My Trip to Costa Rica: My Challenge!

Welcome to Costa Rica!

You’ll be met atJuan Santamaria International Airport, near San José, at an elevation of 1,150 meters in the heart of the Central Valley.

This is your first taste of Costa Rica, and your English-speaking guide will provide you with your travel documents before your driver takes you to the hotel.

Spend the night at a hotel in the capital before beginning your adventure the next day.

Departure for the southern Caribbean coast, via Guapiles.

Today, after breakfast, you ’ll pick up your rental car and head toward Puerto Viejo.

Along the way, you’ll pass through Limón, the capital of the province of the same name. The port of Moín frequently hosts cruise ships; it’s also where bananas are packed for shipment to Europe.

Note: 4-hour drive. 

Check in at your hotel near Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, a colorful village nestled between the sea and the mountains, which owes its charm to its residents, who live in brightly painted wooden houses, some of which are perched on stilts.

Overnight stay at a superb lodge near Puerto Viejo.

Self-guided tour of Cahuita National Park.

Today, you’ll exploreone of the country’s most popular national parks. You’ll alternate between walks through lush tropical vegetation and moments of relaxation and swimming in the Caribbean Sea.

A 7-kilometer hike is possible but not required.

In addition to observing medicinal plants and orchids, you’re sure to encounter snakes, sloths, several types of monkeys, agoutis, coatis, and toucansalong the way .

Overnight stay at a superb lodge near Puerto Viejo.

Experience two days of immersion in the Bribri indigenous community.

Depart from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to meet the Bribri people in the heart of the Talamanca Range.

The adventure begins with a canoe trip down the Yorkin River along the border between Costa Rica and Panama, where you’ll discover the surrounding flora and fauna, as well as the river’s importance to the local population.

Approximate duration: 30-minute drive; about 1 hour and 30 minutes by canoe, or a 2-hour hike.

Upon your arrival in this little paradise at the end of the world, you’ll be welcomed with refreshments prepared by the Bribri people. Your guide will introduce you to the community’s activities and cultural norms. You’ll be invited to explore the surrounding trails through organic cacao and banana plantations.

A meal will be served, and then, during the afternoon, you’ll have the opportunitytoexplore the surrounding jungle,learn about their knowledge of medicinal plants, and discover the ancestral use of bows and arrows. Finally, you’ll visit the “cacao house,” where you’ll see a demonstration of how chocolate is traditionally made!

Overnight stay with full board in the community for a fully immersive experience.

Morning spent with the Bribri people.

After a final meal with them, return by canoe to Bribri, then continue by car to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.

The afternoon is free to explore the region or relax. You can also try an activity to push your limits.

Overnight stay at a superb lodge near Puerto Viejo.

Today, you’ll drive from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to Arenal.

After a delicious breakfast, you’ll arrive in Arenal and can begin exploring this beautiful region.

Approximate driving time: 5½ hours.

Overnight stay at a magnificent hotel with a view of the Arenal Volcano.

Walk along the suspension bridges.

You’ll enjoy a roughly 3-kilometer trail through the primary forest and across about fifteen suspension bridges high above the canopy, offering breathtaking views of the tropical vegetation and the Arenal Volcano!

Approximate duration: 2-hour walk.

At the end of the day, you’ll enjoy a relaxing moment at a hot springs resort in an intimate setting.

The hot waters come directly from the hot springs of Arenal Volcano and never come into contact with the magma.

Approximate duration: 4 hours.

Overnight stay at a magnificent hotel offering a view of Arenal Volcano.

Free day to explore the region.

Today, you’re free to do whatever activity you’d like. This might be the perfect opportunity to push your limits with canyoning or zip-lining. You can also try our unique tour: Gravity Falls Waterfall Jumpin’, where you’ll jump from waterfall to waterfall…

Overnight stay at a magnificent hotel offering views of the Arenal Volcano.

Route from Arenal to Monteverde.

Departure toward the Monteverde region, whose nature reserve offers views of alpine pastures in the heart of the Tilarán mountain range.

Known worldwide for its tropical cloud forest —which helped establish Costa Rica’s reputation in ecotourism— Monteverde is home to extraordinary flora and fauna.

Approximate travel time: 4 hours.

In the afternoon, thrills are guaranteed in complete safety. You’ll explore the treetops via zip line, gliding along cables from one platform to the next. The 4-km course consists of a total of 14 platforms built at the tops of the trees.

You can try swinging like Tarzan and will have the chance to try the “Superman” swing!

Approximate duration: 3 hours.

Overnight stay at a hotel surrounded by nature in Monteverde.

Today, a memorable jump!

You’ll go on a zip line and then jump off a platform 143 meters high!

The highest jump in Latin America!

Approximate duration: 3 hours.

Overnight stay at a hotel surrounded by nature in Monteverde.

Route from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio.

After breakfast, you’ll head to the Manuel Antonio area and enjoy the beaches in the afternoon.

Overnight stay at a hotel near the water in Manuel Antonio.

Manuel Antonio National Park.

Swim in crystal-clear waters, relax on fine-sand beaches, take a stroll through the tropical vegetation…

The area is ideal forspotting many animals, such as sloths and squirrel monkeys.

Overnight stay at a hotel near the water in Manuel Antonio.

Route from Manuel Antonio to Dominical.

The route continues along the southern Pacific coast.

Approximate travel time: 1 hour.

A night in the jungle!

Spending a night in a tent in the jungle is the best way to fully enjoy the sounds of the rainforest and the wildlife that inhabits it.

Accompanied by your nature guide, you’ll set out on a walk through the forest in the late afternoon to reach the camp. In the evening, as the diurnal animals settle down to sleep, the nocturnal ones come to life.

You’ll enjoy a traditional dinner and end the day with a night hike before returning to your tent.

In the morning, wake up to the sounds of the jungle, have breakfast, and then take another walk to observe the ancient trees.

A free day to enjoy the region’s beaches.

Today, you can try one of the many must-do water activities available here.

Overnight stay in a luxury glamping tent with a private, permanent bathroom.

Kayaking in the heart of the mangrove forest.

At high tide, this area becomes a paradise for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts. As you paddle, you’ll have the opportunity to explore this ecosystem and may even spot coatis, capuchin monkeys, and various species of snakes that share the habitat with crocodiles and caimans.

Approximate duration: 4 hours.

Overnight stay in a luxury glamping tent with a private, permanent bathroom.

Drive from Dominical to San José.

Today, you’ll head to the Costa Rican capital to catch your return flight.

Approximate travel time: 4 hours.

We hope you’ll returnhomea changed person…

Have a safe trip home!