Premium Costa Rica in Depth - 16 Days

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Costa Rica. Your adventure begins in San Jose, where you’ll be met at the airport by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. Here, you’ll meet your local leader and small group for a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, Costa Rican coffee is some of the best in the world, so maybe set out to sample some of the local brew. After your meeting, head out with your leader and fellow travellers to dine like a local in the heart of San Jose. Your leader will share the history of the area and its famous residents as you taste local specialties.

Depart San Jose and drive to La Fortuna, known for its mellow atmosphere, bubbling hot springs and the mighty Arenal volcano. During your scenic drive, you’ll take in impressive views of Poas Volcano National Park. Along the way, make a stop at Bitzu, a boutique coffee plantation located near the slopes of Poas Volcano. During your guided tour, you’ll see how this coffee farm focuses on small-scale production and learn about coffee cultivation, harvesting, roasting and brewing from the coffee farmers themselves. After the tour, have lunch with your group, then continue to La Fortuna, arriving in the late afternoon. Check into your hotel which has views of the Arenal Volcano and rooms with a terrace surrounded by tropical gardens filled with birds and butterflies. Spend some free time poolside, listening to the songs of birds, then join your group for dinner at a local restaurant.

This morning, venture into the treetops on a visit to the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. As you walk across the six hanging bridges, learn about the forest’s diverse ecosystem, take in panoramic views of the region from this excellent vantage point and spot colourful birds – more than 350 bird species call this park home! Have lunch at a local restaurant before returning to La Fortuna for a free afternoon. Maybe visit one of the town’s hot springs for a swim beneath the stars or get active with a hike along the Arenal 1968 trails to reach the Las Coladas lava field, looking out for howler monkeys, deer and parrots along the way.

After breakfast, depart La Fortuna and begin the journey to Monteverde. Drive around Lake Arenal and watch dramatic views of the Arenal volcano unfold in front of you. Your leader will be on hand to point out interesting wildlife along the way. Arrive in Monteverde in the early afternoon. Known for its spectacular cloud forests and rich biodiversity, Monteverde is heaven for nature lovers. This afternoon, take a tour of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve with an expert local guide. The reserve is host to more than 100 different species of mammals and 400 species of birds, and your guide will share information on the fascinating biodiversity of the region and lend their expert eye to spotting wonderful wildlife. Look out for the resplendent quetzal and listen for the sounds of howler monkeys and the unmistakeable call of the three-wattled bellbird. With nearly 500 unique species of orchids, the reserve holds the world’s highest diversity of the flower.

After a relaxing morning, the day is yours to enjoy however you wish. You may like to explore the town or view the cloud forest from overhead on a zipline. Speak to your leader about arranging any optional activities that you’d like to do. Gather again in the evening for a rainforest night walk with Intrepid Foundation partner, The Monteverde Conservation League, to explore the Children's Eternal Rain Forest. This private reserve was founded in 1986 through fundraising efforts by children worldwide and is home to an incredible diversity of flora and fauna. Join up with a naturalist guide who’ll lead you through the forest and educate you on everything from the sounds to the species while also helping you spot the various frogs, insects and nocturnal birds among the trees.

After breakfast, depart for Manuel Antonio – home to a wildlife-rich national park and a string of the country’s best beaches. When you arrive, check into your Feature Stay – Parador Resort and Spa, located a short walk from Biesanz Beach and featuring five pools, a swim-up bar and a range of optional onsite activities like night hikes and a monkey trail.

This morning you’ll set off into Manuel Antonio National Park with an expert naturalist guide by your side. Look out for two and three toed sloths, white faced monkeys, anteaters and iguanas. The park offers criss-crossing walking trails and a beach – just keep an eye out for the raccoons! The afternoon is free. Manuel Antonio has plenty for those seeking an adrenaline rush – speak to your leader about arranging ziplining, snorkelling or kayaking. On the other end of the spectrum, there are few better places to sit back, crack open a coconut and watch the waves lap the shore. Be sure to look up, as sloths and monkeys are known to frequent the trees that line the beach.

Depart Manuel Antonio and head back to San Jose. When you arrive, have some lunch, then go on a city tour in downtown San Jose with your leader. Explore the area’s blend of historic and contemporary with stops at the local museums, government buildings, theatres, parks and markets. Visit the central market for a traditional Costa Rican cajeta (ice cream), an essential part of family lunch or dinner. There are lots of varieties to choose from, including coconut, peanut and macadamia and tapa de dulce (a type of cooked sugar cane). Tonight, you’ll have a farewell dinner with your group, so raise a glass and cheers to an excellent adventure!

