Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Costa Rica – Arenal National Park – Playa Avellana – Playa Naranjo – Manuel Antonio – Dominical – Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
100% customisable for you
Your Costa Rican adventure starts today. After whizzing through airport security, settle in for your 11-hour flight to San Jose. The flight leaves mid-morning and is scheduled to land late afternoon, thanks to the six-hour time difference.
Once you've cleared immigration and customs, you’ll be privately transferred to your hotel in Alajuela, a 30-minute drive away, for an overnight stay. Known as the ‘City of Mangoes’, Alajuela lies in the shadow of the Poas Volcano in Costa Rica’s beautiful Central Valley, surrounded by lush landscapes dotted with sugar and coffee plantations. Spend the rest of the evening settling in and enjoying a tasty dinner in the hotel restaurant before flopping into bed, ready for the real adventure to begin tomorrow.
Rise and shine, because you’re heading to the Arenal Volcano National Park for two nights of glamping. After breakfast, pick up your trusty hire car for the two-hour-and-40-minute journey. If you’d like to stretch your legs en route, why not visit Poas Volcano National Park – one of the few places in the world you can see an active volcano up close.
It’s a 20-minute walk to the main viewpoints, where you can peer into its vast crater, filled with a turquoise lake heated to 40°C by volcanic activity.
Later, hit the road again to your luxe glamping site, nestled at the foot of the Arenal Volcano (don’t worry, it’s in its resting phase).
The nearest town is La Fortuna, just a five-minute drive away, where you’ll find plenty of restaurants – just ask our clued-up Concierge for the best places to grab a bite. Come evening, gather round the fire pit and toast marshmallows under the starry night sky.
Be sure to grab your camera, as the Instagram-worthy spots at Arenal National Park are second to none. From 1968 until 2010, the Arenal Volcano was active, producing ash and glowing molten rock, but these days, there are over 10 miles of well-marked trails carved by former lava flows into the rainforest.
As you wander through the jungle, keep a lookout for spider monkeys, foraging anteaters, sleepy sloths, colourful toucans and white-faced capuchins as they leap around from branch to branch. For aerial panoramic views of the rainforest and volcano, we’ve arranged a guided walk across the hanging suspension bridges that stretch above the tree canopy.
Fancy something a little more fast-paced? We can arrange for you to whizz at an exhilarating 37 miles per hour over the forest on a ziplining trip over the treetops.
This morning, it’s time to say farewell to the Arenal Volcano and head west for a four-and-a-half-hour drive to Playa Avellana, known for its pristine white beaches and world-class surfing. Here, you’ll stay nestled between beach and jungle, with howler monkeys, iguanas and hummingbirds as your new neighbours.
Once you’ve settled in, head out to visit a turtle conservation project to learn about their work. Led by a local conservationist and turtle expert, discover the different species and their distinctive characteristics before visiting the egg enclosure. If you’re lucky, you might even see the eggs hatch and watch baby turtles making their first journey to the sea.
Later, enjoy a delicious dinner (ask our Concierge for recommendations on eateries) and find a beachfront bar under the palm trees to watch the sunset. If you want to immerse yourself in local culture, sample a taste of guaro, Costa Rica’s national drink. This beloved clear spirit is distilled from sugarcane juice and can be enjoyed on the rocks or in fruity cocktails.
Another tranquil beach destination is on the cards today as you’re driving to Playa Naranjo, about two-and-a-half hours down the Nicoya Peninsula via the Ruta Nacional Primaria 21. Your home for the next couple of nights is peaceful Playa Naranjo, a beautiful stretch of golden sand in the Puntarenas Province. Perfect for nature lovers, this small off-the-beaten-track destination is an eco-tourism hotspot, with many hiking trails and a landscape rich in flora and fauna.
The next two days are all about soaking up the sun and exploring the local scenery. While you’re here, we’ve also arranged a kayaking tour along the Gulf of Nicoya to see bioluminescent plankton under the night sky. With every paddle stroke, aquatic organisms glow with a mesmerising blue light as they react with the oxygen in the currents – a fascinating natural phenomenon that’s especially magical when there’s a full moon.
After a leisurely breakfast in the morning sun, it’s time to drive to Manuel Antonio. First, though, catch the ferry for the hour-and-a-half crossing to Puntarenas, looking out for foraging brown pelicans as you leave the pier and magnificent frigatebirds soaring above. From here, grab some freshly cut coconuts to quench your thirst before embarking on the three-hour drive to Manuel Antonio National Park.
Once you arrive, settle into your comfortable hotel, where you’ll be staying for the next couple of nights. Are your bellies rumbling? Feast on some tasty dishes at the restaurant, then turn in early, lulled to sleep by the sound of rustling leaves and calming birdsong.
