Destinations: San Jose, Pacuare River, La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, Osa Peninsula

Duration: 13 days

*Price Range: $$$

*Rates inclusive of full vacation experience – hotels, tours, domestic transfers, and tax (excluding international airfare).  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.  They will guide you through an expedited immigration process and to baggage claim.  Outside the airport you’ll find your private transfer that will be waiting to help you with your luggage.  Drive 15 minutes into the heart of San Jose for your stay at Grano de Oro, a once Victorian mansion converted into a boutique hotel.  Have dinner at Grano de Oro’s restaurant, ranked as one of the top in the city.  After dinner, relax in the rooftop jacuzzis before a restful night’s sleep.

2. Day 2

   An early start will have you on a whitewater rafting adventure of a lifetime on the beautiful Pacuare River!  The journey to and from Pacuare Lodge is part of the overall experience as you raft one of the world’s top ten scenic rivers to arrive at one of the top 24 eco-lodges in the world (National Geographic).  Pacuare Lodge is one of the most unique and intimate stays in all Costa Rica.  Your open-air bungalow sits alongside the Pacuare River and on one of the largest network of protected areas in Central America, over 1.2 million acres of tropical wilderness.  Enjoy a candlelit dinner within the rainforest canopy before retiring to your candlelit bungalow (no electricity) to enjoy the sounds of the night from your private spring-fed pool.

3. Day 3

   Choose one of the many hikes through the rainforest on the same trails the Cabecar Indians have been using for generations.  Visit one of their villages to learn about their traditions, customs, and way of life.  Enjoy a swim in a nearby waterfall before returning to the lodge.  For adrenaline seekers, enjoy a canopy zip-line or waterfall rappel.  For a pampering experience, the Jawa Juu Spa utilizes natural rainforest ingredients for an organically blissful treatment.

4. Day 4

   Whitewater raft your way from Pacuare Lodge to your next destination, Arenal Volcano.  Check into your room at Arenal Nayara, one of the top hotels in the world and one of our personal favorites.  Here you’ll enjoy volcano views from the privacy of your jacuzzi on the balcony.  This evening enjoy a wine-pairing dinner experience in Nayara’s Nostalgia Wine Bar.

5. Day 5

   Free day to enjoy the amenities and grounds at Arenal Nayara.  Indulge in a spa treatment or, better yet, enjoy a massage class with your partner to learn beginner techniques from a highly trained therapist.  Now that’s a souvenir that keeps on giving!

6. Day 6

   Whether you’re up for adventure or a more leisurely scenic tour, you’ll be sure to experience Costa Rica’s natural beauty on one of the many activities available in the area.  There’s truly something for everyone!  Just make sure to cap off one of your days with a visit to nearby thermal hot springs, one of the highlights of the region.

7. Day 7

   Hop on a short domestic flight from Arenal down to the Central Pacific for your stay in Manuel Antonio, where lush rainforest meets pristine coastline!  Your hotel, Arenas del Mar, offers a privileged location with access to not one but two beaches.  Enjoy beachside service at Playa Playitas as you lounge with monkeys and sloths or walk the long stretching beach of Playa Espadilla during a vibrant sunset.  Dine on delicious, organic meals overlooking Manuel Antonio National Park.  At the end of the day, soak in your whirlpool jacuzzi while listening to the ocean just below your room’s balcony.

8. Day 8

   Hike through Manuel Antonio National Park on a private tour where your naturalist guide will help point out otherwise hidden creatures of the rainforest.  After a moderate walk, refresh in the Pacific Ocean and enjoy a picnic beach lunch.

9. Day 9

   Free day to enjoy the beach and pool!  Or sign-up for a morning ATV ride to nearby waterfalls.

10. Day 10

    A short drive or domestic flight will take you to one of the most remote, biodiverse regions of Costa Rica, The Osa Peninsula.  Set among 70-acres of pristine rainforest reserve between Drake Bay and Corcovado National Park, Copa de Arbol offers luxurious amenities at nature’s doorstep.  Enjoy endless wildlife encounters and hidden beaches along with delicious dining, an infinity pool, and heated jacuzzi.

11. Day 11

    One of the best snorkel and dive locations in Costa Rica, Cano Island Biological Reserve, sits just 10 nautical miles from Copa de Arbol.  Spend the morning swimming with reef sharks, sea turtles, manta rays, devil rays, and more!

12. Day 12

    Hike through the famous Corcovado National Park on a guided tour for some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in all Central America.  It is also the best place to spot some of Costa Rica’s most endangered species through 13 different ecosystems.

13. Day 13

    Take a domestic flight back to San Jose for your international flight home.