Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Costa Rica – Santa Barbara de Heredia – Bajos del Toro – Nosara – Monteverde – Mastatal – Uvita – Osa Peninsula
100% customisable for you
The bags are packed and the countdown is over – your month-long sabbatical in Costa Rica begins today. Head to the airport and settle in for your 15-hour flight to San Jose (with a quick stop in an American hub en route).
When you land, you’ll be whisked away by private transfer to the charming town of Santa Barbara de Heredia, your home for the next two nights.
Battling a bout of jet lag? Luckily, you’ve arrived in one of Costa Rica’s finest coffee-growing regions, where rolling plantations serve up the ultimate caffeine fix. Perhaps embark on a guided tour that spills the beans (pun intended) on the country’s signature brew, covering everything from growing and harvesting to roasting. Then comes the best part: the all-important taste test.
Later, head out on guided walks through the nearby cloud forests, keeping score of the tropical birds you spot along the way.
When it’s time to slow the pace, book in for a blissful spa treatment, cool off with a dip in the pool or relax in a comfortable hammock. You’re in the swing of things already – literally...
Kick-start the next chapter of your adventure by picking up your hire car and setting off on the one-and-a-half-hour drive north to Bajos del Toro.
When you arrive, check into your lodge, your home for the next four nights.
Over the next few days, don your binoculars for a birdwatching excursion in the rainforest, keeping an eye out for flashes of colour darting through the trees, then set off on a hike to Las Gemelas, where cascading waterfalls tumble into crystal-clear pools.
Come nightfall, head out to experience the rainforest in a whole new light (or rather, hardly any light at all). With your guide leading the way beneath a twinkling canopy of stars, search for nocturnal creatures, from neon-hued tree frogs to all sorts of weird and wonderful creepy crawlies.
In between escapades, slow the pace and find your inner zen by rolling out your yoga mat for some stretches, deep breaths and meditative thoughts. Keep those good vibes going with a restaurant recommendation from your local Concierge, who knows exactly where to find the best empanadas.
One of the joys of a month-long sabbatical? There’s no need to rush. This morning, take the scenic route on the three-hour drive west to Tenorio, where you’ll check in to your charming guesthouse – your home away from home for the next four nights.
The next day, lace up your best walking boots to explore Tenorio National Park, home to the mighty Tenorio Volcano. Winding forest trails lead you to the dazzling Rio Celeste, the Blue Lagoon and Los Tenideros, where two rivers merge to create a dazzling electric-blue colour.
Another adventure awaits at the Heliconia Private Reserve, where suspension bridges soar up to 115ft tall. As you cross, you’ll be treated to jaw-dropping views of the rainforest and its acrobatic monkey residents, who leap effortlessly from branch to branch.
Round off each day by tucking into Costa Rican favourites like casado (a colourful feast of rice, beans, sweet plantain and your choice of meat) or olla de carne (an aromatic slow-cooked stew). Then, as night falls, it’s all eyes to the skies – with barely any light pollution around, the stars put on quite the show.
Dreaming of beach days? You’re in for a treat – it’s time for the three-and-a-half-hour drive to Nosara, set on Costa Rica’s wild northwest coast.
When you arrive, check in for a week at your beachside villa. Drop your bags, lather on the sunscreen and slip straight into sandals for a stroll along the shore, then take your R&R to new heights with a massage right there on the sand.
Later in the week, climb into a canoe to explore the canals of Nosara Biological Reserve, home to an abundance of wildlife. The biggest stars of the show are the reserve’s crocodiles, which measure a jaw-dropping 20ft long. If you can tear your eyes away, scan the greenery for monkeys and boa constrictors coiled among the branches before pulling up at Ostional Beach for a spot of turtle watching.
The next day, meet your trusty steed and saddle up for a horseback ride, clip-clopping past paddocks of grazing cattle and sheep before ending the adventure on the beach.
Spend your final evening in Nosara at a country retreat in the hills, sinking your teeth into delicious local specialities and watching the setting sun cast everything in a golden glow. Cheers, or rather, salud, to that.
