From the Pacific to the Caribbean: A Grand Tour of Costa Rica

This morning you’ll pick up your rental car and drive to Arenal Volcano National Park, which takes just under three hours. If you like, we can also get you tickets to the Poás Volcano National Park, which you can stop at along the way to see the vibrant turquoise lake that sits in the crater.

In addition to its magnificent volcano and incredible, green surroundings, Arenal National Park boasts 38°C hot springs and a vast lake that’s ideal for water sports. The ‘Arenal Colossus’, as it’s known by locals, was for a long time thought to be just a mountain, but an eruption in 1968 proved otherwise. Today, the volcano is still active, but is much calmer (and safer) than before. The foot of the old flow is the perfect place to get an exceptional view of the volcano’s cone ¬– which is often draped in cloud – along with the eponymous lake.

You’ll spend two nights in a charming hotel on the outskirts of La Fortuna, made up of spacious cabins. There’s a restaurant and a swimming pool, but the real attraction is the thermal pools fed by a natural hot spring, reserved for hotel guests.

Today you’ll take to the skies to get a different perspective of Costa Rica’s incredible, dense and humid forests. First, a small open-air cable car will transport you to a platform where you’ll have unbeatable views of Arenal Volcano and the lake of the same name. Then it’s time to get strapped in before you begin your ziplining course above the treetops. As you fly, keep an eye out for monkeys or sloths curled around the tree trunks. Some of the zip lines are several hundred feet high and will whisk you through the air at a speed of nearly 40 miles per hour – sensational views guaranteed.

While you’re in Arenal, don’t miss the suspension bridges that allow you to walk the trails of the private reserve and experience its rich and wild ecosystem. These trails and bridges penetrate the heart of the tropical forest and offer captivating views of the imposing volcano.

Today you’ll head to Playa Negra on the Nicoya Peninsula, which takes about four hours to reach. You’ll stay in a bungalow in the heart of over 17 acres of jungle, where howler monkeys chatter outside your bedroom and colourful birds fly past your window. When you’re not lounging by the swimming pool, take a seat on your terrace and sip a drink as you look out at the nature that surrounds you.

While you’re here, we’ll organise for you to visit a turtle protection centre on Playa Junquillal. This organisation fights to save several species of turtle, which you’ll learn about during your visit. You’ll also see where the eggs are kept and, if you’re lucky and get your timings right, you might even see them hatching and witness the magic of the hatchlings taking their first steps on the sand.

You’ll continue your journey on the Pacific Coast today as you drive to the small village of Montezuma, which takes just over three-and-a-half hours. Your home for the next two nights is a stone’s throw from the pretty white sand beach. When you arrive, take a dip in the pool that’s surrounded by greenery, or unwind with some yoga in the dedicated space. This evening, enjoy a meal in the hotel restaurant prepared with local ingredients.

You have today to spend relaxing in Montezuma. If surfing is your thing, don’t miss this chance to do as the locals do and ride the waves of the Pacific. You can also take a boat to Isla Tortuga (keep your eyes peeled for dolphins along the way) where you can snorkel in turquoise waters and relax on white sand beaches with a cocktail in hand. The main street of Montezuma is scattered with small craft shops, so if you’re looking for unique souvenirs, this is the place to find them. In the Curú Wildlife Refuge and the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve, hike through beautiful landscapes as you look out for unusual plants and local wildlife, or go riding along the beach and through the forest. And of course, there’s always the option to simply laze on one of the area’s many secret beaches…

The pier at Paquera is about an hour and 20 minutes’ drive from Montezuma, and it’s where you’ll board the ferry to Puntarenas for the first leg of your journey to Manuel Antonio. Pelicans and vibrant frigatebirds will accompany you throughout the one-hour ferry journey, and when you dock, you’ll be greeted with a freshly cut coconut to quench your thirst. It’s then a two-and-a-half-hour drive to your accommodation in the unmissable Manuel Antonio National Park.

Beside the ocean and between the trees of the tropical rainforest, your comfortable hotel gives you a great view of the lush surrounding vegetation. As well as benefiting from the wonderful location, you’ll have access to the on-site spa, a great place to unwind after a day of exploring the national park.

