Honeymoon Nature Expedition in Costa Rica - 10 Days

After the market, continue walking down Avenida Central, the city's historic heart. As you go, you'll pass landmarks like the Teatro Nacional, a masterpiece of neoclassical architecture that dates to 1897, and the Museo del Oro Precolombino (Pre-Columbian Gold Museum), which holds an extensive collection of pre-Columbian gold artifacts. At the end of the tour, you'll return to your hotel.

Day 2: Scenic Drive to Turrialba

Time to hit the road! Leave early on the two-hour drive east out of San José, deep into the mountainous Central Valley and Turrialba. This region is famous for its vast coffee fields and active volcanoes. On the way, there will be plenty of time for optional stops.

One great place for a pit stop is Cartago. The oldest city in Costa Rica was founded in 1563, and a few of its most famous colonial buildings remain. This includes the main church, the Basilica de Nuestra Señora de los Angeles (Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels), which dates to 1639. If you like, after Cartago, you could take a one-hour detour to the north to snap photos of the impressive Irazú volcano.

Eventually, you'll arrive in Turrialba and check into your boutique colonial-style hacienda eco-hotel. Then, you'll have the rest of the day to relax and enjoy the hotel amenities. After a while, it will be time for dinner, which will be a romantic affair in the hotel restaurant.

Day 3: Canyoning & Zipline Tour, Visit Hot Springs

The first half of today is packed with outdoor adventures befitting this natural wonderland. After breakfast, you'll transfer to a river canyon in Turrialba, where you'll do a bit of abseiling (rappelling). To get there, you'll hike through the rainforest until you reach a group of cascading waterfalls, at which point the fun commences. Put on a helmet, strap into a harness, then descend the rock face alongside the falls.

That's not all. Afterward, you'll cross a 132-foot (40 m) suspension bridge on your way to the next activity: a thrilling zipline ride. The tour includes soaring over the forest canopy on a network of four ziplines. It's guaranteed to get the adrenaline pumping.

After all that outdoor fun, it's time for some relaxation. The next order of business is to transfer a short way south of Turrialba to the Orosi Valley for a dip in volcanic hot springs at Hacienda Orosi. These thermal pools are perfect for relaxing and letting Mother Nature soothe your weary muscles. 

Day 4: Turrialba Optional Activities: Ancient Cities & Local Farms

The day is yours to enjoy the highlights in and around Turrialba. One can't-miss destination is the Guayabo National Monument. Set in the shadow of the Turrialba volcano, you can opt for a private tour through the remains of this ancient city, which is thought to have housed over 10,000 people who mysteriously vanished just before the arrival of Spanish colonialists in the 16th century.

There are also plenty of agritourism activities to enjoy in this region. If you like, you can visit a sustainable cattle farm that has opened its doors to visitors. On a tour, the owners will reveal generations-old secrets to producing their famous artisanal cheeses. You'll learn about different cattle breeds, their feeding and milking, how to process the milk, and, of course, sampling the finished cheeses. Another option is to visit a local cacao (cocoa) farm to see firsthand the origins of Costa Rica's famously delicious chocolate.

Day 5: Drive to San Gerardo de Dota, Couples Spa Treatment

Get ready for some more pampering in paradise. Leave in the morning on the three-hour drive west to San Gerardo de Dota, a region famous for its virgin rainforests abounding with rivers and waterfalls. It's another scenic drive that passes through gorgeous mountain and forest scenery. Upon arrival at your ecolodge nestled within the cloud forest, you can unwind with a spa treatment. This won't take place in some antiseptic treatment room but rather outdoors, near the rushing waters of the Río Savegre, amid the relaxing sounds of the rainforest.

Day 6: Day Trip to Coffee Farm & Birding Tour

Coffee lovers rejoice, as this morning you'll visit a working coffee plantation to see why Costa Rica's beans are famous worldwide. It's a short drive to Coopedota, a coffee co-op in the Dota Valley. On a two-hour guided tour, you'll stroll the plantation's fields and learn about the different varieties of coffee cultivated in the region. This is a sustainable operation, and throughout the tour, you'll learn how the co-op uses all-natural methods to control pests and fertilize the plants.

Then, visit the processing plant to see how the coffee fruit is harvested, sorted, and processed. Next up is the roasting facility, where you'll learn about the different types of roasts and how the process affects the flavor and aroma of the beans. Finally, you'll sample some of the co-op's delicious coffees and learn about the brewing methods used to make the perfect cup.

Now that you're jazzed up on caffeine, it's time for a nature hike. Along with a guide, you'll enter Parque Nacional Los Quetzales. This national park spans 30,515 acres (12,355 ha) and features diverse landscapes ranging from cloud forests to rugged mountains and pristine rivers. It's a haven for exotic birds, and on a two-hour hike, you'll try and spot the most famous of all, the resplendent quetzal. This bird, known for its electric green plumage, was sacred to the ancient Aztec and Maya cultures. Even today, it remains elusive; hopefully, you and your partner will get lucky and have a glimpse of it. 

Day 7: Drive to Manuel Antonio National Park

It's another memorable drive as you cruise an hour up the Pacific coast this morning to Manuel Antonio National Park. This 1,680-acre (680 ha) protected area is a true gem of Costa Rica, home to virgin rainforest running from the mountains to the coast, where white-sand beaches and coral reefs await. 

After checking into your secluded ocean-view resort, feel free to stake out your own spot on powdery white sands fronting turquoise waters. Then cuddle up with your newlywed and while away the hours with a good book and a tropical drink in hand. You can also opt for a snorkeling adventure and/or embark on another nature hike in the coastal rainforest. Then, enjoy dinner back at the hotel amid panoramic coast views.

Also, don't miss the fine cuisine in this part of Costa Rica. For dinner, you can head into Quepos, where you'll have your choice of various world-class restaurants. The food here reflects the eclectic character of the Manuel Antonio area, as here you can find everything from traditional Costa Rican fare to exotic fusion restaurants.

Day 9: Manuel Antonio Kayaking & Snorkeling

It wouldn't be a tropical honeymoon without some ocean fun. Today's doubleheader of aquatic activities begins when you and your partner hop in a twin-seater kayak. Led by an expert guide, you'll paddle along the coast of Manuel Antonio for about an hour before pulling into a secluded inlet for a break.

 

There, you'll put on a mask and fins and hit the water, swimming around with tropical fish and sea turtles. Later, on the ride back to the starting point, you can enjoy the vast Pacific stretched out before you as pelicans and flying fish skim the surface. You'll have the rest of the day free upon returning to your hotel.

Day 10: Drive to San José, Depart

With any luck, this honeymoon in paradise will be the springboard to further adventures and marital bliss around the world. For now, you can wake up early and enjoy one more romantic stroll on the beach before returning to the hotel for breakfast. Afterward, you'll make the three-hour drive back to the airport in San José, drop off your rental car, and fly home. Adiós!

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Costa Rica? Check out these other Costa Rica itineraries, explore different ways to spend 10 days in Costa Rica, or discover the best time to visit Costa Rica.