Day 1
Arrival to San Jose the capital of Costa Rica.
Day 2
After meeting your team, head to Toucan Rescue Ranch for an exclusive wildlife experience and a meaningful introduction to Costa Rica’s extraordinary biodiversity. This respected rescue center offers intimate, close-up opportunities to learn about sloths, toucans, owls, and other native species in a setting dedicated to conservation and rehabilitation. From there, continue on to the laid-back Caribbean charm of Cahuita, a relaxed coastal village known for its Afro-Caribbean culture, lush gardens, golden light, and easygoing seaside atmosphere. If time allows, enjoy a gentle stroll around the grounds before settling in for dinner at a restaurant of your choice.
Day 3
Spend a full day exploring Cahuita National Park, one of the Caribbean coast’s most enchanting protected areas, where rainforest trails meet white-sand beaches and clear turquoise water. The park is celebrated for its relaxed natural beauty, easy scenic walks, and frequent sightings of monkeys, sloths, raccoons, iguanas, and colorful tropical birds along the path. Begin by 8:00 a.m. for the best experience, then enjoy time at a safe beachside spot to relax, swim, and take in the warm Caribbean scenery. Dinner is at your leisure. Lunch snacks are provided; dinner on your own.
Day 4
Begin the day with a peaceful canoe tour, gliding through lush waterways framed by towering vegetation, rich birdlife, and classic lowland tropical scenery. These calm backwaters offer a refined and intimate way to observe Costa Rica’s quieter wildlife, from herons and kingfishers to monkeys and reptiles along the riverbanks.
Enjoy lunch on the way to La Selva; Restaurante El Ceibo is recommended for its convenient stop, safe parking, and good food. Arrive at La Selva as early as possible for a minimum three-hour hike from about 1:00 p.m. until dusk. La Selva Biological Station is one of Costa Rica’s most celebrated rainforest research sites, known for dense forest, exceptional biodiversity, and outstanding wildlife opportunities. As the afternoon light softens, the forest becomes especially active with birds, amphibians, insects, and mammals. Be sure to highlight frogs on the night walk, which is often even better here than in Cahuita.
Day 5
Enjoy a full day on the Sarapiquí River, one of Costa Rica’s richest lowland ecosystems, surrounded by vibrant tropical forest and remarkable wildlife habitat. This region is especially rewarding for nature lovers, with chances to spot monkeys, iguanas, river birds, and countless tropical species while drifting through peaceful waterways framed by lush greenery. It is a wonderfully immersive experience that showcases the quieter, more elegant side of the rainforest.
Day 6
Depart in the morning for EcoCentro Danaus and arrive as early as possible so guests can enjoy the reserve at its most active. This private ecological reserve near Arenal is known for beautifully maintained trails, wetlands, butterfly gardens, and excellent opportunities to observe sloths, frogs, birds, and other wildlife in a compact yet rewarding setting. After time on the nature paths, stop for lunch at a nearby restaurant, then continue to the hotel for a relaxing evening of thermal waters and magnificent volcano views in the Arenal area.
Day 7
Depart in the morning for Monteverde and enjoy a half-day of hiking and birding in the famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve, one of Costa Rica’s most iconic highland destinations. Known for misty trails, lush epiphytes, giant tree ferns, and remarkable birdlife, the reserve offers an atmospheric and almost ethereal cloud forest experience, with special emphasis on spotting the resplendent quetzal. Tickets should be purchased in advance, as access to the trails is now regulated.
Day 8
Spend the morning among the treetops on the Selvatura or Sky Walk hanging bridges, where guests can take in sweeping cloud forest views and experience the upper canopy from a privileged perspective. In the afternoon, choose from La Finca Ecológica, the pig farm hike, the Children’s Eternal Rainforest, or a similar nature experience—each offering a distinctive look at Monteverde’s rural charm, cool mountain air, and remarkable biodiversity. Guests who choose the canopy tour will return to the hotel via Selvatura transportation and will miss the afternoon hike. Please provide cash for lunch on site.
Later in the day, continue with an afternoon hike at Curi Cancha or another nearby preserve, an especially rewarding area for elegant birdwatching and close wildlife encounters.
Day 9
Leave Monteverde by 8:00 a.m. and travel toward Tárcoles before continuing to Carrara for a scenic 2–3 hour hike, ideally before lunch. This transition from the cloud forest to the central Pacific brings a dramatic change in landscape, with warmer weather, dry forest influences, and beautiful coastal scenery along the way. Carrara National Park is especially known for its rich birdlife, diverse habitats, and opportunities to spot scarlet macaws in one of the country’s most rewarding wildlife corridors, making it a memorable and visually striking stop on the journey.
Day 10
New option: Spend the morning hiking in Hacienda Barú Wildlife Refuge, a beautiful private reserve of forest, trails, and coastal habitat known for its excellent birdlife and easy wildlife viewing, followed by a picnic and a relaxing beach afternoon at Playa Linda, a broad and peaceful Pacific beach ideal for unwinding, enjoying the sea breeze, and taking in the tropical surroundings.
Day 11
After breakfast, continue toward Puerto Jiménez, the gateway to the Osa Peninsula and one of Costa Rica’s most biodiverse corners. This small southern Pacific town has a remote, adventurous feel while still offering a charming sense of arrival, and it serves as the perfect base for exploring mangroves, coastline, and rainforest. In the evening, enjoy kayaking followed by dinner—a graceful introduction to the wild beauty and exclusive feel of the region.
Day 12
Drive to Carate in the morning, then spend the afternoon exploring the lagoon, beach, and surrounding wild landscapes. Carate is one of Costa Rica’s most remote and atmospheric coastal areas, where rainforest meets the Pacific in a dramatic and untamed setting. It is a wonderful chance for guests to slow down, enjoy the rhythm of the ocean, and experience the raw, exclusive natural beauty of the Osa Peninsula.
