Costa Rica: Volcanoes, Rainforest & Caribbean Shores

Upon arrival in Costa Rica’s captivating capital, San José, a private transfer whisks you to the lush Central Valley, where mist-shrouded hills are striped with coffee plants. Settle into your junior suite at Finca Rosa Blanca, a characterful boutique hideaway set on an organic coffee plantation and surrounded by tropical gardens. Ease into the country’s slower rhythm with a dip in the spring-fed pool, a restorative coffee-and-cacao scrub in the spa, or a sunset cocktail on your terrace as fireflies flicker in the dusk.

This evening, dine at the on-site farm-to-table restaurant, where Latin-inspired dishes showcase seasonal, organic produce, much of it sourced from the farm itself – the perfect prelude to your Costa Rican adventure. 

Start your day with breakfast at the finca paired, naturally, with some of Costa Rica’s finest coffee. Then a private transfer carries you from the Central Valley to Arenal Volcano National Park, the country’s famed ‘adventure capital’.

Home for the next two nights is Amor Arenal, a luxurious rainforest hideaway on the foothills of the iconic volcano. Each standalone casita has floor-to-ceiling glass and a wraparound deck with a thermally heated plunge pool and stunning views over the rainforest and volcanic peak.

Spend the afternoon following jungle trails, joining a yoga class above the canopy or working out with valley views. Then, sip a cocktail at the swim-up bar or relax on your terrace, watching macaws and toucans flit between the trees. 

Fuel up for today’s adventure with a wholesome breakfast before setting out for a guided 1.2-kilometre hike through the lush landscapes of Arenal Volcano National Park. Winding through primary and secondary rainforest at the volcano’s base, your expert guide will highlight the region’s rich flora and fauna and share stories of the park’s explosive past. As you climb to the trail’s highest point, the trees fall away to reveal dramatic views over Lake Arenal and the continental divide, before you reach the historic lava fields.

Armed with pickaxes and magnifying glasses, participate in a hands-on rocks workshop, identifying and classifying cooled volcanic rocks, such as pyroxenes, olivines and plagioclases. Then sit down for a well-earned picnic lunch in a serene forest setting. 

Bid farewell to the lush rainforests of Arenal, as you head to Tortuguero National Park on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. A combination of private car and shared boat transfers brings you to Tortuga Lodge and Gardens, a stylish, riverfront eco-lodge set beside its own private nature reserve.

Here, an intricate network of rivers, lagoons, and canals links rainforest and beach, earning Tortuguero its ‘Amazon of Costa Rica’ moniker. It’s also one of the country’s most biodiverse regions, renowned for seasonal turtle nesting. Settle into your river-view suite, wander the self-guided nature trails, or cool off in the pool, before enjoying included meals of innovative Costa Rican and Caribbean dishes in the open-air, river-view restaurant. 

Today is yours to enjoy Tortuga Lodge’s included eco-adventures, all led by expert naturalist guides. From July to October, watch green sea turtles nesting on the beach, while visitors from September to November may witness tiny hatchlings scrambling to the sea. By day, glide along backwater creeks, lagoons and rainforest canals by boat or kayak, watching for river otters, manatees, spider monkeys and a kaleidoscope of birdlife.

As dusk falls, a twilight trek highlights the rainforest’s bedding-down rituals and the first stirrings of nocturnal creatures, including the strawberry poison dart frog and troupes of howler monkeys. Foodies can dive into a cacao and chocolate experience, finishing with your own homemade bar, or head into Tortuguero village to delve into local history and sample homemade Creole cuisine. 

Enjoy a thrilling transfer to Pacuare Lodge, a rainforest retreat in a private reserve, reached most memorably by raft. A private boat takes you back to Tortuguero dock, where a car whisks you to the Pacuare River for a safety briefing and to suit up in your rafting gear.

Then set off downriver, navigating class II and III rapids through rainforest-clad canyons, where waterfalls feed the surging waters while exotic birds dart overhead and howler monkeys provide a haunting soundtrack. Arrive, heart pumping, at Pacuare Lodge’s serene jungle setting and check into your rustic-luxe River View Suite. Refresh with a dip in the pool, then toast the day with a caipirinha on your terrace, watching hummingbirds flit between the flowers. 

Delve deeper into the rainforest today with a choice of included experiences. Thrill-seekers can take to the treetops on a canopy adventure, enjoy another rafting trip, or join a tropical canyoning tour, swinging through the jungle, rock-climbing and rappelling beside a waterfall. Guided hikes like The Loop and sustainability experiences offer a gentler way to explore.

Other activities connect you with the people and wildlife that call this forest home. The Cabécar indigenous and Bajo del Tigre rural experiences share the living traditions of local communities, reached via rewarding jungle treks. Dawn birdwatching, a night walk, the Jaguar Project presentation and even a hammock experience reveal the rainforest’s creatures and conservation stories from morning to night. 

It’s time to emerge from your jungle haven and return to the Caribbean coast in search of sun, surf and relaxation. Take to the water once more for an exhilarating run along the churning rapids and cascading waterfalls of the Pacuare River, pausing for a picnic lunch in a riverside clearing. On arrival in Siquirres, a private transfer carries you to a boutique hotel on the outskirts of vibrant Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.

Check into your bohemian Pavlova Suite at Hotel Aguas Claras, a luxurious space adorned with local artworks and reclaimed treasures. After the thrills of your jungle adventures, this laid-back, design-led hideaway is the perfect place to unwind, cocooned in tropical gardens with direct access to the sandy, forest-fringed Playa Chiquita. 

Immerse yourself in Caribbean Costa Rican culture and the rich culinary mosaic of Puerto Viejo on a 3.5-hour guided food and culture tour. Meet local chefs in their neighbourhoods and homes during six tasting stops, where they share stories of traditional ingredients and cherished family recipes. Sample dishes, such as rondon (a rich seafood stew), coconut rice and beans, patacones, and traditional desserts like pan bon (spiced coconut fruit bread), while learning about the Afro-Caribbean heritage of this stretch of coast.

Along the way, you’ll learn about local fruit trees, including ackee, breadfruit and coconut, and visit the Marcus Garvey Cultural Home to learn about the town’s founders. 

The next two days are yours to enjoy as you wish. Unwind by the pool or stroll through the gardens to Playa Chiquita, where you can laze on the sands or drop into DaLime Beach Club for laid-back Caribbean fare. For a change of scene, hop on a bike or take a short drive to Puerto Viejo to browse artisan boutiques and soak up the town’s vibrant, reggae-soaked atmosphere.

For the more adventurous, this southern Caribbean coast offers plenty of ways to explore. Join a snorkelling and hiking trip in Cahuita National Park, cycle to Punta Uva for a kayak along its tranquil river, or hike with a naturalist guide in the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. You can also take a cultural tour to the Watsi Reservation to meet the indigenous BriBrí community and learn about their longstanding connection to cacao. 

Enjoy a final breakfast amid your tropical surroundings, before a private transfer takes you back to San José. Check into Hotel Grano de Oro, a small luxury hotel and true urban oasis set in a converted Victorian Mansion. If time permits, head out to explore this small, easy-going city, perhaps browsing the contemporary art galleries of Barrio Amón, marvelling at the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, or wandering through the colourful Central Market. 

Blend rainforest thrills with Caribbean chill on this Costa Rica adventure linking Arenal, Tortuguero, Pacuare and Puerto Viejo’s vibrant Caribbean coast.