evening you’ll head out on a guided night walk in the lodge grounds to see which nocturnal animals and insects await you. Your experienced guide will be able to find the hiding places of the snakes, brightly coloured frogs and insects which make the jungle come alive at night! After a day of adventure, you’ll return to your lodge for a tasty dinner.
Day 5 – At home with the Tico
Today you’ll be transferred to Santa Rosa de Pocosol, home to the Juanilama community. The journey should take 2 hours. Today you’ll travel to a lesser explored area of Costa Rica – one hour north of La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano. Arriving in a typical Tico village in the Juanilama community, you’ll be immersed in local culture and tradition, learning all about everyday rural life. The initiative was launched by a group of women to introduce travellers to villages and communities off the usual tourist trail and give the women a sense of independence and entrepreneurial spirit.
During your time here, you’ll join one of the women to learn about the produce they grow in this area. She will tell you about the plants and their many uses whilst you collect ingredients for your cooking lesson afterwards at her home. You’ll help whip up a traditional meal, using the local produce, before enjoying your last meal in the community
Day 6 – Onto La Fortuna
Now it’s time to wave goodbye to your friendly hosts and head into the highlands to La Fortuna, at the foot of Arenal Volcano. The journey is around an hour, and the road can be quite winding! As you head towards La Fortuna, at the foot of Arenal volcano, you’ll notice the landscape becoming more mountainous and the winding road becoming more pot-holed. The mighty volcano and beautiful countryside are among the most iconic images of Costa Rica. We’ll arrange for you to stay in a comfortable wooden cabin hotel, just outside the popular tourist town.
Day 7 – Lava flows of the Arenal volcano
Today you’ll be collected from your hotel with a small group and a guide. You will hike through lush landscapes, learning about the history and wildlife, with the ever-present volcano as your backdrop. After marvelling at the view over Arenal Lake, you’ll be transferred to the hot springs where you can relax and unwind in the mineral baths, followed by a tasty buffet dinner.
Day 8 – Into the cloud forests of Monteverde
Next, you will travel by shuttle bus to Monteverde, home of the cloud forests. The bus takes around 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you could take the ‘bus-boat-bus’ option, which takes you across Lake Arenal – it won’t save you much time, but adds to the adventure! Just let your travel specialist know if you would like to switch to this option. You’ll spend the next few nights in a rustic lodge with a homely feel and a beautiful garden within walking distance of the town centre. Once you’ve settled in, you can take advantage of some of the local activities available, such as visiting the frog pond to see many different species and learn all about them from a local expert.
Day 9 – Treetop guided walk
With its high humidity and altitude, Monteverde is full of lush vegetation. You’ll join your guide and a small group of other travellers to experience the cloud forest for yourself. You’ll take a 3km walk along many sturdy bridges and walkways at different heights. As most animals here are nocturnal and rather shy, the tour will be geared towards a botanical experience, focusing on the diverse variety of plants.
Days 10-12 – Ocean waves & jungle days
Next, you’ll head towards the sea and the town of Manuel Antonio. The shuttle bus will take around 3.5 hours. Manuel Antonio, located on the Pacific Coast, boasts crescent-shaped bays, jungles bursting with wildlife and an excellent bar and restaurant scene. You’ll stay in a hill-top villa resort with a pool for refreshing dips and serene views across the ocean.
Day 11 – Guided walk through Manuel Antonio National Park
Today, you’ll make your way to the park gates, where you’ll meet your eagle-eyed guide and begin your walk. Manuel Antonio National Park is fairly small and easy to explore on foot. Within a couple of hours, you’ll be able to spot plenty of wildlife inhabiting the rainforest and learn about different species and their habitat. You might hear howler monkeys communicating, and with the help of your guide, spot smaller and well-camouflaged animals too!
Day 12 – Travel to the Pacific Coast
Today you’ll journey down the coast to the village of Ojochal on the Costa Ballena, taking just over an hour. This is a lesser-visited area than other parts of Costa Rica, and you will get a sense of the relaxed atmosphere straight away. You’ll stay at a luxury tented lodge, with spacious tents, private bathrooms and hot water. The resort also has great sustainability credentials and supports the local school. This unique lodge will allow you to immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of the tropical rainforest. Sit back and relax on your private terrace or by the nearby river.
