From cloud forest to the coast, Costa Rica trip

Pura Vida! On arrival at San José airport, your private driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel, setting the tone for the personalized service that defines your authentic, tailor-made Costa Rica travel.

Settle in with a brief local orientation, then unwind with dinner nearby or an easy evening stroll.

On day two of your trip, visit Irazú Volcano National Park, a standout on your Costa Rica itinerary rising to just over 3,400 meters. Take in the dramatic volcanic terrain and sweeping views, then continue to Cartago to see the colonial capital and its beautiful basilica for a glimpse of Costa Rican history and architecture.

Later, travel to San Gerardo de Dota, a peaceful village in the Savegre River Valley. Enjoy guided birdwatching and forest walks in the oak cloud forest and the Talamanca Range, searching for the extraordinary Resplendent Quetzal.

Meet local families in Providencia, Dota, and visit the historic trapiche Los Abuelos to see traditional raw sugar and cane sweets made the old-fashioned way. Then join a family coffee experience in a home garden, hear life stories, share guitar music, and taste one of the world’s finest coffees with your local guide.

Later, hike to Salitre Waterfall through secondary forest and along small creeks. Finish with a hands-on cooking class where you make fruit jellies from blackberries, wild tomatoes, and other seasonal ingredients.

Today you leave San Gerardo de Dota’s misty cloud forest, climb through the subalpine páramo, then descend into lowland rainforest before gliding past the mangrove swamps of Sierpe on your way to the Pacific coast. Along the route, enjoy guided birdwatching, short walks, and opportunities for wildlife spotting.

Arrive in Drake Bay and settle in for tailor-made coastal experiences such as snorkeling over vibrant reefs, sunset boat tours, and time on pristine beaches. Local guides add depth with conservation stories and knowledge of hidden coves.

Explore Caño Island, a South Pacific gem and one of the best places to visit in Costa Rica for underwater wildlife and pristine seascapes. Its clear waters shelter vibrant marine life, with chances to spot dolphins, whales in season, sea turtles, rays, and schools of tropical fish while snorkeling over coral reefs and along dramatic underwater cliffs.

On land, learn about pre-Columbian archaeological sites and local stories, including legends of a pirate hideout said to have inspired Treasure Island. Travel with a local guide from the only locally owned operator, with snorkeling gear and lunch included for an authentic, tailor-made Costa Rica trip experience.

Explore the Osa Peninsula and Corcovado National Park, one of the most biologically rich regions on Earth. With a local guide, visit Sirena or San Pedrillo Station and walk forest trails in search of tamanduas, tairs, and peccaries, along with monkeys, birds, and countless rainforest species. 

Your full-day tour includes an expert guide and lunch, combining immersive wildlife encounters with a relaxed pace and personalized sightseeing.

This morning, your private transfer picks you up in Drake Bay and takes you to your hotel in Manuel Antonio. If you wish, add a visit to Manuel Antonio National Park, a compact biodiversity hotspot where monkeys, sloths, and coatis are often seen along shaded trails.

After arrival, enjoy tailor-made time at the hotel or unwind on white sand beaches with a swim in the warm Pacific waters.

Enjoy a free day on the Pacific coast to slow down and do exactly what you feel like. Relax on the beach, swim, kayak, snorkel, or try stand-up paddle, then settle in for fresh seafood and sunset views with personalized beach service.

If you prefer more exploration, add an optional guided visit to a nearby national park for wildlife walks, birdwatching, and photography with a local naturalist. Choose a private or small group tour and shape the day around your interests.

Enjoy a final morning of authentic, tailor-made moments. Sip a last Costa Rican coffee, take a short guided walk, or simply relax at your hotel and reflect on the wildlife encounters and beach days that shaped your Costa Rica trip.

At the arranged time, your private transfer will pick you up and take you to San José Airport with plenty of time for international check-in. Say goodbye to Pura Vida and travel home with personal memories and lasting local connections.