Today, you’re off on a private guided tour of the Manuel Antonio National Park. It may be the smallest national park in the country, but it’s one of the most impressive: with its mix of rainforest, diverse flora and fauna, pristine beaches and coral reefs, this magical place is a compact version of Costa Rica’s natural wonders. Binoculars in hand, you’ll soon discover that sloths, frogs, capuchin and howler monkeys are never far away.
Afterwards, grab a local beer or bite to eat in Manuel Antonio or nearby Quepos. There are plenty of options – from plush open-air restaurants to laidback cafes – so consult our handy Dossier for some hidden gems.
It’s a relaxed start to the morning, as your next destination is Dominical, just a 45-minute drive away. When you’ve finished sipping your coffee to the sound of tropical birdsong, hop in the car for a stunning drive along the coastline, which is dotted with glorious beaches.
Once you arrive, settle into your home for the next two nights. Tomorrow’s adventure is a mountain hike to see hidden waterfalls, so take things easy today, perhaps checking out the town and craft brewery or watching talented surfers on Playa Dominical.
Dominical is a true paradise for surfers and nature lovers, boasting some of Costa Rica’s best waves and surrounding steep mountains abundant with tropical wildlife and natural wonders.
Hidden deep in a canyon, the impressive Nauyaca Waterfalls are a must-see, so follow a hiking trail for two hours along the scenic Rio Barucito through lush rainforest. Comprising two tiers, the sparkling upper falls has a 141ft cascade, while the 60ft lower tier plunges into a turquoise natural pool – the perfect swimming spot to cool off after your hike.
If you like, we can also arrange a guided tour of Corcovado National Park or private surfing lessons to make the most of your stay.
Your next stop is San Gerardo de Dota, about two hours and 15 minutes away. Located in the heart of the Savegre River valley and shrouded in mist, this magical region of rainforest is a sanctuary for many bird species, including the increasingly rare quetzal.
You’ll spend the night here, so once you arrive, settle in to the sounds of nature and relax for the rest of the day.
This morning, take a private nature tour through the rainforest in search of quetzals. These shy birds were considered sacred by ancient indigenous cultures and are distinguished by their shimmering blue, green and red feathers. Quetzals usually hide high up in the forest canopy, but don’t worry: your expert guide knows where to spot them.
Later, it's on to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca on the Caribbean coast, about a five-and-a-half-hour drive away. The beaches here are immense, blanketed in black or white sand and bordered by lush green jungle. You’ll likely be tired after your busy day, so spend the rest of the afternoon settling into your peaceful home for the next three nights, ready for a day’s exploring tomorrow.
You’ve got two days to play with, so spend some time getting to know this laidback former fishing village. A great place for beach hopping and wildlife spotting, life in Puerto Viejo is calm and unhurried, complete with a vibrant fusion of Afro-Caribbean, Latino and Bribri (an indigenous tribe to the region) cultures.
If you're invited to a salsa brava, be warned: it's not the latest local dance craze, but a famous wave that attracts surfers from all over the world.
While you’re here, hone your surfing skills, laze on beaches and soak up the tropical vibes. For a change of scenery, we’ve arranged a visit to the Jaguar Rescue Center, a local refuge for sick and injured big cats. Since opening in 2008, the team have rescued over 9,000 wild animals, with the aim of reintroducing them to their natural habitats.
If you like, we can also arrange a private food tour to discover some of the region’s best local dishes.
After packing your bags, drive for around two-and-a-half hours to the Turrialba Valley, where you’ll spend the next two nights. This city is the perfect starting point for hikes, whether you’d rather venture up the slopes of the Turrialba Volcano or trek through scenic sugarcane, coffee and tobacco plantations.
We can arrange other activities while you’re here. Ready for more wildlife? The nearby Pejibaye River offers exhilarating white water rafting excursions, or you can head out on a horse riding trip along beautiful meadows and lush forests. Ancient history buffs might want to spend a few hours mooching around the Guayabo National Monument, the oldest and most important archaeological site in Costa Rica, while coffee connoisseurs can learn all about Costa Rica’s coffee culture on a visit to a local cooperative.
For some R&R, chill at your hotel, stroll its magnificent gardens or take a dip in the pool before enjoying perfectly sweet sundowners and tasty dinners at local restaurants.
Sadly, your road trip to Costa Rica has come to an end. After saying your fond farewells, drive for just under two-and-a-half hours to San Jose’s Juan Santa Maria International Airport to drop off your hire car. Enjoy one last tipple in the airport lounge before boarding your overnight flight. With a quick stopover, the flight will take between 14 and 18 hours, and you’ll arrive back in the UK the following day, ready to regale your family and friends with tales of your epic road trip.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
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