Adventure Travel and Pura Vida in Costa Rica

Welcome to Costa Rica!

Your driver will be waiting for you at Juan 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 hotel.

Overnight stay at a comfortable, affordable hotel in San José

Head to the north of the country and its remote regions!

Your rental car will be picked up early in the morning at your hotel.

Then, drive from San José to Boca Tapada

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

Overnight stay at a beautiful eco-lodge in Boca Tapada.

Floating Safari Day on the Rio San Carlos

You’ll set out either in the morning or early afternoon for a safari-style tour by boat or kayak on the Rio San Carlos.

You’ll have the chance to see several species of birds, monkeys, and crocodiles, as well as a variety of plant life.

Approximate duration: 2 to 3 hours

Followed by a night hike

At dusk, you’ll set out to explore the rainforest just as most of the animals are waking up and taking over the area…

You’ll encounter many insects, a few owls, and perhaps even snakes andother surprises…

Before you’re completely lulled by the forest’s melodies, you’ll return to your lodge accompanied by your guide.

Overnight stay at a beautiful eco-lodge in Boca Tapada.

Discover the Sarapiqui Region!

Drive from Boca Tapada to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui

Departure for the famous Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui region , whose forests serve as a refuge for tapirs, sloths, coatis, and various species of monkeys.

Check in at the hotel near the agricultural plantations (bananas, cacao, pineapples, etc.).

Approximate travel time: 3 hours

A short stop is planned between Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui and the village of Horquetas, at a traditional Costa Rican finca.

After extracting juice from sugarcane, you’ll visit the palm heart plantation.

You’ll then explore the family’s property, taking a lovely stroll among the rainforest trees and fruit trees in the garden.

If you’d like, you can also help prepare the famous queso fresco (fresh cheese).

Finally, you’ll enjoy a traditional lunch at the finca, featuring palmito and pejibaye.

Bon appétit!

Overnight stay at a traditional Sarapiqui lodge  

Today’s activity: a cocoa tour!

Discover the secrets and wonders of one of humanity’s favorite foods: chocolate.

After crossing a suspension bridge that leads you to the cacao (Theobroma cacao) plantation, you’ll learn about the natural and cultural history of the cacao tree.

At the plantation, you’ll learn how cacao is transformed into chocolate and have the chance to taste the traditional indigenous chocolate drink, as well as chocolate bars made from organic cacao.

At the end of the tour, you can purchase organic chocolate produced by the Amazilla Women’s Association of the Caribbean in the village of Nuevo Guácimo.

Other suggested activities in Sarapiqui:

– Rafting on the Sarapiqui River

– Kayaking on the Sarapiqui River

– Palmitotour

– Visit to a pineapple plantation

– Nighttime wildlife viewing tour

– Mountain biking / Hiking

Overnight stay at a traditional Sarapiqui lodge  

Discovering One of the Volcanoes of the Central Valley: Turrialba!

Route from Sarapiqui to Turrialba

Departure for Turrialba Volcano, whose surroundings are renowned for their fresh air and whitewater rafting.

Along the way, you’ll pass through the lush Braulio Carrillo National Park, covered in dense tropical rainforest drenched by torrential rains. With annual rainfall of 4.5 meters, the park boasts exceptional flora.

You’ll also have the opportunity to stop at the Guayabo National Monument, one of the few archaeological sites unearthed in Costa Rica. This still-mysterious 218-hectare site, located on the southern slope of Turrialba Volcano, is of great cultural and religious significance. Inhabited from 1,500 B.C. to 1,400 A.D., Guayabo is believed to have been home to as many as 10,000 people before being abandoned for unknown reasons.

Turrialba National Park, meanwhile, has been closed for several years due to volcanic activity. However, for hiking enthusiasts, many trails remain accessible, so the region’s appeal remains undiminished.

Approximate travel time: 4 hours

Once you arrive in Turrialba, you’ll have the opportunity to go on a beautiful hike to stretch your legs!

So set off on a hike through the heart of the Balalaica Biological Corridor, which the local residents protect.

After a brief explanation from your guide about the history and goals of this project, you’ll set off on foot through the Costa Rican countryside.

Duration: approximately 2 hours of walking

Spend the night practically under the stars in a unique and comfortable setting in Turrialba.

Dinner included on site.

A morning of whitewater rafting to tackle the rapids of the Rio Pacuare!

Come take on these rapids, whose white, churning waters are among the most famous in Latin America.

They offer an incredibly beautiful rafting descent: you’ll enter an impressive primary rainforest, and the river will carry you through deep gorges whose steep slopes are covered in thick underbrush and are home to jaguars, ocelots, monkeys, sloths, and many other animal species, as well as a multitude of birds.