Bid a warm farewell to the beach this morning and buckle in for the three-and-a-half-hour drive to Monteverde, set deep within Costa Rica’s jungle heartland.
When you arrive, check in to your peaceful guesthouse, your base for the next three nights. Settle into a quiet corner and immerse yourself in a good book while the rainforest soundtrack of birdsong and monkey chatter works its magic. When hunger strikes, feast on some hearty Costa Rican fare before cracking open a fresh coconut for the ultimate afternoon pick-me-up.
Spend a day exploring the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve with a guide, winding past tumbling waterfalls and emerald rivers. As you hike, keep your eyes peeled (and fingers crossed) for the quetzal. Despite its flamboyant feathers, it’s one of the world’s most elusive bird species – and local legend says that spotting one brings good fortune.
Ready to dial up the adrenaline? Climb aboard an open-air cable car and glide above the rainforest, with sweeping views stretching from the volcano of Arenal to the sparkling Gulf of Nicoya. Then it’s time to hurtle back to earth on an exhilarating 10,000ft zip line – thrills, and probably a few squeals, guaranteed.
Set your sights on Mastatal today and hit the road for the four-hour drive south.
When you arrive, check in for three nights at a charming guesthouse, surrounded by organic farmlands. Amble around, greet a few four-legged locals and sample some of the region’s fresh produce, from sweet raspberries and juicy cherries to refreshing papaya smoothies. That’s your five-a-day well and truly sorted.
Travelling with a chocolate fiend? This corner of Costa Rica is celebrated for its cacao, and you’ll learn all about it during a visit to a family-run plantation. Follow the journey from bean to bar, tasting the cacao at each stage before crafting your own sweet treat or sipping a rich traditional hot chocolate.
If you’re tempted to keep exploring, follow one of the area’s lesser-trodden trails in search of hidden cascades and wildlife sightings. Or take some time to discover the area’s fragrant vanilla vines, before treating yourself to a holistic massage back at the hotel. Pure bliss.
It’s an easy, breezy two-hour drive along the sparkling Pacific coastline to Uvita today, so roll down the windows, tune into our destination-specific playlist and let the singalong commence.
When you arrive, check in to your beachside retreat for the next three nights. The rest of the day is all yours, so perhaps make a beeline for the pool – or the cocktail bar…
The next day, it’s time to dive (literally) into another side of Costa Rica. Climb aboard a boat bound for the dreamy Cano Island, where surf-loving dolphins leap through the waves and, between July and October, migrating humpback whales also make an appearance. When your skipper drops anchor, it’s masks, snorkels and flippers on as you plunge into crystal-clear waters teeming with dazzling schools of fish, manta rays and reef sharks.
For your final day in Uvita, spend some time beach-hopping. Head to Playa Dominicalito to cheer on surfers riding the swell, or swap spectator mode for a surf lesson and give it a go yourself. Alternatively, make your way to Playa Tortuga, where, between July and December, you might even spot adorably tiny hatchlings making their first determined dash towards the ocean. Hearts are sure to melt.
Gear up for one more road trip today: a two-and-a-half-hour drive to Puerto Jimenez, located in the country’s remote south coast.
When you arrive, return your trusty hire car, meet your local guide and hold on to your hats as you bundle into the back of a 4x4 for a bumpy (but fun) 40-minute ride along jungle tracks into the heart of the Osa Peninsula.
When you arrive, check in to your peaceful lodge, your home for the next three nights.
The next few days are all yours to enjoy. Rise at dawn for some birdwatching, wander forest trails in search of waterfalls or learn about the healing properties of native plants. Or, if it’s one last beach fix you’re craving, stroll along the shoreline, searching for iridescent shells and soaking up your final dose of vitamin D.
After the trip of a lifetime, it’s sadly time to head home. Return to Puerto Jimenez for your private transfer back to San Jose Airport, before boarding your flight back to the UK via an American hub. You’ll spend around 15 hours in the air – plenty of time to start dreaming up your next big escape...
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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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
