Costa Rica Discovery

Upon arrival you’ll be met and transferred to downtown San Jose. If time permits take a walk around the bustling streets to soak up the ‘pura vida’ lifestyle of the locals. Or take a taxi to the trendy Barrio Escalante area, renowned for upscale eateries and fantastic bars.

Today you’ll be picked up early and transferred to Tortuguero National Park for a 2-night stay. After a spectacular journey by coach and boat through the rainforest and jungle-clad rivers, you’ll arrive at your lodge in time for lunch. This afternoon enjoy a tour to the local village where you’ll learn about the colourful houses and lifestyles of the residents, and about turtle conservation in the area.

This morning after breakfast you could choose a guided hike to explore the hotel’s trails and gardens or take an optional excursion… or just relax by the pool! After lunch you’ll embark on an exploration by boat of some of Tortuguero’s secondary canals, with the opportunity to spot monkeys and caimans as well as numerous colourful birds such as toucans and macaws. After dinner during season (June-September) we recommend an optional night excursion to see the turtles nesting or hatching along the beach. This must be booked and paid for locally on arrival.

After breakfast, depart by boat and land to reach Guapilies in time for lunch. Here you’ll collect your rental car and start the short drive to Sarapiqui for your overnight stop. This rural region is renowned for its thick rainforests, diverse wildlife, and thriving agricultural landscape. A night hike with a naturalist guide is included from your lodge this evening, in search of unusual nocturnal animals such as frogs, bats, and kinkajous.

After breakfast you could squeeze in an optional morning excursion exploring the natural habitat surrounding the lodge, before continuing your journey to Arenal. A scenic drive through mountains, farmland and villages will bring you to the base of the mighty Arenal Volcano where you’ll stay for 3 nights. The rest of the day and evening is at leisure. The nearby town of La Fortuna has some great restaurants and souvenir shops.

Enjoy an included visit to the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges. This 618-acre reserve features a series of static and hanging bridges, waterfalls and trails, surrounded by beautiful rainforest. A naturalist guide will be with you on the trails to point out all types of flora and fauna, as well as impressive views of both Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal.

You’ll also have plenty of time to explore Arenal at your leisure – you may wish to take an optional Sloth Walking Tour, or enjoy a hike around the base of the volcano in the Arenal 1968 park. Perhaps hike down to La Fortuna Waterfall to take a dip in the natural pool, or try ziplining, kayaking on the lake, white water rafting or horse-riding. The list is endless! Further afield day trips are available to the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, or to Tenorio Volcano and Rio Celeste, with its inviting turquoise waters. Don’t forget to take time out to relax and recharge in one of the many hot springs of Arenal.

After breakfast you’ll depart for the Central Pacific Coast. Enjoy an easy and scenic drive through the Costa Rican landscape to Manuel Antonio, a renowned coastal destination famous for its stunning beaches, lush rainforest, and diverse wildlife. Manuel Antonio offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure, making it an ideal spot to enjoy the natural beauty and vibrant culture of Costa Rica for the next 2 nights.

Today you’ll visit Manuel Antonio National Park, listed by Forbes as one of the most beautiful in the world. It’s a charming combination of lush tropical forest and gorgeous beaches with clear waters, and boasts a phenomenal amount of wildlife for its small area. There’s a wide variety of vegetation, lagoons and mangroves to explore and during your tour you may find several species of birds, reptiles and monkeys – including the elusive three-toed sloth. The rest of the day is free to enjoy the local beaches or explore the area further.

After breakfast, continue to Sierpe where you’ll drop off your hire car. Take an exciting boat journey across the river and the sea to your wilderness lodge in Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula.  This area is described by National Geographic as ‘the most biologically intense place on Earth’ and contains over 3% of the world’s biodiversity! After lunch at your lodge you can choose to join an optional tour or relax and enjoy the surroundings.

After breakfast, join an included excursion to the remote, protected wilderness of Corcovado National Park. This is a wonderful chance to trek through primary and secondary rainforest and see an expansive variety of flora and fauna. The boat trip to the ranger station takes approximately 30 minutes and you may spot whales and dolphins en route. On land, the trails meander deep through the rainforest, and you’ll hopefully spot rare and endangered wildlife with your naturalist guide, as well as some spectacular views over the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy lunch back at the lodge and an afternoon at leisure, perhaps kayaking in the bay or relaxing on a secluded beach nearby.

Today’s included adventure is a trip to Caño Island Biological Reserve, located just 12 miles from the coast. The 45-minute boat ride offers the chance to spot dolphins, turtles and whales (seasonal and weather dependent). On the forested island, it’s possible to observe stone spheres made by the first civilisations that inhabited the area. You can also enjoy the sandy beach, but the real beauty of Caño Island is under the water. The island is surrounded by five platforms of coral reef, where experts have identified numerous different species of stony corals and abundant marine flora and fauna. The water is shallow and great for snorkeling, allowing an excellent opportunity to swim with colourful ocean life.

After breakfast you’ll depart by sea and land transfer to Drake Bay airstrip for the scenic flight to San Jose. Upon arrival, transfer to the outskirts of San Jose for your final night stay. Explore the resort’s private forest reserve and waterfalls or book a spa treatment for total relaxation.  

Your Costa Rica Discovery draws to an end today with a transfer to San Jose airport for your onward flight.