Discover Costa Rica and its natural wonders with your family!

Welcome to Costa Rica!

Your driver will be waiting for you atJuan Santamaria International Airport, near San José, at an elevation of 1,150 meters in the heart of the Central Valley, to take you to your first hotel.

Overnight stay at a comfortable hotel in San José

You’ll be staying close to our office, so we’ll be able to meet with you to discuss the rest of your trip.

Heading to Boca Tapada, a small, exotic, and authentic paradise

You’ll start by picking up your rental car in the morning right at your hotel.

Then you’ll hit the road to reach your lodge in Boca Tapada.

You’ll cross the Central Valley, passing by the Poás Volcano and the Jardines de la Paz, then head up to Pital.

After an hour’s drive on a dirt road, you’ll arrive at your ecolodge at the end of the road.

Approximate travel time: 4 hours

After settling into your room, at nightfall, meet up with a naturalist guide for a night hike in search of animals that take advantage of the calm and darkness to emerge from their hiding places.

Dinner followed by an overnight stay at a superb ecolodge in the Boca Tapada region. This is a historic establishment that has played a key role in the development of sustainable tourism in this area.

Note: You may have the option to stay in unique accommodations, such as treehouses. Please contact us for more information!

Continue exploring Boca Tapada!

Very early in the morning, you’ll set out—as always— with a local guide through the gardens and marshes of your lodge’s nature reserve, before entering a tropical rainforest.

During this hike, you’ll quickly realize that your lodge’s nature reserve is home tothe Ambigua macaw and many other species of exotic birds.

In the afternoon, you’ll also visit the lodge’s vegetable garden and have the opportunity to plant a tree on the property.

Suggested afternoon activities:

• Horseback riding
• Canoeing in the lagoon
• Floating safari on the Rio San Carlos

Lunch, dinner, and overnight stay at a superb ecolodge in the Boca Tapada region.

Note: You may have the option to stay in unique accommodations, such as treehouses. Please contact us for more information!

A floating safari, then on to the magnificent Arenal Volcano!

To start the day, you’ll go onan expedition down the San Carlos River.

You’ll set out on a canoeing adventure on the San Carlos River, where you can focus on the surrounding nature and enjoy its soothing sounds. In complete tranquility, you’ll spot water birds and other animals along the riverbank.

You’ll stop at the small local school to spend some time with the students and teachers. Then, on the way back, you’ll stop at Finca de Doña Flor for a tour and a tasting of local products.

Approximate duration: 4-hour tour; from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30p.m.

Then, drive from Boca Tapada to Arenal.

Departure for the La Fortuna region and the majestic Arenal Volcano (1,635 meters).

Approximate travel time: 2 hours.

Relax with your family in the hot springs!

At the end of the day, treat yourselves to a moment of relaxation and fun at a famous hot springs resort in the Arenal region. You’ll be able to enjoy various baths and pools, waterfalls, and water slides—perfect for the whole family.

The hot water comes directly from the hot springs of the Arenal Volcano, without ever coming into contact with the magma.

Spend the night in a beautiful hotel in Arenal, with a view of the volcano from your comfortable bungalow.

On the agenda: a walk across the suspension bridges to explore the canopy! 

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 Arenal Volcano!

In the afternoon, you can enhance your stay by booking one of the following activities:

• Arenal Volcano National Park with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide —with the option to explore off-the-beaten-path routes 
• Arenal Lake Tour (boat, kayak, stand-up paddleboarding, fishing)
• Hiking and horseback riding
• Rafting, canyoning, mountain biking
• Excursion to Caño Negro (wetlands—protected area)
• Exploration of the Venado Caves (caving)

Overnight stay at a beautiful hotel in Arenal, with a view of the volcano from your comfortable bungalow.

Discover Monteverde and its cloud forest! 

The road from Arenal to Monteverde.

We set off for the Monteverde region, whose 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.

