The Very Best of Costa Rica

We depart with British Airways from London Gatwick, for our flight to San José. Alternatively, fly with Lufthansa via Frankfurt from London Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow or Edinburgh. Arriving late in the afternoon, after clearing customs, we are met by our Tour Manager and transferred to DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cariari San José, our hotel for our first two nights in Costa Rica.

Following breakfast, we meet with our Tour Manager and fellow travellers before heading out on our first adventure. A scenic drive through the rolling hills of the Central Valley takes us towards one of Costa Rica's six active volcanoes. Surrounded by cloud forest and rising to 2,708 metres above sea level, Poás Volcano is one of the few accessible volcanoes in Central America. A short walk to the lookout point offers us stunning views of its large, deep crater which frequently releases steam and gas. At such heights, the fertile soil is ideal for cultivating one of the country’s key exports – coffee. Hacienda Doka, home to the oldest coffee mill in the country, marks the start of our next adventure. After lunch in the coffee plantation's beautifully kept grounds, we explore the art of coffee production. From the planting of the beans to the tasting of rich, roasted coffee, this experience promises to be both informative and fun. Following our day’s adventures, we return to the hotel.

Leaving the capital city behind, we venture east towards Tortuguero National Park, a remote, protected biodiverse area spanning 77,000 acres, mostly consisting of dense, impenetrable rainforest and a vast network of canals, coastal swamps and lagoons. To reach the park, we first travel by road, passing through tropical banana plantations and rural settlements, until we reach Caño Blanco where our river taxi will transport us along the Tortuguero River, often referred to as the 'Amazon of Central America'. Look out for herons and vultures as we travel this wide stretch of water, flanked by only a few small villages, to Pachira Lodge, our home for the next two nights. After lunch at the lodge, we visit the small village located on the sandbar between Tortuguero Lagoon and the Caribbean Sea, before returning to our lodge late afternoon. This evening, we dine together, immersed in the vibrant sights and sounds of this remote, tropical wilderness.

Tour Highlight

Wake to the distinct call of the Montezuma oropendola and look up into the tallest of trees where we’re sure to spot their uniquely elongated hanging nests. The female of this bird species builds a nest that can measure almost two metres in length! After breakfast, we board our river boat to explore the canals and wetlands in search of the toucans, Howler monkeys, sloths, caimans, crocodiles and West Indian manatees which inhabit this scenic river system. We travel the wider waters, which act like roads, before veering off towards the narrower, almost mystical, network of passageways, where quiet navigation brings us within metres of many exotic wildlife habitats.

For those that wish, there is an option to join an additional early morning river tour (own expense), ahead of our included excursion, allowing you to spend up to four hours touring the labyrinth of this diverse ecosystem, looking for wildlife. We return to the lodge for lunch. The remainder of the day is ours to relax. Take a walk along one of the lodge’s private forest trails, take a dip in the turtle-shaped swimming pool, or kick-back in one of the many hammocks for the afternoon. Later, as the sun begins to set, we take to the river once more to enjoy a drink aboard our private floating platform – a perfect way to end our day.

This morning, following breakfast, we return to Caño Blanco by river taxi, enjoying another wildlife spotting opportunity. On arrival, we transfer to our awaiting coach and head inland towards Sarapiquí - an area where several, large national rivers converge. Bird enthusiasts will be delighted as this area is synonymous with sightings of the colourful toucan and Crimson-collared tanager. Once we arrive in Sarapiquí, we meet local pineapple farmers and explore the sustainable techniques used in the production of one of the world’s quintessential tropical fruits for export. On board a specially designed tractor we can comfortably observe the cultivation practice and learn about its historical significance to indigenous cultures. We end our visit with a refreshing tasting experience, before making our way to our accommodation. Our home for the next three nights will be La Quinta Sarapiquí Lodge or Selva Verde Lodge.

Today is ours to enjoy at leisure. Perhaps observe the colourful amphibians which inhabit the wetter, darker areas of the forest on the 'Frog’s Heaven' excursion. Sail along the Sarapiquí River in a motorboat, watching for birds like the Needle duck and Tiger heron. Venture to a banana plantation to learn about planting and harvesting methods, followed by a short cookery class to prepare local delicacies. For those preferring some downtime, the lodge’s expansive grounds and permanent feeding platforms, attracting a variety of birds, provides further wildlife spotting opportunities, while its swimming pool area offers respite from the heat, and there is a good supply of books to be found in the lounge.

We Recommend - Banana Plantation and Cookery Class

Visit a local entrepreneur and discover banana farming practices, ending with a cookery class preparing traditional Costa Rican dishes.

Another day in this natural idyll begins! After breakfast, we head to Pierella Garden, where the owners, William and Kristal, have spent the past three decades transforming an original cow pasture into the ecological refuge it is today. We learn how, through their purposeful planting of native and host floral species, the garden now attracts a kaleidoscope of butterflies and seed-distributing birds to its three-hectare grounds, making it a perfect haven for a variety of fauna to inhabit. After lunch at Pierella Garden, we return to our lodge, where there is time to enjoy the lodge’s facilities.

Rising early, we depart Sarapiquí heading towards Arenal Volcano National Park. We arrive at La Fortuna and enjoy panoramic views from varying heights of the tropical rainforest canopy, and its rich biodiversity, as we walk across a series of hanging bridges. The rainforest is set against the backdrop of the striking Arenal Volcano – its conical symmetry, soaring from the dense forest floor, dominating the skyline and visible from nearly every direction. Following our adventure, we check into either Hotel Lomas del Volcán, Hotel Arenal Lodge, Arenal Springs Resort & Spa or Hotel Magic Mountain, where we stay for the next three nights. Later, we head to the family-run Ecotermales Fortuna hot springs and enjoy the mineral-rich pools with temperatures ranging from 31 to 41 degrees Celsius. Our evening at the springs ends with a typical Costa Rican meal, before we return to our hotel.

