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Costa Rica's Untameable South
Visit: San José – San Gerardo de Dota – Corcovado – Manuel Antonio – Arenal
Costa Rica is a rugged, rainforested Central American country with coastlines on the Caribbean and Pacific. Though its capital, San Jose, is home to cultural institutions like the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, Costa Rica is known for its beaches, volcanoes, and biodiversity. Roughly a quarter of its area is made up of protected jungle, teeming with wildlife including spider monkeys and quetzal birds.
Greeting and accommodation at your hotel
Welcome to Costa Rica! Upon arrival at the Juan Santamaría International airport you will be welcomed by our representative who will escort you to your hotel in San José and give you your road book.
Your journey will begin with a first night in San José, the capital, which is located at 3 937 feet above the sea level and gathers half of the population of the country. The town is placed in Central Valley Area, surrounded in the north by different volcanos like Poás, Irazú or Turrialba, and in the south by the Talamanca Cordillera which is the highest mountain range of the southern part of Central America.
tt Place 4*
Get your rental car and head to the Dota Valley
After breakfast, your car rental representative will meet you at your hotel reception to hand you off your rental vehicle.
You will continue your journey toward the Dota Valley, a hilly and rural area, famous among birdwatchers for being the home of the shy quetzal. This region is also crossed by the Savegre River, one of the cleanest rivers on the planet.
Free afternoon to enjoy the lodge or go explore the area on your own.
** Possibility of lodging with a local family – upon request **
Travelling time: 2h15
Included meals: B
Accommodation: Trogon Lodge 3*
Free day to enjoy birdwatching, hiking or other activities
Free day to enjoy your hotel’s facilities or to explore the area as you prefer. You can also add any of the optional activities offered in the area:
Quest of the Quetzal birdwatching tour (2-hour tour)
Cerro de la Muerte Trekking tour (high level of difficulty)
Cerro Buena Vista Trekking tour (intermediate-high level)
Los Campesinos Reserve tour. Visit its hanging bridges, natural pools and Los Chorros Waterfall.
Included meals: B
Accommodation: Trogon Lodge 3*
Early depart to one of the wildest areas of Costa Rica
Today, you’ll have an early drive to Sierpe village where a boat will be waiting to take you to the Osa Peninsula.
Arrival to the Sierpe around 10h30 in the morning.
You will leave your car in a surveilled parking lot (parking lot costs not covered)
Your boat will take you from the river ferry towards Bahía Drake. Relax and enjoy the amazing scenery while the boat snakes along Sierpe River and onto the sea. Upon arrival, a semi-collective transfer (guests of the lodge only) will take you to your hotel.
Free afternoon to enjoy the lodge and the exuberant nature around it.
** Corcovado National Park closes its doors in October due to weather conditions. Therefore, this destination will be replaced for trips in October **
Traveling time: 3h15 drive + 1h30 boat transfer
Included meals: B/L/D
Accommodation: Hotel Pirate Cove 3*
Visit one of the most biodiverse areas in the world
Today, you’ll head out early to a complete day of discovering Corcovado National Parc (included activity), one of the most beautiful treasures of Costa Rica’s biodiversity. This unique place represents 2,5% of the world’s biodiversity and you will witness it firsthand!
You will part in a boat to San Pedrillo station for a walk through the national park along with your English-speaking guide. Along the way, you will have the chance to spot all kinds of animals like tapirs, agoutis, howler monkeys, sloths and many others. If you are very lucky, you can even spot a jaguar!
Included meals: B/L/D
Accommodation: Hotel Pirate Cove 3*
Relax in paradise
Free day to enjoy the beautiful beaches in the area or some of the activities proposed by your lodge.
We suggest the next optional activity:
Snorkeling at Isla del Caño. This island offers a unique marine ecosystem that represents a marine archeological gem. You will be able to spot many colorful fish like the parrotfish. A hike through the island will let you discover its archeological singularity – perfectly round spheres built by hand, that remain a mystery for scientists and archeologists alike.
*Possibility of diving in Isla del Caño for certified travelers. Diving courses available upon request.
