Wildlife Luxury Adventure in Arenal & the Osa Peninsula - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in San José, Explore

Welcome to Costa Rica! A driver will transfer you from the airport to your hotel in San José. After settling in, go for a self-guided walking tour of downtown. Depending on your hotel's location, you can walk or take a taxi to your first destination: Mercado Central (Central Market), featuring over 200 shops, food stalls, and sodas (traditional restaurants). It's a short walk to Central Park, a small plaza always bustling with activity. Pass various outdoor sculptures as you walk through the park toward Catedral Metropolitana and continue walking down Central Avenue until you reach the Teatro Nacional, an opulent neoclassical building constructed in the late 19th century. 

Your first museum stop is the Museo del Oro Precolumbino, which is accessible from beneath the Plaza de la Cultura and holds the most extensive Pre-Columbian gold collection in Latin America. Next, head to the Museo del Jade, the world's largest collection of pre-Columbian jade artifacts. As you wander among thousands of unique jade pieces, you'll gain an even deeper appreciation for Costa Rica's rich history. 

Read about the top restaurant recommendations in San José here.

Day 4: Whale & Dolphin Tour on Drake Bay

On the far side of the Osa Peninsula is a secluded sandy curve of Drake Bay. In these unspoiled waters, you'll go on a boat trip to see several species of whales and dolphins. Dolphin viewing is possible here year-round due to the large resident pods of dolphins. Spotted, bottlenose, spinner, common, and rough-tooth dolphins are regularly seen. Southern migration whales, including the distinctive humpbacks, can be spotted from mid-July to October, while northern migration whales can be seen from mid-November through April.

The lush, secluded backdrop, where the wilderness of Corcovado National Park meets the Pacific Ocean, is a further highlight of your adventure. Depending on the weather, you may have the opportunity to go snorkeling to see turtles, manta rays, and other marine life. 

Read this article for more about the best nature experiences in Costa Rica.

Day 6: See Sloths in the Wild & Visit a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

Go on a hiking excursion today along the so-called "Sloth Trail." This nature trail cuts through a sloth habitat (two-toed and three-toed) where its residents like to hang on the branches of the trees and feed on bright green leaves. On this two-hour guided hike, you'll see a few of these animals and perhaps even spy a mother sloth and its baby. During the walk, your bilingual guide will also point out other animals common to this area, like the famous red-eyed tree frog.

In the afternoon, you'll visit Proyecto Asis, a rehabilitation and rescue center for local animals. Led by a naturalist, the tour begins with a brief introduction to the center, followed by a walk along the trails around the reserve. You'll stop in front of each animal enclosure to learn about its residents. While the animals at the center vary, visitors will likely see anteaters, snakes, monkeys, parrots, and sloths. Volunteer tours also offer you the chance to help care for the animals during your visit, preparing food and helping to feed them.

Day 7: Return to San José, Depart