Luxury Costa Rica

Suggested Itinerary

Overview

Long respected for its progressive environmental policies, Costa Rica has been an incredible success story for responsible tourism, proving it need not come at the expense of comfort, or even luxury for that matter. One of the smallest countries in Latin America, it makes up for its small size by packing a big eco-punch of immaculate nature; a plethora of low-impact activities; and high-end, sustainable accommodation.

Heading south from the capital, San José, the journey begins ...

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TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Suggested Itinerary

This is a suggested itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes, or build a trip from scratch.

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Day 1 Arrive San José – Corcovado National Park

Day 1 Arrive San José – Corcovado National Park

After a morning arrival to San José airport, a personal assistant will be waiting to welcome you to Costa Rica and escort you to a comfortable airport hotel. Day use has been arranged for a private place to run through your upcoming itinerary and to freshen up after your arrival flight. Heading back to the terminal later on, you’ll take a short flight down to Costa Rica’s southern coast where you’ll be met and whisked away to your lodge in the country’s beloved Corcovado National Park.

Lapa Rios Lodge
Dinner

Day 2 Corcovado National Park: Pristine Coastal Rainforest

Day 2 Corcovado National Park: Pristine Coastal Rainforest

After a discussion with the guides at your luxury lode, a jam-packed day of activities will be organised. You may start in search of wildlife found on the biodiverse Osa Peninsula via an exploratory morning hike with a naturalist guide. Don’t miss the opportunity for a guided tour around the grounds of this award-winning lodge – a lesson in luxury sustainable tourism. Then it’s time for lunch with a view at the Lapa Rios restaurant overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Later, an easy afternoon stroll through the rainforest will bring you to the rugged coastline for some highly recommended time on these protected, wild beaches.

Lapa Rios Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 Corcovado National Park: Unspoiled Waters

Day 3 Corcovado National Park: Unspoiled Waters

Today you may wish to see what wildlife lurks around the national park’s unspoiled waters, and a few possible options include a hike along the riverbed to a wild waterfall, trying your hand at surfing at one of the continent’s premier surf destinations or organising a whale watching tour (if in season). Morning and afternoon activities can be broken up with lunch back at the hotel or a boxed lunch can be packed if out for the day.

Lapa Rios Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 Corcovado National Park – Pacuare River

Day 4 Corcovado National Park – Pacuare River

Leaving the national park via boat and a flight back to the capital, a private driver will be waiting to transfer you to the jungle hideaway of Pacuare Lodge. Perched on the banks of the Pacuare River, listed by National Geographic as one of the world's top ten, Pacuare is hidden by lush rainforest. Spend the evening soaking up its natural beauty and tranquillity from your deluxe cabin suite.

Pacuare Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Pacuare River: Rainforest Activities

Day 5 Pacuare River: Rainforest Activities

Waking up to bird song and the flow of the river, an adventure-packed day lies ahead. The Pacuare River begins at about 2,000m in the Talamanca Mountain Range and empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The powerful waters and topography of the river make this a dream area for adventure sport. Whilst famous for white water rafting, you can also climb, abseil or go swimming amongst the beautiful deep green forests, waterfalls and natural pools. There is also the option to hike to a nearby indigenous Cabecar community or enjoy a low-key sustainability tour to learn about the lodge's recycling program and efforts to protect endangered felines.

Pacuare Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 Pacuare River – Bajos del Toro: White-water Rafting

Day 6 Pacuare River – Bajos del Toro: White-water Rafting

The Pacuare River offers up some of the finest white-water rafting in Latin America, coursing its way through untamed wilderness and steep gorges that provide shelter to jaguars, ocelots, monkeys and sloths. After a morning's rafting excursion, you'll then transfer through the volcanoes and cool cloud forests of the Central Highlands to the Relais & Chateaux cloud forest lodge and spa, El Silencio. Enjoy an evening relaxing in these verdant forests on the slopes of Poas Volcano, before a gourmet dinner using ingredients from the hotel’s organic garden.