Enjoy views of the volcano from our hotel grounds before heading to breakfast. We then visit an area within Arenal Volcano National Park where we explore some of the well-marked forest trails, one of which leads to a waterfall which can be viewed from an observation point. There are some 500 resident birds in this area, where frequent sightings of the Black-crested coquette, Yellow-eared toucanet, Umbrella bird and the Cinnamon-bellied saltator, have all been recorded. After working up an appetite, we enjoy lunch at the on-site restaurant, looking out at the volcano. Have your camera ready to capture the impressive views of the southern face of this imposing landmark. We then return to our hotel for the rest of the afternoon where we can do as we please. Relax poolside or opt for an informative tour about the origin and history of cacao, and the production of its fruit into organic chocolate, complete with tastings, of course!

Another exciting day begins with the chance to observe Costa Rica’s most adored icon – the sloth, a sluggish tree dweller that can spend up to 20 hours a day sleeping! Later, we visit the home of Doña Mara, well known locally for her delicious cuisine, and join her in her kitchen where she teaches us how to make one of Costa Rica's staples, 'tortillas caseras', before sitting down to enjoy the fruits of our labour for lunch. Later, we return to the hotel for an afternoon at leisure. Perhaps, opt for a relaxing boat tour on Lake Arenal. A serene and picturesque experience, it is perfect for admiring the impressive views of the iconic volcano. Alternatively, gain an insight into the medicinal use and healing properties of the diverse range of plants, trees, herbs, roots and vines found in the region on a medicinal plants tour.

Today, as we say goodbye to the majestic volcano, we take a short hike along the Arenal Lake peninsula, enjoying expansive views from the shoreline before we embark on our 'journey to the clouds.' The scenic drive from Arenal to the Monteverde Cloud Forest skirts the lake as we climb to an elevation of 914 metres, crossing the Continental Divide, arriving at our hotel early afternoon. Our hotel for the next two nights will be Fondavela Mountain Hotel, Sibú Boutique Hotel or Monteverde Country Lodge. Early evening we explore the cloud forest at night. The jungle never sleeps, and on this forest walk our guide uncovers nature’s nocturnal night shift workers - eighty percent of the wildlife here is most active at night with Side-striped palm vipers, tarantulas, Red-eyed tree frogs and ocelots among the favourites. We return to our hotel and share our adventures over dinner.

Our day begins following breakfast when we revisit the cloud forest, situated at the point where the Pacific and Atlantic sides of Costa Rica meet. As we walk along the forest trails, we observe how the cooler, variable climate influences nature at higher altitude, and learn more about the native plants, birds and animals that exist here. White-faced capuchin monkeys, and coatis (a member of the raccoon family) can be spotted, as well as birds like the Blue-crowned motmot, hummingbirds, quetzals, parrots and the Three-wattled bellbird. Later, we visit Selvatura, an ecological park, and further enjoy its elevated walkways and hanging bridges as we walk through the cooler, highland cloud forest canopy, before our day’s adventures ends and we head back to the hotel.

Tour Highlight

Today, we leave the cooler cloud forest and travel to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Rincón de la Vieja National Park, home to an active volcano of the same name. The park's transitional forest landscape attracts 300 bird species, numerous mammals, and rare reptiles. As we walk through this ever-changing flora, the surrounding open plains unexpectedly reveal the park’s standout features - smoking fumaroles, bubbling mud pools, and volcanic geysers - the bedding for many ecosystems. After our adventure, we make our way to Borinquen Thermal Resort, our home for the next two nights.

Enjoying a later start today, we return to this scenically contrasting national park area to visit Oropendola Waterfall. A short walk, along gentle terrain, a few steps, and hanging bridges, leads us to the waterfall, cascading from a rocky, fern-covered canyon, into a serene, turquoise pool below. Should we wish, we can enjoy a refreshing swim, before returning to our hotel where the rest of the day is ours to relax. Perhaps enjoy the hotel’s thermal baths or sip a beverage at the pool’s swim-up bar.

Leaving the volcanic landscape behind, we travel south towards the coast to Manuel Antonio, famous for its breathtaking ocean vistas and pristine beaches. We stop at Carara National Park which acts as a bridge between the dry and tropical rainforests and boasts a variety of wildlife, particularly iguanas and the endangered Scarlet macaw which have made this transitional forest their home. After walking the short trails through the park, we continue to our hotel for our last two nights, either the Parador Resort & Spa, Si Como No Resort or Shana by the Beach. All perched on a hillside overlooking the jungle canopy and azure waters of the Pacific Ocean, they provide a perfect backdrop to our final two nights in Costa Rica.

After a Costa Rican cup of coffee and hearty breakfast, we visit Manuel Antonio National Park – its outstanding location making it one of Costa Rica’s most visited parks. Criss-crossing the rainforest is a network of walking trails, many of which lead to the park’s four white-sand beaches, all located within its boundaries. Teeming with wildlife, this rainforest, a landscape now so familiar to us, is where we enjoy our final walking trail to spot the resident Two-and Three-toed sloths, toucans, Titi monkeys or even the rare Squirrel monkey. The remainder of our day is ours to enjoy. Perhaps spend it at the beach or poolside at our hotel. This evening, we dine together one last time and reminisce with newly found friends about the tales of our Costa Rican adventure.

It’s time to say goodbye and after a leisurely breakfast, we begin our way back to San José Airport for our British Airways flight direct to London Gatwick. Alternatively, if flying Lufthansa, your flight will return to the UK, via Frankfurt.

We arrive in London Gatwick, or our chosen UK regional airport this morning, bringing our wonderous adventure through Costa Rica to a close.