Today is a free day for you to explore San Jose. You might like to go for a stroll through the Mercado Central for a glimpse of local daily life or the Museos del Banco Central, which showcases a range of visual arts and archaeological exhibitions. You'll have a second welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll meet your new trip leader and the travellers joining you for the next leg of your trip. After the meeting, join your group for a welcome dinner at Tiquicia Restaurant where you’ll watch some traditional folkloric dancing and dine on typical Costa Rican cuisine.

This morning, take a private transfer to Cano Blanco dock, where you'll board a boat to your Feature Stay in Tortuguero for the next two nights – Tortuga Lodge. Located on a canal by Costa Rica’s northeastern shore, this lodge has a pool, gardens and its own private nature reserve – the rainforest will be at your doorstep. You'll have a view over the Tortuguero River from your comfortable room. When you arrive, check in and settle into your room. Later this afternoon, join your leader for a jungle walk in the nature reserve. See native flora and tropical wildlife – you might even see the thumbnail-sized strawberry poison dart frog. Tonight, have dinner at the lodge with your group.

Spend this morning exploring the village of Tortuguero with your leader and learn how this former hunting and fishing village became an ecotourism hub. Get a snapshot of daily life as you walk through the car-free streets past the local school, churches and small artisan shops. You’ll also pass by the local recycling centre, considered one of the most efficient community-run recycling centres in Costa Rica. This afternoon, venture out on a private boat safari through the canals of Tortuguero National Park. You might spot monkeys, toucans, caimans, turtles, iguanas and sloths as you cruise through the vibrant rainforest. This evening, there’s the option to go on a night-time turtle nesting tour on the beach (only available July to October) or to go on another jungle safari. Otherwise, you could simply relax at your lodge – there are plenty of tranquil spots to unwind in a hammock and enjoy the natural surroundings.

Say farewell to Tortuguero and make your way to the southern Caribbean Coast. You’ll take a boat back to Cano Blanco dock, then drive south. On the way, stop for lunch, then visit Cahuita National Park. Here, you’ll meet a local guide for a wildlife hike where you might see sloths, monkeys and colourful reptiles as you walk along easy, flat trails where the jungle meets the beach. Your guide will use spotting scopes to help you catch sight of camouflaged sloths. You’ll also have time to relax on the sand and take a refreshing dip in the water. After, continue to your accommodation by the beach for the next three nights. The rest of your evening is free.

You’ll have some free time this morning to either relax at the accommodation or do some independent exploring. Ask your leader about the optional activities on offer today – you might like to visit the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge or the Ara Manzanillo conservation project. This afternoon, follow your leader on an orientation walk in Puerto Viejo, then head south of town to visit a permaculture farm in Cocles. During this Premium Exclusive Experience, you’ll meet the local family who own the farm for a tour, picking fresh produce like yucca, herbs and tropical fruits along the way. Then, head to the kitchen, where you’ll roll up your sleeves and learn to cook some traditional local recipes. Get to know the family and learn about their cultural traditions, then tuck into your culinary creations for dinner. Next, you’ll join a local gospel music group for a presentation and history talk to give you a deeper insight into the local Afro-Caribbean culture.

Visit the Bribri Indigenous Reserve to learn about the way of life of the local Bribri community. Start the day with a visit to a traditional farm, where you’ll learn about the spiritual and medicinal value of cacao in Bribri culture. Next, it’s time to get hands-on – make your own artisanal chocolate using traditional techniques which have been passed down through many generations. Continue your guided tour with a hike along trails rich with medicinal plants and natural fibres for you to observe and learn about. Hear about Bribri traditions that incorporate forest resources, including natural dyeing methods. Your hike comes to an end with a visit to a waterfall. Cool off in the clear waters, then snack on some fresh tropical fruits. Return to your accommodation for a free evening.

Have a leisurely start to the day before driving back to San Jose. On the way, you’ll stop at Bici Chocolate for a guided tour and chocolate tasting, set in the mountains of San Isidro de Heredia. This chocolate factory uses bicycle-powered machines called ‘bicimaquinas’, which you can have a go at pedalling yourself. See how cacao is roasted, ground and processed to produce artisanal chocolate bars. Continue to San Jose, where you’ll head to a restaurant with your group for a farewell dinner to celebrate a trip well-travelled.

With no further activities planned, your adventure comes to an end after breakfast. If you’d like to extend your stay in San Jose – and it’s highly recommended you do – just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.