Day 1
Overview
The Caribbean hosts more than 100 miles of coastlines, coral reefs, protected areas, and towns with Afro-Caribbean heritage; while the Central Pacific boasts white sand beaches, natural parks, fishing, and diving.
Wake up next to a Caribbean beach and enjoy a breathtaking sunset on the Pacific Ocean on the same day!
Highlights
• Snorkel the coral reef gardens of Cahuita National Park.
• Wildlife sightseeing such as wildlife such as monkeys, sloths, red and green frogs, iguanas, and toucans, among other species.
• Puerto Viejo town exploring (restaurants, nightlife, Caribbean music, rent a bike).
• Pacific Ocean Sunsets from your room balcony.
• White sand beaches surrounded by emerald waters and jungle.
• Optional Spa/yoga services.
Duration
9 days / 8 nights (with the option to combine other destinations)
What is included?
Arrival and departure airport transfers, private transportation on comfortable air-conditioned microbuses between destinations, one-way domestic flight, accommodations at suggested lodges/hotels, daily breakfasts, day tours as described in the itinerary, and local taxes.
Excludes
International airfare to Costa Rica (we can recommend the best routes), personal expenses (passport, medical, souvenirs, etc.), hotel extras (laundry, phone calls, alcoholic beverages, spa treatments), optional tours, additional transfers, entrance fees to locations not mentioned on the program, gratuities (drivers, guides, hospitality staff), insurance (travel, baggage loss, medical).
Travel dates
Any time of the year
Welcome & transfer in SJO Airport to your hotel
On arrival at the San Jose International Airport (SJO), you will be meet & greet by our bilingual representative who will help you with your luggage and transfer you to the hotel.
Gran Hotel Costa Rica, Curio Collection by Hilton (1 night)
Welcome to Gran Hotel Costa Rica, Curio Collection by Hilton, an iconic gem in the heart of San Jose. Located on the pedestrian boulevard Avenida Central, our hotel overlooks the National Theatre and is steps from cafés, shops, museums and other top attractions.
Every guest room has a king bed or two full beds with pillow-top mattresses and soft linens for a great night’s sleep. Enjoy complimentary WiFi, a 50-inch HDTV, mini-refrigerator, coffeemaker, private safe, and work desk with ergonomic chair. The bathroom features a walk-in shower, hairdryer and deluxe bath products.
Day 2
San José to Puerto Viejo, Limón (stop Aerial Tram)
Pick up at your hotel for the land transfer from San José to the Caribbean lowlands, on the way stop at the Rain Forest Aerial Tram Park.
Aerial Tram
Experience magnificent views of Braulio Carrillo National Park and our private reserve, an immersive nature experience as well as a glorious treetop flight over the Canopy of the Rainforest with a naturalist guide.
Our precious Butterfly Garden collection offers visitors the chance to appreciate unique and beautiful butterflies in a carefully controlled environment of 200 square meters which contains dozens of exotic and tropical species.
In our Orchids Garden, you can learn a lot about these special plants: herbaceous, monocotyledons, terrestrial, epiphytes, or litofilas. The Orchidaceae family is really cosmopolitan, present in every continent. It’s formed of 30,000 species, 800 genders, and more than 100,000 hybrids.
In our Terrarium, you’ll be able to see many interesting species of amphibians and reptiles as you walk through. Learn about them and their ecosystems, all while understanding their importance and co-existence in the rainforest!
*It’s recommended that you bring comfortable clothes, a raincoat, and repellent.
*The use of closed-toe shoes is obligatory within the park.
*The use of any sort of flip flops within the park is not allowed.
Boutique Hotel Aguas Claras Puerto Viejo (3 nights)
Hotel Aguas Claras is a new boutique hotel located in Puerto Viejo along Costa Rica’s less-traveled Caribbean Coast. The area’s only five-star property, the hotel’s design puts an artsy take on the classic Victorian-Caribbean aesthetic spread across six standalone bungalows, six uniquely-decorated suites, an on-site sustainable restaurant and bar, yoga shala, colorful pool deck and soon to open beach club. In addition to its location just steps from the warm sands of Punta Cocles beach, guests will enjoy a slew of local artwork and an eclectic collage of Wes Anderson-like colors in this plastic-free property that offers the rich Afro-Costa Rican experience at its finest.
