Your Costa Rica Adventure
There’s a reason Costa Rica’s national motto is pura vida. The phrase literally translates to “pure life,” and it encompasses the country’s joyful, holistic approach to living. The people are exceptionally warm and welcoming, always eager to share their life stories, and to hear about yours. There are dense jungles and idyllic coast lines, nature reserves and Mars-like landscapes, mountain ranges and active volcanoes surrounded by hot springs. There really is something for everyone here, whether you’re craving a relaxed beach vacation or a rugged adventure — or somewhere in between. Costa Rica is not a country you visit once; it's the type of country you need to (repeatedly) come back to and continue exploring. The country garners numerous repeat visitors for good reason.
October 24th: Fly to San Jose, CR Spend night in City Hotel
October 25th: Fly to Tortuguero Stay at Jungle Lodge 2 nights
Evening: Turtle Tour: If you're visiting Costa Rica between the months of July and October, you'll want to experience Tortuguero National Park on this guided evening tour. At the park, which is located in Limón Province on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, you'll learn about the life cycle of sea turtles. Tortuguero is one of their main nesting beaches. Here, you'll get to witness the spawning processes.
October 26th: Canoe Tour in Tortuguero National Park: During the Canoe Tour you will be able to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Tortuguero wetland. In addition, you will have the opportunity to observe the representative fauna of the area: alligators, many birds, basilisks, monkeys, and sloths, among other species. The biodiversity in this type of forest is very abundant, however, we know that animals are in their natural habitat and we depend totally on what nature allows us to appreciate. The guide will take a tour of the channels, sharing information and showing the secrets that are hidden in it.
October 27: Fly back to San Jose .
Pick up rental car.
Drive to Cahuita
Nights of 10/27, 10/28 and 10/29 Stay at Garden Hotel & Spa - Adults Only
10/28: Punta Cahuita Trail self guided: Try this 5.2-mile point-to-point trail near Talamanca, Limón. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 53 min to complete. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and mountain biking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are December through April. You'll need to leave pups at home — dogs aren't allowed on this trail.
Punta Cahuita is a beautiful promontory located on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, within the Cahuita National Park, in the province of Limón. It is known for its white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and coral reefs that are home to a great diversity of marine life. Surrounded by tropical rainforest, Punta Cahuita is ideal for snorkeling, hiking and watching the rich local fauna, such as monkeys, sloths and exotic birds.
If you want to walk the entire trail, it is possible to return to the starting point by cab.
10/29: Day trip to Puerto Viejo: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a town in southeast Costa Rica, on the Caribbean coast. It’s known for the Salsa Brava surf break and beaches like black-sand Playa Negra. The Jaguar Rescue Center rehabilitates wild cats and other animals. Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge has rainforest, wetlands and mangroves. To the north, Cahuita National Park protects a large coral reef and has a shipwreck dive site.
10/30: Drive to La Fortuna
Stay in La Fortuna Nights 10/30, 10/31, 11/1, 11/2. Stay at Volcano Lodge
10/30 Evening: Accompanied by an expert naturalist guide who will make this experience educational, safe and fascinating. You will explore the trails of Mirador El Silencio, one of the best areas of La Fortuna, in a privileged environment for its proximity to the volcano.
You will look for emblematic frogs such as the hourglass frog, Blue Jeans frog, bullfrog and red-eyed frog. In addition, you will be able to observe exotic insects, snakes such as the tab viper, Velvet, Stone Hand and coral snakes. With any luck, you'll also see sloths, possums and anteaters.
A safe, educational and unforgettable experience in the heart of the Costa Rican rainforest in La Fortuna.
11/3: Drive to Rio Celeste (Tenorio Volcano NP) Stay at Rio Celeste Rainforest Lodge 11/3 and 11/4
11/4 7:30 am: Rio Celeste Hike & Tenorio Volcano Hike: Hike to Bridal Veil Falls is made safe and informative when done as part of a guided tour. Your guide helps you spot wildlife as you trek through the rain forest en route to the strikingly blue falls, a vista point for Tenorio Volcano, and thermal hot springs and mud pots. An included Costa Rican meal fills you up at the end of the day.
