Enjoy the extraordinary biodiversity of Costa Rica

An authentic 15-day tour with car rental awaits you; set off to discover the true nature of Costa Ricans between land and agriculture. You will be won over by this off-the-beaten-path stay.

Day 1: Arrival in San Jose

Transfer with your driver Ernesto to your hotel located in the historic district of the capital.

Day 2: San Jose – Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Our French-speaking guide will meet you at your hotel and spend the morning with you. He will take you through the lively streets of the city, show you the historic buildings, and talk to you about the country's culture, traditions, economy, and politics. The visit ends at the central market where you can taste a local specialty with the Ticos.

Our car rental partner will deliver your 4×4 to the hotel around 1pm and you will head to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, a charming village on the southern Caribbean coast, very lively, where the mix of cultures (Creole, Rasta, surfer, and bohemian) is unique in the country (4h drive).

Check-in at an ecolodge within walking distance of Playa Chiquita.

Day 3: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and Cahuita National Park

At 9am, you will meet our French-speaking guide for a visit to Cahuita National Park, a promontory covered with tropical forest with turquoise water beaches and a well-preserved coral reef at its feet.

Then, free time to enjoy the many beaches in the area (Cocles, Chiquita, Punta Uva, and Manzanillo) or go snorkeling on the coral reefs of Cahuita National Park.

Overnight in an ecolodge.

Day 4: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

You will visit a center that allows direct contact with monkeys, wild cats, sloths, raccoons, coatis, anteaters, reptiles, frogs, crocodiles, caimans, and all kinds of birds including the magnificent toucan…

Then, free time to enjoy the beaches or try surfing!

Overnight in an ecolodge.

Day 5: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca – Sarapiqui

You will drive to Sarapiqui (4h drive).

At lunchtime, you will visit Maria's farm, a palm plantation: young palms for their hearts, tall palms for their fruits (pejibaye), followed by an excellent lunch based on palm hearts (ceviche, lasagna, cake, pancakes made with palm heart flour).

Check-in at an ecolodge whose architecture is based on the construction techniques of pre-Columbian native peoples.

Day 6: Sarapiqui – Arenal Volcano

Short guided hike in a reserve (with passage over 2 suspension bridges crossing the Rio Sarapiqui). The guide will explain the entire chocolate-making process (with tasting of cacao in all its forms).

You will drive to the majestic Arenal Volcano with its perfect cone shape (1h30).

Check-in at an ecolodge run by a Costa Rican family and located on a biological corridor, making this lodge an ideal place to observe local wildlife.

In the evening, guided night hike on the property to observe the rich nocturnal life.

Day 7: Arenal Volcano

3 km trail with 15 suspension bridges above the canopy (bridge lengths from 48 to 100 m) and a superb view of the volcano.

In the afternoon, you will relax in the hot springs.

Overnight in an ecolodge.

Day 8: Arenal Volcano – Tenorio Volcano

From 8am, you will go to “Pura vida Cooking Classes”, a Costa Rican cooking class. You will start with a short walk through the farm to pick some ingredients for your creations, which will depend on the season. You will prepare the famous “Gallo Pinto”, Costa Rican breakfast, “tortillas”, “patacones” or “empanadas” and enjoy your creations for lunch.

Drive to Tenorio Volcano in the early afternoon (2h).

Check-in at a charming small hotel with 5 rooms.

Day 9: Tenorio Volcano – Carara National Park

You will start the day with a hike in Tenorio National Park to see the Rio Celeste (the river with turquoise blue water), the hot springs, and the waterfall.

Drive to Tarcoles and Carara National Park (3h).

Check-in at a guesthouse with a breathtaking view of the meanders of the Tarcoles river.

Day 10: Carara National Park – Baru Refuge

Boat trip on the Tarcoles River to see the huge crocodiles, scarlet macaws, and other water birds.

Drive to Baru Refuge (2h30).

Check-in at Hacienda Baru located in the wildlife reserve of the same name.

Day 11: Baru Refuge

Free morning to enjoy the many trails of the lodge and the beach within walking distance.

At 3pm, you will go with the lodge guides to the heights of the reserve to spend the night. Dinner and breakfast prepared by your guides. Accommodation in rustic bungalows with real bedding.

Day 12: Baru Refuge – Dota Valley

You will return from your excursion in the middle of the morning.

Drive to the Dota Valley: 2h30.

Check-in at a mountain lodge at 2900 m altitude. The landscapes change radically and so does the temperature!

Day 13: Dota Valley – Turrialba

Early morning excursion around 6am to observe the famous Quetzal, the mythical bird of the Mayan people, with emerald color and red chest.

Back at the lodge, you can enjoy the trails and the beautiful gardens of the property.

Drive to Turrialba (3h).

Check-in at a 350-hectare family-run agricultural and ecological farm that grows sugar cane and raises horses, cows, chickens…

Day 14: Turrialba – San Jose

You will have a guided tour of the farm before heading back to San Jose (2h).

You will return the car to the rental company at your hotel.

Overnight in a small charming hotel in the center of the capital.

Day 15: San Jose - Airport

Our driver will take you to the airport.