100% customisable travel idea
From the Caribbean to the Pacific Grand Tour of Costa Rica
Costa Rica - Volcano Region - Pacific Coast - Caribbean Coast
100% customisable travel idea
Costa Rica - Volcano Region - Pacific Coast - Caribbean Coast
100% customisable for you
Upon arrival, private transfer to the city of Alajuela, about 10 km (6 miles) from the capital, in the Central Valley. Stay the night in a charming contemporary hillside property built in the colonial style. The rooms here are spacious and comfortable. From the heights, there is a lovely view of Poas Volcano, the valley and the city of San José. As a bonus, you wake up in the heart of coffee plantations. You can also explore them on a pleasant trail that starts from the hotel.
Pick up your rental car and head to Arenal Volcano National Park. While the vehicle briefly brushes with civilisation, it ultimately ventures into the wild landscapes of the north-west.
Optional, along the way - Poas Volcano National Park.
Stay for two nights in a glamping site nestled at the foot of Arenal Volcano. Arranged in a half-moon around the pool, the small cluster of tents is partly hidden by the trees. Breakfast is taken seriously, while for other meals, you set out to discover the city’s establishments, located just a few minutes’ drive away.
The “Arenal colossus”, as locals call it, long fooled people by appearing to be just an ordinary mountain. Its awakening was even more spectacular during the devastating eruption of 1968. It has never stopped its volcanic activity since then, but it has become somewhat calmer. Today, in addition to its magnificent volcano and the ecological richness of its flora, it offers hot springs at 38°C and a lake covering 85 km² (33 square miles), ideal for water sports.
Scheduled: a walk along the hanging bridges. The upper level of the dense, humid Costa Rican forest canopy is the area most exposed to sunlight and, as a result, is home to an exceptionally rich biodiversity. You explore it along the trails of the private reserve and the bridges that lead deep into the rainforest, enjoying breathtaking views of the area's iconic volcano.
À la carte - Zipline courses through the heart of the canopy.
Drive to Playa Avellana. The itinerary leaves the volcanic region and heads for the Pacific coast. Spend the night slightly inland, in a small, secluded hotel with an infinity pool. Just six bungalows are nestled in the heart of ten hectares (25 acres) of jungle. The rooms open onto this dreamlike setting through large windows that lead to spacious terraces. The luckiest guests may even be greeted by the local residents — howler monkeys and a variety of colourful birds.
Already scheduled - visit to a turtle conservation association. The organisation has set up its headquarters on the beach. It is therefore on the front line to rescue turtles and their young in distress. The different species and their characteristics are explained before you move on to the egg enclosure. If you're lucky, you might arrive just in time to see the hatchlings emerge and make their way to the ocean, embarking on their very first adventure.
From one Playa to another, departure from the Pacific coast and travel down, via National Primary Route 21, along the Nicoya Peninsula. Stay for two nights at a family-run accommodation on the edge of a beautiful blond sandy beach. Discreetly tucked away among the trees and lush vegetation, each of the fourteen rooms exudes rustic tropical charming. Scattered through the property, havens of relaxation invite you to unwind - from the vast garden to the swimming pool.
Scheduled - Bioluminescent kayaking. In scientific terms, certain micro-organisms in phytoplankton react with oxygen during ocean currents to produce light energy. Simply put, this means that any movement in the water produces a mesmerising blue light. Led by a guide under the starry sky, you set off by kayak. You will be surprised and amazed to see your paddle glow with a phosphorescent light as it dips beneath the surface.
Set off from the beach to reach Manuel Antonio. The ferry crossing among pelicans and frigatebirds offers a moment of deep serenity. After 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes of sailing under the sun, you arrive in Puntarenas, where freshly cut coconuts quench your thirst. Then, head south to reach your destination, at the gateway to the unmissable Manuel Antonio National Park
. Settle in for two nights at a simple accommodation surrounded by hills and tropical forest. From the upper floors, your gaze plunges into the canopy where toucans, macaws and howler monkeys roam freely. Further down, two swimming pools and a restaurant await, offering delicious ceviches and fresh juices.
Already planned - Manuel Antonio National Park (you already have the tickets) the smallest parks in the country but also one of the most spectacular. A true microcosm of Costa Rica, it is home to white sandy beaches, coral reefs, mountains, islands, secondary forests and a mangrove. Wildlife and plant life thrive here in surprising abundance. Who will be the first to spot a howler monkey, capuchin, raccoon or sloth? The bets are on.
Manuel Antonio and its national park fade in the rear-view mirror as the vehicle heads towards Dominical via the Costanera Sur, a scenic road that winds along a coastline dotted with beaches.
