Uncover the Lesser-Known Side of Costa Rica

Upon arrival at the San Jose airport, you will be greeted by your local guide and transferred to your hotel to freshen up before going out for some tasty local cuisine with your guide, or to rest for the night — depending upon your arrival time. 

Your guide will be with you for the duration of your visit and will share with you important local cultural customs as well as safety tips. You will want to be well-rested before beginning your travels through the beautiful country of Costa Rica.

Today you will travel to Aguas Zarcas. You will stop at a thriving coffee plantation to see how coffee is harvested and learn why this is such an important export to Costa Rica. You will have the opportunity to sample some fresh coffee as well on your visit!

After lunch at the coffee plantation, you will continue your journey through lush green valleys and mountains to Aguas Zarcas. Here you will stay in a hotel with a natural hot springs pool and sauna that is surrounded by the jungle full of birds and monkeys.

Today you will head out on a special adventure: a Rio Frio River Cruise. You will board a small boat to navigate the Rio Frio through marshes and jungles. Your expert guide will help you find and identify birds and wildlife, including iguanas, caimans, anhingas, woodpeckers, kingfishers, monkeys, and more!

Following your river cruise, you will head to a local restaurant to enjoy a tasty lunch alongside trees full of sleeping and resting iguanas.

This afternoon you will have free time to enjoy the pool or hike the local trails around the hotel.

Following breakfast this morning, you will head to Monteverde and the cloud forest. You will have the option of boating on Lake Arenal to learn the history of the lake and its mysteries.

In the afternoon, you will visit a local butterfly sanctuary to see the local flora and fauna. You will also have the opportunity to zip-line through the cloud forest if you wish.

This morning, after an amazing buffet breakfast, you will head to the Monteverde Hanging Bridges to hike through the cloud forest. During this easy hike, you will see amazing vistas, old-growth forests, and find natural and medicinal plants found in the forest.

In the afternoon, you have the option to hike into another local cloud forest area to a towering waterfall and swimming pool. Enjoy a dip in the freshwater pool or just enjoy the natural environment on your hike.

Following breakfast, you will journey to Quepos. On the way, you will stop by a local hacienda for a horseback ride into the valley. Nearby is “crocodile bridge” where you can see hundreds of crocodiles lazing in the sun along the banks or chilling in the cool waters.

Dinner tonight will be a local restaurant specializing in fresh fish and seafood. 

Early this morning you will head to Manuel Antonio National Park. The park limits the number of daily visitors, so arriving early is important. You will hike along level pathways to the beach where you can walk, swim, or relax. During the hike, you will have opportunities to see a variety of local wildlife.

Warning: watch your belongings on the beach, especially if you have food in your bags. The local monkeys and raccoons are excellent thieves!

Today you will journey into the Savegre Valley for a relaxing stay at a local hotel and spa. Hike, swim, fish, or just relax in the lounge. If you are lucky, you will get to see the resplendent quetzal, the most sought after bird for birders and photographers in Costa Rica. This area is their home. Alternatively, take advantage of the onsite spa for a massage or facial.

Today you will return to San Jose. In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to walk around the central area and explore on your own. Don’t forget to visit the National Theatre while you are here.

This morning you will journey to Tortuguero National Park. While the area is relatively close to San Jose, getting there is not a simple drive. The only way into the park is by boat. You will drive to the pick-up spot where your belongings will be transferred to boats for your 30-minute trip to Tortuguero.

Don’t worry, your lodge serves delicious meals. There is a relaxing pool and a couple of small stores in the area as well. Internet is available in some areas.

You will spend the night is elevated lodges in the jungle. Kayaks and walking are the only forms of transportation in this area, which makes it a very special area of Costa Rica.

In the evening, you have the option of exploring the local canals by kayak to see nighttime wildlife in their natural habitat.

Following your filling breakfast, you will head out via boat to the turtle sanctuary on the Caribbean coastline. Here you will learn about the turtles and the rescue efforts to protect them.

The small island has several small restaurants serving fresh fish and seafood, so lunch will be on the island.

You will return to your lodge in the late afternoon following a tour of some of the larger waterways in the area to see other wildlife in this area.

Today you will return to San Jose in preparation for your departure home. Depending on timing, some of you will spend the night in a local hotel near the airport.