Southern Costa Rica: Rural and Beach Tourism

Welcome to Costa Rica!

Meet and greet at Juan Santamaria International Airport, near San José, at an elevation of 1,150 meters in the heart of the Central Valley.

Your first encounter with Costa Rica and your English-speaking guide, who will hand you your travel documents as you exit the airport, before your driver takes you to the hotel.

Overnight stay at a hotel near San José, so we can meet you there.

Pick up yourrentalcar and let the adventure begin!

You’ll start your day bypicking up your rental car.

Then you’ll drive from San José to Turrialba.

In the morning, set off for the Turrialba Valley, whose surroundings are renowned for their fresh air and whitewater rafting.

Approximate driving time: 2 hours.

Spend the night at one of Turrialba’s favorite hotels, an establishment specializing in coffee.

Explore the Aquiares Waterfall & Enjoy a Coffee Tasting

You’ll start with a short walk through the hotel grounds to reach the Aquiares Waterfall. The water is cool, the setting is fabulous—the perfect way to unwind while dipping your feet in the water.

After this refreshing walk, you’ll head back to the farm to learn about the coffee-making process, from bean to cup.

You’ll interact with the local community and learn about coffee agronomy and its importance to Costa Rica.

Next, you’ll learn about coffee roasting and taste the finished product.

Approximate duration: 3 hours.

Second night at a favorite hotel in Turrialba, an establishment specializing in coffee.

Today, we’re heading to the Orosi Valley!

You’ll hit the road to reach the Orosi Valley, nestled among rivers, meadows, a lake, and mountains. This off-the-beaten-path stop will delight you with its tranquility and stunning scenery.

Approximate duration: 1 hour.

Spend the night at a charming lodge in the Orosi region.

Onward to Copey de Dota, the land of the quetzal!

Along the way, you can stop in Cartago, Costa Rica’s first city and colonial capital, founded in 1563 by the Spanish conquistador Juan Vázquez de Coronado, who named it Carthage.

You’ll have the opportunity to visit the Basilica of Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles, which honors La Negrita, the country’s patron saint.

Then, you’ll cross the Cerro de la Muerte ( 3,400 meters above sea level), named in memory of the farmers who froze to death while transporting their harvest to San José before the Pan-American Highway was built along the Pacific coast.

Approximate driving time: 2 hours

Overnight stay at a luxury lodge in Copey de Dota 

Today’s itinerary: a gourmet walk!

Enjoy a tour to discover the cultivation of seasonal fruits in the Copey de Dota region.

This experience will begin with a delicious breakfast featuring artisanal products, as well as a welcome cocktail.

Next, it’s time to sample artisanal jams —a real treat!

You’ll then set off on a walk to the ALMA 5 familyfarm with your guide for the day to explore the farm’s plantations.

You’ll also be treated to a snack featuring apple juice and seasonal fruits.

Approximate duration: 5 hours.

Note: The total distance of the hike is approximately 12 km.

Second night at a luxury lodge in Copey de Dota 

Gastronomic tour, then on to San Gerardo de Dota!

You’ll set out in the late morning for a tour of the grounds of the ecolodge where you’ll be spending the night, which is teeming with wild fruit trees —and your guide for the day will tell you all about them with great enthusiasm.

He’ll then show you the chef’s farm, where you might even run into the chef himself gathering ingredients for the day’s menu.

Herbs, fruits, and vegetables of all kinds… you’ll learn all about their uses and history, and you’ll even get to taste them!

Has that whetted your appetite? That’s perfect, since it’ll soon be time to sit down to eat. A four-course gourmet lunch awaits you after the tour.

You’ll enjoy delicious and creative dishes featuring ingredients you discovered during the tour. All this takes place in the lodge’s charming restaurant, which offers a mountain atmosphere and a beautiful view of the forest.

Approximate duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

In the afternoon, you’ll drive to San Gerardo de Dota (2,200 meters above sea level), another region of the Quetzal.

Approximate travel time: 1 hour

Overnight stay at a luxurious ecolodge in the San Gerardo de Dota region

A day dedicated to birdwatching and visiting waterfalls!

