Destinations: Central Valley, La Fortuna, Santa Teresa

Duration: 10 days

*Price Range: $$$

*Actual price based on length of travel, number of travelers/rooms, seasonal rates (high, low, peak), number of tour activities, and mode of domestic transportation.

$$$: At or under $1,200 per person.

$$$: $1,200 – $1,800 per person.

$$$: $1,800+ per person

1. Day 1

   Fly into Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) where one of our local airport representatives will meet you before immigration holding a sign with your name on it.  Outside the airport your private transfer will be waiting to help you with your luggage.  Drive just 20 minutes outside the city into the mountains where you’ll check into Xandari Resort & Spa.  This 40-acre retreat offers uniquely designed villas surrounded by landscaped gardens.  Tonight, enjoy a serene tropical setting and then a delicious dinner overlooking the Central Valley’s twinkling lights.

2. Day 2

   Wake up refreshed with a cup of Costa Rican coffee or a fresh tropical smoothie before a morning hike on one of Xandari’s waterfall trails.  With over three miles of hiking trails skirting along waterfalls, tropical forest, and gardens, you’ll be sure to see a number of birds and butterflies.  Today, sign up for a tour of the Central Valley to see some of the region’s highlights including Poas Volcano, La Paz Waterfalls, and local coffee farms.  Need help fully immersing into vacation mode on your first day?  If so, indulge with a spa treatment such as the chocolate scrub and wrap in Xandari’s Village Spa.

3. Day 3

   After an early breakfast at Xandari, you’ll be rafting one of the top five rafting rivers in the world as you make your way from San Jose up to La Fortuna on this tour transfer.  Pacuare River offers class III-V rapids through lush rainforest and towering canyons.  Lunch is included with your tour transfer with a pick-up at Xandari Resort & Spa and drop off directly at Arenal Nayara.  Enjoy dinner at one of Nayara’s three restaurants followed by a glass of your favorite wine from the Nostalgia Wine Bar.  Share a bottle of wine with new friends while exchanging travel adventures or bring it back to your room to enjoy in your private outdoor jacuzzi tub.

4. Day 4

   A moderate walk along well-groomed trails and over hanging suspension bridges will bring you to new heights in the rainforest.  Enjoy a bird’s eye view as you walk along secure hanging bridges bridges over and through the primary rainforest canopy.  Your guide will help you keep a watchful eye out for monkeys, sloth, countless birds and butterflies, orchids and other flowers, tropical fruits, and other tiny crawlers.  Afterwards, soak in therapeutic thermal hot springs, heated by magma from the Arenal Volcano.  Lunch or dinner is served depending on the time of day.  Return to your oasis at Nayara and enjoy a cocktail at Kali Kali swim up bar.

5. Day 5

   Fly from treetop to treetop on Costa Rica’s signature tour, the canopy zip-line!  A bird’s eye view of the surrounding region will delight you as you securely fly over and through the rainforest at heights well over 100 feet!  This is an adventure tour to satisfy all ages.  Combine the canopy zip-line with a number of other activities such as a volcano hike, Fortuna waterfall hike, or another visit to the hot springs!  Splurge on your final evening at Nayara with a couple’s massage at their award winning spa.

6. Day 6

   Say good-bye to Arenal Nayara as you make your way over to the Pacific Coast.  A private ground transfer will pick you up for your half day’s journey to the Nicoya Peninsula.  Make sure to ask your driver to stop along the way for photo opportunities, lunch, or to simply stretch your legs.  Check into the romantically charming, eco-chic Florblanca Resort, situated on the sprawling Santa Teresa beach.  Florblanca is an oasis of luxury offering earthy accents, high-end amenities, and a front row seat to some of Costa Rica’s best sunsets.

7. Day 7

   Enjoy the rest of your stay in Santa Teresa at your own pace.  There are many optional tours and activities available in the surrounding area such as snorkeling Tortuga Island (highly recommended), hiking Cabo Blanco National Preserve, or riding ATVs to the nearby Montezuma Waterfalls.  Complimentary surf and boogie boards allow you to take advantage of long beach breaks minutes from Florblanca.

8. Day 8

   Indulge your senses in a day of wellness.  Sign-up for yoga or pilates in Florblanca’s open-air studio followed by a soak in Bambu Spa’s jacuzzi with a healing massage.

9. Day 9

   Free day to enjoy your last full day in paradise! Relax by the beach or pool.

10. Day 10

    Take a private ground transfer to Liberia (LIR) or take a domestic flight from Tambor back to San Jose (SJO) for your international flight home.