Highlights
- Ride horses through the rugged landscapes of Rincón de la Vieja National Park
- Traverse hanging bridges in the rainforests around Arenal
- Drop anchor in the Gulf of Papagayo for a sunset barbecue
- Kayak and snorkel in the clear waters of the Nicoya Peninsula
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Liberia, Transfer to Rincón de la Vieja, Soak in Hot Springs | Rincón de la Vieja |
| Day 2 | Rincón de la Vieja National Park Horseback Ride & Waterfall Hike | Rincón de la Vieja |
| Day 3 | Hike Along the Río Celeste, Finca Verde Nature Farm Visit | Rincón de la Vieja |
| Day 4 | Transfer to La Fortuna, Explore Arenal's Hanging Bridges | La Fortuna |
| Day 5 | Hike the Sloth Trail, Cacao Farm Visit & Tasting | La Fortuna |
| Day 6 | Transfer to the Gulf of Papagayo, Sunset Sailing Cruise | Gulf of Papagayo |
| Day 7 | Río Tempisque Wetlands & Rum Tasting Experience | Gulf of Papagayo |
| Day 8 | Transfer to Sámara, Afternoon Beach Time | Sámara |
| Day 9 | Kayak & Snorkel Around Isla Chora | Sámara |
| Day 10 | Hiking & Wildlife Watching in the Werner Sauter Biological Reserve | Sámara |
| Day 11 | Transfer to Liberia, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Liberia, Transfer to Rincón de la Vieja, Soak in Hot Springs
Welcome to Costa Rica! You'll touch down in Liberia, the northern hub of Guanacaste, an area famous for both its Pacific beaches and inland mountainous regions. Upon arrival, meet your driver and set off on a private transfer about 40 minutes north to the edge of Rincón de la Vieja National Park, home to the massive volcano of the same name. On the drive up the Pan-American Highway, you can take in the beautiful scenery, including the flatlands of the Guanacaste savanna, before reaching your hotel and settling in.
Later in the afternoon, you'll refresh after your flight with a soak in the hot springs of Río Negro. Meet your guide for a short walk to the river, where you'll be welcomed by a series of 10 pools on each bank, connected via a suspension bridge. Rich in minerals and heated by the Rincón de la Vieja volcano, the pools range from slightly warm to very hot. Soak for a while, then slather your body in the natural volcanic mud, let it dry, and hop into the cool river to wash off.
Day 2: Rincón de la Vieja National Park Horseback Ride & Waterfall Hike
Grab your comfortable footwear and a hearty breakfast—this morning you're off on a combined hiking and horseback riding excursion. Start by mounting up and embarking on a relaxed 45-minute ride to the park's Las Pailas entrance, passing fumaroles and natural steam vents created by the volcano. Then, it's time to part ways with your horses and continue on foot, following a 2.5-mile (3.5 km) loop trail to lookout points offering the best views of the volcano.
Throughout, your naturalist guide will point out the region's exotic flora and fauna, including howler monkeys, iguanas, coatis, and birds such as motmots, parrots, and the spectacled owl. The trail will eventually lead you to Oropendola Waterfall, an 82-foot (25 m) cascade that plunges into a brilliant turquoise lagoon in a canyon on the Río Blanco. Of course, you'll have ample time to enjoy a swim and some relaxation in this tropical oasis. Afterward, hike back to the park entrance and transfer back to your hotel.
Day 3: Hike Along the Río Celeste, Finca Verde Nature Farm Visit
Today you'll venture into Tenorio Volcano National Park for a moderate three-hour hike along the Río Celeste, one of Costa Rica's most remarkable natural attractions. The legend says that after God painted the sky, he washed his brushes in this river, which resulted in its famous electric-blue waters. The hike takes you 4 miles (7 km) along the river through a rainforest ecosystem home to animals like monkeys, sloths, peccaries, and anteaters. The highlight comes when you descend 253 steps to reach the Catarata Río Celeste, a waterfall of such profound beauty you'll think you've found your private paradise.
After the hike, stop at Finca Verde Farm and set off on an inspiring walk to spot natural wonders such as tropical plants and flowers, birds, sloths, frogs, snakes, and insects. Along the way, you'll learn fascinating facts about the life cycle of butterflies and the day-to-day practices of organic farming, before transferring back to your hotel for a relaxed afternoon at your leisure.
Day 4: Transfer to La Fortuna, Explore Arenal's Hanging Bridges
It's time to head inland today as your driver picks you up for the 3.5-hour journey east toward the misty highlands and cloud forests around La Fortuna. This small town northwest of San José sits at the base of Arenal, an active volcano whose iconic cone is perpetually snorting great plumes of white smoke. Though highly active, the town is safe from Arenal's fury, and it's precisely this geothermal activity that fuels the area's famous hot springs.
After settling in at your hotel, spend the afternoon exploring the famous Arenal Hanging Bridges. This rainforest trail system features a network of six suspension bridges above the forest canopy, affording incredible views of the Arenal volcano. Some of these elevated walkways are hundreds of feet long and up to 180 feet (55 m) above the rainforest floor. It's also a great place for bird-watching, with more than 350 avian species in the area, including various motmots.
