A Nature-Focused Exploration of Costa Rica

Pick up your hire car and drive to Saraquipi, winding through pineapple, cocoa and banana fields and nature reserves with protected flora and fauna. The incredible Heliconia Island is home to tapirs, sloths, coatis and other monkeys.
Things to see and do - At Frog's Heaven, nearly 20 species of frogs live side by side; the Snake Garden is home to families of reptiles and amphibians. The Museo Nacional ethnographic museum is dedicated to the indigenous communities of Costa Rica and the preservation of their culture; the museum of indigenous culture houses also an impressive collection: paintings on bark cloth, masks, decorative, domestic and ritual objects.
Your itinerary includes an observation walk at night along the trails of Hacienda La Isla. When night falls, explore the rainforest as the animals wake up and take over their surroundings. Accompanied by the noises of the great forest, you'll see plenty of frogs, nocturnal animals and perhaps even some snakes. From a safe distance, mind.
Spend the night in an ancient hacienda with colonial architecture and surrounded by gardens, which has preserved a simple charm; this can be seen in the rooms, which are furnished and decorated with colonial antiques. Most of all, you'll love the warm welcome and wise advice of the owner. The food is a nice surprise.

Departure for the La Fortuna region. You'll cross large pineapple plantations before ending your journey with the peak of the Arenal volcano as the focal point.
Included in the itinerary - Floating down the Rio Saraquipi, an ideal place for safe rafting, or floating for the little ones. The rapids follow on from one another, but from time to time quieter stretches of water allow the opportunity to look at the flora and fauna.
Spend two nights in a bungalow in the middle of the countryside, opposite the Arenal volcano. Here, it feels like you are as close as possible to a true Garden of Eden. The song of the many birds that have chosen to live in this haven of tranquility, in harmony with nature, can be heard all around. There are 22 bungalows with terraces perfect for R&R, while the hot springs invite you to relax.

Included in the itinerary - Observe sloths with a private nature guide. Hanging from their branch, they look melancholic with their black markings like commas around the eyes, and their slow, languorous movements. Then, in the evening, nothing is more pleasant than a dip in the warm waters of the Arenal volcano. The pools are integrated into the tropical jungle with murmuring noise of the forest in the background. A moment of pure serenity, surrounded by nature, and totally invigorating.
Option - A walk along the peaks - go up to the tree tops by cable car and then zip line back down.

Drive to Bijagua. Rarely visited because it's off the beaten track, the region offers amazing misty and leafy landscapes, crossed by an intense blue river, and with the volcano's three peaks as a backdrop. The river splits into a splendid waterfall and hot springs which you can swim in. It's pretty blissful.
Included in the itinerary - A family outing on the hanging bridges in the heart of the forest canopy with a private nature guide. In the foothills of the Tenorio Volcano in the Heliconia private reserve, there are 185 acres of primary rainforest with spectacular views of Lake Nicaragua. During the walk, you can observe monkeys, sloths, toucans, a myriad of insects and, if you're lucky, some tapirs.
Two-night stay at the foot of the Tenorio and Miravalles volcanoes. The twelve bungalows dotted around the natural surroundings are mainly glass, so you fall asleep under a blanket of stars. In the morning, the hummingbirds buzz and squirrels come to nibble food out of the owner Christine's hand. Christine succumbed to the charms of the simple life, or 'la pura vida' as they call it here, and always gives good advice. We love the tranquillity of the place, the comfort of the bungalows, the red cedarwood hot tubs, surrounded by orchards of citrus trees of lemon, bergamot and grapefruit, and gardens of orchids and tropical plants.

Included in the itinerary - A day of hiking in the Tenorio Volcano National Park with a private guide. Walk one of the country's finest trails covering jungle, waterfalls and natural hot springs. The Rio Celeste waterfall sounds like a deafening thunder. The river is renowned for its surreal turquoise blue colour caused by the minerals in the waters contrasting with the intense green of the tropical vegetation - or according to local legend, the colour is due to the fact that God washed his brushes here after painting the sky blue.

Head to Tambor, at the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, on the Pacific coast (about a four-hour drive). Tambor is renowned for its beautiful and black sandy beach - in the dry season, whales can be seen frolicking in the bay.
Things to see and do on the way - Crossing the Rio Tempisque - the sandy shores of the Colorado Gulf - the beautiful beaches on the outskirts of Nosara.
Two-night stay in a hotel with traditional decor; the rooms are simple, but well-appointed. Above all, it stands out for its extraordinary location on the edge of a beautiful beach, isolated and perfect for swimming. It is naturally enclosed on both sides by rocks. Enjoy abundant nature, tranquillity and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.
Things to see and do - The Curu Reserve, a refuge for purple, orange and multi-coloured crabs, sea turtles that come every year to lay their eggs along the beaches, and thousands of bird species. The Isla Tortuga seabed is also protected; splash around in a mask and snorkel among colourful shoals of fish, barracudas, moray eels and other porcupine fish. In Montezuma, a picturesque seaside town with a laid-back atmosphere and a hippy influence leftover from the 1970s, the golden sandy beach is calling out for you to go swimming.
Option - A boat ride through the mangroves.

Arrive at the quay in Paquera. The ferry crossing accompanied by pelicans and frigate birds offers a moment of great serenity, and after an hour in the sun we land in Puntarenas where freshly prepared coconuts await. Then head for the Central Valley and follow the southern Pacific coast to Tarcoles.
Opposite the Gulf of Nicoya sits the small village of Tarcoles, at the mouth of the river of the same name, it offers remarkable bird watching sites. The wet primary forest in Carara National Park is particularly famous for its populations of scarlet macaws, parrots, parakeets and hummingbirds. Those who are lucky enough might get to see peccaries, agoutis and kinkajous.
Included in the itinerary - Crocodile-watching on the Rio Tarcoles in a private boat. Some of the largest crocodiles in the world live here, measuring up to 23 feet in length. This boat trip is also an opportunity to see that mangroves are home to countless species of tropical birds, including the famous scarlet macaw.
Spend the night in a hotel where simplicity is the key. The best things about the lodge are the layout of the rooms, which are great for families, as well as the lush garden where macaws and monkeys hang out.

Head south to the Pacific coast. The Uvita region is protected from tourism but the region's large beaches are a haven for surfers. The road runs through small villages and along palm plantations to Quepos and Manuel Antonio National Park. After that, the landscape becomes wilder with lush vegetation. In Uvita, the green of the forest meets the blue ocean on deserted beaches.
Already included in the itinerary - Entry tickets to Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the most beautiful national parks in the country. Walking along the forest trails, you'll find capuchins and squirrel monkeys, sloths and raccoons, who come to the beach to steal a mango or a piece of chocolate from swimmers. The forest is surrounded by beautiful beaches, where you can bathe in warm water before setting off into the forest to look for stick insects and chameleons.
Two-night stay in a hotel with colonial-style rooms and beautifully manicured gardens that open out onto the jungle-covered mountain and the sea. It's just a stone's throw from the beautiful wild beaches of Marino Ballena National Park.
Option - Snorkelling at Ile del Cano.