10/31: Discover the natural beauty of the La Fortuna region on an action-packed full-day tour that is ideal for people who enjoy outdoor activities. Go on hikes through lush rain forest; visit a butterfly garden and Maleku Indian village; take a dip at La Fortuna waterfall; look for wildlife; and view the Arenal Volcano. Top off the day with a cocktail and a relaxing soak in a natural hot water river. Includes lunch and cocktail.
11/1: 10:30 am Hotel pickup available. Zipline through Costa Rican rainforest on a canopy tour that goes over the spectacular La Fortuna Waterfall—an exciting opportunity not offered on similar excursions. Between cables, take in views of Arenal Volcano and Cerro Chato and talk to your guides about the La Fortuna area. No experience is needed and almost anyone who is interested in Costa Rica’s biodiversity will enjoy this immersive adventure.
Nov 2: Coffee, Chocolate and Sugarcane Tour
Stay at Monteverde Lodge nights 11/5, 11/6, 11/7
11/6 7 am: Monteverde Birdwatching Experience
The perfect activity for those who want to discover the natural habitat found in Monteverde, Costa Rica.
The idea is to start at 6:00am or 7:00am with an introduction to the Costa Rican birds and general terms about the tour. During the 4 hours of this tour it is possible to spot different species of animals. Costa Rica is well known worldwide for birds, so this is a great experience if you really want to feel the cloud forest surrounded by beautiful nature.
11/7 11am: El Tigre Waterfalls Hiking Tour with Lunch and Nature Guide The certified and local nature guide will meet you at the reception area of El Tigre Waterfalls, then you start the hike on the natural trails at a virgin tropical cloud forest. During the walk of about 5km you will see 4 main waterfalls and more than 10 small (5-18m tall) waterfalls, hanging bridges, birds, zip line (optional). After the hike you arrive at point #4, where you still have 3 km more to reach the reception area, those 3km can be made by horseback riding or by 4x4.
11/8: Drive to Samara
Stay at beachfront hotel Nov 8,9,10
11/9 9:00 am: Horseback ride, picnic and swimming at Barigona beach: Departing from the ranch, you meet your traveling companions. River crossing, discovery of fauna and flora on horseback in the middle of the jungle. Observation of wild animals! We walk the trails for 1 hour 30 minutes to reach the marvelous white sand beach of Barigona! A haven of peace, solitary beach, magnificent and wild. A long break of around 2 hours or more to enjoy the place with a picnic and swimming. We have about 1 hour left on horseback to return to the ranch and take care of our horse friends.
11/10 8:30 am: Half-Day Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling in Samara. Hop aboard a boat to explore the Samara Beach area on this guided tour. Home to bottlenose and spotted dolphins, the clear waters are also a migratory route for humpback whales that are heading south during certain times of the year. After the dolphin sighting, explore the underwater sea life on your own with snorkeling gear. The tour is suitable for all ages and skill levels You might be able to see whales between August and November, and early January. Snacks and beverages such as water and juices are provided. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included
Stay at Nature Resort and Spa nights 11/11, 12, 13
Manuel Antonio, San Jose, Puntarenas Province, 284-6350, Costa Rica
11/12 9 am: Customizable guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park: A private tour of Manuel Antonio National Park gives you a personalized look at the park’s many attractions. As you make your way through the forests, your guide shares information about the local ecosystem that you might miss on your own, and helps you spot wildlife like sloths, toucans, and monkeys using high-tech scopes—not included on most Manuel Antonio tours. This tour includes all transportation and your admission ticket, plus the option of extra beach time.
11/13: Rest Day, relax at the beach
11/14 Drive to San Jose Stay in City Hotel
11/15 Depart for US