Luxury Costa Rica Discovery: Forests, National Parks & Beaches - 14 Days

Highlights

• Go on private nature hikes in Corcovado and Manuel Antonio
• Learn to surf on the shores of Marino Bellana National Park
• See the biodiversity of the Monteverde cloud forest canopy by aerial walkways
• Kayak around tropical islands and mangroves
• Zipline through the treetops of Arenal Volcano National Park

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in San José, City Tour

Welcome to Costa Rica! Don't let this tropical country's small size fool you—it's one of the most biodiverse nations in the world. A quarter of Costa Rica is protected in the form of national parks and reserves, which in turn are home to around 500,000 species of animals. During this luxury Latin American adventure, you'll enjoy in-depth tours of the most popular national parks. First, though, it's time for some urban fun and culture.

Upon arrival at the airport in the capital of San José, a driver will pick you up for the transfer to your accommodation: the Buena Vista Chic Hotel. Located in the hills just north of San José, this 4-star hotel is known for its stylish design, expansive rooms, charming courtyard, and a rooftop terrace offering panoramic city views. After settling in, feel free to order a handcrafted cocktail from the hotel bar and enjoy it on the poolside terrace. 

Shortly after arriving, you'll meet a local guide for a tour of San José. This three-hour excursion begins in the city's green lung, Parque La Sabana, a 177-acre (72 ha) urban park. Continue to downtown and visit highlights 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 a large collection of pre-Columbian gold artifacts. Then stroll through the Mercado Central, which features over 200 shops, food stalls, and sodas (traditional restaurants). In the evening, return to your hotel.

Day 2: Fly to Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula

Enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel, followed by a transfer back to the airport. There, you'll catch a 50-minute flight to Drake Bay. This small coastal village is located on the Osa Peninsula in the far southwest of Costa Rica. It's the gateway to Corcovado National Park, one of the country's most remote and rugged national parks, as far off the tourist trail as you can get in Costa Rica. Corcovado is most famous for having the largest tract of rainforest on the Pacific coast, which is home to almost 500 species of birds and other wildlife. 

At the airport, a driver will pick you up and transfer you a few miles down the coast to your hotel: SCP Corcovado Wilderness Lodge. Adjacent to Corcovado National Park, this 4-star eco-retreat offers an immersive rainforest experience. Enjoy spending a few nights in a secluded jungle bungalow and guided wildlife excursions that showcase the incredible biodiversity of the region. After settling into your bungalow, you can spend the rest of the day relaxing in a poolside lounger and enjoy dinner on the restaurant terrace overlooking the jungle. 

Day 3: Caño Island Snorkeling Trip, Night Jungle Hike

In the morning, you'll explore the waters of the Caño Island Biological Reserve on a snorkeling excursion. This protected marine area (once the site of a pre-Columbian cemetery) is located off the northern tip of the Osa Peninsula, 12 miles (20 km) from Drake Bay.

The half-day excursion begins when you board a boat and take a safety lesson geared to all ages and experience levels. Then it's time to plunge into the water, where you'll find an abundance of marine life, including reef sharks, sea turtles, parrotfish, eels, manta rays, pufferfish, snappers, sea cucumbers, and octopuses. There's also a wide variety of coral-building organisms and 19 different species of coral. Visibility is excellent throughout the year, making this a perfect site for underwater photography.

You'll return to Drake Bay early in the afternoon and have the rest of the day free to relax at the ecolodge. Then, when the sun goes down, you'll embark on a very special outdoor adventure: a nocturnal nature hike. This two-hour guided walk through the rainforest is a great opportunity to spot the exotic wildlife that comes alive at night. With a flashlight in hand, you'll see all kinds of species, including spiders, bats, monkeys, and tree frogs. You might even glimpse a puma or a jaguar prowling around in the shadows.

Day 4: Morning Birding Tour, Guided Corcovado Hike

Wake up at dawn for a private sunrise birding tour to spot some of the exotic avian species that call the Osa Peninsula home. Meet your guide at 5:30 am, then head out on a three-hour hike in and around the Drake Bay area. As you stroll around gardens, rivers, and the rainforest, you'll spot colorful birds like toucans, hummingbirds, tanagers, woodpeckers, and the famous scarlet macaw.

Return to the lodge for a break, then head out later on an excursion into Corcovado National Park. A boat ride will take you along the coast, and you'll disembark on the beach at San Pedrillo, Corcovado's northernmost ranger station. Then, your bilingual guide will lead you on a private 3.5-hour hike into the park along clearly marked trails. The guide will identify many of the endemic species you see, like white-faced, spider, and howler monkeys, as well as white-lipped peccaries, scarlet macaws, coatis, and countless other animals. At the end of the trek, you'll transfer back to the lodge.

