100% customisable travel idea
Canopy, Waves and Sloths A Costa Rican Adventure with your Teens
Costa Rica - Pacific Coast - Volcano Region - Caribbean Coast
100% customisable travel idea
Costa Rica - Pacific Coast - Volcano Region - Caribbean Coast
100% customisable for you
Upon arrival, private transfer and overnight stay in the south-west of the capital, in the heart of an intimate hotel built into the hillside. The common areas blend the classic colonial style with touches of modern décor. A warm welcome, a delightful pool and an open view of the surrounding hills provide all the ingredients for a successful stay. And the cherry on top, there is also a restaurant that has earned itself quite the reputation. All this is ideal for resting after a long flight and preparing to head off to the Pacific.
Pick up your rental car and drive to Dominical via the scenic Costanera Sur coastal route. Settle in for three nights in a villa nestled at the foot of a hill. The beauty of the surroundings will help you forget the hassles of the road in no time. Blending perfectly into this environment, the villas are spacious, comfortable and decorated in the purest hacienda style with warm-toned tiles and tropical accents. From the restaurant and pool overlooking the bay, the 180° view is simply breathtaking.
On your itinerary - A whale watching cruise. Along the Pacific coast, the waters of Ballena Marine National Park are home to both pilot whales and humpback whales during the season. In the mating season, these whales migrate northwards, following the warm waters of the Pacific and blessing the area with their presence as they go. We sail along the coast to several points of interest in search of whales before dropping off any travellers seeking a change of scenery on a golden sandy beach.
Optional - Private surfing lessons.
Boasting the best waves in Costa Rica and a beach stretching four kilometres (2.5 miles), Dominical is a true paradise for surf and nature lovers. The mountains of the hinterland are home to many treasures, including flora and fauna in abundance. As for the jagged coastline with its many bays, it promises breathtaking views and a striking contrast between the deep green of the rainforest and the intense blue of the Pacific Ocean.
To see and do - Take a hike to the Nauyaca waterfalls and enjoy a well-deserved swim when you get there, grab your mask and snorkel to get up close and personal with the corals and colourful fish, awaken your senses with a stroll through the primary forest, savour refreshing coconut water with your feet in the sand.
It’s time to head off for Tárcoles, along the Gulf of Nicoya.
Already planned along the way - Manuel Antonio National Park (your tickets are right there in your pocket), one of the smallest parks in the country, but also one of the most stunning. A true microcosm of Costa Rica, it is home to magnificent white sand beaches lined with coconut palms, waterfalls and viewpoints offering unique panoramic views. An astonishing abundance of flora and fauna is the standout element of these landscapes. Who will be the first to spot a howler monkey, a capuchin, a raccoon or a sloth?
We’ll then continue along the road to Tárcoles. Located at the mouth of the river that shares its name, the village boasts remarkable vantage points for birdwatching and crocodile spotting on the Río Tárcoles. The crocodiles here are among the largest in the world and can reach up to seven metres (23 feet) in length. The primary rainforest of the neighbouring Carara National Park is particularly well known for its populations of scarlet macaws, parrots, parakeets and hummingbirds. We’ll spend the night on the edge of this tropical rainforest in a detached house offering contemporary comfort and tasteful, minimalistic décor. To top it all off, a fabulous full-length swimming pool offers spectacular views of the jungle.
Optional - A private boat trip on the Tárcoles River.
Drive to La Fortuna, at the foot of the majestic Arenal Volcano. Upon arrival, set down your suitcases and settle in for two nights at a glamping site not far from the town centre. The handful of tents are arranged in a half-moon shape around the pool and are partially hidden by trees. There’s no doubt about it, this is your time to reconnect with nature in this family-friendly haven wrapped in greenery. Breakfast is a serious affair here. For other meals, feel free to scout out other places in the nearby town just a few minutes’ drive away.
On your itinerary - A walk across the Arenal Hanging Bridges. At sunset, accompanied by a guide, we’ll set off along the paths of the private reserve. We’ll make our way through tunnels and over bridges into the heart of the rainforest and discover a world that was previously inaccessible: the treetop canopy. Feel the sensations intensify as the light changes and day gradually gives way to the deep darkness of night. The park’s population also changes, with daytime wildlife giving way to nocturnal creatures.
Optional - Ziplining through the heart of the canopy.
Travel to Boca Tapada, in the far north of the country, off the beaten tourist track. Settle in for two nights on the banks of the San Carlos River. A member of staff will greet you and take you on a small boat to your new accommodation. Built by a local family to preserve the spirit of this remote village, the rooms are hoisted between the branches of the trees, promising an immersive stay surrounded by vegetation and lagoons.
Optional - A nighttime walk to find local wildlife.
A few miles from the Nicaraguan border, north of the Caribbean Lowlands, lies Boca Tapada - a true natural haven of peace. This tropical rainforest paradise, nestled along the San Carlos River and showered by a heavy rainy season, boasts a rich biodiversity, including more than 400 species of birds that have been recorded here. Here, the Maquenque Wildlife Refuge’s sustainable tourism project is helping to preserve 230 hectares of forest that are home to many animals, such as jaguars, tapirs and kinkajous.
Optional - Kayaking on the Tres Amigos River with a private nature guide.
Head for the Caribbean coast and settle in for three nights on the outskirts of downtown Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. The lodge consists of around twenty charming bungalows decorated in a tropical style and surrounded by nature. Simple yet comfortable, the interiors open onto a world of greenery that seems to have never lost its place here. On site, you’ll find a restaurant, a bar and a small swimming pool - in case there are any guests that just can’t wait for the beach, just a few minutes away, to go for a swim.
The former fishing village of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is the very essence of the fusion of Afro-Caribbean, Latin American and indigenous Bribri cultures. Life here moves to the rhythm of reggae, in brightly coloured houses with a distinctly Caribbean charm. Puerto Viejo combines a laid-back lifestyle with the magical ingredients of Costa Rica: exceptional flora and fauna right on your doorstep and wild black or white sand beaches. If you’re invited to a salsa brava, be careful… this is not the latest local dance, but the famous wave that draws in surfers from all over the world. It’s the perfect place to try your hand at this sport, which has become an institution in Costa Rica, or to stroll through the dirt streets lined with all kinds of shops and relaxed eateries.
Not to be missed - Cahuita National Park. This parque nacional was established in 1998 with the aim of preserving the coral reef that surrounds Punta Cahuita. Even today, 95% of this 10 km² pocket park (4 square miles) is maritime. However, the richness of the inland wildlife never ceases to amaze amid howler monkeys, raccoons and sloths.
Optional - A private tour of the Jaguar Rescue Center, discovery and tasting of the local culinary heritage with a private guide.
Drive to San José airport, return your rental car and hop on your international flight home. Overnight flight arriving the following day.
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
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