Comprehensive Costa Rica - shared transport

San Jose

Day 1: Welcome to Costa Rica

Upon your arrival at Juan Santamaría International Airport, you will be met by a representative and taken to your hotel in San José. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, exploring your surroundings or relaxing after your journey.

San Jose - Puerto Viejo De Talamanca

Day 2: Journey to the coast

Today, board a shuttle bus for a transfer to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, on Costa Rica's southeastern coast. Looking out onto the clear waters of the Atlantic, this town offers a rich cultural heritage of Afro-American origin. Enjoy the laid-back atmosphere filled with music, surf and sun, and take your time to explore the sandy beaches for which this destination is especially known.

Puerto Viejo De Talamanca

Day 3: At leisure in Puerto Viejo

Take the day to further explore the many charms and attractions of Puerto Viejo: while it is small, it is huge in personality. While some time away on the beach, enjoy an early-morning surf session, or treat yourself to a fun-filled active experience - cycling, snorkelling, and dolphin-watching are all popular here.

Puerto Viejo De Talamanca - Boca Tapada

Day 4: Natural immersion near the Nicaraguan border

Today, transfer to Boca Tapada: away from the hustle and bustle, this small town is moments from stunning rainforests and the Nicaraguan border. Here, take in the splendid beauty of the Río San Carlos, and marvel at a wide array of flora and fauna that call this paradise home - more than 350 bird species fill the skies with colour (keep your eyes peeled for the great green macaw), while green iguanas, turtles, crocodiles and more can also be spotted.

Boca Tapada

Day 5: Immersive tour of a local farm

Dive into a world of multisensoy delights as you take part in a chocolate, coffee, sugar cane and organic farm tour. Learn about its sustainability efforts as your local guide helps you explore its history, traditions, cultivation, harvesting and processing methods. Visit a sugar cane mill, cheese factory and orchard pollinated by mariola bees, before sampling fresh fruit at the on-site restaurant. You'll have a chance to sample various flavours at the coffee station, before one final stop at the cocoa plantation, where you'll indulge in a cup of hot chocolate before returning to your lodge.

Boca Tapada - La Fortuna

Day 6: In the shadow of Arenal Volcano

The majestic (albeit elusive) and dormant Arenal Volcano awaits: take a shuttle transfer to La Fortuna, where you'll be surrounded by a rich world of natural wonders - from waterfalls, cold lava flows and huge trees, to hot springs heated by the volcano itself. Settle down at your accommodation, and take some time to explore the town of La Fortuna at your own pace.

Come evening, you'll set out to Ecocentro Danaus for a night hike through the jungle. This epic experience offers a chance to spot all manner of wildlife that you wouldn't see in the daytime, from possums to red-eyed frogs. Guided by a local expert, you'll be taken to the best hiding places and stop at a lagoon to look out for caimans as they hunt for dinner.

La Fortuna

Day 7: Experience the wonders of Arenal

Today, set off on a two-hour hike at the foot of the slumbering Arenal Volcano. Even though the volcano is only active in phases, you'll find plenty to see and enjoy on this tour. Relics from the last eruption, lava fields, and rich flora and fauna all await.

Once the tour has come to an end, you'll have the rest of the day to enjoy at leisure, perhaps getting to know La Fortuna a little better. Set out on invigorating hikes across hanging bridges, relax in hot springs amidst tropical gardens, try your hand at rafting and canyoning, or eat your way around town for a taste of authentic Costa Rican cuisine.

La Fortuna - Rincón De La Vieja

Day 8: Cowboys, dry forests & volcanoes

Today, your journey takes you on to the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano and National Park, where you'll get to learn about the dry forest ecosystem as well as the fascinating way of life of local vaqueros (cowboys). In February and March, the landscape comes alight with bright yellow-flowering trees, while waterfalls, gorges, geyers, hot springs and fumaroles complete the surreal landscape.

Rincón De La Vieja

Day 9: Explore the volcanic landscape at your own pace

Today, you'll have a chance to deep-dive into the varied and immersive local landscape. In the summer months, the difference between rainforest and dry forest is particularly visible; in dry forests, the trees lose all their leaves and start to bloom. Hike through this endangered ecosystem and explore at your own pace; in the area of Las Pailas, you'll cross hot streams and can look directly into a small, active crater.

