Day 1: San José
- Arrival at San José’s Juan Santamaria airport.
- Meet-up with your guide.
- Transfer to the hotel.
Includes: hotel + meet & greet + airport-hotel transfer.
Day 2: Cartago, Orosi Valley, Irazú Volcano and Dota Valley/Los Quetzales
- Morning departure for Cartago, the country’s first historic capital city; visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Angels, Costa Rica’s main pilgrimage destination.
- Continue to Irazú Volcano National Park. Irazú is the highest active volcano in Costa Rica, 3,432m (11,260 ft) tall.
- Short hike up to the crater of this stratovolcano, overlooking the central valley.
- After the visit, drive west towards Orosi, a spectacular steep-sided valley dug by the Reventazón River. Stop at the viewpoint for a photo op.
- In the afternoon, back on the Pan-American Highway to the mountain village of Providencia de Dota, bordering Los Quetzales National Park, which takes its name from the legendary bird nesting in the region’s mountain avocado trees. Dota Valley is also famous for growing one of the world’s finest coffees.
- Midafternoon: visit of an organic coffee plantation.
- Transfer to the Tami Lodge for an amazing experience deep in the heart of nature.
- Immersive night stay in luxury tents with sweeping views of Los Quetzales National Park and Bosque Nuboso.
Includes: night at the lodge + transfers by private minibus + English-speaking guide + Irazú Volcano National Park fees + breakfast/dinner + visit of a coffee plantation.
Day 3 : San Gerardo de Dota – Corcovado
- For early risers, a morning hike on a quest to spot the Resplendent Quetzal. This little piece of paradise in Costa Rica is one of the world’s last nature sanctuaries where you can still observe the rare bird in the wild.
- In the morning, off to the South Pacific Ocean (4h30 drive) with stops to take pics from viewpoints along the Pan-American Highway, with great views of the San Isidro El General Valley.
- In the afternoon, arrival at the eco-lodge bordering the Corcovado jungle.
- Optional activities available (organized and paid for on-site through our team): mangrove kayak tour, bioluminescent kayak tour, sunset kayak tour in Golfo Dulce/dolphin spotting.
Includes: night at the lodge + transfers by private minibus + English-speaking guide + breakfast/dinner + early-morning quetzal-spotting hike.
Day 4: Corcovado National Park
- Day hiking through Corcovado National Park.
- Start from the “Los Patos” park station and hike in the eastern part of Corcovado National Park. The park was recently voted by National Geographic as featuring the world’s greatest biodiversity.
- Trek through the rainforest in search of monkeys, sloths, tapirs, macaws, toucans and many other species.
Includes: night at the lodge + transfers by private minibus + English-speaking guide + breakfast/boxed lunch/dinner + Corcovado NP fees.
Day 5: From Corcovado to Manuel Antonio
- Morning departure to Manuel Antonio. You will again drive along Golfo Dulce towards the Pacific on the way to the tiny yet wonderful Oceanside village of Manuel Antonio.
- Visit of Manuel Antonio National Park. This coastal NP is a real gem: not only does it feature one of the world’s most beautiful white sand beaches – Playa Manuel Antonio – but also a dense network of trails affording great views of the Pacific. Coatis, sloths, raccoons, deer, agoutis, capuchin monkeys and squirrel monkeys abound and are easy to spot.
- Night at Playa Bejuco.
Includes: night at the lodge + transfers by private minibus + English-speaking guide + breakfast/dinner + Manuel Antonio National Park fees.
Day 6: Arenal Volcano
- Morning drive to Arenal volcano. Unmissable! Majestic! Magical! There’s no lack of superlatives to describe the volcanic behemoth towering above the Arenal area and the eponymous lake.
- Afternoon visit to the Arenal hanging bridges. The two-mile trail leads up to the top of the trees, with sweeping views of the plant canopy and Arenal volcano.
Includes: night at the lodge + transfers by private minibus + English-speaking guide + breakfast/dinner + Arenal hanging bridge fees.
Day 7: Arenal Volcano National Park
- Visit and hike through Arenal National Park. The trail takes you right up to the foot of the volcano, where you will see the lava flow from 1992’s eruption and climb the observation tower affording a 360-degree panorama of the lake.
- Relaxing evening at Arenal Hot Springs, where geothermal heat will allow you to sip a chilled cocktail in 100 degree (40 Celsius) waters.
Includes: night at the lodge + transfers by private minibus + English-speaking guide + breakfast/dinner + Arenal Volcano National Park fees + Arenal Hot Springs tickets
Day 8: Rio Celeste – Playa Negra
- In the morning, drive to Guanacaste with a stop at Tenorio National Park.
- Visit of Tenorio National Park. With its legendary Rio Celeste waterfall, Tenorio NP offers fantastic photo opportunities – the waterfall’s brilliant blue waters is sure to impress and leave you with lasting memories.
- Afternoon drive to Playa Negra, arriving in the evening.
Includes: night at the lodge + breakfast + transfers by private minibus + English-speaking guide + Tenorio National Park fees.
Day 9: Playa Negra and around
- Take off just after breakfast to discover the picturesque Pirate Beach: relaxation, SUP or snorkeling near the infamous rocks where the pirates’ treasures are hidden… the choice is yours! Whatever your preference, you’ll feel like Robinson Crusoe in this little corner of paradise! It’s also the perfect spot to lay down your beach towel and gaze out to the landscape.
- On the way back, stopover in Villa Real for a break in one of the town’s best Soda, where a cheap and hearty lunch awaits.
- Afternoon shopping therapy in Tamarindo, where you’ll find all sorts of souvenirs, surf shops, jewelry or apparel, with a visit to the bank or supermarket if you need one. Caroline knows all the best places to grab yourself a bargain ;)
Includes: night at the lodge + breakfast + dinner + paddleboard excursion to Bahia Piratas + transfers by private minibus + English-speaking guide.
Day 10: Playa Negra and around
- Early-morning run – if you feel up to it.
- A day to chill out and relax.
- A choice of optional activities: surf lessons, sunset horseback riding on nearby beaches, massage at home, zipline above the treetops… but you may just want to enjoy the Pura Vida, wind down, and sip a chilled seasonal fruit smoothie in your hammock, in the shade of a palm tree.
Includes: night at the lodge + breakfast and dinner + transfers by private minibus + English-speaking guide.
Day 11: Playa Negra/San José
- Morning drive to the capital city.
- Airport transfer or beach extension upon request.
- Important note: arrival at San José airport is scheduled around noon local time, so try to book an afternoon flight out of Costa Rica. If you’re on a morning flight, you’ll need to book a night in San José and private airport transfer (not included).
Includes: transfer from Playa Negra to San José.
