A country famed for its pristine nature reserves, incredible biodiversity and ‘pura vida’ attitude, Costa Rica is a natural adventure playground.
Days here are spent enjoying the great outdoors, up-close wildlife sightings, climbing active volcanoes, riding pacific waves or swimming with dolphins.
This itinerary is merely a suggestion to inspire your adventures; we tailor-make each and every journey from the ground up to ensure it’s a perfect fit.
WHEN TO TRAVEL
December – April
SUGGESTED LENGTH
10-14 nights
Journey Highlights
- Rafting, jungle trekking, horse riding and birdwatching at a luxury rainforest eco-lodge on the banks of the Pacuare River
- Stay at a private villa on a coastal wildlife reserve on the Osa Peninsula, spending days snorkelling, sea kayaking and yachting
- Surfing and yoga on the Pacific Coast in Santa Teresa
DAYS 1 – 3
Pacuare Lodge: The Central Valley
Begin with an overnight in San José before setting off for the Central Valley. The adventure starts en route: raft down the Pacuare River, one of the world’s great white-water journeys, to arrive at your jungle hideaway.
Pacuare Lodge is a luxury eco-retreat where suites perch in the treetops, lit at night by lanterns. Wake to the calls of howler monkeys, swim beneath hidden waterfalls, and set out on rainforest hikes with naturalist guides. Sustainability is at the heart of life here, with produce grown on the lodge’s own farm and evenings of candlelit dining beside the river. For a deeper connection, hike to a nearby Cabecar community to learn about their ancient traditions and natural remedies made from forest plants.
Explore Pacuare Lodge
DAYS 4-6
Copa de Arbol: Osa Peninsula
Hop aboard a private plane for a short flight to the Osa Peninsula, a wild frontier where rainforest runs into the Pacific. On arrival, catch a boat ride along the pristine coastline to Copa de Arbol, a luxury eco-retreat and beachfront property nestled into the primary rainforest.
Copa de Arbol is located within a wildlife-rich 70-acre reserve on a remote stretch of coastline, close to Corcovado National Park. Kayak through mangroves, ride along empty beaches, snorkel with dolphins, or try your hand at sport fishing. We can also arrange yacht charters to nearby Caño Island, one of Costa Rica’s most extraordinary scuba diving sites. Back at the lodge, relax in the pool overlooking the ocean or indulge in a massage to the sound of waves. After dark, head out on a night walk to discover the rainforest’s nocturnal life.
DAYS 7-10
Santa Teresa
A short, scenic flight along the Pacific coast takes you to the Nicoya Peninsula and the bohemian beach town of Santa Teresa. Reached by 4×4 down a dusty track, Santa Teresa is an offbeat Pacific paradise where the surf is fantastic, sunsets are stunning and fresh seafood is caught daily, to be eaten barefoot in shaded beach shacks. The handful of bars dotted along the coast are filled with laid-back yoga and surf lovers, who can’t get enough of these remote shores.
Stay in a private beachfront villa, where high ceilings and shaded verandas open onto palm groves and the ocean beyond. It’s the perfect finale – golden sands, a pool to retreat to in the heat, and complete freedom to spend the days as you please.
Spend the day in a hammock watching the tide roll in, take a yoga class under the shade of a towering palm tree, or horseback ride along the beach, splashing through the shallows. Surf lessons for all levels can be arranged, while keen anglers can join local fishermen deep-sea fishing before barbecuing the day’s catch on the beach, washed down with chilled champagne.
For those tempted by more adventure, nearby national parks offer guided hikes to spot sloths, jaguars and armadillos, as well as diving and snorkelling in the protected Cabo Blanco reserve.
Explore La Casona
Stay a little longer…
For an extended trip in Costa Rica, spend a few days on a private, family-owned coastal ranch, with morning yoga, beautiful horseback explorations into the primary rainforest and delicious fresh produce from the farm.
A trip to Costa Rica also combines well with neighbouring Panama to see its famous canal, folk culture and spectacular San Blas Islands that are home to the indigenous Kuna Yala tribe.
Discover More Costa RicaIntrigued by this adventure through Costa Rica? Speak to our travel specialists about designing your own bespoke journey.
