Offbeat luxury in Costa Rica

San Jose

Day 1: Welcome to Costa Rica, land of pura vida

Welcome to Costa Rica! For your added comfort, once you have landed, passed immigration and customs, and stepped into the arrivals hall, you will be met by a local representative for a transfer to your hotel in San José. Spend the rest of the day here at leisure, relaxing after your journey and getting to know your vibrant surroundings.

San Jose - Tortuguero

Day 2: The otherworldly beauty of Tortuguero

Prepare for a day of adventure this morning as you board a comfortable, shared tour bus. Marvel at the spectacular changing scenery as you travel out of the city and into Braulio Carrillo National Park. En-route you’ll pass through the agricultural region of the Limón Lowlands, home to crops of pineapples, rice paddies, and various forms of cattle.

Next you'll transfer by boat to your lodge accommodation: now is your chance to experience the beautiful river and canals of Tortuguero National Park! You will be warmly welcomed at the lodge, where you'll tuck into a delicious lunch before relaxing and settling into your room. If time allows and you wish to do so, set out to explore the village of Tortuguero at your own pace.

Tortuguero

Day 3: Explore the canals of Tortuguero

Rise and shine bright and early this morning, and sip a cup of famous Costa Rican coffee or tea before heading out in search of adventure. Enjoy the scenic trails around your accommodation grounds or, if you're looking to ramp things up a little, take part in an optional excursion.

In the afternoon, you'll join a guided canal tour to experience the jungle surrounding the nearby waterways. Across the infinite network of river canals and mangroves, you will experience a truly unique connection with nature. Armed with years of experience, your guide will help you unearth the secrets of the local flora and fauna, and share plenty of knowledge about the species of wildlife that call this jungle home.

Tortuguero - Guapiles - Bajos Del Toro

Day 4: Into the heart of Bajos del Toro

Bajos del Toro is still very much an undiscovered area, nestled amongst rainforests and dairy farms. It boasts awe-inspiring waterfalls with chilly swimming holes that are also great for trout fishing; you'll in fact find what is perhaps the most spectacular waterfall in Costa Rica, Catarata del Toro.

Upon descending to the base of Catarata del Toro, you will be able to see plants that are often referred to as sombrillas (or umbrella plants). Hiking around the waterfall is a wonderful experience, filled with incredible plant and animal species, including the puma. Horseback riding, mountain biking, and canopy tours are also popular activities to enjoy here.

Bajos Del Toro

Day 5: The cultural gems of Bajos del Toro

Today you'll join a cultural experience tour of Bajos del Toro, a thriving rural community with rich traditions. This guided tour includes a visit to local orchid enthusiast Don Martin Porras and his private garden. Explore more than 400 orchid species here, from fun shoe-shaped specimens to tiny varieties of Lilliputian beauty; a magnifying glass will be provided for a unique micro-safari and more in-depth insight. Next, take a stroll through the local town and enjoy a fun stop at Doña Olga’s Pulperia, where you can feast on fresh tortillas and local pastries.

Bajos Del Toro - La Fortuna

Day 6: Explore Arenal Volcano & La Fortuna

Located in La Fortuna, Arenal is the most iconic volcano in Costa Rica. It's surrounded by an eponymous national park, whose landscape is rugged, varied, and rich with wildlife and walking trails. You'll find so many activities to enjoy and sights to see, you'll have a hard time deciding where to start! 

For an exclusive experience, we'd recommend soaking in the heated hot springs of Tabacón; a full day of pampering can be enjoyed if you request the spa package. If you're more of the adventurous type, you might prefer a tour of the incredible Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, instead.

La Fortuna

Day 7: Take a dip in La Fortuna Waterfall

Your day begins with a visit to the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges - a series of trails and bridges forming a loop through the primary rainforest, and a great spot for birdwatching and volcano-viewing. From up above, you can enjoy a unique vantage point of the rainforest's flora and fauna in all their natural splendour.

Your next stop is La Fortuna Waterfall. From the trailhead, you will hike approximately 15 minutes before reaching this majestic site, where you can choose to swim or simply soak up the beauty of the landscape. Take a break with lunch at a local restaurant, before continuing on with an invigorating and immersive volcano hike: pick one of several trails and enjoy seeking out a wide variety of plants and wildlife. If you didn't choose to do so the day before, you will have a chance to relax in the famous hot springs of Tabacón, followed by a buffet dinner.

La Fortuna - Rio Celeste

Day 8: Into the heart of Tenorio Volcano National Park

Rio Celeste, the "heavenly river", runs through the lush Tenorio Volcano National Park in the northern Costa Rican provinces of Alajuela and Guanacaste. The park is home to an incredible diversity of flora and fauna including the tapir, wild cats, monkeys, toucans and a vast variety of amphibians and reptiles. You'll get to spend the day at your own pace here, immersing yourself in stunning surroundings - perhaps join a tour into the park's depths to uncover its many mysteries and secrets.

Rio Celeste

Day 9: Take an immersive guided tour of Rio Celeste

All of Rio Celeste's most popular attractions can be seen from a single trail, which runs for approximately two miles and which you'll get to explore today. On this hike, you'll witness a well-known waterfall - a majestic cascade close to the trail's starting point, with sky-blue waters crashing down into a brightly-coloured pool. Enjoy stunning views of the Tenorio Volcano from a viewpoint along the trail, and further on, encounter the spot where a creek flowing off of the volcano meets the main river - giving Rio Celeste its signature hue. Explore hot water springs and fumaroles emitting volcanic gases, and make the most of your time in this surreal part of the world, which has been largely undisturbed by mass tourism.

Rio Celeste - Playa Panama

Day 10: The coastal draws of Playa Panamá

Today, make your way west to the lush Pacific Coast! Playa Panamá is tucked away in the Culebra Bay, in the Gulf of Papagayo. Stretching out at about 2 km long, it is a beautiful and calm, grey-sand beach with blue waters and lush green surroundings.

This beach has no stones, making it one of the best places to swim and relax. It's also great for enjoying a variety of water sports activities, such as sailing, sport fishing, snorkelling, diving, kayaking and rowing, since the currents are not strong and the tide frequently remains low.

Playa Panama

Day 11: Relax on sandy shores

Enjoy a day of blissful coastal relaxation: whether you choose to make the most of your accommodation's facilities or venture out to explore your surroundings, the day is yours to fill with your favourite activities. Be sure to ask your travel consultant about the many optional tours and excursions offered in the area.

Playa Panama

Day 12: Another day of beach R&R

A second day of beach R&R awaits! Be sure to make the most of it and top up your warm-weather glow, as today is your final day spent on the Costa Rican coast.

Playa Panama - Alajuela

Day 13: Explore high-spirited Alajuela

It's time to head back to the centre of the country today, as you journey to the city of Alajuela, located a short distance from Juan Santamaría International Airport. With easy access and plenty of bus routes, getting in and out of Alajuela is not a problem.

At its heart you'll find an impressive red-domed church, as well as the lush and green grounds of Parque Central - the ideal place for hanging out and mingling with the locals, who often come here in the afternoons. West of the park is Alajuela’s central market, which takes up an entire city block and is perfect for shopping enthusiasts; for culture vultures, the Juan Santamaría Historical Cultural Museum isn't to be missed. To sample authentic Costa Rican cuisine, visit the Mercado Municipal or venture into one of the city's buzzing restaurants.

San Jose

Day 14: Hasta pronto, Costa Rica!

After an amazing time of pure highlights and luxury in beautiful Costa Rica, it is time to return home. Check out of your hotel, and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.