Hidden Costa Rica
Itinerary
Days 1 – We know the way to San José
When you walk into the arrivals hall at San José airport, a representative from our local office will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. You’ll be staying in a modern hotel in the centre of San Jose. Bustling markets, shopping districts, numerous museums and galleries are within easy reach.
Day 2 – Meet & greet, city walk & departure
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 – Reefs & reggae of the Caribbean – Cahuita
Today, you’ll pick up your hire car in San Jose and drive down to Cahuita. On the Caribbean Coast, you’ll find a mix of laid-back reggae vibes, with a backdrop of lush jungle and beautiful sandy beaches. Cahuita is a small village with a handful of bars and restaurants, so it tends to attract fewer tourists than its neighbour, Puerto Viejo.
Day 4 – 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 less ‘cute’ creatures! As you reach the end of the trail, you’ll head to the coast for a spot of snorkelling amongst the corals, watching colourful fish dash by.
Day 5 – Free time in Cahuita
Today, we haven’t planned anything for you, so you can spend the day exploring as you wish. Soak up the Carribbean atmosphere and stroll through the village in Cahuita, passing pastel coloured houses, craft stalls and lively cafes. Spend some time on the volcanic black sands of Playa Negra, which is much quieter than the beaches of the national park. In Puerto Viejo, you could rent a bike and cycle along the coastal path, stopping off at the various beaches along the way.
Day 6 – Cahuita – Turrialba
Turrialba is a picturesque mountain town with beautiful views, a laid-back atmosphere and lots of coffee! You’ll stay in a family-run eco-lodge set by the side of the smoking Turrialba Volcano, and surrounded by lush gardens. The town is also home to plenty of local restaurants, and is a great place to relax and breathe in the fresh air. There’s nothing planned for you today so you’ll have plenty of time to explore the town. Don’t stay up too late though as tomorrow brings a new adventure and an early start.
Day 7 – The burnt forest hike, Turrialba
This morning, together with your guide, you’ll head out on a very special hike. As you cross the streams and walk through the valleys, you’ll see the infamous volcano up close, almost split into two parts: one dark, the consequences of the recent eruptions, and the other one bright green and covered in dense vegetation. You’ll walk through the “Burnt Forest” and immediately notice trees springing back to life and nature slowly taking over. It is only a matter of years until this part of the forest recovers completely and leaves no sign of the past disaster.
After about three hours, you’ll jump back into the car and get back to your lodge. We haven’t planned anything else for you today, but the area is famous for its coffee plantations if you feel like you need a caffeine kick after an early start.
Day 8 – Birdwatching in Copey de Dota
Your journey continues to a relatively undiscovered corner of Costa Rica, Copey de Dota. Here, amongst the dense green canopy, you’ll have the perfect opportunity to spot one of Costa Rica’s most iconic residents: the quetzal. You’ll spend the night at a comfortable family-run lodge surrounded by greenery, where you can take a walk along one of the hotel’s own trails before dining at the on-site restaurant, which is well known for its beautifully presented and locally sourced dishes.
Day 9 – Escape to the Talamanca Mountains
Today, you’ll head off on an early morning guided walk in search of the famous quetzal. Known for its vibrant plumage and tail feathers that can reach 3ft in length, the quetzal was also an important symbol in Mesoamerican cultures and is still cherished across Central America today. Next, you’ll drive to San Gerardo de Rivas to spend a few days in the vibrant forests and fresh air of the Talamanca Mountains. You’ll be staying in a locally owned lodge in a small village that consists of not much more than a few houses, lodges and shops. It has a friendly charm to it and attracts a steady stream of nature lovers and trekkers.
Day 10 – Cloudbridge Nature Reserve
The next day, you’ll visit the nearby Cloudbridge Nature Reserve – a beautiful private conservation park on the side of Costa Rica’s tallest mountain, Cerro Chirripó. A local guide will be there to ensure you make the most of your time here and learn about the fascinating flora and fauna in this part of the world.
Day 11 – Head to the Pacific Coast
Time to head back to the beach, this time on the Pacific Coast. Fewer visitors come to Costa Ballena in comparison to other locations on this side of the country, so you can sunbathe between the palm trees and take beautiful beach walks whilst avoiding the tourist crowds. You’ll stay at a luxury tented lodge, with roomy 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 12 – Dolphins spotting and 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 remain here throughout the year and, if you’re here between Jul-Oct or Dec-Apr, you’ll have the chance to spot whales. Afterwards, it’s your turn to take a dip as you snorkel amongst the tropical fish!
Day 13 – Free time in Costa Ballena
We have not planned anything for you today, so you can spend some time relaxing or visiting some of the nearby beaches. If you want to explore the even more remote Corcovado National Park, we can organise a day trip for you.
Day 14 & 15 – Back to San Jose and depart
Your Costa Rica adventure has come to an end, and after 3 nights on the coast, you’ll make the 4-hour journey back to the capital to catch your homebound flight. You’ll spend the night in Alajuela, a town outside of San Jose, which is a little closer to the airport. If you’re driving, you can drop your car off on the way to the airport and jump in the free transfer to the terminal.
Accommodation
