Coast to Coast, Highlights of Costa Rica - 13 Days

Step off the plane and immediately feel the warm embrace of “Pura Vida.” At Juan Santamaría International Airport, your private driver greets you with a sign bearing your name, helps with your luggage, and guides you through the drive to your hotel in San José. As the capital city unfolds around you, dive into its vibrant mix of history and modernity — its busy markets, colonial architecture, cafés tucked into quieter alleys, and restaurants serving everything from street food to gourmet fare. Tonight, relax and recharge knowing your journey has just begun.

Accommodation: Hotel in San Jose to choose

Meals: None

Activities: Private airport transfer to hotel

Rise early and travel toward the Caribbean coast, where you’ll transfer by boat through winding canals and lush jungle waterways to reach Tortuguero — one of Costa Rica’s most secluded and biodiverse paradises. Arrive at your jungle lodge to the chorus of tropical sounds: birds calling, water rippling, leaves rustling. In the afternoon, explore a village, paddle through mangroves, or simply rest in the hammock as the sun sets. Nights here are magical under a blanket of stars, punctuated by the occasional call of wildlife.

Accommodation: Hotel in Tortuguero to choose

Meals: Full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Activities: Boat transfer; canal boat ride; village walk; wildlife encounters

At dawn, slip into a boat and glide silently along the canals, where mist hovers above water and wildlife awakens. Spot toucans, monkeys swinging through branches, caimans lounging near riverbanks, and perhaps turtles nesting on the beach (season permitting). Later, hike jungle trails under towering trees, discover hidden lagoons, learn about local ecosystems from expert naturalists, and absorb nature’s rhythms. It’s a day to disconnect and feel the pulse of the wild.

Accommodation: Hotel in Tortuguero to choose

Meals: Full board

Activities: Early-morning canal tour; guided jungle walk; optional turtle night visit or boat wildlife spotting

Leave the canals behind and journey south to the laid-back Caribbean shores of Puerto Viejo. The landscape shifts — jungle meets beach, reggae beats drift in the air, and Afro-Caribbean flavors tempt your palate. Spend the afternoon with toes in the sand, perhaps snorkel in vibrant reefs, sample coconut-laced dishes, or wander along the beach collecting shells. By twilight, watch the horizon glow, the sound of waves lapping, and the sky deepening in color.

Accommodation: Hotel in Puerto Viejo to choose

Meals: Breakfast included

Activities: Transfer; beach time

Enjoy a full immersive Caribbean day: surf the waves, dive beneath the waters, take a cooking class to learn how locals blend flavors and traditions, or walk forested paths in nearby national parks or wildlife refuges. The contrast between jungle and sea here is stark and beautiful — the color of the water, the intensity of the rainforest, the vibrant culture. It’s a day made for both adventure and gentle joy.

Accommodation: Hotel in Puerto Viejo to choose

Meals: Breakfast included

Activities:Nature walks cultural immersion at Cahuita National Park

The Pacuare River is the top rafting destination in Costa Rica, offering the perfect mix of adventure and nature in just one day. Surrounded by lush green canyon walls and

cascading waterfalls, it immerses you in the heart of the rainforest. Wildlife such as sloths, toucans, parrots, and colorful frogs are commonly seen. The rapids are exciting yet manageable, making the experience fun and accessible. After the adventure, enjoy a delicious lunch, freshen up, and continue your journey to Arenal.

Accommodation: Hotel in Arenal to choose

Meals: Breakfast included

Activities: Transfer, whitewater rafting at Pacuare River

Start your day walking across the Arenal Hanging Bridges, enjoying panoramic views of the rainforest and spotting local wildlife from above. Then, explore the scenic trails of Arenal Volcano National Park on a relaxed guided walk, followed by a delicious lunch. Finish the day with a visit to La Fortuna Waterfall, where you can swim in its refreshing pools after descending 500 steps to the base—an unforgettable experience in one of Arenal’s most iconic natural spots.

Accommodation: Hotel in Arenal to choose

Meals: Breakfast, snacks and lunch included

Activities: Combo: Hanging Bridges, Volcano Walk, La Fortuna Waterfall

Enjoy a scenic transfer from Arenal to Monteverde, combining a comfortable minivan ride with a peaceful boat cruise across Lake Arenal. Along the way, take in stunning views of the volcano, Tilarán Mountains, and local birdlife. After the lake crossing, continue with a beautiful mountain drive to your hotel in Monteverde.

Later, visit El Trapiche for a cultural farm tour. Walk through plantations of sugar cane, coffee, and cocoa, and learn about traditional production methods. Enjoy hands-on experiences, free tastings, and finish with a fresh cup of farm-grown coffee and a traditional Costa Rican snack.

Accommodation: Hotel in Monteverde to choose

Meals: Breakfast included

Activities: Scenic transfer, El Trapiche Tour

Today is all about exploration in the dense cloud forest: We invite you to explore the incredible biodiversity of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, the largest private protected area in the region, spanning over 25,730 acres (10,415 hectares). This unique ecosystem is home to more than 130 species of mammals, 400 species of birds (including the stunning resplendent quetzal), 30 species of hummingbirds, 5,000 species of moths, and over 3,000 plant species. It's truly a paradise for nature lovers and birdwatchers alike.

Enhance your experience with an exciting canopy tour in a 70-acre private reserve. Begin with a guided walk through both primary and secondary cloud forest. Then, soar through the treetops on 10 zip lines, take an exhilarating rappel from the “Scary Tree”, swing like Tarzan on the Tarzan swing, and climb the unique Hollow Tree. All of this while surrounded by breathtaking scenery and the sounds of the cloud forest’s abundant wildlife.

Accommodation: Hotel Monteverde to choose

Meals: Breakfast included

Activities: Canopy tour (zipline), guided cloud forest hike

Descend from the cloud forest into sun-kissed Pacific vibes. Travel through changing landscapes — mountain, valley, coastal plains — until you reach Manuel Antonio. Once settled, let the Pacific Ocean set the tempo: soft sand to walk on, palm trees to rest under, warm waters to swim, and wildlife peeking from jungle edges. The contrast to your jungle highs makes the beach’s embrace all the sweeter.

Accommodation: Hotel in Manuel Antonio to choose

Meals: Breakfast included

Activities: Transfer; beach relaxation

Enter the famed Manuel Antonio National Park with a naturalist guide to hike its vibrant trails where rainforest meets ocean. Spot sloths climbing branches, monkeys leaping among trees, tropical birds flaunting vivid plumage. Then, emerge onto pristine beaches backed by jungle, swim in the Pacific, stroll along the shore, and end the day with a sunset casting coral and gold hues over the sea. It’s a day where nature and relaxation intertwine seamlessly.

Accommodation: Hotel in Manuel Antonio to choose

Meals: Breakfast included

Activities: Guided national park hike; wildlife watching; beach time

Enjoy one last breakfast at your resort, breathing in the ocean air. Then set out on the journey back to San José. Use this time to explore the city’s museums, shops, or sample its diverse cuisine one last time.

Accommodation: Hotel in San Jose to choose

Meals: Breakfast included

Activities: Transfer

Your professional driver will pick you up and transfer you safely to Juan Santamaría International Airport. As you say goodbye to Costa Rica, take with your memories of lush jungles, roaring rivers, active volcanoes, and pristine beaches — and the welcoming spirit of Pura Vida. We look forward to seeing you again soon!

Meals: Breakfast

Activities: Private transfer to Airport