Other activities in the area:
Night hike at the lodge’s reserve
Mangrove boat tour (4 travelers minimum)
Diving tour at Isla del Caño (for certified travelers only)
Included meals: B/L/D
Accommodation: Hotel Pirate Cove 3*
Today, you will head towards Drake’s port and then to Sierpe where you will get behind the wheel again. You will continue your journey to the Central Pacific Coast, and more precisely, to Manuel Antonio.
Besides Manuel Antonio National Park, you will have easy access to all the highlights of the southern Pacific Coast of the country such as Marino Ballena National Park, a well-known village for its curious gulf in form of a whale’s tail. Coincidentally, this place is also famous for the whale migration season (mid-July to mid-November).
Traveling time: 2 hours
Included meals: B
Accommodation: Plaza Yara 3*
Relax by the beach or book any optional activity
Free day to enjoy the beautiful beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park, or to book a tour to explore the area, such as:
Hike in Manuel Antonio National Park. IMPORANT: THE PARK IS CLOSED ON MONDAYS
Kayak or boat tour in the mangrove at Las Damas Islands Kayak. You will discover the amazingly rich ecosystem of the islands, that are part of the RAMSAR convention (an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands)
Rafing in Naranjo or Savegre River
Included meals: B
Accommodation: Plaza Yara 3*
La Fortuna Village
You will continue northward to La Fortuna, a town situated at the skirts of the Arenal volcano, Costa Rica´s most famous one. Costa Rica is well-known for its 116 volcanoes, but the Arenal volcano is probably the most famous one. This active volcano rises over 5 347 feet above the sea level and it has the iconic volcano-shaped perfect for pictures. Surprisingly, this volcano is the youngest of the country, being only 7 500 years old!
Even if the Arenal Volcano activity decreased over the past 3 years, some clouds of smoke can still be seen going out of the crater when the sky is clear.
Traveling time: 3h45
Included meals: B
Accommodation: Arenal Oasis Ecolodge & Reserve 3*
Rainforest’s hanging bridges
After breakfast, you will enjoy a hike through the hanging bridges (included activity). Observe the rainforest through the bird’s perspective. These trails and suspended bridges are completely immersed in a rainforest private reserve which will let you spot many of its inhabitants. Some of the animals you might see are the howler monkeys, emerald toucanettes, bell birds, snakes, lizards and basilisks.
Free afternoon to enjoy your hotel’s facilities or explore the region by yourself.
Included meals: B
Accommodation: Arenal Oasis Ecolodge & Reserve 3*
Explore the area as you like!
You will have the day to yourself to enjoy your hotel’s facilities and relax. If you’re up to more adventure, you can add any of these additional activities (for more details please contact your local specialist):
Guided hike in the Arenal Volcano National Park
Excursion to La Fortuna Waterfall (with or without guide)
Canyoning
SUP in Arenal Lake
Zip lining
Spelunking in Venado Caves
Chocolate Farm tour
Salsa Dance Lessons
Cooking lessons with a local family and dinner
Relaxing time in the hot springs (lunch or dinner can be included)
Proyecto Asís Rescue Center
Included meals: B
Accommodation: Arenal Oasis Ecolodge & Reserve 3*
Enjoy your last day in Costa Rica
Today, you will head to the province of Alajuela where the Poás Volcano is located. Along the way, you will enjoy the scenes offered by the coffee plantations, ferns and strawberries, as well as the flower gardens which offer you a beautiful palette of colors and textures. You will have the advantage of being near the airport for your quick return the next day.
Rest of the day to rest and enjoy the hotel or add any optional excursion in the region.
Optional activities on San José: (to do on DAY 12 or DAY 13 according to your flight hours)
Cultural and Historical Tour at the Central Market
Visit Cartago Like a Local! Tour of the old capital by train, bus and bike.
Day/Night Tour in San José’s Gastronomical District
Craft Beer Tour
IMPORTANT: Since April 2017, the Poas volcano is active and it is closed until further notice, however you can also visit the province of Alajuela without any danger or problem.
Traveling time: 3 hours
Included meals: B
Accommodation: Wyndham Herradura 4*
Today, you will head to San Jose International Airport.
You will drop your car off at the car rental agency situated close to the airport and a free shuttle will then take you to the airport.
*You must be there 3h before your departure.
Traveling time: 15 minutes
Included meals: B