Settle in for two nights in a villa nestled between jungle and ocean. The interior has been meticulously designed. Natural materials (wood, marble, stone) take centre-stage, complemented by soothing neutral tones. The 12,000 m² (3 acres) of gardens promise delightful adventures. The shared pool offers refreshing moments, while a private waterfall tucked among the rocks adds a touch of magic. From the top of the observatory, you can watch whales and dolphins dancing in season, only to realise that a curious toucan has been watching you all along..
Boasting the best waves in Costa Rica and a beach stretching four kilometres (2.5 miles), Dominical is truly a paradise for surf and nature lovers. The mountains of the hinterland hold many treasures, including abundant wildlife and flora. The jagged coastline, with its many bays, promises breathtaking views and a striking contrast between the deep green of the rainforest and the intense blue of the Pacific Ocean.
Do not miss - Hike to the Nauyaca waterfalls. 4 km (2.5 miles), 2 hours is the average time it takes visitors to follow the wide, shady path, dotted with a few river crossings, all the way to your destination. At the top, two trails lead to the network of waterfalls. Hidden in a canyon along the Barucito River, the Nauyaca falls split into two before plunging into a deep natural pool. You leap in, delighting at the refreshing reward.
Add to your itinerary - Guided tour of Corcovado National Park; private surf lesson.
Goodbye to the Pacific coast: head to San Gerardo, in the heart of the Savegre River valley - a sanctuary for many bird species, including the legendary majestic quetzal. A little corner of paradise, encircled by the Talamanca mountain range, cloaked in lush vegetation and often shrouded in thick mist.
Stay the night in a lodge perched at 2,600 metres (8,530 feet) above sea level. With all the spaces open to the outdoors and the bungalows featuring glass walls, you can enjoy amazing views of the valley and surrounding mountains from anywhere and at any time - from your bed, your sofa, your private terrace or your table at the restaurant.
Scheduled - Morning walk to spot the quetzal. While the region is the sanctuary of this legendary bird, a true icon of Central America, sightings are never guaranteed. Naturally shy, it moves discreetly through the canopy. So, with a guide, you set off to track this elusive creature. Suddenly, your guide adjusts their binoculars and points to an emerald green spot amidst the vegetation. With its crest, red belly, and a tail that can reach up to 50 cm (20 inches), the bird is easily recognisable once spotted.
Road to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. The Turrialba volcano region recedes, giving way to the southern Caribbean coast and its Jamaican influences. At your destination, vast beaches stretch out, edged with black or white sand, and the jungle ever-present in the background Stay for three nights about ten minutes from the city centre. The private residences are scattered along the edge of the rainforest, where the murmur of nature drifts in through every semi-open space. Interiors blend understated elegance with a bohemian spirit, all raw wood and cool freshness. A favourite spot is the pool, wrapped in greenery, with its inviting relaxation area.
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, a former fishing village, is the very essence of the blending of Afro-Caribbean, Latino and Bribri indigenous cultures. Life here moves to the rhythm of reggae, in brightly coloured houses with a distinctly Caribbean charm. The city combines a gentle way of life with the magical ingredients of Costa Rica: exceptional flora and fauna within easy reach, and wild beaches with sand that alternates between black and white.. If you're invited to a salsa brava, be careful: it's not the latest local dance but the famous wave that draws surfers from around the world. The town is the perfect place to hone your skills in this sport, now an institution in Costa Rica, or to stroll along dirt roads lined with all kinds of shops and relaxed eateries.
Scheduled - visiting the Jaguar Rescue centre. This wildlife park offers a refuge for sick, injured and orphaned animals, with the aim of reintroducing them into their natural habitats. The centre is specialised in caring for small primates, birds, reptiles and amphibians. You set out to meet them with volunteers from the shelter, and their passionate explanations make the visit all the more engaging.
Optional - private discovery of local culture and gastronomy.
Head back to the Talamanca mountain range to reach Turrialba. Surrounded by the eponymous volcano and the Río Pacuare, the village enjoys an impressive setting. Stay for two nights on the shores of Lake Angostura, not far from the La Marta ecological reserve, in a former colonial house converted into a charming hotel. Beautiful gardens alive with parrots and toucans surround the property, while beyond lie rolling pastures and coffee plantations. The swimming pool is perfectly placed to take it all in. Simply put, here is the ideal location for your last nights in Costa Rica.
Nestled between San José and the Caribbean coast, the Turrialba Valley is a paradise for rafting enthusiasts, with the Pacuare and Reventazon rivers offering both thrills and stunning scenery. It is also the ideal departure point for walks along the slopes of Turrialba volcano and through plantations of sugar cane, coffee or tobacco. History enthusiasts will want to spend a few hours at the Guayabo archaeological monument, the oldest and largest pre-Hispanic site in Costa Rica.
Optional - white-water rafting, horse riding, or a visit to a coffee cooperative.
Drive to San José airport, return the rental car and take your international flight home. Night on board and arrival the following day.
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