Later in the day, visit a coffee and cacao plantation

Visit a coffee plantation to learn all about Costa Rica’s “black gold,” from seed to cup!

The tour includes an explanation of the entire production process (from seed to harvesting and delivery of the beans to the processor). The Monteverde region is one of Costa Rica’s major coffee-growing regions—take this opportunity to discover the traditions associated with it… and to enjoy a delicious cup of Costa Rican coffee at the end of the tour!

You’ll also learn all the secrets of cacao and participate in the various stages of the process, from seed to drink; you’ll be able to taste and enjoy this wonderful fruit.

Before concluding your tour, you’ll stop at the Trapiche, where you’ll learn about the origins of sugarcane and have the chance to extract the delicious, sweet cane juice using traditional methods.

Approximate duration: 2.5 hours.

Overnight stay at a charming, chalet-style hotel typical of Monteverde , located in the center of Santa Elena.

A Day Immersed in Costa Rican Flora and Fauna!

You’ll start your day by visiting one of Monteverde’s most famous parks.

Once inside, you’ll follow a 3-kilometer trail through the rainforest, crossing suspension bridges high above the canopy. You’ll safely enjoy breathtaking views of the biodiversity as you cross 8 bridges (ranging from 50 to 170 meters in length)!

Next, you’ll visit a butterfly conservatory, where you’ll be able to observe about fifty species of butterflies from various habitats across the country; then you’ll explore the “Jewels of the Tropical Rainforest” exhibition, which features the world’s largest private collection of insects, assembled by Dr. R. Whitten, an entomologist. Thousands of stick insects, spiders, bees, beetles, and other brightly colored insects are pinned and organized by region and theme.

Finally, you’ll have the opportunity to observe more than 20 species of snakes and colorful frogs native to Costa Rica.

By the way, there are plenty of other activities in the Monteverde area that we can recommend:

– Nature reserves: Santa Elena, Bosque de los Niños, Curi Cancha (hiking, birdwatching, wildlife and flora observation…)

– Orchid garden

– Adventure courses: zip line, Tarzan swing, Superman…

– Horseback riding

– Canyoning

Overnight stay at a charming hotel, built in the typical Monteverde chaletstyle and located in the center of Santa Elena.

Off to the Pacific Coast and the famous Manuel Antonio National Park! 

The route from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio.

Departure for Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast.

Weather permitting, you’ll have the chance to spot crocodiles on the Tarcoles River before reaching Manuel Antonio.

Approximate duration: 4 hours.

A treat for your taste buds!

Rediscover the authentic flavors of vanilla, cinnamon, and a host of other well-known spices …

At Villa Vanilla, you’ll explore the spice plantations and learn all about how they’re produced.

You’ll wrap up this experience with a tasting featuring vanilla, chocolate, and cinnamon… A truly exhilarating moment!

Overnight stay at a family-run hotel in Manuel Antonio, nearthe national park entrance and the beach!

Discover the famous Manuel Antonio National Park!

Swim in crystal-clear waters, relax on fine sandy beaches, take a stroll through the tropical vegetation, or even venture deep into the jungle…There are many ways to enjoy this multifaceted park.

Note that the park is an ideal spot for spotting many animals, such as sloths and squirrel monkeys.

You can request an English-speaking guide if you’d like to fully explore the park’s biodiversity.

Other suggested activitiesin Manuel Antonio:

– Catamaran cruisein Manuel Antonio Bay

– Rafting, kayaking (ocean or mangrove), scuba diving

– Canopy tour (suspension bridges, zip lines)

– Barú Refuge (wildlife, flora, hiking…)

– Dolphin and whalewatching

– Nauyaca Waterfalls (hiking and horseback riding)

– Los Campesinos Reserve (hiking, nature, waterfalls, and traditional rural life)

Overnight stay at a family-run hotel in Manuel Antonio, nearthe national park entrance and the beach!

Today, we’re heading inland to the Turrialba Valley!