Info: Class II–III rafting

Other suggested activities in Turrialba:

– Horseback riding

– Mountain biking day

– Birdwatching tour

– Visit to a cheese factory

– Visit to the Biodiversity Gardens (CATIE)

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

Spend the night practically under the stars in a unique and comfortable setting in Turrialba.

Dinner included on-site.

Set out to explore the Los Santos Valley!

Route from Turrialba to San Gerardo de Dota

Depart for San Gerardo de Dota (2,200 meters above sea level), the land of the quetzal.

Along the way, you’ll cross 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.

Approximate travel time: 3 hours 

Free afternoon near Los Quetzales National Park (Los Santos Reserve), where you can enjoy the many hiking opportunities off the beaten path at your leisure. This mountainous region will delight birdwatchers as well as nature lovers and those seeking tranquility.

You’ll discover lush vegetation and numerous bird species, including the iconic and mystical quetzal, as well as hummingbirds, trogonids, and woodpeckers. The region is also home to tapirs, which are currently being reintroduced.

Overnight stay in a comfortable chalet-style lodge, typical of San Gerardo de Dota

Morning Walk to Spot Quetzals!

Around 5:30 a.m., set out on a leisurely 1.5-km walk through the cloud forest that will take you to the quetzals’ habitat. The hike, led by a professional guide equipped with a spotting scope and a bird guide, will provide detailed explanations along the way.

Epiphytes, such as orchids and bromeliads, adorn the trees, making this tour a truly enriching experience as you make your way to encounter the quetzal.

Despite its normally shy and silent nature, during the breeding season the male sometimes emits a wide range of calls to attract a nearby female and thus begin the breeding cycle. You’ll have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience an unforgettable encounter with this mystical Mesoamerican bird.

Approximate duration: 2 hours.

Other suggested activities in San Gerardo de Dota:

– Guided hike to observe the region’s birds,

– Guided hike in the Los Santos Reserve,

– Zip line

Overnight stay in a comfortable chalet-style lodge, typical of San Gerardo de Dota

Heading to Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast!

Route from San Gerardo de Dota to Uvita.

Approximate driving time: 4 hours 

Along the way, you can visit the Hacienda Barú Nature Reserve (wildlife, flora, hiking…), located near Dominical, which is the perfect spot to take a break and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Overnight stay at a comfortable hotelin Uvita

Today’s itinerary: Marino Ballena National Park and sea kayaking!

Self-guided tour of Marino Ballena National Park:

Created to protect the country’s largest coral reef, the national park owes its name to the humpback whales that migrate through its warm waters to breed.

You’ll be amazed by the natural shape of the park’s beach, which looks exactly like a whale’s tail!

Then, set off on a kayaking safari through the heart of the Dominical mangrove forest!

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

Approximate duration: 2 hours

Overnight stay at a comfortable hotel inUvita

Last stop: the Osa Peninsula, the jewel of the Pacific!

Drive from Uvita to Sierpe.

Approximate driving time: 2 hours

Return your rental car.

Then, meet your guide in Sierpe and take a boat transfer to Bahia Drake .

Approximate duration: 1.5-hour boat ride through the mangrove forest.

Overnight stay at a comfortable and affordable lodge in Bahia Drake.

Costa Rica’s most famous national park: Corcovado!

Early in the morning, set out for a day dedicated toexploring Corcovado National Park, considered the jewel of tropical rainforests. You’ll travel by boat and on foot through the largest tropical rainforest on the Pacific coast of the Americas, winding your way past waterfalls and crystal-clear pools along the trails of La Sirena (a section of the national park).

You’ll have the opportunity to spot a wide variety of birds, including the ferocious harpy eagle and scarlet macaws. This is also where you’re most likely to see jaguars and tapirs, especially on the beaches at dusk.

Overnight stay at a comfortable and affordable lodge in Bahia Drake.

Snorkeling at Isla del Caño!

A day dedicated to exploring the Isla del Caño Biological Reserve, a place once considered sacred by the pre-Columbian Diquis people.

The seabed is perfect for snorkeling. In the warm offshore waters, dolphins, whales, and manta rays swim side by side.

Info: About a 45-minute boat ride to reach the site.

Approximate duration: 4 hours

Overnight stay at a comfortable and affordable lodge in Bahia Drake.

Return to San José by air!

Transfer from your hotel to Drake Airport. You will take a domestic flight to San José.

Note: Approximately 1-hour flight

Your connection to your international flight will then be arranged.