Romantic Getaway on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast - 10 Days

Highlights

• Kayak along the finest beaches in Costa Rica's north, including Sámara 
• Explore the famous cloud forests of Monteverde and visit animal sanctuaries
• Hike on suspension bridges, go horseback riding, and ride ziplines on the coast
• Visit waterfalls and witness sparkling bioluminescence on the southern coast
• Go snorkeling at Isla del Caño Marine Reserve and hike Corcovado National Park

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Liberia, Transfer to Sámara

Welcome to Costa Rica! This romantic adventure of a lifetime will take you up and down the country's gorgeous Pacific coast: from the palm-fringed golden beaches of the north, to the coastal rainforests of Manuel Antonio National Park, and deep into the far south and the wild shores of Corcovado National Park, a wonderland of biodiversity and exotic animals.

You'll touch down in the northern city of Liberia, a hub for trips around northern Costa Rica. A driver will pick you up at the terminal, and then it's a 2.5-hour drive west to Sámara, a gem of a coastal village located on the Nicoya Peninsula, famous for its golden beaches, great surf conditions, and laid-back pura vida (simple life) vibe. Upon arrival, you'll check into your beachside resort and can spend the rest of the day relaxing and unwinding on Playa Sámara, a postcard crescent beach and the main stretch of sand in town.

Day 2: Kayak Ride to Isla Chora & Snorkeling

Rise and shine! Your first full day in Costa Rica kicks off with a morning ride to offshore islands. After breakfast, grab a paddleboard or kayak, and set out with your guide to the petite Isla Chora (Chora Island), which is a 25-45 minute paddle across the lagoon from Sámara. This rocky islet is fringed with white-sand beaches and crystalline waters, making the perfect escape from the bustle of city life.

Once there, grab a mask and fins and 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 3: Transfer to Monteverde, Visit Sloth Sanctuary

Enjoy one more leisurely breakfast at your hotel, complemented by views of Sámara's long and beautiful beach. Then, meet your driver and set off on a detour from the coast as you travel three hours inland. Your destination is the misty cloud forests of Monteverde, a highland rainforest region that sits at 5,000 feet (1,500 m) in altitude. Upon arrival, you'll check into your stylish mountain hotel, nestled among lush gardens.

Monteverde is famous for its nature parks, one of which, Selvatura, you'll visit today. Specifically, you're invited to the park's sloth sanctuary. This animal rescue and rehabilitation center is home to around 20 sloths that are endemic to tropical rainforests such as Monteverde. The sanctuary grounds have been converted into a natural exhibit where these sloths can roam freely among the trees. This allows visitors to see them in their natural environment without imposing on the animals. After an hour's guided tour observing the sloths, you'll return to your hotel and will have the evening free.

Day 4: Hanging Bridges, Sky Tram & Zipline Ride

More thrills are in store this morning as you visit Sky Adventures Monteverde, an aerial amusement park that raises jungle excitement to the next level. Its Sky Tram network of gondolas transports visitors from one adrenaline-pumping activity to another.

First, you'll start with a guided Sky Walk, which combines trails and suspension bridges that reach heights of up to 984 feet (300 m) above the jungle canopy. As you go, your dedicated guides will be on hand to point out the exotic flora and fauna beneath your feet. Later, you'll ride in an open-air Sky Tram gondola. During this journey, you'll ascend over the rainforest and enjoy sweeping mountain views.

When you arrive at the end of the line, another exhilarating adventure commences as you whiz down the mountain on a zipline. Strapped into a harness, you'll soar over the rainforest canopy and between cliffs, eventually returning to the starting point. Sky Trek is famous for being the most thrilling canopy tour in the country—no small thing since Monteverde is regarded as the birthplace of the zipline.

Day 5: Transfer to Manuel Antonio, Coffee & Chocolate Tour

Say goodbye to Costa Rica's north as you meet your driver this morning for the four-hour drive south to the central coast and 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. 

It's a long drive, but you'll make a stop along the way for a deep dive into the history and traditions of two of the country's most famous staple crops: coffee and chocolate. On a two-hour tour of a local farm, you'll get a hands-on lesson in how to process coffee and cacao (cocoa) as you participate in the harvesting, peeling, roasting and grinding of the fruits. The best part of the tour is, of course, sampling the fruits of your labor.

Afterward, continue on to Manuel Antonio, where you'll check into your hotel—a luxury beachfront resort situated within a private rainforest reserve. Then, you can spend the rest of the day enjoying the best of this coastal rainforest. Some optional activities you can enjoy include private surf lessons, nature hikes, river rafting, kayaking, catamaran tours, and snorkeling. If you like, take a relaxing sunset cruise on the coast as the last light of the day disappears behind the Pacific.

Day 6: Day Trip to Nauyaca Falls & Marino Ballena National Park

This morning, you'll meet your driver and head south to Nauyaca Falls, a secluded waterfall perfect for a romantic outing. At the entrance to the falls, you'll meet your guide and embark on a private scenic hike (or horseback ride) to Nauyaca, 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.

Later, transfer a short way south to Marino Ballena National Park, famous for its beach in the shape of a whale's tail. While here, you can embark on a combined hike and boat tour along the coast. Throughout the 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 sea turtles. They'll also offer insight into the ecosystem, which accounts for 1% of Costa Rica's entire protected marine territory. After the tour, you'll return to Manuel Antonio.

Day 7: Transfer to Drake Bay, Bioluminescence Tour

Wake early for another ride down the coast. This three-hour trip will take you to Drake Bay, a small coastal village 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. 

Upon arrival, you'll check into a private treetop cabin at your eco-resort, accessible only by boat, and will have the rest of the day free. Around sunset, you'll meet a guide and head over to the beach. Then, you'll hop in a kayak and paddle around the coast, likely spotting playful bottlenose and spinner dolphins as you go. The real highlight of this three-hour excursion occurs once it's totally dark. That's when the region's bioluminescent plankton appears, lighting up the surface of the water in hues of electric blue and white. At the end of this dreamlike experience, you'll return to your hotel.

Day 8: Isla del Caño Snorkeling Trip

In the morning, you'll explore the waters of the Isla del Caño 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 for all ages and experience levels.

Then, it's time to plunge into the water, where you'll find abundant 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 your hotel.

Day 9: Day Hike in Corcovado National Park

It's another early start as you leave at dawn 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.

As you go, 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 other animals (you might even spot a jaguar). At the end of the trek, you'll transfer back to the hotel.

Day 10: Fly to San José, Depart

After 10 romantic days on the Pacific coast, it's time to pack up the memories and head home. Enjoy one more breakfast at the hotel amid the sounds of the rainforest, then transfer to the airport in Drake Bay. There, you'll board a small aircraft back to San José and catch your connecting flight home. Come back soon!

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