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Authentic Costa Rica

From £3128

Excluding Flights

13 Nights

Year Round

Overview

Find out why Costa Ricans live longer on this immersive journey through the country’s culture, flavours and traditions. You’ll get a real taste for the ‘pura vida’ lifestyle as you meet the locals and savour freshly ground coffee and organic farm produce, straight from the source. You’ll even help create a home-cooked meal! There’s also plenty of opportunity for wildlife spotting with boat trips included in Arenal and Rio Perdido, rounded off with time to kick back and relax in laid-back Nosara.

Your adventure begins with a 2-night stay in the beautiful region of Naranjo, with its rolling hills and coffee farms. You’ll explore a coffee plantation and visit a local home where you’ll learn to cook (and eat!) a typical casado lunch.

At Arenal you’ll enjoy an informative and entertaining visit to a local organic farm, where you’ll learn about sustainable farm-to-table practices. Also included in your 3-night stay is a leisurely cruise on the Penas Blancas River in search of wildlife.

You’ll then drive to the Cano Negro National Wildlife Refuge for a 2-night stay in safari-style tented accommodation. Here you’ll have a choice of options to explore the wetlands and marvel at the abundance of unique wildlife and ecosystems in this remote region.

Continue off-the-beaten-track to the magical Rio Perdido, where you’ll discover thermal rivers, hot pools and canyons. You’ll have 2 nights here, with plenty of time available for a restorative soak in the warm waters of the river.

Finally you’ll head to the hidden gem of Nosara, on the Pacific Coast’s Nicoya Peninsula. Enjoy a 3-night beach stay amidst the relaxing tranquillity of this Blue Zone region, known for its long-living residents. Included is an electric boat trip through the mangroves, where you’ll hear and see a wealth of wildlife. Your journey ends with a flight and final overnight stay in San Jose, offering a chance to contrast the bustle of the city with rural life in Costa Rica.

Itinerary

Upon arrival at the airport you’ll be met and briefed before collecting your 4WD for your journey to Naranjo, just an hour away.  Chayote Lodge will be your home for the next 2 nights and life like a Tico begins at once in this beautiful, highlands area of coffee plantations and cloud forests. You can choose to have dinner tonight in the lodge’s fantastic restaurant, where locals love to hang out too.

Chayote Lodge, near Naranjo

From its vantage point high in the misty cloud forests Chayote Lodge boasts breathtaking views and an insight into authentic local culture.

After breakfast today take an included tour to a nearby private coffee plantation owned by Don Carlos. On arrival you’ll meander through beautiful gardens with stunning views whilst your guide explains the interesting history of the farm, coffee production and cultivation. Enjoy a cup of home brewed coffee in this peaceful place before heading to the home of Dona Elida. Here you’ll learn about Costa Rican cuisine and how to cook it. After helping to prepare a traditional ‘casado’ lunch you’ll get to enjoy the dishes you made, a delicious way to learn about the Tico lifestyle.

Don Carlos Coffee Estate Experience, Chayote Lodge

One of Costa Rica’s signature exports, coffee has been a fundamental pillar of society here for over 200 years. Known locally as the ‘golden bean’, no trip to Costa Rica is complete without finding out more about this ubiquitous part of its national identity.

Costa Rican Food Experience, Chayote Lodge

Visit a local home where the fabulous Dona Elida will share with you her secrets of traditional Costa Rican cuisine and cooking methods.

After breakfast your adventure continues to Arenal, with its impressive volcano and landscapes. It’s a picturesque drive through the rolling hills, forests and villages of this northern region. Once you have checked in for your 3-night stay the rest of the day is at leisure to explore your new surroundings or chill by the pool and enjoy jaw-dropping volcano views.

Today you’ll visit Arenal Vida Campesina, a self-sustained organic farm near La Fortuna for a hands-on experience of rural Costa Rican life. The tour starts with a demonstration of sugarcane juice extraction, followed by a walk through plantations of sugarcane, coffee, and bananas. You’ll visit a sanctuary for endangered trees and learn about organic farming techniques. Later you’ll have a chance to make tortillas and enjoy a typical organic lunch at La Guaria Morada restaurant, demonstrating the farm-to-table concept. This unique experience highlights the benefits of rural tourism in preserving Costa Rican heritage and supporting local communities. This afternoon is at leisure – we recommend a visit to Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges.

Arenal Vida Campesina Farm and Culture Experience

Join an informative exploration of this organic farm for a hands-on insight into rural life, Costa Rica-style.

Optional Experiences

Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Natural History Tour

Follow a trail across nerve-jangling suspension bridges through this rainforest reserve, offering tantalising views over the treetops to Lake Arenal and Arenal Volcano beyond.

Sloth Watching Walk, Arenal

The iconic sloth is top of the list for wildlife-spotting in Costa Rica - you’re may encounter both the two- and three-toed species on this guided walk.

Today you’ll search for wildlife on a Peñas Blancas Safari River Boat Tour. This safe and enjoyable trip takes place on large inflatables through the northern lowlands. As you quietly navigate the river, you’ll experience the rainforest’s serenity and observe and learn about the wildlife on the riverbanks with your naturalist guide. You may see sloths, monkeys, toucans, crocodiles, iguanas, turtles, and a variety of tropical birds. This afternoon is at leisure; you may wish to take a trek around the base of the volcano at Arenal 1968.