Day 5: Boat to Sierpe, Drive to Uvita

After breakfast, you'll leave the lodge and board a boat for a two-hour ride on the ocean and the Río Sierpe to the northern edge of the Osa Peninsula. At the village of Sierpe, you'll disembark, pick up your rental car, and begin the self-drive portion of this adventure luxury tour.

Drive north from Sierpe for an hour along the Pacific coast until you reach Uvita. This tranquil coastal town sits between lush green mountains and unspoiled beaches and is the primary entrance to Marino Ballena National Park. This stunning protected area on the coast is most famous for the humpback whales that migrate here from Jul to Oct and Dec to Mar to rear their young. 

Upon arrival, you'll drive to your accommodation: the 4-star Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa. This serene coastal haven is known for its stunning ocean views, which you can enjoy from the balcony of your room or while soaking in the hotel's infinity pool. As the name suggests, there's also a world-class spa here. So, after checking in, you can take the edge off the day's journey with a massage, chocolate scrub, facial, or other relaxing treatment.

Day 6: Marino Ballena National Park Tour, Surfing Lesson

Today you'll venture into Marino Ballena National Park, famous for its beach and coastal rock formation in the shape of a whale's tail. Half of this private full-day excursion will be a hike, while the other half will involve a boat tour along the coast. Throughout the entire trip, you'll be accompanied by an expert guide who will point out the wildlife (both marine and terrestrial) in the park, which includes humpback whales, dolphins, and orcas. He or she will also offer insight into the ecosystem, which accounts for 1% of Costa Rica's entire protected marine territory.

After returning to the village of Uvita, you'll head to the beach for a private surfing lesson. Over two hours, your instructor will teach you the basics, such as paddling and balance. Then it will be time to hit the water and carve some waves of your own.

Day 7: Drive to Manuel Antonio, Waterfall Tour

Get behind the wheel in the morning and continue 1.5 hours up the coast 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. 

When you reach Manuel Antonio, head up into the hills to the Hotel La Mariposa, your 4-star accommodation for the next two nights. The spacious rooms here feature wraparound views looking out over the fertile rainforest and the Pacific Ocean beyond. If you're feeling hungry, visit La Mariposa's acclaimed open-air restaurant, Le Papillon. Located 1,000 feet (304 m) above the coast, here you can enjoy fresh pasta and seafood amid unrivaled views of the Pacific.

You can also venture into the town of Quepos to sample the diverse culinary offerings. 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. If you're a surfer, you can also check out the breaks at popular beaches like Playa Dominical. Later, you'll meet a guide for a private scenic hike (or horseback ride) to the gorgeous Nauyaca Waterfalls, a group of two falls that plunge 141 feet (43 m) over cliffs into a crystalline lagoon below. It's a perfect swimming spot, so don't forget your bathing suit.

Day 8: Manuel Antonio Guided Hike, Optional Activities

Wake up early for a private adventure into Manuel Antonio National Park. This three-hour hike follows a 2-mile (3 km) trail, during which your expert guide will point out interesting wildlife in the area. These include howler monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and various birds like aracaris and hummingbirds. The guide will also offer insight into medicinal plants and trees used in traditional Costa Rican culture.

After the tour, you'll return to the hotel and will have the rest of the day free. Some optional activities you can enjoy include private surf lessons, zipline rides, river rafting, kayaking, catamaran tours, snorkeling, and much more. If you like, take a relaxing sunset cruise on the coast as the last light of the day disappears behind the Pacific. 

Day 9: Damas Island Kayak Tour, Drive to Monteverde

Start the day on the water with a kayak (or standup paddleboard) tour around the Damas Island Costa Rica Estuary Reserve. This half-day adventure is a Disney Jungle Cruise come to life. Along with a guide, you'll paddle down a network of mangrove canals as white-faced capuchin monkeys swing from branch to branch and exotic birds like warblers and hummingbirds fly overhead. You might spot caimans or even a crocodile or two.

When you return to shore, you'll leave the Pacific coast behind on a 3.5-hour drive inland to the misty cloud forests of Monteverde, which sit at 5,000 feet (1,500 m) in altitude. There, you'll check into your hotel, the Senda Montverde Boutique. Nestled in the highland rainforest, the bungalows at this eco-conscious, 4-star hotel feature luxury amenities and a sustainable design—complete with an on-site greenhouse that supplies the hotel restaurant.