We’ll arrange for you to take a private tour of the Manuel Antonio National Park today. It may be the smallest national park in the country, but it’s one of the most impressive. Home to white sand beaches, coral reefs, mountains, islands, secondary forest and a mangrove, Manuel Antonio is a compact version of all Costa Rica’s natural wonders, including its incredibly diverse flora and fauna. Binoculars in hand, you’ll soon discover that sloths, frogs, capuchin and howler monkeys are never far away.

It’s time to head to the south of the country, to a lesser-known region known as Golfo Dulce, about two hours and 45 minutes away. Here, you’ll discover a different Costa Rica located far from the tourist routes, a place that really encapsulates the local phrase ‘pura vida’ (the pure or simple life). You’ll spend three nights in an eco-lodge that’s nestled between rainforest and beach, and only accessible by boat. There’s no air conditioning, television or internet access here, but this only helps you to completely disconnect from the modern world and move to the rhythm of nature and birdsong. Meals are shared around the generous guest table, and outdoor yoga sessions are offered daily.

Over the next two days, you can enjoy a range of experiences that will allow you to fully immerse yourself in the natural beauty of this incredible region. Your options include: a kayaking trip on the Golfo Dulce, a boat trip along the water in the mangroves of the Esquinas River, a visit to a botanical garden, a snorkelling or fishing trip in the Golfo Dulce, or a hike in Piedras Blancas National Park.

Your next stop is San Gerardo de Dota, about four-and-a-half hours away. Located in the heart of the Savegre River valley and surrounded by mist, this magical region of thick forest is a sanctuary for many bird species including the famous resplendent quetzal. You’ll spend the night here in a lodge nestled in the lush greenery, an ideal refuge for nature lovers who want to hear nothing but the sounds of the forest.

This morning, you’ll take a walk through the forest in search of quetzals. With a shy nature, these magical rainbow birds are elusive, usually hiding high up in the canopy, so you’ll be accompanied by an expert naturalist guide who knows just where to look.

You’ll then pack your bags and drive for around two-and-a-half hours to the Turrialba Valley. Along the way, you can stop at Cartago, the country’s former colonial capital that’s popular with rafting enthusiasts who come to test the white waters of the Pacuare River. You’ll spend tonight on the banks of the Angostura Lagoon in an old colonial property that’s been converted into a charming hotel. Along with beautiful flowers and plants, its magnificent gardens are also home to parrots and toucans.

If you’d like a bit of thrill seeking this morning, we can arrange for you to go rafting in the Pejibaye River before you get back in the car and head for the Caribbean coast and Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. The beaches here are immense, covered with black or white sand and bordered by tropical forest. This is where the famous Salsa Brava break is located, a legendary wave for surf lovers that’s thought to be Costa Rica’s best. Needless to say, this is a great place to learn about the sport of surfing and try it out for yourself. If riding the waves isn’t your thing, you can simply stroll through the streets lined with colourful houses, stalls and relaxed restaurants.

Your home for the next three nights is a cosy lodge with magnificent gardens, offering you peace and quiet in its naturally ventilated bungalows. To unwind, relax in the hammock on your terrace or take the small path that leads to a superb white sand beach.

While you’re here, we’ll arrange for you to visit the Centro de Rescate Jaguar, an animal park that offers refuge to sick, injured and orphaned animals with the aim of reintroducing them into their natural habitats. The centre specialises in rehabilitating small primates, birds, reptiles and amphibians, along with some small cats like jaguarundi.

You can spend the rest of your time here enjoying the area’s beautiful beaches, relaxing at your lodge and soaking up the laid-back Caribbean atmosphere. If you like, we can also arrange for you to take a private food tour of the area to discover some of the region’s best local dishes.

You’ll drive to Guácimo today, your final stop on this grand tour of Costa Rica. Your accommodation for the night is a hotel in the middle of the forest that immerses you in the sights and sounds of nature. This evening, enjoy a delicious meal at the restaurant that showcases fresh local produce. We’ll also arrange for you to take a guided night walk on the property, which comprises 160 acres of wild, tropical nature. This is an opportunity for one last look at Costa Rica’s incredible wildlife, some of which can only be seen after dark.