A dream of Costa Rica trip

Pura Vida! On arrival at San José airport, your private driver will greet you and transfer you to your hotel, setting a smooth tone for your tailor-made Costa Rica travel.

Spend the afternoon settling in, enjoying a cup of local coffee, and connecting with your concierge to shape the activities and details that will make this journey authentically yours.

Begin at the National Theatre in San José and stroll the historic route of the churches, including the Cathedral and La Merced, as your guide shares insights into local graffiti, social change, and modern Costa Rican life. Continue by public transport to Escazú, passing La Sabana Metropolitan Park, once the city’s international airport.

Enjoy lunch at a restaurant more than a century old, sampling a wide selection of traditional bocas and tasting local chicha. The day concludes with a visit to a family of mask makers whose craft spans three generations, offering a close look at this vibrant cultural tradition.

Start early at 6:00 am with a private transfer from San José to Braulio Carrillo National Park. After about 30 minutes, you begin descending into the Caribbean lowlands, watching the landscape shift from cool cloud forest to lush tropical rainforest. Stop for breakfast at a local roadside restaurant.

By mid-morning, board a river boat bound for the north coast and the winding canals of Tortuguero National Park, often called Costa Rica’s Amazonia. Arrive at your lodge, where resident guides introduce the area’s remarkable ecosystem and set the stage for your days in the wild waterways.

Explore the Tortuguero Canals on a guided boat or canoe, watching for colorful birds, reptiles, monkeys, and butterflies along the forested banks, a classic highlight of a Tortuguero trip. If you feel up for it, climb Tortuguero Hill for sweeping views over the rainforest and waterways, or choose a quiet paddle through the canals at an easy pace.

In the afternoon, visit the small town of Tortuguero and the Green Turtle Museum, then enjoy a walk on the long Caribbean beach, famous for green turtle nesting in season.

After breakfast, take the shuttle from Tortuguero, traveling by river and road through the North Caribbean lowlands on your way to La Fortuna. Along the route, learn how the 1968 Arenal Volcano eruption transformed a quiet farming valley into one of the best places to visit in Costa Riva, and how geothermal heat still feeds the area’s natural hot springs.

Arrive in time for a restorative afternoon and evening at the world-famous Arenal hot springs, with options for private pools, spa treatments, and a guided starlit soak.

Start in the late morning with a slow-paced hike down 500 steps to La Fortuna Waterfall. Bring your swimsuit, watch for birds and mammals along the trail, then cool off with a swim beneath the cascade.

For lunch, join the Rodriguez family by the river for traditional home-cooked dishes and freshly brewed coffee, a warm cultural exchange. In the afternoon, head to Arenal Volcano National Park for a guided walk around the volcano’s lower slopes to learn about past eruptions, explore old lava flows, and see how the rainforest is reclaiming the landscape, with good chances for wildlife sightings.

Travel from La Fortuna to Monteverde via a scenic crossing of Lake Arenal. A vehicle brings you to the shoreline, then a one-hour boat ride glides across the water with wide mountain vistas and striking views of Arenal Volcano. On the other side, a short drive takes you to your hotel.

At around 1,440 meters above sea level, Monteverde and Santa Elena welcome you with cool cloud forest air. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore at your own pace, browsing artisan shops, stopping for locally made ice cream, sampling regional cheeses, and settling into a cozy coffeehouse.

Spend a half day on Monteverde’s Hanging Bridges Tour, a guided walk along 3 km of well-kept trails that includes eight suspension bridges spanning roughly 50 to 170 meters.

These elevated viewpoints offer sweeping panoramas and some of the best opportunities to observe cloud forest life in the canopy.

Travel from Monteverde to the Gulf of Papagayo and spend the day discovering Guanacaste’s coastline. Begin with time to relax or surf in Tamarindo, then continue to nearby Playa Flamingo and Playa Conchal, known for pale sand and clear turquoise water.

Along the way, stop at the Corobicí River for a guided wildlife float, watching for howler and white faced monkeys, coatis, iguanas, and abundant birdlife from the Palo Verde region. End with a visit to Las Pumas Rescue Center, where you can see rescued wild cats, deer, and primates while supporting local conservation efforts.

Enjoy a free day to recharge in sunny Guanacaste on the Pacific coast. Relax at your hotel, swim in warm, calm waters, and spend unhurried time on the beach.

This flexible day fits seamlessly into your Costa Rica itinerary, with optional tailor-made experiences such as morning yoga, snorkeling, surf lessons, a spa treatment, or a sunset seafood dinner prepared by local chefs.

Set sail at golden hour toward a secluded, enchanting cove for a sunset cruise, a perfect moment on a tropical Costa Rica trip. Relax on board, swim in calm waters, and choose the activities that suit your pace, from snorkeling and paddle boarding to kayaking or an easy beach walk.

As you glide across the Pacific, enjoy a small buffet of snacks and keep watch for seasonal marine life such as manta rays, sea turtles, whales, and dolphins.

Enjoy a half-day guided horseback ride suited to all skill levels, from first timers to experienced riders. Ride well-trained, healthy horses through rolling hills and green pastures, then continue to sandy beaches for a relaxed view of coastal and mountain scenery.

Along the way, pause in traditional Costa Rican villages and keep an eye out for native wildlife, including monkeys, iguanas, and a variety of tropical birds.

Enjoy a free day to recharge on Guanacaste’s Pacific coast, where warm, calm waters and sunlit beaches set an easy pace. Relax at your hotel, stretch out on powdery sand, or take a refreshing swim in tranquil seas.

If you feel like adding a little adventure or indulgence, personalize the day with optional snorkeling, kayaking, a coastal spa treatment, or a tasting of fresh local cuisine.

After a morning in the Gulf of Papagayo, travel inland to Alajuela and San José for your final day. The scenic drive typically takes three hours or more, and your tailor-made plans can include curated stops along the way.

Consider a pause in Sarchí to admire the brightly painted oxcarts, a national symbol still handcrafted by local artisans, and to browse for authentic souvenirs.

Begin the last full day of your tailor-made Costa Rica trip with breakfast at Doka Coffee Estate, followed by a hands-on coffee tour that introduces traditional processing, roasting, and a guided cupping. Then continue to Poás Volcano National Park to take in its vast crater, active sulfur fumaroles, and the cool air of the surrounding cloud forest.

End the day at La Paz Waterfall Gardens with a typical buffet lunch, easy guided rainforest walks, and time to admire multiple waterfalls, hummingbirds, monkeys, and well-cared-for wildlife exhibits.

A private transfer will collect you at your hotel and take you to San José International Airport in plenty of time for your flight home. Personalized service includes luggage assistance and helpful local tips for a smooth departure.

Before you go, take a quiet moment to savor the memories of your Costa Rica trip, from rainforest walks and volcanic views to the coastal sunsets. Hasta luego!