After checking in, you'll head back out on foot for an introduction to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, a 40 square mile (105 sq km) protected area. Suspension bridges throughout the reserve allow for walks above the forest canopy, allowing opportunities to spot the resplendent quetzal, a rare and exotic bird. There are around 400 species of birds here, with 25 different types of hummingbirds. You'll also see exotic flora, including the greatest number of orchid species on the planet—500—with new ones discovered regularly. At the end of the hike, you'll return to the hotel.

Day 10: Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Tour, Night Hike

Get ready for an expedition into the famous "green lung of Costa Rica." Meet your private guide in the morning and embark on a half-day hike around the Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, which boasts a whopping 2.5% of the world's biodiversity. Unsurprisingly, the reserve is home to numerous animals, including spider monkeys, tree frogs, sloths, spiders, and big cats like pumas and jaguars.

After the day hike, you'll return to the hotel for some relaxation before embarking on a two-hour night trek. Strap on a headlamp and follow your expert guide into the forest to see various forest denizens who weren't awake during the day. These include frogs, tarantulas, bats, coatis, kinkajous, and owls. Afterward, you'll return to the hotel.

Day 11: Drive to La Fortuna, Spelunking at Venado Caves

It's another day on the road as you leave in the morning on a 3.5-hour trip north around Lake Arenal to La Fortuna. Naturally, the long drive allows for some great opportunities to stop and enjoy the countryside. On the southwest side of the lake, for example, lies the hillside village of Tilaran. This laid-back mountain town is all charm and is a great place to stretch your legs.

You can also make a detour to Tenorio Volcano National Park, located just north of the lake. This protected area is home to the famous Río Celeste, regarded as one of the most beautiful rivers in the country due to its celestial blue waters (the result of a rare combination of minerals). A 3.7-mile (6 km) roundtrip hike along the river leads to a fairy-tale waterfall. The other stop you'll make is at the mysterious Venado Caves. This vast network of limestone caverns stretches 8,850 feet (2,700 m). On a two-hour spelunking tour, you can marvel at its stalactites and stalagmites and get up close to prehistoric marine fossils.

Later, you'll arrive in La Fortuna, a town that sits at the base of the iconic Arenal volcano. Here, you'll check into your hotel: Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa. The entire region is known for its thermal springs, and this 4.5-star luxury resort makes great use of these geological wonders. After checking in, you can enjoy a nice long soak in the hotel's network of hot springs. For dinner, you can choose between the hotel's two restaurants or reserve a six-course private dining experience amid rainforest scenery.

Day 12: Safari River Float & Canopy Zipline Tour

After breakfast, you'll transfer to the Río Peñas Blancas and hop on a raft for a half-day jungle cruise. This leisurely ride is a golden opportunity to observe exotic wildlife species such as monkeys, sloths, iguanas, turtles, alligators, and various birds like herons, cormorants, American darters, and passerines. During the trip, your naturalist guide will point out various flora and fauna, from royal palm trees to rare reptiles like the Jesus Chris lizard, so named because it can walk on water. At the end of the journey, you'll return to La Fortuna.

Later, you'll enjoy a more hair-raising adventure on a thrilling private canopy tour. After transferring to the rainforest platform, you'll put on safety gear and strap into your zipline harness. Then it's time to soar over the treetops, enjoying not only a fun ride but the sight of exotic animals (like monkeys and sloths) down below.

Day 13: Hike Arenal 1968, Hanging Bridges & Hot Springs

In the morning, you'll meet your private guide for a two-hour hike through Arenal 1968, a private reserve named after the year of the volcano's last major eruption. The event was so catastrophic that it transformed some of the region's topography: lava fields now dominate one side of Arenal. Trails wind through those fields as well as the surrounding rainforest. Along the way, you'll stop at lookout points featuring prime views of the volcano. 

After the hike, you'll spend three hours traversing 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 birding, as there are more than 350 avian species in the area, including various motmots. Afterward, you'll return to the hotel and can spend the rest of the day enjoying the hot springs and treatments at the on-site spa.

Day 14: Return Drive to San José, Depart

Enjoy one last breakfast in the shadow of Arenal volcano before hopping in your car and heading south back to San José and the airport. The drive to SJO takes 2.5-3 hours, depending on traffic, and once there, you'll drop off the rental car and head to the terminal to catch your flight home. ¡Adiós!

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