Day 13 – Dolphin spotting & snorkelling
Today you’ll go on a boat ride and snorkelling trip in Marino Ballena National Park, the only underwater national park in Costa Rica. Look out for dolphins along the coast; if you’re lucky, they will swim right up close to the boat. The dolphins live here throughout the year, and if you’re here between Jul-Oct or Dec-Apr, you’ll also have the chance to spot whales. Afterwards, it’s your turn to take a dip as you snorkel amongst the tropical fish!
Day 14 – Free time in Costa Ballena
We have not arranged anything for today, so you can spend the day relaxing on one of the beaches nearby, hiking to a waterfall, or exploring the sea coves by kayak.
Day 15 – Snorkelling coves & tropical rainforests
You’ll take a quick shuttle bus transfer to Sierpe today, the gateway to Corcovado National Park. Your journey will be around an hour, depending on how many pick-ups there are along the way. The isolation of the Corcovado rainforest makes it one of the most special places in the country. You’ll take a speedboat through narrow winding channels to Drake Bay, the coastal strip just before the park where your family-run B&B is based.
Day 16 – Corcovado National Park
After an early breakfast, you’ll head along the coast to Corcovado National Park, where you’ll meet your guide and walk along the marked trail through the forest. The rainforest is teeming with animals, birds and insects. Scattered among the fruit-laden trees, the brightly coloured toucans and large blue butterflies are easy to spot.
Day 17 – Isla de Caño boat trip
This morning, you will be collected early to meet your guide at the harbour as you’ll be heading out on a boat trip to the waters surrounding Isla de Caño. The journey takes around 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the sea conditions, and if you’re lucky, you might spot a pod of dolphins along the way. When you arrive at Isla del Caño Biological Reserve, you will hop into the water for your first snorkelling stop. Alongside your knowledgeable guide, explore the clear waters, spotting colourful fish and turtles gliding gracefully beneath you.
Day 18 – 1 night in Alajuela
After your time in this remote corner of Costa Rica comes to an end, you will take the boat back to Sierpe, where you will catch the shuttle bus back towards San Jose. The bus will take around 4 hours without stops. You’ll be staying in Alajuela just outside San Jose; shuttle buses into the city don’t run to Alajuela, so you’ll be dropped off at Denny’s Restaurant, where you’ll need to get a local taxi. There are normally taxis waiting as they know when the shuttles are due to arrive. The journey takes around 10-15 minutes and should cost between $15-$20. You’ll stay in a cosy hotel located in the Alajuela area of the city and only a 10-minute drive from the airport. This family-run accommodation is surrounded by peaceful gardens and has a pool for a refreshing dip.
Day 19 – Reefs & reggae of the Caribbean
The following day, you’ll head for your beach stay on the Caribbean coast in the laid-back town of Puerto Viejo. The journey will take around 4 hours. After all that travelling, you’re probably ready for a long stretch of sandy beach and a tasty Caribbean stew; well, Puerto Viejo is the place for both. The distinctly Caribbean feel means that you’re never too far from an intoxicating reggae beat or a tropical cocktail.
You’ll also get your nature fix, visiting nearby Cahuita National Park to explore the colourful world both above and below the water.
After your chilled-out stay on the Caribbean coast, you will be transferred back to San Jose by shuttle bus for your final night. The following day, you’ll be collected by private transfer and taken to the airport for your international flight home.
Day 20 – Cahuita National Park
Today you’ll travel about 30 mins along the coast to the beautiful Cahuita National Park, where you’ll meet a local guide for a walk through the tropical forest – home to monkeys, sloths, coatis, and a whole host of other creatures! Before heading back to Puerto Viejo, you’ll also have time for a spot of snorkelling around the colourful reef which lies just off the shore of the park.
Day 21 – Free time in Puerto Viejo
We have not arranged anything for today, so you can do as much or as little as you wish – relax with a good book, swim in the warm Caribbean sea, or try to find the best cocktail bar in town. Life here is pretty easy.
Day 22 – Return to San Jose
After your chilled-out stay on the Caribbean coast, you will be transferred back to San Jose by shuttle bus for your final night. The following day, you’ll be collected by private transfer and taken to the airport for your international flight home.
Accommodation
For this itinerary we offer the following options
Travel by Hire Car
For a little extra freedom, you can choose to travel by hire car. Aside from the occasional pothole on the rural roads, driving in Costa Rica is pretty easy and stress-free, and we think it’s a really lovely and adventurous way to explore the country. You’ll have a modern SUV car complete with GPS and insurance cover, so you’re all good to go!