Steps away from the hotel, this is the closet beach access available at Aguas Claras. A light clay-colored beach where at low tide with the reef exposed warm tide pools can be enjoyed by visitors. You may also enjoy snorkeling at this beach, taking advantage of the complimentary snorkeling gear provided by the hotel.
Pavlova Sweets is a Victorian Row House in a complex strip near the pool and restaurant area.
It has 6 rooms with king size beds and 1 room with 2 double beds. Each room has its own mini bar, desk, a sofa, small living room table and an outdoor open shower within a private wooden lounge area, as part of its unique individual moroccan style semi-open terrace.
Day 3
Cahuita Snorkelling & Rainforest Hike
Cahuita National Park has the largest system of Coral Reefs in Costa Rica, including 6 species of coral, a wide range of colorful tropical fishes and the occasional encounter of a harmless reef shark or stingray. This beach has a horse shoe shape, with the entrance of the park at one end and beautiful Punta Cahuita at the other end. We start with a scenic 20 minute boat ride to have two snorkeling sessions. Then we get drop off at the Punta to enjoy a delicious fruit and snacks break at the beach followed by a 1 hour guided hike in this wonderful coastal forest: monkeys, sloths, birds, poison dart frogs, iguanas and other interesting encounters are common.
Day 4
Free day at Puerto Viejo
Enjoy a free day exploring the Caribbean riding on a rented bike, join another tour in the area or simply relax at your hotel and beach.
Day 5
Private transfer Puerto Viejo to Limón Airport
Pick up at your hotel for the private transportation to Limón Airport to take your domestic flight.
Driving time: approx.
Domestic flight Limón to San José
Take a short scenic domestic flight crossing the Caribbean towards the central valley of San José. Enjoy the views of rivers crossing the blue and green color mountains.
Domestic flight San José to Quepos
Take a short scenic domestic flight crossing the central valley of San José towards the Pacific Coast. Enjoy the views of rivers crossing the blue and green color mountains.
Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort (3 nights)
Located within walking distance of Manuel Antonio National Park, Arenas Del Mar is far from a
traditional luxury hotel. Unique among the resorts in the area, this carbon-neutral property – the first high-end Costa Rican hotel to be awarded Five Star status and the Five Sustainability Leaf Award – offers sustainable, luxurious lodgings immersed in tropical wildlife. Arenas Del Mar is the perfect base for exploring your Manuel Antonio vacation and for blissful beach relaxation.
Privileged cliffside position where the rainforest meets the Pacific Ocean, private beach, Premium Suites with private hot tubs, an abundance of wildlife including three-toed sloths and white-faced capuchin monkeys, world-class, Costa Rican-inspired dining & Gluten-free options and impeccable, friendly service.
Guided hikes including Manuel Antonio National Park and Nauyaca Waterfalls, surf lessons, canopy tours, and more.
Ocean View Superior Rooms are open-concept, studio-style suites with 45sq.m (488sq.ft) of living space. These suites boast panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Your perfect sunset spot. Accommodates up to 2 guests. Up to 200sq.ft Covered Balcony. Outdoor Kitchenette and lounge area.
Day 6
Manuel Antonio National Park
Enjoy the charms of the renowned Manuel Antonio National Park. Its extensive white sand beaches are backed by beautiful green exuberant forests with diverse flora and fauna.
Your naturalist guide will teach you about the park's distinctive plant life and locate camouflaged fauna which includes around 110 species of mammals and more than 200 species of birds. You will observe monkeys, agouti, sloths, and deers. Discover new panoramic views from different lookout points of well-maintained nature trails while having a jungle beach hike and, then stop for a refreshing dive into crystalline waters.
Day 7
Free day at Manuel Antonio
Enjoy a free day to enjoy the hotel facilities or join some other attractions of the area (at extra cost) such as ocean kayaking, surfing lessons, a catamaran/snorkeling tour, fishing boat tour.
Day 8
Manuel Antonio, Quepos to San José
Pick up at your hotel for the land transfer back to San José area.
Driving time: 3 hours approximately