Enjoy a magical half-day combining birdwatching in the region, a stroll through a lush forest, and exploring the beautiful waterfalls along theSavegre River.

Approximate duration: 4 hours

Second night at a luxurious ecolodge in the San Gerardo de Dota region

Head to the Pacific Coast and the beach resort of Uvita!

In the morning, you’ll drive from San Gerardo de Dota to Uvita.

Depart for Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, via the town of San Isidro del General.

Arrival in Uvita, a small seaside resort popular with surfers, located along the brown-sand beach at the mouth of the Río Barú.

Approximate travel time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Spend the night at a hidden gem of a hotel in Uvita, where you can enjoy a beautiful yoga deck with a unique view of the ocean!

A free day to enjoy the region’s beaches!

You can enhance your stay by booking one of the following activities:

• Marino Ballena National Park
• Barú Refuge (wildlife, flora, hiking…)
• Manuel Antonio National Park (wildlife, flora, swimming)
• Corcovado National Park (wildlife, flora)
• Rafting, fishing, kayaking (ocean or mangrove)
• Canopy tours (suspension bridges, zip lines)
• Dolphin and whale watching
• Nauyaca Waterfalls (hiking and horseback riding)
• Los Campesinos Reserve (hiking, nature, waterfalls, and traditional rural life)
• Meeting with the Boruca Indigenous People

Second night at a hidden gem of a hotel in Uvita, where you can enjoy a beautiful yoga platform with a unique view of the ocean!

Continue your exploration of the Pacific Coast with Manuel Antonio National Park!

Drive from Uvita to Manuel Antonio.

You’ll drive along the Pacific Coast to your next stop: the beach resort town of Manuel Antonio, famous for its national park and stunning beaches.

Approximate driving time: 1 hour.

Overnight stay at a charming hotel near Manuel Antonio National Park

Guided Tour of Manuel Antonio National Park!

Head to Manuel Antonio National Park, which combines magnificent beaches with a coral reef and a diverse array of flora and fauna. On the agenda: swimming in crystal-clear waters, relaxing on fine sandy beaches, and strolling through the tropical vegetation…

The park is the perfect place to spot many animals, such as sloths and squirrel monkeys.

You’ll be able to spot them easily with the help of your English-speaking guide, who will accompany you throughout your visit!

Approximate duration: 3 hours

Second night at a charming hotel near Manuel Antonio National Park

One last authentic stop to wrap up your trip with a wonderful immersion in nature!

During the day, you’ll drive from Manuel Antonio to Mastatal

Approximate driving time: 1 hour 30 minutes

The hacienda where you’ll be staying offers kilometers of well-maintained and marked hiking trails.

You can stroll for hours on the 100-hectare property, in total harmony with nature, hike along rivers, discover hidden waterfalls, or visit the vanilla plantations—all in the heart of the wild rainforest.

At the hotel or nearby, you can relax by the pool, photograph the many birds from the terrace, stroll along the Caraca Trail while observing endemic orchids, or simply sit and admire the flora and fauna from the secluded platform at the foot of the Ceiba (a century-old kapok tree).

You can also contact us if you’d like to join one of the many guided tours offered by the hacienda:

– Vanilla Tour
– Las Gemelas (Twin Waterfalls) and Princesa y Rey Waterfalls Hikes
– Birdwatching Tour
– Cultural and Medicinal Walk
– Night Walk Tour
– …

Spend the night at a beautiful, unique hotel in the Mastatal region that specializes in vanilla production!

A free day to explore the region!

You can also ask us if you’d like to join one of the many guided tours offered by the hacienda:

– Vanilla Tour
– Hikes to Las Gemelas (Twin Waterfalls) and the Princesa y Rey Waterfalls
– Birdwatching Tour
– Cultural and Medicinal Walk
– Night Walk Tour
– …

Second night at a beautiful, unique hotel in the Mastatal region that specializes in vanilla production!

Last day and back to San José!

Drive from Mastatal to San José.

It’s time to leave the highlands of Mastatal and head to the capital and its international airport.

Approximate travel time: 3 hours.

Return your vehicle to our local partner, who will then arrange your transfer to the airport.