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 Rica between land and agriculture. You will be enchanted by this off-the-beaten-path trip.

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 meets you at your hotel and spends the morning with you. He takes you through the lively streets of the city, shows you the historic buildings, and talks to you about the culture, traditions, economy, and politics of the country. The visit ends at the central market where you can taste a local specialty with the Ticos.

Our car rental service delivers your 4x4 to the hotel around 1 pm, and you take the road to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, a charming village on the lively southern Caribbean coast where the mix of cultures (Creole, Rasta, surfer, and bohemian) is unique in the country (4-hour drive).

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

Day 3: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and Cahuita National Park

You meet our French-speaking guide at 9 am for a visit to Cahuita National Park, a promontory covered with tropical forest with turquoise waters and a well-preserved coral reef.

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

Overnight in an eco-lodge.

Day 4: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

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

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

Overnight in an eco-lodge.

Day 5: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca – Sarapiqui

You take the road to Sarapiqui (4-hour drive).

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

Check-in at an eco-lodge designed based on pre-Columbian native indigenous construction techniques.

Day 6: Sarapiqui – Arenal Volcano

A small guided hike in a reserve (with passage over 2 suspension bridges crossing above the Rio Sarapiqui), where the guide explains the entire chocolate-making process (with cocoa tasting in all its forms).

You take the road to the majestic Arenal Volcano with its perfect cone shape (1.5-hour drive).

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

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

Day 7: Arenal Volcano

A 3 km course with 15 suspension bridges above the canopy (bridge lengths from 48 to 100m) offering a superb view of the Volcano.

In the afternoon, relax in hot springs.

Overnight in an eco-lodge.

Day 8: Arenal Volcano – Tenorio Volcano

At 8 am you head for "Pura Vida Cooking Classes" a Costa Rican cooking class – You will start by taking a short walk through the farm to collect 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.

Route to Tenorio Volcano early afternoon (2-hour drive).

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

Day 9: Tenorio Volcano – Carara National Park

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

Route to Tarcoles and Carara National Park (3-hour drive).

Check-in at a guest room with breathtaking views over the meanders of Rio Tarcoles.

Day 10: Carara National Park – Baru Refuge

Boat excursion on Rio Tarcoles to see enormous crocodiles, red macaws, and other aquatic birds.

Route to Baru Wildlife Refuge (2.5-hour drive).

Check-in at Hacienda Baru located in the namesake wildlife reserve.

Day 11: Baru Refuge

Free morning to enjoy many trails of the lodge and the beach accessible by foot.

At 3 pm you head out with lodge guides into reserve heights for an overnight stay. Dinner and breakfast prepared by your guides. Accommodation in rustic bungalows with real bedding.

Day 12: Baru Refuge – Dota Valley

You return from your excursion mid-morning. Route to Dota Valley: 2.5-hour drive. Check-in at a mountain lodge at an altitude of 2900m where landscapes change drastically as does temperature!

Day 13: Dota Valley – Turrialba

Morning excursion around 6 am to observe the famous Quetzal, mythical bird of Mayan people with emerald color and red breastplate. Back at lodge enjoy property trails & beautiful gardens. Route for Turrialba (3-hour drive) Check-in at family-run agricultural & ecological farm covering 350 hectares that grows coffee & sugarcane while raising horses cattle poultry…

Day 14: Turrialba – San Jose

Guided farm tour before heading back to San Jose (2-hour drive) Return car rental at hotel. Night in charming small hotel downtown capital.

Day 15: San Jose - Airport

Our driver accompanies you to airport.