Itinerary Highlights
- Taste fresh coffee in the Central Valley
- Iconic Arenal volcano
- Wildlife rich Osa Peninsula
- Stunning Pacific Coast beaches
- Cloud Forest at Bajos del Toro
What's Included
- Flights
- Accommodation Throughout
- Transfers
14 nights from £6,895 per person
Sarah Frankish
Travel Specialist
Experience the lush forests and pristine Pacific beaches of Costa Rica on this stylish itinerary, showcasing the huge variety of eco-systems and wildlife the country has to offer, whilst staying in some of the finest and most original accommodation. This trip takes you to some of the more remote and less explored regions of the country and can be a perfect honeymoon or special occasion trip, or for those who like to mix adventure with staying in some outstanding lodges.
Start with a little time to relax among the coffee plantations and verdant green highlands of Costa Rica's Central Valley with its pleasant climate, staying amongst coffee plantations. You then head south, on a scenic flight to the most pristine primary rainforest in all of Costa Rica to arrive to your beautiful lodge on the very edge of Corcovado National Park and on the Osa Peninsula for one of the best areas in the country for wildlife spotting.
Return north to spend a few days relaxing at a hot springs resort in the shadow of the stunning Arenal Volcano and exploring the trails around the Monteverde Cloud Forest reserve before, heading to the tranquil Pacific waters of the Nicoya Peninsula.
Itinerary
Day 1 UK - San Jose
Depart the UK today for your daytime flight into San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. On arrival you are met by a local representative and driven to the Central Valley just outside San Jose, a road journey of approximately 30 minutes depending on local traffic conditions. The suggested accommodation is set in an organic coffee plantation, with individually decorated rooms featuring either a veranda overlooking the Central Valley or a secluded patio surrounded by lush colourful gardens.
Day 2 Central Valley
Today is at leisure to relax and enjoy the views from the pool, take a coffee farm tour at the hotel's plantation, go for a hike through the Central Valley highlands, or go horseback riding.
Day 3 San Jose - The Osa Peninsula
Fly south from San Jose to the Osa Peninsula, and Puerto Jimenez airstrip where you are met by a representative of the lodge and driven to the hotel, a road journey of approximately 40 minutes.
Lapa Rios is set in a 1,000-acre tropical rainforest protected nature reserve and is named after the large local population of Scarlet Macaws. There are stunning views over the peninsula from the rooms and communal areas, and the lodge is designed in keeping with the natural surroundings, with a real emphasis on conservation and sustainability practices.
Day 4 - 5 The Osa Peninsula
the next two days are based at your lodge to enjoy the various excursions on offer and included in your stay. You are free to choose between the tours operated by the lodge, and these are all with an English speaking local guide. The activities are a mixture of nature and wildlife focused walks and trails, whilst there are alternative options to visit a local school, or to learn more about the sustainability efforts going on in this remote part of the country.
Day 6 The Osa Peninsula - Bajos del Toro
Return to the nearby airstrip at Puerto Jimenez and fly to San Jose. You are met at the airport and driven to a lesser visited area of Cloud Forest at Bajos del Toro. Your lodge for the next two nights is El Silencio, located approximately 90 minutes from San Jose. You have the remainder of the day at leisure to relax around the grounds, walk the nature trails or perhaps arrange a treatment at the Spa and Wellness Centre.
Day 7 Bajos del Toro
You have the day based within the 500 acres of private tropical Cloud Forest reserve at El Silencio Lodge. There is a rich diversity of birdlife in this section of forest that can be spotted from the many trails within the grounds, and if you wish to join any guided tours these can be arranged and booked locally.
Day 8 Bajos del Toro - Arenal
Today you are collected and driven from the Cloud Forest to the Volcano region of Arenal. You stay for the next two nights in the stylishly designed Arenal Nayara Hotel, with some of the most stunning views of Arenal Volcano. You have the remainder of the afternoon to luxuriate in the thermal waters and pools at the hotel and explore the lush gardens.
Day 9 Arenal Volcano
Today is a full day to enjoy the Arenal area, which offers plenty to see and do. You may choose to take a stroll through Nayara's tropical gardens, visit the on site hot springs and thermal pools, join one of the nature spotting tours on offer, or book an excursion in the local area via the hotel's private naturalist guides. Trips available in the Arenal region include the hanging bridges park, the lava fields of the 1968 eruption of the volcano, La Fortuna waterfall, Caño Negro wildlife refuge, or perhaps the more active and adventurous options available such as white water rafting, stand-up paddle boarding or kayaking on Lake Arenal.
Day 10 Arenal - Pacific Coast
Today you are collected from the Arenal Volcano and driven towards the Pacific Coast and your hotel on the Nicoya Peninsula, a road journey of approximately 4 hours 30 minutes. You have the next three nights at the stylish hill top hideaway of Punta Islita with spectacular ocean views and access to some beautiful beaches.
Day 11 - 12 Pacific Coast
You have the next two days free to relax by the Pacific Ocean or at the hotel infinity pool - enjoy an optional activity and explore the local wildlife rich area, wander down to the beach, or just relax in a hammock.
Day 13 San Jose - UK
You have a final morning at the Nicoya Peninsula until your short domestic flight from the airstrip at Nosara back to San Jose, where you then connect with your homeward flight to the UK.
Sarah Frankish
Travel Specialist
Pricing Information & Dates
14 nights from £6,895 per person
Sarah Frankish
Travel Specialist
Price Includes
- Return International Flights as per the itinerary
- All airport taxes and security charges
- Accommodation and meals as specified
- Transfers as specified
- Activities and excursions as specified
- All entrace fees on sightseeing tours as specified
Price Excludes
- Travel Insurance
- Any meals not specified in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional excursions
Pricing Notes
Price includes all accommodation, breakfast everyday (full-board in Corcovado), excursions as described, transfers, internal and international flights in Economy Class.
Why Choose Us?
Passionate travel experts
- We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
- Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
- We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences
Personal & tailor-made
- You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
- We'll make your itinerary seamless with 24/7 emergency contact available
- Your Travel Specialist will listen to ensure you have the best chance of seeing the wildlife you love
Responsible by nature
- We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
- For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
- We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office check www.gov.uk/travelaware