Day 5: Hike the Sloth Trail, Cacao Farm Visit & Tasting
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Spot some of Costa Rica's most beloved animals with this morning's two-hour hike. With the help of an expert guide, you'll follow a nature trail through a habitat for sloths (both two-toed and three-toed), who are often spotted hanging from the tree branches and feeding on the bright green leaves. Sloths aren't the only wildlife you're likely to encounter—you'll also have a good chance of glimpsing other endemic species, like the famous red-eyed tree frog.
Later this afternoon, venture out again for an introduction to the origin, history, and production of one of Costa Rica's most famous exports: chocolate. You'll get to participate in the cacao harvest, see how the drying and grinding of the seed produces creamy cocoa butter, and learn about chocolate's cultural and economic importance in ancient Mesoamerican societies. You'll also help to prepare a traditional Costa Rican drink that dates back centuries, and end on a sweet note with a tasting of handmade chocolates.
Day 6: Transfer to the Gulf of Papagayo, Sunset Sailing Cruise
It's time for another road trip! Pack your bags and join your driver this morning for the 3.5-hour journey west toward the coast, passing the volcanic mountain ranges, flatlands, and villages of Guanacaste along the way. Stop for a bite and enjoy traditional foods, fresh local fruits, or perhaps a batido (fresh fruit smoothie) en route, then sit back and enjoy the views as the arid plains and tropical dry forests slowly give way to the azure seas of the Gulf of Papagayo, one of the most biodiverse regions in the world.
Once you arrive, spend the rest of the afternoon making the most of the area's sandy beaches and clear waters by staking out a stretch of sand on Playa Hermosa. As evening falls, you'll step aboard a catamaran and set off on a sunset cruise. Pass pristine bays, white-sand beaches, and tropical jungles (and keep an eye out for dolphins, sea turtles, and breaching whales along the way). The crew will serve tropical drinks as you make your way to a tranquil bay for swimming and snorkeling, and a barbecue meal with Costa Rican dishes will be served onboard before you sail back to the starting point.
Day 7: Río Tempisque Wetlands & Rum Tasting Experience
Venture inland today when you join a guided excursion to the private waterways of Hacienda El Viejo, located about an hour east of the coast. Here you can cruise along the biodiverse wetlands of the Río Tempisque, where there's a great chance of spotting endemic wildlife (including crocs). Afterward, you'll stop by the family-operated estate's distillery to learn about the rum production process, from sugar cane juice extraction to distillation to aging. The fun ends with a cocktail made with aged Sabandí rum as you lunch on traditional, home-cooked fare.
Back on the coast, you could spend the rest of the afternoon hopping between some of the region's loveliest stretches of sand, including lesser-visited spots like Playa Ocotal. This black-sand beach is perfect for travelers looking to ditch the crowds and experience a more local vibe. With clear blue waters and two rocky reefs on either side of the beach, it's also an ideal spot for snorkeling. At low tide, you can even explore the reefs from above by walking along the neighboring rocks.
Day 8: Transfer to Sámara, Afternoon Beach Time
The final leg of your journey begins today, as you set off on a 2.5-hour transfer down the coast to the laidback surf village of Sámara. Located on the southern coast of the famous Nicoya Peninsula, Sámara is a small and sunny town with pristine beaches that have become popular among laidback travelers and surfers.
After checking into your hotel, you'll have the rest of the day free to relax with your feet in the sand at the main beach, Playa Sámara. Set in a sheltered cove with a coral reef offshore, it's a great spot for swimmers and beginner surfers. Nearby is Playa Carillo, a quieter beach with a more local vibe and palm-fringed sands fronting calm waters.
Day 9: Kayak & Snorkel Around Isla Chora
After breakfast, grab a paddleboard or kayak, and set out with your guide to the petite Isla Chora, a 25-45 minute paddle across the lagoon from Sámara. Once there, you'll don a mask and fins to snorkel around the reefs (keep your eyes peeled for sea turtles!). Then, take a seat on the beach and relax with some well-earned snacks and beverages, and be sure to check out the local iguanas as they sun themselves on the hillside.
After three hours of island fun, you'll paddle back to Sámara. The rest of the day is yours to relax on the town's golden sands. If you like, you can book a private surf lesson and hit the waves. And when the sun goes down, feel free to indulge in the resort's nightlife scene, which is one of the best in the region.
Day 10: Hiking & Wildlife Watching in the Werner Sauter Biological Reserve
The penultimate day of your trip begins when you meet your expert guide and set off into the 358-acre (145 ha) Werner Sauter Biological Reserve. Located in the hills above Guanacaste, this is one of the region's only private nature reserves, protecting a swath of one of Central America's most endangered biomes: the tropical dry forest. This relaxed, three-hour hike will take you along winding nature trails as your expert guide shares fascinating facts about the tropical dry forest ecosystem and explains why it's rapidly disappearing.
Learn about the rare plants that grow there, including those with medicinal and cultural importance to the area's local people, and hear the story of the reserve's founder, Werner Sauter, who dedicated his life to rewilding and preserving the land. Your guide will also point out some of the forest's diverse wildlife, like howler monkeys, coatis, and tree-dwelling porcupines, and help you spot colorful birdlife like turquoise-browed motmots, long-tailed manakins, and Pacific screech owls.
Day 11: Transfer to Liberia, Depart
Your Costa Rican adventure comes to a close today. When the time comes, join your driver for the 2.5-hour transfer to the Liberia airport to catch your departing flight. Safe travels!
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