Discovery of the real Costa Rica, focused on the land and agriculture.

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in San Jose

  

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

• day 2

  San Jose and 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 tell you about the country's culture, traditions, economy, and politics. The tour ends at the central market where you can taste a local specialty with the Ticos. Our car rental agent will deliver your 4x4 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

  

  You will meet our French-speaking guide at 9am 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. Free afternoon 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 are visiting a wildlife rescue center that allows you to have direct contact with monkeys, wild cats, sloths, raccoons, coatis, anteaters, reptiles, frogs, crocodiles, caimans, and all kinds of birds, including the magnificent toucan... Afterwards, free time to enjoy the beaches or try surfing! Night in an ecolodge.

• day 5

  Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and Sarapiquí

  

  You take the road to Sarapiqui (4h). At lunchtime, you visit Maria's farm, a 7-hectare 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 native pre-Columbian indigenous people.

• day 6

  Sarapiquí and Arenal volcano

  

  Small guided hike in a cocoa plantation (with passage over 2 suspension bridges crossing the Rio Sarapiqui). The guide explains the entire chocolate-making process, with tasting of cocoa in all its forms. You take the road 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

  

  Hiking on the hanging bridges: a 3 km trail with 15 hanging 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. Night in an ecolodge.

• day 8

  Arenal Volcano and Tenorio Volcano

  

  From 8 a.m., you leave for "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", a Costa Rican breakfast, "tortillas", "patacones" or "empanadas" and enjoy your creations for lunch. Drive to the Tenorio volcano in the early afternoon (2h). Check-in at a charming small hotel with 5 rooms.

• day 9

  Tenorio Volcano and Carara National Park

  

  You start the day with a hike in Tenorio National Park to see the Rio Celeste (the river with turquoise blue color), 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 and Barú Refuge

  

  Boat trip on the Rio Tarcoles to see the huge crocodiles, scarlet macaws, and other water birds. Drive to the Baru Wildlife 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 3 p.m., you leave with the lodge guides into the heights of the reserve to spend a night in the jungle. Dinner and breakfast prepared by your guides. Accommodation in rustic bungalows with real bedding.

• day 12

  Baru Refuge and Dota Valley

  

  You return from your excursion in the middle of the morning. Drive to the Dota Valley: 2h30 Check-in at a mountain lodge at 2,900 m altitude. The landscapes change dramatically, and so does the temperature!

• day 13

  Dota Valley and Turrialba

  

  Morning excursion around 6am to observe the famous Quetzal, the mythical bird of the Mayan people, with its emerald color and red breast. Upon returning to 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, which grows coffee, sugar cane, and raises horses, cows, chickens...

• day 14

  Turrialba and San José

  

  You take a guided tour of the farm before getting back on the road to San José (2h). You return the car to the rental company at your hotel. Night in a small charming hotel in the center of the capital.

• day 15

  San Jose and Airport

  

  Our driver will accompany you to the airport.