Day 1 – Arrival in San Jose
On arrival in San Jose airport, you will be met by one of our friendly representatives who will be escorting you to your charming boutique hotel in a lovingly restored Victorian mansion near Paseo Colón. You’ll also receive an information pack filled with all your documents and useful tips for your journey ahead. Once you’ve settled into your comfortable room, head up to the roof terrace for a refreshing drink and soak in the bubbling jacuzzi while enjoying views across the city.
Day 2 – City tour of San Jose
San José is a city that offers plenty of character and energy. As in many Latin American capitals, the real life of the city unfolds outdoors, and because the most interesting areas are not always easy to locate, we’ve arranged a two-hour walking tour with an English-speaking guide. The city can feel busy and frenetic, so having a guide is an excellent way to see the key sights while asking any questions you may have along the way. You’ll visit museums, stroll through a park, and explore the central market, where you can learn about typical foods and tropical fruits and perhaps enjoy a delicious ice cream or coffee. The tour finishes around lunchtime, giving you the perfect opportunity to ask your guide for a restaurant recommendation.
Day 3 – Pick up hire car and drive to Puerto Viejo
This morning you’ll collect your hire car and set off from San José, leaving the buzz of the capital behind as you wind your way east towards the Caribbean. The drive to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a beauty, climbing through misty mountain passes before descending into thick rainforest and lowland banana plantations, with the air growing warmer and heavier as you go. By the time you reach the coast, the rhythm has noticeably slowed. On arrival you’ll check in to your boutique hideaway, tucked amongst tropical gardens, where you can drop your bags, kick off your shoes and ease straight into laid-back Caribbean living.
Day 4 – Afternoon Caribbean cooking tour and dinner
Today you will enjoy a relaxed morning and leisurely breakfast at your hotel. In the afternoon you’ll be picked up and taken to a little ‘Rancho’ in the forest around Cahuita, to experience the produce and cooking techniques of the Caribbean, and also the food of the local BriBri tribe. It’s pretty hands-on, so after a walk around the farmland to learn a little about what they grow here, you’ll help gather all the ingredients you’ll need for the evening’s meal. Back at the kitchen, you’ll help prepare and cook your Caribbean feast with the help of a local guide, who has grown up learning how to make the most out of these flavours. For an authentic taste of Costa Rica, this is as good as it gets! After the meal, you’ll be driven back to your hotel.
Day 5 – Hike in Manzanillo
Today you will set off for a guided hike through Manzanillo. Step into a rainforest alive with colour and sound. Trails wind through towering trees and tropical flowers as howler monkeys swing overhead and scarlet macaws and toucans dart through the canopy. Hidden coves and quiet beaches appear along the way, perfect for pausing, taking photos, or just soaking in the wild Caribbean beauty. With a local guide sharing stories of the wildlife and conservation, this is more than a walk, it is a chance to truly feel the magic of Manzanillo. Return to your hotel and have the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 6 – On the road to Turrialba
Today you will drive to Turrialba, a charming mountain town with gorgeous views, a chill atmosphere, and plenty of coffee to sip while you wander. You’ll be staying in a stylish hotel right in town, close to all the local spots. Take your time exploring the cafés and restaurants, breathe in the fresh mountain air, and just enjoy the slow pace. There’s nothing planned today so you can really soak it all in. Don’t stay up too late though, tomorrow starts early with a new adventure and an early start!
Day 7 – Guided hike to the burnt forest
This morning, you and your guide will set out on a special hike, crossing trickling streams and wandering through valleys as the volcano comes into view, almost split in two, one side dark from recent eruptions and the other bright green with thick, thriving vegetation. You’ll pass through the Burnt Forest and see new life springing up among the blackened trees, nature slowly reclaiming the land, and in just a few years this part of the forest will have fully healed, leaving hardly a trace of the past. After about three hours, you’ll climb back into the car and return to your lodge, with the rest of the day free to relax, explore, or visit a nearby coffee plantation for a well-earned caffeine boost.
Day 8 – The adventure continues to San Gerado de Dota
Today you will jump back in your car and continue to San Gerado de Dota with its lush green canopy, abundant wildlife, and secluded location, this is one of the most peaceful spots in Costa Rica. You’ll spend the evening in a comfortable lodge tucked into the cloud forest, surrounded by misty trees and the gentle sounds of the forest. The lodge has everything you need, including a restaurant and bar, plus inviting outdoor areas where you can sit back, unwind, and watch the forest come alive as the sun sets. Take a moment to breathe in the fresh mountain air, listen for distant bird calls, or simply relax and enjoy the calm of this hidden corner of nature.