If you're searching for adventure, you can book various optional tours on site, such as canyon canopy experiences over the rapids of the Rio Negro, or abseiling in a waterfall. On horseback riding tours, you can easily get to know the region and spot toucans, monkeys, iguanas, and sometimes even agoutis and armadillos.

Rincón De La Vieja - Monteverde

Day 10: Monteverde's mysterious cloud forest

Take a shuttle transfer to your next destination, Monteverde, in the northern part of Puntarenas province. Here the famous cloud forest awaits, fog sweeping through its treetops and giving it an air of mystery and beauty. Bromeliads, mosses and lichens absorb fog drops and rain showers like sponges and, as soon as it gets drier, release the moisture back into nature through evaporation. Amateur botanists will be in their element here, while birdwatchers can look out for the resplendent quetzal and dazzling hummingbirds.

When you aren't experiencing the magical wonders of the forest, take some time to explore the towns of Monteverde and Santa Elena, or boost your adrenaline by zip-lining across the treetops.

Monteverde

Day 11: See the cloud forest from above

Today, set out on a fascinating self-guided tour across Monteverde's suspension bridges in Selvatura Park, where you'll get to know the cloud forest from an unusual perspective. High in the treetops, discover birds and other resident creatures, and learn interesting details about the cloud forest ecosystem. The circular trail runs for approximately three kilometres, with eight suspension bridges at altitudes of 12 to 60 m and lengths of 50 to 180 m.

Monteverde - Uvita

Day 12: Journey to the breathtaking coast

The next portion of your journey takes you to the southern Pacific coast, to the wild and almost-untouched landscapes of Uvita. The beaches here are long and perfect for surfing, while the Ballena Marine National Park is home to a wide variety of species that visitors flock here to spot. Soak up the charms of the small town centre, before unwinding on one of the country's prettiest beaches, with the lush rainforest as your backdrop.

Uvita - Drake Bay

Day 13: The secluded paradise of Drake Bay

Deep in the south of Costa Rica, far away from all other tourist highlights, you'll find Drake Bay on the west coast of the Osa Peninsula. To reach here, leave Uvita behind and take a shuttle to the small town of Sierpe, where at 11am you will board a motorboat out to sea and onwards to your lodge.

Drake Bay is home to fascinating marine life, such as giant sea turtles, dolphins and rays, while toucans, monkeys and coatis are amondst the creatures you'll find on land; between July and August you'll also stand a chance of spotting humpack whales. Solitude, empty beaches and nature abound in this slice of paradise.

Drake Bay

Day 14: Snorkel & relax to your heart's content

Today, set off on a snorkelling trip to the famous Isla del Caño. On this half-day tour, you'll get to know the underwater world of Costa Rica. Swim with colourful fish and see turtles, sharks and rays in their natural environment.

Back in Drake Bay, you can relax and enjoy nature: refresh yourself with a swim in the lukewarm Pacific, or walk along the beach to discover artfully-shaped wood and shells that have been washed up by the sea. Secluded and only accessible by boat, Playa San Josecito offers wonderful opportunities to swim in calm waters.

Drake Bay

Day 15: The many marvels of Corcovado National Park

A grand day out awaits today, as you prepare for a tour of Corcovado National Park - one of Central America's most important ecosystems. An incredibly biodiverse space, it's home to all four monkey species and all six cat species in Costa Rica, while the different sea turtle species that nest in the country also visit the park's beaches.

Take a 50-minute boat ride to reach Sirena Ranger Station, where you'll find ample opportunities to observe animals such as tapirs, crocodiles, anteaters, coatis, snakes and more. After a five-hour hike and a hearty lunch, you will return to your accommodation to spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Drake Bay - San Jose

Day 16: Return to the capital

Today, a boat will take you back to Sierpe, where a shuttle bus awaits for your return to the vibrant heart of Costa Rica, San José. After the six-hour journey, check into your hotel and make the most of your last day in Costa Rica. Seek out the city's bars, restaurants, museums and nightlife, or if time allows, explore more of what the Central Valley has to offer. 

San Jose

Day 17: Farewell, Costa Rica!

You trip is sadly coming to an end: after breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport, where your onward flight awaits.