Costa Rica - The Jewel of Central America

Day 1 - San Jose

Join your tour group at the hotel.

Barceló San José (4-star)

Day 2 - San Jose

This morning we take a guided tour of San Jose, visiting both the new and old neighbourhoods to get an insight into Costa Rica’s cosmopolitan but often chaotic capital. A city in transition, the historic barrios of colonial mansions are now home to stately museums, farm-to-fork restaurants and locals sipping guaro sours in trendy bars. We visit the National Museum, where the pock-marked yellow turrets of this former fortress bear the scars of Costa Rica’s past. As well as visiting the beautiful National Theatre, the soaring statues and ornate colonnades of which were modelled on the Paris Opera House.

Barceló San José (4-star)

Day 3 - San Jose - Tarcoles

This morning is free to spend at your leisure or take an optional trip to Poas Volcano National Park - the volcano's crater is considered one of the largest in the world. Swapping the city for the jungle this afternoon, we drive west to Puntarenas province - where swathes of rainforest-clad beaches and tangled tributaries flow into the turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean. Home for the next four nights is located on the Tarcoles River on the edge of Carara National Park. Set on a 500-acre private rainforest reserve, suspended forest walkways and nature trails hum with the sound of 230 species of bird, including scarlet macaw, parrots and toucans.

Villa Lapas Jungle Village, Tarcoles (3-star)

Day 4 - Tarcoles

Today is at your leisure to enjoy the hotel, relax by the outdoor pool and explore the grounds - keeping an eye out for monkeys peeking through the trees. There’s an optional excursion to visit one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful reserves - Manuel Antonio National Park. The dense forest here camouflages toucans, parakeets and hummingbirds. You may see some of the park’s monkeys - the endangered Mono Titi, Central American squirrel monkey and the vociferous howler monkeys.

Villa Lapas Jungle Village, Tarcoles (3-star)

Days 5-6 - Tarcoles

Our hotel is on the doorstep of Carara National Park, where the convergence of two unique ecosystems - the Tropical and Dry Pacific - make the forest-floor and light-dappled canopies buzz with life. Accompanied by an experienced guide, we explore the trails that crisscross the park in search of giant anteater, poison-arrow frogs, armadillo and peccaries (wild pig-like mammals). Free flowing sections of the Tarcoles River also form wetlands and marshes that are home to 400 species of bird, not to mention crocodiles keeping one eye open from the sticky mud flats. The afternoon is free to join an optional aerial tram ride. Day 6 is also free to do as you please.

Villa Lapas Jungle Village, Tarcoles (3-star)

Days 7-8 - Tarcoles - Muelle San Carlos, Arenal

The Tarcoles River is home to large populations of crocodile. This morning, there’s an option to take a boat trip in search of these prehistoric predators, watching out for peering eyes above the water and smooth splashes as they slide into the water. We then make our way up into the vibrant green agricultural heart of northern Costa Rica, where ox-pulled carts and generations-old coffee plantations rub shoulders with organic farm shops and eco-resorts. We stay for seven nights close to the adrenaline capital of La Fortuna and Arenal National Park. Set in 35 acres of luscious orchid-filled gardens on the banks of the San Carlos River, day 8 is free to enjoy the resort.

The Tilajari Resort Hotel, Arenal (4-star)

Day 9 - Muelle San Carlos

It’s an early start this morning as we explore the unspoilt forests of the hotel’s private walking trails. Expect extraordinary scenery and incredible wildlife from howler monkeys to toucans, rainbow-coloured insects and amphibians, as well as a lesson in the flora and fauna of the surrounding area.

The Tilajari Resort Hotel, Arenal (4-star)

Day 10 - Muelle San Carlos

The next four days are at leisure to soak up your wilderness surroundings from the resort, with the option to take daily excursions. Today’s optional excursion is a boat trip floating down the calm waters of the Peñas Blancas River, keeping a close watch for smiling sloth hanging out in the trees, as well as rare butterflies, anteaters and hummingbirds.

The Tilajari Resort Hotel, Arenal (4-star)

Day 11 - Muelle San Carlos

The day is for leisure or perhaps you’d like to indulge your adventurous side with an optional excursion to Místico Arenal Hanging Bridges. You’ll ascend into the rainforest canopy, criss-crossing at different levels.

The Tilajari Resort Hotel, Arenal (4-star)

Day 12 - Muelle San Carlos

The Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge is one of the most diverse habitats in Costa Rica, and this morning’s optional excursion takes the scenic route - meandering down the river on a safari raft. Hidden amongst the overflowing riverbanks and overhanging vines, keep an eye out for spider and howler monkey, ocelot, tree frogs and migratory birds including green-backed heron and roseate spoonbill. This afternoon there’s an optional excursion to rainforest hot springs. The pools and waterfalls are naturally heated by the geothermal activity of Arenal volcano. Soak up the sights and sounds of the forest from the steaming pools.

The Tilajari Resort Hotel, Arenal (4-star)

Day 13 - Muelle San Carlos

The fertile hills and blanketed valleys beneath the ever-present gaze of Arenal volcano are home to endless stretches of plantations dotted with pueblitos (small villages) and roadside fruit sellers. Today’s optional excursion is a chance to get our ‘five a day’ as we visit a family-run fruit plantation to see how they grow pineapples, papayas and medicinal herbs. Back at the resort we sit down to a farewell dinner and live band, taking one last opportunity to enjoy our tropical surroundings as we listen to the sounds of traditional marimba music.

The Tilajari Resort Hotel, Arenal (4-star)

Day 14 - San Jose

We head back to San Jose, stopping at La Paz waterfalls along the way - impressive waterfalls surrounded by lush rainforest.

Barceló San José (4-star)

Day 15 - San Jose

Say goodbye to your tour group for your onward travel.

San Jose