El Silencio
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 Bajos del Toro: Cloud Forest Hike & Grocery Shop Visit

Day 7 Bajos del Toro: Cloud Forest Hike & Grocery Shop Visit

An energetic morning begins with an invigorating hike from a trailhead close to the hotel, along a soothing creek through the sights and smells of fresh forest to reach not one but three magical waterfalls. Winding down this afternoon, you’ll call into a local grocery shop for a crash course in tortilla making and a leisurely wander around the local area.

El Silencio
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 Bajos del Toro – Arenal

Day 8 Bajos del Toro – Arenal

Following breakfast, you’ll be driven to your next hotel, Nayara Springs, near the iconic Arenal Volcano. Enjoy a free afternoon to enjoy the facilities at this five-star, Relais & Chateaux property which regularly tops the list of Costa Rica’s most exclusive hotels.

Nayara Springs
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 Arenal: Hanging Bridges & Hot Springs

Day 9 Arenal: Hanging Bridges & Hot Springs

Take a morning yoga class up in the forest canopies before a nutritious breakfast to rejuvenate with finest, organic ingredients before the day’s activities. A private driver and guide will chauffeur you to the Arenal Hanging Bridges after breakfast for a unique way to walk through the 250-hectare reserve of primary forest, exploring it at different heights along a series of canopy bridges. The spectacular views of Arenal Volcano through the forest creates an unforgettable experience. After lunch back at the hotel, enjoy an afternoon soaking in a scenic, natural hot spring and spa on the slope of a volcano.

Nayara Springs
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 Arenal – Santa Teresa

Day 10 Arenal – Santa Teresa

Taking a scenic route to the northern Pacific Coast, you’ll board a ferry to cross the islands and Gulf of Nicoya to reach the peninsula, where a private car will be waiting to take you to the exclusive beachfront Nantipa property.

Nantipa
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 Santa Teresa: Beach Time

Day 11 Santa Teresa: Beach Time

Enjoy a final day of relaxation at this stunning slice of Costa Rican paradise. Wake up with a morning dip in the private plunge pool outside your bungalow, before walking over to the beach for breakfast and a day spent lounging on its silky white sand with a good book. The Pacific waves and the shady pool are available to cool off in during the day and you can make use of hotel’s range of wellness therapies before it’s time to get ready for a special farewell dinner under the stars on the beach this evening.

Nantipa
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 Santa Teresa – Depart San José

Day 12 Santa Teresa – Depart San José

After a final beachfront breakfast, you’ll be taken to a small nearby airport for a short flight back to San José where your stylish Costa Rican adventure wraps up.

Breakfast

SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.

GUIDELINE PRICE & WHAT'S INCLUDED

12 days from £11,950

MEALS

As specified in the itinerary, sampling some of the country's finest cuisine.

TRANSPORT

Private air-conditioned vehicles with experienced, dedicated drivers.

ENTRANCE FEES

Tours and admission fees, including tickets specified in the itinerary.

EXPERT TEAM

Licensed English-speaking guides and a support team available 24/7.

ACCOMMODATION

As specified in the itinerary, using some of our favourite local properties.

WILD MILES

This tour will earn you 10854 Wild Miles

ACCOMMODATION

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Wild Miles Club

When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:

Blue More than 10,000 points 2.5% discount
Bronze More than 30,000 points 5% discount
Silver More than 45,000 points 7.5% discount
Gold More than 60,000 points 10% discount

This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.

Positive Impact of this Trip

Tree
Ten trees are planted per passenger on this trip
Community
Supports Wild Frontiers Foundation community projects
Wind Turbine
A contribution to renewable energy projects

WHEN TO GO

START PLANNING YOUR TRIP

Our team of experts have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you plan your adventure of a lifetime.

WHY WILD FRONTIERS?

Meet the expert, Richard

Richard is our Latin America expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.

Speak to Richard by calling
1(833) 200-4640

Famous, yes. Well-travelled, yes. Yet Costa Rica continues to hide eco-gems, off-path mountain lodges set in private nature reserves that share biodiversity with divine reverence.

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