From The Caribbean To The Pacific

Costa Rica From The Caribbean To The Pacific

19 days, £2544 per person

One of the best all round experiences of Costa Rica! This itinerary takes you from one side of the country to the other before ending with a touch of luxury on the magnificent Pacific coast!

Places you visit: San Jose – Puerto Viejo – Tortuguero – Sarapiqui – Arenal – Monteverde – Nicoya Peninsula – Central Valley

“They put together a well thought out trip for us with incredible hotels and experiences, adjusting the holiday to suit our requirements.”

Suzanne, March 2018.

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Speak to someone who has been to Costa Rica on +44 208 191 7772 or send an enquiry.

Tour Itinerary

View a day by day summary below or

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Day 1: Meet & greet on arrival & transfer to hotel

On arrival to Costa Rica you will be met by your friendly driver who will help you with your bags and take you directly to your hotel by private transfer. Evening at leisure.

Meals Included: None today

Suggested Accommodation: Parque del Lago

Day 2: Travel to the Caribbean surfer town of Puerto Viejo

costa rica's caribbean coast near puerto viejo

After breakfast you will be met at your hotel and taken to the laid back surfer town of Puerto Viejo. The drive takes about 4 hours. After checking into your hotel the rest of the day is at leisure to laze on the beach or explore the area by bike. Your hotel is just a few steps from Cocles beach.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Suggested Accommodation: Cariblue

Day 3: Visit a local wildlife rescue centre

Accompanied by a bilingual guide, you will have a tour of the facility. Run by two biologists, the centre takes in and treats unwell or wounded wild animals from the South Caribbean area. At any one time there are hundreds of animals including sloths, wild cats, monkeys, owls, eagles, snakes, frogs and more!

Meals Included: Breakfast

Suggested Accommodation: Cariblue

Day 4: A guided hike in the Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge

gandoca manzanillo wildlife refuge beach

Isolated and exotic, the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife refuge is beautiful and untouched with incredible rainforest, lagoons, coral reefs and white sand beaches. On this guided jungle hike you will be able to observe monkeys, toucans, sloths, snakes, caimans and a huge variety of birds. End by relaxing on the picture perfect beach!

Meals Included: Breakfast

Suggested Accommodation: Cariblue

Day 5: Journey by road & boat to Tortuguero

This morning you depart early travelling north up the Caribbean coast stopping at a town called Guapiles for breakfast. From here you continue past banana and pineapple plantations before reaching the dock at Caño Blanco. After a 2 hour boat trip from here you reach the lodge. This afternoon visit Tortuguero village and the turtle museum.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Suggested Accommodation: Evergreen Lodge

Day 6: Spotting wildlife on the Tortuguero jungle canals

tortuguero jungle canals boat tour in costa rica

This morning you have a guided nature walk along private rainforest trails close to your lodge. After lunch you will have a boat trip along the canals of Tortuguero national park. Spend the afternoon spotting caiman, several types of monkeys, hundreds of species of birds, sloths, river turtles, many different lizards and more!

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Suggested Accommodation: Evergreen Lodge

Day 7: Travel to Sarapiqui in the northern lowlands

After breakfast this morning you re-board the boat back to Guapiles where you stop for lunch. After lunch continue by road to Sarapiqui in the northern lowlands. Check in to your rainforest lodge. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to explore the nature trails and suspension bridges in the reserve.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Suggested Accommodation: Selva Verde Lodge

Day 8: Discover the Selva Verde Reserve

Enjoy a tour of the 500 acre Selva Verde private reserve accompanied by a resident naturalist guide. There are hundreds of species of plants and animals including several types of monkeys, mot-mots, toucans, poison dart frogs, sloths, and more!

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Suggested Accommodation: Selva Verde Lodge

Day 9: Transfer to the Arenal Volcano & afternoon at leisure

pool at casa luna hotel in arenal costa rica

Today you will be taken by road to Arenal, a drive of about 1.5 hours. After checking in the rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps visit the hot springs, relax in the pool or enjoy dinner in one of the restaurants we recommend in our personalised trip guidebook that we publish for each booking.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Suggested Accommodation: Casa Luna

Day 10: The hanging suspension bridges of Arenal

Discover a fascinating network of 16 suspension bridges that hang across the forest canopy. Your naturalist guide will take you on a leisurely stroll across the bridges and network of trails looking for wildlife. There are some great views so make sure you bring your camera!

Meals Included: Breakfast

Suggested Accommodation: Casa Luna

Day 11: A day at leisure to relax and visit the hot springs

Today is a free day, but there are many activities available in Arenal that we can organise for you including chocolate tours, zip lining, horse riding, rafting tours, mountain biking, hanging bridges and more!

Meals Included: Breakfast

Suggested Accommodation: Casa Luna

Day 12: Scenic lake crossing to the Monteverde

resplendent quetzal in monteverde reserve costa rica

Today you will take a fantastic transfer by land and then boat across Arenal lake. This is a beautiful journey with wonderful views of the volcano and the surrounding area along the way. Arrive to Monteverde in the cloud forest early afternoon.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Suggested Accommodation: Trapp Family Lodge

Day 13: Guided hike in the Santa Elena Cloud Forest

Experience the silence and tranquility of the forest as the clouds drift in and out creating a unique mysterious atmosphere. The reserve is managed by the local community and the income from the entrance fees is used to help protect and maintain the fragile eco system and promote better environmental education in local schools.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Suggested Accommodation: Trapp Family Lodge

Day 14: The final stretch to the Pacific coast!

This morning you depart the cool climate of Monteverde and head towards the Pacific coast. The journey takes between 3 and 4 hours. You arrive to your hotel in time for lunch. Spend the evening admiring the incredible sunset from the terrace with a cocktail in hand!

Meals Included: Breakfast

Suggested Accommodation: Lagarta Lodge

Day 15: Snorkeling at San Juanillo

Today you will be taken to the quiet and secluded beach of San Juanillo, one of the most beautiful in the area. It is also one of the best places to snorkel with its clear and calm water. There will be plenty of time for relaxing and sunbathing and a picnic of light snacks is included.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Suggested Accommodation: Lagarta Lodge

Days 16 & 17: Beaches, beer, sunsets, yoga and relaxation!

Two free days on the Pacific coast to relax. Your hotel has complimentary shuttles to four nearby beaches. You could also visit the hotel’s own private nature reserve. Kayaking, surfing, boat tours, cycling, hiking and yoga are just some of the available activities.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Suggested Accommodation: Lagarta Lodge

Day 18: Take a short flight to your coffee valley hotel

Today you take a 50 minute light aircraft flight from Nosara back to San Jose. The small plane flies low for great views as you fly. On arrival you are met and taken by private transfer to your coffee hotel in the Central Valley. Afternoon at leisure by the pool.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Suggested Accommodation: Finca Rosa Blanca

Day 19: Coffee tour & departure or extend your trip!

picking coffee on finca rosa blanca coffee tour in costa rica

This morning you will enjoy a tour of an organic, shade grown coffee plantation. You will get to see how the coffee is made and taste the end product. After the tour you will be taken to the airport for your return flight. Why not extend your trip by adding three or four nights in the Osa Peninsula? Call us today to start planning your trip!

Meals Included: Breakfast

Remember this trip can be customised to your particular tastes and interests!