Day 9 – Morning Quetzal tour then drive to San Gerardo de Rivas
It is an early start this morning, you’ll set out on a guided nature walk to explore the cloud forest and search for avocado trees, which are the main food source for the famous Quetzal birds. These trees only bloom and bear fruit once every three years, so spotting the right one is a rare treat. As you move quietly along the trails, keep your eyes peeled for flashes of vibrant color in the branches above, and listen for the unique calls of the forest. Your patience and careful observation will be rewarded with the sight of the iconic Quetzal birds, their brilliant green, red, and blue feathers standing out against the rich foliage, creating a moment you won’t soon forget. After the tour you will return to the lodage and drive to San Gerardo de Rivas.
Day 10 – Cloud bridge Reserve tour
After breakfast this morning you’ll be driven to the nearby Cloud bridge Reserve, a beautiful private conservation park nestled on the slopes of Costa Rica’s tallest mountain, Cerro Chirripó. The reserve offers a network of trails winding through the cloud forest, past waterfalls, breath-taking viewpoints, and teeming with wildlife. A local guide will accompany you to make sure you get the most out of your morning, pointing out the unique flora and fauna and sharing insights about this incredible ecosystem. In the afternoon, you can take it easy back at the lodge, perhaps relax in the serene surroundings or enjoy a soak in the local hot springs. After a peaceful evening and a good night’s sleep, you’ll be ready to continue your journey the following morning.
Day 11 – Next onto Costa Ballena
Today you will continue to Costa Ballena. Arriving from the cool mountain air of San Gerardo de Rivas, the road winds down through forested hills until the Pacific begins to shimmer and, high above Uvita lies the intimate hideaway that will be your home for the nest few nights. Your suite opens straight onto the jungle canopy, an elegant open plan space made for slow afternoons in the hammock as toucans drift past, indoor and outdoor lounges flowing together while warm ocean breezes replace the mountain chill. Fresh ceviche by the infinity pool, a soothing spa ritual or even a whale watching excursion along the coast all come easily here, yet it is the simple pleasure of being together in such serene surroundings that lingers longest.
Day 12 – Costa Ballena dolphin Tour
Today you will enjoy breakfast at your hotel before taking a boat ride to Marino Ballena National Park, Costa Rica’s underwater playground, where dolphins playfully pop up through the waves and tropical fish dart beneath the surface (if you are visiting in December or January you might even spot majestic whales!) You will stop at a picture-perfect beach to relax with refreshments and enjoy a swim in the warm, inviting sea making for the perfect mix of adventure, wildlife, and pure Costa Rican bliss. After this exciting excursion return to the sanctuary of your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
Day 13 – Onto your final stop in Drake Bay
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel before continuing on with the final leg of your journey to Drake Bay. Travel around one hour from Costa Ballena where you will drop off your hire car and board a boat for a scenic transfer to Corcovado Wilderness Lodge. Glide through calm waters surrounded by lush jungle and mangroves. Along the way keep an eye out for playful dolphins, shorebirds, and other wildlife, as the boat ride sets the tone for your adventure deep in one of Costa Rica’s most biodiverse and enchanting regions, where the sounds of the forest and sea promise an unforgettable escape into nature.
Day 14 & 15 – Days exploring the wilderness
Spend two unforgettable days at a secluded wilderness lodge tucked between rainforest and ocean. Start with a guided hike through the remote San Pedrillo sector of Corcovado National Park where colourful birds, curious wildlife, and towering trees make every step an adventure. Spend the relaxing afternoons enjoying your spacious rainforest suite and fresh locally inspired meals, before setting out on a snorkelling trip to Caño Island to explore vibrant coral reefs. Swim with sea turtles, rays, and tropical fish, and learn about marine conservation from local experts, with time to unwind on the palm-fringed beach or wander rainforest trails, making for a perfect blend of adventure, wildlife, and pure Costa Rican bliss.
Day 16 – International departure
Spend your final morning in jungle paradise, waking to the calls of birds and monkeys and the gentle rustle of the rainforest. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, take a last stroll along the lush trails or simply relax on your terrace soaking in the sights, scents, and serenity of the wild. Later board a scenic flight from Drake Bay back to San José, soaring over rainforest, rivers, and the Pacific coastline, giving you one last chance to admire Costa Rica from above before connecting with your international flight home.
Accommodation
