Hidden Costa Rica
Itinerary
This itinerary is ideal for those travelling by hire car, but it can also be arranged with a mixture of shuttle buses and private transfers. Ask your travel specialist for more information.
Days 1-3 – We know the way to San José
You’ll be met at the airport by a representative from our local office and transferred to your hotel in central San Jose. The next morning you’ll visit the office of our local partner where you’ll be greeted with a Costa Rican coffee. One of the team will talk you through the trip and give you some great tips to help make the most of your time in Costa Rica. During your stay in San Jose we’ll organise a two hour walk for you around the city with an English speaking guide to see all the main sights.
Days 3-6 – Reefs & reggae of the Caribbean – Cahuita
Today, you’ll pick up your hire car in San Jose and drive down to Cahuita. On the Caribbean Coast you’ll find a mix of laid-back reggae vibes, with a backdrop of lush jungle and beautiful sandy beaches. Cahuita is a small village with a handful of bars and restaurants, so it tends to attract less tourists than its neighbour Puerto Viejo. If you would prefer a little more excitement, let us know and we can book accommodation in Puerto Viejo instead.
It’s not just about beaches, and you’ll also get your nature fix with a visit to Cahuita National Park. In the morning you’ll meet your guide at the park entrance, where you’ll walk through the towering trees, spotting birds and sloths, and passing beautiful flora along the way. As you reach the end of the trail, you’ll head to the coast for a spot of snorkelling amongst the corals, watching colourful fish dash by.
Days 6-8 – Forests and volcanos of Turrialba
Continue on your Costa Rican adventure today, as you leave the beach behind and head to the picturesque mountain town of Turrialba. Here you’ll find beautiful views, a relaxed atmosphere and lots of coffee! You’ll stay in a family-run eco-lodge set by the side of Turrialba Volcano, surrounded by lush gardens and impressive landscapes.
During your stay, you’ll head out on a very special guided hike to experience the Turrialba volcano up-close. The volcano is almost split into two parts: one dark, the consequences of the recent eruptions, and the other one bright green and covered in dense vegetation. You’ll walk through the “Burnt Forest” and immediately notice trees springing back to life and nature slowly taking over. It is only a matter of years until this part of the forest recovers completely and leaves no sign of the past disaster.
Days 8-9 – Birdwatching in Copey de Dota
Your journey continues to a relatively undiscovered corner of Costa Rica, Copey de Dota. Here amongst the dense green canopy, you’ll have the perfect opportunity to spot one of Costa Rica’s most iconic residents: the quetzal. You’ll spend the night at a comfortable family-run lodge surrounded by greenery, where you can take a walk along one of the hotel’s own trails before dining at the on-site restaurant, which is well known for its beautifully presented and locally sourced dishes.
The next day, you’ll head off on an early morning guided walk in search of the famous quetzal. Known for its vibrant plumage and tail feathers that can reach 3ft in length, the quetzal was also an important symbol in Mesoamerican cultures and is still cherished across Central America today.
Days 9-11 – Escape to the Talamanca Mountains
Today you’ll drive to San Gerardo de Rivas to spend a few days in the vibrant forests and fresh air of the Talamanca Mountains. You’ll be staying in a locally owned lodge in a small village that consists of not much more than a few houses, lodges and shops. It has a friendly charm to it and attracts a steady stream of nature lovers and trekkers.
The next day, you’ll visit the nearby Cloudbridge Nature Reserve – a beautiful private conservation park on the side of Costa Rica’s tallest mountain, Cerro Chirripó. A local guide will be there to ensure you make the most of your time here and learn about the fascinating flora and fauna in this part of the world.
Days 11-14 – Dolphins & bays of the Pacific Coast
Time to head back to the beach, this time on the Pacific Coast. Fewer visitors come to Costa Ballena in comparison to other locations on this side of the country, so you can sunbathe between the palm trees and take beautiful beach walks whilst avoiding the tourist crowds.
You’ll stay in a lodge surrounded by tropical vegetation. From here you can easily reach the Ballena National Marine Park, where you’ll take a boat trip to go dolphin spotting. The rest of your time here is free for you to enjoy the beaches.
Days 14-15 – Back to San Jose and depart
Your Costa Rica adventure has come to an end, and after 3 nights on the coast, you’ll make the 4 hour journey back to the capital to catch your homebound flight. You’ll spend the night in Alajuela, a town outside of San Jose which is a little closer to the airport. If you’re driving, you can drop your car off on the way to the airport and jump in the free transfer to the terminal.
Accommodation
