From Sarapiquí to Rincón de la Vieja via Caño Negro: Authentic Regions of Northern Costa Rica
The low season in Costa Rica means a fact-finding trip for Terra Caribea employees. As a reminder, this is a trip around the country taken by agency staff, during which we meet with our service providers or explore new products to expand our catalog or update our knowledge of the country and its regions.
So, Milena and I set out at the end of June 2023 to explore three regions of the country and learn more about each of the service providers we met.
On the agenda for this eventful week:
- Exploring the Sarapiquí, Caño Negro, and Rincón de la Viejaregions .
- Meetings with service providers we currently work with or haven’t yet partnered with.
- Trying out activities such as horseback riding, tubing, and hiking…
Discover the itinerary inspired by this reconnaissance trip:
The Sarapiqui Plain—A Wonderful Rediscovery
First Stop: The Lush Sarapiqui Plain
Sarapiqui is a stop we usually include in many itineraries asa transitionstop, to break up the journeybetween two must-see destinations such as Tortuguero and Arenal, or when coming from the southern Caribbean. It’s a pleasant stop that offers a chance to take a break in a setting that feels like a world away, thanks to its particularly lush landscape.
Although we consider it a stopover, we were pleasantly surprised by this region and by the widerange of activities available… We were almost sad to be staying only two nights and not being able to explore the region more thoroughly.
For our first night, we stayed in a pre-Columbian indigenousvilla… In fact, the Sarapiquis Rainforest Lodge features recreations of indigenous huts. To understand the hotel’s concept, we took a tour with a local guide who explained how these people lived back then. We were able to see replicas of statues and authentic tombs from thepre-Columbian era… A refreshing cultural experience that was a great way to start our trip.
Our second activity was amazing! Magnificent scenery, the feeling of fresh air in our hair, a time to share and connect with such beautifulanimals… As you can probably guess, we went horseback riding!
Accompanied by a friendly guide—with whom we’ve stayed in touch—we went on a ride that lasted about 2 hours and 30 minutes. We got to gallop across plains with lush vegetation and enjoy the lovely sunshine; we even got a little tan… We finished the activity feeling completely satisfied.
For our second night, we headed to the glamping dome at another very charming hotel:the Hacienda La Isla Boutique Lodge , built in a former colonial farmhouse. This property, run by the same owners as the first hotel, is truly pleasant and relaxing.
Although it’s just a few meters from the main road, it’s actually tucked away in the forest. We were given a truly warm welcome by Jean-Pierre, a Belgian who has been living in Costa Rica for over 25 years and was delighted to show us around his hotel, which offers, among other things , a cacao tour, an aperitif in the mountains, and a stroll through an art garden.
The Caño Negro Wetland—a haven for birds
Second stop: the Caño Negro Wetlands!
After leaving the Sarapiquí region, we headed north toward the Nicaraguan border to reach the Caño Negro Wetlands .
This remote, off-the-beaten-path region is a true haven for birdwatching. In fact, the Caño Negro National Refuge, Costa Rica’s largest marsh, is the third-largest wetland in the world.
The reserve has become a must-visit stop for migratory birds coming from North America and is home to more than 200 different bird species, making it one of Costa Rica’s most exceptional natural sites!
For the first night of this leg of the trip, we stayed at Natural Lodge Caño Negro, a hotel that felt as if it had been reserved exclusively for us. Indeed, in the middle of the off-season in suchan exclusive region, there weren’t many other guests around. Still, our experience was wonderful.
Once again, we were made to feelvery welcome and were able to relax. Accompanied by the song of colorful birds, we enjoyed breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the hotel restaurant. Without a doubt, this restaurant wins the award for the best restaurant of our trip.
We took a boat tour on the Río Frio with a guide from the hotel. We were able to spot many different birds, such as kingfishers, falcinelle ibises , and American stilt, and we even saw some caimans. Our guide, Mickel, is truly passionate about his work, and armed with his camera, he took some beautiful photos, which he later sent to us.
For our second night, we headed to a hotel located right next to the previous one. With a more rustic style than the hotels where we’d stayed before, we felt closer to nature than ever . In fact, at this hotel, chickens lay the eggs used in the kitchen, and no pesticides are used on the fruit trees.
On our way to our third and final stop, we took a break to admire the magnificent Rio Celeste. We walked for about twenty minutes before we could see this incredible turquoise-blue waterfall. We took some beautiful photos and quickly set off again. But the stop was well worth the detour…
The Rincon de la Vieja Volcanic Region—our favorite spot
Third stop: the Rincon de la Vieja volcano
After a leg of the trip filled with wildlife sightings, we headed to Guanacaste, to Rincon de la Vieja—aregion in Costa Rica famous for its volcanic activity, which offers the chance to witness extraordinary phenomena (geysers, bubbling mud, eruptions…), but also for its incredible ecosystem: the dry tropical forest.
It’s worth noting that this area is located in Guanacaste, a region particularly popular with North American tourists and therefore very crowded during the high season (December through May).
The first hotel we visited in this region is located 15 minutes from the city of Liberia and is called Cañon de la Vieja Lodge.
We received a warm welcomethere and discovered a hotel with many attractions. In fact, this property features a suspension bridge over a river —perfect for starting a hike or simply taking in the view—a spa with four small pools , and offers a variety of tours.
So, together with them, we tried out a new activity: tubing.
Equipped with inner tubes and each accompanied by a guide, we floated down this river lined with magnificent scenery. This activity, which lasts just under an hour, is perfect for getting an adrenalinerush, having fun, and even soaking up some sun.
Finally, we drove an hour away to visit the last hotel on our itinerary: the Rinconcito Lodge. This hotel, which is very popular with our travelers, was delighted to welcome us. No sooner had we arrived than we set off on afull-day “combo tour.”
The itinerary included horseback riding, zip-lining, and hiking in Rincon de la Vieja National Park to reach some hot springs and then a waterfall.
If I had to describe this day in one word, I’d say: unforgettable.
We set out with a small group of six people and two guides. We rode to the first platform for the zip-line descent on horseback. After soaring over the forest, we mounted our horses again and headed toward the national park entrance. Then, we walked to the hot springs and the waterfall before riding back to the hotel. The guides were very engaging, and the day flew by.
The experience at this hotel was fantastic —from the food and hospitality to the activities and facilities. This latest experience made us realize just how many high-quality partners Terra Caribea has, but also how much they enjoy working with us.
After spending a week meeting with service providers, trying out new activities, and ultimately getting a taste of what our travelers might experience in these regions, we finally made our way back to San José. So, with our heads full of memories and excited at the thought of having interesting new options to offer our future travelers, we returned to our daily routine.
We were able to explore regions with distinctive landscapes and meet some wonderful people. Because that’s what Costa Rica is all about: the people you meet!
An open-hearted community that loves to connect and is happy to welcome you—ready to help when needed or simply to smile at you as you pass by on the street. Pura Vida, in other words.
Céline, former intern at Terra Caribea
