In less than a week you'll get to visit two of Costa Rica's most stunning regions. This six-day itinerary you'll visit the cloud-forest region of the central highlands before heading south to the biodiverse wonderland that is the Osa Peninsula. Throughout it all, you'll enjoy horseback rides, waterfall hikes, and wildlife spotting all while enjoying luxury accommodations.

Highlights

  • Enjoy a private tour of La Paz Waterfall Gardens
  • Go horseback riding around the Talamanca Mountains
  • Take a birding tour on a private nature reserve on the Osa Peninsula

Brief Itinerary

Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrival in Costa Rica - Private Transfer to Vara Blanca VaraBlanca
Day 2 La Paz Waterfall Gardens -> Transfer by Private Flight to San Isidro del General San Isidro del general
Day 3 Exclusive Horseback Coffee Country Adventure San Isidro del general
Day 4 Private Charter Flight to the Osa Peninsula Puerto Jiménez
Day 5 Birding and Waterfall Hike With a Private Guide Puerto Jiménez
Day 6 Departure  

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Costa Rica - Private Transfer to Vara Blanca

Vara Blanca is located near the Poás Volcano
Vara Blanca is located near the Poás Volcano

Welcome to Costa Rica!

Upon arrival at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), in the capital of San José, the driver of your private car service will meet you. Rather than stay in the city, you'll immediately kick off your grand Costa Rica luxury adventure with a 45-minute drive north to Vara Blanca.

This secluded town in the mountains of Heredia Province is situated on the Continental Divide between the volcanoes of Poás and Barva. It's a tropical cloud forest region, and the higher altitude results in the flourishing green rainforest shrouded in near constant mists. You'll arrive at a luxurious eco-lodge in time for a gourmet dinner at the hotel's restaurant. Or, if you want to explore a bit, your driver can whisk you off to any number of delicious local restaurants within 10 minutes of the Lodge.

Day 2: La Paz Waterfall Gardens -> Transfer by Private Flight to San Isidro del General

La Paz Waterfall Gardens
La Paz Waterfall Gardens

After breakfast, you'll enjoy a private guided visit to La Paz Waterfall Gardens, which is located north of Costa Rica's capital of San José. La Paz is a protected area and expansive open-air theme park home to a wide variety of natural attractions. These, of course, include the namesake waterfalls as well as wildlife habitats and even a butterfly enclosure and aviary home to exotic birds. 

Later, your English-speaking guide/driver will transfer you to the airport in San José where you'll board an exclusive charter plane for the 45-minute flight to San Isidro del General.  Located in the Talamanca Mountains, San Isidro del General is a charming tourist town with a famous and massive farmers market. Here 200 vendors sell every kind of fruit and vegetable you can imagine. It's the perfect spot to pick up some delicious, exotic produce.

Upon arrival to San Isidro, you'll transfer 25 minutes by private car to your deluxe eco-resort. You'll then have the rest of the day free to relax and enjoy the hotel's facilities.

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Day 3: Exclusive Horseback Coffee Country Adventure

Costa Rican coffee is some of the best in the world
Costa Rican coffee is some of the best in the world

In the morning you'll venture to the nearby town of Cedral, which is located in the foothills of the Talamanca Mountains and lies in the middle of Costa Rica's coffee country. The plan for today is to, of course, visit some local coffee farms, but you won't be doing so on foot. That's right, it's time to mount up for a horseback-riding tour of rural Costa Rican life. 

Your private guide will lead you on this half-day tour of Cedral's coffee fincas (farms). You’ll ride through the region along unpaved roads, admiring prime views of the rainforest and the Rio Cedral River along the way. The community here pride themselves on their coffee-growing heritage, and this excursion allows you to meet landowners who plant, harvest, and sell their own organic coffee. Best of all, it's sustainably produced, a tenet that is integral to Costa Rican rural culture. 

After the coffee tour, you can retire to your deluxe room in the eco-resort and spend the remainder of the day however you see fit.

Day 4: Private Charter Flight to the Osa Peninsula

The unspoiled coast of the Osa Peninsula
The unspoiled coast of the Osa Peninsula

In the mid-morning, your driver will transfer you to the airport at San Isidro del General. You'll then hop a private plane and embark on a brisk and scenic 25-minute charter flight south to Puerto Jiménez. This secluded town is situated on the coast of the Golfo Dulce ("sweet gulf") and it's all located on the famous Osa Peninsula, which is the most biodiverse region in Costa Rica. 

Upon arrival in Puerto Jimenez, a driver will meet you and you'll transfer 45 minutes to Lapa Rios, a luxury eco-lodge that offers a number of environmentally conscious tours and excursions. After checking into your bungalow, you can then spend the remainder of the day unwinding. Perhaps head down to the nearby secluded beach for some sunbathing.

Day 5: Birding and Waterfall Hike With a Private Guide

Keep an eye out for toucans
Keep an eye out for toucans

Today you'll enjoy not one but two outdoor adventures in the secluded and exotic Osa Peninsula. 

First, it's a two-hour birding tour that begins at 6:30 am. There are over 360 bird species on the Osa Peninsula, and embarking on a guided hike around the 1,000-acre private nature reserve of Lapa Rios is a great place to spot them. Not only will you see exotic birds, but you'll also catch glimpses of the famous blue morpho butterfly as well as monkeys in the trees. High-quality binoculars will be provided during the tour, as will tea, coffee, and a light snack.

Then, at 11 am, you'll begin a two-hour hike through the rainforest towards the Carbonera River, which is a great area to spot endemic species such as poison dart frogs and other unique creatures. Once at the river, you'll hike along the banks en-route to a secluded waterfall. The falls here plunge down into a tropical lagoon perfect for swimming, and you're more than welcome to take a dip.  

After the tour, you'll return to your bungalow in Lapa Rios.

Day 6: Departure

Farewell, Costa Rica!
Farewell, Costa Rica!

At the appropriate time, you will transfer approximately 45 minutes from your eco-lodge to the airstrip at Puerto Jiménez for a private 50-minute charter flight to San José. Upon arrival in the capital, you'll transfer to the international airport where you'll catch your flight home. Adios and come back soon!

Map

Map of Luxury Costa Rica: Exotic Beaches and Tropical Waterfalls - 6 Days
Map of Luxury Costa Rica: Exotic Beaches and Tropical Waterfalls - 6 Days