Route from Manuel Antonio to Turrialba.

We’re setting off for the Cartago and Turrialba region.

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

You may visit the Basilica of Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles, named in honor of La Negrita, the country’s patron saint.

Approximate driving time: 5 hours.

Overnight stay at an authentic ecolodge in Turrialba, perfect for families. The lodge is located in the heart of an organic coffee farm and is run by a French woman.

Today’s Activity: Hiking and Birdwatching!

You’ll set out on a 3-hour hike along the trails near your lodge to observe the region’s many bird species.

Binoculars, field guides, and a guide (in Spanish, French, and English) are available so that everyone can fully appreciate the diverse bird species in the area: hummingbirds, raptors, toucans, parrots, waterfowl, and more.

Approximate duration: 3 hours

Other suggested activities in the Turrialba region:

– Horseback riding

– Rafting on the Pacuare River

– Mountain bikingday

– Visit to a cheese farm

– Visit to the Biodiversity Gardens (CATIE)

– Visit to Turrialba Volcano National Park, subject to its being open

Overnight stay at an authentic ecolodge in Turrialba, perfect for families. The lodge is located in the heart of an organic coffee farm and is run by a French woman.

Off to the Caribbean coast!

The route from Turrialba to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.

Continuing the journey by road toward the southern Caribbean coast.

Along the way, you’ll pass through Limón, the capital of the province of the same name.

Then you’ll arrive in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, a colorful village nestled between the sea and the mountains, with an Afro-Caribbean atmosphere.

Approximate travel time: 3.5 hours.

Then 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 beautiful hotel in Puerto Viejo, surrounded by nature and close to a stunning beach.

A free day to explore the region however you like!

There’s no shortage of things to do, whether you’re in the mood for relaxing and swimming,cultural exchanges with the Afro-Caribbean or Talamanca Indigenous communities, exploring the protected nature reserves of Hitoy Cerrere, Cahuita, and Gandoca Manzanillo, to observe local wildlife such as leatherback turtles or tucuxi dolphins, or to enjoy sports (surfing, horseback riding, scuba diving)…

List of suggested activities:

– Cahuita National Park (hiking, wildlife, flora, marine life, swimming)

– Gandoca Manzanillo Reserve (hiking, wildlife, flora, swimming, dolphins)

– Wildlife viewing (leatherback turtles, dolphins, birds, sloths, iguanas)

– Visits to animal sanctuaries (sloths, jaguars)

– Sport fishing or traditional fishing

– Agricultural plantations (cacao, bananas, etc.) and botanical gardens

– Surfing, biking, kayaking, horseback riding

– Scuba diving (Punta Uva, Manzanillo)

Overnight stay at a beautiful hotel in Puerto Viejo, surrounded by nature and located near a stunning beach.

Last day in Costa Rica!

Free day to enjoy the region and its various activities.

As a reminder, here is the list of suggested activities:

– Cahuita National Park (hiking, wildlife, flora, marine life, swimming)

– Gandoca Manzanillo Reserve (hiking, wildlife, flora, swimming, dolphins)

– Wildlife viewing (leatherback turtles, dolphins, birds, sloths, iguanas)

– Visits to animal sanctuaries (sloths, jaguars)

– Sport fishing or traditional fishing

– Agricultural plantations (cacao, bananas, etc.) and botanical gardens

– Surfing, biking, kayaking, horseback riding

– Scuba diving (Punta Uva, Manzanillo)

Overnight stay at a beautiful hotel in Puerto Viejo, surrounded by nature and close to a stunning beach.

Heading back to San José and its international airport!

The route from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to San José.

You’ll travel along the Caribbean coast on your way to San José, the country’s capital.

Three hours before departure, return your rental car atJuan Santamaria Airport for your international return flight. End of our services.

Approximate driving time: 4.5 hours.

You ’ll return your vehicle to our provider near the airport, then board your return flight home!

¡ PURA VIDA !