From Arenal, embark on the scenic journey to Caño Negro where you’ll stay for the next 2 nights in a beautiful tented camp. The journey meanders through lush hills, expansive farmlands and charming rural villages, before transitioning to wetlands. One of Costa Rica’s most biologically diverse areas, Caño Negro offers the opportunity to explore rich ecosystems and observe an array of birds, reptiles, and aquatic life in their natural habitat. All meals and activities are included during your stay here, and you will be advised of the afternoon’s choices on arrival.

Today you can choose from a variety of unique Caño Negro experiences. Explore the area’s rich natural history with a guided nature walk, paddle a kayak along the tranquil Río Frío, or take a relaxing boat ride through the wetlands. Observe exotic birds in their natural habitat, discover biodiversity on an ecological tour of the Río Frío, or venture on an exciting night hike. For a more cultural experience, join a horseback riding tour with an agricultural focus, or learn to cook and mix Costa Rican cocktails in interactive classes on cuisine and mixology. The choice is yours!

From Caño Negro, your journey continues southeast through scenic landscapes towards the Bagaces Mountains and the renowned Rio Perdido. As you approach Rio Perdido prepare for an immersive experience in one of Costa Rica’s hidden gems. It’s an ideal destination to reconnect with nature while discovering diverse wildlife and the captivating beauty of the the Bagaces Mountains. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to begin exploring.

This morning you’ll head to the Rio Perdido Thermal Canyon and Springs. Rio Perdido – which means ‘lost river’ – flows through the heart of the 1,500-acre private canyon reserve. The river’s geothermal waters originate from volcanic activity. Hot water flows from the springs and into Rio Perdido, creating a completely natural, hot mineral river. You can easily spend the day exploring one pool to the next, while cool swimming water can be found upstream. A beautiful relaxing experience amongst nature. For those who prefer a more adrenaline-fueled experience why not consider a trip to the Canyon Adventure Park, with its many zip lines over the treetrops.

Today it’s time to head to Nosara, a coastal gem renowned for its pristine beaches and laid-back atmosphere. Nestled amidst natural beauty with a relaxed ambience, ideal for reconnecting with nature, it’s not surprising it’s a Blue Zone region! Explore the surf, take a yoga class, enjoy healthy chic cafes, unwind on the sand or time your visit to witness the turtles nesting on nearby Ostional Beach (July to November).

Lagarta Lodge Boutique Hotel, Nicoya Peninsula

Perched on a bluff with views over the Pacific Ocean, Lagarta Lodge is an elegant and eco-friendly retreat on the beautiful Nicoya Peninsula.

During your stay in Nosara you’ll embark on a tranquil E-Boat tour. Glide along Rio Nosara and Rio Montaña, where the local guide will show you fascinating mangrove forests and the animals native to the region. The soundless electric boat ensures that you’ll see the many native birds on the shores. If you’re lucky, you may even see a crocodile!

As your trip comes to an end take a day to relax and enjoy lounging by the infinity pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean, or head out to explore the local nature trails.

E-Boat River Cruise, Nosara

Gliding along the river in a soundless electric boat enables you to soak up the sounds of the jungle; from melodic birdlife to stealthy crocs sliding into the water.

After breakfast you’ll make the short drive to Nosara Airport for the domestic flight back to San Jose. Upon arrival a transfer will take you to your hotel for the night. You’ll have time for some last-minute shopping or explore this vibrant city for a final immersion into the Tico lifestyle.

After breakfast you’ll be transferred to San Jose International Airport to board your flight home.

Prices & departures

What's Included

  • Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom (superior lodges & hotels)

  • 13 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 2 dinners

  • Car rental with full insurance and WiFi (excludes one-way fee, payable locally)

  • Meet & greet and return private transfers in San Jose

  • Domestic flight from Nosara to San Jose (via Liberia)

  • Don Carlos Coffee Estate Tour

  • Costa Rican Food Experience

  • Arenal Vida Campesina Farm & Culture Experience

  • Peñas Blancas Boat Safari

  • Choice of experiences at Tocu Tent Camp

  • Rio Perdido Thermal Canyon and Springs

  • E-Boat River Cruise, Nosara

  • 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday

  • No surcharge guarantee

  • Full financial protection

From £3128 Excluding Flights

13 Nights

Year Round

Prices are per person based upon 2 sharing, subject to availability. Your Travel Specialist will confirm the exact price based upon your tailored requirements, inclusions, and travel dates.

Make this trip yours

Every trip you see here can be adapted to suit you using inside-out knowledge to create one-off experiences created just for you.

Phoebe
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Toucans seen in the wild

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Northern light sightings

We create holidays that are as individual as you are. And we’ve been doing it for 40 years, crafting each and every holiday using our in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm for our destinations. Whatever your brief, we’ll create an amazing trip for you to get excited about. That might mean adapting one of our existing itineraries or we’ll build you one from scratch. 

Experts with real experience