Coast to coast Costa Rica trip

Arrive in San José and begin your Costa Rica travel experience with a smooth transfer to your hotel. This first day is dedicated to relaxing and preparing for the adventures ahead.

Take time to unwind after your flight, enjoy a light walk or dinner nearby, and review your plans at an easy pace. A calm start helps you settle in, recharge, and feel ready for the days of exploration to come.

Begin your day at Doka Coffee Plantation with a hearty breakfast and a guided bean-to-cup tour, tasting freshly roasted coffee amid the plantation’s scenic hillsides. Continue to Poás Volcano National Park to admire the steaming main crater and explore cloud forest ecosystems that make this Volcanoes trip so distinctive.

Then visit La Paz Waterfall Gardens for lunch, rainforest trails to towering waterfalls, and time at the hummingbird, butterfly, and frog exhibits. In the evening, return to San José for a relaxed night at your hotel.

Depart early from San José for the northern Caribbean lowlands, crossing the lush landscapes of Braulio Carrillo National Park. Stop for breakfast in Guápiles, then continue to the Caño Blanco dock in Siquirres. From here, enjoy a scenic boat journey along rivers and coastal canals, with great opportunities for wildlife viewing along the way.

Arrive at your lodge for lunch, then spend the afternoon exploring Tortuguero village, walking the beach, and visiting the Caribbean Conservation Corporation visitor center and turtle museum.

Begin the Evergreen Lodge morning boat tour at dawn and glide through misty canals as the rainforest awakens. Watch for toucans overhead, monkeys in the treetops, and mirror-like reflections on the water while you photograph a true Caribbean sunrise.

This tailor-made outing adds an intimate wildlife experience to your trip, led by expert local guides, with flexible options to match your interests and pace.

Unwind at Tabacón Hot Springs in the lush gardens of Tabacón Resort, a soothing highlight for any Costa Rica itinerary. Soak in warm mineral pools ranging from 25°C to 50°C, choosing between quieter corners or more social pool areas, all set beneath the rainforest canopy.

Learn how rainwater, naturally heated by volcanic geology, feeds the resort’s thermal rivers, then refresh with cool spring water. End the evening with a locally inspired dinner and a relaxed return to your hotel.

Start your day with a gentle hike of around 2.5 hours in Arenal Volcano National Park. Follow trails through forest and over recent lava flows, see the recovering landscape shaped by the 1968 eruption, and enjoy close-up views of the volcano.

Later, head to the Arenal Reserve near El Castillo in the Tilarán Mountain Range for a Sky Tram ride. Float in open-air gondolas to a panoramic viewpoint, then continue on the Sky Walk suspension bridges and canopy trails, soaring up to 130 feet above the forest floor.

Join a Bat Jungle night tour in the Monteverde area for a fascinating close-up look at these misunderstood mammals. Meet up to eight bat species, with around 85 individuals, while expert guides explain their behavior, adaptations, and habitats.

Interactive sculptures add a creative layer to the visit, and a special recording system with speakers lets you hear live echolocation calls in real time.

Explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, one of the best places to visit in Costa Rica for misty forests, rare species, and expert-guided nature walks. Join a four-hour walk with a local naturalist to learn about cloud forest epiphytes such as bromeliads and orchids, and keep watch for wildlife ranging from resplendent quetzals to colorful amphibians in the former Golden Toad habitat.

In the afternoon, visit El Trapiche for an immersive farm tour focused on sugarcane and coffee. Taste fresh cane products, watch traditional milling and coffee processing, and choose an optional oxcart ride to the mill. Finish with arracache and a drink, then take home a tapa dulce souvenir.

Enjoy a relaxed morning at your hotel before your private transfer to Tamarindo. Along the way, you can add curated stops that match your interests, such as a coffee farm visit, a hot springs soak, or a scenic lookout for memorable photos.

Arrive in Tamarindo and settle into your hotel, then spend the evening at leisure. Stroll the beach at sunset, browse local shops, or choose a relaxed dinner in town.

From Tamarindo Beach, board the 28-foot Mini Marlin for a short transfer to the Marlin del Rey. After a brief orientation, your captain raises anchor and cruises along the coast toward a secluded beach where wildlife sightings are common. Keep watch for sea turtles, dolphins, and, in season, whales.

If you would like, try your hand at fishing for yellowfin tuna or mahi mahi, then snorkel over rocky reefs to spot colorful marine life. On board, the crew serves a light lunch with BBQ chicken, pasta salad, fruit, chips, and dips, along with an open bar.

After breakfast, your driver will collect you for a scenic transfer back to San José. The drive takes around five hours and passes through volcanic highlands and coffee country, with optional curated stops to stretch your legs, photograph the landscapes, and sample local treats along the way.

Arrive in San José in time for your last evening before departure. Enjoy a relaxed dinner, a final stroll, or simply unwind at your hotel and prepare for your flight the next day.

Enjoy a calm and seamless departure day. After breakfast, take time for a final Costa Rican coffee or a short walk before your private transfer to Juan Santamaría International Airport.

Pickup is scheduled to suit your flight, ensuring a relaxed international check-in. As you head home, reflect on the landscapes, wildlife, and moments that made your journey memorable, and say a warm farewell to Pura Vida.